A derby of duels

The clash at the Bernabéu promises to be a blockbuster. Not just because a place in the Champions League semi-finals is on the line, but because it will contain numerous intriguing subplots.

Who will come out on top in the battle of wits between Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone, the goalscoring showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann, and the creative confrontation between Arda and James? These are just some of the key duels that could make all the difference.

Chalkboard contest

Simeone has got under Ancelotti's skin, particularly this season. In seven games against Atlético this term, Real Madrid have yet to claim a solitary win, which is the worst run of derby results in the club's history.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Bale and Modric, broken

A subdued Gareth Bale and Luka Modric both left the Bernabéu on crutches after being forced off during the Málaga match. Neither will be available against Atlético.

Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear among the Real Madrid ranks with just days to go until the second instalment of the Champions League derby double-header. The team have been hit right where it hurts, with a man down from their usual trios across the middle of the park and up front.

The Welshman has a muscle problem in his left calf, while it is feared that the Croat has sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Not until they have undergone thorough tests will the length of their layoffs be confirmed, but Modric could face five or six weeks out.

The injury to Bale got Saturday night off to a sour start for Real Madrid. Just two minutes into the game the Wales international began hobbling conspicuously, before plopping himself down on the turf and receiving treatment. It soon became obvious he would be unable to continue.

Bale's absence will be a big blow in Wednesday's clash, in which Carlo Ancelotti's side know they will have to score. The 25-year-old has now been sidelined six times since joining 'Los 

Blancos' in 2013, though it is true that he had been enjoying a good run of fitness in recent months, having not picked up a major injury since October.

SOURCE : MARCA.COM

Ancelotti: Madrid must win every game to overhaul Barcelona

The Blancos currently sit second in the Primera Division standings, two points adrift of their great rivals with just six rounds remaining

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that Real Madrid will probably have to win all of their games in order to beatBarcelona in this season's Liga title race.

The Blancos currently sit second in the standings, two points behind their Catalan rivals with six rounds remaining.

With Barca in fine form, having won 22 of their last 24 games in al competitions, Ancelotti feels that Madrid will most likely require a flawless finish to the season in order to come out on top.

“Our aim is to keep the race alive for as long as possible," he told reporters. "Both sides have difficult games left.

"At the moment both sides are playing for a lot, and that means that every game is difficult. 

"Barcelona have an advantage. We have to try and win all our games to force them to also win."

Ancelotti was speaking after his side's 3-1 victory over Malaga on Saturday, which came courtesy of goals from 

Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Roanldo.

The Italian was pleased with his side's collective performance but he singled midfielders James, Isco and Toni Kroos out for special praise.

"They played well," Ancelotti added. "James was the best, he gave a lot of quality to the side. 

"Isco did not have such a great first half but then he played very well in the second half. 

"What I most liked is that the players fought and gave everything they had, that is what we needed this match."

Madrid now turn their attention back to the Champions League and Wednesday's quarter-final, second-leg clash with Atletico, which is beautifully balanced after last week's scoreless draw at the Vicente Calderon

SORUCE : GOAL.COM

Benzema out of Málaga game

Karim Benzema won't play against Málaga but should be fit for the derby second leg, according to Carlo Ancelotti.

Benzema bowed out of Real Madrid's Friday morning training session just minutes after the squad took to the pitch at Valdebebas.

The Frenchman initially appeared sporting a large bandage over his upper right leg and knee and began doing passing drills together with his teammates, but in no time he realised that he wasn't right to continue.

After exchanging a few words with Carlo Ancelotti, Benzema trudged off the training pitch together with one of the club's physios.

Both Benzema and Gareth Bale had been confined to the gym on Thursday, but the Welshman seemed unhindered during the Friday morning session.

Read more: MARCA.COM

The Premiership woos Khedira

It would seem Sami Khedira is still mulling over his future.

Whilst Schalke are undoubtedly the club to have shown most interest in the anchorman to date, to the point that there is already a verbal agreement with the German club, this isn't the Real Madrid player's first choice.

 Although Schalke's offer is an attractive one, especially in terms of money, Khedira is going to wait until June in case a more interesting suitor 

comes along.

Khedira's agent is currently juggling various offers from Germany, Italy and, above all, the Premier League - this is the most interesting proposition as far as the player is concerned. Manchester United and Chelsea both seem prepared to up the stakes in an effort to steal 

Khedira away from Schalke, although there are several other clubs in the hunt.

Arsenal, where Khedira's close friend Mesut Özil plays, are also keeping a keen eye on the midfielder, who is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the current season - since last July the Madrid club has made no formal offer to extend the 28-year-old's contract.

Khedira is looking for a club that will pay him a higher salary than the one he is currently on at the Bernabéu as well as giving him the chance to win trophies. Schalke's offer is most definitely a serious sporting proposition, but the player is acutely aware of the fact that 

Bayern Munich are the dominant force in the German Bundesliga and therefore he would most likely not be fighting for the title, which is the main reason he is keeping his options open.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Varane going nowhere

Raphaël Varane knows that his future lies at Real Madrid, beyond even his current contract, which expires on 30th June 2020. There is absolutely no chance of the 21-year-old being allowed to leave.

The Bernabéu hierarchy have long held such a view and the centre-back's performance at the Calderón on Tuesday only served to reinforce it. They have told Varane as much over the last few days, hammering home the fact that they consider him a key asset for the club both now and in the years to come.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City have all enquired after the 

Frenchman, with rumours in some circles that a 50 million bid has already been submitted. The Real Madrid suits, though, simply turned a deaf ear. They have no interest in discussing a possible deal, let alone doing one.

Though there have been some doubts surrounding Varane's commitment this term, fuelled by his sustained absence from the starting XI, the starlet's thinking has changed, as he recently told MARCA.

Carlo Ancelotti has also identified a transformation in the France international's attitude, feeling that he has added a bit of the mean streak every top-class defender needs.

Varane's presence in the line-up against Atlético confirmed the way the wind has been blowing over the last few weeks. The doubts have faded, and the defender is convinced he'll be best served by staying at Real Madrid.

This development will doubtless be welcomed by Florentino Pérez, who is a big believer in Varane's talent. On the other hand, it will be a massive blow for Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho, who view the young centre-back as a world-beater and would love to sign him.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Real Madrid completed their last training session ahead of the game against Málaga

Real Madrid completed the last training session ahead of the game against Málaga.

Real Madrid carried out their last training session ahead of the game against Málaga, that will be played this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu (8pm CEST). Bale joined up with the group and Bezema went to the indoor training facilities once the session had begun. Ancelotti was also joined by the Youth A Team keeper Marcos Lavín.

Casillas, Keylor Navas, Pacheco and Marcos Lavín carried out specific training exercises. The outfield players who joined the Italian coach, did warm up and muscle strengthening exercises before some ball work. One and two touch group circle exercises were used to practice moving the ball around quickly.\

SOURCE : REALMADRID.COM

Same plan, no goals

Carlo Ancelotti's tactics for the derby were similar to those he employed at both the Camp Nou and then in Munich last season.

Break the deadlock and then sit deep, inviting the opposition to go in search of a goal, and then take advantage of the space they leave at the back and hit them on the counter-attack.

The only thing missing from the Italian's plan on the night was a goal. Laying siege to Atlético's area in the first half was exactly what Los Blancos' coaching staff had meticulously planned out on paper.

The atmosphere at the Vicente Calderón should have seen Simeone and co. come out of the blocks quicker, but it was Real Madrid who started the game stronger. Bale's chance was reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's at the Camp Nou. It would have been a different story had Los Blancos taken the lead.

Ancelotti, restricted by the club's financial and footballing model, has very little room to manoeuvre. The BBC play no matter what, and that dictates the rest of his system. It means using a formula based around taking the lead and then sitting deep to take advantage of the space left by the opposition at the back.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Bale's Atlético block

It could have all been so different if Gareth Bale had kept his cool, but the Welshman has a mental block against Atlético de Madrid. Less than four minutes had gone when he burst past Diego Godín and went clean through, only to place his left-footed finish in Jan Oblak's comfort zone.

It was too early to cry over spilt milk for Real Madrid, but the rest of the match would prove that you cannot afford to spurn chances like that in a Champions League quarter-final. The eventual 0-0 result leaves the tie wide open going back to the Bernabéu.

Real have the initiative, but the prospect of winning the tie with two draws - something 

Carlo Ancelotti mentioned in the build-up - is now solely in Atlético's hands. Another goalless stalemate would take the second leg to extra time and then penalties, while a score draw would see the 'Rojiblancos' advance.

Diego Simeone's men also remain unbeaten against their city rivals this season, with four wins and three draws. 

As such, Ancelotti will have to come up with something to break this run, which is dragging on far too long for his or Real's liking.

One thing that would make a big difference would be for Bale to start delivering consistently against Atlético. He may well have scored in the Champions League final, but that was his only goal in 11 Madrid derbies. 

Karim Benzema, meanwhile, has gone 13 months without registering against the 'Colchoneros', while Tuesday night's match was Cristiano Ronaldo's first blank in his last 14 Champions League away appearances.

Keeping a clean sheet won't be Real's priority in the return leg. They will have to score at the Bernabéu, and Bale may well have to overcome his block.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Varane comes of age again

Raphaël Varane wasn't going to start at the Calderón, but Pepe's niggles paved the way for him to make his mark... and how!

The Frenchman was absolutely flawless against Atlético, putting in far and away his finest performance since the untimely knee injury he sustained in Cornellà nearly two years ago.

Since then, Varane had never looked quite this powerful, decisive, pacy and imperious again, but he turned back the clock at the Calderón. The 21-year-old dealt with everything thrown at him. Even the stats - he regained possession 14 times, made 25 clearances, intercepted nine crosses and gave away just a single foul - don't do his excellence justice.

The starlet covered every blade of grass on the way to clocking up 9.4 kilometres and also completed 39 of his 44 passes. He was also responsible for the moment of the match, when he embarked on a lung-busting run starting from the edge of his own box, leaving several opponents in his wake before slipping a measured ball through to Benzema, who chose to try to set up James rather than have a shot at goal.

Varane's display will have been a huge fillip not just for Real Madrid but for the man himself. It was just what the France international had been crying out for since his injury, a milestone occasion that will make him feel like an important player again, rather than the third wheel at centre-back.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Food for thought without Marcelo

Marcelo's absence for the Champions League quarter-final second leg is a big blow for Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti knows that the Brazilian is a key player going forward, particularly when his side will have to score to advance - despite the Italian's insistence that "you can go through with two draws".

Far from a bog-standard full-back, Marcelo can transform into a roving central midfielder, a winger or even a playmaker when circumstances require. For this reason, there is quite simply no like-for-like replacement. The four candidates to deputise are Fábio Coentrão, 

Álvaro Arbeloa, Nacho and even Gareth Bale.

If Coentrão isn't suddenly struck down by one of his mysterious injuries, you would expect the Portuguese international to get the nod. However, there are other arguments to be made. 

Given the magnitude and possible fieriness of the occasion, experienced heads could be called for, so Arbeloa would fit the bill in that respect. Meanwhile, picking Bale would be a more attacking option and would also make it possible to shoehorn Isco into the starting XI. Nacho is probably the least likely suspect, considering the sobering time he endured (albeit at centre-back) in the 4-0 thumping at the Calderón.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Bale joins the group

Real Madrid returned to training two days ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético.

Real Madrid returned to training two days ahead of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Atlético at the Vicente Calderón (8.45pm CEST). Bale joined the group for a session where Ancelotti did not train out on the pitch with the players who started in yesterday's thrashing against Éibar. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jesé, Chicharito and Arbeloa did running drills, while the remaining seven players from the starting XI trained at Madrid's indoor facilities.

Casillas and Pacheco carried out specific training exercises. The ten outfield players that joined Ancelotti, warmed up and carried out muscle strengthening exercises before doing different circuits that involved crossing and shots on goal. The Whites ended the session with a half-pitch game.

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Cristiano Ronaldo draws level with Di Stéfano's La Liga goal tally

His strike against Éibar means he is now on 216 for Madrid in the top flight. 

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Éibar on Saturday saw him reach 216 in La Liga, the Portuguese equalling the total of Di Stéfano and moving second behind Raúl (228) on the list of Real Madrid's highest league scorers. He has chalked up the figure in 193 games, while Di Stéfano established his tally in 282 appearances. 

The first of his 216 La Liga goals as a Madrid player arrived on his debut against Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabéu. 123 of Cristiano Ronaldo's strikes have come at home, with 93 on the road. What's more, he finished top scorer in the division in 2010-11 and 2013-14, also winning the Golden Shoe in both seasons.  

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Ronaldo-Benzema: the Champions League's top strike duo

They have scored 14 of the 21 goals that Real Madrid have hit so far.

Real Madrid boast the best striking double act in the Champions League. Between them, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have scored 14 of the 21 goals that the Whites have notched in the competition this season. In the eight games that Madrid have so far played, at least one of the pair has found the net, with both on target in four.

Cristiano is Real Madrid's top scorer in Europe. The Portuguese has 8 goals, and only failed to get his name on the scoresheet in the home match against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Benzema has netted six times, just one below his personal best in the Champions League.

Other partnerships
No other duo reaches the figures of the two Madrid men. For Shakhtar, who are already out, Luiz Adriano and Alex Teixeira scored 12. Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez are on the same total, while Jackson Martínez and Yacine Brahimi of Porto have hit 10, and Bayern's Thomas Müller and Mario Götze have 9.

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Ronaldo available to face Eibar

According to Radio MARCA,Cristiano Ronaldowill be available to face Eibar.

Real Madrid have won their appeal against the yellow card the striker was shown by referee Melero López for allegedly diving inside the area when he was clearly brought down by Amaya.

With Toni Kroos and James Rodríguez suspended for the Eibar game, the decision goes some way to solving Carlo Ancelotti's selection headache ahead of the match. 

Gareth Bale may also miss the upcoming match, with the Welshman likely to be rested in an attempt to get him fully fit for the Champions League quarter-final game against Atlético.

Read more: MARCA.COM

The 19-man squad for the match against Éibar

Real Madrid are in action on matchday 31 of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Carlo Ancelotti has named 19 players in his squad for Real Madrid's La Liga matchday 31 clash with Éibar at the Santiago Bernabéu (Saturday, 4pm CEST).

REAL MADRID SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Keylor Navas and Pacheco.
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa and Nacho.
Midfielders: Lucas Silva, Modric, Isco, Illarra and Javi Muñoz.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jesé, Benzema and Chicharito.

PRE-MATCH MEET-UP
Today at 8pm at the Santiago Bernabéu.

NEXT TRAINING SESSION
Sunday 12 April at 11am at Ciudad Real Madrid (behind closed doors).

SOURCE : REALMADRID.COM

Benzema, 200 wins with Real Madrid

The French player reached the figure in the game against Rayo Vallecano.

Following the win in Vallecas, Benzema now has 200 wins as a Real Madrid player. The forward, who started against Rayo, has reached this figure in his sixth season for the Whites. The French player's first victory came on 29 August 2009, in a league game against Deportivo de la Coruña (3-2).

Benzema has taken 278 official matches with Real Madrid in order to reach his 200th victory. His wins over six seasons are broken down as follows: 141 in La Liga, 37 in the Champions League, 18 in the Copa del Rey, 2 in the Club World Cup, 1 in the European Super Cup and 1 in the Spanish Super Cup. Benzema has scored 133 goals for the Whites.

SORUCE: REALMADRID.COM

Carvajal: "I want to stay; I haven't thought about leaving"

Dani Carvajal talked about his future and assured that his attention was to stay put.

Despite the club's recent signing of Brazilian defender Danilo from Porto, Carvajal still feels he has a place at Real. 

"We have to congratulate Danilo for signing with the best club in the world and next year we'll have a new teammate. I want to stay and I haven't thought about leaving", he said.

The right-back, who gave the assist for his team's first goal against Rayo Vallecano, was visibly happy with Real's 2-0 away victory over their city neighbours, allowing them to stay close to league leaders Barcelona. "We knew that Vallecas was a tough ground to go to and we didn't have all that many chances. But we managed to convert them and go home happy", the defender said, before revealing what Ancelotti had said to them in the dressing room at the break to turn their game around.

Carvajal didn't want to go into the moment when Ronaldo was given a yellow card when 

the referee thought he had dived in the area following a hard tackle by a Rayo defender. "You can't help but smile and shake your head when the referee sees nothing and it's a penalty. The referee saw it that way, he made a mistake or he didn't, but we have won and the matter is forgotten. I don't believe that the referees are out to get us. They're impartial, they try to do the best they can and have their good days and bad days, but they don't affect the results", he pointed out.

To finish, Carvajal wished to comment on Iker Casillas, who he thought had had been decisive in Real Madrid's victory over Rayo Vallecano. "Iker has had a fantastic game, making five or six important saves and he has to be congratulated on for his fine performance."

Read more: MARCA.COM

Real appeals CR7's sanction

Real Madrid have appealed against the yellow card that Cristiano Ronaldo was given in the game against Rayo Vallecano.

In the 51st minute of the match, the Real forward was given a yellow by the referee for diving inside the area. However, according to Real, the footage of the incident clearly shows that the player was brought down by the Rayo defender.

If the appeal is rejected, Ronaldo will have to sit out the game against Eibar this weekend.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Isco or James? Real spoilt for choice

Real Madrid have managed to clear out their treatment room in the nick of time for the business end of the season.

The result is that there are some pretty big doubts about the first-choice line-up. The bulk of the debate revolves around two men, Isco and James, who - if Carlo Ancelotti's decisions over the course of the campaign are anything to go by - are vying for one place in the side. 

The BBC, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos would appear to be shoo-ins.

With James fit and firing again, the time has come for Ancelotti to put his cards on the table. 

He has barely had to contend with such a selection headache all season, though it must be said that the coach is hardly unhappy to have to deal with it now. After all, he knows that whoever ends up on the bench will be a fantastic option to bring on when things aren't going so well. 

A high-profile case in point would be last year's Champions League final against Atlético in Lisbon, where Isco's introduction in the second half was instrumental in Real Madrid's turnaround. This ability to shake things up with his substitutions is something the coach has been missing this term.

The pecking order should become clear for the first big game of this crunch period of the campaign: when Real Madrid visit the Calderón for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, in a week's time. Past events would seem to suggest that James is in pole position. 

In fact, if Isco's starting place became "non-negotiable" - in Ancelotti's own words - that was because of injuries to Bale, Modric and James in that order. In almost every league match in which the Italian has had a full pack to choose from in midfield and attack, it was Isco who was sacrificed. What's more, the pair have only started 12 matches together, most of which came during the first half of the season, with ten ending in victory and two in defeat.

Statistically speaking, the Colombian has the upper hand. In 34 appearances (2,461 minutes), he has registered 12 goals and 11 assists, compared to 5 and 6 respectively for Isco in 41 games (2,951 minutes). However, the former Málaga starlet is a firm fan favourite and stepped up to earn his spot when he got his chance. Who will get the nod? Watch this space…

Read more: MARCA.COM

From CR7 to CR9?

Cristiano Ronaldo is migrating away from the wing. Logic dates that the Portuguese international will end his career as a no. 9, a move that will be hastened now he is in his 30s.

Ronaldo's stats suggest he will be no run-of-the-mill centre forward. Following his five-star show against Granada, he has 300 goals for 

Real Madrid under his belt and is set to surpass Alfredo Di Stéfano in the club's scoring charts sooner rather than later. Raúl's club record won't last too much longer either.

Most of his goalscoring exploits in Madrid so far have come from a starting position on the flank, but Cristiano also has what it takes to be lethal as an out-and-out striker. He can create something out of nothing with solo runs, but is also a poacher who excels at being in the right place at the right time. 

On top of that, he's the best header out there right now.

What's more, officially giving Cristiano centre stage would have a knock-on effect that could suit Gareth Bale down to the ground. With the left-wing spot vacant, the Welshman would be free to play in his natural position. 

It's true that Bale wouldn't be able to cut in and unleash shots the way Carlo Ancelotti has spoken about - a scenario which, incidentally, isn't paying off much recently - but he would gain the ability to skin defenders and deliver crosses without having to check inside. It just so happens that the main beneficiary of this extra service would be… Cristiano.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Cristiano Ronaldo in pole position for the Golden Shoe with 36 goals

He is the seventh Real Madrid player to notch up five goals in a single La Liga match.

On the back of his exploits against Granada, a performance that brought his goalscoring tally with Madrid to 300, Cristiano Ronaldo is now this season's top marksman in La Liga and is the forerunner for the European Golden Shoe (72 points). With 36 goals to his name he has now surpassed his tally from last season, which was enough to see him collect the award, by five. He leads the likes of Messi (32 goals/64 points), Diego Costa, Kane and Meier (19/38 points) in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

Additionally, with his five-goal haul against Granada he now enters the list of Real Madrid players to have scored five goals in a single La Liga game. The first to do so was Alday during the 1942-43 season, and following in his footsteps were Alsúa (1946-47), Miguel Muñoz(1950-51), Pepillo (1959-60), Puskas (1960-61) and Morientes (2001-2002). 

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Hierro: Madrid can defend Champions League title

The former Spain international is optimistic about the Santiago Bernabeu outfit's chances of lifting the prestigious trophy again this season

Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro believes the Santiago Bernabeu side have what it takes to win a second consecutive Champions League title this season.

No team has ever successfully defended its European title since the introduction of the Champions League in its current format, yet Hierro feels the Santiago Bernabeu side have the quality to build on last year's win over Atletico Madrid.

"I think the current squad can go on a successful European run like we did in the late 1990s and early 2000s," Hierro told the official Uefa website.

"They are strong and confident and they won a very close Champions League final last time.

"Every record is there just to be broken. Everyone is pessimistic now because no club has won back to back Champions Leagues, but I think we are a really powerful team with a great coach leading us.

"The urge to be champions of Europe is in the club's DNA."

Madrid beat Schalke 5-4 on aggregate to book their ticket for the quarter-finals of the competition, where they will meet city-rivals Atletico Madrid.

SORUCE : GOAL.COM

Di Stéfano in Ronaldo's sights

There are no limits to Cristiano Ronaldo's hunger. Goals are what fuel his ambition and he is just two steps away from becoming Real Madrid's top scorer of all time. He is 23 goals off Raúl's record and just seven away from his immediate objective, Alfredo Di Stéfano.

Ronaldo's fifth goal in the 9-1 win against Granada was his 300th for Real Madrid in competitive matches. And oddly enough it was his 301st league goal overall, counting his playing experience in Portugal and England as well as Spain, though he has scored most of them in La Liga.

With a total of 307 goals, Di Stéfano is the second highest scorer in Real Madrid's history. It took 'La Saeta Rubia' ten seasons to achieve his total, while Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet finished his sixth and is already snapping at the Argentine's heels. CR7 has averaged more than one goal per game since he came to Madrid: 1.04 in fact. Di Stéfano's average was a creditable 0.76; the only player to come close to Ronaldo in the past is Ferenc Puskás (0.97 goals a match with 'Los Blancos').

As for Raúl's record, Ronaldo needs to score 23 more goals by the end of the season to match it. His average for the campaign so far is 1.15 and if Real Madrid get to the Champions League final, he could reach a figure of 316 goals at that rate. 

But we are talking about a player who can manage five goals in a game as he did against Granada, or four as he has on three occasions, and three on 23 others. Unlikely, maybe, but nothing is impossible.

Read more: MARCA.COM

A thrashing that belongs to another era

Real Madrid had not scored nine goals in a league game since the 1967/68 season.

Real Madrid fans are currently enjoying one of the most devastating attacks in the club's entire history. The 9-1 against Granada is yet another example of it. You have to go back to 1967/68 in order to find the last game where the Whites scored as many goals.

That season Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad by 9-1. The goals came from Velázquez, who scored a hat-trick; Amancio and Pirri, with a brace each; Bueno and Miguel Pérez.

Third largest Madrid thrashing
This weekend, Real Madrid scored nine goals in a La Liga game for the fifth time in their history. In addition to the previously mentioned win against Real Sociedad, they also achieved it in 1941 against Castellón (9-1), in 1959 against Las Palmas (10-1) and against Elche (11-2) in 1960. Their last win constitutes the third largest thrashing handed out by Madrid in the history of the league.

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Real Madrid begin Vallecas preparations

In his Monday morning session Carlo Ancelotti began to prepare for Wednesday's visit to Rayo Vallecano, although only with the outfield players who didn't start the Granada game.

As is customary, most of the starters in Sunday's romp at the Bernabéu spent Monday's session doing recovery exercises indoors. That said, a few of them - namely Cristiano 

Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, Marcelo and Álvaro Arbeloa - enjoyed a jog out on the training pitch at Valdebebas.

The substitutes and squad members not involved in the 9-1 win, plus Real Madrid C players Diego Caballo, Rai Marchán and Alberto Lozano, were put through their paces by Ancelotti. Iker Casillas, Keylor Navas and Fernando Pacheco, meanwhile, did specific goalkeeping drills.

Pepe, the only Real Madrid player currently in the treatment room, continued to work on his recovery from his right thigh injury. The centre-back is targeting a comeback in next Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atlético de Madrid.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Recovery session following the thrashing of Granada

The team completed the first training session of the week ahead of the game against Rayo.

Real Madrid trained following their 9-1 win against Granada. The outfield players who started the game completed an indoor recovery session; however Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Arbeloa and Kroos were out on the pitch at the beginning of the training session in order to do stretches and running exercises.

The rest of the squad, as well as the reserve players Caballo, Rai and Lozano trained under orders from Ancelotti in a session that was focused on ball work. After completing an intense warm up session, the Whites carried out different exercises involving link up play and shots on goal. Meanwhile, the three goalkeepers carried out specific training exercises. Pepe continues to recover.

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

Cristiano Ronaldo: 300 goals for Real Madrid

He is the third Whites player to reach the figure after Raúl and Di Stéfano.

With his time at the Santiago Bernabéu, Cristiano Ronaldo has so far scored 214 goals in La Liga, 60 in the Champions League, 21 in the Copa del Rey, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup and 2 in the European Super Cup.

Hat-trick in eight minutes
The Real Madrid man notched an astonishing eight-minute hat-trick against Granada. He made it 2-0 on 30 minutes, before adding his team's third with a close-range finish six minutes later and grabbing another fror 4-0 with 38 on the clock. In the second half, he capped his performance with two more goals. It's the 28th time that Ronaldo has found the net three or more times in a match with Real Madrid, level with Di Stéfano.

Among La Liga's historic goalscorers
Ronaldo continues to climb the scoring rankings in the competition, and has now moved to eighth on 214 goals, having overtaken Pahíño (211). The Portuguese has taken 191 games to get to the figure, while the Galician forward played 278 for Celta, Real Madrid and Deportivo. Quini (219 goals) is next in his sights in the list of all-time La Liga marksmen.

SORUCE : REALMADRID.COM

The number cruncher

Cristiano Ronaldo's hunger for success is insatiable and his goalscoring prowess has ensured him a glittering entry in the Real Madrid history books.

· CR7 has racked up 300 goals for Real Madrid in 287 games, a total only surpassed by Alfredo Di Stéfano (307) and Raúl González Blanco (323).

· The Portuguese star has put away 47 goals so far this season, 36 of them in La Liga with nine matches still to go.

. Ronaldo has found the back of the net at least twice in 28 games.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Gunning for the full house

Real Madrid had ten matches to go before the thrashing they meted out to Granada. The now famous full house Carlo Ancelotti has talked of securing is, in the Italian coach's books, no mere pipe-dream.

The first hurdle was met with a goal-fest that seems to confirm the improvement seen at Camp Nou. With nine domestic league games now remaining, the players believe that Barcelona can be beaten if they can secure a clean sweep.

Champions league accounts for the other five remaining games this season, consisting of the quarter-finals against Atlético, the semi-finals provided they can end their losing streak against the 'Rojiblancos', and a hypothetical final.

Real Madrid are starting to once again resemble the side that put together a historic run of 22 consecutive wins, a factor bolstering the players' belief in coming back to challenge for the title.

'Los Blancos' are clinging to the improvement shown, to at least having the head-to-head on their side and having a relatively more favourable schedule to that which Barcelona are facing in the run to the line. Real Madrid needs two slip-ups from the 'Azulgranas' to regain the lead - and that is what they are pinning their hopes on.

Read more: MARCA.COM