Capello was removed from being in charge of Real Madrid after his league winning season last year, with the complaint that Real played for points and were very defensive in style. New coach Schuster and Real spent 118M claiming that its an end to the Galactico era and that players needed for the team are going to be signed, with a view of playing some really attractive and attacking football.Well Real have spent the money and the players are here, but barring a few minutes of brilliance in almost all the games, Real have played some solid football but by no means the attractive football that was promised. More importantly they seem to struggle at home rather than being on the road. More and more clubs are confident coming to the Bernabeu in hope of getting atleast a point. Visiting teams are not trying to be defensive on the road at the Bernabeu. The midweek La liga game at home for Real against 18th place Real Betis was no exception.
Schuster made changes as per his rotation policy. He still did not have Metzelder and Pepe to pick from and continued with Ramos and Cannavaro at the back. Sergio Ramos is proving season after season that he is turning out be one of the best young defenders in Europe. He seems so comfortable as a center back though he is actually a right back. After a disappointing game Salgado was replaced by Miguel torres at RB, and Gaby Heinze came in to replace Marcelo at LB. Guti and Diarra continued in the center of midfield, Sneijder and Higuain started. The big change was Van Nistelrooy rested for Saviola to play alongside Raul.
The game started with Real pushing and Higuain and Torres were playing well together in the right side of midfield. Heinze was very impressive on the left constantly going forward and putting in some crosses but his final ball was not good. Real dominated the first 30 minutes with almost 70% possession but the closes they game to scoring was when Sneijder forced an excellent save from Ricardo in a set piece. Honestly Real would have been happy to go in to the break at half time goalless with Betis already hitting the bar through Rivas.
Schuster made changes, and brought in Robinho for Higuain who was not happy to be substituted. Honestly he was having a decent game. He also brought in Robben for Saviola. Raul pushed up in attack, and Sneijder moved to a central role. Guti was in his usual self putting some passes together but not the killer one yet. Schuster said after the last game against Valladolid that he needed to keep players like Guti in the game for the entire game, as you dont know when he will produce a piece of magic. Real attacked with purpose with both Robben and Robinho, especially the Dutchman was not shy to take on at times 3 or 4 defenders. Raul was brought down inside the box at 67 minutes by Rivas, the captain did not play for the penalty, got up and tried to strike it in a crowded penalty box which was eventually put in by Robinho, but the Referee did blow the penalty. Raul himself took it and coolly slotted it to the right corner with the keeper jumping left. 1-0 Madrid.
It was more of the same to follow as Betis really did not try to get forward and score a equalizer. But they did manage to hit the bar a couple of more times. Schuster made his final substitution by taking off Sneijder and bringing in Baptista. The "beast" seemingly excited with the 15 mins of action he finally got was all over the pitch. Guti put in a set piece from almost the righ corner flag into the Betis box there was some confusion in the defending, Diarra jumping for the ball and the next piece of action is some Brazilian magic. Baptista with a stupendous overhead kick to kill the game for Real. 2-0 Real Madrid and that would remain the final score.
Real face Getafe on Sunday and Schuster his taking his new team to his old team. Schuster can be happy that unlike last term when he was in charge Getafe is 19th in the league, yet to record a win from 5 games. As i mentioned in the beginning Real have made an impressive start, unbeaten so far in the league in 5 games including an amazing 5-0 drubbing of Villareal away from home, who are incidentally second in the league now. Quiet an irony, when Barca ease past opponents at the Camp Nou, Real look more accomplished on the road than at the Bernabeu. In a 38 match league that might be not a bad habit as it showed last season that Real's record away wins actually put them in contention for the championship which they eventually won. Getafe game will be a good judging point....
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