The Corner: December 2012

December 2, 2012 5:00 am Philippine Time

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu

Full Time: 2 (15' Cristiano Ronaldo, 66' Ozil) - 0

It was highly anticipated, like El Clasico. They said before Barcelona, it was Atletico Madrid who was Real Madrid's arch rival. While Atletico Madrid was also ahead of Real Madrid currently in the league standing with 8 points before this game, they also need to chalk up wins as much as they can as they were also behind Barcelona with 11 points, more so, they need to bounce back after an upsetting loss to Betis last week, and also after being criticized more by Madridista all over especially with Mourinho. On their game against Alcoyano last time, fans whistled at Mou. Mou had said a lot too and press was just putting more and more stories. Then funny enough, an incident happened that saw Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Pepe, Coentrao and Arbeloa left behind by the Real Madrid bus on the night before the game as they met up in Santiago Bernabeu to go to the hotel before the game. Mou decided to leave all of them and the five just catch up on Arbeloa's SUV.

The game though was little like the same all Derby matches, and some more. First, Real Madrid dominates, and Atletico was not themselves. Just like all the Derby matches, Real went on to win this one tallying their wins to 24, 22 in league play. Just like the past two, Cristiano Ronaldo was the main man of it. What a better way to go back in scoring form too, as Ronaldo was 3 games without a goal, he got it off a freekick - the good old "Ronaldo Rocket", which was he last scored against Atletico too. On the 15th minute he had scored the goal and the Atletico Madrid keeper can't do anything to stop it. I love Iker Casillas reaction to it (and according to people he was impressed and said "what a goal, kid" twice). The first half saw some more chances for Real Madrid although the score managed to end at 1-0 at halftime. Second half, Cristiano Ronaldo was still at it. He had a good chance from a Benzema pass but shot just wide, then on the 66th minute, he had managed to pass the ball to Ozil and the German wonderfully curled his body to kick the ball and find the net. It was awesome. More chances came in especially for Ronaldo, one a freekick again that hit the bar, then another one - from a pass of Ozil where he sprinted to an almost 96 meters in just less than 10 seconds - hit the post. Ronaldo was frustrated to see those shots come off but his effort was just so wonderful. In the end, sports headlines all over held Cristiano as the king of the derby.

It's a good day, for us Madridista. We have known that the players are just working hard and not giving up. Despite still trailing by 11 points by Barca, life never ends for Real Madrid in La Liga. I'm happy for this win, I'm happy to see Cristiano back in the score sheet getting his 90 goals in Santiago Bernabeu with 81 appearances, 99th under Mourinho with 86 appearances, and a lot more records to create. Iker once again proved he was the best goal keeper and Real Madrid the best team in defense as they had another clean sheet and against a great team too. And Mourinho had the most wins against Atletico in Spain too.

Thanks Real Madrid for once again making us all happy and proud. Hala Madrid!