Real Madrid Castilla 5-2 Racing Santander B
Alfredi di Stefano Stadium was witness to Real Madrid Castilla’s best performance of the season on Sunday as the youth team throttled Racing B 5-2.
After an even start, Rodrigo put the Whites ahead on 39′ by knocking a rebound into the back of the net. Racing equalized on 49′ with a superb goal by Pablo Sarabia, but Gary put Castilla ahead 16 minutes later with a header. Mosquera fired home the third for the Whites on 73′ and Gonzalo answered on 78′ to keep Racing alive. With three minutes to play, Samu finished off a counterattack and generously assisted Juanfran, who put the nail in the coffin.
LINEUPS:
R.M Castilla: Adan; Velayos, Nacho, Gary, Marcos Alonso; Fran Rico, Mosquera, Luis Hernandez, Sarabia; Cristian, Rodrigo.
Racing B: Pablo; Gonzalo, Borja, Nando, Juanlu; Espolita, Guiti, Juan, Roberto; Reyes, Eusebio.
Athletic Club 1-0 Real Madrid
With an opportunity to move top in La Liga, Manuel Pellegrini lined up an all-star offense with Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Kaka in attack. Lass and Ramos also made their returns after not playing last weekend. The game couldn’t have gotten off to a more intense start as Gurpegui and Toquero hit back-to-back posts in the opening minute. Sixty seconds later, Llorente found the back of the net following a corner by Yeste and clearance attempt by Lass.
Athletic played at a frenetic pace but rarely held onto the ball. Real Madrid took possession but never managed to strike gold. Iraizoz got a hand to Benzema’s shot, the first of the match for Real, on 7′. Xabi Alonso distributed the ball from the midfield and nearly became the assist-man on the equalizer, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was off target (19’).
The Portuguese forward had several more chances in the first half, but the stats remained unchanged and Sevilla continue being the only team to score a first-half goal against Athletic. Near the half-hour mark, Iraizoz cleared a shot by Cristiano straight up into the air and the ball nearly crossed the goalline as it fell back to the turf. Ronaldo had another try on 31′ from distance, but the best scoring chance of the half was yet to come. Kaka provided a brilliant ball to Benzema, who sent the shot off the far post and into the hands of Iraizoz.
Manuel Pellegrini didn’t wait long to make his first change in the second half and Guti came in for Marcelo on 59′. Cristiano Ronaldo continued giving Athletic fits and could only watch as Los Leones’ goalkeeper became the star of the show following another save (59’). Iraizoz also got hands on shots by Guti and Kaka.
Granero had replaced Lass by then and Raul soon came in for Benzema. Real Madrid were bound to score, but it didn’t happen on 71′ when Cristiano combined with Kaka and the Brazilian’s shot grazed off the post. Nor did the Whites equalize when Kaka sent another strike inches wide of goal (82’), by wayward shots off the boots of Ramos and Raul or two more attempts by Cristiano. Real Madrid did not score the goal they so deserved and the three points stayed put at San Mames.
Spending most of the match trying to answer an early goal by Athletic Bilbao isn’t exactly what Real Madrid had in mind on Saturday. The Whites owned possession and gave it their all against Los Leones, but the countless attempts on goal went unrewarded.
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Director General Jorge Valdano praised the team’s hard work despute the fact that Real Madrid came up short in Bilbao. Head coach Manuel Pellegrini was pleased with his team’s performance but upset about the misfortune it had on goal. Sergio Ramos commented on Real Madrid’s defeat shortly after it concluded. Albiol and Xabi Alonso gave their thoughts on the unjust defeat in Bilbao.
Valdano:
Pellegrini:
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January 17, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Athletic Bilbao, Jorge Valdano, Manuel Pellegrini, Raúl Albiol, San Mamés, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso | 2 Comments »