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Real Madrid 4-3 Espanyol: The Whites stage an epic comeback

None of the matches down the home stretch of the season will be easy, especially if you have a UEFA Cup finalist visiting the Santiago Bernabéu. But Real Madrid doesn't mind who the opponent is, and they've got numbers to back them up: four straight victories on their turf, the last being an stunning turnaround against another European finalist -Sevilla-, a steady climb upwards with only one hitch in the road in the last twelve matches, and hard working spirit and team work that have proven to be the keys to success.

With Guti and Higuaín the two new additions to the starting eleven –Robinho and Beckham were suspended one match and Gago out injured- and the return of Roberto Carlos to the left wing, Fabio Capello's gameplan relied on finding every open space possible and Cicinho and Roberto Carlos as the workhorses along the flanks -no matter the risk it entailed-. The entire left side of the pitch was Brazilian territory, while Guti roamed around the midfield to link up with Raúl and Van Nistelrooy. Real Madrid came out en masse. It appeared the hosts would take the lead, and Van Nistelrooy had two chances to make it happen: a first minute half-turn strike and then nearly missing a low cross by Roberto Carlos (min. 7), but roles would swap 15 minutes into the game.

Nightmare...
Espanyol were well-positioned on the pitch -Guti rarely touched the ball-, they kept their lines tight, and stuck to their counterattacking mindset. And their plan couldn't have been any more fruitful: Rufete, who had excellent vision all night, connected with Jonatas, who returned it right back to the Periquito number '18'. The midfielder then served the perfect assist to one of the night's main stars: Walter Pandiani. The Uruguayan finished off the great play to give the visitors the lead and Real Madrid saw how they would have to mount another crucial comeback.

The White's ensuing push was almost rewarded by a Diarra header (min.22) that forced Kameni into a double-take save. But things don't always turn out correctly on the first try and, once again, Espanyol, and especially Pandiani, made the most of their opportunities. A carbon copy of the goal ten minutes earlier produced by an inspired Rufete, whose great cross from the left wing was struck home by the Espanyol forward. The turnaround became a steep uphill battle until Van Nistelrooy replied to add to his League-leading tally. With 15 minutes until the break, Raúl found Roberto Carlos, who served the assist to the Pichichi -number 21 for the Dutchman-.

A crucial goal that gave wings to the Whites, who were again determined to stage an epic resurgence. However, Espanyol didn't come to Madrid for a walk in the park. Yet another attack down the left flank (min.34) that Moha cut off in the front of the box to dish to the hat-trick man: Pandiani. Real Madrid players insisted the opponent was offside, but the Uruguayan used his craftiness to score his third on a confused Madridista defence. But what stands out most about this team is that it doesn't give up and it sticks to its winning attitude. Down 1-3 at the half and in need of a heroic second period of faith and hard work.

... awoken...
Capello made two changes after the first 45 minutes. Guti and Cicinho were replaced by Helguera -Ramos took over on the right wing- and José Antonio Reyes -Raúl moved to the right as the Sevillian made his way to the left flank-. And all of a sudden the score was 2-3. Raúl's first chance since the restart and a goal for the Whites. The captain popped down to the far post and nutmegged Kameni without hesitation. The Bernabéu could sense the comeback and Madridista fans were witnessing another thrilling match, not forgetting to cheer and chant for their players, of course.

Real Madrid knew exactly what they had to do and they took the game straight to their opponent on their turf. Players of the likes of Ramos, Raúl and Cannavaro dug fom deep within and the Together We Can spirit was never more present. Reyes then cooly netted the equaliser. Emerson lobbed the ball to the top of the box, Kameni came out to clear and ran into Higuaín, and the ball sat dead on the turf for the Sevillian to swiftly send to the back of the net.


... and sweet dreams as leaders
It was a whole new ball game after the 58th minute. Espanyol looked to shut shop and Madrid faced what were perhaps the most cruial minutes of their seaason thus far. Van Nistelrooy could have made the dream reality had he won a one on one with Kameni (min.64), and Luis García could have sent Madrid reeling (min.78), but Iker Casillas saved the day -and season- by clearing the ball when Moha was alone in front of goal. With no width to the match, both sides carved out everything they could as the stands nervously trembled. A fanbase that provided the team with its second wind; a fanbase that didn't stop cheering and that was vital in achieving such an historic rally.

With the game in its closing minutes, the Bernabéu whistled for a penalty on Sergio Ramos. Referee Undiano Mallenco thought otherwise. But the best was yet to come and the dream had yet to become reality. A question that was finally answered by the last goal scorer of the night. Gonzalo Higuaín (min.89) scored his first goal at the Bernabéu, and it couldn't have been any more special or important. The Stadium roared, the spectators bounced up and down, and when the final whistle was blown, Madrdisistas embraced the possibility of winning the League even tighter. It's now a waiting game until Barcelona play Betis on Sunday, but tonight Real Madrid are the leaders of the Primera Liga.





Match summary by Cristina Monge
Photos by :Marca/Reuters
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 12:45 AM