Barcelona catching up as Real slip at Betis

The wait is finally over, the Champions League first knock out fixtures first leg matches are around the corner. Real Madrid after their 7-0 victory last week did not take Relegation threatened Real Betis visit seriously right before their Champions League match with Roma. Schuster still has a lot of big names in the clinic and thus fielded the same line up as last week. Van Nistelrooy was fit but was on the bench, and Drenthe was a starter this week as opposed to replacing Robinho on the left wing.

Real Madrid did not show any signs of being in any defensive mood as they went right at Betis. Within minutes a Baptista free kick was a signal of what was to come from Madrid. Fernando Gago again getting the nod ahead of Diarra from his Manager showed how good his link play when he put an inviting through ball over the top of the Betis defense. Robben's pace was so superb that he got there first and squared it to the onrushing Baptista. The Brazilian could not keep his footing and Betis defense could not clear it and it fell kindly to Drenthe on the left who made a cool finish for his second goal in two weeks. 0-1 Real Madrid in the 6th minute.

Real Madrid could not finish off the game with the second goal and that would come back and bit them. Betis realized that they need to put Madrid on the back foot and that is by scoring against them. They had smartly identified the Madrid weakness, and that was their wing backs. On the left they had Marcelo the 20 year old Brazilian and the right it was veteran Salgado. Both of them had a part to play in how things went bad for Real Madrid.

Each time I see Salgado play at wing back i feel what is wrong with this guy? He has a problem making a tackle. When a winger approaches him he just keeps running backward towards his goal. He does not attack the ball and make a tackle. Maybe he is not as quick as he used to be, which is probably why he is afraid of committing and making himself look stupid if the winger gets by him. Well the logic is not working because what he does is brings the winger as close to the Madrid penalty box from where he can cross in the ball. Right around 32 minutes this is exactly what happened as Pavone had gotten away from Cannavaro and with a lot of unsuccessful tackles from Salgado got a cross in. Man Marking maybe the way Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos play, but with Pavone out of the equation Cannavaro was not marking anyone and so was Sergio Ramos. It was Edu who rose above ball watching Marcelo to head it in. 1-1 Real Betis.

Within 3-4 minutes it was almost like watching the repeat of the first Betis goal, the same drill and there was Salgado again letting the approach play happen and again Sergio Ramos out of position and Mark Gonzalez the former Liverpool man finished rising ahead of Marcelo again. 2-1 Real Betis.

Betis were doing extremely well in keeping the pace of Drenthe and Robben in check on the wings. Even on occasions when Drenthe did get into a crossing position there was hardly any one to target. Schuster had to bring on Van Nistelrooy to try spread the Betis defense and also to provide the Madrid defense with a target man. It was all Madrid in the second half but Betis was defending in numbers and was doubling up on Guti and Robben cutting down on any flair. Madrid starting was getting desperate. Schuster hoping to save a point played all his cards, brought in Higuain for Baptista and also Balboa for Raul. Betis still was getting the better of each and every attack from Madrid. Real were throwing caution out of the wind, with Sergio Ramos constantly joining in attack and it almost paid when a weak shot by Van Nistelrooy from close range cam back off the post.

The last ten minutes was all about some hard tackles, elbows and sliding tackles everywhere. First it was Melli elbowing Van Nistelrooy, and then it ensued into return elbows and pushing and shoving between the players. The referee as though dint have enough had the maximum alotted 6 minutes at the end in stoppage time. Betis deserved the win but and the 3 points was absolutely crucial for them to help in their staying in the La liga.

Right after the Madrid match it was Barcelona who was making their trip to Real Zaragoza. Zaragoza showed no fear against Barca, without Ronaldinho again, who was on the bench. Henry opened the scoring with a good goal, but with numerous missed chances for Zaragoza and a missed penalty from Diego Milito did not help their cause. The Brazilian Oliveira did equalize for Zaragoza in the 53rd minute. still more chances, still more missed chances. Ronaldinho made a substitute appearance just in time to score from the penalty spot after a hand ball inside the box. Barca came off with a 2-1 victory to cut down Real's lead at the top to 5 points.

Real Madrid have made their trip to Rome to play Roma at the Stadio Olimpico for the first leg of their knock out fixture which will be on Tuesday.