The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Real Valladolid

Feb 1 1600 GMT Valladolid - Real Madrid 2:3 (final score)

1st half
'1-'10
-Real, in dark blue, with Zidane and Beckham, start a little sluggish and allow Valladolid an early opportunity by a dangerous header from a well timed cross
-Valladolid look dangerous this early, almost always over their right hand side. Real are lucky to get away with a holding inside their own penalty are.
-With Roberto Carlos absent Solari plays on the left hand side and an unknown player named Mejia (#33) is defending with Helguera while Guti plays in defensive midfield today
-it has been annoying in recent weeks that Real have been favoured by refereeing who seem influenced by the bright image of the 'galactics' especially in the Bernabeu
-'11-20
-Valladolid waste a good free kick opportunity and Real look fast one time when Raul and Beckham run the insuing counter attack. In the end all Real attacks are stopped well by the defence of Valladolid
-'21-'30
-once the class shows through: Beckham-Zidane-Ronaldo. But: offside
-('34) Valladolid: low cross by #24 from the right, #11 Oscar directly takes it, scores by a low shot from near the penalty spot 1:0
-Real miss Roberto Carlos badly
-('36) Ronaldo sets up Zidane, but his low shot his harmless
-referee has already booked Salgado (either Salgado for the foul or Guti for dissent) and Solari
-Real pressure a little more now
-but run into a counter:
-('42) Valladolid: across from the right (from where else), finds #11 Oscar who this time scores by a header - 2:0
-('44) the ball bounces into the hosts goal, but Helguera is booked for attacking the keeper as he wanted to kick off

halftime 2:0
Real sluggish and vulnarable on their left where Roberto Carlos is missing. Are the stars exhausted by the Wednesday - Saturday rhythm (the cup games of the last weeks)? Their opponents are, as usual, highly motivated. Such games are especially difficult for teams who rely as much on creativity as Real do,

2nd half
-'46-'48
-seems some words have been exchanged in the Real Madrid cabin at halftime. They come out a different team. It takes only 2 minutes for them to have Valladolid twice with their backs to the wall in goalmouth scrambles
-('49) the third time the hosts cannot resist anymore: a rebound is taken by Zidane who scores from 12 meters through a shot which seems intentionally deflected by Ronaldo - 2:1
-'50-'55
-continuing pressure by Real
-('56) best chance since the goal: Zidane with a slalom around defenders, a pass on Ronaldo who fires against the outside of the net
-('62) handball decision against Valladolid - the player, who had jumped to defend a cross, is red carded (either 2nd yellow card for red for dissent?) - Figo converts the penalty 2:2
-('68) Solari sees his second yellow card for a late challenge and Real Madrid is down to ten, too
-'69-'75
-the match is open now with both teams seeking to score, the more dangerous are Real, though, especially through Ronaldo
-('75) a fantastic scene, unbelievable trickery first by Ronaldo then by Zidane, might have been the goal of the year and is impossible to describe, but after having outplayed everybody including the keeper, Zidane is a little off balance and shoots across the bar from 7 meters, half right
-such a scene is especially exciting live, when you do not expect it coming and highlights correspond with suspense
-('76) Valladolid answer with a counter attack and hit the crossbar
-('83) young Juanfran (#34) has replaced Beckham but Valladolid are the dangerous team in the next moments; Both can win the match
-('86) Zidane through ball on Ronaldo but the keeper shuts down the angle and can save his shot
-('90) the genius of Zidane and Ronaldo: an unexpected sidefooted pass by Zidane enables Ronaldo to catch his defender off balance and he scores from 16 by a low shot into the right corner - 2:3

final score 2:3
A two goal halftime deficit was just what Real Madrid needed to be woken up. A mistake by Valladolid to score already in the first half...
The magical duo Zidane and Ronaldo, of course helped by the perfect work of the others, made a comeback possible which impressively proved the potential of this team
The greatest football show on Earth? Real Madrid games are always great to watch. Either they look great or they allow their opponents to. Often enough both in the same match.