Real Madrid 1-0 Espanyol: Real Madrid put an end to Espanyol's great patch
Tonight's second to last match before Real Madrid take their well-earned Christmas break gained in rhythm and intensity as the game wore on. Espanyol fought hard for a victory, but, once again, Real Madrid fell back on their philosophy that style points don't count, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored the Whites' lone goal, which proved to be the game winner. Despite being down a man after Cannavaro was sent off for a controversial handball, the Whites stuck to their guns and stood ground to an ever more defiant and dangerous Espanyol. It was the Catalan side's first defeat since Matchday 4.
Espanyol stepped onto Montjuïc Stadium's pitch oozing with confidence having won their last two League matches against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid and not having suffered a defeat since their fourth match of the season. Meanwhile, Real Madrid were coming off a heartbreaking loss to the current La Liga leaders and kicked off tonight's game sluggish and unconvincing. Fabio Capello made the decision to line up Robinho and Reyes on the wings rather than playing Ronaldo and Diarra. As the minutes ticked by, the Whites gradually started feeling more comfortable in Montjuïc, finding their own pace and flow to the game.
Only minutes into the match, things took a turn for the worst as José Antonio Reyes received a harsh late challenge from Zabaleta. The Sevillian player seemed to be badly hurt, but soon recovered and contributed to the defensive chores which were greatly compounded against the Espanyol attack. The Catalan front line had proved to be very dangerous in previous matches, and tonight was no different with Tamudo menacing around the box as De la Peña served him several quality balls. Luis García had the home team's best chance in minute 28. Bringing the ball forward, De la Peña played it into Moha. The latter soon found García, who managed to pull off a first touch shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Meanwhile, the Whites were shaping up and had their chances shortly after minute 20, mainly by way of medium-range strikes. Real Madrid's best opportunity arrived after an outstanding pass from Raúl to Van Nistelrooy.
Anxious to get on the score-sheet, the Dutchman controlled the ball inside the small box and was phenomenally tackled by Torrejón just as he was about to shoot, preventing the first goal from finding the back of the net near the 30-minute mark. The even, hard-fought first half ended with a 0-0 draw.Casillas shines
There is no question that Iker Casillas was one of the top players of Matchday 15, which just also happened to be the Madridista keeper's 250th League match of his career. Aside from making great efforts to stop Espanyol's free kicks and set pieces, the former youth system player proved to be decisive throughout the 90 minutes. The Whites' keeper thwarted Tamudo's run towards the goal outside the box close to halftime, cleared a great shot by Pandiani in the 67th minute, and prevented the Periquitos from equalising the score in the last few minutes of the game.
Goal, send-off and Jerichonian defenceReal Madrid re-entered Montjuïc renewed with energy and ready to put the game away. Fabio Capello moved his lines up, allowing Guti to create in the midfield and Raúl to reach the opponent's box more frequently. And in less than five minutes, the Whites scored the goal they had been seeking. Guti feinted around a defender and played the ball to Van Nistelrooy, who was standing with his back on goal. The Dutch striker controlled the pass beautifully, spun around, and netted a powerful shot past Kameni, who was helpless and baffled by Van Nistelrooy's technique. Many fans in the stands were heard roaring in celebration.
But minutes later, Pérez Lasa spoiled the moment with an appalling call. The referee sent Fabio Cannavaro off with his second booking thinking the Italian had hit the ball with his hand, when it actually hit his head. It seems this pitch will never be relieved of controversy after all. Nevertheless, Real Madrid stuck to their guns, and with the incorporation of Mejía, Diarra, and Raúl Bravo, formed a Jerichonian defence, while captain Raúl proved omnipresent at all times.
The match broke wide open with the ball going back and forth from one area to the other. Both teams had their chances, and Míchel Salgado's perfectly timed challenge was decisive in thwarting Tamudo and Luis Garcia's attack in the 78-minute mark. Espanyol never threw in the towel and their four forwards on the pitch seemed to be qeueing up to put the ball in, but to no avail. The most effective Real Madrid side of recent years left Montjuïc with three points in hand.
MATCH REPORT:
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Salgado, Cannavaro, Ramos, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Guti, Reyes (Diarra), Robinho (Mejía, 55'); Raúl and Van Nistelrooy (Raúl Bravo, 85').
ESPANYOL: Mamen; Zabaleta, Jarque, Torrejón, Chica; Rufete (Pandiani, 6'), Moisés, Moha, De la Peña; Luis García and Tamudo.
REFEREE: Miguel Ángel Pérez Lasa. Booked Moisés (15'), Zabaleta (75'), Robinho (38'), Cannavaro (47'), Roberto Carlos (67') and Salgado (80')
GOALS:
0-1 (55'): Van Nistelrooy turns and shoots after Guti finds him in the box.
NOTES: Matchday 15 of the First Division of the Spanish League with Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés attending the match. Attendence: 40,000.
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Salgado, Cannavaro, Ramos, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Guti, Reyes (Diarra), Robinho (Mejía, 55'); Raúl and Van Nistelrooy (Raúl Bravo, 85').
ESPANYOL: Mamen; Zabaleta, Jarque, Torrejón, Chica; Rufete (Pandiani, 6'), Moisés, Moha, De la Peña; Luis García and Tamudo.
REFEREE: Miguel Ángel Pérez Lasa. Booked Moisés (15'), Zabaleta (75'), Robinho (38'), Cannavaro (47'), Roberto Carlos (67') and Salgado (80')
GOALS:
0-1 (55'): Van Nistelrooy turns and shoots after Guti finds him in the box.
NOTES: Matchday 15 of the First Division of the Spanish League with Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés attending the match. Attendence: 40,000.
Report by Cristina Monge
Photography by David R. Anchuelo
Special correspondents to Barcelona
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 10:42 PM
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