Real Madrid beat Liverpool with a Benzema goal and are now just one point away from finishing top of the group.
Real Madrid continue to add to their number of straight victories. They recorded their twelfth in a row against Liverpool and did so once again with complete authority. Yet again the supporters left the Bernabéu satisfied with their team, who barely broke a sweat and did not allow the opposition a single shot on goal throughout the first half. Perhaps benefitting from their great streak of form, the Madrid players came out of the traps flying. They already had two clear goalscoring opportunities within the opening ten minutes, but Mignolet's saves in the 4' and 10' to prevent James and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively kept them at bay.
The home side's dominance was not in dispute. The ball only seemed to move between the Madrid players' boots and was knocked around from one side of the pitch to the other. The best example of that came during the opening goal. Four players were involved in the build up play, with none taking more than two touches. Isco started the move in the 27', playing a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo before passing the ball to Marcelo. The Brazilian controlled the ball on the left wing and crossed it towards Benzema, who sent it into the roof of the net with a deft touch. The fans in the Bernabéu were in awe of their team and the beauty of the goal.
The game did not change much after the goal and the only reason Real Madrid went into the break with such a narrow lead was down to a fine save by Mignolet to deny a long-range Cristiano Ronaldo effort in the 34' as well as Benzema lacking a rub of green with a lob that went inches over the crossbar.
A lesson in robustness Real Madrid controlled the encounter in a second half livened up by the presence of Bale, who came on for James in the 62nd and nine minutes later was close to getting his team's second. Marcelo, who had a spectacular performance, put in another cross from the left wing and the Welshman, lurking near the penalty spot, hit the bar with his left-footed shot.
That was not the last chance of the game. Bale forced Mignolet into a reflex save from a goal-bound free kick in the 84'. A serious game by the Whites, who have now gone two matches without conceding and are now through to the Round of 16. With one point from the remaining two games they will seal first place in the group.
He is the player with the most appearances in the competition's history, with a total of 144.
Iker Casillas continues to make history with Real Madrid. After starting against Liverpool, he is the player who has made the most Champions League appearances, 144 in total. He leads the Barcelona player Xavi Hernández by one. The captain of the Whites also heads the list for most victories in the competition, having notched up 86.
He made his Champions League debut on 15 September 1999 against Olympiakos. Since then, he has played in 16 consecutive tournaments and won the trophy on three occassions. He won the eighth Champions League title when he was just 19 years old, and two years later he played a decisive role in the ninth Champions League trophy win. Now, having won the Tenth in Lisbon, Casillas wants to continue to make history.
Casillas: "We've done what we had to and qualified"
"We were patient, we looked for space and it was a fair victory", said James.
Casillas started in the victory over Liverpool and he spoke to the press after the final whistle: "I'm happy about our record in the Champions League and about the victory. We've done what we had to and qualified. Now we can focus more on the league, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup".
"We were coming off the back of some difficult and tough matches. When we got to 1-0 we tried to control the match a little more. We tried to get a second but the result was enough. We're going to continue to be prudent, stay calm and enjoy ourselves. Success will come little by little".
Good form "I would love to be able to play at Real Madrid until I'm 40. The competition is tough, everyone wants to play, but we'll compete sportingly in order to enjoy every match".
James: "Qualification gives us peace of mind" "We were patient, we looked for space and it was a fair victory. They played well but we did too, as we have in recent matches. Qualification gives us peace of mind for what is to come and we have to carry on like this".
"I'm happy and in recent matches I've been comfortable. I just want to help and if I can score goals and set them up that's also important for me. It's true that I'm good near the opposition's goal but I'm also open to whatever Ancelotti wants".
The team's system "The coach knows the system he wants to play with and we accept whatever he wants. Bale is a great player and if he has to play he'll always do well. Cristiano Ronaldo has matches ahead of him and I think he can beat Raúl's goal record".
"We have achieved our objective, which was to secure qualification", added Arbeloa.
Karim Benzema was the goalscorer in the clash against Liverpool and highlighted the Whites great form to the press: "The team is at its peak and we will continue to enjoy ourselves like we did today. We created a lot of chances and we are all attacking and defending together".
"I really like the Champions League, it is a competition I score a lot of goals in. I'm not sure if I'm at my peak but I feel 100% and am full of confidence".
"We're all at ease with Ancelotti. He gives us a lot of confidence. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world so if he doesn't score it doesn't matter. We have a game on Saturday and I'm sure he'll get on the scoresheet then".
Arbeloa: "The team has improved through sacrifice" "It was a tough and hard fought game, but we achieved our objective, which was to secure our qualification. We came into this game having made a big effort. We have had a lot of back-to-back games and because of injuries the manager has not been able to rotate things as he would have liked".
"We have had time to train together and the team has improved through our sacrifices. We all work hard and we are really solid at the back. Seeing things come together motivates us all. What Cristiano Ronaldo is doing is incredible. You can always rely on him".
Ancelotti: "Benzema is a very important player for us"
"We scored in the first half and controlled the game without taking risks", he added.
Ancelloti assessed the victory against Liverpool in his post-match press conference, a win which led his team through to the Round of 16: "It was a good match, we did not play at a high tempo because we did not need to. We scored in the first half and controlled the game without taking risks. We were comfortable on the pitch and tried to score more goals. We controlled the game and the victory is well deserved."
"Benzema is enjoying a good run of form, I don't know if it is the best of his career, but it is his best form since I have been here. I really like how he works for the team, he is a really important player for us."
Aiming for first place "Although we have qualified, our plans haven't really changed much for the upcoming games. We still have to finish the group in first place and, like always, we have to respect the competition. We always play the same way. We can prepare for the Club World Cup by playing." . "Cristiano was focused on the game, he didn't score but we didn't talk about records together. He did not score but he will in the next match. He wasn't frustrated not to have scored. I would get frustrated when I played because I never scored. He played well and was happy with the win.
The run of victories "What makes me happy is how the team is playing, how they prepare for matches and how motivated they are. Records are less important. They are nice, but I prefer to think about how we can win three points on Saturday."
Bale and Varane "I was impressed with Bale. He did not start because following an injury it is normal to play for 30 minutes. He was fine and had no problems. He will start the match on Saturday. Varane played very well, he was really focused on the game."
Liverpool "I can't assess Liverpool's starting line-up. Perhaps he tried to put out the freshest possible starting eleven in order to put more pressure on us. That did not surprise me. There is quality opposition throughout the group, and Liverpool always have a greater chance of qualifying because of their history and experience in the competition. Although they need to win their two matches and that won't be easy."
The Whites returned to training following their victory against Liverpool.
After sealing their passage through to the Round of 16 in the Champions League, the Whites returned to training at Ciudad Real Madrid. The outfield players who started against Liverpool carried out a recovery session. Bale, Chicharito, Pepe, Nacho and the three goalkeepers carried out a training sessions based around ball work exercises.
Marcelo, James, Khedira and Coentrão were out on the pitch and carried out specific training exercises. The next match will take place this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu against Rayo Vallecano (8:00pm CET).
Second final training session before playing hosts to Rayo
Ancelotti called on the Castilla players Medrán and Aguza.
The team continue their preparations ahead of Rayo Vallecano's visit to the Santiago Bernabéu (Saturday, 8pm CET). The Whites, who will be looking to hold onto the top spot in the table, completed their second last training session ahead of the Madrid derby. Ancelotti called on the Castilla central midfielders Medrán and Aguza for a session in which ball work featured heavily and the players played a match.
Kroos-Modric, the best passing partnership in the Liga
The two of them have completed 1,250 passes to lead the ranking.
After 10 Liga matchdays, Kroos and Modric have established themselves as the best passing partnership in the competition. The two of them have completed 1,250 passes and overtake Rakitic and Busquets, who are second in the ranking with 1,124.
The games in which the Madrid pair made the most passes were at home against Deportivo and Levante, with 160 and 154 passes, respectively. The last fixture against Granadalies in third place with 152 completed passes. To date, Kroos has 704 passes and Modric has 546.
The La Liga leaders play host to an opponent thay have not dropped points against in 14 years
Ancelotti has warned on various occasions: "Each match is a test". The next such examination comes in the shape of Rayo's visit to the Santiago Bernabéu where Real Madrid will be defending their position atop the league table. The Whites will be looking to maintain their strong form against the team from Vallecas. You have to go back 14 years to find the last league encounter between the sides that did not end with a Madrid win: a scoreless draw in March 2000. Since then, Real Madrid have recorded 12 wins, scoring 35 goals and conceding nine.
Last season, the Whites won 2-3 on the road and 5-0 at home. Carvajal got his first competitive goal for the first team during that resounding victory. However, unsurprisingly Cristiano Ronaldo has been the main man during these recent derbies against Rayo. The Portuguese man has found the back of the net in five of the last six meetings between the sides and is now Real Madrid's highest ever scorer against the Vallecas outfit, with eight goals to his name.
"Madrid fans can acknowledge that Cristiano is Alfredo Di Stéfano's worthy successor", said Florentino Pérez, who was presenting the trophy.
Christiano Ronaldo received his third Golden Shoe award today at the Meliá Castilla hotel in Madrid. This is the second time he has won the award as a Real Madrid player. The Portguese star was accompanied by the president Florentino Pérez, his team mates Casillas, Ramos and Bale, various members of the Board of Directors, as well as the head of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño. Ronaldo received the award after scoring 31 goals during the last La Liga season.
"This is a special day for me. It is the third one, but it is as if I was winning it for the first time again. I want to share it with everyone who has helped me. I promise the fans that I will always give my best on the field because I still have many years ahead at Real Madrid" stated the Portuguese player.
"I want to thank my team mates as it would have been impossible to win this trophy without them. I would also like to thank my family and everybody at Real Madrid, which is best team in the world and gives me the opportunity to win awards like this. I can increasingly feel that people really love me here".
"His unending desire to overcome obstacles has turned him into a different type of player and anybody who knows him is aware that he will leave here today in search of his fourth trophy. Today, he is receiving his third Golden Shoe, his second as a Real Madrid player. Therefore, this is a happy day for him, his mother, his family, for all Real Madrid fans and anybody who loves football. Our fans have really embraced Cristiano because he has given everything on the pitch and left us with many great memories."
"We are proud of Cristiano Ronaldo at this club, football can be proud of him, he is a role model for young players. He has once again shown the world that he is a true legend. He is a legend at Real Madrid, as he shows in every game, and an example of impeccable professionalism, as shown through his behaviour every single day. Cristiano combines his unquestionable talent and quality with an immense level of commitment".
"This desire to always win, is what really unites Cristiano with one of the core traits of Real Madrid's identity. Only a few months ago, we lost out Honorary President Alfredo Di Stéfano. Today, Real Madrid fans can acknowledge that here we have Di Stéfano's worthy successor. Congratulations for being a member of one of the best squads in Real Madrid's history. This is a squad which will not be weakened by such praise, and which knows that it must always give everything, just as you do, in order to improve and fulfil the dreams of our fans".
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Shoe during the 2007/08 and 2008/11 seasons. The prize goes to the highest scorer to come out of any European league over the season, and is awarded by European Sports Media (ESM), a sports media group made up of the world's main football publications.
Ronaldo: "You only win this trophy with a very good squad around you"
"Last year was extraordinary; I'm very lucky to be at Real Madrid", said the Portuguese.
Following the end of the Golden Shoe presentation ceremony,Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media. The Portuguese star could not hide his excitement at receiving the award for the third time in his career: "You only win this trophy with a very good squad around you and with everyone's support. Last year things went very well and we won the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. It was an extraordinary year and I feel very lucky to be in this squad and at Real Madrid."
"I feel very happy that some of my team-mates have attended. I don't invite the whole squad to come because I feel that I'm taking away their time so as to come to a ceremony. I'm obviously pleased. If I invited everyone, I'm sure they would come. I'm not thinking about a fourth Golden Shoe. That has to come about naturally. I'm in a good position, but I have to keep going as I am and let things take their course."
Worthy successor to Di Stéfano "It was a comparison by the president. Alfredo is no longer with us and he sees in me what Di Stéfano was. For me it's an honour, because Alfredo is one of the greatest in football history and I'm very happy to be associated with him."
Team's current form"They are systems that we are used to, and it is no surprise. We have the ball a little bit more than in recent years, and the more you have it the more danger you can create. The system is practically the same. We have a very good squad. Bale has come back and is in very good shape. We can go really far and we're only thinking about improving with every game."
"Everyone talks about this being the best squad that the club has had, but that will be known at the end of the season. The side is doing well, is confident, is excited and things are going well. On a personal level, I feel really good and happy. I'm on a good run and I have to make the most of this good moment of form and continue like this until the end of the season."
Renewing his contract "We have to talk with Florentino Pérez. I'm very happy and in a great moment of form. Personally and in sporting terms, everything is going well. I want to win and get as many trophies as possible with this club. I hope to finish my contract with Real Madrid at 33 and after that we'll see if they want me to stay. I feel young and still a long way off retiring."
Race for the Ballon d'Or "I wouldn't be surprised not to win it. Nothing surprises me in football and you have to be ready for everything. I feel good and I'm very happy, on a collective and an individual level. I would obviously like to win it, but I'm not obsessed by it. I'm doing well, helping my team to win games and getting goals."
His eagerness to keep on progressing "I always like to play well and score and be in good physical shape, but that isn't always possible. It's normal for me to get angry with myself, but after being with my people and those I love, it passes."
Making history in football "I don't want to think about that yet. Everyone will have their own opinion. Being the best in Portugal isn't enough for me, I'm going to work to be the best ever. I respect every decision. I don't have to prove anything to anyone, just to myself. I want to continue working in the same way because it's harder and harder to improve my figures. I want to be the best at the best club in the world."
"I'm not obsessed by that situation. I take my work seriously and I try to always do things well. I have shown since I arrived here that I always want more and for that reason I have nothing to say. My figures have been good in the years that I have been at Real Madrid, perhaps better in the last two."
Cristiano Ronaldo shares the Golden Shoe with his team-mates
The rest of the players and the technical staff congratulated him for his award win on Wednesday.
Christiano Ronaldo wanted to share his Golden Shoe with the whole squad and the Real Madrid technical staff. Before the training session got underway, they all gathered together to take a photo with the award on the Ciudad Real Madrid pitch. The Portuguese man was congratulated by the whole team for picking up his third Golden Shoe. Cristiano had already expressed his gratitude to his team mates during the award ceremony: "I want to thank them as it would not have been possible to win this trophy without them".
Ancelotti: "We have to be on our guard, Rayo fight hard and play attacking football"
"We're up against a team that has its own style and is a prime example for explaining what Spanish football is like abroad."
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media in the Ciudad Real Madrid press room on the eve of Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Rayo. The Italian coach looked ahead to Saturday's encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu: "We have to be on our guard because Rayo fight hard and play attacking football. We know that they play with intensity. We have to be ready and it concerns me that everyone is talking us up. We have to be focused on the game."
"We have to respect a team who have a philosophy and apply that philosophy against every team. They have a style, and to explain what Spanish football is like abroad Rayo Vallecano are a prime example. They play football against every team and fight for survival. They have a very clear plan to play attacking football and it's a good plan and a positive one."
Possible tension with Paco Jémez "I've never felt any tension. The issue was closed a long while ago. I have respect for this coach and it will be a normal game. What was said a month ago has nothing to do with this game and the issue is closed. We both have a clear idea of how to make the most of the characteristics of the players we have, and we try to implement the same game in every match."
Rotating players against Rayo "I still haven't decided. Isco and James have been fantastic and it's possible I'll give one of the two a rest in order to put in a player with fresh legs. Rotation is normal at this point of the season and we have to do it at least until December.
"I know that I'm lucky enough to coach a team that has unbelievable quality and I try to make the most of it through the work I do. I'm concerned that there is too much praise. That means that when things don't go well there will be too much criticism. This team deserves the praise it has got for what it has done, and we have to keep on working to continue this run. We'll have difficult moments and we have to show the same sense of calm and fighting spirit that we're showing at the moment."
Jesé's progress "Today he began a new phase in his recovery, which is working with the group. Little by little he will do technical work, in the first week it'll be without contact and afterwards with it. It's the final phase of his recovery. We're not in a hurry and we expect him to be ready to play in a month."
Khedira's recovery "He's in pretty good shape and is almost completely recovered. He didn't have a serious problem. He isn't available for tomorrow. He will join up with his national team and I think he's going to play with them. He has a friendly against Spain and it's beneficial for him to get playing time with his country."
Benzema's current form "He's in good shape. He feels comfortable. He feels important to this team and that's the key to the way he's playing at the moment. He's a player who is a very important part of our game."
Cristiano Ronaldo as Di Stéfano's worthy successor "I think so. Cristiano Ronaldo has that image. Placing him close to Di Stéfano, with everything that he meant to this club, is a very good source of motivation for the future. He deserves it."
His favourites for the Ballon d'Or "The results speak for themselves in Cristiano Ronaldo's favour. The Germans won the World Cup, but other than them I don't see any other possible rivals to him."
The midfielders' strong progress "The only thing I did was get them used to playing together to win back possession. The team is working hard and working together, and that helps the work of the midfielders. They're doing very well and are putting a lot of hard work in. Defensive work is an issue of hard work, not quality."
Isco's position "I don't have plans to play him as a false nine. From time to time he can play as a central midfielder in place of Kroos or Modric. I'm thinking about playing him further back because he can do the defensive work he's doing on the flank as a central midfielder too."
Bale's defensive work "I don't have to tell him to run. He knows what he has to do. I ask him to score, provide assists and do what he did last year. Putting in a shift isn't a problem for Bale and he plays on the right wing. The way the team plays doesn't change if he plays. James receives the ball more to feet and Bale to run on to, but the way the team plays doesn't change."
Real Madrid will play their La Liga matchday eleven fixture in the Santiago Bernabéu.
Carlo Ancelotti has named his 19-man squad for the La Liga matchday 11 clash, which sees Real Madrid take on Rayo Vallecano in the Santiago Bernabéu (Saturday, 8pm CET).
REAL MADRID MATCHDAY SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Casillas, Keylor Navas and Pacheco. Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Arbeloa and Nacho. Midfielders: Kroos, James, Bale, Modric, Isco, Medrán and Aguza. Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Chicharito.
PRE-MATCH MEET-UP: Saturday 8 November at 11:00 am, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
NEXT TRAINING SESSION: Tuesday 11 November at 17:00 pm, at Ciudad Real Madrid (behind closed doors).
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