The Whites suffer to earn a victory at Balaídos Stadium
Tonight, Celta Vigo didn’t look like a side that never wins at home and that is flirting with relegation. The locals played an excellent game, but Real Madrid managed to destroy their hopes for a miracle that would distance them from the relegation zone with goals by Van Nistelrooy and Robinho, respectively. The Whites never gave up in their fight to get closer to the title.
The match at Balaídos Stadium had been anticipated by all as a final in which both teams were in desperate need of a victory –Real Madrid needed it to keep their options to the title open and Celta to distance themselves from the relegation zone. This exciting duel was marked by the fierce drive both teams showcased on the pitch. Fabio Capello used the same starting line-up as in the match against Barcelona at Camp Nou that marked a point of no return for the Whites this season. Real Madrid put pressure on Celta from the very start and Raúl got an early chance on goal, but his weak shot was easily saved by Pinto.
Thanks to their guts and the support of their fans, Celta Vigo never lost face, not even after Real Madrid’s first goal. The match was fast paced and tight from the very start, but neither team had many chances on goal in the opening minutes. Bamogo had a shot on the 5-minute mark and Gustavo López had an excellent chance in the 15th minute, but Iker was there, as always, to save the day. Real Madrid kept control of the ball thanks to Diarra, Guti and Gago. The latter looked comfortable in his return, but wasn’t very efficient in his passing.
Hard work always pays off
After several chances, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty on the 26-minute mark, after Van Nistelrooy received a late tackle by Pinto inside the box. It was a clear penalty and referee Pérez Burrull was merciful with the goalkeeper, deciding not to show him the red card. The Dutch striker scored and Celta grew mightier, beginning a siege on Casillas’ goal in the final minutes of the first half. The only Madridista chance came, once again, through Van Nistelrooy in the 33rd minute, but his shot hit the post.
Celta’s fans cheered even louder in the ensuing minutes and Ángel finally scored the equaliser from a shot previously missed by Contreras (44’). The excellent play by Fernando Vázquez’s team was started by midfielder Oubiña, who passed the ball to Nene. He, in turn, gave a superb heel pass to Ángel, who scored from a magnificent shot with his right leg. The second half was promising to be extremely intense.
The Whites suffered to succeed
Thing’s didn’t change too much in the last 45 minutes. Celta continued standing firm and putting pressure on Madrid, eager to avoid getting any closer to relegation. They increased their attacks down the wings and Fabio Capello decided to bring out the star player of the match against Nastic: Robinho. Iker Casillas repeatedly thwarted all of Celta’s chances; on the 61-minute mark he saved a shot by Baiano magnificently. The keeper’s best save of the evening was, no doubt, that in the one-on-one against Perera in the 78th minute, in which he sent the ball out of bounds with a magical flick of his hand when it seemed the player had overcome him.
Real Madrid weren’t finding room in which to move on the pitch and their best chances always came from a counterattack. Gonzalo Higuaín came close to scoring a goal in the 65th minute in a play started by Guti, but destiny wanted Robinho to save the day once again. The Brazilian’s first chance came from a powerful shot that Pinto managed to save, and one minute later (82’), Higuaín crossed the ball into the box and Robinho managed to score a header, keeping Real Madrid’s hopes for winning the title alive an well for another week.
MATCH REPORT:
Celta Vigo: Pinto; Ángel, Lequi, Contreras, Placente; Nené, Iriney, Oubiña, Gustavo López (Antonio Núñez, 69’); Baiano & Bamogo (Perera, 74’).
Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado (Mejía, 85’), Ramos, Helguera, Torres; Diarra, Gago (Emerson, 74’), Guti; Raúl (Robinho, 61’), Higuaín & Van Nistelrooy.
Referee: Pérez Burrull. Booked Gago (20’), Pinto (26’), Ángel (28’), Iriney (35’), Salgado (64’), Diarra (68’), Robinho (83’), Núñez (85’), Helguera (89’). Guti was sent off in the 90th minute with a double booking.
Goals:
0-1, 26’: Van Nistelrooy, from a penalty.
1-1, 44’: Nené assists Ángel with a heel-pass and the latter scores.
1-2, 83’: Robinho scores a header.
Highlights: Matchday 28 of La Liga. Venue: Balaídos Stadium. Attendance: 24,000. Real Madrid wore black wristbands in mourning for the death of the daughter of former legendary Real Madrid player Santamaría.
