Champions League Liveblog: Real Madrid v Lazio

By: Steve | December 11th, 2007

Hala Madrid! Additional apologies for my scarcity of the last month or so, it’s been extremely hectic at work, and the Christmas holiday season has been just chaotic with parties and get-togethers left, right and centre, no matter what day of the week. I hope you’re having as much fun as I am. But I’m very glad to say that I’m back with a liveblog on the last match of this year’s Champions League group stage.

Real lead Group C by virtue of a better head-to-head record against Olympiakos, who are level on 8 points at the top of the table. Werder Bremen sit 2 points behind in third spot, while Lazio is only 1 point behind the Germans, so everyone has a chance of making it to the next round. Everyone’s talking about the possibility of Real not making it to the knockout stage, but a couple things do work in favour of Los Merengues.

First, Real enter the match with a 100% home record in all competitions, winning 5 of 5 in La Liga matches, and 2 of 2 in Champions League matches. Lazio will present a strong challenge as they still have a chance to advance, but I still feel confident about the team’s abilities to rise to the challenge.

Second, while only a win would guarantee that Real top the group, a draw is sufficient to see us through. It would be nice to see Real actually win the group stage for the first time in 4 years, and I’m sure Schuster will be keen to press home the point to the players.

Ruud van Nistelrooy insists he’ll be ready for tonight’s encounter, which is a good thing, because I have zero confidence in Saviola who would be the likely replacement. I’d look for Schuster to play an attacking formation, as Lazio will have to do the same to have any chance of advancing. That will bring space in the midfield, and if Real are ahead with 20-30 minutes to play, Lazio will have to really push to score, and Schuster will be able to bring on some fresh legs for counterattacks.

Casillas is in fine form, coming off the rare clean sheet against Bilbao. I expect Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe and Marcelo to start in defence, since Heinze is not in the squad. Diarra and Guti should definitely start in the midfield, and I would think that Julio Baptista has earned a start as well, coming off a couple very good weeks. However, Schuster may opt to retain Sneijder for deadball situations, but I’d probably pull him after an hour if he’s not showing signs of effectiveness. And finally, the three R’s - Ruud, Raul, Robinho - should start up front, with Robben likely to come on to provide fresh legs in the second half.

The match will be shown on Sky Sports Xtra here in the UK, and contrary to what Corey wrote, the match is today, Tuesday, at 7:45pm GMT. Check back later for the liveblog and don’t forget to comment during the match!

PREGAME: Ok, let’s get this baby started!
PREGAME: My lineup was almost right… Sneijder starts instead of Guti.
1min: And we’re on our way! Lazio is playing rather defensively… all 11 guys behind the ball.
3min: Ugh, this Madrid defense looks vulnerable already. Lazio have threatened twice down their right wing already.
5min: Interesting… Ruud looks like he’s playing deeper than Raul, with the Spaniard doing the legwork to harry the Lazio keeper. Maybe Ruud isn’t fully fit from his weekend knock…
8min: Both teams have gone for early right-side attacks… Sneijder seems to be playing on the right, Robinho on the left. Real now finally manage a left-side advance… and then swing it back right again.
9min: AHHH! Fantastic chance for Lazio, as some incisive passing shreds the Madrid defense… So lucky not to be down 1-0. Damn it.
10min: Oh!! A Real corner goes off the post… Sneijder’s corner meets Raul’s head unopposed, but Real’s number 7 is unlucky not to have scored. This bodes well for those who are looking for an exciting game…
11min: Is it just me, or has Sergio Ramos not been up to his usual standard in the past few weeks? His crosses have been poor, and he hasn’t had quite so good timing on his forward runs…
12min: Lazio are letting Madrid pass around the outside, choosing to pack the centre of the pitch with defenders, and restricting Real to long range attempts…
13min: GOAL!!! Baptista strikes first for Real! He takes a pass from Robinho and jukes inside to his right just outside the penalty area and blasts a shot into the far post. Real Madrid 1-0 Lazio.
14min: Real threatens again… Robinho gets a corner…
15min: GOAL!!! The short corner by Sneijder gets to Robinho who crosses right onto Raul’s head and goes back across the goal, no chance for the Lazio keeper. Real Madrid 2-0 Lazio.
18min: Wow. Just great football now from Los Merengues… the passing is sharp and crisp…
19min: A weak shot by Lazio is easily smothered by Casillas, his first touch of the match.
20min: Shout out to my homey Apollo… Thanks for showing up.
21min: Wow. Great tackle by Pepe to save Ramos from embarrassment as De Silvestri bore down on goal…
22min: Oh… Raul is a step or two offsides, so his effort doesn’t count… He’s looking for Champions League goal number 60! Incredible.
25min: Aiya… First, Cannavaro and then Diarra botch clearing attempts and a Lazio forward gets a clear shot on Casillas, but hits side netting…
26min: It’s just as I said before… with Real leading, Lazio is pushing up more to find goals, and that’s leaving plenty of room in the midfield for Real’s maestros to operate.
26min: Scaloni bowls over Baptista (not an easy thing to do) trying to win an aerial ball and gets called for it… Real free kick from about 5 metres outside the penalty area…
27min: Raul takes it, and it gets stuck in the wall, and then cleared.
28min: See what I mean about Ramos? He had loads of space and time, and then opts to flop for a free kick. Grrr…
29min: Ruud wins another corner… Sneijder steps up… but it’s cleared.
32min: Real is starting to tighten up the defense, bringing back at least 2 midfielders to help out the back four. Good.
34min: One thing Real looks like they’re doing better than before is passing within their own half of the pitch… it’s not usually in a place where only a teammate can take it, but today it looks pretty decent… at least keeping it away from any Lazio forwards.
36min: GOAL!!! Ruud does all the hard work then lays it off for Robinho to tap it in… Real Madrid 3-0 Lazio.
37min: Marcelo bails out the centrebacks by intercepting the pass and clearing out of danger…
38min: Real’s third goal really came off their first attack in 2-3 minutes… Lazio had been applying good pressure for that period…
40min: Real really are threatening to blow the doors off the Italian squad… Halftime would be a respite for Lazio, and it’s up to Schuster to keep the players focused…
41min: Really unselfish football right now, perhaps a bit too unselfish… but let’s face it, Lazio are defending like my old futsal team did… complete sieves.
41min: A Real corner threatens, but isn’t converted… Cannavaro may have been fouled in the Lazio penalty area, but the ref waves it on…
42min: Lazio bursts up the middle but Rocchi is offside…
43min: man, there’s LOADS of space for Real to attack on the counter. It’s not even funny. I think Robinho gets a bit too fancy in these situations…
44min: Baptista gets fouled trying to control the pass from Robinho, and Real get another free kick… about 25 metres out from goal…
44min: Ramos takes it (Sergio Ramos? On the free kick? Now they’re really taking the piss) and hits the wall… Ruud does a good job to retain possession, but Real can’t get a shot away…
HALFTIME: And that’s it for the half. Real go into the break up by 3 goals.
HALFTIME: Well, needless to say, I don’t think Real could’ve played much better in that first half. They were solid enough in the back, the attack was coming from all sides, and the passing… oh man, what can I say about the passing? Gorgeous.
HALFTIME: If I have to nitpick, I think Los Merengues started to get a bit too fancy in the last 10 minutes, especially Robinho. I hope this doesn’t continue in the second half, cuz we all know how easy it seems for Real to lose focus and let the other team back in the match…
HALFTIME: Most impressive for me thus far has been Baptista. He has been a complete revelation, following on his strong play of late.
HALFTIME: Raul has put in his usual workman-like effort, and Ruud has shown glimpses of his impressive array of footwork around the goal. No one seems to have the keep-away touch he seems to have in the box when defenders are around…
HALFTIME: As it stands, Real will finish top of the group, with Lazio remaining in fourth… Let’s see if Real can keep the clean sheet. That would be the most impressive achievement.
HALFTIME: Looks like Schuster is making some changes already…
46min: Robben and Guti come on… not sure for who yet…
47min: Lazio also makes a change… Ledesma is off for Baronino…
47min: Robinho and Sneijder are off for Real.
50min: Ruud’s given 2 consecutive heavy passes, out of the reach of Robben and Raul, respectively… he’s done well to win possession, but I suppose it really is grasping at straws to be complaining about his passing touch.
51min: Real’s applying great pressure on Lazio, and their exquisite passing is really keeping the Italians on the back foot… Ruud misses a volley chance after a good 1-2, and then Robben danced around the left wing before running out of ideas…
54min: Real counter with Baptista, Ruud and Robben and after some fancy passing, Ruud has a shot blocked but it comes back to Robben whose shot is parried by the Lazio keeper… good attempt though.
59min: Baptista is making a great impression… does a bit of dancing himself but his pass goes behind Ruud, I think…
60min: Casillas smothers a Lazio cross as the Italians get a rare chance…
61min: Real get another corner but it’s played deep and Los Merengues don’t get a shot on goal…
63min: Meghni off for Manzandini (sp?)…
63min: Ohh! Robben makes a good solo effort and his shot barely goes over the Lazio crossbar.
68min: Lazio are getting more pressure on the Real defense now… Casillas is getting more work.
73min: Higuain is Real’s third substitution, on for Ruud.
77min: A Lazio corner leads to an overhead bicycle kick, but Casillas is in exactly the right place.
79min: The match is bogging down a bit… ping-ponging back and forth between the penalty areas…
81min: GOAL! Lazio draw back a consolation goal… Rocchi blazes up the right, and crosses past Casillas to meet an on-rushing Pandev… Real Madrid 3-1 Lazio.
82min: Pandev crashed into the post on that goal and was subbed right away by Makinwa.
84min: Real need to tighten up the back again… Lazio’s getting too many open looks right now…
89min: Great positioning by Casillas… Lazio get a header on target, but the Real keeper is there to make the stop.
90min: Looks like 2 minutes of extra time.
91min: Ohhh!!! Balotta skies up to deny Guti an extra time goal… great effort on both parties.
92min: WHAT?? Pepe gets called for a penalty on a really dodgy call… the ball did hit his hand, but that was about as unintentional as it gets…
92min: Rocchi takes it… and a save by Casillas!!! He dove to his left and saved the weak shot as well as the rebound. And that’s the match.
POSTGAME: Well, Real finish atop Group C with 11 points, Lazio brings up the rear on 5 points. Olympiakos takes the second spot by winning 3-0 against Werder Bremen.
POSTGAME: Real win their group for the first time in 4 years… I hope this means they get a good draw in the next round…
POSTGAME: Lazio came in looking for the upset, but all the talk of Real possibly going out at this stage was unfounded… Los Merengues maintain their 100% home record this season, and Italian teams drop to 3 wins in 20 matches all-time at the Bernabeu.
POSTGAME: Schuster’s halftime substitutions could hardly be called inspired, subbing like for like, but Guti and Robben did well enough. Lazio played much better in the second half, but Real didn’t really show the same initiative, as I thought would happen.
POSTGAME: The match really could’ve ended up 3-2 if Rocchi had converted the penalty, so Real still need to show more defensive prowess.
POSTGAME: Alright, let’s break down the players. Casillas was again faultless, covering his angles well and making 2 great stops at the close of match. Cannavaro and Pepe were both pretty solid, though on Lazio’s goal, I think you could argue that Cannavaro should’ve done better tracking Rocchi before he got the pass to cross for Pandev. Marcelo was pretty solid, covering well on the left, and Ramos did decently defending on the right, though Lazio didn’t attack him much.
POSTGAME: Diarra was pretty solid, i can only nitpick at his botched clearing that led to a good attempt by Lazio’s Scolari. Baptista was the dog’s bollocks, man of the match in my opinion. Sneijder and then Guti both were alright, but didn’t stand out. Guti had a really good chance late in the match that Balotta was able to push over the crossbar.
POSTGAME: Robinho was good, but I reckon he got subbed off for Robben at halftime because he started getting a bit too fancy after Real took the 3-0 lead. Robben showed some real good signs of getting into form, which bodes well for him and the team. Raul was solid, no complaints there, and Ruud showed pure class, aside from a couple wayward long passes which aren’t his forte anyways. Higuain was a bit anonymous as the Dutchman’s replacement.
POSTGAME: So Real finish with a strong showing to win the group, but all the teams in the next round will be tough anyways, so it’s not likely to make much difference. Real need to stay focused for all 90 minutes and especially when away from home, they need to play better defensively.
POSTGAME: I think that’s it for me, keep commenting, folks! Hala Madrid!