How does it feel having a familiar "customer" nicking one over you all the time? that must be the question perturbing the Espanyol coach and team at full time in the wake of yesterday's demolition at the hands of the Los Blancos. it doesnt get any worse when you have a former world footballer of the year with a fearsome attacking quartet perching at your doorstep.
Espanyol were on the wrong end of a 6-0 whooping for the second defeat this season against Real Madrid, this time at the Bernabeu on Sunday night. Cristiano Ronaldo helped himself to a hat trick, having banged five past the Parakeets in Cornella earlier in the season.
In reality, the large lady was already clearing her throat before a ball had been kicked. Espanyol arrived in the capital with a coach who has been in charge for less than two months, a goalkeeper who they signed on Thursday and five attacking players unavailable: Burgui and Marco Asensio because they belong to Real, top-scorer Felipe Caceido through injury, and Gerard Moreno and Victor Alvarez via suspensions.
A side that had not won in seven La Liga matches was seemingly destined to taste defeat at the Bernabeu, where under Zindedine Zidane, Real have recorded three consecutive victories with 16 scored and one conceded. The manner of Real's victory reflected what the French boss had noted earlier in the week: "The thing with Cristiano is he needs to work more."
Although Zidane was talking about training sessions, Real's performance was arguably the most complete of the season, and Real's forwards worked tirelessly on the ball and off it.
Also of note: James Rodriguez and Isco both lasted the full 90 minutes -- possibly a blueprint for the future when Gareth Bale is unavailable. When Espanyol managed to move the ball down Real's flanks, there were four or five white shirts to corral the visitors, with the two attacking midfielders often among them.
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