Barcelona continued on the slippery road to non existence in the league by losing on the road to Deportivo on Saturday. I don’t think the two goals they conceded was the problem, from looking at them play, the problem is more to do with a midfield that just looks ordinary, and no single clinical finishing in front. It has been not just a disappointing week but a few weeks for Barcelona. Man U put on the Camp Nou a very clear game plan and that was to sit and absorb the pressure and hit them on the counter. There was chance after chance for Barca, but they just could not score. More importantly Ronaldo could have given a priceless away goal if he had not missed the penalty. The press already talking about how Ronaldo did not perform in the big stage, i dont see that as an indication of that, and i not a fan of such football, but Fergusson got it right, that if they need to win a two leg tie they need to play the away leg defensively. Messi looked a little short on pace and again the Barca midfield almost playing a training session script and not able to put the killer ball in.
Sunday the first game was pressure on Villareal to win or to concede the league to Real who later entertained Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu. Villareal came out with a 1-0 win ensuring that Real even if they win will have to wait till next week against Osasuna to claim the title. With the possibility looming the Bernabeu was jam packed; it was a sight to see 80,000 fans.
Schuster was forced to change some minor changes in the line up. Cannavaro was suspended, the Italian has actually played 30 or so of the league games, it was Henize and Pepe in the center of defence and to be flanked by Ramos and Marcelo. Gago who has had a defining season is still holding onto his position in midfield, Guti ans Sneijder to play providers. Robinho on the left, Raul and a surprise inclusion of Saviola on the pitch. For the first 10 minutes i did not even realize Saviola was even on the pitch, on minute 13 Sneijder put in a remarkable first time pass on the half volley to Raul inside with so much precision, the shot was spilled poorly by the keeper back to Sneijder who had the presence of mind to back heel to Robinho who took the shot, spilled again by the keeper and there was "the Rabbit" to turn it in. 1-0 Real Madrid.
Sunday the first game was pressure on Villareal to win or to concede the league to Real who later entertained Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu. Villareal came out with a 1-0 win ensuring that Real even if they win will have to wait till next week against Osasuna to claim the title. With the possibility looming the Bernabeu was jam packed; it was a sight to see 80,000 fans.
Schuster was forced to change some minor changes in the line up. Cannavaro was suspended, the Italian has actually played 30 or so of the league games, it was Henize and Pepe in the center of defence and to be flanked by Ramos and Marcelo. Gago who has had a defining season is still holding onto his position in midfield, Guti ans Sneijder to play providers. Robinho on the left, Raul and a surprise inclusion of Saviola on the pitch. For the first 10 minutes i did not even realize Saviola was even on the pitch, on minute 13 Sneijder put in a remarkable first time pass on the half volley to Raul inside with so much precision, the shot was spilled poorly by the keeper back to Sneijder who had the presence of mind to back heel to Robinho who took the shot, spilled again by the keeper and there was "the Rabbit" to turn it in. 1-0 Real Madrid.
Knowing the result of the Villareal game, Real knew that they have to win. Athletic is a club that plays with one striker in llorente, most supply coming from Extebarria on the wing. There was some impressive play in the midfield from Real. Any team that comes to the Bernabeu should know that to win they need to suffocate the midfield, which never happened as Guti and Gago were seeing too much of the ball and Sneijder as usual was simply superb, taking a shot whenever he has a chance. Shot after shot by Saviola, he was single handedly keeping defenders busy with his dribbling. Robinho missed again to score but it seemed obvious that he has to play on the left side, and Schuster has a problem, as he would later find out that Robben is also just unstoppable.
Before the half came to an end, it was time for Bilbao to have a show of hands. Llorente realized that he needs to stay towards Heinze to challenge for the aerial balls. Pepe was considerable was standing tall against the tall striker but Heinze soon was to get into trouble. Just to make it even better the Real keeper just decided take control, he first made a superb save on Extebarria's shot from long range. His best save was when he was full stretch in the air to save a glancing header from a set piece. Heinze made a poor tackle when challenging for the ball in the air with Llorente inside the penalty box when he lost the ball and with his back at the striker brought him down. Just as Extebarria was stepping up to score the penalty i had a feeling that Casillas was due for some magic. It did happen when Casillas dived right, the shot was almost central and he made a superb save by punching the ball clear.
The second half kicked off with the same quickness and flair. Guti got into a scoring chance inside the box, when Saviola found him with a pass after running at the defence but only a deflection could prevent him. Sneijder had a terrific chance, when Guti put a delightful ball in after Real's quickness was evident when the counter attacked bfrom a Bilbao corner, but the first time shot was well done, but not on target. Sergio Ramos could not hit the target, when set up superbly inside the Bilbao penalty box, after some superb 1-2 passing between Raul and Saviola. Saviola was creating so much trouble for the Bilbao defense that probably no one noticed that Raul was almost invisible on the pitch. At this time Schuster made the key changes in bringing Higuain on for Raul and Robben on for Robinho. It almost immediately worked as on a counter attack Guti found Higuain with a long ball to the right who in turn crossed in quickly for the flying Dutchman to score with his first touch. Superb finish making it 2-0 on 73 minutes.
It was not to be all, Real scored again in 4 minutes when Bilbao carelessly gave the ball away and Heinze's long ball went through everyone to Higuain, who did all on his own and finished one on one with the keeper with a difficult angle. 3-0 and the Victory chant was on.
Schuster would have been happy that his no regulars got some time on the pitch and also delivered the goods. Saviola was a pleasant sight to see, the guy has been struggling with injuries and also not been able to be a regular. He just proved that he is still quick and a threat inside the box. Unlike the last many seasons Real this season look to have built a solid foundation in Pepe, Gago, Sneijder, Robben and other new faces. Sneijder who is never happy substituted went off the pitch happy and all celebrations on the bench, just showing how ecstatic he might be with his first season. A draw next week against Osasuna if Villareal were to lose, would mean that the following Thursday’s match against Barcelona would be of no consequence.
A few details i read would actually prove that Casillas deserves the Man of the Match award.
Iker Casillas has conceded only 30 goals in 34 matches this season (0.88 gpm) and is the leading candidate for the Zamora trophy, which he has never won since debuting with Real Madrid's first team in 1999.
After making several brilliant saves on Sunday including a penalty, Athletic Bilbao coach Joaquín Caparrós had the following to say about Casillas, "Iker is unlike any one else. You reach his box in full control of the ball, you have a chance to score, and then he appears and says, "Hold it right there." He makes the save and cuts off any possible reaction by the opponent."
17 shutouts in 34 matchesReal Madrid haven't conceded a goal in half of their league matches this season. Between matchday 15 and 20 (Athletic, Osasuna, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Levante, and Atletico), Casillas didn't allow anything past him, and he was simply outstanding in the team's two goal fests of the season against Villarreal (0-5) and Valladolid (7-0). The academy product is currently enjoying a three-game steak without conceding a goal (Murcia, Racing Santander, and Bilbao). Not only has Bernd Schuster's team conceded the fewest goals this season, it's also the top scoring team in the league with 71 under its belt.
Things are heating up in EPL, with Chelsea's 2-1 win over Man U, but it would require a slip up from Man U for Chelsea to have any hopes, as the GD is in Man U's favor by miles. Its all about big game players, and who else but a German, Ballack. The crucial and controversial penalty, in the absence of Lampard was the key and Ballack showed great confidence. I still have great respect for the way Chelsea have fought the battle and got to this point. They might not be as pleasing as Arsenal in the way they play or have the flair of Man U, but they are grinding the results.
Maybe not as exciting the La Liga season last year, but this could well define the come back of one of the best teams to watch in Europe.
Here is a video:
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