The La Liga giants opened their Chamipons League campaign at the Bernabeu and it was not the real attractive and attacking football that the Madridistas would have hoped for. Well Werder is no easy team and for that matter no German teams are easy oppositions. They impose themselves on the pitch with their physical presence and nullify most of the attacking flair of the opposition.
Schuster made a couple of changes to his team. He was forced to give Marcelo the 19 year Brazilian a start at LB as Heinze was injured. He also had to give Fernando Gago a start in the defensive midfielder role as Diarra had a suspension for a Red Card from last year. Higuain did well in the last league game against Almeria coming on as a substitute and he started ahead of Robinho on the right.
It was not a open game to start with though Werder are struggling in the Bundesliga with the loss of Klose their striker to Bayern and also Frings injured. The Germans had an answer to the midfield of Real. They did well to silence Senijder who is playing good football. Each time a Madrid midfielder got a ball there were atleat 2 Werder players on him in a flash. The maximum touches initially were to the back four and Gago. Gago meanwhile did an amazing job of marking Diego the key to Werder's attacking flair. The Argentine was constantly on the Brazilian and did an amazing job almost all through the game. Marcelo was a doing a good job in the attacking department. Werder made no major attacks on the right wing and thus Marcelo had anything to defend. He tried to combine well with Sneijder on the left but the Brazilian looked fleet footed but could not put the final ball in and almost looked lost as to what to do each time he advanced to the German quarter of the pitch.
Van Nistelrooy is doing well in drifting away from the central striker role, he did again to the left and waited before he crossed so that his Captain could make a last minute burst into the box and head in his 57th goal in the campaign in his 111th game. Raul has looked sharp since the beginning of the season and is looks as though is enjoying playing in his natural position. He has scored 2 in the La Liga and now continues his scoring run. It was 16 minutes and Real were in front.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO7apcOzEDY
Werder dint need a shot in the arm, the equalized from kick off of the Real goal. Tokic crossed in with great accuracy to Sanogo, the striker for once getting ahead of Metzelder. The German looked impressive all through the game and won almost all the aerial battles. His presence was important as Werder was mostly looking at putting in long balls. Cannavaro was having a field day and did well in marshaling the back four. All through the match i could not help noticing Gago and the way he had only one mission and that was to keep Diego quiet. It was evident that was a major strategy as a couple of times he got away from Gago he created some dangerous chances, one of which came in the first half when he crossed in low and Casillas had to save with his foot.
Werder were in charge for the 10 minutes after they equalized but it was Real through Van Nistelrooy who controlled the game for the remaining time till the half time whistle. He took a couple of shots which were close and created constant threat to the Werder defense. Marcelo finally was able to put in a cross but Higuain lost his footing, still able to connect with a decent shot missed the goal. Half time it is 1-1.
Real came out and played the same game they are constantly trying to play this season. At points of the second half there were certain one touch passing plays between Sneijder, Raul and Guti that was a treat to watch. Raul moved towards the left and Sneijder into a more central role. Its amazing to see the work ethic of the captain constantly running down defenders and the keeper to see if he can force a mistake. After all the Germans were playing a similar game to Madrid, trying to hold the ball. It would be the difference in quality that would decide the match. Schuster took out Higuain and brought in Robinho who immediately starting running and floating around. Robinho being brought in was almost an immediate lease of life for Real, as Guti passed in to Raul who was marked by two defenders, Van Nistelrooy timed his run to perfection and finished off in trade mark style past a Werder keeper who stood no chance. It was goal number 50 in the Champions League for the Dutchman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHx2u7PAg1s
Raul earned a well deserved rest, the Captain put his master stroke on the game scoring one and setting up his strike partner. The two look dangerous together. Stats showed that Raul covered an unbelievable 9042M during the time he was on the pitch. He is 30 year old but no wonder even the 20 year olds look up to him. Real's big money signing Arjen Robben got his first playing time. It was interesting to see Robben, Sneijder, Robinho and Drenthe play together. It almost brought back memories of the time Real had Beckham, Zidane and Figo in midfield. Players constantly switching flanks and positions and running at the defense. There was pressure from Werder but Real held the ball and held onto the 3 points. Captain fantastic Raul is Man of the Match in my books.
In the other game i switched channels with was between Liverpool and Porto. Porto at home looked dangerous through the game and went ahead through a penalty, only to be equalized by Kyut's header from a set piece. Liverpool were down to 10 men soon with two yellows for Pennant for some horrific tackles. It is lucky that Liverpool got away with a point.
Chelsea at home were held to a draw by Rosenborg. The away team went ahead first and the constant pressure from Chelsea resulted in Shevchenko adding on to his record in Champions League. Valencia meanwhile was the only team to score an away win when they beat Shalke 0-1.
Real head the group as the other two teams Olympiakos and Lazio had a 1-1 draw.
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