Till the half time whistle Deportivo played better in getting the goal. They were denied couple of times by Casillas. Before the half Guti also started obtaining more control over the midfield as he was supported well by Gago. Diarra is a way better player to Gago defensively especially winning headers but Gago is much more mobile and also joins often with the attacking moves. Guti provided an excellent free kick to the far post only to see a superb save from Aouate to a Sergio Ramos header. It was Guti again finding Robinho inside the box who quickly passed to Van Nistelrooy, but his shot was not on target. 1-1 at half time.
Schuster realizing that Saviola and Van Nistelrooy are having to play in midfield to get the ball as the final ball was not there from Higuain, Robinho or Guti. He first took out Higuain and brought in Sneijder, with whom Robinho switched flanks. Right away Schuster also took out Saviola and brought in Captain fantastic Raul who incidentally is celebrating his 13 th year at the club. There was immediate effect to these changes. Real almost went ahead when a guti corner was cleared back to the captain of the night, who headed it in for Van Nistelrooy who turned superbly and unleashed a thunderous half volley but to be denied by the Deportivo keeper again. A quick counter attack followed, a cross from the left found Casillas stranded trying to punch the cross and it fell kindly to Juan Rodriguez. Some quick thinking from 19 year old Marcelo saved Real as he took the near post and stretched out his leg as in a reverse tackle.
Robinho started enjoying more of the space created by the entry of Sneijder and Raul. His dancing move finally saw him take a powerful shot outside the box which hit the bar on the 70 min mark. Then came the defining minute on the 78 th minute when Robinho on the right wing found Guti and a terrific through pass found Raul who failed to control the ball and it fell to Van Nistelrooy. The dutchman's presence of mind inside the box is out of the world. The keeper was advancing on him and there was no agle for him to shoot and he superbly passed it back to Raul who had an easy tap in. I have been always thinking why Shcuster is not giving the young Soldado who scored 18 goals last season on loan with Osasuna more chances but the understanding and the combination between Raul and Rudd is really the difference. 2-1 Rea Madrid.
Deportivo's strong challenging and closing down of Real players went against them when Sergio was sent off for a second yellow card for a poor tackle on Guti as Real were breaking. Then came a piece of Robinho magic, combine that with Guti's vision and touch you get one of the best worked out goals recently. Robinho again on the right passed to Guti, Salgado made an overlapping run to confuse the Deportivo defense, probably the only thing he did right, Guti provided a killer through pass to Robinho, who showed some superlative skills to dribble the keeper, and defense for an amazing finish. Robinho celebrated the goal with his now trademark sucking of the thumb as he is expecting his first baby and is said to be not performing to his best because of this off the field stress. Well if he plays like as he has played in the last two games i think a little stress is good for him. 3-1 Real Madrid.
Robinho was replaced right away with Balbao, and Real Madrid held on for a good 3 points. They still head the La Liga with 22 points closely followed by Barcelona at 20 as they won against Almeria 2-0 courtesy of goals from Henry and Messi. Valencia lost to Sevilla 3-0, and with their midweek game agaisnt Rosenborg also ending in defeat their coach was sacked. Real play the same Valencia on Wednesday at the Mestalla and then Sevilla on the weekend. Both these away games would test Real. Schuster must be relieved to welcome back Cannavaro, Heinze and Diarra who have been declared fit to play.
Here are the full match highlights.....
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