Real Madrid

Real Madrid did their homework before leaving the holidays: they top the league table with a three-point cushion, they've made it to the UCL Last 16 having the best run in the history of the championship's group stage, and they've also reached the Copa del Rey Last 16. Mourinho's men sealed 2011 brilliantly, looking to keep the streak up throughout 2012.

Many new faces made the starting lineup, including academy left back Casado. Mourinho wanted to give other players a chance to shine, but he still used Pepe, Ozil, Khedira and Benzema in the starting eleven. The Whites took things slowly against Ponferradina, who intended to leave a good impression at the Bernabeu.

Real kept possession and eventually scored through Callejon, who defeated the keeper with a crossed shot after receiving a long pass from Ozil. Ponferradina did not give up and tried to stand their ground. The match unfolded without much ado until Callejon nearly scored again on the 25-minute mark sending the ball to the crossbar. The Madridistas' second strike arrived just before half-time when Sahin headed in a corner-kick served by Ozil (44').

Right after half-time, Granero served a free-kick that was cleared by the goalkeeper. The ball was picked up by Varane, who tallied the third strike (48'). Ponferradina tried to fight back and looked for a goal of their own to save face, eventually finding it through Acoran, who defeated Adan from outside the box.

The strike encouraged the visitors to look for another goal, but Real Madrid continued to control the match albeit without having many more chances to score. Mourinho allowed the academy's Nacho to come on for Casado. Benzema then had a couple chances to tally a fourth, but he was unlucky.

The French striker was replaced by Joselu in the 77th minute and the youth teamer only needed 20 seconds to net the fourth after receiving a pass from Callejon on the goal-line. Pacheco came on for Adan a few minutes later (82'), becoming the 14th academy player to make his official debut with Mourinho.

Callejon sealed the match with another goal assisted by Sahin, and he nearly scored a third of his own had it not been by a good save from Orlando.