Madrid continue to shine

Real Madrid CF entered the Primera División Christmas break yesterday in pole position to defend their title.

Two-point gap
The Spanish champions have 39 points, having only been beaten by Valencia CF and Sevilla FC. Valencia are two points adrift, with RC Deportivo La Coruña the other major contenders. In contrast, the season has been disappointing for FC Barcelona and UEFA Champions League entrants Real Sociedad de Fútbol and RC Celta de Vigo.

Ronaldo on song
Despite pre-season claims of defensive vulnerability, Madrid have enjoyed their best league start for seven years - scoring 36 goals and conceding 18 during their opening 17 matches. Ronaldo has contributed 14 goals and is the only Primera División player on double figures this season.

Beckham settles
David Beckham has been similarly impressive. Since scoring on his league debut against Real Betis Balompié, converted central midfield man Beckham has been applauded for his workmanlike attitude, pinpoint passing and expertise from dead-ball situations.

Youth policy
Carlos Queiroz has also introduced newer talent. Antonio Núñez had a fairytale debut, heading the equaliser against Villarreal CF on 3 September, while Borja Fernández has performed well. Meanwhile, Raúl Bravo has passed the test of stepping into ex-captain Fernando Hierro's central defence slot, showing maturity and composure.

Hot pursuit
Valencia, who slumped to fifth last season, have since been bolstered in attack with new signings Ricardo Oliviera and Néstor Cannobio. Striker Mista has scored nine goals, already more than any Valencia player has managed in either of the last two seasons.

Ayala boost
Valencia defender Roberto Ayala signed a new contract until 2007 in September, and this month saw the return of striker Miguel Ángel Angulo after a seven month lay-off. Promising left-back Fábio Aurélio should be fit next month after spending a similar time out with a cartilage injury.

Pandiani tally
Despite undergoing a lapse during the autumn months, Deportivo are six points behind Madrid and still in the hunt. The Galicians lost the prolific Roy Makaay to FC Bayern München last summer but Walter Pandiani and Alberto Luque have been impressive. Indeed, Pandiani broke a 49-year-old club record by scoring in each of the first seven league games.

Double struggle
Real and Celta, so impressive last season, are
threatened by relegation despite having joined Madrid and Deportivo in the last 16 of the Champions League. Real coach Raynald Denoueix, who recently added a year to his contract, has problems in attack, where his side are half as potent as at this stage last season.

Injury trouble
Celta have been dogged by injuries, particularly in attack, and are in 17th place after just three wins. The bottom two, newly promoted Real Murcia CF and RCD Espanyol are in even deeper trouble, five and nine points adrift of Celta respectively.

UEFA Cup run
Despite the appointment of Frank Rijkaard as coach, the purchase of Ronaldinho and a good UEFA Cup run, Barcelona are lying in ninth. That has left room for some surprising names at the top, with CA Osasuna dreaming of the Champions League in fourth position. However, they are only 12 points ahead of the relegation zone, the same margin which separates them from Madrid.