This was the night that many Madristas were trying to avoid and many Catalans were looking forward to. A win to Barcelona would mean that they are only one point behind with four games to go and a win for Madrid would increase the lead to seven points.
Jose Mourinho's preferred lineup for the night was: Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema.
Jose Mourinho's preferred lineup for the night was: Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid started off this game controlling the play and trying to limit Barcelona's attacks, and it proved well as Sami Khedira (out of all people) was able to score the opening goal after only 17 minutes after a mistake by Carles Puyol. Barcelona kept trying with many chances coming in from Tello and Xavi but the first half ended 1-0 to the visitors.
As for the second half, things were different as Barcelona fought hard for a goal, with Tello missing an opportunity that would have probably gone in any other day. With Alexis Sanchez coming in for Xavi, the substitution seemed to be correct as he was able to score with the ball near the goal-line to make it 1-1 on the 70th minute. That seemed to be the "usual" Barcelona come back that Madristas have seen too often. But, only three minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo was the man to prove everyone wrong as he was at the end of a Mesut Ozil pass to go around Victor Valdez and make it 2-1. That goal caught that Catalans by shock as Real Madrid then started defending and keeping possession to end the game with a massive three points.
This was more than a win. This game put Real Madrid ahead by seven points with only four games left. This showed that Real Madrid CAN beat Barcelona. This game showed determination. This was, more or less, a perfect game.
Real Madrid have to stay focused though. They have not yet won the league. Also, with the second leg of the Champions League coming up against Bayern Munich, they need to keep this fighting spirit so that they can make it to the Final!
HALA MADRID!!
Worst Real Madrid Player: Angel Di Maria
Best Real Madrid Player: Sergio Ramos
1 comment:
It's wonderful that we regained control over the Liga in this particular match. It means so many things. I agree, we still have to win 2 matches, but it feels much better to be 7 points ahead :-)
I can see why you weren't thrilled by Ángel's match, he hasn't been his old self since he came back from his double injury, but I don't think he was the worst Real Madrid player, in the sense that he's the one who got us that corner, he's the one who shot it, and later on he's the one who initiated the counter and passed the ball to Özil. That being said, I loved what I saw once Esteban came on the pitch. He brought some calm to our game.
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