Almeria vs. Real Madrid: 5 Things We Learned from Los Blancos' 5-0 Win

Real Madrid moved back to within six points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 5-0 win away at Almeria on Saturday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Los Blancos an early lead as they threatened to run riot in the early stages.

Almeria weathered that storm; however, they eventually crumbled in the latter stages of the second period.

Once Karim Benzema made it 2-0 after the hour, the floodgates opened—Gareth Bale, Isco and Alvaro Morata all helped themselves to goals in what became a rout.

Ronaldo scores, adds to Madrid injury woes

Two minutes was all it took for Cristiano Ronaldo to open the scoring at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos on Saturday and continue his remarkable scoring record in 2013—his goal coming from his third shot of the match already.

By halftime he'd had eight shots, but he wasn't able to add to that total in the second period.

Just after the break a nasty challenge from Aleix Vidal left the Portuguese forward struggling, and the decision was taken that he wouldn't continue.

It looked more precautionary than anything—Los Blancos fans will certainly hope that proves the case.

His goal did take his tally to 25 goals in all competitions this season though.

A Madrid clean sheet?

While Ronaldo, along with Bale and Benzema, has been in full flow in front of goal recently, questions have been raised over Real Madrid's defending.

They conceded three in a recent victory over Sevilla, two against Rayo Vallecano and Juventus and could have conceded more than the one they leaked against Real Sociedad last time out.

With all those goals in mind, the zero next to Almeria's name on Saturday night was possibly more important than the five next to Madrid's.

With Marcelo, Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane all injured, it was a bare-bones back four for Carlo Ancelotti.

Alvaro Arbeloa was at left-back, Dani Carvajal on the other side and Sergio Ramos and Pepe in the middle. All four, not to mention the team, will have benefited from a clean sheet.

Almeria alright, but lacking potency

At one point, barely 10 minutes into the game, it looked as if Francisco Rodriguez's side could have been lambs at the slaughter.

Ronaldo had already given Madrid the lead, while only some brilliant goalkeeping from Esteban prevented Ronaldo and Benzema making it more.

The hosts regrouped though, gradually coming into the game.

Vidal fired straight at Diego Lopez when well placed, before Rodri blazed over from a similar position as Almeria showed some of the confidence that had earned them three straight wins prior to the clash with Madrid.

In those three wins they only scored four goals, and they've only managed 15 in La Liga this season—that's two less than Ronaldo.

To keep themselves out of the mire at the bottom, more goals might become necessary.

So Alonso and Illarra can play together?

When Xabi Alonso made his return to the Real Madrid first team earlier this season, Ancelotti told a press conference that he didn't necessarily see Alonso and summer signing Asier Illarramendi featuring in the same side.

"I think [Alonso's] presence can help Illarra to improve, but it's hard to put them together in a 4-3-3," Marca quoted the Italian coach.

Ahead of the trip to Almeria though, Ancelotti—in light of an injury to Sami Khedira—did change his stance on those comments, suggesting the two could indeed play together (h/t Marca).

And on Saturday night they both took their place in Madrid's starting lineup.

Alonso's presence was once again noticeably influential, while Illarra seemed to benefit from playing alongside his experienced teammate.

Minutes for Jese, Morata and Casemiro

While Madrid may be bemoaning the loss of several players to injuries during the international break, one positive is that it allowed some of the younger members of the squad some minutes against Almeria.

Jese Rodriguez replaced Ronaldo early in the second half, and before long had laid on Benzema's goal—Morata then replaced Benzema, eventually adding Madrid's fifth.

There was also time for an impressive cameo from Casemiro too.

The Brazilian replaced Illarramendi for the last 15 minutes, created Morata's strike and even hit the post from 25 yards.

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