Atletico Madrid B 2-1 RM Castilla
Snow and ice took centre stage in the derby and prevented both teams from playing their best football. Castilla scored the opening goal through Juan Carlos (1′), but the locals eventually turned the score around with strikes from Molino and Ibra.
MATCH SUMMARY:
ATLETICO MADRID B: Joel; Regalón, Portilla, Pulido, Atienza; Ruben Perez, Keko, Koke, Cedric; Molino, Ibra.
REAL MADRID CASTILLA: Adan; Velayos, Nacho, Juanan, Marcos Alonso; Mateos, Luis Hernandez (Vazquez, 57′), Mosquera, Juan Carlos; Samu (Rodrigo, 52′), Cristian.
GOALS:
0-1: Juan Carlos (1′)
1-1: Molino (13′)
2-1: Ibrahima (51′)
Notes: Second Division B, Group II, Matchday 20. Venue: Cerro del Espino.
Referee:
Red cards: Raul Ruiz (78′)
Real Madrid 2-0 Mallorca
Real Madrid scored two goals against Mallorca, but they had at least a dozen chances to net more. Higuain scored the opener on the box-line and Granero followed suit. It’s been three games since the Whites last conceded a strike and they remain undefeated at the Bernabeu in La Liga.
Kaka and Gago were the new faces on the lineup. As soon as the match kicked-off, Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted 50 metres with the ball to put pressure on Mallorca and show them just how motivated he and his team were.
The Madridistas were excellent in attack, positioning themselves well to finish off all collective efforts despite Mallorca’s tight defence, but they were also solid in their half of the pitch. It took the team just seven minutes to score the opener. Kaka served a brilliant pass to Higuain, who dribbled past a player and scored an unstoppable shot with his left foot.
Real Madrid had six more chances on goal in the first half, two of which deserve to be mentioned. The first was a failed one-on-one by Kaka (22′), who had previosly triangulated with Ronaldo (the Portuguese gave the ball back with a terrific pass with his back to his team-mate). Several minutes later, Cristiano masterfully controlled the ball and took a shot, but he was off target (38’).
As soon as the second half was underway, Granero (who came on for Van der Vaart on the 20-minute mark due to an injury) scored the team’s second strike from a volley following a phenomenal cross from Higuain.
The Whites weren’t satisfied with the score and, despite the cold temperature and the snow falling onto the pitch, kept trying to net more strikes. Ronaldo missed a shot from afar (53’) and close to the goal-line (87’), and Higuain (63’) and Kaka (54’) also failed to score from their chances. Granero would have tallied another from right outside the box if his terrific shot hadn’t been prodigiously saved by the goalkeeper (59’).
Guti received a standing ovation when he replaced the niggled Xabi Alonso (83’) and showcased his playmaking skills as solidly as ever. Real Madrid never diminished their onslaughts on Mallorca and in the end deserved to win with a larger cushion.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Garay, Albiol, Marcelo, Gago, Xabi Alonso (Guti 85′), Van der Vaart (Granero 21′), Kaká (Benzema 71′), Higuaín, Cristiano Ronaldo;
Mallorca: Aouate, Josemi, Rubén, Nunes, Ayoze, Mario, Martí (Víctor 86′), Borja Valero, Julio Álvarez (A. Keita 59′), Chori Castro, Aduriz (Pezzolano 79′);
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Director General and Presidential Aide Jorge Valdano analysed the victory over Mallorca for Realmadrid.com and RealmadridTV. Manuel Pellegrini was very happy with his team’s victory, as he believes his men played well in every aspect of the game. Kaka made his comeback tonight after recovering from pubalgia. The player was happy with the victory and with his recovery.
Jorge Valdano:
Manuel Pellegrini:
(more…)
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January 11, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Jorge Valdano, Kaká, Manuel Pellegrini, RCD Mallorca | Leave A Comment »