Real 2-1 Espanyol
By: Corey | March 9th, 2008
What a strange game. We saw a different team then the one that went down so tamely to Roma today, with the forced changes of Higuain and Marcelo actually helping more then they hurt. Besides the lax goal we gave to the Catalans on a silver plate, I think we did reasonably well, considering the hurt that is exiting the CL so early. But it must be said the referee was terrible today, I have to two theories as to this which I will discuss.
The first theory is that he just sucks. Its possible, for a ref to not be good at his job. The second theory is that he is in fact pro-Madrid. Alot of his calls went our way when it seemed highly ill-logical to do that. Christ, Espnayol doubled us up +1 in fouls, and I would say we commited just as many as they did. Now Espnayol, especially the back four, got stuck in from the get go and were pretty fierce, and they collected cards for legitimate fouls, but in the midfield alot of the calls went our way when we looked to be the guilty party. Certainly the penalty decision was debatable, although I think it was the right call when you watch the fist full of jersey Jarque had on Raul.
I know it seems ludacrious, but the referee did seem pro-Madrid, and I will be the first to admit it. It ruined the game a bit, as you could see the Espanyol players becoming more and more disenfranchised with his decisions, and I think they lost alot of interest in the match.
Match Stats
Real Madrid Espanyol
Shots (on Goal) 19(7) 9(2)
Fouls 12 25
Corner Kicks 3 7
Offsides 3 1
Time of Possession 53% 47%
Yellow Cards 1 5
Red Cards 0 1
Saves 1 5
Game Recap
courtesy of espnsoccernet.com per usual
Espanyol stunned Real by taking a first-half lead through Valdo, but the hosts hit back with goals from Gonzalo Higuain and captain Raul to extend their lead to eight points over second-placed Barcelona, who play on Sunday.
The win should also allow Real coach Bernd Schuster to breath a little easier, with the German coming under the spotlight following a run of five defeats in seven matches, culminating in that costly European loss against Roma.
Real were barely allowed out of their own half in the opening 10 minutes as Espanyol, whose victory over Valencia last week ended a run of six defeats in seven matches, started well.
There were just 90 seconds on the clock when Iker Casillas was called into action, with Jonathan bringing a flying save out of the Spain number one with a 25-yard effort.
Valdo then should then have done better after getting on the end of Luis Garcia’s free-kick at the far post, but the Espanyol winger’s header was poor and failed to trouble Casillas.
Even when Espanyol goalkeeper Carlos Kameni was given something to worry about in the 10th minute it came from a team-mate, with Marc Torrejan’s back pass beating the Cameroon international and only just rolling past the far post.
Real found it impossible to break down a well marshalled Espanyol backline, but the visitors had no such trouble themselves in the 30th minute when Valdo gave them the lead.
In a similar move which resulted in Valdo’s early opportunity, a short corner gave Luis Garcia the chance to fling over a deep cross from the left and the unmarked Valdo this time made no mistake with his far-post header, giving Casillas no chance.
Real looked for a quick response and they almost got it through a 25-yard free-kick from Julio Baptista.
The Brazilian hit the crossbar from a similar situation during Real’s Champions League exit to Roma, and this time he forced a fingertip save from Kameni.
But just as it looked as though Bernd Schuster’s side would go into the break a goal down, Gonzalo Higuain bundled home a 42nd-minute equaliser.
Marcelo skipped past Valdo with ease on the left before sending over a superb cross that Higuain managed to divert past Kameni with his knee, despite the visiting goalkeeper’s best efforts to keep it out.
In spite of that goal, Real still looked devoid of ideas and cohesion at the start of the second half and Espanyol looked the more likely scorers.
Milan Smiljanic went close to restoring the Catalan side’s lead with a long-range shot which whistled just over before a timely intervention from Real centre-back Pepe saved Casillas’ blushes after he failed to deal with a corner.
At the other end a rare Real attack resulted in Guti forcing a diving save from Kameni on the hour mark, but that did little to appease the home fans who became increasingly restless.
Espanyol continued to look the better side, but Real were gifted a chance to take the lead in the 71st minute when Raul was brought down in the area by Daniel Jarque after turning the visiting defender.
It was a soft penalty to concede, but Raul ensured the opportunity was not wasted as he sent Kameni the wrong way from the spot, earning Real an uninspiring but potentially crucial three-point haul.
I usually agree with what I read on that site, but this recap was a little to harsh on Madrid. They got the benefit of a few iffy calls, but the penalty, while slim, was correctly given. Plus, Raul never goes down unchallenged, it just is not his way. The main thing is we got two points out of a difficult game. To many people think we will steam roll all teams every game, but Espanyol are a formidable opponent, currently in 5th place. I do not expect anything when I watch Real, its wrong for people to assume we will win every game by a comfortable margin, Barca doesnt do it either.
That being said, when Real did have the ball the still suffered from the old “knock the ball around the top of the opponents box” syndrome that his plagued them when Ruud is not playing. Guti seems more interesting in running with the ball then passing it right now, while Robinho still is not 100% despite his heroics against Huelva. And Higuain still doesnt convince me as a front runner, he really looks like a Raul type player but he cant finish for shit. But he did play well today, I appreciated the hustle and he did a few things right, including scoring with his knee.
The defense looked pretty good, I thought Marcelo did really well today. He was excellent going forward and besides his inability to mark a man on set pieces, he did well to keep Valdo relatively quite. His assist to Higuain was great, a perfect cross. Torres also did well to, he hardly put a wrong foot in. Pepe did really well and made Heinze look good. It also showed that Luis Garcia really is not that great a player, he was ineffective with Johnathan as his partner, neither showed much invention. It has to be said that while Espnayol fired off a few fierce drives from distance, I was never to concerned with their attacking.
It was not the best game ever, I will admit it, but its 3 points in the bag and it puts pressure on Barca who entertain Villarreal today. Sometimes you have to grind out a win, especially after a heartbreak midweek. Schuster needs to work on set piece defending, it has cost us dearly the second half of the season, and the lads need to start exerting control of the match more and play some good looking football, otherwise Schuster’s promise is going to go unfulfilled.
Personal Milestones:
Iker Casillas made his 300th league appearance today, and at 26 I imagine he could reach the 900 mark if he played til he was 40. A 1000 games? I dont know, seems tough, but maybe. Anyways, congratulations to Iker on his great achievement, he will definately beat Sanchis record of appearances for the club.
Raul scored his 200th La Liga goal today, bringing him within 16 of Di Stefano’s all time mark. Some people doubt him for Spain, but the way he has played this year I do not know how you can. He has also showed he is adept at playing in his customary hole role or as the target man, although not incredibly proficient at it, he can do the job. 200 goals at 30 is impressive, and he will no doubt better Di Stefano’s record and become the highest scorer in La Liga ever. He has atleast 4 more years in him, he takes such good care of himself. And the Raul ball fondling is over with.
Its also to note Soldado got on the pitch today for 15 minutes, and had a great scissor kick oppurtunity and generally looked lively. Hopefully he gets more time, although since O’Higs played well I dont know what will happen there. Drenthe looked good too, while Sneijder came back from injury finally and looked okay, he still doesnt convince me. Wish Balboa got in their, his pace would have helped. Oh well, lets have a clean lively discussion about the match this time guys and gals. HALA MADRID!
Bernadine
“You normally trust your men regardless of how difficult the game may be.”
“The toughest moment was when we conceded the goal. The most important aspect in the game for us was the players’ psychological state of mind after the defeat on Wednesday. The team showed character tonight.”
“Robinho played his first 15 minutes in three weeks in Huelva and suffered from playing on Wednesday against Roma. We thought it best to replace him with Sneijder tonight.”
“I’ve been told our penalty was rightly awarded. I didn’t see it well.”
“Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the best strikers in Europe. We were lucky until recently not to have neither him nor Raúl injured. Ruud’s absence takes its toll on the team in the long run because he is very important. We need him.”
“I didn’t know a white man could run so much until I saw what Gago did against Roma. He needed some rest, so we played Diarra in his stead. Marcelo made the starting eleven because we needed to keep freshness on the team with this change.”
“Nothing’s happened this week; we are simply disappointed with what happened in the Champions League. La Liga is also a beautiful competition and we are doing well in it. This team is improving. I am confident in the Board in what regards my job.”
Higuaín
“The goal was very important for me because it helped the team win the match. We had to face up to the challnege and we did. It was hard to win because we started losing. The important thing is that we won in the end. We made it despite losing at the start.”
“Being eliminated from the Champions League was very painful for us. I think this was obvious at the start of tonight’s clash, but we managed to turn the score around. Looking at it from the bright side, at least now we have more time to prepare for our future games. Deportivo are a tough opponent at their stadium.”
Pepe
“This is a very important victory. We stood our ground in a complicated match. We did our job well; we are still leaders. We will win the title if we continue to work this way.”
“There is no crisis on the team. We are strong to recover from the defeat in the Champions League. We must continue to work and look ahead because life carries on. The squad is united and we should be happy for that. It’s beautiful when we all fight to win at the same time.”
“I felt well on the pitch, but maybe a little bit tired because we didn’t have many days to rest. What’s important is that the team played well and managed to turn the score around
Match Photos:
Category: Team News
Tags: Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Do they Corey? Look at Barca now. No defense, no Messi. Things aren’t looking as sunny as they did a few weeks ago.
Posted from
United States
-
Cheers elmeromero, and no, my take doesn’t explain our defensive injuries. But that’s just the curse of the Bernabeu. There is some kind of other-wordly force that dictates Madrid will never again have an acceptable back four, and if they do, these players will be smote by hellfire and brimstone.
Posted from
United States -
Damn those Barca gypsy curses!
Posted from
United States -
When I say rise above the physical play I did not mean shake of injuries, thats impossible to do and Barca get them as well. Nor did I say we shouldnt mix it up with some physical play either, why do you think Diarra and Pepe are out there?
What I meant is when the physicality becomes a predominate factor in the match our boys take it to heart and start trying to play around it. I watch Barca play just as much as I watch Real, and their midfield has one holding player and one pivot (Toure and Xavi), then a mercurial if frustrating talent (Deco) and a front three of pace and skill combined with exquisite finishing. This is a generalization of course, but they are not to far off from us, yet they seem to be able to pass the ball around easier and throw some flair in there to put the punters off their game. Why cant we do this, we see rare flashes of brilliant play, but plenty of grind-our results…
Posted from
United States -
To answer my own question, Schuster needs to be much more flexible. Against Espanyol, Higuain did well but Soldado and Raul would have been the best partnership, Soldado being a big guy who can get a knock in on the defense here and there, and Raul able to use the space Soldado will create with his presence. Likewise, Saviola would be a great sub for this game, because after they are ragged and weary from the phsycial Soldado and sneaky Raul, you bring in the quick little striker to run onto all and any ball. But, and this is a huge but, both Soldado and Saviola never play, so they are so off form this is not possible, and Schuster continues playing Raul with Baptista or throwing on Higuain who is ineffective in m opinion. If we varied our lineups to combat our opposition but not neccesarily molding our tactics to absorb the opponent, I think you would see 1. A much more fit squad 2. A much more competitive looking team who’s style and ability could match their ability to win 3. A greater cohesion within the group because all of the players get some time, not just 11 + 3 usual subs, Drenthe, Higuain and 1 of Gago, Guti or Baptista. Just a thought here.
Posted from
United States -
Good Analysis, it’s too bad we might not be able to get Soldado and/or Saviola in form at this point.
On another note:
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7898656/Report:-Former-Real-coach-to-coach-SpainWonder what kind of National team implications this will mean for Los Blancos?
Posted from
United States -
I think its a very good thing, he may very will bring us the World Cup in South Africa.
Posted from
United States -
The only downside to that is that he won’t be coming back to coach Madrid for a while.
Posted from
United States -
John, it sounds like Schuster is on your sh-t list? Did you say a few days ago you thought Mourinho was a good option for next year? As poor of a job as Bernie has been doing lately, I also hate the kind of turnaround that happens in coaching. Sometimes it takes more than a season to really gauge a coach’s effectiveness. Maybe we should let Schuster stay long enough for his mustache to fully grow in.
Posted from
United States -
Then again, Mourinho won’t be on the market much longer.
Posted from
United States -
So my link dump post was a huge fail, I will give it a go tomorrow I guess, something went wrong when I sequenced all the links, I will have to look at the html code I assume. Will have a new post up for everyone tomorrow.
Posted from
United States -
Actually, elmeromero, I’m on your side (I think) on the Schuster debate. I’ve been purposefully mute on the subject, because though I was skeptical of Schuster from the get go, I just want the revolving door for Madrid’s coaches to hold still for a couple seasons. I’d like to see how the team could develop after at least a couple seasons under one single coaches leadership. Also, for all of the flak that Capello got for playing boring football, I don’t recall Mourinho’s Chelsea playing an especially exciting brand of footy.
Posted from
United States -
very good point. Schuster better shape up though, some of his little tirades in press conferences and excuses he’s been making are embarrassing.
Posted from
United States -
Hala Madrid! Great comments lately, well done to everyone. Sorry I haven’t posted of late, my weekend in Madrid was awesome, but I didn’t get back home til 3:30am last night (this morning), due to the crazy weather up in northern Europe.
Anyways, if any of you ever get a chance to watch a match at the Bernabeu… take it. Just awesome. I’ve not managed to watch many matches in my 7 years in Europe, mostly due to costs, but the experience of being there is almost priceless.
Ok, the game itself… a bit of a dog, I think. Real, like they did against Roma, played really good until it came time to attack the final third, and more particularly, get inside the opponent’s penalty area. Without Ruud, they really don’t look like they can penetrate even a mediocre back line.
The set-piece defending is crap, but Diarra’s lack of touch that led to Espanyol’s goalscoring corner was just brutal. Heinze cannot seem to clear a ball without going to ground, that’s a fact. Miguel Torres would be awesome if Schuster had the balls to play him every week.
Pepe was awesome. He put in an absolute masterclass in central defense. His pace is underrated, he covered both wings when necessary, and he really causes mismatches when he decides to go forward with the attack. Let’s hope he can stay on the pitch.
Drenthe disappointed me. Like I mentioned in my Roma liveblog, his number one asset is his pace, and again, he didn’t use it. Numerous times (at least 5 by my unofficial count) he could’ve burst past his marker to get open, but maybe he fancies himself a bit more like Robinho? He danced his way inside too many times and couldn’t provide decent service. Stay out wide, young man, Becks proved you can do one thing amazingly and have a great career.
Posted from
United States -
wow Steve - we were in Madrid watching the game at the same time. i would have bought you beer had I known mate!
BTW: I watched the game on TV and got a really different impression of the game.
I must say i haven’t had much good to say about Pepe, but he played really well. Also i thought Guti and Higuain both had great games.
I too thought Drenthe was disappointing - but he’s young and I’m confident he will be a great player one day. Remember that Robinho wasn’t very good when he started playing at Madrid.On the injury front I think it is mostly down to bad luck, although i will say one thing - Capello had this team much fitter than I think we look now, just take a look at how many goals we scored in the last 20 minutes last season. It was down to the fitness, which I think has slipped under Schuster. Also, his reliance on the same players every week means some are getting tired.
Posted from
United States -
I actually made note of Drenthe’s performance on Saturday, too. It seemed to me he was hanging back quite a bit, and I actually attributed it to his time spent at fullback. It seemed like he was sitting back as if to protect against a counter, which, while disabling his offensive potential, it was kind of nice to see someone actually prepared for defensive duties, as opposed to Marcelo who just bumbles forward and only remembers afterward that he’s supposed to guard the flank.
I wonder if he’d been instructed to play more of a defensive role, or if he was just weary of playing forward?
Posted from
United States -
Drenthe has yet to truely impress me, he seems to work hard but he rarely produces much, although he has scored a few goals and had the odd assist, but he looks like he doesnt have the skill to use with his pace, which makes me strongly believe if he had more discipline he would be twice the defender Marcelo is. I just cant see him ever setting our hearts a light with his dazzling runs, likewise boogling our minds with an incredible ball. He has time to develop of course, but someone like Balboa or even Marcelo just has more natural skill on the ball.
Posted from
United States -
Also, I will have a Deportivo preview up tomorrow, it looks like I will miss the game with my traveling back to school on Sunday, thats a dumper.
Posted from
United States -
i think real does have youth with great great potential; with higuain, marcelo, drenthe, balboa, not to mention those from the cantera, most of them aren’t even 20 yet. hopefully they’ll get a chance to develop and i’m sure most of them will become excellent players for us
Posted from
Singapore -
I don’t know, I guess I’m the only one who likes Drenthe. Most of the games I’ve watched where he came on, the announcers were saying much of the same things. I do agree he has a lot to learn and grow, but I see great potential in that kid. His crosses are exemplary, he’s got great pace, and his long distance shot can be powerful (as seen in his first goal at Real), which is more than I can say for some of our other guys. That being said, he does have a lot to learn. Plus he’s a scrapper and since every teams strategy against Real lately has been to punish them, it’s good to have someone that won’t back down on your squad.
On another note, interesting news in AS. Athletico has gone public about wanting to buy Diego from Brehmen. I hope that’s a wake up call to Calderon. Diego would be the missing piece of the puzzle at Real, in my opinion, the creative consistency Guti lacks. Robinho-Diego-Guti-Sneijder. Now that’s a line up. Any thoughts?
Posted from
United States -
A incredibly unbalanced midfield elmero, but mouth watering none the less.
Posted from
United States -
Actually, elmeromero, I like Drenthe quite a bit, and have been backing him since the second half of the season began. In my above comment, I was just pointing out that against Espanyol he hung back, which is actually unusual for him. That’s why I was curious if he’d actually been instructed to hold back a bit.
Diego is certainly impressive, a good attacking midfielder who might excell at Madrid, but I’m not entirely convinced. I have my doubts about a Robben-Diego-Guti-Sneijder midfield - Guti and Diego’s roles are too similar, and neither include playing defense.
Posted from
United States -
I meant Robinho-Diego-Guti-Sneijder. And I just looked up and realized I repeated what Corey just said.
Posted from
United States -
Actually I do remember you mentioning you also liked Drenthe, it just seems like he’s been getting a lot of bad press from all the analysts which baffles me a bit. I haven’t read anywhere that he was instructed to do anything, but who knows.
As for the line up, it occurred to me afterwards that I had not left any room for Diarra/Gago. doh! Well, maybe mix it up, Diego and Guti rotating, occasionally playing together. Actually I think Diego plays a little higher up than Guti does, more like Totti. All I’m saying is we need another creative type on the squad, Guti can’t handle the responsibility, and this guys is a great option.
Posted from
United States -
I would agree with that Elmero, another creator on the squad is needed, but Diego’s place in the formation is occupied by Raul right now, so we need someone who can either play further back like Guti or someone for the right wing.
Posted from
United States
Read the rest of the comments
Comments are closed
Home 
Euro 2008