La Liga Round 11 21/11/1954 Real Madrid 3-0 Barcelona Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid Prior to the game Real Madrid arrived as the favorites in first place with Barcelona in third. The matchup was Di Stefano vs Kubala, with both players arriving in top form. But Kubala would have an off day, shut down by Madrid’s defensive block of 3 at the back. Real Madrid played better, were considered the best team in the league, with the strongest defense in the campaign and arguably the best attack. ABC Madrid pointed out that both sides played well but Barcelona was slower and their offense was “weak”. Kubala was “a shadow of his former self”. For Madrid, the defense played “perfectly” and Gento, Muñoz and Rial were “formidable”. “Di Stefano didn’t have a fabulous afternoon but still shined as he is: a phenomenal center-forward”. Di Stefano cracked open the game by drawing a penalty after 44 minutes, which he himself scored to put his team ahead. But it was his overall game that inspired others. The text said “It cannot be said that the victory was exclusively thanks to him, because the team was strong defensively, backed by the security of Alonso, their goalkeeper, the wit of Rial and Atienza, the wisdom of Muñoz, the drive of Perez Payá, who are the muscle and wings of the squad. But the inspiration and heart is Di Stefano, perhaps the greatest player of all time.” Di Stefano also set up the third goal with a diagonal cross to Joseito. Rial had scored Madrid’s second goal from a header off a corner kick. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541123-43.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541123-44.html Mundo Deportivo headlined “Barcelona had technically the game in large phases under control but lacked finishers: A very questionable penalty on Di Stefano opened the game up in an excessive victory” The Catalán press were frustrated that in their views the penalty changed the outcome of the game. A PK that probably should have not been given. In any case, key Barcelona players failed to show up. “Kubala was slow and imprecise” “Kubala frankly played a poor game” “Di Stefano was the best. Di Stefano is the spinal cord of the team and it’s undoubtedly clear that without him, the team performance would drop to 50 percent.” http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/11/22/pagina-4/640782/pdf.html Summary: 1 goal (penalty) 1 assist
La Liga Round 12 28/11/1954 Celta de Vigo 1-1 Real Madrid Stadium: Balaídos, Vigo ABC Madrid headlined “Celta de Vigo and Real Madrid drew in the muddy field of Balaídos” This was a game that the ball kept getting stuck in the muddy patches of the pitch making it almost impossible to play. This time Di Stefano was not a factor, tightly marked by Artime, who was praised for his job. Even then Di Stefano worked hard for the team, but the best player for Madrid was Muñoz. Both goals arrived late in the game by Marquitos and Torres. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541130-53.html Mundo Deportivo stated that Artime, the man assigned to mark out Di Stefano, did an extraordinary job completely canceling out the “phenom”. Artime, was a young lad who appeared to have a promising future. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/11/29/pagina-4/640810/pdf.html
La Liga Round 13 05/12/1954 Real Madrid 5-1 Deportivo La Coruña Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid Deportivo La Coruña arrived with many missing pieces, with their best forwards unavailable, everyone expected them to lose, but the question was by how many goals. They were deemed a “slow” team and lost easily. The praise for Di Stefano continues: The “blonde Arrow” is seen as the modern player that represents the ideal player in all functions. He’s already hailed as the best player of all time by the Madrid press. He didn’t have an extraordinary game but everything he does he turns to gold. The greatness of Di Stefano lies in adaptability. He’s great wherever he plays, whether at River Plate, Madrid, Chelsea or Dynamo. He is the quintessential universal player. In this game Di Stefano scored 2 goals while Perez Payá had a hattrick. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541207-51.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541207-50.html Mundo Deportivo pointed out the missing pieces of the visiting side and how easy it was for Madrid. Perez Payá, Di Stefano and Rial were the standout players in this match. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/12/06/pagina-5/640837/pdf.html Summary: 2 goals
Friendly 08/12/1954 Benfica 0-2 Real Madrid Stadium: Carnide, Lisbon Benfica were debuting in this new modern stadium, with all their proud history, but could not please their fans with a win. The “blonde arrow”, scorer of 1 goal and provider of another for Rial, did not have a good game, played “disinterested and only showed glimpses of his class”. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541209-47.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541209-48.html Summary: 1 goal, 1 assist
La Liga Round 14 12/12/1954 Real Madrid 1-0 Atlético de Madrid Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid ABC Madrid reported that Real Madrid played well enough to defeat one of the bottom table teams. Although only accomplished through one goal, games like this show the true character of a champion. It wasn’t easy but they got the job done. Perez Payá was the standout figure, closely followed by Rial. Di Stefano was tightly shadowed by Hernández, who was praised for his “efficient” job of a difficult assignment to shut down Madrid’s ace. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541214-46.html Mundo Deportivo stated that it was a tough win because Atlético de Madrid had put a bolt in front of them. No one particularly stood out for Madrid, with Hernández shadowing Di Stefano to great effect. Atienza was the lone goalscorer in the 44th minute. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/12/13/pagina-4/642776/pdf.html
La Liga Round 15 19/12/1954 Valladolid 0-1 Real Madrid Stadium: Municipal de Zorrila, Valladolid In an entertaining game, the visiting side narrowly won thanks to a 48th minute goal by Rial. Di Stefano was shut down by the excellent defensive job of Lemes. With the “blonde arrow” subdued, Rial, Gento and Muñoz handled business for Madrid. After 15 rounds, Real Madrid were halfway through to defending their crown of the previous year. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541221-49.html http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/12/20/pagina-4/642812/pdf.html
Friendly 22/12/1954 Real Madrid 5-3 Atlético Bilbao Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid Di Stefano only played the first half and scored before the end of the first period with a header. https://www.abc.es/archivo/buscador...s&fechaDesde=1954-12-23&fechaHasta=1954-12-26 Summary: 1 goal (header)
La Liga Round 16 26/12/1954 Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid Stadium: Mestalla, Valencia ABC Madrid headlined “Great game and deserved Madrid win in Mestalla” 55 thousand fans turned out to witness one of the top games of the season. Still fresh in the memory was Real Madrid’s defeat at home to Valencia in the opening game in Chamartín, so “los blancos” were on a quest for revenge. But things didn’t start well for Madrid when just after 10 minutes Valencia through Badenes had taken the lead. The home side continued to attack but failed to extend their lead. With 5 minutes remaining in the half, Madrid had leveled. Di Stefano’s shot was blocked and Olsen followed in the rebound. This goal changed the momentum heading into the second half. However, it took several goals in the final 6 minutes to break the deadlock. Di Stefano, Madrid’s ace, in a matter of two minutes struck twice, in the 84th and 85th minutes. The first goal was from outside the box and the second finishing from close range. It was the match that Di Stefano had decided and at the same time had avenged the opening defeat. Again, Di Stefano had been praised for being the man that engineered this victory and his importance could not be overstated. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541228-51.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541228-52.html Mundo Deportivo headlined “Madrid deservedly won” and avenged their home defeat in round 1. Madrid were viewed as a better quality side that consisted of several Argentinian “aces” who were the artifices of this win. This time Valencia’s star, the Dutchman Wilkes, was not available, which may have been a contributing factor against the home team. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1954/12/27/pagina-4/1373220/pdf.html La Vanguardia reported, “Although Valencia had taken the lead, the great game of Di Stéfano, driving force and producer in one piece, obtained the draw before the half, and then with 2 more goals pulled away in the second period with superiority”. Summary: 2 goals
The backheel pass of Di Stefano, a trademark of his game. Courtesy of ABC Madrid, 31 December 1954 So the 1954 year had ended and Di Stéfano had an excellent calendar year. Already hailed by the Madrid press as perhaps the greatest player of all time. Ballon D’Or winner in 1957 and 1959. But one has to wonder if he would have won more in previous years had the award started before its inception in 1956.
Some observations of a Spanish manager, Simon Herreria, who for years had been coaching teams in South America, compared Spanish football to South American in 1954. He briefly says that in South America, Spanish football is not looked upon well. In his view Argentinian, Brazilian and Uruguayan football is the strongest in the world. Also, he considers Rial, Di Stefano’s teammate in Madrid, to be better than the “Blonde Arrow”. What occurs is that the Spanish press have been impressed with Di Stefano’s ability to adapt to a different environment and country and this may have had an everlasting effect on their impressions. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19541231-51.html
La Liga Round 17 02/01/1955 Real Madrid 1-1 Real Sociedad Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid This result was somewhat surprising, but the visiting side packed the bus and held on to a valiant draw. This time Di Stefano would be nullified. ABC Madrid stated, “Di Stefano suffered a total eclipse. Suffering from a severe man-marking, he dropped deeper looking for different avenues to assert his game, but it failed to work. And when he had the opportunities in front of him to score he failed incomprehensibly.” https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550104-36.html Mundo Deportivo headlined “A solid and organized defense of Real Sociedad salvaged a positive point in front of a Madrid side whose offense was weak” As for Di Stefano, the Catalán press was critical. “This Di Stefano of the last few games is no where near the champion of before and we don’t want to dwell on this, but he’s undoubtedly no longer that great player of Chamartín”. The goalscorers were Rial for Madrid in the 78th minute and Ontoria for Real Sociedad in the 47th. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/01/03/pagina-5/635863/pdf.html
La Liga Round 18 09/01/1955 Las Palmas 1-1 Real Madrid Stadium: Insular, Las Palmas ABC Madrid “In a violent clash, with tight markings, Madrid came out with a draw” There would be no repetition of the first leg when Madrid walloped their opponents, this time the final result was up in the air until the final whistle. It was fought hard with Di Stefano constantly shadowed by the defender Gutierrez. If the press had to pick the best player for Madrid it was Muñoz, a key generator of their attacks. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550111-29.html Mundo Deportivo did not go deep into the events but said, “Madrid barely survived salvaging a point” Goals were scored for Las Palmas by Ignacio in the 56th minute and Molowny for Madrid in the last 7 minutes (this goal hotly contested by the home side that accused Madrid forwards of obstructing the goalkeeper). http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/01/10/pagina-5/637420/pdf.html
La Liga Round 19 16/01/1955 Real Madrid 3-0 Hércules Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid ABC Madrid “Three goals in a half an hour was all that was made in Chamartín” Hércules were already beaten after just 2 minutes when Di Stefano set up Molowny for the opening goal. In the next 28 minutes Di Stefano would kill off the opposition with two goals, one with his left and another with his right. After 30 minutes the game died and the fans jeered the home side wanting more goals, but none were to come. Molowny, rejuvenated showed his class in this match, while Perez Payá and Rial were excellent. Although Di Stefano contributed in a decisive way it was stated that he was frustrated because he received little protection from the official after being doggedly marked. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550118-31.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550118-32.html Mundo Deportivo were not impressed with Madrid’s victory, considered that the visiting side entered the game dead on arrival and that Madrid despite the win were very disappointing in their game, which drew fans to jeer them until the end. The game was viewed as “bad” and very disappointing. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/01/17/pagina-4/637451/pdf.html Summary: 2 goals, 1 assist
La Liga Round 20 23/01/1955 Málaga 3-1 Real Madrid Stadium: La Rosaleda, Málaga ABC Madrid “Deserved win of Málaga of three goals to one” “Di Stefano could not withstand the rigorous defending of Borredá” The text read “Borredá, the defender assigned to stop Alfredo, dedicated himself to Di Stéfano with as much enthusiasm as fortune, to the point that the Argentine phenomenon could only prove his undisputable class in two moves: one, in which he escaped from his marker but placed a weak shot, the other from a free kick which overcame the wall and into the net. Apart from this, the Argentine center forward made some beautiful plays in the center of the field; but when he went to midfield, Borredá was there, who snatched the ball from him over and over again without having to resort to violence.” Muñoz was considered the best performer for Real Madrid. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550125-31.html Mundo Deportivo also coincided that Málaga played a great game against “los blancos” and that Borredá exhibited an “elastic but efficient” job on Di Stefano. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/01/24/pagina-4/637862/pdf.html Summary: 1 goal (free kick)
La Liga Round 21 30/01/1955 Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid This was the game that Hector Rial showed to be head and shoulders above the rest, outshining even Di Stefano, who had missed a penalty kick shooting wide. Rial scored all 3 goals and put the team on his back. ABC Madrid “Rial was the apex of the great Real Madrid game: this is his great performance. The triumph also praised the effort of his companions, among whom Molowny, who shined. As a great creator of decisive plays, Olson, engine of the frontline, and Di Stéfano, at the "idle" of his enormous football virtues, but, still, cerebral, profound and useful in the creation of the vanguard” https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550201-29.html Mundo Deportivo headlined “Rial in a great afternoon scored all 3 goals, while Di Stefano missed a penalty” Rial was praised as a great addition to the squad, while Molowny had improved lately. Di Stefano it was said went virtually unnoticed. This win left Madrid level on points with Barcelona, in what appeared to be a two-horse race until the end of the campaign, considering every other team trailed significantly behind in the standings. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/01/31/pagina-4/637889/pdf.html
La Liga Round 22 06/02/1955 Santander 0-4 Real Madrid Stadium: Sardinero, Santander ABC Madrid “In a great exhibition Madrid defeated Santander 4-0” Once again, Rial continued his fine form by scoring the first goal, with Molowny, Olsen and Di Stefano grabbing the others. “This may be the history of this Santander-Madrid match. Only in the first part can it be said that something was at stake, since from the fourth Madridista goal, the players of both sides dedicated themselves to consuming the time remaining (...)” https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550208-33.html Mundo Deportivo stated that Madrid played the best football of the season in this match, completely destroying the bottom table team. And with Rial’s great form, this Madrid side had now become more dangerous, now teams had to not solely focus on Di Stefano but also on Hector Rial. In addition, the dangerous runs on the flank by Gento or the creativity of Muñoz, the rejuvenation of Molowny... This Madrid was a very good team. With 8 league matches remaining, Madrid were now the favorites to defend their crown. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/02/07/pagina-4/1384317/pdf.html Summary: 1 goal
La Liga Round 23 13/02/1955 Real Madrid 4-1 Alavés Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid Goliath vs David: One of the weakest sides vs the top league team and defending champs. ABC Madrid “If Goliath would have known David's skill in handling the slingshot, the giant would not have come within range and the shepherd boy would never have achieved his great victory. Alavés brought to Chamartín the weapon of a defensive “bolt", but Real Madrid already knew that weapon, which made any surprise impossible. It was, therefore, in advance established that the champion would win the two points and that the boys from Vitoria would return to their home empty handed (...) Alavés wanted to receive the least possible number of goals. That is why throughout the match they maintained the chosen tactic and that is why they persisted, correctly, in the rigorous man-for-man marking.“ Di Stéfano on the decline ? “Di Stéfano was once again staying in the gloom where he entered a few weeks ago. Sometimes his ingenious ability flashed and throughout the meeting he became the man who most often shot at goal for the entire white team, but he lacked that wonderful precision of other times when he showed off his unmatched ability to solve the play in a meter of land and in a fifth of a second. Crisis of form? Inevitable descent of a great player? Moral fatigue? Let us hope that this is just a momentary bad spell.. Madrid, to validate his title, now needs more than ever the fullness of his maximum player.” “Alavés as a whole is a weak team, but has some very promising boys and if they saved the committed situation they find themselves in, they could give much more fight next season. Berasaluce stands out in his ranks, showing to be one of the best Spanish goalkeepers and, to ensure his moment, as the next goalkeeper of the national team. Primi could not with Di Stéfano who could not move more because he did not want to or because his faculties are currently low.“ Di Stefano took 9 shots but failed to score. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550215-31.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550215-32.htm https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550215-33.html Mundo Deportivo stated that Di Stefano “continues listless and subdued” and that the goalkeeper of Alavés was the star. Alavés were viewed as a ‘modest’ side that may end up relegated. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/02/14/pagina-4/639868/pdf.html
La Liga Round 24 20/02/1955 Atlético de Bilbao 2-0 Real Madrid Stadium: San Mamés, Bilbao Dear Alfredo, where have you gone ? ABC highlighted the second period: “Because Madrid returned defeated from the dressing room. In the second half, the difference between the slow pace of the eleven whites and the vigorous speed of their opponent was enormous. The home side dominated almost constantly (...) Invisible Muñoz; broken behind, floating Di Stéfano and Gento, helpless their efforts, Pérez Paya, Zárraga and Molowny, sunk in the mud, which took away Rial's precision, Gainza took advantage of the slowness of Navarro, injured, to outwit him one and another time, and put the ball in front of the boots of his teammates, which if they fail at all is in the mischief of the shot at goal. The Basque strikers, who easily reached the area, did little to shoot with few and lazy passes, but then they hurriedly moved the play. If they had had an easier and firmer shot, they would have gotten an even more resounding win over the defending champs”. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550222-34.html Mundo Deportivo headlined “Clear superiority that could have been by 3 or 4 more goals” Di Stefano it was said is in low form. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/02/21/pagina-4/639904/pdf.html
La Liga Round 25 27/02/1955 Real Madrid 5-1 Español Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid The resurgence of Di Stefano ABC Madrid wrote “Sportsmen who play football are usually divided into two groups: aces and normal players. When the metaphor intervenes, the former are called phenomena. This classification should be further refined. There are normal players and aces or phenomena, but there is also a third and very small group: that of the magicians. A player has magic when he is able to do things that are beyond the normal census of football games; when he possesses a personal spell that breaks the adversary lines, he magnetizes the ball and makes, unexpectedly I added, plays whose beauty surpasses the pure grace of the athletic and funambull boast of a master of the ball touch.” “Real Madrid have two of these magicians: Di Stéfano and Molowny. The first because of the virtuality of the faculties linked to talent — a unique talent for football. The second is due to the extremely inexplicable spell, since it is supported neither in the faculties nor in the science, but arises spontaneously from inspiration. When these two mass players coincide in the culmination of their virtues, they are alone enough to converge. (...) ABC Madrid headlined “Di Stefano and Molowny in a magical afternoon” (...) If in their previous encounter, Español were in awe of Alfredo, then this time they would just capitulate before the game started. If Molowny was the architect, then Di Stefano was the executioner, scorer of 4 goals, one from the free kick and the other from a backheel. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550301-31.html Mundo Deportivo acknowledged the superiority of Madrid but stated the result was an exaggeration. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/02/28/pagina-4/639933/pdf.html Summary 4 goals (1 free kick)
With 5 league games remaining, Real Madrid had a comfortable edge over Barcelona in the standings and the rest of the teams. Barcelona had lost in the last few matches critical points and at this point it was viewed that Real Madrid had the crown virtually under control. Up next would be Barcelona at their home.
La Liga Round 26 06/03/1955 Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid Stadium: Les Corts, Barcelona The draw virtually handed the title to Madrid. If Barcelona had any mathematical chance for the crown they needed to win, but without Kubala - unavailable - the home side were in a disadvantage. Real Madrid were seen simply as the greater team and the best side in Spain, even stronger than the previous season, with a stronger defense and a star-studded attack. ABC Madrid wrote “Real Madrid played a good game. They took advantage of precisely the few opportunities they had and overcame the "handicap" that represented the complete uselessness of Perez Paya in the second half. The hero of the day was Marquitos, impetuous and extremely confident in cutting and clearing. They helped him with extraordinary efficiency, Zárraga, laborious, tireless, efficient and Lesmes. always well placed. Na-varro and Muñoz complied with some up and downs. Rial was an unfriendly game interior - but practical; Molowny shined on sporadic occasions, but showed a physical background that we had not seen in him for years. Di Stefáno sacrificed himself to a very useful effort, as he helped the defense by unwinding itself as a safe and tireless half-center. Gento, this time guessed right. Someday we had predicted that the day he would hit the mark he would become a formidable winger. In Las Corts he was the lightning bolt from the front and the author of both goals that drew level.” https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550308-34.html Mundo Deportivo said this about Di Stefano, “Yesterday he was not the ‘number one’ but it would be an error to think that he didn’t do anything. His game was more for the team than for his own personal show and from that point of view it had an efficient value.” The 2 goals of Gento elevated his value for the club and fortified his name amongst the famous players of this Madrid side, who was starting to become a dynastic super team. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/03/07/pagina-3/639963/pdf.html
La Liga Round 27 20/03/1955 Real Madrid 5-1 Celta de Vigo Stadium: Chamartín, Madrid ABC Madrid headlined “Gento was the great star against the defensive bolt of the Galicians” “Gento creator of goals and scorer himself. If he had been successful with the shot, his great success this day would have been madness, but in all ways he was the most incisive and dangerous man in the attack and the lever that unlocked the Galician "bolt". Di Stéfano, the football-genius, was abandoned by his comrades as many times as he left the tempered intermediate zone and went to go into the midst of the defenders from Vigo with the ambition of increasing his scoring in the season.“ (...) https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550322-33.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550322-34.html Mundo Deportivo stated that Real Madrid won easily against an inferior opponent, like the majority of Madrid’s opponents in the first division, which were vastly way behind Real Madrid, who boasted not only various national team players but some of the best on the continent. Di Stefano it was said let his teammates run the show as he was tightly marked. Even then he scored one goal from a header. But it was all about Gento in this game... http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/03/21/pagina-4/641944/pdf.html Summary: 1 goal (header) Photo courtesy of ABC Madrid of Di Stefano’s goal:
La Liga Round 28 27/03/1955 Deportivo La Coruña 3-3 Real Madrid Stadium: Riazor, Coruña ABC Madrid headlined “Real Madrid overcame a 3-1 deficit in Riazor” “Lestón saved a penalty kick from Di Stefano” About the penalty, hotly contested from the home side, ABC Madrid wrote this “The referee judges that the coruñés defender hit the ball with his arm and signals "penalty". At the protests of the Coruña players, the official of the contest consults with the linesman, who assures that there was no infraction, but when approached by the Real Madrid players, he rectifies the statement and assures that there was a handball. Players, referee and linesman argue for five minutes.“ (...) 50/50 calls like these were also questioned in the previous season when it was said that Madrid were handed the title due to dubious referee decisions. The accusations that Madrid had the officials in their pockets and under their payroll was an ongoing issue. What is undoubtedly apparent, is that Madrid rarely got calls to go against them in these first two seasons of Di Stefano at Madrid, but in sharp contrast they had received favorable calls. Di Stefano would redeem himself towards the end by converting the equalizer from a Gento pass. ABC Madrid “The Madrid midfield shined a lot; Muñoz, although he began with some hesitation, won later, and Zárraga, although not with brilliant play, fulfilled his task. The best of the Madrid team was its frontline, in which we highlight the danger of Gento” (...) https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550329-33.html Mundo Deportivo stated the best performers for Madrid were Di Stefano, Rial Gento, Zarraga and Alonso” http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/03/28/pagina-4/641973/pdf.html Madrid were one win away from repeating the title. Summary: 1 goal
La Liga Round 29 03/04/1955 Atlético de Madrid 2-4 Real Madrid Stadium: Metropolitano, Madrid Madrid crowned themselves league champs again with one round remaining. Both reports spoke of how easy it was for Madrid who were up 3-0 before Atlético made a comeback, but Madrid were never truly in danger. Di Stefano scored 2 goals, one with his head. ABC Madrid said this about Alfredo’s game: “The best, Di Stéfano in one of his lucky afternoons, fast, combative, surprising and a good shooter.” “Atlético lacked a set game. Their defense were baffled, slow and clumsy“ (...) https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550405-33.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550405-32.html Mundo Deportivo praised Di Stefano and recognized that Real Madrid were a worthy champion. No one had really been a match against them this season. http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/04/04/pagina-4/642377/pdf.html Summary: 2 goals (1 header)
La Liga Round 30 10/04/1955 Real Madrid 1-0 Valladolid Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid Around this juncture (or before) the stadium that was originally named Chamartín, would be renamed Santiago Bernabéu. Some observed it was changed to its new name in the beginning of 1955, but some tabloids continued to call it Chamartín well into months that followed, but by now it was well established with its new name. In Real Madrid’s last league game, Di Stéfano wanted to end the season with as many goals as possible to inflate his scoring record, knowing Madrid were already champs, with a meaningless game at stake, and obsessed with scoring, to the point that his anxiousness even cost him to botch another penalty, he played for himself, shooting for personal glory, but things wouldn’t turn his way on this afternoon. ABC Madrid wrote: (...) the formidable Argentine player, in an afternoon of personal effort, despised the injury that diminished him, looked for the goal and took thirteen shots, although six of them were off target. In his desire to ensure as many goals as he wanted, Di Stéfano failed those occasions that he never fails, and even executed so imperfectly a "penalty" — third of the season that he’s missed — that Saso could save it. Luck was not favorable to the phenomenal player (...) Gento was considered the best performer for Madrid, with his incisive runs. Rial was the scorer of the only goal in the last 7 minutes of the game. https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550412-28.html https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19550412-29.html http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1955/04/11/pagina-4/636067/pdf.html