My cousin was visiting me from Pittsburg and with a bunch of friends was out traveling to Lake Tahoe for Skiing. I did not want to miss the match but soon realized that i would have to be happy with a repeat telecast. I went one better, and that was to make sure not to know the result of the match before i see the repeat on Monday morning.
It was a glorious sight to see a Camp Nou jam packed with over 98,400 fans. Real in white made just one change. Shcuster brought Heinze in at LB instead of the young Brazilian Marcelo. Though Messi who usually plays in the right wing for Barcelona was injured Heinze was bringing immense experience which could be crucial to such an intense away fixture. Schuster continued to partner Pepe and Cannavaro in the center of defense, and Sergio Ramos at RB. Diarra in the holding role was joined by Baptista. Schuster continued with "the beast" seeing that he has been putting in some superb performances. Sneijder on the Right wing and Robinho on the left joined the dangerous striking duo of Van Nistelrooy and Raul.
Right from the kick off it was evident that Barcelona were not going to attack blindly and would try to play the passing game to create opportunities. Ronaldinho on the left and Iniesta on the right would be the creators and Xavi and Deco in the middle. One thing i can say for sure was seeing Real play in the first 15 minutes, i felt confident and for the first time in a few years proud the way the defense was looking organized. The way Pepe and Cannavaro were cutting off Eto in every play was so confident that i had a feeling that if they can continue this same intensity for a while Real have a chance here.
The initial sparring saw Real's first chance at goal pulled back for an offside on Van Nistelrooy. The Referee was having a tough time with the fouls, but it was the home team who was conceding more trying hard to make sure that Madrid does not get into rhythm and does not hit them in a counter attack. Pepe was the first to get a chance at goal for Real Madrid when he headed a free kick, but it was straight at Valdes. Time after time straight balls through the center were being cut off by Pepe and Cannavaro and there was no wing activity for Barcelona on the right as Heinze had an easy night. Sergio Ramos was marking Ronaldinho very closely, preventing the Brazilian to create any magic.
After a Sneijder free kick was saved by Valdes the resulting counter attack ended in a fine cross from Iniesta into the box, Cassilas saved the shot from Eto, the ball fell to Iniesta, and the Spanish keeper was coolly off his line and covered Iniesta into the corner of the penalty box and finally cleared it. Iniesta fell in anticipation of a penalty and was lucky not to be booked for diving. Sergio Ramos close to the action was quick to give an earful to the young Spaniard.
Again it was Iniesta who crossed in for Ronaldinho who was prevented a goal again by the superlative Cassilas and saved the follow up shot by Deco also though there was a foul committed on Sergio Ramos by Ronladinho that was called by the referee. It was time for the pivotal moment in the game, through the center, Raul headed a ball to Baptista who passed to Van Nistelrooy who passed back one time through to Baptista who scored with a beautiful strike to the top corner. Valdes could not even make an attempt. The brilliant triangle one touch movement split the center of the Barca midfield in half. 0-1 Real Madrid on 36 minutes.
Real Madrid continued looking for the killer blow till half time, Robinho constantly trying to break out of the shackles of Carles Puyol, Raul hardly seeing the ball but it was amazing to see the Captain running at defenders non stop trying to force a mistake. The Spanish titans head into the dressing room at half time with the score 0-1.
The second half saw pretty much of the same intense and fierce attacks from the both sides, really going end to end. But in both cases it was not going beyond the edge of the penalty box. Eto missed a shot on target and Iniesta from the edge of the box again was denied by Casillas. From a corner that Casillas again gathered he released Baptista with a throw and the Brazilian ran the entire pitch and passed it onto Robinho and after dribbling across defenders his shot was easily gathered by Valdes.
Rijkaard seeing that with almost 20 minutes remaining Real were getting confident on their role and were trying to control plays introduced the young Mexican Giovanni for Deco. Even with Van Nistelrooy and Raul the highest scorers in the Spanish league in the Real attack, it was the goal scorer of the night Baptista who was heading the attack line. Real were bent upon defending and Barca were getting desperate to score. Ronaldinho's shot from outside the box went wide, Iniesta was yet again denied by Casillas. Rijkaard had introduced the 17 year old Bojan for Xavi and his shot from outside the box was saved again by Casillas and with Barca shirts lining up for the rebound it was Pepe again heading it to safety. From the resulting corner it was Yaya Toure to miss again for Barca as he could not hit the target from a close range volley on the turn. It was just not Barca's day.
Tactics wins Matches:
I spend time to see the match 3 times, to analyze this splendid performance. It was not just a contest between 22 players on the pitch. The contest was more between the tactics of Rijkaard and Schuster. This time Schuster had won the contest for Real with his tactics. Many feel football is a dull game because even after playing 90 minutes it could very well end in a 0-0 draw. I would disagree on this saying that there is a lot more to a game of this stature.
Schuster has identified what makes Barca dangerous and how they get to the opponents goal line. Since Messi was not playing as he was out injured, Barca was going to be dependent on the center midfielders as there were no wingers. There was only one striker in the form of Samuel Eto. This is how i have broken up Schuster's tactics when he put 11 men from Real on the Camp Nou. Sergio Ramos was put on a Man Marking role on Ronaldinho and he did a brilliant job at doing it. He curtailed his runs down the right wing and seldom joined in attack as he was pretty much focused on the task in hand and kept Ronaldinho quiet almost all through the match. Any other Manager would have started with Guti instead of Baptista in the midfield as he is more experienced and played in numerous such encounters. While the goal scored by Baptista was definitely a bonus, and in this game the match winner, Baptista was on the ground to create plays and start attacking moves but his primary job was to mark Xavi. Each time i watched the match i noticed how Baptista was always on the heels of Xavi. Diarra was marking Deco and that is taking out everyone in the equation in terms of creative force.
Schuster lined up Heinze on LB instead of Marcelo to counter Iniesta whom he expected would be playing in a right wing role. Iniesta is very similar to Sneijder has the habit of being a drifting player and he did exactly the same and did not stick to wing play. Schuster's plan was to push Barcelona to play on the wings were they are not comfortable.
Its one thing to have tactics but it requires exceptional performances from the players to implement the same. Pepe and Cannavaro were phenomenal in defense. Pepe was there every where and was cutting off all balls in the air and the ground. Cannavaro i should say put in one of the best performances of the season and could see the spirit he was in when Ronaldinho took a tumble in the penalty box and appealed for a penalty, the Italian was in the Brazilian's face. It was amazing to see the only defender world player of the year battling it out with the 2 times world player of the year. Cannavaro was even standing upto Eto, who tried to dribble past him on the wing, the Italian just stood up to the approaching Eto and stole the ball away from him. Sergio Ramos suffocated Ronaldinho and the Brazilian could not make any productive dribbles or creative plays.
The defense did a phenomenal job, it has to be said that Barca were trying really hard to win penalties and free kicks around the Real penalty box,but it was the Real keeper Casillas who made saves after saves who was the King pin. I wanted to identify a Man of the Match, i could not say the match winner Baptista was the Man of the match, was it Pepe, Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos or Casillas?
I am picking this match for Real Madrid's best team performance in a long time and a successful implementation of tactics...
Someone from the press asked the Sporting Director Mijatovic why spend 30M on a defender? and he replied "You have to see him play and you will be answered"
Here is the video link of match highlights:
The Champions wanted all three points and the understanding between Raul and Van Nistelrooy again showed as Raul set up an excellent through ball for the Dutchman who finished with a neat finish past the keeper trademark Van the Man style. 4-3 Real Madrid.
Valencia fans hoping for a good start were to be silenced by Real 50 seconds from kick off. Raul found Robinho, the fast move saw Robinho screaming past a slow off the block Valencia and an unmarked Captain at the end of the Valencia box, Raul with a sweet left foot shot scored with a little assist from the post. It was not the last time the post would favor Real Madrid. Real Madrid having conceded a goal in the first 10 minutes of the last 3 games played but this time it was their opponents who were on the receiving end. 0-1 Real Madrid.
Valencia tried to get off the block, but Real with the two midfielders in Gago and Diarra allowed Guti to be more effective in attack and was controlling the attacking moves for Real. Van Nistelrooy found himself in a shooting position twice, once to be saved by the Valencia keeper and then the second time blocked by the defense. There was just one chance from Angulo which was to be the only chance for Valencia in the first half. Diarra controlled the center of midfield beautifully and Gago supported the wing backs for some extra cover. 
Real Madrid moved the ball and the mid field put their heart into one of the best performances from Real in such a tough match. From a Guti free kick Metzelder found the ball and the goal at his mercy but the German slashed wide into the stands, that was the only open chance missed by Real, as they were in no intention to make it a habit and was looking to kill the game in the first half itself.
This was not to be the last piece of productive action for Madrid in the first half, minute 36 and the 3 Rs were dancing around, constantly changing positions in and around the Valencia box. Again it was Guti who faked a shot and then made and exquisite pass to Robinho who fired in first time on the volley and it was Van Nistelrooy who would turn it in for his second goal of the night and the 4th for Madrid. Real players were in for demolition and it was evident after the first goal from Raul that they smelled blood and each attacking move was with an intent to score. The is was evident when Van Nistelrooy scored, Raul was also sliding in, incase the Dutchman missed. 0-4 Real Madrid and it was to remain at half time.
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.
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.....
Real were not to stay ahead for a long time. On the 7 minute mark Djordjevic found a lot of space on the left side of midfield. I should say Michel Salgado should either retire or Madrid should throw him out. I dont agree with Shcuster in picking him ahead of Torres. The last time Salgado played it was the same thing, as you can see from the video that the only direction he runs is towards his own goal. When defending he runs back towards his own goal allowing the player to get into a better crossing position. In this case it was the same, Djordjevic was advancing on Salgado, one on one with him Salgado did not put a single challenge instead kept him company by running backwards and finally he put in a slide which he missed and the cross fell kindly to Galletti who finished with his left foot. Salgado may have enjoyed a long spell in Real Madrid after coming in from Celta Vigo in 96 or 97 but i dont see any reason why he is considered to be such a hard nut character and the only reason why he stayed so long in a team like Real is because he was dating the former President's daughter. Now forget the defending, each time Salgado advances, even if there is an acre of space, after getting in to the Olympiakos quarter of the pitch he passes it back to either Gago or one of the center backs. He does not run at defenders, nor is able to cross the ball. People have bad days but Salgado should not be in the playing 11 at Real.
Now it was time for the Brazilian to take center stage. First it was Schuster who took out Salgado (ohh finally thank God) and put in Higuain. Guti put an amazing ball to Sergio Ramos on the right, the center back who is so versatile put in a delightful cross to the far post for Robinho unmarked to head in to the bottom corner. It was nice to see Robinho run straight to Schuster and celebrate the goal as in "Thanks for believing in me". Minute 68- 2-2 Real Madrid.
If you think that was it from the Brazilian, think again. There is a famous video of Robinho during his time in Brazil when he did almost 12 of his famous step overs before he was brought down inside the box to win a famous penalty. It was a replica of the same, recieving the ball on the left wing he used the step over again and again pushed the defender into the penalty box and the slightest touch on his shin, he fell earning Real a penalty. But all his hard work was to be blown away as Van Nistelrooy blazed over from the spot.
Robinho broke away from an Olympiakos free kick, run the entire pitch dribbled past a defender and un selfishly passed it to Balboa the substitute on for Sneijder and inside the box he took his time and turned and made a cool finish. 4-2 Real Madrid. Its hats off to Olympiakos for putting the Real fire power to test, but it was their problem of having 10 men on the ground for the majority of the game that pulled it off for Real. Gago, Guti and Robinho were enjoying the space, especially the Brazilian who straight away moved to the left flank when Olympiakos were down to 10 men. Real had a total of 28 shots on goal but still needed the Brazilian's inspiration to win. Robinho should be the automatic choice for Man of the Match with 2 goals an assist and also a penalty earned. Shcuster claimed this was a difficult 3 points, well it might be but the final passing and Real's inability to finish off a game that was at their mercy 10 minutes into it should be alarming for the Spanish giants.
Here is the video and i have one luckily with some exciting English commentary....