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Betis-Realmadrid 0-1: Diarra, first goal in style

A goal by Mahamadou Diarra, his first donning the White shirt, secured the three points for his team in a new demonstration of collective commitment. The Malian international, Guti and Reyes were the most outstanding players. In spite of the push and shove of Betis, Real Madrid's defensive soundness was once again patent and praiseworhty. This win allows Real Madrid to climb to the top of the League table provisionally.

The beginning of the match offered no respite. In the space of five minutes, Real Madrid made a clear stance on the Ruiz de Lopera pitch which, by the way, was in a good state in spite of the two heavy downpours suffered by Seville just hours before the beginning of the game. Reyes, first, and a Betis defender, minutes later, who blocked a perfect one-two between Reyes and Cassano, anticipated Diarra's strike. Six minutes into the match, Real Madrid's defensive midfielder headed into the back of the net a perfect cross by Cicinho, the former's first goal with the White jersey -tonight, charcoal grey.

The goal barely made a dent in the development of the game and everything continued as it had been up to that point: clear domination by Real, although the local fans tried to push their team forward incessantly. Diarra was omnipresent in his defensive endeavour in midfield and Guti distributed the ball in attack with logical precision. Everything Real Madrid were doing up ahead smelled of danger. Reyes, who once again played down the right wing in spite of being a left-footer, was plugged in and was once and again the most incisive and creative player of Capello's side. He almost scored twice, but was left yearning for his second goal with the Whites all throughout the encounter.

Granitic defense
In defense, the game was almost placid for Cicinho, Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos and Roberto Carlos (500 games with Real Madrid). The only opportunity in the first thirty minutes for the green-and-whites came by way of Brazilian striker Sobis following a mistake by Cannavaro, but no score.

The worst news of the match, Cicinho's injury, came in the 28th minute. The Brazilian fullback twisted his knee as he attempted to deflect a pass. The first tests performed on the player bring the worst news, as it seems he has torn the anterior cruciate ligament. Raúl Bravo replaced the Brazilian, with Capello opting for this all-chore boy on the right instead of Sergio Ramos. Bravo did well and the defense continued to abort all attempts by Betis, who only produced a header on goal by Juanito after a corner kick in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. Real Madrid were perfectly positioned behind, displaying a granitic disposition that absolutely discouraged the Sevillian attackers.

Reyes and Cassano, almost always assisted by Guti, were the daggers on which the team relied to kill-off the game in counter attack, whether with own goals or setting Van Nistelrooy up. But the result stayed put as both teams retired to the dressing room for the halftime break.

Real Madrid sought to settle the match for good with their second ASAP. In the first minute of the second act, Cassano gave it to Van Nistelrooy on a silver platter, but the Dutchman lost the one-on-one against local stopper Doblas. Five minutes later, it was the Italian international himself who failed to stick his boot in after a quick, ground-ball cross by Reyes. The 2-0 was impending… or so it seemed.


Raúl and Beckham on stage
Betis resumed their disappearance act in attack as the defensive grid of Real Madrid, with four defenders and a defensive midfielder pair starring Emerson and Diarra, came shining through. And if not there was always Casillas, who had little work but perfomed impeccably. Fabio Capello started rotating the team halfway through the second half, seeking an influx of freshness in the form of Raúl and Beckham for Cassano and Reyes, respectively. Real either lost some push with the substitutions, or more likely, Betis gained speed and power with the introduction of Capi, Xisco, and Odonkor: a playmaker, a foward and a fast winger. Still, the defensive wall of the Madridistas offered no visible cracks for the Sevillians to penetrate.

In the final stretch of the match, the fans attempted a last and desperate bout of support that might give their players wings, but Real Madrid managed to steal the ball and interrupt the flow of the game time and again. Diarra, once again, multiplied his physical display and effort in benefit of the team, stealing the ball incessantly and driving the boys of Betis absolutely mad. The last minutes -including a six-minute injury-time extension- were a succession of fouls, yellow cards, and a red card for local defender Nano after elbowing Diarra in a fly-ball. Capello's men secured the three-point booty to take home to Madrid and displayed fantastic teamwork. Looking good!


MATCH REPORT:

REAL BETIS: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Nano, Romero; Maldonado (Odonkor, 75’), Vogel (Capi, 61’), Rivera, Wagner (Xisco, 46’); Edu and Sobis.

REAL MADRID: Iker Casillas; Cicinho (Raúl Bravo, 30’), Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Diarra; Reyes (Beckham, 64’), Guti, Cassano (Raúl, 62’); Van Nistelrooy.

REFEREE: Iturralde González, Basque Commitee. Yellow cards for Cassano (26’), Melli (31’), Emerson (34’), Beckham (65’), Sergio Ramos (85’), Guti (89’), Van Nistelrooy (91’), Raúl Bravo (94') and Odonkor (96’). Direct red card for Nano (95’).

GOALS:
0-1. Min. 6. Diarra heads in a perfect service by Cicinho from the right wing.

HIGHLIGHTS: Fourth day of the Spanish 2006-07 League championship. Mtach played at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium. A few seats short of full house.

Match report by Santiago Siguero
Photos by Ángel Martínez
Translation by Luis Orueta

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 6:34 AM