Realmadrid News

Primera Liga Report: Madrid Clinch Crucial Win (1-0) over Zaragoza

A Ruud van Nistelrooy strike saw an improved Real Madrid pick up a 1-0 win over Real Zaragoza at the Bernabeu. Los Merengues are now level with Barcelona on points - though the Catalans have a game in hand.

Gonzalo Higuain set up Ruud van Nistelrooy superbly in the 41st minute, and the Dutchman poked it in to hand Real Madrid what would turn out to be the eventual winner.

It was only just reward following a half that they had dominated, and though Zaragoza awoke from their slumber late in the second half, they never quite had enough to get the better of a Madrid side lifted by their goal.

Capello made three changes to the team that started against Betis, with Cannavaro and Raul Bravo starting instead of a suspended Sergio Ramos and an injured Roberto Carlos, and Raul getting the nod ahead of Robinho.

However, the Brazilian was on soon, with Raul having to come off with an injury barely 15 minutes into the game.

Reyes tested Cesar early as Real Madrid hogged possession, and Zaragoza looked for the breaks. A blunder from Helguera could have cost Real a fortune in every sense of the word, but Casillas produced a fine save to deny Ewerthon.

Robinho looked lively for Los Merengues, as did Reyes, and the duo ensured that Madrid looked the better side. However, the first big chance came in the 29th minute, when a scorching drive from Diarra flew inches wide. Chances started coming at regular intervals thereafter, and Reyes also brought the best out of Cesar five minutes later.

With Zaragoza dropping their attacking approach and sitting deep, it looked a matter of time before Capello's boys scored, and so it proved to be. Robinho sent in a great pass to Higuain, who in turn set up Van Nistelrooy, and the Dutchman had to simply poke it past Cesar four minutes before the break.

Higuain nearly doubled Madrid's lead two minutes later, but failed to finish after setting himself up wonderfully with a fine flick over stunned compatriot Gabriel Milito.

The second half saw an improved Zaragoza return from the dressing room, though Higuain, Robinho and Reyes were still holding their own. Victor Fernandez made a few changes, and Diego Milito almost brought the visitors level in the 61st minute, only to be crowded out in the nick of time.

De las Red came on for Reyes as Capello tried to stem Zaragoza's domination, having given him a host of defensive instructions. The youngster responded by almost putting Madrid two goals ahead immediately - but Cesar kept Zaragoza alive yet again. With Zaragoza throwing more and more forward, Madrid were looking for that killer blow, and it almost came in the 75th minute, as Robinho danced his way towards the goal before shooting just wide.

Substitute Sergio Garica almost produced a shock in the 78th minute, but his finish following Pique's assist flew inches wide. Madrid were defending well, but a glaring mistake by Casillas in the 85th minute almost saw them commit suicide. He lost the flight of the ball from a corner, but got lucky in the ball crashing onto the bar and bobbing back out, much to the Bernabeu's collective sigh.

That woke Real Madrid up completely, and with Capello yelling himself hoarse on the touchline, there was never a lapse of concentration thereafter.

Real Madrid are well and truly back in the title race, just two points behind Sevilla, and level with Barca, who have a game in hand.


By:Goal.com/Abhishek Thakur

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 11:02 PM