Realmadrid News

1-2: First home defeat for Capello; After 30 games undefeated at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid yield the three points

All the flashlights pointed in the same direction just before the game started: Ronaldo. The number ‘9’ was a first choice player for Real Madrid for the first time in 211 days. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was benched this time. The Brazilian international had but one thought in mind: putting an end to his scoring drought, which dates back to 8 April, the day he scored his last goal -and the hundredth with the white shirt, for that matter.

The truth is that the Phenomenon -or the Stampede, as he is also known within Spain- looked tuned in, same as his team. The striker had three very clear chances coming from long-range but powerful shots, but the three had the same fate: Pinto saved, the stopper from Vigo denying the Brazilian forward his much deserved strike.


Once things had gotten underway and both rivals had studied their initial disposition, the Whites took command of the situation and attempted to strike and knock down the opponent's resistance. Solid in defense, with a fluid forward transition and ball movement, building intelligently from the back, the opportunities during the first period were clearly for Real Madrid. One after the other: Sergio Ramos heads, stop Pinto (min. 11); Raúl shoots wide (min. 12); the two first-half chances of Ronaldo saved by the Galician keeper (minutes 16 and 23). Even a possible penalty that went uncalled on Sergio Ramos... It seemed like Madrid deserved more.

GOAL TIME

But football does not automatically reward merit. Pinto was his team's best man, there's no doubt, but it was Casillas who had to go pick up the the ball from the back of the net first. In the 35-minute mark, a swift and perfect counter fabricated by playmaker Canobbio released Nené -the Brazilian player who had coincided with Robinho in Santos three years back- who shot on goal without breaking a stride. Low on the ground, Iker could have done nothing even though he tried. It was lethal... it was the first one for Celta, who took the lead.

The punishment was excessive and unfair. It was Celta's first shot on goal. But Real Madrid did not betray their style and they kept at it as they had done before, hammering the Galician defense constantly. And so, justice was done. Forty-two minutes into the encounter, Emerson, unmarked and unchallenged, headed in a corner service from Raul. The Brazilian roaming midfielder, who had made a mistake preceding Celta's goal, almost didn't have time to celebrate it as he cheered his team-mates to take on Celta and go get the second one. It was time to keep rowing, but that would have to wait until the 15-minute halftime break was over .

Fabio Capello introduced two changes at halftime. Van Nistelrooy and José Antonio Reyes substituted Diarra -who was booked- and Robinho, respectively. Guti shifted down to take a place next to Emerson, Reyes took the right flank, and Ruud formed the long-awaited two front men partnership with Ronaldo, as had happened in Getafe. Real Madrid cast their full arsenal to "settle and close this account." The result was an overpowering Madridista domination, with close to 60% of ball possession used profusely to generate one opportunity after the other... this time even clearer than in the first period. Raúl tried following a great by-line backwards pass from Roberto Carlos (min. 53) and so did Van Nistelrooy (min. 55), but to no avail.

However, the most dangerous chance since the beginning of the second half would come off the boots of Celta's evening goalscorer. Once again, Nené tested Casillas shooting the ball past the Real Madrid keeper and off the crossbar (min. 59). Real Madrid's response was swift and blunt. In the counterattack, Ronaldo once again tested Pinto's reflexes, and once more the opposing goalkeeper responded perfectly. Pinto was not about to give Ronie any reason to be happy, who shortly after was replaced by David Beckham before he could sign-off on his 101th goal.

INCREDIBLE, BUT TRUE

With Celta never losing a beat in spite of the White siege, they started recovering ball possession as a way to move forward. Beckham increased the sense of incoming danger with his quick break aways and especially with his trademark long balls and crosses towards the rival's box. Almost always from the right, Becks and an outstanding Sergio Ramos assisted Raul and Van Nistelrooy, who had the second goal of Real Madrid in their boots in a triple chance which incredibly did not come to fruition.

It looked like Celta was thankful for the draw, but in a defensive mistake by Reyes, who probably thought he was in the other half of the pitch, Iriney quickly put the ball through to attacking midfielder Jorge Larena, who scored Celta's second of the night in the 81-minute mark. Real Madrid were forced to believe in a miracle... which never came. The direct play of the Madridistas in the last ten minutes, plus the 3 minutes of overtime, was easily counteracted by Celta's orderly 10-man defense. First defeat of Capello after 30 matches undefeated at his home stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu. The League leadership must wait and, as a matter of fact, is now a few points further away.


Match report by Santiago Siguero
Photos by Ángel Martínez & David R. Anchuelo
Translation by Luis Orueta

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 10:00 PM