Real Madrid 2-3 Zaragoza: Los Blanquillos stun hosts to grab win despite late rally from Mourinho's men

Los Merengues were comfortable passing the ball around in the early stages as Javier Aguirre’s stifling tactics tried to prevent Kaka, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain from clicking as they so amazingly did last week in their 6-3 drubbing of Valencia.

The trio looked disjointed as the Zaragoza defense stood admirably in defiance against its world class opponent’s. Javier Aguirre’s 4-5-1 counter-attacking formation was working efficiently as Los Galacticos star studded attack was thwarted time and again. However from time to time, Zaragoza tried to counter attack and only for a slightly over hit pass, Uche would’ve had an excellent chance to grab the opener. Immediately afterward though, Madrid’s first real chance of the game arrived as Kaka’s drive flashed just wide of the left post.

Lafita for Zaragoza created a brilliant chance for himself as he latched onto Gabi’s though ball but leaning back, he blasted his finish high over the bar. The best move of the game ended with Higuain combining wonderfully with Kaka, but Doblas was alert to stop the Argentine striker’s effort.

However, surprisingly it was Zaragoza who broke the deadlock in the 40^th minute. A calamitous air kick from Casillas gave Lafita the simple task of slotting the ball into the back of the net to silence the Bernabeu and leave the Spanish goalie embarrassed. Los Blanquillos went in at halftime in the lead as Jose Mourinho’s horror week continued.

Zaragoza’s tactics worked well before the break but they worked to perfection after the interval. Yet another counter attack caught out the Madrid defense and Ricardo Carvalho was judged to have felled Lafita. Gabi dispatched the penalty into the bottom right corner, sending Casillas the wrong way to give the Los Manos a 2-0 lead in the 54^th minute.

Jose Mourinho’s men wasted little time in upping the tempo and they pulled one back in the 62^nd minute through Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard headed Mesut Ozil’s floated cross into the bottom right corner as Doblas’ resistance was finally broken. A siege was then laid on the Zaragoza goal and Ozil created yet another chance. His dinked ball over the top was smashed against the bar though by Benzema with Doblas beaten.

Madrid huffed and puffed, but Los Blanquillos countered once again and the tireless Lafita took a touch followed by an expertly taken finish to beat Casillas in the 77^nd minute and Zaragoza were 3-1 up.

Drama ensued in the final minutes as Benzema scored a late consolation by thumping the ball past Doblas and moments later Carvalho was sent off for taking down Uche as the striker broke free. Kaka looked to have rescued a point, but his header was just about held on the line by Doblas and Zaragoza held on for the victory.

Zaragoza now have some breathing space at the bottom as they are four points above the drop zone after a heroic performance at the Bernabeu.

Meanwhile. Real Madrid now trail Barcelona by eight points having played a game more. Los Merengues have virtually succumbed to their Catalonian opponents, who look to have secured a third consecutive Primera Division.