Realmadrid News

Betis 0-0 Real Madrid:Real Madrid and Betis draw the first leg of the Last 16 of the King's Cup

Coach Fabio Capello made some major changes to tonight's starting eleven for the King's Cup match against Betis, the primary being the addition of attacking midfielder Gonzalo Higuaín, who made his Real Madrid debut. The Italian boss also took a gamble by playing youth teamer Torres on the right side of the defence, as Sergio Ramos joined Helguera in the centre of the back line. Gago, who debuted last weekend against Deportivo, was handed the responsibility of distributing the ball, although this time he was accompanied by Diarra and not Emerson. Real Madrid's coach wants to see players proud to wear the White shirt, and tonight was a great chance for his new men to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Cannavaro was given the night off and watched from the bench.



Roberto Carlos injured
Betis had all the momentum in the first ten minutes of the match. Thanks to new coach Luís Fernández, who revamped his starting lineup and played only two of the men who defeated Celta las weekend, the Andalusian side seem to have risen from the ashes since the Tarifa native took over. Eight minutes in, the Green-and-White had the first scoring chance of the game, but a well-positioned Real Madrid defence cleared with little danger. It was then that Roberto Carlos, clearly struggling with an injury, left the pitch holding his right calf. The Brazilian was replaced by Raúl Bravo, who had little time to warm up on the sideline.


Sergio Ramos, who received a a chorus of whistles from the local crowd, had Real Madrid's first shot on goal, but his well-taken free kick hit off a defender's head and sailed just wide for a corner kick. After receiving a second corner, Diarra's header off the cross also missed the net. The two opportunities spurred Real Madrid, who finally got their gears moving and sought the football. The match, however, was held up in the midfield due to numerous fouls and wasn't quite the spectacle those in attendence had hoped for.

Good debut for Higuaín
Although the game had little to be desired, both sides had chances to take the lead on the scoreboard. Higuaín, who looked comfortable in White during his debut, had the Madridistas' best scoring chance of the first half. After a great pass by fellow countryman Gago, the Argentine connected on a cross-shot to Ruud Van Nistelrooy, but there was no one there but Contreras to get the rebound. Betis responded with a Dani header following a great play by Xisco, but the Seville native couldn't beat a safe and sure Diego López.


The open, entertaining match headed to halftime despite a 0-0 score, and the second half followed suit. In spurts, Real Madrid looked like they would take control, but Betis kept on coming right back. Sixty minutes in, Ruud Van Nistelrooy left both opponents behind after receiving a brilliant pass from Higuaín, but the striker was just off balance and struggled to gain control of the ball. Contreras had little trouble saving the shot and sending it to a corner kick.

With Capello making his pressure felt from the bench, Raúl González came in for Van Nistelrooy in the 71st minute. The captain took over as attacking midfielder and pushed Higuaín forward to lead the attack. Luís Fernández also made some changes and put Assunçao and Capi on the turf in search of the game winner. But the match followed the same script until the final whistle was blown and neither side was capable of putting the ball in the net. Everything will be decided next Thursday at the Santiago Bernabéu, when one of these two teams will punch their ticket to the next round.



Match report by Laura Osorio
Photos by Ángel Martínez
Special correspondents to Seville
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 11:29 AM