Real Madrid 3-1 Racing Santander

So we saw an improved performance from Real today, well everyone except Ruud. The ball was moved around pretty well, and I was tremendously impressed with Baptista’s play. He was great, doing a little bit of defending with some great attacking play. He was pretty much all over the field, and I have to admit he was a much better alternative to Gago. Sneijder was good to, although he looked to still be feeling the effects of his knee injury. And Raul scored two more goals, furthering his claim for an international call back. He also is back on top as the Pichichi along with Luis Fabiano and Messi. Its been awhile since I could say that and smile….

Santander were pretty good too. Garay was solid, Munitis quick to counter attack and Tchite impressed me with his pace and ability to hold on to the ball. He certainly was a handful for Pepe and Canna, but they dealt with him well. Marcelo was caught out of position often, but he recovered pretty well, and obviously Canna is better at covering then Metz ever will be. Sergio Ramos was okay, Casillas was not really tested, Diarra was his usual self and Robinho was pretty good, he had a nice juggle on the run and made some good movements.

Game Recap:

REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Marcelon; Diarra (Gago, m.69),, Sneijder (Saviola, m.87), Baptista, Robinho (Robben, m.74); Raúl and Van Nisterooy.
RACING: Toño; Sergio Sánchez (Moraton, min. 62), Oriol, Garay, Luis Fernández; Duscher, Colsa (Jordi López, m.79), Jorge López, Serrano; Munitis, Smolarek (Tchité, m.70).
REFEREE: César Muñiz Fernández. Booked Sergio Ramos (min. 17), Serrano (min.43), Marcelo (min.45), Oriol (min.80), Munitis (85).
GOALS:
1-0 (min.4): Raúl finishes off a brilliant collective effort.
2-0 (min.10): Baptista serves the assist to Sneijder, and Sergio Sánchez scores an own goal.
3-0 (min.69 ): Raúl scores off a direct free kick.
3-1 (min.72): Munitis finds the back of the net.
NOTES: Matchday 14 of the Spanish League played at the Santiago Bernabéu. Attendance: 80,000. A minute of silence was held prior to kick-off in honour of Raúl Centero, assassinated this morning in Southern France by ETA.

First Half

Real started out with Baptista in Gago’s spot, which looked more like Sneijder was in Gago’s spot and Baptista was on the right. But it was not to be, and the first chance came from Robinho and Baptista with a nice interchange, and the Ruud was able to thread a ball through to Raul who cooly beat the on rushing Tono. GOALLLLLLL!!!!!! 1-0 to the good guys ehh. Racing held possession for the next 5 minutes, but with their second attack Baptista put Sneijder in on the right and he saw his first shot blocked by Tono, but his second effort would go in off Sergio Sanchez. 2-0 to the good guys.

After having two goals with two attacks, Real sat back a little and Duscher had a long shot beat away by Casillas in the 15th, and there was some more midfield play until the 25th when Raul was set free again by Ruud, but Raul saw his chip headed off the line at the last second. A few minutes latter Ebi Smolarek beat Casillas with a low strike that hit the post and went back into play. Unlucky for the visitors, who had played well. The 1st half ended with Real in a commanding position, and eager to find a 3rd to finish off their opponents.

Second Half:

The second half started with Robinho havng a good shot saved by Tono, and then being denied a penalty right afterward, Colsa clearly bringing him down in the box but Referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez having none of it. The Bernabeu let him have it for the wrong call. Awhile later some good work from Oriol and Munitis saw Colsa stroke a nice shot that was destined for the bottom corner but Casillas covered, the ball needed some more English on it if it was to go in.

The game was largely a midfield battle that Diarra and Baptista were winning only slightly, Colsa and Duscher doing extremely well tonight. In the 70th minute Real were awarded a free kick outside the box for a foul on Baptista, and with Sneijder poised, Raul took the shot! And it went in, GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. It was not struck all that well, but Tono reacted poorly to it, and El Capitan had his 2nd of the night, and the final nail in the coffin for Racing.

Racing would pull one back though, Tchite beating the offside trap to put a ball across the area that Munitis had no trouble tapping home, neither Cannavaro nor Marcelo marking him. After that it was substituion time as Gago, Robben and Saviola came on but had little effect on the game. Another home win for Real, thats 9 straight this year, and they havent lost at home since last February 9th. An impressive statistic.

Hoepfully this win means we play better for the remainder of the month, as we need a win or draw against Lazio and a win against Barca!!!! Speaking of which, Barca tied Espanyol in the Catalonia derby, putting them 4 points behind us. Villareal can make up ground and cut the deficit to 1 point with a win against Valladolid while Espanyol, Atletico and Valencia round out the European places. Yes, Espanyol in the last CL spot.

Match Stats
Real Madrid Racing Santander
Shots (on Goal) 13(5) 11(4)
Fouls 18 18
Corner Kicks 6 11
Offsides 3 3
Possession 56% 44%
Yellow Cards 2 3
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 3 3

Post Match Comments from Marcelino, Santander coach: “We were superior, but not effective,” Marcelino said. “Coming to the Santiago Bernabéu to play against Real Madrid and to go two goals behind early is not what we wanted.”

“When you play a big team away and they score three goals with their first four chances it is impossible to take something from the game,” he continued.

“It is difficult to start the second half when you are two goals behind. We need a goal to put ourself back into the game.

“We had chances before they scored their third, but we again committed a mistake.

“I do not think that we were bad in defence, but we made two mistakes against a team of stars like Madrid.

“Both the first two goals were avoidable, but if there are no mistakes then it is difficult for anyone to score goals.

“Despite being behind we tried to reduce the deficit.”

Casillas’s post match comments: “I look back over it with nostalgia and with pride. It is not easy to play for eight years with Real Madrid, where I have enjoyed good times and bad,” he continued.

“If I think back to when I was 18 and where I am now it seems crazy.”

“In the last three months we have not stopped and that makes things hard. Every week there is the league, Champions League, international games,” he explained.

“We are not machines and it can affect you. Spending all day in hotels can affect your morale. But you have to enjoy this profession and relax at Christmas.”

Schuster’s post match comments: “Of course, I am happy, since it was difficult to know what team they would play and what condition they would be in,”

“I think we started the game very well, scoring those two goals.

“At the end I think that the result was a bit short, however. We deserved to win though.

“We suffered at times, but it was clear to see that the team wanted to win. Also, it is obvious that Bernabéu is a difficult stadium for other teams.

“When we were two goals clear, I thought it was a clear penalty on Robinho and I could not understand how the referee did not whistle when he was only two or three metres away.”

“Racing and their coach never hide,” he said. “They always take you on. Although they went two goals down they never let their heads drop.”

“I am very pleased with Julio, as he has come in after playing very little. But it is the position that he plays n for the Brazilian national team.

“It was not new for him. He played alongside Sneijder and has had a great game.”

Baptista’s post match comments: “My desire has always been to show at Real Madrid what I have done at other clubs. We’ll see if once and for all if I can do this and show everyone who I am.”

“When a coach has a tactical system and some players who he gives priority to so they always play, it does become much more difficult to get your chance.”

Robinho Post Match Comments:“I want to play for Real Madrid until the end of my contract. I am happy and I only want to become as important for Real as I am with the Brazilian national team.

“When I was small, I dreamed of being the best in the world. Now it depends on me and counting on a winning team to achieve this goal.”

“As I spent a lot f time with Ronaldo, people thought that I was doing the same things. But that’s not true.”

Also, here is some topics for further discussion. Real want Mourinho to be there next coach, but the reports fail to mention they have a coach who Ramon Calderon had a hard on for a good 3 months before last season was over and Don Fabio was delivering a title. Also, the Tiago-Saviola swap seems to be picking up steam, and since its 30 days from transfer season, this one looks like it might go the distance. Which is fine, cause having Tiago would be nice. But then again Baptista’s performance today makes me think we wont need him.

We are willing to offer Baptista or Diarra for Adrian Mutu plus cash. Nah, dont think that will happen. And that little runt Antonio Cassano got in some trouble this weekend, apparently hurling abuse towards an opposition coach and getting the coach sent to the stands. He was “inspirational” according to the reports though, ill believe it when I see it. Adios.

Category: Game Recap

Tags: Game Recap

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