Real Madrid 1-1 Real Mallorca

So that didnt go as expected, but given the circumstances, it was a positive result. It seems we have an obvious boogey team here in Mallorca, they are always up for trying to beat us no matter where the game is played. But Real also needs to better adjust themselves when it comes to playing away games, they seem far to casual when they are pinned in their own half, and I lay that on Schuster. Is it arrogance? I dont know, but if their casual defenseive play at times was corrected we probably would have had atleast 9 more points then we have now.

Mallorca 1 - 1 Real Madrid 2007/2008
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MATCH SUMMARY:

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo, Sneijder (Torres, 75’), Guti, Gago, Robben, Higuaín (Diarra, 69’) and Raúl (Baptista, 81’).

RCD MALLORCA:.Moyá, Fernando Navarro, Ramis (David Navarro, 27’), Nunes, Héctor (Webo, 79’), Basinas, Varela (Valero, 68’), Ibagaza, Jonás, Arango and Gúiza.

GOALS:
0-1, min. 42. Sneijder
1-1, min. 72. Borja Valero

REFEREE: Arturo Daudén Ibáñez. Booked Fernando Navarro (39’), Heinze (75’), Casillas (84’), and Borja Valero (89’) and sent off Sergio Ramos (46’ & 65’).

NOTES: Matchday 31 of La Liga played at ONO Estadi in Mallorca. Attendance: 20,000.

Match Stats
Mallorca Real Madrid
Shots (on Goal) 13(2) 14(6)
Fouls 20 17
Corner Kicks 5 2
Offsides 1 2
Time of Possession 48% 52%
Yellow Cards 3 2
Red Cards 0 1
Saves 5 1

First Half:

The first ten minutes of the game were cagey, as it looked like Gago was as I predicted, going to be over run in the midfield. The first chance fell to Robben who snatched at it, while Mallorca mustered a few early chances, nothing to serious, and we escaped unharmed. Guti had a decent shot from distance in the 14th minute, Moya pushing it behind the net.

Real were able to exert more control of the match for the next ten minutes, showing some decent midfield passing much like the game against Sevilla. The problem was they were a blunt instrument today, Higuain giving possession away far to often, and Raul really not getting decent service. Mallorca were able to counter attack dangerously as a result, Varela and Arango having chances.

Real’s defense was looking shaky, particularly Heinze, and he would soon give Guiza a chance to open the scoring. A high ball was lofted in for Guiza to chest down, lay off to Ibagaza and spun around Heinze who stood flat footed as his man ran around him. Heinze only had eyes for the ball as Ibagaza slipped the ball past him to the unmarked Guiza, but Casillas made himself big to for Guiza to hit the side netting. A good chance gone begging, and only the beginning of the terrible Heinze defending.

Higuain soon had a chance of his own, running into the area before not getting a shot of any kind off for Moya to take it off his feet. One game of poor finishing is exusable, but this kid simply cannot score for his life, I have serious doubts about his potential right now. The next chapter of the match was to belong to the referee, Mr. Arturo Daudén Ibáñez. Ibanez contrived to rob Mallorca of two great chances, one a blown offside call on Basinas, the next a non-existent foul to disallow a David Navarro goal.

The Mallorca faithful grew restless as the referee continued to dominate the game for all the wrong reasons, and the next ten minutes were chippy at best, as the crowd really let the ref have it. The bright spot for Real was the play of Arjen Robben, who had more substance to his dribbling and tricks then in previous games. He was able to drift wide right and work his way into the box before attempting a layoff to Raul. Moya blocked the ball and it fell to Sneijder who had an easy tap in at the far post. 1-0 to Real, with little effort expended.

In added time, Varela was released on the right. His crossing attempt was knocked down by Cannavaro, and replays showed it hit his hand. Now when I saw it in real time I thought it hit his stomach or some part of his torso. But clearly this was a case of ball to hand, his hand was simply out from his body to balance himself, something people dont get sometimes. It would have been a very harsh penalty, although they have been given before.

The first half drew to a close soon after, and the Mallorca fans jeers were loud as hell. And the Mallorca players surronded the ref as he walked towards the tunnel, complaining about his horrible calls. I do have to say, Mallorca was the better team and deserved atleast a goal from the first half, if not another. The ref screwed the pooch on this one, one could only hope things would get better in the second half.

Second Half:

In the second half, Manzano being a great motivator, had the Mallorca players fired up and they really came at Real. They tested Casillas a few times, but they were not as potent on the counter as in the first half. It appeared as if Real would drop a little deeper and pass Mallorca to death, and switch to counter attacking themselves as they saw that Mallorca were loosing thier cool around Madrid’s area.

But with all the condemnation of the referee’s poor decisions by the Mallorca fans, they got it back when in the 65th Sergio Ramos fouled Varela. As usual, Varela is always interested and involved in our demise, as he surely dove to get Sergio Ramos booked. At game speed it looked like Sergio Ramos had left his foot in and had grazed Varela’s midsection. Surely no reason to fall to the ground in a heap. On replay, it appears Sergio pulled his foot out in time and didnt even tough Varela. My question is, with a foot to the torso, why first would you fall? And two, how did that warrant another yellow card? A poor decision indeed, and for once Mallorca recieved benefit from the shitty Mr. Ibanez.

Mallorca then added insult to injury as they were to score in the 72nd minute. First there was a narrowly wide bicycle attempt from Arango, and a half volley from Nunes. Now I believe Jonas possess a great deal of skill and technical ability, but he just looks plan goofy when he has the ball, but he rarely misplays a pass to his credit. The equalizer came through Borja Valero, who was able to lift a curling shot over a sprawled out Heinze and into the top corner past Casillas. As I have lamented before, Heinze had no business being on the ground, and if he had stood up and put a foot in he would have either blocked the shot or pushed Valero to take another touch and disrupt the chance. Poor play as usual from the Argentine.

Jonas missed a further chance before Guiza caught on to a Webo miscue and put the ball off the bar with the goal at his mercy. Real could count themselves lucky that the EURO hoepful was wasteful with his chances today. Likewise, Raul didnt have a sniff all game to the credit of Ramis and Navarro, who I think warrants a EURO selection. Just to clairfy, I said Navarro never impressed me, but what I meant was David Navarro, ex-Valencia man, not Fernando, ex-Barca man. Just a clarification.

We will count ourselves lucky to escape with a point today, we were clearly out played even though we looked comfortable until Sergio Ramos was sent off. I dont like the whole let the opposition play their game mindset we have on away games. Mallorca are a dangerous team, and although they were not as clinical as they would have liked, they could have run riot on us with a 4-1 score atleast. A more proactive approach is needed in away games, because even though dangerous, if your going to be casual at the back and concede, you may as well attack and score a few yourself right?

Schuster Post Match Comments:

How do you feel about the match?
I think we had the game under control until the sending off. Unfortunately we were only able to leave with one point. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to keep tallying at this stage, even if it is just one point.

How would you describe the match? It appeared that neither you nor Manzano was satisfied.
There were two stages in my opinion. There was a before and an after Sergio Ramos was sent off. We owned the match before it took place.

Why did you play Diarra along the right flank after Ramos was sent off?
Well, I could have put Robinho in, but I preferred Diarra. We didn’t expect Ramos to be sent off and Miguel Torres hadn’t warmed up at all. We had to find a solution while Torres got ready. The second yellow really caught us off-guard.

It looks like your relationship with Manzano has settled.
Yes it has. A lot.

It was a very intense match by both teams and it looks like it just might be like that from now until the end of the season.
Yes, I think every match from now until the end will be like tonight’s.

Guti:
“Leaving ONO Estadi with one point is extremely positive being that Mallorca isn’t an easy rival, especially after playing the last half hour a man down. The sending off was the turning point, but it’s no excuse.”

Iker Casillas:
“Sergio Ramos being sent off changed the match. We salvaged an important point with ten men. Sergio has a temper but always puts the team first. I don’t think he deserved the second yellow, but it’s the referee’s call. We can’t complain, but we did have to fall back with only ten men on the pitch. One point away from home is okay.”

Wesley Sneijder:
“I am happy to have scored. It was important for me, but Robben deserves some of the credit after that great play. I am pleased for the both of us. It was a difficult match. We know how hard it is to leave here with points, and even more so playing a man down. We can be satisfied with the result taking Ramos’ red card into consideration. I’m not sure about the second yellow, though. I think there were too many bookings, but we don’t ever talk about the referee. We have to move forward as a team. There are seven matches left which are all finals. I know we can do it. Best of all, our next match is at home against Murcia, so I am sure we can do well will our fans behind us.”

Match Pictures:

Look At Guiza’s Legs Ouch!

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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