MADRID: A Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid eased some of the pressure on manager Manuel Pellegrini with 6-2 thrashing of Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu this morning.

MADRID: Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini and his players are confident ahead of their Champions League last 16 first-leg match against Lyon at Stade de Gerland tomorrow (3.45am) despite being knocked out of the competition at this phase in the last five years.

“We are optimistic. We feel confident in the possibility of making it through rather than frustration for failing to do so in recent years.”

The Chilean tactician also confirmed that French striker Karim Benzema has recovered from his injury and was looking forward to returning to his former stomping ground.

MADRID: It may sound desperate but Real Madrid superstar Kaka hopes that bitter city rivals Atletico Madrid can do Los Blancos a favour by beating Barcelona at Vincente Calderon on Sunday.

"It would be nice if Atletico would lend us a hand," said Kaka, who hopes to cut the Catalans' lead down to two points sooner rather than later. "The next match is an important one."

MADRID: Real Madrid striker Raul humbly accepted his role as a substitute, demonstrating the humility and character which makes him a living legend at Santiago Bernabeu. Raul, or his full name Raul Gonzalez Blanco, indicated he was resigned to his changing role coming at some point.

MADRID: Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is furious at the twomatch ban he received for his dismissal in the 2-0 win over Malaga at Santiago Bernabeu last weekend.

The Portuguese international ace was shown a straight red in the 70th minute in the Malaga match after his swinging elbow caught Patrick Mtiliga in the face, leaving the Denmark defender with a broken nose.

MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored both goals before being sent off as Real Madrid beat struggling and relegation candidates Malaga 2-0 at Santiago Bernabeu this morning.

HOLA!

Real Madrid superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka are beginning to feel the heat. Some unhappy fans feel that these two, whom Los Blancos had spent millions of euros to bring to Santiago Bernabeu, are not producing the kind of magic expected of them and assist the team to get the better of bitter rivals Barcelona.

MADRID: Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is confident Los Blancos can replace Barcelona on top of Primera Liga after the next round of fixtures this weekend. Real face Athletic Bilbao in an away match while Barca host Sevilla at Nou Camp.

"I expect we can get the three points off Bilbao and Sevilla beating Barca — thus making us leaders," Casillas told Marca.

PARIS: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is disappointed to constantly find his name among the substitutes but assured fans he is happy in Madrid and sees the experience as a learning curve. The 22-year-old Frenchman recently found himself playing second fiddle to Argentine international striker Gonzalo Higuain.

“Yes, you can say I'm disappointed because I am. But it is something that is part of the job. Things are well, I'm at a great club and learning," Benzema told L'Equipe.