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Higuain 4-3 Malaga (I mean, Real Madrid won)
Yeah Yeah. The score line may suggest that it was a goal galore at the Bernabeu, but the fact remains that Real Madrid had to dig deep this time to get the bunny out of the hat.
Real Madrid went one man down and one goal down at one point in the middle of the match, but we are the two time La Liga reigning champions. Real Madrid came back with a bang. Anyway, there are a lot of positives and believe me, a lot, a lot of negatives of this game tonight , from which Real Madrid can learn a lot (used the word ‘a lot’ 3 times in 1 sentence, I know).
Point to be noted is that Real Madrid came from behind 3 times and still beat Malaga. That must do a world of good to the confidence of the players.
The game started at a frantic pace with Real Madrid trying to dominate the game and Malaga trying to close Real Madrid players down at every opportunity. Real Madrid showed some neat touches to ward them off by the way.
It was Málaga who took a shock lead though as Portuguese striker Eliseu drove into the box from the right touchline, jinking past Marcelo and Gabriel Heinze before squaring the ball into the box, only for it to cannon off a defender, onto the post, and back for him to tap in.
Seriously, I cannot believe how he dribbled past two defenders because he was so close to the by line that any sensible defender would have just stood his ground, but noooo, Heinze and Marcelo had other ideas.
Just minutes later though Real Madrid were level as in-form striker Higuaín got his sixth goal of the season after Guti had played a lovely ball through for Marcelo, which Marcelo smashed into keeper Francesc Arnau only for the rebound to fall straight to Higuain to tap it in.
it was an incredible start to the game. The midfield was wide open which allowed both teams to attack attack and some more attack. It was staggering to see such a open game at this level.
One of the commentators even remarked that this is looking like School football game, because the defence was so ‘not there’ for both the teams.
Anyway, Sneijder saw a shot parried by Arnau which Rafael Van Der Vaart nearly followed up with another goal, but his shot hit the side netting, and then, with just 17 minutes on the clock the scoreline was changed again, and yet again it was Málaga who took the lead.
Malaga broke down the wing (as most teams, if not all, do at the Bernabeu) and midfielder Duda squared the ball across the box for Nabil Baha to slot home from close range, sending Antonio Tapio into raptures.
Seriously, Malaga did deserve the goal because they tried hard to gain the advantage back. Real Madrid’s defence looked hapless and disorganised.
Again it was the stupid Heinze who did not bother to clear the low cross that came from the left hand side and the attacker rolled it into the goal. Cannavaro just stood there, leaving the Striker unmarked waiting for the linesman to call for offside.
At the other end Málaga were holding firm and the most threatening that Real Madrid looked after going behind was from set-pieces, as first Van Der Vaart and then Sneijder got the opportunity to test Arnau from close range.
Neither could though as they smacked their shots into the wall and the visitors very nearly grabbed a third on the counter as Adrian burst into the box and drove towards goal, but Iker Casillas was equal to it and saved.
Indeed, it was a set-piece that produced the next goal as Higuaín got his, and Real Madrid’s second, goal of the match, from the penatly spot.
Weligton was the guilty party as he hand-balled inside the area, although his body appeared to be outside, and Higuain (not allowing Van der Vaart to take any penalties at all) made no mistake from 12 yards as he smashed it low and hard past the fingertips of Arnau.
It was the perfect time for Real Madrid to score, with just ten minutes to go before the half-time whistle, but they were to be severely disadvantaged just seven minutes later as they were reduced to ten men.
Sergio Ramos (dumb 22 yo), who already had the pressure of th critics on him was the man seeing red as he appeared to accidentally stand on Eliseu after tackling him fairly.
The referee however must of seen it as deliberate as he sent him down the tunnel, much to the disbelief of Schuster (and myself) who surrounded Iturralde González in protestation.
On the first look, I could not believe that the referee had shown Sergio Ramos a red card for that. But when I watched in the replay, it did seem to be a little intentional. Anyway, he got a sent off, bye bye.
Schuster didn’t even give him ‘a pat on th back’ (why should he?)
There was no changing the decision though and as the half-time whistle sounded just a few minutes later the whistles rang out around the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid in Trouble Because of Stupid Referee AGAIN!!!
Despite having only 10 men the second-half started with Real Madrid controlling the play and dominating possession, although the first real chance fell to Málaga.
Duda, who was yet to find a decent delivery with a free-kick, whipped in a set piece only for it to bounce around in the box and fall to Miguel Angel, who should have done better than blast wide with his volley.
Malaga looked dangerous and kept on attacking the wings of Real Madrid. Eliseu especially was a real threat, being fouled on multiple occasions when he burst down the flank.
However, Real Madrid were still looking the more comfortable of the two sides and Fernando Gago should had done better than hit straight at the keeper when teed up by Higuaín from just outside the box.But then again, he is a defensive midfielder, scoring goals is not one of his traits.
Malaga still seemed content to hit on the counter-attack despite their numerical advantage and they should have worked Casillas on a few occasions but Weligton headed over and Baha shot into the stands.
They did take the lead though with just 20 minutes left in the match when Duda was barged over in the box by Gago and Apoño converted from the spot, smashing past the Spanish keeper and giving him no chance.
Gago, cleary tackled the ball way from the attacker and then Duda thought “OO i lost the ball, its time to take a dive” and so he did. Real Madrid again being targeted by the referees, I wonder why doesn’t the same happen to Barcelona, if people say that Real Madrid are just being too paranoid.
It was a highly debatable penalty but Real Madrid didn’t dwell on it for too long as, in sensational style, they went up the other end and scored straight from the kick-off (within seconds actually), with Higuaín grabbing his hat-trick.
Higuain received the ball in space and dribbled with it before shooting low and hard to spark wild celebrations from himself and all Real Madrid fans.
I was like “Yayyyy, whos your daddy now suckers!!! “because first I was upset about the Ramos red card and then the stupid penalty, plus the two stupid ( i use the word stupid a lot, I know, I am going to use th theasarus from now on to improve my vocabulary) goals conceded by Real Madrid’s defence.
It was a superb comeback from Real Madrid, for the third time, and things got even better for them just minutes later as the referee awarded the third penalty of the game, this time for the home side.
Van Der Vaart played the ball into the box for Higuaín and he was tripped from behind by Javier Calleja only to get up and dust himself off, see his penalty saved and then tap in the rebound for his fourth goal of the game.
The Bernabéu went crazy as Real Madrid went ahead for the first time in the match with just ten minutes left but they could so easily have been pegged back had the finishing been better from Málaga.
Baha was guilty of missing a good chance as he shot at Casillas just after Van Der Vaart had forced Arnau to dive at his feet at the other end.
Then late on, substitute Albert Luque saw a shot whistle past the post, while Málaga desperately pressed for a goal that would salvage the point they seemed to have earned.
However, it was not to be as the referee called time on a sensational match in the Bernabéu which was decided by the finishing of Gonzalo Higuaín.
Haha and Real Madrid won. Screw you Malaga. Seriously, I hate teams who play on the counter attack against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. I just hate this cheap tactic (though it is a very professional one).
Sucker of the day award went to Heinze and Sergio Ramos. Two undoubted worse men on the pitch for Real Madrid, for the obvious reasons.
My player of the day was Guti.
Guti thrilled the fans at Bernabeu, pulling rank when his team had only ten men on the pitch.
Forty-eight of his 56 passes reached their target despite Antonio Tapia’s fierce marking.
Amazingl Guti also helped in defence, always fighting for the ball and pulling off several steals that were crucial in the Whites’ comeback.
Guti’s excellent performance is of even greater merit when taking into account that he came back from an injury just two weeks ago and that his first game as a starter after his recovery was the recent clash with Juventus.
Here are some post match comments:
Schuster
“We were forced to replace Sneijder with Míchel Salgado in order to balance the team. The fact that we had one player less on the pitch didn’t change our tactics. We always thought we could win the match.”
“The penalty and Ramos’ red card made us stronger. We proved to grow stronger against adversity last year. We are the only team capable of this, but I would prefer to win some other way.”
“We hardly have time for anything. We have a new game every three days. Victories like this boost our morale and we have to try to improve on our mistakes in our next fixtures. We hardly have time to work in our training sessions, but this victory has made the team psychologically stronger.”
“I didn’t have a clear view on Ramos’ tackle, but I was nevertheless surprised by the red card booking.”
“I didn’t see the tackle that gave us the second penalty either, but judging from my men’s reaction it looked like a penalty.”
“Higuaín was obviously playing in his natural position tonight; that’s where we can use his speed and dribbling skills. His spirit is high this year and we can use that. I’m happy for him. I told him he could try to take penalties differently.”
Higuain (the goal scorer himself)
The team showed courage throughout the entire match and that’s why we won.”
“It’s important to thrill the fans and make them support us like they did tonight. It’s good to try to get them going sometimes. They were great today and I’m glad we were able to pay them back with a victory.”
“The fact that we took the three home points is very important. We should try to be calmer. We have tough games ahead of us and we’ll have to play much better.”
“I always try to do my best and today has been a great day for me. I want to give Ruud all my support. He should be patient. He has our support. I am very happy with my performance, but the rest of team also played very well.”
“I think our last penalty was properly awarded. It was a very fast tackle, but I think the ref was right.”
Real Madrid 4-3 Málaga
0-1 `5 Eliseu
1-1 `7 Higuaín
1-2 `17 Baha
2-2 `36 Higuaín
2-3 `69 Apoño
3-3 `71 Higuaín
4-3 `78 Higuaín
Bookings: `35 Weligton, `39 Heinze, `42 Higuaín, `68 Gago, `73 Duda, `82 Apoño
Sendings Off: `43 Ramos
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo, Gago, Sneijder (`45 Salgado), Guti, Drenthe (`73 Saviola), Van der Vaart (`83 Diarrá), Higuaín
Málaga: Arnau, Jesús Gámez, Helder Rosario, Welligton, Calleja, Miguel Ángel (`82 Fernando), Apoño, Eliseu (`62 Nacho), Duda, Baha, Adrián (`82 Luque)
