Quest for the title

As we approach to matchday 38, La Liga goes down to the wire. Madrid need Barcelona to drop points against Granada on matchday 38 meaning Madrid's Liga fate is in Barcelona's hand. It would have been much better to not be dependent on other team's result for the title.

Ups and Downs under Benitez:

Benitez was fired just 7 months after taking charge of Real Madrid

Under Rafa Benitez, Madrid made a disastrous start with a 0-0 stalemate against Sporting De Gijon. Such a devastating start to a new season was an early signal that Benitez would be sacked. Benitez lasted a half season with a not-so-good record in La Liga: 11 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats. Benitez was battered by Barcelona on his Clasico debut 4-0 at the ESB, fans were left in dismay. Then Madrid had a small run of  4 victories, then 2 disastrous draws; a stalemate against Malaga at home and a 1-1 at the Vicente Calderon. Two consecutive defeats against Sevilla and Barcelona bewildered the fans.

                                                            When the downfall started                                      
Only high point I saw under Benitez was the hammering of Rayo Vallecano 10-2 at the Bernabeu. On the other hand, Madrid's eternal rivals Barcelona recovered from two unexpected defeats quickly. After the defeat to Sevilla, Barcelona went 22 matches unbeaten in La Liga winning 19 of them. Barca have better head-to-head against both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. Madrid's unfortunate expulsion from Copa Del Rey made things worse for Rafa Benitez. Finally Benitez was sacked. Even Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted by the sacking of the Spanish manager. By the time Rafa was sacked, Madrid were down on third, position in La Liga. Failure to win against Malaga at home and inability to take point(s) against Villareal away from home costed Madrid dearly in Liga. Injuries to Bale and Benzema were an important factor for Real's downfall in Liga.

                                      Defeat to Villarreal proved costly

Zidane to the rescue:

Zidane celebrating  a goal with Ramos and Ronaldo

After Zidane's appointment, Madrid's form in La Liga improved drastically. Players started performing better, players enjoyed themselves. Madridistas saw a bond between Zizou and players which they didn't see with Benitez. Barcelona's draw with Villareal coupled with Madrid's victory against Celta on matchday 30 reduced Barca's lead at the top to 6 points.

                                                                Villarreal 2-2 Barcelona

On matchday 31, Zidane became the first Real manager since Schuster to defeat Barcelona on his El Clasico debut. After defeat to Real, Barca suffered two more opunctures against Sociedad at Anoeta and Valencia at camp Nou. This coupled with Madrid's victories brought Real back in title contention.

What Madrid and Cristiano need:
Real need to take 3 points against Deportivo coupled with Barca either draw or lose against Granada.
As for 'Pichichi' and Golden Boot, CR7 needs to score 4/5 provided that Suarez doesn't score against Granada or scores no more than a goal to share trophy with suarez.

CR7 has won Pichichi trophy thrice

HALA MADRID!
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