Real peak at perfect time
Real Madrid's comprehensive 5-2 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday boosted confidence in the Spanish capital with the feeling that they have set themselves up nicely for the looming Champions League showdown with PSG.
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a hattrick for the first time this season after Lucas Vazquez had opened the scoring inside 49 seconds at the Santiago Bernabeu. Toni Kroos also found the net, with Real 4-0 up by the interval.
The victory might not do much to trouble La Liga leaders Barcelona, but it strengthens their place in the top four and confirms that Zinedine Zidane's side are on an upward trajectory ahead of their clash with PSG.
"It makes things easier for you when you score an early goal. We showed lots of desire and we can be satisfied. It was good preparation for Wednesday," said Zidane.
It was a result that went down well with the media, sports daily AS saying on their front cover on Sunday morning that Ronaldo had sent a "message to PSG".
Madrid have won three and drawn one of their last four league outings, scoring 18 goals in that time. Meanwhile, Ronaldo now has 11 La Liga goals for the season, with seven coming in those last four matches.
"The Artillery, Ready for PSG", was the headline on the front page of the other big Madrid sports daily, Marca, on Sunday.
"He always has that mindset, he lives for that, for scoring goals," said Zidane of Ronaldo, who last week turned 33. "He could have scored one or two more, and it augurs well for Wednesday."
GETAFE HOLD BARCELONA
A disallowed Luis Suarez goal summed up a frustrating afternoon for Barcelona as the leaders dropped points for the second week after a 0-0 stalemate with Getafe on Sunday.
After needing a late equaliser to grab a point in the Catalan derby at Espanyol last weekend, Barca could not break down a well-organised Getafe side, who showed why they have the third-best defensive record in the league. In irresistible form in front of goal in 2018, Suarez had the ball in the net just before half-time with a great finish from a Lionel Messi free-kick, but the home celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
The Uruguayan striker then saw his header kept out by a brilliant Vicente Guaita save as the match moved into stoppage time, with Barca failing to score at home in La Liga for the first time since November 2016.
Ernesto Valverde's side remain unbeaten in La Liga after 23 games, extending their longest run without losing from the start of a campaign.
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