Madrid: Real Madrid warmed up for a big week by moving back to within two points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win over Almeria on Wednesday.


Real Madrid's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Pic/AFP 

James Rodriguez's stunning dipping volley a minute before the break lit up an otherwise drab first 45 minute. Mauro Dos Santos's own goal doubled Madrid's advantage early in the second-half before Alvaro Arbeloa added a late third. Madrid travel to Champions League-chasing Sevilla on Saturday before facing Juventus away in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.