Managing Madrid - Málaga vs Real Madrid, La Liga 2014-15: All the updatesDominating European football since March 6th 1902https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50831/mm-fav.png2014-11-30T08:10:50+01:00http://www.managingmadrid.com/rss/stream/70695442014-11-30T08:10:50+01:002014-11-30T08:10:50+01:00Player Ratings!
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<figcaption>Battling hard for the record victory! | Sergio Camacho/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Los Blancos struggled but ground out the record-breaking victory against Málaga. Here's how the players fared.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Iker Casillas</span>: 4 - He was shaky. Iker made a few unnecessary errors on plays that he should have handled with ease. Luckily they didn't lead to any goals. But seeing it doesn't inspire confidence. That said, Iker also made a few smart saves - 6 in total - so it helps balance the performance out a bit.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Dani Carvajal</span>: 6 - Dani was pretty solid and had a good game defensively by making 3 tackles but also contributed offensively with a successful take-on and a key pass. It wasn't a spectacular performance by any means but he really improved the offensive gap that Madrid were suffering on the right side on Wednesday night.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Pepe: 8 - Pepe played very well. He seemed to be everywhere in defence and always got in the right position at the right time when Málaga attacked. This was reflected by his 8 clearances, more than any other player. Furthermore, Pepe's passing was very tidy with an impressive 91.2% pass accuracy to boast.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ramos: 7 - Sergio put in another professional performance. He contributed well by making the most interceptions of any player with 3 and generally along with Pepe helped marshal the defence well. Other than that, Ramos also kncoked the ball about well with a quality 91.7% pass accuracy.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Marcelo: 7 - The Brazilian full back was very active down the left flank once more. He like Carvajal made a successful take-on and key pass. He was always wary of making a good delivery into the box with his crossing but defensively he was good also, making 3 tackles and 3 interceptions. Along with <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> he caused a lot of trouble for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/malaga" class="sbn-auto-link">Málaga's</a> defence on the left hand side of the pitch.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Kroos: 8 - He didn't control the game and dictate the tempo in quite the same high level that he normally does but this was still a top performance from the German technician. His passing was superb, a 93.5% pass accuracy coupled with 4 key passes is evidence of that. Furthermore his crossing into the box was excellent with 80% of his deliveries reaching their intended target. He also made a couple of tackles in the middle of the pitch to help out defensively.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Isco: 7 - The diminutive Spaniard was unfairly red carded a few minutes from the end of the game so we'll just ignore that rubbish and focus on his good game in central midfield for Los Blancos. He made more tackles than nay other player with 4 successful tackles which shows his defensive willingness and capability. Offensively he was more restrained than usual, perhaps a sign of his newly acquired role, but he still produced 2 successful take-ons and a key pass. His passing was pretty tidy too.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">James: 8 - I think the Colombian played very well. His crossing was the stand-out feature of his game as he completed more than anyone else with 5 out of 7 attempts reaching their intended target. He was finished there though as he also managed to make 3 key passes to constantly create danger in and around the oppositions box.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Bale: 8 - Gareth had his first really good game for Madrid for a while against Málaga. He was very active compared to recent outings and this was reflected through the fact that he took more shots on goal than any other player. He also completed more successful take-ons than any other player and used his speed to his advantage creating a brilliant chance for Ronaldo. Not just this but Bale made 2 key passes and scored the winning goal.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ronaldo: 9 - Cristano once again showed everyone why he would be the deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or with a masterful performance. He provided the assist to both of the goals that Madrid scored but also was constantly a menacing threat indicated by his having the joint-most attempts on target and providing more key passes than any other player with 5. With an 88.9% pass accuracy and 2 clearances Ronaldo truly put on a complete display and had it not been for Kameni he surely would've bagged a couple of goals for himself too.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Benzema: 6 - His passing was a bit shoddy compared to his usual high standards but it didn't matter because his movement to get into the correct position to score Real's opener was marvellous. Clinical and predatory; these are adjectives that are constantly being used to describe Benzema's play these days and rightly so. However, other than the goal his wasn't as involved offensively in the match as we're normally used to seeing from him. Karim did manage to contribute defensively though with a couple of tackles from the front which was good.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Subs:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Illarramendi: 7 - Illarra came on for the last 20 minutes or so and performed really well and ensured that Carlo had made an effective substitution as he made the 2nd-most tackles and clearances of any player. Not just that but he completed all of the passes he attempted to help circulate the ball well and keep possession in the final stretch of the match.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Javier Hernández and Raphael Varane were given insufficient minutes to be rated properly.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/30/7307427/malaga-real-madrid-2015-ratingsMarc Craig2014-11-29T22:29:51+01:002014-11-29T22:29:51+01:00CA: "Jesé will get some minutes on Tuesday"
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<p>The wonder kid is back!</p> <p><span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> talked to the press after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> 2-1 win against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/malaga">Málaga</a>, and the most popular topic was the record set by his team. 16 consecutive wins.</p>
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<p>I have a deep admiration for these players, they'll give me credit for it but this is a fantastic group of players. We all know that in football the past is past. We have to look forward and be competitive in all competitions.</p>
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<p><span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span> missed a sitter, but Real's two goals came off assists by the Portuguese player.</p>
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<p>I liked Cristiano a lot tonight because he gave us two assists and he was the key to this game.</p>
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<p>Isco was sent off, but La Rosaleda -- his former home -- gave him a standing ovation.</p>
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<p>I think that Isco's second card should be removed, because he went for the the ball and touched it. Isco is loved in Spain and I think he deserves it.</p>
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<p>Ancelotti is surprised by how hard this midfield is running.</p>
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<p>I'm surprised by the attitude of the players who were not used to run defensively in the past like Isco or Kroos.</p>
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<p>And finally, he announced that Jesé will more than likely get some minutes on Tuesday's match against Cornellà.</p>
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<p>We are evaluating his condition and if it's possible for him to play on Tuesday and I think he's fine. I don't think Jesé will start on Tuesday, but he will get some minutes.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7307197/ancelotti-press-conference-malaga-real-madrid-liga-2014Lucas Navarrete2014-11-29T22:16:58+01:002014-11-29T22:16:58+01:0016 Straight Wins! (1-2 Win)
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<figcaption>Sergio Camacho/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Despite an average performance, Kameni's otherworldly performance and an atrocious job by the ref, Garrido, Real Madrid won their 16th straight game to set a new team record!</p> <p>Real Madrid entered this game trying to establish a new club record for consecutive wins. Even after player against Basel on Wednesday, <span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> sent out his best available players against Málaga to go for the win and the record. No rotations this time.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/malaga">Málaga's</a> intentions were clear for the start of the game: just hold on and wait for a counter. The ball was <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> and they enjoyed some good chances early but without success. The team with the black kits was often near Kameni's box. Ronaldo even had a great chance, shooting near the penalty spot (great assist by Bale), but the Cameroonian GK made a great save.</p>
<p>Ancelotti's men were a lot more dangerous entering from the left wing, and that finally reflected on the scoreboard after a great play by Ronaldo on that side, getting past two defenders to perfectly cross it to <span>Karim Benzema</span> who made it 0-1. Great anticipation by the French striker on that play to beat Sergio Sánchez.</p>
<p>After the goal, Málaga started to possess the ball a bit more but without a clear idea on how to attack Real Madrid's defence, led by a terrific Pepe. Still, they almost scored courtesy of a ridiculous mistake by <span>Iker Casillas</span>, who poorly attacked an average long shot, almost sending the ball inside his own goal. Lucky for him, the ball hit the post and went out. Other than a good header by Santa Cruz earlier, that was just Málaga's second "dangerous" shot so far.</p>
<p><span>Gareth Bale</span> looked good in the first half, and had a couple chances but still wasn't as sharp as he should be. At the 41', he had a great chance entering the box from the right after a terrific pass by Ronaldo, but couldn't control properly, giving Kameni time to go out and deflect his shot.</p>
<p>Right before the half, Duda hit the crossbar on a great free-kick shot. The story so far was the atrocious job by the ref, who missed two clear PKs against Málaga as Ronaldo and Ramos had their jersey pulled inside the box.</p>
<p>The second half kept the pace of the first one. Real Madrid possessed the ball an had the best chances but again, the ref missed another PK. He called the foul on Bale, but he called it outside of the box.</p>
<p>At this point if the game, it was clear that <span>Carlos Kameni</span> was the man of the match and he acted like it at the 55', when he denied Isco after a great counter set up by Benzema on Ronaldo.</p>
<p>Málaga looked way more aggressive and intense. They were shooting more and Santa Cruz was beating Ramos on set-pieces, but they just didn't have a clear chance to tie the game. Their urgency was evident, and with Real Madrid looking a bit tired <i>Carletto</i> sent Illarramendi in to replace Benzema.</p>
<p>Ronaldo amazingly had a chance wide open in the middle of the box after a defensive mistake but Kameni made yet another terrific save. Meanwhile, Casillas looked miserable, and gave Málaga another chance at the 80'. He poorly handled a long shot again, leaving the ball right there for the taking. Thankfully, Illarramendi was there to save his team. It's as if Casillas just couldn't control any kind of shot.</p>
<p>Then, after that unnecessary scare, Marcelo quickly set up a counter on a long ball to Ronaldo, who superbly headed it backwards to Bale. With nothing but space in front of him, Bale galloped inside the box and finally beat Kameni with a deadly shot. 0-2.</p>
<p>Just when it looked like it was all over, Isco saw a second yellow card at the 86' and was sent off.<a href="https://vine.co/v/OnwTZD3BWJE"> The play was barely a foul</a>, but Garrido somehow thought it deserved a second yellow. First the missed three PKs and now this. It actually got worse a few minutes later. After he had made a good save on a free-kick, Casillas was finally beat by Santa Cruz with a good header at the 92'. Roque beat Pepe, who had been perfect until this, and left Casillas without a chance to make it 1-2. Thankfully, it was too late for Málaga's cause. Game over.</p>
<p>And that's 16 straight wins for Real Madrid, the best streak in team history! It was uglier than expected thanks to Kameni, but it counts anyway. However, someone had a bigger impact than any player on the pitch, and that was the referee. What a pathetic job that was by Garrido. Three missed PKs, a mess on offsides and a laughable red card. Real Madrid has to protest that.</p>
<p>Overall, it was a decent performance by a clearly tired Real Madrid. Defensively, they looked terrific until Santa Cruz's goal and offensively, they would've scored at least five goals against most GKs, but Kameni had one of the best performances of the season and held them to two scores. Casillas looked terrible all night long. Slow, hesitant and nervous. He was the exact opposite of Kameni tonight, but got away with at least three really bad mistakes.</p>
<p>With the record in hand, it's time to focus on the fatigue issue to close the year the best way they can.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7306645/malaga-real-madrid-la-liga-2014-2015-recap-scoreMarco Gutiérrez2014-11-29T18:58:24+01:002014-11-29T18:58:24+01:00Lineups and live thread
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<figcaption>Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><b><a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> Starting XI: </b>Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Isco, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/malaga" class="sbn-auto-link">Málaga</a> Starting XI: Kameni, Sanchez, Weligton, Rosales, Antunes, Duda, Garcia, Darder, Recio, Castillejo, Santa Cruz.</p>
<p>Ancelotti decides to start his best available lineup, not leaving anyone on the bench, in order to get the 16th straight win that would establish a new club record. It will be interesting to see how these players deal with the stiff legs after Wednesday's game at Basel. Anyway, this Real Madrid team should be good enough to beat a Málaga side without some of their best players.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7306441/malaga-real-madrid-liga-online-streamLucas Navarrete2014-11-29T13:30:02+01:002014-11-29T13:30:02+01:00Projected XI
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> announced that he will not make any big rotations for this match, and it makes sense considering that Los Blancos will host UE Cornellà this Tuesday in a game that should allow the Italian coach to change his whole squad and give some academy players minutes as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, here is what <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> will most likely deploy this night.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Real Madrid Projected XI:</b> Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Isco, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This will be a good test to see if the Kroos-Isco duo can win tough away games for Real Madrid too, although Málaga will be missing some key players, as stated in the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7302535/malaga-real-madrid-liga-bbva-tv-prediction-preview">match preview</a>.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7305433/malaga-real-madrid-liga-2014-projected-lineup-malagaLucas Navarrete2014-11-29T11:39:06+01:002014-11-29T11:39:06+01:00Arbeloa out of the squad list
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<figcaption>David Ramos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>He will finally miss the game against Málaga CF due to a febrile process.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Real Madrid have just reported that Álvaro Arbeloa has been left out of the squad list to face Málaga CF. The Spanish full-back, afflicted with a fever, will not be able to sit on the bench in La Rosaleda. Therefore, the definitive 19-men squad list, from which Pacheco will likely be discarded in the last minute, will be the following:</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span><b>Goalkeepers: </b>Casillas, Keylor Navas and Pacheco.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span><b>Defenders:</b> Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão, Marcelo, Carvajal and Nacho.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span><b>Midfielders:</b> Kroos, James, Bale, Illarra, Isco and M. Llorente.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span><b>Strikers:</b> Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Chicharito.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">As a result, the return of Dani Carvajal to the starting lineup seems most likely right now, while Nacho will be waiting on the bench for an opportunity in the second half. Arbeloa will probably return to the squad list to face UE Cornellà on Tuesday in the Copa del Rey, and he will definitely play if he is recovered.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Get better soon, Álvaro!</b></p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7305463/arbeloa-out-of-the-squad-listDaniel Girela2014-11-29T02:00:02+01:002014-11-29T02:00:02+01:00Málaga CF - RM: TV Info, Preview and Prediction
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<figcaption>Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Los Blancos travel to Málaga with the intention of adding a new victory to their current streak and, therefore, becoming the Real Madrid squad with the biggest number of consecutive wins in history. </p> <p align="justify">The record, however, will not be the most important thing at stake tomorrow. Real Madrid are the current leaders in the Liga BBVA, and they will face Málaga CF a day before Atlético receive Deportivo and Barcelona visit Valencia. A new victory would enlarge the gap Real Madrid have right now over their pursuers, and would put a lot of pressure on them for their Sunday games.</p>
<p align="justify">As Ancelotti has stated in today's press conference, facing Málaga will not be an easy challenge at all. Although they will be missing Juanmi and Amrabat, who have been their most brilliant offensive players so far, we should expect a complicated game against a squad that currently holds the sixth position in the Liga BBVA. Isco's former team have displayed defensive performances far above the average, and still remain unbeaten in La Rosaleda. It should also be noted that Camacho, who made his debut with the Spanish national team during the last FIFA break, will also sit this one out.</p>
<p align="justify">There is no reason to foresee any rotation in Real Madrid's lineup. As Ancelotti confirmed, Kroos is not as tired as some Spanish media have been pointing out, and he will likely share the midfield with Isco and James, in an all new opportunity for our triple #10 to show that they can also defend and build possessions from the beginning. Casillas, Carvajal and Marcelo will probably recover their starting spots, and the only reasonable doubt is whether Pepe will also return to the lineup and send Varane to the bench.</p>
<p align="justify">We must be aware that this fantastic winning streak will not last forever, but it is not just the right time to cut it. The table is hot, and Real Madrid need to bang it tomorrow and leave Barcelona five points below just before their visit to Mestalla.</p>
<h4 align="justify">Match Information</h4>
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<p align="justify"><b>TV Information: </b>Canal Plus Liga & Gol T (Spain), beIN Sports USA (USA), Sky Sports 5 (UK), <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1258993/malaga-vs-real-madrid/">Others</a>.</p>
<p align="justify"><b>Projected lineup: </b>Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.</p>
<p align="justify"><b>Prediction: </b>Málaga 0-4 Real Madrid (Ronaldo x3, Bale).</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/29/7302535/malaga-real-madrid-liga-bbva-tv-prediction-previewDaniel Girela2014-11-28T16:58:42+01:002014-11-28T16:58:42+01:00Real Madrid's 20 men to face Málaga
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<figcaption>Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> released the 20-men squad list to play against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/malaga" class="sbn-auto-link">Málaga</a> this Saturday (20:00 CET).</p>
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<p><b>Goalkeepers</b>: Casillas, <span>Keylor Navas</span> and Pacheco.<br><b>Defenders</b>: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão, Marcelo, Carvajal, Arbeloa and Nacho.<br><b>Midfielders</b>: Kroos, James, Bale, Illarra, Isco and M. Llorente.<br><b>Strikers</b>: <span>Cristiano Ronaldo</span>, Benzema and Chicharito.</p>
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<p>It should be noted that Khedira is still out of the squad, just as Ancelotti confirmed. Pepe is available once again, and so is Illarramendi, who already featured during Wednesday's match against FC Basel. Marcos Llorente is the one <i>canterano </i>who will travel to Málaga, replacing Álvaro Medrán.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/11/28/7302149/real-madrid-squad-list-trip-malaga-2014Lucas Navarrete