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Real Madrid finally gave the Santiago Bernabeu something to cheer about with a massive 7-1 win over Deportivo la Coruna, that takes Los Blancos into 4th place in the La Liga table, 5 points behind Valencia in 3rd, albeit with a game in hand.
Adrian opened the scoring for Deportivo in the 23rd minute, but goals from Nacho and Gareth Bale saw Madrid go 2-1 up at half-time. Bale completed his brace to make it 3-1 on the hour mark, before Modric and Ronaldo's brace opened the floodgates that ended with Nacho completing his brace in the 88th minute.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 The second half hoodoo is over
Prior to this game, Real Madrid's terrible second half record was well known. Los Blancos would be 8 points better off in La Liga had half-time scoreline stood. Thus, even when Madrid trooped off the pitch with a 2-1 lead at half-time, there was a palpable sense of nervousness in the Bernabeu.
Instead of a nervous performance, Madrid walked out with swagger, and the result was a five-goal glut in the second half. Make no mistake - Deportivo were not lambs to the slaughter - the visitors put up a great fight, only to meet a Real Madrid side that had suddenly discovered their form from the last two seasons.
BBC came to fruition in the 64th minute for the first time this season, and the combination play they executed was brilliant to watch. La Liga might be a step too far, but if Real Madrid can keep their best fit for the business end of the season, they could pull off an unprecedented cup double.
#2 Karim Benzema can take hope from Gareth Bale's resurrection
You would expect a player returning from injury to be cheered on, but then again the Bernabeu is a strange place. Karim Benzema was jeered on, while Borja Mayoral, who had missed two very presentable chances was cheered off. Footballers are human after all, and Benzema would surely have felt a twinge of sadness at being booed even when not even having had the chance to fail yet.
The Frenchman can take hope from Gareth Bale's situation - the Welshman was booed much of last year, but tonight, he went off to a standing ovation - my how he deserved it. Bale's opener was absolutely worthy of a player of his standing - a golazo that would be the pride of any footballer.
However, it wasn't just his headed goal later on that was a credit to Bale. The Welshman was involved throughout most of Real Madrid's moves, dovetailing superbly with Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro on his side of the pitch. Zinedine Zidane will be praying that he stays fit, as Bale's goals+assists-per-minute in the 2017/18 season is truly something special.
#3 Relegation beckons for Deportivo
The difference between Deportivo and the likes of Villarreal is simple - the defence.
When Deportivo took a 1-0 lead against Real Madrid, the game ended 7-1. When Villarreal did, the score was 1-0. Even if Depor kept their lead until half-time, the Bernabeu would have ensured that Real Madrid wouldn't have played with the swagger that they did in the second half.
Florin Andone, Lucas Perez and Adrian Lopez is a stellar attacking trio - not one that belongs to a side in the relegation spots. Cristobal can count himself unlucky, as he lost his midfield 2 minutes into the second hafl, with Mosquera and Celso Borges replaced. It unbalanced Deportivo, and they were unable to react.
Madrid's confidence grew as they realized Depor were there for the taking, and Marcelo shrugged off the boos to charge up the pitch. While losing 3 points away to Madrid will not figure much in a relegation battle, Depor ought to really look at a more conservative style of play to survive.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo's head is bloody but unbowed
Perhaps the most typical image of Cristiano Ronaldo is him checking his face in his smartphone after taking a knock to his head. Critics will point to his vanity, but the truth tonight is that Cristiano Ronaldo, the footballer, was utterly unselfish.
The Portuguese star toiled away for most of the night, dovetailing with Marcelo down the left, but his scoring touch seemed to desert him in the final moments. The frustration may have boiled over, but the 78th minute finally brought Ronaldo's deliverance.
Tweets were floating around that Gareth Bale has outscored Ronaldo in La Liga, but you discount the man at your peril. He bravely took studs in his face to score his second, and if given the choice, no one would doubt that he would have continued, all in the chase for a hat-trick.
Zinedine Zidane will be glad to see his talisman find the net, and will hope that this signals that the floodgates have opened. Real Madrid could certainly use him.
#5 Zinedine Zidane's love affair with Depor continues
Rafa Benitez had been sacked and up stepped a callow Zinedine Zidane to take up the most high-pressure job in football two years ago. Deportivo was the opposition, and Real Madrid began the Zidane era 5-0. Fast forward to last season, and Depor were the victims yet again as Madrid's penchant for last-minute goals under Zidane was underlined with Ramos' injury-time winner in a 3-2 victory.
A 6-2 hammering also was emblematic of Zidane's juggernaut that swept all before them. The Frenchman will hope that this 7-1 is also a sign of things to come. This is the first time this season that Real Madrid have come from behind to win.
The quality of the players Madrid possess is not in question - Depor are certainly the perfect opposition for Los Blancos to remember the Zidane way. The only question remains if they can continue it.
