There were some questions at the end of 2011 for Real Madrid.  If they lost the last game of the season against Sevilla, then Barcelona would lead the league.  Draw and Madrid would lead the league, but Barcelona would be breathing down their neck.  If they won, however, they would get to enjoy a relaxing break knowing that they are three points ahead of Barcelona, a full game.  However, there was a pesky Sevilla side standing in the way, boasting only one loss at the Sánchez Pizjuán and holding Barcelona to a scoreless draw at the Camp Nou.

Madrid would eventually find their way clear with an uncomfortable 6-2 win against Sevilla.  The score did not reflect the type of game it was.  Sevilla pressed but odd calls (for and against both teams) led Los Blancos to the win and three points clear heading in to the winter break. 

2012 started on Tuesday with a Copa del Rey game against Malaga (led by a familiar face, former coach Manuel Pellegrini), but the new year did not start the way Madridistas would have hoped.  If you didn’t realize that, it only took one look on José Mourinho’s face as he headed down the tunnel at half to understand he was less than pleased with his team’s start.  A two goal deficit at half at the Bernabeu was not a part of his new year’s resolutions! 

Mourinho, not sitting back and waiting to see how his team came out, made significant changes at half – shockingly using all three substitutions:  Mesut Özil for Kaká, Karim Benzema for José Callejón, and Sami Khedira for Álvaro Arbeloa.  The changes would have an immediate impact.  Madrid’s offense was livelier in the first few minutes with the infusion of Özil and Benzema, although their defense looked shakier with the loss of Arbeloa. 

There was a lull in play from about the 52^nd minute until the 68^th, although there were chances for both sides, watching this game late in the evening, caused yawns to occur.  But suddenly, an unlikely goal scorer, Sami Khedira, found the back of the net.  Then, before the fans could sit back down, a horrible back pass by Malaga gave Gonzalo Higuain the space to draw things level.

There was no looking back for Madrid.  Karim Benzema would score a lovely goal off some quick passing in the 77^th minute, sealing the win.  The Copa del Rey is two legs, so Malaga still have a chance to turn things around at home on January 10th.  However, Malaga will need a win, something only a few teams have been able to find at home or away against Madrid.

Happy New Year!  ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!