Real Madrid took full advantage 0f Barca's weekend absence from La Liga by thrashing Real Zaragoza 6-0. Both teams have now played 15 games. Both are +27 on goal difference. And now Madrid is a mere 2 points back from the league leaders.
It was always going to take time for Pellegrini's side to gel, but more than that the personnel selections were going to be difficult to figure out at first, especially with a veritable buffet of pedigreed footballers (Kaka, Ronaldo, Guti, Ramos, Benzema, Iker, Higauain, etc., etc.) from which to choose. It was bound to take a little trial and error. Though Pellegrini did seem too insistent on including Benzema in the first team, when the mercurial French striker did little to repay his faith.
But, as soon as Pellegrini followed our advice and started Higuain instead of Benzema, he and the club were handsomely rewarded. The young Argentine striker has racked up an impressive 10 goal tally over the past eight games, including two braces in the last two fixtures. Perhaps more importantly, he has worked harder for Madrid up front than Benzema ever cared to do.
And his efforts have freed up play throughout the midfield, unleashing the full potential of the likes of Van der Vaart, Diarra, and Marcelo. Ultimately, the flourishing of Los Blancos' central midfield will be particularly important to their future success, as their already faulty back line has been dealt an additional blow with Pepe's season-ending industry.
While Zaragoza were never going to be too much competition (the club hasn't won since September), one just has to look at Pompey's triumph over Liverpool to realize no opponent, no matter how downtrodden, can be counted out. Madrid's brilliance on the night, however, could not be but impressive.
