Real Madrid have come from behind to take all three points from their trip to face Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor, winning the contest 2-1.
Los Blancos began the match with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira on the bench and failed to get going without the influential trio.
They were second best for the entirety of the first 45 minutes and were lucky to be heading into the break with just the one-goal deficit.
Blanquiazules' pressure finally told in the 35th minute, when Riki burst through Madrid's defensive ranks before firing past Diego Lopez at his near post.
Pizzi nearly made it 2-0 shortly afterwards, but Brazilian full-back Marcelo positioned himself perfectly to head his curling effort off the line.
Bruno Gama had two further opportunities before the half-time whistle, but Daniel Aranzubia had to be alert to stop Jose Callejon at the other end.
The visitors continued to toil in the second half until a triple change saw Ronaldo, Ozil and Khedira enter the fray.
Madrid suddenly began to tick, but could have fell further behind had Carlos Marchena found the net with his chance inside the area.
Fernando Vazquez's men were punished for that wasted opportunity when Kaka curled a right-footed shot past Aranzubia from outside the box.
Ronaldo nearly put Madrid in front when he danced past Alex Bergantinos, but saw his shot from an acute angle kept out to his dismay.
However, Jose Mourinho's blushes were spared just two minutes from time when Kaka slipped a brilliant ball through for Ronaldo, who squared for Gonzalo Higuain to top home.
Michael Penkman
