Real Madrid

Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Almeria on Sunday and were thus unable to bring the first half of the season to a close with their sixth straight win. The Whites surrendered the lead shortly after the restart and Granero equalized 17 minutes later, but the Whites were stymied by referee Perez Lasa, who failed to award a spot-kick in the waning seconds of the match.

Kaka earned his first start of the season in detriment of Benzema. Without a true ‘9’ on the field, Cristiano, Di Maria and the Brazilian shared duties in attack. Perhaps due to accumulated fatigue from Thursday’s league encounter, Real Madrid were unable to dictate the pace they are accustomed to. The first half flew by with only on chance on goal, but Khedira’s misfire sailed well wide.

Benzema stepped in for Kaka shortly after the restart and Real Madrid grew more confident, but it was Almeria who drew first blood. Piatti turned inward towards goal and managed to get the ball to Ulloa, who beat Casillas with a powerful shot towards the post on 60’.

Mourinho sat Marcelo and Albiol and ordered Granero and Carvallho onto the pitch; a move that saw the defense shrink to only three center-backs. Thirteen minutes after setting foot on the pitch, Granero fired in the equalizer following a pass by Benzema.

Real Madrid pressured in search of a winner as Almeria retreated satisfied with the draw. Just on the verge of the end of regulation, Cristiano Ronaldo’s free kick struck Mbami on the hand and rather than point to the penalty spot, referee Perez Lasa awarded another free kick just outside the box. But as luck would have it, Ronaldo’s ensuing free kick struck the crossbar and the match came to a disappointing end.

Lineups

Almería
Diego Alves
Míchel Macedo
Marcelo Silva
Carlos García
Juanma Ortiz
Mbami
Bernardello
Crusat
Jakobsen 76'
Piatti
Kalu Uche
Vargas 65'
Ulloa	Goal 60'
Goitom 90'

Real Madrid
Casillas
Arbeloa
Sergio Ramos
Albiol
Ricardo Carvalho 65'
Marcelo
Granero 65'	Goal 78'
Khedira
Xabi Alonso
Özil
Kaká
Benzema 55'
Di María
Cristiano Ronaldo