The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Real Madrid Live 2004

Mar 20 1830 GMT Atletic Bilbao - Real Madrid 4:2 (final score)

Before the match
Real with Mejia, Solari in for Ronaldo, Raul Bravo
Beckham with Apache style hair instead of his ponytail
Casillas
Salgado Helguera Mejia RobertoCarlos
Beckham Guti
Figo Zidane Solari
Raul

1st half
-('1-'10) a fast lively match with half chances on either side through distance attempts (no problem for the keepers) and a Casillas error at a cross
-(11-'22) a spectacular save by each keeper, Casillas with his foot against a low shot from close range and the Bilbao keeper against a powerful Figo attempt from 20 meters
-Real as so often recently more brilliant individually while lacking fast direct passing sequences
-('23-'35) more quiet in front of the goals, biggest excitement after another Casillas error after 30 minutes
-Real control the match and dominate ball possession, they successfully apply pressing on the Bilbao defenders
-but the goal comes against that trend:
-('41) Bilbao force an error in the Real build up by pressing on the defenders and #10 Yeste beats Casillas by a perfectly curved low shot into the second corner - 1:0
-('43) Real concede another goal at a set piece: A free kicks cross flies in from the left and #20 Urzaiz rises highest to score though challenged by his header into the far corner - 2:0

halftime 2:0
Real not capable to convert individual domination into goals or even clearcut chances. So the usual mistakes prove costly: one normal error that happens with a team that tries to construct an attack from each possession, one of a team that always has problems to defend set pieces.

2nd half
-('49) Raul
-It seems Real pass the ball much faster now
-('58) But Atletic run fast counter attacks and almost score by a deflected shot from 20 meters (Etxeberria)
-('62) Real play fast and direct - Figo diagonal to the left flank, Roberto Carlos directly with a cross on Raul who directly scores from close range - 2:2
-('70) chaos in the Real defence after Helguera can make only a poor clearance at a free kick cross, Casillas can save against a dangerous shot but then Real is lucky not to be punished with a penalty when Salgado's foot hits the head of a striker at his desperate rescue attempt at the rebound
-Bilbao apply a lot of pressure now, Reakl rather react, lose the ball early in build up. Especially when the player in ball possession plays alone or has to play alone because he can't find anybody open.
-('75) Atletic find it easy to get chances from set pieces: it is another free kick cross that finds the head of Del Horno who scores by a diving header - 3:2
-('77) Atletic send the crowd into a frenzy as they conquer the ball and Del Horno makes a slalom through the Real defenders and scores through the legs of Casillas - 4:2
-a lot of what happens has to do with running: Bilbao players always have a player open, play fast and apply pressing when Real in possession. Real not always, but too often, either do not have a player open or first take the ball, take a look, run with the ball, and get into traps, from which they sometimes can free themselves by their individual brilliance, but too often cannot. Still they have managed to score twice, but to overcome four goals it has not been enough.
That's what it seems - still some Real players look exhausted, they have done some running...
-('82) Bilbao let loose, Casillas rescues
-('85) Casillas rescues again, one against one
-('88) Atletic who seem to have grown wings, run more dangerous counter attacks
-Real still fight, try to force chances, now have players open, but now nothing seems to work, crosses fly behind the goal twice

final score 4:2
Real conceded two goals against free kick crosses, two against pressing on their own build up. On the other side they were capable to create two goals but were far away from making up enough chances for this number of goals conceded

Mar 6 1830 GMT Racing Santander - Real Madrid 1:1 (final score)

before the match:
Real with Mejia in for Salgado, Solari in for Raul.

1st half:
-('1)-('15) lively match. Real try to monopolise the ball but are vulnerable at set pieces again. Ronaldo scores, but from offside position. Santander with attacking football, crosses from the flanks.
-('15-'28) Real gets more of the game with long passing sequences. Santander not agressive trying to close passing lanes only. The consequence: Real get into a rhythm
-('29) Figo cross from the right, Ronaldo can't control, Zidane comes back out of passive offside, sets up Solari who scores by a low shot from the edge of the penalty area - 0:1
-('30) Zidane almost scores the second as Real gear up
-('32) But Reals big set piece weakness comes back to haunt them: a free kick cross is badly defended and falls to the feet of #15 who scores easily into the deserted goal - 1:1
-('33-'42) Santander, fired up do a lot of running but create only half chances
-('43) and it's Real who have the biggest scene as again after a long passing sequence it is Zidane's brilliance as one touch catalyst and accelerator that enables Guti to break through and almost score with a deflected shot
-
2nd half:
-('45-60) open match, Real with a little more of the match, few clearcut chances. Real seem more fresh today after a midweek without a match
-('61-75) Real dominate but suffer a shock: Ronaldo has injured himself and it does not look good as he slowly limps into the cabin
-with Raul (and Portillo?) absent Nunez is now in as lone striker
-('76-'90) Real pressure but cannot get clearcut chances
-('90+2) the trigger happy referee has finally found somebody to show his yellow card twice: it's Real's Mejia - Real are down to 10

final score 1:1
To Real, more important than the result will be what the doctors say about Ronaldo

Feb 29 1800 GMT Real Madrid - Celta de Vigo 4:2 (final score)

before the match:
Real full strength trying to make forget the almost embarassing display at Munich in the much more prefered Bernabeu.

1st half:
-('1)-('5) Celta Vigo dominate the match. One clearcut chance wasted and one attempt to get a penalty: a silly idea as it seems to be common theory that vistors do not get penalties at the Bernabeu this season
-('7) Casillas has come up with a fine save to deny another opportunity for the visitors
-('9) After another dangerous Celta attempt, Real with their first well constructed attack but short of making a shot on goal
-('10-'15) a lively match, both sides dangerous, Real with the best opportunity when the Celta keeper saves a dangerous Raul shot from 20 meters, made up by Zidane
-like most of the match at Munich, Real are not pressing their opponents build up. they try to cut diown spaces with positional play, what seems difficult against a team well capable of one touch combinations
-('18) a corner flies into the Real penalty area. While Helguera manages to prevent his opponent from reaching the ball, it flies on to Ilic who is center to the goal and has meters space around him. Unchallenged he stops the ball and kicks it into the net - 0:1
-the famous vulnerabilty of the Spanish champions to corners
-('20-'25) inspired by Guti, Real more agressive now. the consequence: No chances for Celta. But no chances for Real as well because Celta, intercepted early, with more players behind the ball now
-('26-'36) With the grip of the hosts loosening a little bit, it is only Vigo who half two half chances
-('37) Celta keeper Pinto without mistake twice, first against a Zidane shot from 25 and then against a Helguera header on the insuing corner
-('38-'45+) match interrupted often, more discussions (Guti theatralically denying fouls he did make) goal scenes

halftime 0:1

2nd half:
-('46-'55) no change: Celta with too many men behind the ball to threaten Real like before the goal. Real players too long in individual possession of the ball, no one touch combinations, maybe not enough running without the ball. But Celta pay the price for being too passive:
-('55) error in the Celta defence after a corner, the ball falls to the feet of Ronaldo, who scores unchallenged from close range - 1:1
-('57) after a Helgueara error, Casillas rescues one on one against Milosevic
-('58-'63) Real look more inspired now, Ronaldo and especially Raul dropping back to become available for passing, Roberto Carlos is becoming a target on the wing as well, while Figo still running into deadlocks
-('63) Pinto rescues against raul one on one after a Ronaldo through ball
-('64) a long Figo cross from the right hand side finds the head of Zidane at the second post. He scores into the far corner - 2:1
-('68) Celta try to put pressure again on Real and become very dangerous through a combination via their right hand attacking side. the eventual Ilic shopt misses the goal narrowly
-Celta have made substitutions, attack with more players now, and have immediately thrown the Real defence into confusion over marking
-('71) a long perfectly timed through ball by Beckham on Figo, who races away from his defender and scores from a tight angle - 3:1
-('73) Ronaldo hits the outside off the net from a similar position, this time from the left hand side
-('75-'80) Real bring on Solari and Nunez for Ronaldo and Raul
-With Solari fixed on the left, the midfield superstars are more swapping positions now, like they used to do more often a year ago.
-('88) the Celta keeper rescues against Guti, set up by Zidane
-('89) a concentration error allows Milosevic to score from a one on one against Casillas - 3:2
-('90+2) Zidane picks up a pass by Figo and unleashes a dry direct shot with the outside of his foot to score the fourrth Real goal - 4:2

final score 4:2
Celta Vifo threw away the match when in drivers seat and leading 1:0. Everybody knows when you leave to Real the pitch and the ball, sooner or later their individual quality will provide the goals.

Feb 21 1830 GMT Espanyol Barcelona - Real Madrid 2:4 (final score)

before the match:
Real: Guti, Beckham suspended, Juanfran, Borja in. Figo absent as well, so there is still a place for Solari despite the reuturn of Zidane.
Espanyol with two players who have been ignored by their National associations for the African Nations Cup: Morocco's Hadji (the older brother) and Cameroons Womé

1st half:
-Real in new shirts, a mixture of silver, grey, and light blue. Shorts and Stockings from their dark blue kit.
-'1-'15
-Espanyol agressive, focussed, several corners. Real a little sluggish, similar to the last away match at Valladolid.
'-'24
-Espanol had just had a great opportunity after fine work by Hadji, when on the counter attack Raul goes down in the penalty. The referee sees him dragged from behind while protecting the ball.
-'26
-Ronaldo converts the penalty - 0:1
-'31
the referee sees a foul by Casillas at De La Pena in a similar situation, only with the leg
-'32
-Tamudo converts the penalty - 1:1
-'33-'38 Real more lively now
-'39 best scene for Real so far: Borja with a perfect through ball on Zidane. Zidane with some moves to take the defender out of the game and a sharp dangerous shot from half left. he misses only by centimeters, wide at the far corner.

2nd half:
-Figo is in now for Juanfran
-'46'47 Both with a lively start into the second half, Real seem to come out more focussed like in that Valladolid match. We'll see.
-'53 cross from the right to the left, Ronaldo stops the ball still inside the penalty area, sets up Roberto Carlos who arrives running from midfield. Roberto Carlos beats the keeper by a this time very precise, not very sharp, direct shot from just inside the penalty area - 1:2
-'54-'65
-Real dominate, but without clearcut opportunities. The addition of Figo has helped. Espanyol at least with a dangerous corner
-'67 a simple corner -- header - goal: Raul Bravo - 1:3
-Real with so many weapons. This one is new and perhaps came to the surprise of the defence.
-'69 surprise hidden through ball by Helguera? on Ronaldo. Referees say it is not offside. Ronaldo 'walks' around the keeper and into the goal with the ball - 1:4
-'74 the Espanyol keeper rescues against ZIdane in one on one
-'75 Figo has a 20 meter attempt saved
-it is all Real now, they seem to have fun
-a lively match, up and down, not very intense defending
-'85 Espanyol score after a free kick cross - 2:4
-'90 ... and have another big opportunity

Feb 15 2000 GMT Real Madrid - Valencia CF 1:1 (final score)

before the match:
Real: Zidane suspended, Solari and Guti are playng both
Valencia: Aimar back from injury

1st half:
- Real in white, Valencia in orange-black-orange
-('1) Valencia: Aimar's quick through ball sends a player facing the keeper one on one, but he is called back for a milimeter offside
-'2-'5 Valencia begin sharp agressive, Aimar appears extremely motivated.
-'6-'9 Real start to occupy the ball and to create first situations near or in the guests penalty area
-'10 Valencia remain dangerous when pressing the Real defenders (Real possession) or surprising them with quick through balls (Valencia midfield possession) while swapping positions
-('11) Valencia: dangerous long range attempt by #14 Vincente, but wide
-('14) Real: Salgado volleys a defended corner from 18 meters, but Canisarez makes a great save.
-('20) Valencia: after 5 minutes of less spectacular action Mista makes a flying volley from a cross coming from the left flank. He only misses by half a meter
-('21) Real: Roberto Carlos free kick from more than 25 meters, full power into the wall
-('22) Real: Figo's run into the penalty area is more dangerous, but defended
-Real so far more over the right wing only
-('23) Valencia: Aimar brilliantly orchestrates a coiunter attack, but Vicentes attempt from the left is the wrong compromise between a good cross and a shot on target
-('27) Real: Beckham free kick from more than 25 meters, curved, wide
-('28) Real: a quick attack with a dangerous cross follows
-('29) Valencia answer with a good attack, but are stopped for a free kick, which leads to a long but ineffective new attacking attempt
-('31) Real: Ronaldo, today quick and tricky, gets another free kick, this time a little closer to the goal (25 meters)
-('32) Real: Roberto Carlos into the wall once more
-probably the poor guys will throw themselves out of the way the next time
-('35) Real: Guti sees the first yellow card for a dangerous play foul against Mista
-('37) Real: Aimar breaks through and is fouled by Salgado 1 meter before entering the penalty area. Salgado is lucky to see only yellow.
-this will surely reignite the discussion of Real being favored in the Bernabeu. The referee might argue there was a second player which might have been still able to make a challenge
-('38) Baraja free kick is wide
-('41) Real: perfect cross from the left, Raul wants to tap it in, but Carnisarez is lucky the ball bounces of his leg, back into the field
-('42) Real: Beckham free kick, 25 meters, across the bar
-('43) Real: Raul gets the next free kick, same position, Valencia's Albeda sees yellow
-('44) Real: indirectly played, Roberto Carlos with a curved ball, wide again, but closer to the goal than in the attempts before

halftime 0:0
Real with more of the game, but Valencia very dangerous in counter attacks. It seems very important to score first here.

2nd half:
-'46-'47 Valencia begin more focussed and Real have to defend two menacing attacking waves.
-('50) Real: Raul, unchallenged, heads a Figo cross into the arms of Carnisarez
-it is rather the quickness of the attack than a lack of concentration that has played Raul free and made him fail
-'51-'61 a balanced match, no big goal scenes, but ready to explode any moment
-('62) here it is: Beckham, through ball on Raul, but he fires wide from 16 meters with only the keeper to beat
-('65) Real threat once more, eventually stopped by an offside
-('68) Real: in the race for the ball Figo jumps into the keeper like an idiot and is happy to see only yellow. At least that's what it seemed to have looked like to the Valencia players, who are furious. In fact he appears to rather have slipped in the attempt to avoid the collision in the last moment. So yellow seems fair.
-Real show a constant vulnerability this year at corners:
-('74) Valencia: A corner flies in, comes down exactly on the penalty spot where Ayala wins the challenge for the ball and makes a powerful header into the net - 0:1
-'78-'79 both sides make replacements, Valencia Rufete in for Angulo, Real Portillo in for Solari
-Real wish they would be allowed to bring in Zidane now
-Valencia allow Real to pin them deep into their half, defend with nine players and try long balls on their lone striker, without prospect. They come back immediately.
-('83) Once their inside Real half, they try to waste some time, get corners, free kicks, it does not work for very long
-'84-'87 Valencia with some more control and...
-('88) back with their backs to the wall. But Carnisarez makes no mistake against a deflected 20 meter strike
-('90) Valencia: #23 in for Aimar, Carnisarez grabs a cross
-('90) 3 minutes injury time are signalled, might be some seconds more, as Ayala has to be treated
-('90+2) Real get a penalty. A clever move by Raul. A cross into the penalty area. Carboni(Marchena?) works a bit with his arm to keep Raul back. Raul twists himself into Carboni so that it looks as if he is really torn down with power. A 50:50 decision. In doubt for the hosts...
-('90+3) Figo sends the keeper into the wrong corner - 1:1

final score 1:1
Two teams famous for their sophisticated art of playing football, matched by almost no European team at the moment. But this match came down to the every team banalities of professional football: A header from a corner and an Italian style controversy about the late penalty to the rescue of the home team.