Top 5 Moments from Real Madrid's 2014-15 Liga Season

Though the 2014-15 season in La Liga ended in disappointment for Real Madrid, the club's campaign in the Primera Division was hardly short of memorable moments. 

Indeed, the composition of the Real Madrid team lends itself to the spectacular, with the star power residing at the Santiago Bernabeu capable of producing the extraordinary like few other ensembles can. From stunning solo efforts to mouth-watering team goals, from dramatic comebacks to the breaking of records, Los Blancos tend to have it covered. 

Yet not all of Real Madrid's best moments of 2014-15 involved the spectacular. Amid another tight battle for the league title, some of the club's most important split seconds also came in the form of blocks and saves. 

Thus, a look at Real's finest moments from the recently concluded season must factor in the importance of the act as well as its visual appeal. 

Across the following slides, we look at five such moments from Real Madrid's 2014-15 season in La Liga in chronological order. 

Marcelo's Diving Block vs. Villarreal

When Real Madrid traveled to Estadio El Madrigal to take on Villarreal last September, the team was battling through a defensive malaise. 

In the four league outings prior, Carlo Ancelotti's men had conceded nine goals, four of which had come in a dramatic collapse against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta.

Criticism of the team was rife, with fingers left pointing at things such as the side's skewed balance and a one-dimensional midfield. But the criticism was also focused on more elementary aspects: Did the team actually want to defend? Were Real Madrid committed to achieving two-way excellence? 

Against Villarreal, Marcelo answered the questions. 

In the closing stages of the opening half, the hosts laid a barrage on the Real Madrid goal. And in a fine move, Bruno found Cani inside the box, whose cross found Manu Trigueros, the midfielder chesting the ball down before thumping a volley with his left boot. 

As the play unfolded, it felt almost certain Villarreal would score. But Marcelo, flying in from the left, made an extraordinary diving save, showcasing a defensive commitment many had believed Real Madrid lacked. 

Marcelo's effort helped Los Blancos achieve a clean sheet and represented a turning point in the team's defensive application, seeing Ancelotti's side concede only four goals in their next nine league games. 

Karim Benzema's Goal to Seal Clasico Victory vs. Barcelona

For both Real Madrid and Barcelona, the opening months of the 2014-15 Liga season represented a stage of transition, with Barca undergoing a change in style under a new manager and Real adapting to an altered system to accommodate new faces. 

But when they met for the season's first Clasico at the Bernabeu, it was the Catalans who'd enjoyed a smoother run, sitting atop the league table and boasting an outstanding defensive record. And when Neymar put the visitors in front after just four minutes, Luis Enrique's side looked poised to hand their great rivals a significant early-season blow. 

However, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe earned Los Blancos a second-half lead. Then, Real stamped their authority, both on the contest and the league.

Isco, outrunning Andres Iniesta to a ball on the wing, skipped past the midfielder and Javier Mascherano, finding a breaking Ronaldo, who spun and flashed it wide to James Rodriguez. The Colombian, with the deftest of touches, picked out the run of Karim Benzema, who hammered a shot past Claudio Bravo. 

It was vintage Real Madrid: powerful, precise and breathtaking. And it was the moment in which power shifted between the clubs (though, of course, that would later change again), propelling Los Blancos to a record-breaking run. 

James Rodriguez's Wonder Strike vs. Granada

With massive transfer fees come extraordinary levels of expectation. That was certainly true for James Rodriguez following his switch from Monaco to Real Madrid for £63 million last summer. 

Naturally, the Colombian needed time to settle in at the Bernabeu, and Real Madrid experienced some bumps trying to accommodate the 23-year-old while also attempting to craft a balanced system. 

But then came a trip to Granada in early November, a match in which Rodriguez announced his arrival as a Galactico. 

Against the Andalusians, the World Cup sensation scored twice in a wonderfully rounded display, but it was his first goal that lit up highlight reels everywhere. From Karim Benzema's cute flick, Rodriguez smashed a stunning volley into the top left corner, the strike kick-starting a blistering run of form for the club's marquee summer signing. 

Iker Casillas' Penalty Save vs. Almeria

Throughout the 2014-15 season, negativity continually surrounded Real Madrid's iconic goalkeeper Iker Casillas. 

A disastrous World Cup campaign in Brazil clearly had an affect on the Spaniard's form and confidence, and during the season's opening weeks, he was a lightning rod for criticism at the Bernabeu. 

But the veteran gloveman enjoyed a quiet resurgence in the months leading up to Christmas—one that went by largely unnoticed until Real Madrid travelled south to take on Almeria for the club's last league clash of the calendar year. 

In a strong individual display, Casillas was a rare picture of serenity on an odd Friday night in Andalusia, claiming crosses with a calmness that had seemingly disappeared from his game. Then came his pivotal contribution. 

At 2-1, Marcelo had brought down Edgar in the box, seeing Verza awarded the chance to level the score from the spot. The game felt as though it was turning, the home side surging in front of a vibrant crowd. 

But Casillas saved Verza's penalty kick, sucking the life out of Almeria's comeback and propelling his team to a 4-1 win. 

In a league campaign that sadly featured extreme levels of abuse directed at Casillas, it was a rare moment in which the club icon's presence was widely celebrated. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Passes Alfredo Di Stefano for Real Madrid Goals

Pepe to Karim Benzema to Cristiano Ronaldo. Goal.

Swift and lethal, it was a classic Real Madrid strike on the break. And a hugely significant one as well. 

For Ronaldo, the opener against Espanyol was his 308th goal for Real Madrid, one that took him past the great Alfredo Di Stefano on the club's all-time scoring charts. 

Minutes later, Lionel Messi soured the occasion somewhat for the Portuguese, scoring the goal that Barcelona needed against Atletico Madrid to secure the league title at the Vicente Calderon.

But in a season littered with personal records for Ronaldo, moving past Di Stefano's mark was undoubtedly the most notable.