Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squad Malaga CF (8-10-6, 30 points) and perennial powerhouse Real Madrid CF (16-3-5, 53 points) are scheduled to lock horns at the former's Estadio La Rosaleda on Feb. 21st, Sunday as the 2015-2016 La Liga season continues.
Malaga is coming off a disappointing 0-1 defeat in the hands of fourth-running team Villarreal CF on the road at the Estadio El Madrigal last Saturday, as reported by SkySports.
The Yellow Submarine scored early in the match, at the 18th-minute mark, with their front two connecting via a right-footed shot from just outside the box by Spanish forward Roberto Soldado off an assist by Brazilian striker Leo Baptistao.
Head coach Javi Gracia's boys had a hard time defending Villarreal in the first half with the home team's relentless attacks. The score could have been 2-0 before the 20th, but Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni was able to block Mexican midfielder Jonathan dos Santos' shot.
The loss was Malaga's third in its last five outings, which dropped them to 11th place in the overall standings, tied on points and goal differential with Real Sociedad but has a lesser goals made.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos pulled off a high-scoring 4-2 win over a hard-fighting Athletic Bilbao side at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium also last Saturday, as per Goal.
Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo scored a double at the third and 87th minutes while midfield teammates James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos contribute a goal each at the 37th and 45th respectively to lead Real to victory.
After Ronaldo scored the opening goal, Los Leones midfielder Javier Eraso leveled the count seven minutes later. Rodriguez and Kroos then netted their shots to give the hosts a 3-1 lead at the half.
Ronaldo made it 4-1 when he scored his second goal three minutes before full time, but the Athletic Club scored another one right at the 90th courtesy of a header from defender Gorka Elustondo.
The predicted result is a 3-0 romp for Real Madrid. Malaga does not have the firepower to penetrate the defense of Zinedine Zidane's squad. They also will not be able to stop an in-form Ronaldo and Rodriguez, much more if Karim Benzema will wake up from his current rut.
Malaga starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Kameni; Rosales, Albentosa, Weligton, Torres; Juanpi, Camacho, Tissone, Fornals; Cop, Charles
Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Navas; Danilo, Marcelo, Ramos, Carvajal; Modric, Kroos, Kovacic; Rodriguez, Benzema, Ronaldo
