Real Madrid ease to a comfortable home win over Galatasaray

It was a perfect day at the office for Jose Mourinho and his boys as they emerged from their Quarterfinal 1st leg versus Galatasaray with a near perfect result. 3 goals giving them a sizable advantage going into the 2nd leg in Istanbul and no away goals conceded.


Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane, who were both doubtful before the game, were passed fit and took the field for Madrid. Michael Essien came in for Alvaro Arbeloa at right back in the only change to the starting XI from the side that played Manchester United in both games. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the customary Champions League goal for the 4th consecutive game in a row. It was a beautiful finish from the Portuguese who chipped it over the onrushing Fernando Muslera after receiving a neat through ball from Mesut Ozil.

Galatasaray though showed plenty of adventure and were not content on sitting back. Felipe Melo in the middle of the park had a very good game for the visitors. He was involved in most of the good work and the Turkish side showed good attacking intent as they tested Diego Lopez in the Madrid goal with some long rangers. However, playing such an open game they fell prey to Real's scythe like attack on the counter. Angel Di Maria had another good Champions League outing and Fatih Terim's side were finding it difficult to contain the runs of Ronaldo and Di Maria. Karim Benzema then added the second for the home side, when he chested down a Michael Essien before effecting a cool finish at the near post.

Despite going 2 goals down, Gala still strove forward looking to attack and had a decent spell of possession before half-time, but couldn't break down the Madrid defence where both Sergio Ramos and Varane had another excellent game. But, in the second half, it was all Madrid as Galatasaray faded with their players looking fatigued and their lack of experience at this stage. Real did not really have to get out of third gear and were in cruise control and soon got the third of the night when substitute Gonzalo Higuain, who had come on for Benzema, headed in Xabi Alonso's free-kick.

A job well done for Mourinho that sees Madrid with one foot already in the semi-finals as Galatasaray will need nothing short of a miracle to overturn this one. And they will have to do it without their ace marksman Burak Yilmaz, who picked up a yellow for simulation, when replays actually showed that a penalty should have been awarded for Ramos's stamp on the Turkish forward. Ramos did pick up a yellow eventually, with some claiming it was intentional, just like 2 years ago in order to clean his slate before the semis. But, the gulf in class between the 2 sides was evident on the night and it might be one that Fatih Terim and Galatasaray may not be able to bridge even in front of their home fans in Istanbul.

LA LIGA Results: Sat, Feb 23

Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla

The Catalans fought back from a first half deficit to come through the game with goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi. Sevilla took the lead in the very first minute of the match from Alberto Botia's header. Possibly still carrying a hangover from their midweek loss against AC Milan, the hosts looked ineffectual even with all the possession they enjoyed and there was a predictability to their play that helped Sevilla see out the half without too many dangers. In the second half, Barca upped the tempo a bit and brought on Cristian Tello for Alexis Sanchez who had had a quiet night. The more direct Tello seemed to have an effect as he helped inject some much needed pace into the hosts' play. Villa, back in the team after recovering from kidney stones, got the equalizer as he ran onto Dani Alves' cross from the right to slot home. Messi then grabbed the winner with a cool finish in front of goal from Tello's assist. The win takes Barca 15 points ahead from second placed Atletico Madrid who are in action on Sunday.

Deportivo La Coruna 1-2 Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho fielded an under-strength team for the game, with the midweek clash against arch rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Ray in mind. And, the move almost back-fired as Real scrapped their way to a 2-1 win at the Stadio Riazor. The home side went into half-time a goal to the good thanks to Riki's first half strike. The visitor's had a torrid time dealing with the threat from Depor's Rikki and Pizzi as they took the attack to Madrid. With his side hardly threatening, Mourinho rang the changes just after half time, as he brought on Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira to try and salvage the game. And the changes worked as Real went on to lay siege to the Depor goal. With 17 minutes left, Kaka curled one into the right hand corner to draw Real level before Ronaldo found an unmarked Higuain who was left with a simple tap in for the winner. With the game won, Angel Di Maria displayed some immature petulance and refused to back up at 2 free-kicks earning him 2 yellow cards in no time and a dismissal from the game. He is now out of the second El Clasico clash against Barca next Saturday.

Other results
Real Zaragoza 2-2 Valencia
Mallorca 1-3 Getafe