Real Madrid the defending Spanish La Liga champions were just unstoppable and the next in the league was a huge 9 points behind them. Now Madrid have been doing well with all their home games, as they are unbeaten in the league at the Bernabeu and they have been super successful in some of the most difficult away games.
On Saturday Real Madrid made the trip to Almeria for round 22 and Barcelona was hosting low lying Osasuna at the Nou Camp on Sunday. If Real Madrid were hoping to maintain the 9 point lead over Barcelona, they disappointed. Real Madrid coach had his problems, which was an injured backline. Metzelder, Heinze and the impressive Pepe all out injured. This meant Sergio Ramos will play again in the center of defense along with Cannavaro. It was Torres again at LB as Marcelo has just joined the team back from injury, Salgado at RB. In the midfield it was Diarra back from the African Cup of Nations. Shcuster can be considered lucky here as Gago was serving a suspension for collecting 5 yellow cards in the league. The roster does not have another defensive midfielder. Diarra meanwhile was not match fit as he had just brief training back from Mali. Getting eliminated from the African cup of Nations is a big deal and Diarra had to travel to Mali along with his team to passify the country's disappointment. It was Sneijder in place for Baptista as the Dutchman got the not ahead probably because of his goal scoring super sub performance against Villareal. Guti continued to play the link man role and it was as usual Raul, Van Nistelrooy and Raul to provide the goals.
Both teams made a decent start but the play in midfield was poor. Diarra looked sluggish with the efforts of the African cup of Nations and Guti was no looking as effective as the game against Villareal which is of course trade mark of the Spaniard. He has days when he is unstoppable and on other days he is just no where to be seen. Unfortunately for Madrid this was one of the latter days. Raul made the first real attempt with an audacious attempt on goal with a lob. If it had gone in it would have been one of the most spectacular goals of the season. In the end it was a feet high.
The two strikers Negredo and Ortaiz were constantly putting pressure on Cassilas goal. Negredo is a former Real Madrid player and Cannavaro was finding it difficult to contain him. Torres was also struggling at LB, Sergio Ramos all over the place it was just a matter of time before Real conceded a goal. The only way out was for the Madrid giants to score first but again the approach play was poor. Robinho was put under control superbly and there was no action on the right side of midfield because as usual the only place he runs at yes you got it right is toward his own goal.
Cannavaro bundled Negredo and it was strike partner Ortaiz who took a swipe at goal. Casillas made a full stretch save and everyone thought he had indeed made a spectacular save but the goal was given and Almeria celebrating for the first time. 1-0 Almeria after 16 minutes.
There was still no movement in midfield for Madrid and they were not able to counter the wing play by Almeria. Schuster had declared before the match that Almeria is most dangerous in set pieces and that Madrid would definitely counter their set piece expertise. But it was Real Madrid who were creating danger in Set piece play. Van Nistelrooy tested the keeper from a corner from Guti, Sneijder did not even go close to the target from a well positioned free kick. Robinho initiated a super counter attack (may be the only) move with a pass to Sergio Ramos and the young defender did exactly what he knows to do best and that is to run the entire pitch, the keeper came out and made a clumsy challenge on him but luckily for Almeria it was just outside the penalty box. Yellow card to the Almeria keeper, free kick was well placed by Guti but again not on target.
Real Madrid went into the half time 1-0 down and whatever Schuster said during the break did not work. A minute into the second half Cannavaro had again clumsily brought down Negredo, the penalty was converted. 2-0 Almeria at 46 minutes.
Schuster tried to go on the aggressive by taking Salgado out and bringing in Baptista. But the real problem was Van Nistelrooy limping away after receiving a hard knock. He was replaced by Higuain who looked really short of confidence and playing time. After receiving a ball inside the box the Argentine youngster's first touch let him down when he was clear. Sneijder was replaced by Balboa and he made some quality runs on the right wing. This is something Schuster should have probably tried much earlier. Balboa is a strong and the authentic right wing you see, who has speed and dribbling skills and can put in crosses.
The game ended 2-0 to Almeria who is 8th in the league with 32 points in the league. 3rd & 4th place Villareal on the 39 points so you can see the quality in the middle of the league. Real Madrid would wait to see if their lead on Barcelona would be cut down to 6. Indeed it did as Barcelona struggled in finishing off Osasuna at home until an 88th minute strike from Xavi saved them the blushes and the 3 points. It is a 6 point lead now for Real Madrid.
On Saturday Real Madrid made the trip to Almeria for round 22 and Barcelona was hosting low lying Osasuna at the Nou Camp on Sunday. If Real Madrid were hoping to maintain the 9 point lead over Barcelona, they disappointed. Real Madrid coach had his problems, which was an injured backline. Metzelder, Heinze and the impressive Pepe all out injured. This meant Sergio Ramos will play again in the center of defense along with Cannavaro. It was Torres again at LB as Marcelo has just joined the team back from injury, Salgado at RB. In the midfield it was Diarra back from the African Cup of Nations. Shcuster can be considered lucky here as Gago was serving a suspension for collecting 5 yellow cards in the league. The roster does not have another defensive midfielder. Diarra meanwhile was not match fit as he had just brief training back from Mali. Getting eliminated from the African cup of Nations is a big deal and Diarra had to travel to Mali along with his team to passify the country's disappointment. It was Sneijder in place for Baptista as the Dutchman got the not ahead probably because of his goal scoring super sub performance against Villareal. Guti continued to play the link man role and it was as usual Raul, Van Nistelrooy and Raul to provide the goals.
Both teams made a decent start but the play in midfield was poor. Diarra looked sluggish with the efforts of the African cup of Nations and Guti was no looking as effective as the game against Villareal which is of course trade mark of the Spaniard. He has days when he is unstoppable and on other days he is just no where to be seen. Unfortunately for Madrid this was one of the latter days. Raul made the first real attempt with an audacious attempt on goal with a lob. If it had gone in it would have been one of the most spectacular goals of the season. In the end it was a feet high.
The two strikers Negredo and Ortaiz were constantly putting pressure on Cassilas goal. Negredo is a former Real Madrid player and Cannavaro was finding it difficult to contain him. Torres was also struggling at LB, Sergio Ramos all over the place it was just a matter of time before Real conceded a goal. The only way out was for the Madrid giants to score first but again the approach play was poor. Robinho was put under control superbly and there was no action on the right side of midfield because as usual the only place he runs at yes you got it right is toward his own goal.
Cannavaro bundled Negredo and it was strike partner Ortaiz who took a swipe at goal. Casillas made a full stretch save and everyone thought he had indeed made a spectacular save but the goal was given and Almeria celebrating for the first time. 1-0 Almeria after 16 minutes.
There was still no movement in midfield for Madrid and they were not able to counter the wing play by Almeria. Schuster had declared before the match that Almeria is most dangerous in set pieces and that Madrid would definitely counter their set piece expertise. But it was Real Madrid who were creating danger in Set piece play. Van Nistelrooy tested the keeper from a corner from Guti, Sneijder did not even go close to the target from a well positioned free kick. Robinho initiated a super counter attack (may be the only) move with a pass to Sergio Ramos and the young defender did exactly what he knows to do best and that is to run the entire pitch, the keeper came out and made a clumsy challenge on him but luckily for Almeria it was just outside the penalty box. Yellow card to the Almeria keeper, free kick was well placed by Guti but again not on target.
Real Madrid went into the half time 1-0 down and whatever Schuster said during the break did not work. A minute into the second half Cannavaro had again clumsily brought down Negredo, the penalty was converted. 2-0 Almeria at 46 minutes.
Schuster tried to go on the aggressive by taking Salgado out and bringing in Baptista. But the real problem was Van Nistelrooy limping away after receiving a hard knock. He was replaced by Higuain who looked really short of confidence and playing time. After receiving a ball inside the box the Argentine youngster's first touch let him down when he was clear. Sneijder was replaced by Balboa and he made some quality runs on the right wing. This is something Schuster should have probably tried much earlier. Balboa is a strong and the authentic right wing you see, who has speed and dribbling skills and can put in crosses.
The game ended 2-0 to Almeria who is 8th in the league with 32 points in the league. 3rd & 4th place Villareal on the 39 points so you can see the quality in the middle of the league. Real Madrid would wait to see if their lead on Barcelona would be cut down to 6. Indeed it did as Barcelona struggled in finishing off Osasuna at home until an 88th minute strike from Xavi saved them the blushes and the 3 points. It is a 6 point lead now for Real Madrid.
4 comments:
Will Barca surprise the gallacticos for the la liga
Well there is a possibility, but as Schuster the Real Madrid Manager said "We are our own opponent and enemy". I agree with him fully, Barca cannot win the La Liga but now Real should lose it. They are having problems with injuries in the defense, Metzelder, Heinze, Pepe, but the good part which could be the key is that Real have won the tough away fixtures already. Barca, Valencia, Villareal and Atletico and they are unbeaten at home this season...so i would not bet on Barca yet.
And also Spartan forgot to thank you for suggesting the Book. I am just a chapter away from finishing it and i just loved it. I am enjoying it more because i had lots of bits and piece information which made it even more interesting. I loved the chapters on Serbia, Brazilian football and Italian football.Thanks agin for letting me know abt the book, it indeed is a great read.....
You are welcome i have a huge collection of football books that i read and am also on the constant look out for others i am looking out for soccer for life now.If you love Autobiographies (which am not a big fan off now cos every 25 year old writes one) get Roy Keane its brilliant.Looking forward to the game between Chelski and Liverpool this sunday with loads of beer.You will never walk aloneeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
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