Post-match comments
Juande Ramos was pleased with his men’s victory and believes his team deserved to win. Iker Casillas was satisfied with the victory obtained at San Mames, the same stadium that witnessed his Primera Division debut. Real Madrid Sporting Director Pedja Mijatovic offered his opinion on the victory at San Mames. Huntelaar and Metzelder spoke positively about Real Madrid’s victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Juande Ramos:
The score reflects what took place on the pitch. Real Madrid were the superior team. We allowed two unfortunate goals. One was an own goal and the other a defensive mistake. It was a shame because the draw made it much more complicated. But the team responded and did what it had to. It was especially important after the intense match we played last Tuesday against Liverpool.
There’s a lot of friction and intensity in Athletic-Real Madrid matches. It was a heated contest but you have to accept it as a part of football. I don’t think the referee influenced the final result. The penalty for example was quite obvious.
I decided to play with two free-roaming players like Marcelo and Robben, which is the reason for Higuain being a sub.
If we had to choose I would have preferred to continue in the Champions League. But on a positive note, it’s clear that we now have seven days to prepare for each match and Barcelona do not. Fatigue though isn’t always a factor. It doesn’t mean we will narrow the gap sooner.
Casillas:
We were coming off a tough loss and we won a great match in a difficult place to play. We did our homework. We must continue playing like we did tonight. Winning here was the best recipe. It was a must and we took care of business. Now we need to see what Barcelona do in their visit to Almeria.
Lass and Huntelaar are two great players and tonight they proved it with solid performances. But what is most important is how well we played as a team and our desire to bounce back from two disappointing performances.
I don’t want to judge the referee’s call to send Yeste off. Fran came onto me too strong and it was a rough collision. I think he was sent off because he hit me in the face.
Athletic Bilbao is a rugged team and they sought the victory until the very end. We will fight until the very last match to win this league.
Mijatovic:
It’s important to take one match at a time in this league because every victory is crucial if we are to finish as champions.
Today’s victory, in a stadium as tough as San Mames, was important. This victory boosts our morale as we head into forthcoming matches.
We must only focus on our next opponent and win every match we have left.
We played well, which is more important than my two goals. It was a tough match, but I think we deserved to win.
We still have a chance to win La Liga. There are a lot of matches left and we will do our best. Barça must also still visit the Bernabeu.
Metzelder:
It was a heated contest but we knew how to handle all the emotion. The red card was fair in my opinion. We know we will be booked if we push a player, and in such a heated match with so many fouls we knew the referee would be quick in booking players.
It was a key play because it was easier to play against ten men, but the referee didn’t influence the match’s outcome.
We wanted to have fun playing after what took place in Liverpool. We enjoyed it out there and I am sure people had fun watching us.
Things change quickly in football. We knew we had the talent. What happened in the Champions League was a horrible defeat, but we showed that we’re still very much alive. It was important to finish this match with eleven men, to play calm and to finish off our plays successfully.
Athletic Bilbao 2-5 Real Madrid
Two teams gave it their very all on Saturday at San Mames. Tension, passion, struggle and goals; plenty of goals. Real Madrid bounced back nicely and defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-5 with goals by Robben, Heinze, Higuain and a brace by Huntelaar. The Whites are now three points off Barcelona, who tomorrow visit Almeria.
Athletic Bilbao stuck to a game plan similar to that implemented against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey seminfinal a week and a half ago. Real Madrid however withstood the initial pressure from the direct football the hosts put forth and slowly but surely gained the upper hand.
Lass was the main lifeline in the midfield alongside Sneijder, who fed ball after ball to the attack. The majority of the Madridista offense though was produced along the right wing, where Robben was very active. On 22’ the former Chelsea star received a perfect ball from Sneijder, feinted past a defender and curled a shot into the net. Twelve minutes later, Gabi Heinze headered home a free-kick taken by Sneijder.
Athletic unsuccessfully continued trying to beat an inspired Casillas, but minutes after scoring for Madrid Heinze could only watch as his clearance attempt found the way into his own keeper’s goal. On the ensuing play Casillas was knocked to the turf by Fran Yeste, who was immediately sent off by the referee. The match increased in friction and Athletic managed to capitalize minutes before the half when Llorente brilliantly steared a cross from the right wing into the potato sack with his head.
The Whites struck quickly after the break when Huntelaar hugged the right post and beat Iraizoz. The former Ajax striker has come on strong in recent matches. He capped off the night with a lob over the keeper following a spectacular assist by Robben as the two galloped down the pitch on a counterattack.
The match was in the books. Scuffles broke out frequently and there was little football to be seen. Marcelo was tackled inside the box in the closing minutes and Higuain converted the penalty kick for his 15th goal on the year. Now it’s time to wait and see how Barcelona fare, albeit while only three points off their lead.
Pepe dislocates the ring finger on his right hand
According to Real Madrid’s medical services, Pepe dislocated the ring finger on his right hand. He will undergo further tests on Sunday to determine if there is any bone damage.
Lineups:
Athletic Club: Iraizoz, Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Koikili (Balenziaga 51′), Javi Martínez, Toquero, Orbaiz (Susaeta 61′), David López (Gurpegi 57′), Yeste, Llorente;
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Metzelder, Pepe, Heinze, Marcelo, Lass, Sneijder, Robben (Faubert 72′), Huntelaar (Parejo 84′), Raúl (Higuaín 70′);
Goals:
0-1, 22′ – Robben
0-2, 34′ – Heinze
1-2, 36′ – Heinze (OG)
2-2, 45′ – Llorente
2-3, 47′ – Huntelaar
2-4, 61′ – Huntelaar
2-5, 85′ – Higuain (Pen)
Just another Madridista
Press comments
The Spanish press on Sunday hailed Real Madrid’s bounce-back performance against Athletic Bibao and Robben, Huntelaar and Sneijder are praised for their “Dutch connection.”
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March 15, 2009 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Athletic Bilbao, San Mamés | Leave A Comment »