Leaders through suffering

The table does not lie. Whether a team is the best of the worst in the league, one thing is clear and unquestionable: Real Madrid are top of the First Division table in La Liga.

Zinedine Zidane's team go in to the international break at the top of the table and without being defeated after 8 weeks.

The 4-2 victory over Granada confirmed the team's dominance, but also the way that they got to the top: through suffering.

With the exception of the important win in Vigo against Celta (1-3), all the games have been quite uncomfortable for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have drawn three times against Valladolid, Villarreal and Atletico, their wins have come through tremendous force and suspense.

Against Levante, the same thing happened that happened this Saturday with Granada, Madrid were winning 3-0 and ending up suffering pretty badly.

Against the Valencian team, Courtois was the hero and stopped the team drawing. By his side, James shone and closed the final match against the them in added time.

What's more, in the game at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan against Sevilla, the game was won and saw only one goal, with Madrid able to resist the Spanish team's final onslaught.

Another exception to the usual suffering of Real Madrid is their 2-0 win over Osasuna, but it was not an easy game. Madrid had to do everything possible to get the three points against the Pamplona team.

Zidane's team are working for every point they get. Something more positive than negative, as so far shows that the team knows how to suffer and hold out when things get difficult..