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Realmadrid1-1Atletico: Raúl ties a match marked by the sending off of Ramos

Things started out looking grim for Real Madrid. After only 6 minutes of play, Atletico Madrid were already ahead thanks to a goal by Mista following a marking mistake by the defense of the Whites. Both teams were studying each other, getting their formations in place, when the red-and-whites took the lead. Capello lined up the same eleven that beat Dynamo Kyiv days back. Meanwhile, Aguirre gave Pernía, Maniche and Mista their first chance as starters. With these setups, the battle was fought out in the axis of the midfield, with the Diarra-Emerson v Luccin-Maniche duos attempting to control the game from the centre of the pitch.

Atletico's 6-minute goal left Real Madrid aching and confused for a while. All the danger came from the wings, with long-distance cross passes by Reyes or Roberto Carlos that didn't quite make it through to Van Nistelrooy or Raul, unable to pierce through the opponet's defense. But it wasn't enough, with the rivals better positioned on the field and creating chances on Casillas' goal. A counter finished off by Maniche and a volley by Petrov just added to Atletico's danger tally.


Seeing what was going on in the pitch during the first 20 minutes, Aguirre's instructions became all too clear: stop Guti at all costs. And that his players did, but in constant violation of the rules, with some fouls bordering aggression. The first seven fouls of the match were on Guti, who was down more than he was up.

Raúl, good patch
The Mexican trainer of Atletico was not wrong in asking this of his players because it was Guti's left foot who set up Raul for the draw. Real Madrid's captain cut in, surprising the rival defense and volleying the cross pass by Guti into the back of Leo Franco's net off the far post. Real's number '7' is going through a good scoring spell and everyone of his plays smells of danger. It was the first shot on goal of Real Madrid. From this point on until halftime, the Madridistas cornered the red-and-whites into their box, pressurising them and producing two clear chances. Following a great save by Casillas after a shot by Maniche, Van Nistelrooy deffectively controlled a pass by Reyes in attack, allowing Atletico stopper Franco to save the day for his team. The game's fate had suddenly shifted sides and Real had forty-five minutes ahead of them to turn the scoreboard around.


The game changes
The second half started to the tee of an action-packed, vibrant, and fast paced play, with both teams pushing forward and three and two chances for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively. The clearest chance came by way of a beautifyl three-way combination between Raúl, Guti and Reyes, that the latter ultimately failed to push in by a whisker. Meanwhile, Torres and Maxi manufactured the danger for the red-and whites in attack. The game's pacing and intensity had changed. Real was pressuring far more and in a more organised fashion until the sending off of Ramos. One man down from minute 62, Capello decided to introduce some changes. Guti, who had been the game's best man, and Reyes were subbed by Raúl Bravo and David Beckham.

Real Madrid were forced to step back twenty yards or so. Agüero, who had come in for goalscorer Mista, made Casillas work hard, but Atletico decided not to go all out for the match, running a tight ship until the very end and avoiding free-ranging in search of victory. On the contrary, it was Real Madrid who risked most, introducing Ronaldo with ten minutes to go. But that was all she wrote except for Atletico’s clearest chance of the game, but Agüero missed. Sighs of relief. In the end, one point a piece, a result that allows both teams to stay in the leading positions of the table. Atletico Madrid has yet to beat Real Madrid in the 21st Century.


MATCH REPORT:
1 – REAL MADRID: Casillas; Mejía, Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos; Reyes (Raúl Bravo 63’);, Diarra, Emerson, Raúl; Guti (Beckham 70’) and Van Nistelrooy (Ronaldo 81’).
1 – ATLETICO MADRID: Leo Franco; Seitaridis, Pablo, Perea, Pernía; Maxi López, Luccin, Maniche, Petrov (Galletti 77’); Torres and Mista (Agüero 59`).
GOALS:
0-1, min. 6: Mista beats Casillas with a ground ball.
1-1, min. 37: Raúl, wonderful volley set up by Guti.
REFEREE: Undiano Mallenco, Navarre Refereeing Association. Booked Perea (25’), Mista (30`), Mejía (32´), Pernía (33’), Maxi (53’), Cannavaro (82’), Pablo (83’). Ejected Ramos (62’, two yellow cards).
HIGHLIGHTS: Fifth matchday of the Primer Liga. Game played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Match report by Luis Navarro
Photos by David R. Anchuelo & Daniel Sastre
Translation by Luis Orueta

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 5:06 AM