The Whites humble Sevilla, grab second spot, and are morale leaders
This victory is worth more than three points. It is a triumph against a direct rival which also surrenders the second table position in favour of the Madridistas. A success cemented on the Santiago Bernabéu of the great evenings, on the physical form of the local team and on the impetus, vigour, and union of a squad that clings on to its La Liga hopes. This conquest underpins the morale of a side who are on solid ground at home and League leaders on the road. A clash which makes it all too clear that the quality of players like Guti –simply impressive-, Ramos –who celebrated his 100th League match with Real Madrid against his former team-mates in style-, and Van Nistelrooy –new Pichichi with 20 strikes- is beyond doubt. A hard-fought battle which could well enable the Madridistas to win the war.
Amazing encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu which began with the fans at the stands putting up a white banner mosaic, the kind that makes one's hairs stand on end. With or without mosaic, however, this is the type of game that has all the ingredients to have every football fan stop on his or her tracks, take a bow, and thank the 22 players inside the pitch for the footballing feast. Two teams who have managed to find their feet and are currently in a state of grace. Two direct rivals coming up against each other in a face off, both knowing that the leader had not bowed down at Real Sociedad's Anoeta and that there was more than just a mere three points in play tonight.
Fabio Capello lined up the same starting lineup as in San Mamés (4-1 for the Whites), while the doubt that lay heavy on Juande Ramos' head -who already knew that Navarro, Navas, and Adriano would not feature- was whether optimism would vanquish over fatigue… Seeing the starting run of the Sevillians, it was quite evident that winning tires no one.
The men of Juande stood up to Capello's side from the initial whistle, pressing, maintaining ball possession, and going for Casillas' goal. But the Madridistas are thankful when their adversaries are courageous, the kind that offer playing space to the hosts.
As the minutes passed, it was evident that Madrid were enjoying a better opening, but the scales were not tipping to either side. The Merengues were steadfast and began to stage the first dangerous runs on the opposing goal: first up, it was Diarra, who shot wide, but the play made it all too clear why Madrid lead the League's set piece charts; following him, it was the captain, Raúl, -tonight, he became Real Madrid's fourth top featuring player ever, with 602 matches- whose shot deflection made its way to Emerson's feet, but the visiting keeper did well to deny the Brazilian holding midfielder; and third time, yet not lucky, a powerful range shot by David Beckham. It is a well-known rule of football that the team that doesn't materialise their chances... pays for it dearly.
It was precisely when the Bernabéu most lauded the stock and effort of their players that came the big blow. With their colossal record as proof, Sevilla is truly one of those teams who don't forgive the slightest of blunders, who never give up, and who believe and display a quality that lead it to be a side that never flail. Five minutes from halftime, Aitor Ocio took a distant free kick, Kanouté headed it back and, from the edge of the box, Maresca caught a left-footed volley, boasting unbelievable technique. The amazing first goal of the night was for Sevilla. That's football for ya!
Poulsen and Emerson maintained the balance in both their teams; Alves and Robinho quarreled it out in the sideshow of the evening; Kanouté and Raúl dropped deep to gain momentum; Puerta and Robinho took command of the attacking flare of their sides; Miguel Torres was once more up against the Bernabéu test, and the youth player did well by his team with overlaps and good passes; Cannavaro was a defensive giant; Beckham contributed from set pieces; Ramos outperformed himself in his 100th Primera Liga appearance with the Whites; Cicinho emphasised that he was back with a vengeance; and Van Nistelrooy is just always there and never disappoints... And the list goes on in a Madridista squad that today served up a lesson in performance and attitude, especially in the second half.
From penalty snatched... to turnaround!
The show was not lacking in thrills and intensity. Pérez Burrull decided to overlook a clear penalty on Sergio Ramos, whose shoulder was hard done by Kanouté as he went for the header. Again from a free kick, the Beckham-Ramos society wanted to write down their third personal hat-trick, but the Malian striker hindered the attempt.
It wasn't high time for moaning. Rather, it was time to keep working and to take advantage of the foreseeable second half, sharp drop of form by Sevilla. The first and inspired move came from the bench: Guti came in for Raúl and Helguera for Torres, dropping Ramos to the right flank. The entry of Real Madrid's number “14” was stellar and, again, decisive. José Mª Gutiérrez “Guti” makes hard things easy. With over 60 minutes on the clock, the Madridista received the ball with his back against the opposing goal, swung past Poulsen and made a perfect assist in between the centre backs for the run of the Real Madrid target man -now, La Liga's top striker with twenty goals after tonight's brace, surpassing Kanouté and Diego Milito. Ruud Van Nistelrooy dribbled past Palop and scored his nineteenth of the season.
Guti, Guti, and Guti
Brazilian wingback Alves struck out in front of Madrid's goal: first, all alone in the far post following a perfect counter by the Sevillian team, and second, with a hard shot that Casillas retaliated to in style. But Madrid has a real gem in Guti. Once again, the playmaker staged a deluxe through ball, this time for Robinho (min.78). The Brazilian made a great finish, booting a sharp ground ball to the back of the net. Time just seems to stop around Guti and it is sure that Sevilla's defenders will be having nightmares with him tonight. The comeback was a reality as the Bernabéu became a pressure cooker, a collection of thrills and emotions running high and vibrating to the sound of Madrid's beat.
The end of the match still had many things in store for the football lovers and the adrenaline junkies. In a question of minutes, both sides dropped a man: Robinho saw his second yellow card, followed by a direct red for the punchy Aitor Ocio. There was also time to see two more goals. Guess who invented, yet again, the opener for Real Madrid's thrid of the evening? Guti, Guti, and Guti: three classy assists tonight for a player who sees the game like very few others in the world of football. Sergio Ramos came in strong through the right flank, received a lovely pass from the Man and, with his characteristic energy, wallopped a ball that rival keeper Palop miraculously saved. But Van Nistelrooy picked up the defelction and made it game, set, and match with a header in the far post (min.86). The only thing that tarnished the fiesta of the Whites was Chevanton's closing free kick goal in the 90th minute. This way, Real Madrid let the goal average slip from their hands to favour Sevilla.
The match disappointed no one. Propelled by their home camp, Real Madrid made a comeback and climbed a spot in the table, giving the League another week of excitement. The Whites are game on. Next up is another European contender: Espanyol.
MATCH REPORT
3 - Real Madrid: Casillas; Cicinho, Ramos, Cannavaro, Torres (Helguera, min.58); Diarra, Emerson, Beckham, Robinho; Raúl (Guti, min.58) and Van Nistelrooy.
2 - Sevilla: Palop; Dani Alves, Ocio, Escudé, Drago; Poulsen, Maresca, Renato (Níkel, min.63), Puerta; Kerzhakov (Chevanton, min. 72) and Kanouté.
Referee: Alfonso Pérez Burrull, Cantabrian refereeing Assocviation. Booked Miguel Torres (39'), Sergio Ramos (55'), and David Beckham (83') of Real Madrid, and Hinkel (66') and Chevanton (83') for Sevilla. Red carded Luis Fabiano on the sideline while he was warming up. He also sent Robinho, off after showing him the second yellow card for hugging the fans after scoring the 2-1 goal. Aitor Ocio was also sent off with a direct red card.
Goals: 0-1 (min.41): Maresca buries a volley in the back of the net. 1-1: (min.61) Amazing play by Guti and Van Nistelrooy puts it away. 2-1: (min.77) Once again, master assist of Guti for Robinho. 3-1: (min.86) Van Nistelrooy. 3-2: (min.90) Chevanton, from a free kick.
Highlights: Matchday 33 of La Liga hosted at a capacity Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Attendance: 80.000.
