Real Madrid welcomed Sporting Gijon to the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win would see them move seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice inside the opening 18 minutes to send Real Madrid two goals ahead, but the deficit was halved in the 35th minute when Carlos Carmona turned home from inside the box.
Sporting had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 78th minute, but Duje Cop fired into the stands as the impressive visitors suffered a narrow defeat in the Spanish capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Sporting Gijon. Victory for the home side would see them extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points from second-place Barcelona, but an unlikely victory for the visitors Sporting would see them rise out of the relegation zone. Be sure to stick with me for minute-by-minute updates from Madrid!
Real Madrid have won three of the last four La Liga meetings between the two teams, but Sporting did record a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu during the 2010-11 campaign. They also won 1-0 in this stadium in April 1996 and held Los Blancos to a goalless draw in Gijon last season. It might well be a tricky afternoon for Zinedine Zidane's side, although they are the overwhelming favourites to win.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Has Zidane shuffled his pack following the Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night? Let's run through the two XIs on this breezy afternoon in Madrid...
TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho; Kovacic, Modric, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Vasquez
GIJON: Marino; Douglas, Mere, Amorebieta, Lillo, Lopez; Carmona, Alvarez, Rachid, Gomez; Cop
Real Madrid boss Zidane has made five changes to the team that started the midweek Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon, while there is a return to the squad for Casemiro, who has missed the last two months with a fractured leg. There are three changes at the back as Danilo, Pepe and Nacho replace Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Marcelo, while James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema replace Isco and Gareth Bale. Alvaro Morata and Toni Kroos remain on the sidelines for the home side.
© AFP
Sporting, meanwhile, are without their first-choice goalkeeper Pichu Cuellar through injury, which means that Diego Marino starts between the sticks. Isma Lopez and Carlos Carmona come into the team that lost 3-1 against Real Sociedad last weekend and it is believed that will mean a change of formation - 5-4-1. On-loan Cagliari striker Duje Cop, who has five league goals this season, leads the line.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about the away side and their start to the season a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who have been very impressive this term. Indeed, victory for Los Blancos here would see them move seven points clear of second-place Barcelona in the table.
👕👀⚽ #RMLiga
Take a look inside our dressing room at the Santiago Bernabéu!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/TDtTAoWzgQ — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) November 26, 2016
Real Madrid are actually still unbeaten in La Liga this season – winning nine and drawing three of their 12 matches to date. They are also the leading scorers on 34 goals and have the second best defensive record behind high-flying Villarreal. Los Blancos have not won Spain's top flight since 2012, but they have given themselves a very strong base to build from after such an impressive start.
Zidane's side won each of their first four league matches to rise to the top of the table, but three straight draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas and Eibar allowed their rivals to gain some ground. The Madrid giants have since put together five straight wins, however, which included that sensational 3-0 win at capital rivals Atletico last weekend, where Cristiano Ronaldo - of course - grabbed a hat-trick.
As a result, Real Madrid lead second-place Barcelona by four points, third-place Sevilla by six points and fourth-place Villarreal by eight points. Atletico, meanwhile, sit fifth and are now eight points off the summit. It would be a major surprise if the home side did not open up a strong gap over the chasing pack with all three points against a struggling Sporting Gijon side this afternoon.
© Getty Images
Real Madrid will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday night, which booked their spot in the knockout round of the competition once again. However, they must beat German side Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu in their final group match next month in order to win the group and in theory, gain a more favourable last-16 draw.
In terms of what is ahead for Zidane's side, they will face Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, already holding a 7-1 lead from the first leg. Next weekend then brings the small matter of the Clasico away to Barcelona, before they face Dortmund in that group decider on December 7.
© Getty Images
As for Sporting Gijon, Abelardo Fernandez's side will enter this match down in 18th position in the table. The Red and Whites have only won two of their 12 league matches this season, drawing three times and suffering seven defeats. Scoring goals has also been a problem – only managing to find the back of the net on 12 occasions this season and five of those have come from Duje Cop.
Gijon actually went unbeaten in their first four games of the season – recording two victories in the process. They have not won since, however, suffering seven defeats. They did manage to draw against Sevilla on October 29, but have lost to Malaga and Real Sociedad in their last two.
#RealMadridSporting En media hora dará comienzo el encuentro en el Bernabéu #PuxaSporting pic.twitter.com/qispfCBdQ2
— Real Sporting (@RealSporting) November 26, 2016
Gijon just about managed to survive relegation from La Liga last season, finishing in 17th position after gaining promotion from the Segunda during the 2014-15 campaign. It was a tough campaign for the club and it does appear that they face another serious battle to starve off the threat of relegation once again. Kickoff is now just about 10 minutes away inside this famous stadium.
In terms of what is to come in La Liga this afternoon – Espanyol will travel to Leganes, before Sevilla welcome Valencia in the late match. Tomorrow, Atletico will look to return to winning ways when they visit Osasuna, before Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad. Elsewhere, Villarreal will welcome Alaves and Celta Vigo will host Granada. You can follow all the lives scores on Sports Mole!
Sergio Ramos is a very fine defender and a real leader for this Real Madrid team, but he absolutely loves picking up a card - yellows and indeed reds. A booking for the centre-back this afternoon would see him ruled out of El Clasico next weekend and I am not sure I trust him to not fly into some challenges! Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at the Bernabeu.
KICKOFF! The away side kick things off in the Spanish capital...
... just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid would take them seven points clear at the top of the table, while three points for the visitors would move them out of the relegation zone. It has been a decent start from Sporting and Cop fires wide of the post from distance after a mistake from Pepe.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Wonderful chance for the away side as Cop feeds Carmona inside the Real Madrid box, but the midfielder can only poke his effort wide of the post! Wow!
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid have a penalty as Alvarez brings Vasquez to the deck with a clumsy tackle!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Sporting Gijon (Ronaldo, pen)
Ronaldo goes low into the bottom corner and Real Madrid lead inside five minutes here.
Sporting need to be really careful that they do not concede a second during this strong spell of Real Madrid pressure. The visitors actually had two decent chances in the early moments, but that penalty has really knocked them for six. Ronaldo really looks in the mood for more goals this afternoon.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Lucas has seen plenty of the ball in the opening 10 minutes and the Spaniard has linked well with Danilo down the right-hand side.
CLOSE! Carmena's strike from the edge of the Real Madrid box just misses the post!
CHANCE! Ronaldo has a free header inside the Sporting box, but somehow misses the post. That is a quite incredible miss for any player at any level, let alone Ronaldo!
I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Real Madrid are in control of the ball, but Sporting have been more than willing to commit men forward in the opening 15 minutes of this match.
As it stands, Real Madrid are heading seven points clear at the top of La Liga, but Sporting have been impressive this afternoon and will fancy their chances of unsettling the home side's defence as play progresses in the capital. Not too much of an atmosphere inside the ground to be honest.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Sporting Gijon (Ronaldo)
That man again! Real Madrid have their second of the match in the 18th minute as Ronaldo heads a wonderful Nacho cross into the back of the net from close range. That is a hammer blow to Sporting!
Ramos's brilliant over-head kick is turned goal-wards by Nacho, but it struck the crossbar and the latter was actually in an offside position. Sporting are really struggling inside their own box.
The fact that Sporting have come to play this afternoon has to be admired, but it is very difficult to out-football Real Madrid in this stadium, especially a team that are 18th in Spain's top flight. This game might already be over courtesy of that Ronaldo double inside the opening 18 minutes here.
Half-chance for the away side as Douglas breaks down the right before delivering towards the far post, but there are no takers and Real Madrid can resume from the dead-ball line here.
Wonderful defensive header from Ramos as the Real Madrid skipper clears a cross from Lopez, which had been threatening to find Cop in a dangerous position. Pepe then limps away from a challenge and that is the last thing that Zidane will want, one week before El Clasico at Camp Nou.
SAVE! Navas has to turn a low Moi Gomez strike wide of the post!
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Real Madrid might be comfortable in terms of the scoreline, but Sporting have been very good in possession of the ball. Their willingness to commit players forward has to be admired, although they are in a very tough position in this match.
Pepe has been off the field for some time now receiving some treatment!
Varane is not in the squad this afternoon, but it is thought that he will be fit to face Barcelona next weekend. However, if the Frenchman does not make it, Pepe cannot play and Ramos picks up a booking in this match and subsequent suspension then Zidane would have a serious problem!
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Gijon (Carmona)
Good grief that is some goal! Sporting are right back in this match as Isma Lopez delivers a brilliant pass into Carmona and the midfielder gets across his defender to angle the ball past Navas!
Make no mistake about it, Sporting deserve to be in this match. They have been very, very good in this first period and were unfortunate to be 2-0 behind. It is vital that they do not concede a third in the latter stages of this first period or it would be a very big blow to take after getting back into it.
Half-chance for the home side as Lucas Vasquez breaks into the Sporting box, but Lillo is across to make a strong challenge and the ball is wide of the post. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining and there are some whistles from the home crowd - they are a tough bunch to please!
SAVE! Brilliant goalkeeping from Marino as the Sporting stopper gets down to keep out Ronaldo's low strike, which looked to be heading for the bottom corner. Important stop!
It appears that we will play just one minute at the end of the first period here.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Gijon
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Sporting 2-1 at the interval of what has been a very good game. Ronaldo scored twice inside the opening 18 minutes to place Real Madrid in a comfortable position, but Sporting hit back in the 35th minute through Carmona to leave things delicately poised ahead of the second period. It has been entertaining stuff!
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have just about shaded the possession with 56%, while they have had eight attempts - three of which were on target. Sporting, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts in the opening half. Just the one booking to report - Amorebieta in the 40th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Zidane does not have too much in the way of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, but Isco and Asensio are both available for the home side. Sporting, meanwhile, have the likes of Victor Rodriguez, Xavi Torres and Borja Viguera on what is an attacking bench.
RESTART! Real Madrid resume the action on home soil...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
The rain is really falling in Madrid, but there are still around 70,000 inside the Bernabeu this afternoon. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, although the home side have been in control of the possession. This game is very delicately poised.
You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - is vital in this match. Sporting would really fancy their chances at 2-2, but a third for Real Madrid should secure all the points. Just a reminder that Los Blancos are moving seven points clear at the summit as things stand.
Douglas, who is on loan at Sporting from Barcelona, has been very good for the away side this afternoon and it would be some story if he popped up with an equaliser or better here!
Half-chance for the visitors this time as Lopez again breaks into a wide position before flashing a low cross towards Cop, but the striker just cannot make contract and it goes for a dead ball.
Sometimes it is just about winning and that will be on Zidane's mind this afternoon. It has been an ugly performance from Real Madrid, but they do have the lead approaching the final 30 minutes. Sporting are not sitting back and taking this, however, as they continue to commit men forward.
I am not sure whether some spectators have gone home because of the rain but there are a number of empty seats inside the stadium in this second period! In truth, the football has not been great since the restart and we are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Half-chance for Benzema, but the Frenchman heads straight at Marino.
BOOKING! Rachid (Sporting) is booked for a late challenge on Modric.
Another half-chance for the away side as Douglas races down the right before delivering a deep cross towards Cop, but the cross just has too much power and Cop cannot make contact.
Still no movement on either bench, which is a surprise at this stage of events in Madrid.
BOOKING! Carmona (Sporting) is booked for a late challenge on Pepe.
You just get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match and Sporting deserve something for their efforts up until this point. Real Madrid were fortunate to score twice inside the opening 18 minutes and the visitors have actually had more clear chances. Still a lot of football to play!
BOOKING! James (Real Madrid) is booked for pulling back Rachid.
In truth, Real Madrid have been very, very poor in this second period.
REAL MADRID SUBS! Marcelo and Asensio replace James and Ramos.
Sporting want to make a couple of changes, but the ball has not gone out for some time!
SPORTING SUBS! Borja and Rodriguez replace Carmona and Gomez here.
SPORTING PENALTY!
BOOKING! Nacho (Real Madrid) is booked for bringing Rodriguez to the ground inside the box and the away side have a penalty!
MISS! Cop fires his spot kick into the stands!
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Kovacic for the home side.
SPORTING SUB! Nacho Cases replaces Rachid for the away side.
There is no question that Sporting deserve something from this match, but Real Madrid still lead with little over five minutes of normal time remaining. The away side have been so impressive.
Navas has to be alert to keep out a close-range effort from Cop.
Real Madrid have a super chance to score a third as Benzema leads a counter-attack, but the Frenchman's cross is behind Ronaldo and Isco, and Sporting manage to clear their lines. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as Sporting commit players forward.
Real Madrid launch another break and Ronaldo has a go from distance, but Marino saves.
Time is running out for Sporting and it does appear that they are going to lose this afternoon, despite putting in quite comfortably their best performance of the season. They have been brilliant and made a very good Real Madrid team look ordinary at best. Football is cruel sometimes!
We are into the first of two added minutes at the end of the 90 here.
We are into the final 60 seconds of this match and Sporting are just about out of time. They are going to lose, but can take so much from what has been a quite excellent performance.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Gijon
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid holding on to win 2-1 and move seven points clear at the top of La Liga. It was not pretty, but they have got the job done. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the live action once again!
