Oezil starting to enjoy life at Real Madrid (Feature)

By Duncan Shaw Oct 18, 2010, 9:06 GMT

Madrid - Mesut Oezil is starting to enjoy life at Real Madrid, and that could be bad news for defenders across Spain and Europe - starting with those of AC Milan on Tuesday.

The elegant German playmaker turned in his best performance yet in La Liga in Saturday's 4-1 romp away to Malaga. He set up both of Cristiano Ronaldo's goals, the first with an imaginative centre and the second by being pulled down for a penalty.

Oezil left the field smiling and said that 'I am really enjoying playing in this team, and I think that we are improving with every match.'

He added that he was 'really looking forward' to Tuesday's high- profile Champions League clash at home to Milan.

Ironically, Oezil, 22, was seemingly headed for Barcelona after being the revelation player at the World Cup. He was keen to capitalize on his World Cup success with a big-money move and his club, Werder Bremen, were resigned to selling him cheaply because - with just one year left on his contract - he could have left as a free agent in July 2011.

Barca had always been Oezil's favourite Spanish team and new Barca president Sandro Rosell was poised to sign him for around 15 million euros (20.98 million dollars),

But Rosell asked Pep Guardiola to approve the signing and the Barca coach said no, that he preferred to give a chance to youngsters from the club's nursery team rather than bringing them in from Germany.

Real delightedly stepped in and signed Oezil quickly, and have not regretted it.

The elegant playmaker started the season on the subs' bench but has gradually managed to convince coach Jose Mourinho of his quality.

Ronaldo, Higuain and Di Maria have captured all the headlines with their goals, but Oezil has impressed the ever-demanding fans in the Estadio Bernabeu with his precise passing, sharp vision and keen eye for goal.

On Sunday sports daily AS commented that he could turn out to be as useful a signing as was Gunther Netzer in 1973. Netzer guided Real to two Spanish leagues in an impressive three-year spell.

Last week Oezil was in the eye of the storm when he scored for Germany against Turkey, the country of his parents, provoking criticism from Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop.

A week later, Oezil looks pleased to be back in Madrid, playing for an interesting young team which could well have a bright future.

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