Ozil: Win keeps us on track for title fight

Posted Sunday, December 09, 2012 by ESPN

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil highlighted the importance of his side's 3-2 comeback win over Real Valladolid in their quest for the La Liga title.

Los Blancos needed to dig deep in order to pick up a crucial three points at Valladolid, with a Karim Benzema goal and a brace from Ozil enough to overcome the Pucela, who went ahead twice in the game through Manucho.

With the win, Real have managed to cut the gap at top of the table to eight points, although league leaders Barcelona can restore their 11 point advantage over Los Blancos with victory against Real Betis on Sunday.

Given Real's stuttering start to the La Liga campaign so far, Ozil acknowledged that his side's win over Valladolid was crucial in their fight for the title, and the 24-year-old also expressed his joy at having been integral in the victory.

"We are happy because we played well and got the most important thing, which are the three points and we are still in the fight," Ozil was quoted as saying by the official Real website.

"There is a long way to go in the league. I feel good physically and the free-kick was very nice, I was confident that I would score it.

"I'm happy that I scored twice. They were a tough team and it was a difficult field to play on.

"In the first half Valladolid played very well, but in the second half we played some good football and we got the goal".

Real assistant manager Aitor Karanka hailed Ozil for his match winning performance and highlighted the German international's hard work off-the-ball as exceptionally pleasing.

"He [Ozil] played well, but not only with the ball and scoring the goals, he also did what he needed to," Karanka gushed.

"We know very well how well he can play and he showed that throughout the match.
"The work that he did without the ball during the match was spectacular.

"Today [Saturday] we saw the Mesut Özil that we all know and that we all like to see".
Real will take on Malaga in their next La Liga fixture.