Real Madrid is finishing the year on a high note. If it weren't for that infamous Clásico, I would even say we had a pretty perfect half season. But let's not let a tiny accident spoil our fun! While we will resume the Q&A sessions in January, I'm leaving you with a few notes and questions I jotted down while watching the game last night. Let's see what you guys think!

Fun fact #1 - Let me do it! No, you let me do it!

In the absence of Cristiano and even Xabi Alonso, free-kicks were anybody's game. Did you notice how Granero, Sahin, Altintop and Özil were kind of fighting over the opportunities?! Oddly enough, it's Granero --the non-Turkish speaking of the bunch-- who got to take the free-kick that instantly led to Varane's goal. For the next one, Granero imposed himself to Sahin again. We didn't get to hear the words both players exchanged, but I can easily imagine something along those lines: "Let me do it, you got to do it before! I excel at this!" - "What are you talking about? A goal was scored thanks to my last free-kick, remember? Step aside, I'll do it". LOL

Fun fact #2 - Santa Claus is coming to town!

Mourinho was in a pretty generous and happy mood! Not only did he give their chance to no less than 7 (ex-)canteranos, he also shook hands with all Ponferradina's players and staff at the end of the match and gave his sleeveless jacket to a Ponferradina player who asked him for a souvenir! Can you feel the Christmas spirit too?!

Fun fact #3 - Pepe, Pepe, Pepe!

After being sent off in the last Liga game and being called an assassin by Sevilla's supporters, Pepe was granted captaincy in the last match of the year. He was almost perfect last night; he even covered for Varane's imprecisions and deployed aesthetic defensive moves that wowed the public. This time the chants the Stadium directed at him were nothing but praises.

Fun fact #4 - ¡Callejón Selección!

Last night's two-time scorer Callejón showed how hungry for goals he was. When Ponferradina's GK stopped a shot that could have brought him a hat trick, he was so upset he hit the goal post with his fists, in the fashion of a mad and frustrated kid! Somebody is on fire!

Fun fact #5 - Not just a nice kid...

Raphaël Varane, who up to recently was known as the-defender-who-commits-no-fouls, conceded several fouls yesterday and was even involved in an action that could have easily resulted in a penalty for Ponferradina. Raphaël is toughening up, oh yeah...and he can score! I'm not sure I should particularly get excited about the "toughening up" part actually... LOL... all the scoring is making me lose my senses!

And now, a few topics we can discuss in the comments:

• Varane's performance: is it just me or did you notice he lacked a little precision last night? I feel Pepe had to cover for him a few times. But hey, don't put words in my mouth: I'm still über proud of the kid, and I had the biggest smile on my face when he scored!

  

• Sahin's performance: I feel he did a solid first half, and it was so nice to see how happy he was to score (and you could tell the whole team was happy for him too). But I tend to think he's not 100% fit yet, as he seemed to lack stamina in the second half, which resulted in less creation and more fouls on his part. Although, let's not forget his assist to Callejón: what an amazing pass! Absolutely beautiful!

• Casado's performance: What a good game he had, especially for his debut. Congrats to him! He didn't disappoint, in my opinion.

  

• Altintop's performance: I found him really good. He was all over the pitch last night, creating plays on his flank while still providing a solid defense. He might have more chances to play as a full back than in the midfield, no?

• Callejón's performance: Oh I'm so happy he keeps delivering game after game. He has to play more, he has to start. This guy doesn't know what lack of finishing means! It doesn't seem to be part of his vocabulary, and I'm loving that.

• Benzema's performance: Why did Benzema start again? I would have expected Higuaín on this one? Did I miss something? I've been MIA a little lately, so it wouldn't be surprising. Anyway, are you satisfied with the Cat's performance? He had some technical moves that were amazing last night. My criticism is I found him a little selfish, a la Cristiano kind of. I actually spotted angry Özil and Callejón on one action, and while I expect Callejón to be hungry for goals, I find it more surprising coming from Özil, so... Do you think he was trying to make a difference on his own, seeing how Callejón is being successful lately, maybe?

  

• Joselu's goal: first of all, I'm very happy for Joselu; it must feel surreal to score so soon after joining the pitch! What I wonder is whether you think the goal should have been cancelled. SInce the ref had called a Ponferradina player offside, the ball should have been stopped, which didn't happen and caught Ponferradina completely off-guard.

• Granero's performance: he got to start and to play a full match, he took free-kicks and was rewarded by Varane's goal. Do you feel he did enough to try and keep his spot?

• Our style of attack: I feel we were attacking more from the inside than from the flanks, which made it easier for Ponferradina to defend up to a certain point. Did you notice that too? I was wondering if it was due to the absence of our star wingers, such as Cristiano and Di María.

  

• Ponferradina's performance: things got a little worse towards the end, unfortunately for them, but they still put up a great fight, especially considering the huge difference between both teams, the fact that they were playing at Santiago Bernabeu and that they were almost certain to lose. They tried hard, they created chances for themselves, they didn't make it an easy win for us. The score shows otherwise, but I still think they can be proud of what they did last night.

• A good night for the canteranos: Joselu scored, Casado did great on his debut, Nacho originated the action that led to Callejón's second goal (he's the one who passed to Sahin), Pacheco got to play and didn't receive any goal. Happy for them!

• Anything else to say? I haven't said anything about Özil and Khedira, oddly enough. What about you? I haven't said anything about Adán either actually. I feel bad when he doesn't keep a clean sheet, it must always feel like a personal defeat. How did he do other than that, in your opinion?

  

Madridistas over the world! On behalf of all the Madridismo.org team, happy holidays, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and/or New Year's (or any other holiday I don't know about). We will keep in touch with you all through Facebook and Twitter anyway. And don't underestimate us: we will come up with topics to discuss despite the break! :-)