Ozil brace help Real in comeback win
10 Dec 2012 7:50 AM IST
Mesut Ozil grabbed two goals as Real Madrid twice came from behind to defeat Valladolid 3-2 to close to within eight points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The German international’s brace included an exquisitely-curled, left-footed winner from a free-kick on 71 minutes to keep Madrid on the tails of Barca and second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Former Manchester United striker Manucho twice gave Valladolid first-half leads that Karim Benzema and Ozil cancelled out.
Barcelona go to Real Betis on Sunday while Atletico, now only two points ahead of their city neighbours, entertain Deportivo La Coruna.
Afterwards Real coach Jose Mourinho sent out his assistant Aitor Karanka to face the press and he was full of praise for the match winner.
“Ozil was exceptional and did a lot of work off the ball as well, I think we saw the Mesut that we all want to see tonight. We changed it around at half-time in search of more width and the win and it paid off,” he said.
Earlier, Mourinho had handed Nacho Fernandez his first start of the season in the league after an impressive performance in the win over Ajax on Wednesday while Jose Callejon, who hit a double that night, was also included.
Madrid began well with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a dipping drive just over the bar before Callejon tested Dani Hernandez in the home goal.
Valladoid responded first and after their goal the match took an interesting turn as Madrid tried showing more zeal and fervour to equalise twice after falling behind before Ozil seaked winner.
The German international’s brace included an exquisitely-curled, left-footed winner from a free-kick on 71 minutes to keep Madrid on the tails of Barca and second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Former Manchester United striker Manucho twice gave Valladolid first-half leads that Karim Benzema and Ozil cancelled out.
Barcelona go to Real Betis on Sunday while Atletico, now only two points ahead of their city neighbours, entertain Deportivo La Coruna.
Afterwards Real coach Jose Mourinho sent out his assistant Aitor Karanka to face the press and he was full of praise for the match winner.
“Ozil was exceptional and did a lot of work off the ball as well, I think we saw the Mesut that we all want to see tonight. We changed it around at half-time in search of more width and the win and it paid off,” he said.
Earlier, Mourinho had handed Nacho Fernandez his first start of the season in the league after an impressive performance in the win over Ajax on Wednesday while Jose Callejon, who hit a double that night, was also included.
Madrid began well with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting a dipping drive just over the bar before Callejon tested Dani Hernandez in the home goal.
Valladoid responded first and after their goal the match took an interesting turn as Madrid tried showing more zeal and fervour to equalise twice after falling behind before Ozil seaked winner.
Next Story
