Realmadrid News

Real Madrid 3-1 Nastic: Hard-earned victory over Nastic move the Whites into the third spot of the League table

Earlier today Robinho commented that Leagues are won on fields like that of Tarragona and against teams like Nastic. The Brazilian also stated the importance of tallying points in every road match if Real Madrid are going to make a run at the title. And that's precisely what the Whites did on Saturday night against a complicated rival that made it an uphill battle during most of the first half.

A nuisance but not a threat
The match didn't get off to the start Real Madrid had hoped for. In the very first minute, Juan's header off a Cuéllar center sailed wide of Casillas' goal. Two minutes later, it was Cuéllar's corner that Casillas had to punch clear, only to be followd by a hard Pinilla strike. The best scoring chance the home side had came in minute six, when Makukula's shot from the edge of the box was sent over the crossbar.

Madrid weren't able to maintain possession in the midfield, and Nastic proved to be the more physical team throughout the first half by continually getting clear of their markers and easily reaching the perimeter of Iker's box. Raúl and Robinho timidly attacked Rubén Pérez's net but without creating any sense of danger. Nastic grew stronger and created more and more problems around their rival's box as the minutes ticked off the clock. Gil and Abel continued trying their luck on goal, and it wouldn't take long for the Tarragona side to strike.

In the 27th minute, Cannavaro tripped Makukula in the box and referee Mejuto González called for the penalty. Abel took the shot and got to ball by Iker to give the home side the 1-0 lead. Real Madrid picked up the pace and Helguera nearly missed Guti's free kick crosses into Rubén Pérez's box.

When it looked like the Madridistas would head to the dressing rooms down a goal, Mingo fouled Van Nistelrooy on the edge of the box. Roberto Carlos drew the match when his free kick found the back of the net thanks to a little help from Makukula, who moved his leg out of the way just as the ball passed by.


Until the very last minute
Hours prior to kick-off, the President asked the team to battle it out until the very last minute. And just four minutes into the second half, Helguera's header off a Guti corner put the Whites ahead at the Nou Estadi. Just as they had done after the Barcelona match, the team made their way to the center of the pitch to celebrate the defender's goal.

But Nastic didn't believe they deserved to lose and began besieging Casillas' goal. Pinilla, Llera and Gil were all thwarted by the Madridista keeper. The home side again took control of the match and risked everything in search of the equaliser. But Capello's men struck again in what was the Italian coach's 50th League match with the Whites. Madrid gathered in defense, allowed the Catalans to control the ball, and waited for the counterattack that would put the game away for good. And the stategy proved successful when Robinho scored the team's third goal. The Brazilian started the play on the left wing and passed the ball to Diarra at the front of the box. The Mali native opened the play to the right, where Sergio Ramos crossed to the far post for the Brazilian to strike across Rubén Pérez's goal and into the net.

After tonight's win and Valencia's loss, Real Madrid could claim sole possession of the second spot in the table depending on the result of tomorrow's Sevilla-Celta match. The victory is a huge morale boost heading into three straight home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu. The first takes place on Wednesday against Steaua Bucharest in Champions League play.



Match summary by Laura Navas
Photos by : Daniel Sastre;AFP;Marca.
Special correspondents to Tarragona
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 11:22 PM