Superb Brazilians, Red Cards and 11 goals in Madrid and Barca games

Madrid have been on a losing streak incuding the first home defeat last week, which was their first in over a year. Saturday had two games Real Madrid at Estadio Nuevo Colombino facing Recreativo, while Barca were visiting Madrid to play Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. Since both games had the same kick off times, GOL TV was indeed going for double presentation of the same. They would be telecasting the Barca game live and would switch with the Real game every five minutes for a 2 minute period.

It was a positive start for Barca at the Vicente Calderon, as they seemed to have over 70% of possession and controlling the play through some midfield play. It’s funny how the press has put a name "Four Fantasticos" for the extremely strong strike force of Barca. It was only Messi who was on the bench, and Rijkaard was indeed playing a strong attacking team considering that they were away from home against an Atletico side who themselves have one of the strongest strike force in Spain.

Schuster had more injury worries and some good news as he welcomed back both Robinho and Pepe on the bench. Van Nistelrooy and Guti were injured and this meant some changes in the line up. It was the same backline; Gago was to play in a ball recovering role along wit Diarra. Baptista was to play in a more advanced central role in midfield. It was to be Drenthe and Robben on both the wings and Captain Raul to be the lone striker up front. It was all relegation threatened Recreativo who were looking dangerous with most of their attacking play led by Martins. There were only some long range shots from him and Sinama which were easily gathered by keeper Casillas. But on the 16 minute mark, Martins curled in a free kick from the left which was tapped in by an unmarked Martín Cáceres . It was some poor marking i think from Sergio Ramos, because i think Real were following a man marking. I have noticed all through the season while Sergio Ramos is one of the best right backs around and a very versatile player, he is found wanting when it gets to marking especially in set pieces. 1-0 Recreativo.

On minute 28 Real had the first real chance of the game, it was Drenthe in the right wing putting up a hopeful ball, Raul just got onside for the chance and rose bravely to connect with the cross but was not up to celebrate as he was on the receiving end of Sorrentino's punch. 1-1 Real Madrid on 28 minutes.

Meanwhile at the Vicente Calderon, Barcelona converted their possession advantage into a goal when some good corner of the penalty box play ended with a stunning over head kick from Ronaldinho. Who said this guy is done and he is not playing well. You cant keep flair and quality under the blanket for long. 0-1 Barca on the 30 minute mark.

While it was no action in the Recreativo V Real game, it was all action in the Barca game. Atletico had luck to play a major part in their first game. 8 minutes after they conceded the goal it was Sergio Aguero the tormenter was Barca as he made some really dangerous runs. It was one such run of his and a shot from right side of the penalty box, which took a deflection from Puyol that was too perfectly unlucky. 1-1 Atletico.

Well Aguero was too hot to handle for Barca defense again as he made a superb twisting run and blinded Milito for a superb pass to Maxi Rodriguez who scored from a difficult angle to make it 2-1 Atletico on 43 minutes. At half time it was 1-1 at Recreativo and 2-1 at the Calderon.

The first ten minutes was super active in Recreativo and on 52 minutes, Martins again created a superb free kick which was saved by Casillas, but right before the set piece was taken there was some pushing and shoving inside the box, Beto poked in the face of Heinze (i would rather not call it a scuffle) and the referee showed him a straight red. Recreativo down to 10 men. The referee made it even when he sent off Ramos for a second yellow card of the game, i think the second was a bit harsh on a doubtful elbow when he was jumping for the ball with Sinama. Cannavaro was definitely not happy either with Ramos or with the decision as he just pulled Ramos away and gave him an earful and Raul had to step in. Pepe who would have got a step in the game maybe for Cannavaro at some point in the game, had to be introduced early and he was to partner Cannavaro. Heinze moved to LB and Torres to RB.

Over at the Vicente Calderon it was Messi in for Henry on 57 minutes. 4 minutes later it went bad again for Barca as a penalty was awarded which was superbly finished off by Forlan. 3-1 Atletico. Personally i think Barca almost like Arsenal make a lot of short passes and its a delight to see them play but it never gets materialized into good scoring opportunities. With Toure injured Rijkard was playing Edmilson in the holding role and he brought in Gudjonsen to add to the attack.

Raul went clear and almost scored when one on one but it the keeper and just narrowly missed. It was Brazilian Robinho coming back from injury, man did he not make an impact. Some superb play in front of goal so Robinho running on to a ball with both center backs spread wide, he just made a superb, cool finish with a first time shot. 1-2 Real Madrid on 72 minutes, he scored with almost his first significant touch on the ball.

On minute 71 at the Calderon, Augero did not need the help of a deflection to complete a superb brace. 4-1 Barcelona. When you think Barca is done and out it was Xavi who almost has been scoring some crucial winners for Barca who did it again, but was saved by the keeper but could not keep out Eto, who was following up. 4-2 Atletico and they held on for the win.

Over at Recreativo Quique Álvarez who was on the pitch for 5 minutes made a criminal tackle on Robben with his studds up and Robben's ankle almost buckled. He continued after the challenge only to be replaced by Higuain after just collapsing again, Robben is going to be out for 4-6 weeks. These are just horrific tackles that i agree mostly with the English press specifically after their emotional outbursts against the tackle on Eduardo. If the result of that tackle was bad, there was limited malice in that, a Red card was shown in the Milan game over in Ital for a horrendous take down of Pato. Now over here in Spain it was Robben on the receiving end. If we need to keep the game alive with flair players, these stupid tackles have to be punished longer bans.
Sinama had a superb chance to equalize but it was Torres who made sliding block. Later Schuster had to replace Cannavaro, the Italian had collected a yellow by then. Diarra pushed back into the Left Back role. It was Gago and Robinho with some superb pass on pass play which ended with a superb through run by Robinho and a defense splitting pass from Gago. One on one with the keeper Robinho finished with a superb lob. 1-3 Real Madrid.

Well there was something more for Recreativo as Martins who had a terrific game was finally rewarded with a goal, and boy it was a thunderbolt free kick. From the replays i think it took a deflection off Pepe. 2-3 on the night for Real Madrid.

Real are much better when they play the two wingers and even if they play only one striker, they look dangerous with the pace rather than the slow, lethargic passing game in midfield with Baptista and Diarra. Real looked much dangerous when Robinho got on the pitch and also looked much comfortable with Pepe in defense. They are almost getting back to full squad, with Van Nistelrooy and Sneijder fit for the Roma match on Wednesday. Its sad Robben has to stay away again, he was just playing superbly. Sergio Ramos is suspended for both the Roma match and the next La liga match as well. Schuster should play Robinho and Drenthe against Roma, along with Gago and Guti in midfield; they are the most dangerous in this formation. Gago is a much more composed and skillful passer when compared to Diarra, that he is just proving how important a player he is at this young age.

Its 5 points clear for Real Madrid, though it was not a comprehensive performance by Real Madrid, they took their chances.

Here are the vidoes:

Recreativo V Real Madrid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7mpVLmCqUA

Atletico Madrid V Barcelona

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9GFFMd8iRA