Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe

By: Corey | October 31st, 2009

It Comes In Twos

Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe
Santiago Bernabeu 80,000 attendance
Jornada 9 10/31/09
Sr. Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz

MATCH STATS
Real Madrid Getafe
Shots (on Goal) 23(8) 17(7)
Fouls 9 11
Corner Kicks 2 5
Offsides 5 1
Time of Possession 41% 59%
Yellow Cards 2 1
Red Cards 1 0
Saves 7 6

Real Madrid got a 2-0 result with ten men against neighbors Getafe in a dull mini-derbi that was more therapeutic then anything for the Real squad. Manuel Pellegrini decided that the lack of width was holding Real back from its full attacking potential, and use yet another formation this season, while Getafe coach Michel played it safe with a five man midfield and tight lines. The game was very methodical, with possession firmly in favor of the home side at 60-40 despite the man advantage for Getafe, but a few minutes of industry from Gonzalo Higuain put the game out of reach for the visitors.

Its worth mentioning that before the sending off of Albiol, Real were content to knock the ball around the midfield with little pressure exerted on the Getafe goal. Once the man advantage was apparent, the game opened up a little more, but Getafe still kept their lines compact as not to give any hope to a Real Madrid flash attack. Real on the other hand looked more lively down a man, with more space in order to operate inside their own lines, and a heightened sense of urgency given the dire need for a result after a tough week.

Lineups

Real Madrid
Casillas
Sergio Ramos
Pepe
Arbeloa
Marcelo
Albiol (Red Card)
Lass
Xabi Alonso
Kaká
sub Van der Vaart 84′
Higuaín Goal 54′, 57′
sub Raúl 78′
Benzema
sub Gago 62′

Getafe
Ustari
M. Torres
Cata Díaz
Mario
Mané
Celestini
Pedro León
Boateng
sub Albín 53′
Parejo
sub Adrián González 69′
Soldado
Manu
sub Gavilán 61′

As you can see above, the move many of you were calling for finally took place, with Arbeloa at left back. Our first choice back line was finally on display, but not for long. Marcelo was pushed further forward in a bid to spread the opposition and Higuain starting as a faux-winger, a position he sometimes occupied under Juande Ramos last season to great effect. With a double pivot and Kaka behind lone striker Benzema, the formation looked awfully reminiscent of the defensive approach Juande took to every game. The Real management did not like this approach, so how could Pellegrini get away with it? Kaka for Sneijder or Raul was a big upgrade, and obviously the injury to Ronaldo affected such a formation, but it was history repeating itself none the less.

Real opened the game with a dominant 10 minute spell of possession, but there as not cutting edge to this advantage as Getafe effectively soaked up pressure and let Real play with the ball. Around the 13th minute Getafe began to take more initiative in the game, and were counter attacking more effectively. Real were trying to keep possession for as long as I can, but as often seen this season, we were more concerned with holding on to the ball that our ability to create chances was often lost. Kaka was the only player in the first half who really gave it a go offensively, with bot Higuain and Marcelo ineffective in spreading the Getafe back line like Pellegrini had hoped.

On the 27th minute the game turned, with a miserable call from referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz, who adjudged Albiol to have brought down Soldado, and as the last man back, was given a straight red card. Such lapses in judgement were a cloud that hung over his head at Valencia, and perhaps he could have gotten out of such a situation, but the call was still poor. In real time and on replay you see Soldado running backwards and trying to lean in to Albiol for position as the ball is in the air. Soldado wants to trap the ball with his back to goal, as a header on would give Getafe nothing with no on rushing players. Both Soldado and Albiol have a fist full or jersey each, and when Albiol shifts to address the ball, Soldado tumbles backwards as he loosed his balance. He bought that call, as it could have gone either way, and I would have blown for a foul on Soldado, who was backing in. The Bernabeu let the ref have it, but the call stood and Pellegrini’s eyes drooped like that cartoon dog (name Droopy) at the prospect of playing 60 minutes a man down.

I did say that the game changed at this point though, because after Pedro Leon put the resulting free kick wide, Real began to use the ball more effectively and Lass was dropping deeper and pressing for the ball more. Kaka and Lass were my star performers of the first half, as each did their assigned tasks well, and if it was not for effective screening from Celestini and Boateng, and a compact defensive line, we may have had a goal or two. Benzema and Higuain were not making a whole lot of trouble for the Geta back four though, and with Marcelo switch to left back, Sergio Ramos pinched and Arbeloa moved to the right, we had a more compact shape as well, and attack down the middle we would.

The only action of note for the close of the first half fell to Soldado, who spaced himself well behind Sergio Ramos for a headed chance that he put right at Casillas. Last year he had a similar chance from the opposite wing, Esteban Granero the provider, and he powered that home. This year Soldado looks short on confidence, as he is often left alone up top with little support. Certainly Dani Parejo provided little service or danger to the Real defense today to free Soldado from the shackle of Pepe. Real went in to the break with the better of the possession, but it was quite clear that either Pellegrini needed to make a change or the game would continue to move along rather mundanely. Cesar and I both suggested pulling Marcelo and putting Granero out there, which would reshuffle our back line with Lass at right back, Arbeloa back to left back. We were wrong to suggest that move though…

Pellegrini did not make any changes, and the second half continued in the same fashion as the first. Although the pressure was on Pellegrini to make a move and get the win, Michel clearly knew he would have a tough time justifying a 0-0 draw to ten men Real if he did not introduce a more offensive scheme. In the 53rd minute he introduced winger Albin for the defensive midfielder Boateng. Pellegrini did not have to make a move, Michel did it for him. It may have been a blunder by the rookie tactician, but it was a gamble that did not pay off. Geta effectively surrendered the center of the pitch to Lass and Xabi Alonso, and soon the dividends would be reaped. Benzema won the ball at the half way line, and moved the play wide to Marcelo. Marcelo deliberated on the ball but seeing an outstretched hand curled in an early cross the cleared Cata Diaz and hit Higuain on the chest. Pipita controlled perfectly and side footed past Osky for the 1-0.

A great ball by Marcelo, and an exquisite take by Higuain, who was given a gift but showed nice patience to control, take a touch and then finish. A striker who is maturing for sure. That goal could hardly be blamed on Michel’s substitution, but the next one could have. Three minutes later an isolated Celestini was stripped in the center circle by Lass. With Miguel Torres already pushed up the field, Benzema found space on the right and began to move forward with the ball. He cut in slightly, drawing both center backs which allowed Higuain to make a diagonal run that Benzema fed, and after two touches Higuan fired past Osky for the 2-0. In a few short moments the Getafe central midfield had yielded Real the killer 1-2 punch, and the game was over after that.

Pellegrini reacted by adding to the dominance of the center midfield, withdrawing Benzema for Gago. Getafe’s wingers rarely troubled Real’s flanks, even with the introduction of Albin and later on Gavilan, both dangerous players on their day. Lass and Xabi were cutting the supply to Parejo, who looked a shadow of the lad who played so well for Castilla, and Pellegrini tightened the screw by using Raul as another body to defend centrally, effectively nullifying the substitution of Adrian Gonzalez. It was not a tactical master class by Pellegrini, but a mistake by Michel that won it for Real. Getafe were not dominated the midfield by any stretch of the meaning, but they were keeping Kaka from getting the ball as much as he did, and if he did get the ball they were effectively double teaming him with the center backs. With just Celestini, he was over run, and the supply to Pedro Leon and Manu was cut short.

It must be said that both wide players were poor today, and Parejo was ineffective in the final third, often disposed with no outlets to turn to. Soldado was wasteful of a chance or two, but this was more a win of attrition then style. And that is how it had to be for Real. Pellegrini now takes his team to Milan with the confidence of containing an effective counter attacking team, but with the knowledge that they will have to come up with another way to win against AC Milan as the center midfield will be a battle. The idea from Pellegrini was correct, to stretch the play, but with Kaka so vertical in his approach, and Higuain and Marcelo not proper wingers, is he kidding himself in to think that would work?

I suppose we will have to wait and see on Tuesday, but its a win under the belt and another hopefully to come.

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Pellegrini’s Post Match Comments:

“I don’t think we benefitted from the red card because I believe it was unfair and because we had great spirit from the start.”

“I think it’s best for others to analyse the team’s performance. It was important for me to offer the fans a game like this. They helped us throughout the match.”

“This was a very important game because we earned bad results last week. We are still leaders in La Liga and in the Champions League and we hope to make a comeback in the Copa del Rey. This was a key encounter with which to turn our recent situation around.”

“I’m not worried about what people say about us. I think we are all very much involved in what we do and we must remain distanced from what others say.”

“This was a special game for the Club because we need to keep earning points. I hope this triumph allows us to perform well in Milan and to stay alive in every championship. Every game is difficult.”

“We knew it would be hard for us to change our style. I don’t like teams that counterattack and I wanted to change that. It’s hard with new players and a new coaching staff. We are finding it difficult at times and it will continue to be this way. We haven’t conceded a single goal in six of our nine games and that’s very positive. We are one of the least scored upon teams.”

“Higuain’s situation on the team has always been very good. He couldn’t play before because he’s been injured. He is as important as Benzema. He’s always been very involded and he is gradually doing better. He is essential to us and he will stand out.”

“Sergio Ramos is a very good centre back. He is versatile, which is very important. I regard Marcelo as a left back and Arbeloa can play anywhere. We’ve been forced to make changes to avoid our men from getting too tired.”

“I liked my team’s spirit above anything else. Personal and collective performances may vary, but spirit is constant.”

He makes a few interesting points. First, that he himself will rarely instruct his team to counter attack. Much like Del Bosque and Aragones, he is a possession manager. Thats all well and fine, as I am too, but we have lacked a cutting edge in creating chances that still worries me. The two goals by Pipitia were nice, but can we attribute them to collective team play, or even an individual moment of brilliance? Not really. Higuain has show he should be a starter, and as I mentioned during the match, Benzema has shown he should not. He missed a few great chances, two of which had to be goals. He was caught offside often, and his movement off the ball is lacking. The pass to Higuain was a nice contribution, but as a striker you must score, and he has done that to few times so far. Raul has more goals and only a few more minutes if that tells you anything.

Second, Sergio Ramos was superb at centerback. Raul Albiol has shown he is not up for a physical battle, and several strikers including Soldado (Negredo roughed him up) get the best of him in the air. Ramos had none of it and kept Soldado quite. Pellegrini sees Marcelo as a left back, so do not warm to the idea of Arbeloa at left back. Rotations may see him play there a few times, but Marcelo is #1 at left back, and with Drenthe so terrible, Arbeloa is essentially #2 at left and right back. Makes you wonder why Torres was sold? He played pretty well defensively today, but like many have mentioned, contribute little going forward. Against ten men he still stayed in his own half a majority of the time, but then again Arbeloa is similar. I dont understand the rational?

Third, team spirit improved considerably today with a rejuvenated Lassana Diarra and the absence of both Raul and Guti from the starting lineup. I still see both as key players, but they are not essential like they use to be unfortunately. I will never demand they be off loaded or even benched, but if the coach decides to bench them, I accept it. Both have been great servants and will continue to be, but coming off the bench will be their role in the coming months. I think that is not a sign of disrespect, but a willingness to allow them to prolong their career with Real. It is hard to handle the aging of club legends. Perez clearly wont even toe the line after dismissing Hierro so arrogantly, so its a complex situation. But both still deserve a place in the squad, as they have contributed well this season when called upon. The new reality is players like Ramos, Higuain, Casillas and Granero (eventually Negredo and Parejo) will be the spine of this side, and I feel safe in knowing we had a hand off from one generation to the next.

My man of the match has to be Pipita, but as mentioned above, Lass, Sergio Ramos and Kaka played well today also. Barcelona could only get a point up in Pamplona, a late own goal by Pique gifting Osasuna an unjustified goal. I say this because I watched the game, and Barcelona were unlucky to not get a few. Osasuna also should have had Flano sent off for a last man back tackle on Ibrahimovic, but to no avail. There is the problem, as Barcelona should have had a man advantage and probably a win, and we should not have been a man down. The inconsistency of calls in Spain is mind blowing, but its what makes La Liga what it is I suppose. You wont hear my crying out for justice for Barcelona to often though. A win is a win, and we will now move forward. Leave your comments on the match below please. HALA MADRID! And Happy Halloween!