Real Madrid 1-0 Getafe: Lazio Preview

By: Corey | October 1st, 2007

Wow, cool pic eh

Game Recap

Im sorry, Im really busy today and im gonna have to copy and paste this review.

The Whites continue as League leaders after defeating a great Getafe

Getafe 0 - Real Madrid 1 (30/09/07)
Uploaded by juangolf

Real Madrid will be able to prepare for their match against Lazio in peace after defeating Getafe, who proved they deserve to have more than two points in the championship. Schuster’s men stand undefeated in the League.

The second Madrid derby of the season was plagued with chances on goal, making both keepers the true starts of the match, especially during the first half, which ended 0-0. The encounter was special for two reasons: it was a derby and it marked Bernd Schuster’s return to the stadium where he made a name for himself as a coach.
Real Madrid’s starting eleven differed to last week’s against Betis in five men: Gago, Marcelo, Drenthe, Robinho and Arjen Robben, who made his debut as a starter. Due to the gruelling schedule the team has, Bernd Schuster has decided to use a rotation system in order to give all his men time to rest.

The fixture was very tight at the start. Getafe created danger close to Casillas’ goal with Uche shooting after Madrid’s defence made a mistake on the 9-minute mark, but Iker keeper managed to clear the ball. Pablo Hernández had the Blues’ second clear chance on goal with a powerful shot that hit the post. Luck seems to be avoiding Getafe this campaign, making them the second team that needs the largest number of shots on goal to score a strike. Nevertheless, Real Madrid were also unlucky with their aim in the first 45 minutes, despite Robben’s and Drenthe’s dangerous plays down the left wing.

The Madridistas’ first clear chance came in the 5th minute, when Robinho crossed the ball over to Robben from the right wing, but the Dutchman’s shot was cleared by Ustari. Later on, Raúl failed to score from a free-kick by Sneijder despite being next to the goal-line. Both sides had many chances and Getafe, just like Schuster had predicted during the week, proved to be a tough opponent that never gave up in their pursuit for their first League victory of the season.

The second half also saw both teams trying to score in vain. It seemed the game’s opening strike would come at any given moment. Then, Raúl passed the ball to Robben, who ran down the right and passed the ball to Ramos by the goal-line. The defender reached the ball with a sensational sprint and scored the fixture’s only goal. Getafe fought hard for a draw band Laudrup decided to bring Kepa on. Robinho got injured and was replaced by Baptista, who had a great chance from a powerful shot from the right wing that hit Ustari’s far post.

Getafe kept trying, showcasing brilliant football; if they continue playing this well they will surely start earning many points in the competition and in the UEFA Cup, in which they will play for the first time in their history this year. Nevertheless, Real Madrid won the game and continue to stand undefeated and as leaders in La Liga.

Im sorry but I found this to be hilarious. Like I could not stop laughing. Its dumb. On with the football anaylsis.

Champions League Preview

SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek, Codina
Defenders: Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Heinze
Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Guti, Drenthe, Balboa, Higuaín, Robben, Sneijder
Forwards: Saviola, Baptista, Raúl, Van Nistelrooy.

Torres and Soldado were left in Madrid, grrrr. Metzelder and Pepe were also left out as they still recover from their knocks. Balboa makes the squad, probably just so Schuster can have even numbers in training. No, seriously though Robinho was injured in the Getafe match and Balboa may get a chance to play, even start since Schuster has been in a generous mood with all the squad members but Soldado.

Schuster had this to say about the Getafe match

“If we talk about the four at the back, they have been sensational in every game. They are saving us.

“I have already said a couple of times that I do not like the attitude of the four in front of them. That is where teams are creating problems for us.

“Once again (Fabio) Cannavaro and Sergio have saved our lives. The line ahead is where the opponent must be stopped.”

Schuster admitted: “At the moment we’re winning games without playing well. The form can be debated later, but now the intention is to win and hope to play more entertaining later.”

So I guess this clears up some selection issues. With Torres left at home, and Schuster praising/having no other option but to play Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos in the middle, with Salgado on the right and Heinze on the left. Or Sergio Ramos could start on the right with Cannavaro and Heinze in the middle and Marcelo on the left. Either way one of the flanks will be weak, its just a matter of which one.

Midfield will see Diarra, Sneijder and Guti, while on the right its anyone’s guess. Robben looked good again, but he wont be on the right I dont think. Higuain maybe with Balboa on the bench as cover. Or Raul on the right (boo). RVN will start up front with Raul most likely. Im kinda sick of being wrong about who starts, Schuster pulls rabbits out of hats with his team selections.

Not to much to report here, things wont change much from what we have seen the past few weeks, barely scrapping the heights of the Villareal trouncing but still winning.

Lazio News

Im tired guys, Im sorry, this is gonna be brief. Siviglia is definately out injured while Rocchi is a doubt after leaving his last game. Marco Ballota, all 43 years of him, or twice me plus three years, should start in goal, and to the best of my knowledge, Cribari and Stendardo will start in the center of defence, with Mudingayi and Mutarelli ahead of them. Mauri and Scaloni will probably start as the fullbacks, although Kolarov scored in the 1-1 draw with Reggina this weekend. Behrami and Ledesma should be on the wings, but Manfredini is always an option. Up front if Rocchi does not start, Makinwa may partner Pandev. I expect Rocchi to be pressed to start, he is their offense.

They play pretty well, but they are typically Italian, with a strong central defensive partnership and two defensively inclined center midfielders. Their creativity comes fom Ledesma, while their inspiriation is all on Zauri’s shoulders since Oddo moved to Milan. They mirror Getafe and Betis in playing style, lets hope Real are more motivated for this game then both of those.

Match Referee is Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium). Im calling a 3-1 win, Lazio dont have what it takes at the moment, they have 1 win in Serie A so far and Real always raise their game in the CL as compared to playing Almeria, Betis, Valladolid and Getafe. Should be a fun one though, watch it, I know I will be.