MURCIA - REAL MADRID

The Whites remain top of the League and pack their bags for the Champions League

Real Madrid could only muster up a draw in la Nueva Condomina on Saturday in what marked the stadium's second-ever sellout. Robinho's early header wasn't enough for the Whites to return home with three points in tow after being challenged by a Murcia squad that gained momentum and confidence as the match wore on. Up next, a trip to Germany to play Werder Bremen.

Real Madrid came into Saturday's match against Murcia as the League leaders and the highest scoring team of the competition. Robben made his return to a team sheet after missing more than a month due to injury, while the hosts were inching closer and closer to the relegation zone having tallied just one victory in their last six matches.

Bernd Schuster recovered Sergio Ramos along the right wing after the defender served his one match suspension against Mallorca. Guti was also back in the lineup having missed the last Champions League clash with a muscle strain, and Pepe stepped in for injured Heinze to team up with Cannavaro in the centre of the back line. Murcia boss Lucas Alcaraz was also forced to search for new options, which included giving David de Coz the nod -the winger just signed for the team last week- and playing Richi Pérez and Abel Gómez along each flank. Iñigo and Baiano led the attack for the second least-scoring team in the competition.

 

Robinho puts the Whites ahead
Real Madrid took the pitch with every intention of reaffirming their position at the top of the League table. While Guti was handed the duty of playmaker, it was Murcia who created the first scoring opportunity of the match. Abel's shot sailed wide right of Casillas' net, and with it the hosts' defence fell into a rapid free fall.

The Madridistas stepped on the gas and began reaching Notario's box in no time. The first warning shot was fired in by Guti, but Sergio Ramos' shot went straight into the keeper's hands. Madrid struck gold two minutes later when Gago crossed a ball into the opponent's box for Guti, who then crossed it to the far post for Robinho to header home. It was the Brazilian's fifth goal in League play and seventh of the season.

Murcia quickly realised that they couldn't sit back and fend off every Real Madrid threat. The hosts changed tactics and forged ahead on Casillas' box. De Lucas tried his luck 15 minutes in but sent the ball into the stands, and minutes later Casillas conceded a corner kick off a Baiano strike. A Van Nistelrooy shot (34’) followed by another by Baiano (37’) closed out the first half.

Robben back in action
Only three minutes after the break, De Lucas sent a bullet header into the back of Casillas' net to pull Murcia even. Real Madrid were stunned and took several minutes to get back on their feet. Movilla took advantage of the visitor's lethargy to send in a powerful strike that Casillas tipped clear of goal.

Murcia grew ever more confident while Real Madrid began feeling the side effects of the recent international commitments. Abel came close to finding Casillas' left corner (68’), forcing Schuster to bring in Higuaín and Robben in place of Raúl and Robinho. The flood gates swung open and the sides took turns reaching the rivals' box, but the hosts took control of the ball when Real Madrid was left with ten men after Guti was sent off.

The Whites repositioned themselves on the pitch in the waning moments of the match to ward off Murcia's constant presence on offense. With Werder Bremen now on forefront, Real Madrid managed to notch one point to maintain a temporary hold on the top spot in the table.