Realmadrid News

3-1: This one's for you, Pancho

Real Madrid wanted to win tonight's match for two reasons. The first, to lead the League table
-the three points would gedt them 23 points, even at the top with Barcelona, who face Mallorca tomorrow- and the second, to pay tribute to the late Ferenc 'Pancho' Puskas -as he was affectionately known in Spain. Their rivals tonight were Racing Santander, a team that was undefeated in the last seven games prior to their Bernabéu meeting, having beaten Valencia and drawing against Sevilla. Fabio Capello only introduced one change tonight: Reyes for Robinho.

The match couldn't have had a better start for Real Madrid. The sorrow of the music played in honour of Puskas at the start of the game hadn't quite lifted off the stadium when the Sevillian connection got to work: Real Madrid won a corner lobbed by Reyes that ended as a free-header goal by Ramos in the fifth minute. The latter celebrated his netting with the usual somersaults and a finger pointing up into the sky.


FACE TO FACE
Real Madrid's game was fast -as it had to be, since the pitch was wet due to the rain- and vertical -as Capello demands of them-, but they faced a very good team. Racing showed they are more than just a side that relies on target men Munitis and Zigic. The team from Santander displayed a solid midfield that got the ball out quickly and put pressure on the Whites, resulting in an intense first half in which both sides had many chances on goal. But Casillas was always there, proving match after match just what a fantastic keeper he is. Zigic, Rubén, Luis Fernández and Garay put his reflexes to the test, but the stopper stood his ground at all times.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid did much more than defend during the first 45 minutes. A phenomenal Iván Helguera -who had to mark a 7-foot tall player- and Fabio Cannavaro -who is beginning to savour this year's Golden Ball accolade- defended exceptionally well, while the rest brough on attacking danger through the Guti connection. The playmaker gave fantastic balls to both Sergio Ramos and Reyes, but their shots and crosses were stopped by Racing goalkeeper Toño. Later, the left-footed player missed a shot by hitting it with his right leg. Emerson and Diarra also tried to catch Racing unawares on a break-away shooting from long-range. The first 45 minutes were witness to a work of art by Raúl. Just as Zidane would have done, the number '7' lobbed a ball he received from Helguera over the goalkeeper, but referee Lizondo Cortés ruled it out because the Captain was slightly offside. Racing soon counterattacked, and in the 21st minute Zigic headed a ball that Roberto Carlos saved on the near post. The match was levelled despite the score.

THE FIINAL SENTENCE
Things changed in the second half. Real Madrid stepped onto the field wanting to kill off the match, although Racing, through forward Munitis, kept putting Iker to the test. Ruud Van Nistelrooy was the man who silenced the visiting team's attack by taking two shots that anticipated the Whites' second goal: Diarra passed the ball to Emerson, who in turn gave it to Reyes. The Sevillian player hinted at passing the ball to Van Nistelrooy, who was unmarked at the far post, but instead chose to net it by kicking it through the near post. The 58th-minute strike pretty much sentenced the match.

Real Madrid played their best minutes after the goal. Guti had Diarra and Emerson as squires and was flanked by two menacing wingers. The fans at the Bernabéu were finally enjoying great football and Racing seemed incapable of playing as well as in the first 45 minutes.

Soon, the third goal came after a great play by the entire Madrid attacking front. Raúl lobbed the ball over to Diarra, who was on the edge of the small box. The Mali player scored after his second attempt: 3-0 on the 70-minute mark, and the game had a winner although it was far from being over.

The rest of the match had a few highlights: Robinho had some quality moments; Capello substituted Cannavaro, who was given an ovation for his performance and for being the virtual 2006 Golden Ball winner; and Racing centre back Garay scored a terrific set piece goal in 75'. Lizondo Cortés finished the match off by booking several players and showing Guti the red card 3 minutes from the final whistle. This tarnished a match that should have had a different ending. Before the end, Casillas was forced to do a couple of spectacular saves following two clear attempts by Racing. In the end, Real Madrid has a solid performance and pocketed the three points in play on Matchday 11 of La Liga. Puskas can be proud of his team.


Report by Santiago Siguero
Photography by Ángel Martínez & Daniel Sastre
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 2:08 AM