Valladolid: Dani Hernández; Rukavina,
Sereno, Marc Valiente, Balenziaga; Alvaro Rubio, Víctor Pérez;
Ebert (Alberto Bueno 29'), Óscar González, Omar Ramos; Manucho
(Javi Guerra 78'). 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa
(Modric 62'), Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Nacho (Di María 46'); Xabi Alonso,
Khedira; Callejón, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema (Varane 74').
4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 07. Manucho. Turned ball in from close up after
Valiente played back corner.
1-1. 12. Benzema. Shot in to empty net after
Callejón intercepted bad back pass.
2-1. 22. Manucho. Got clear of
marker to head Ebert corner wide of Casillas.
2-2. 45. Özil. Forced
shot under Dani after picking up return Benzema pass.
2-3. 72. Özil.
Bent free kick from right of area over defensive wall in off crossbar.
Yellow cards: Manucho 15', Omar 52', Ronaldo 68', Özil 82', Oscar 83', Di María 85'.
Real Madrid closed the gap on leaders Barcelona to eight points pending their game on Sunday after a 2-3 victory at Valladolid on Saturday evening. They had to come from behind twice to do so though, Manucho opening the scoring early on for the locals after Marc Valiente played Omar's corner back in to the goalmouth. Ronaldo and Callejón had gone close before that though, and a few minutes later Valiente lost his footing on the slippery surface, and Callejón took advantage to set up Benzema for the equaliser. Once again though the locals went back in front following a corner, Manucho getting above his markers to head Ebert's kick past Casillas, and once again Madrid came back, Ronaldo and Benzema both coming up against Dani Hernández before a clever back-heel from Benzema allowed Özil to force a shot under the keeper. After the restart Casillas did well to keep out Oscar, and Sergio Ramos got the ball in the net only to be pulled up for a non-existent offside. Mourinho needed a win though, and he took off his two fullbacks to bring on Di María and Modric, a brave move which finally paid off when Özil curled an impressive free kick in off the crossbar. Madrid were out of jail, and the pressure is back on Barcelona, who visit the tricky Betis tomorrow.