The Whites slip up against a Sevilla squad in need of points
Sevilla 2-0 Real Madrid
November 03, 2007 - Needing to get back on track, spurred on by their fans, and up against the opponent who brings out the best in teams, Sevilla took to the pitch with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Two goals in just over a minute were all the hosts needed to win. Keita struck first with unstoppable shot from outside the box, and Luis Fabiano provided a one-goal cushion by putting a Casillas deflection into the back of the net. Preparations for Wednesday's Champions League clash have already begun.
Madridistas know that once they walk into a packed Pizjuán Stadium and hear the Sevilla anthem that the venue they are visiting is by no means any easy place to play in. Spurred on by a fanbase desperate for a victory that would keep its side in the hunt for one of the top spots of the table, Manolo Jiménez's men took to the pitch and immediately put pressure on Real Madrid.
The first few minutes met all expectations: electrifying, intense, and several scoring opportunities. Kanouté had the first chance of the match near the penalty spot, but there was no catching Iker Casillas off-guard, not even a minute after the opening whistle. Not only was the '12th Man' a welcoming sight for Sevilla, but so were Dragutinovic and Poulsen, who missed the Andalusians last match against Atletico Madrid.
Bernd Schuster had little doubt. Why fix something that isn't broken? The German coach lined up the same eleven that ravaged Mestalla, but the dominating football the Whites displayed in Valencia looked nothing like what took place in Andalusia tonight. Madrid looked lethargic on offense and unsure in defence, and Sevilla took quick advantage of their lack of speed in response to the Red-and-White faithful.
The two bleakest minutes of the match for Real Madrid began little under half way through the first period. A play drawn up by Navas and Kanouté culminated in a brilliant strike by Keita from outside the box which found the upper right corner of Casillas' net.
The Pizjuán was still celebrating when Kanouté again made his way inside the box, controlled the ball on the run, and tried his luck on goal. Casillas was there for the save, but the deflection landed at the feet of Luis Fabiano, who tapped in Sevilla's second of the night.
The second half lost in intesity but grew more and more tense as Sevilla found their comfort zone on the turf and turned to the counterattack. The tempo slowed and tempers flared, resulting in Sergio Ramos being sent off and a possible penalty on Raúl that the referee interpreted as a dive.
The Whites never really found their rhythm and only created a few opportunities that actually put Palop's goal in danger.
Sevilla proved to be a top-notch rival and a real title candidate. Real Madrid, meanwhile, return to the Spanish capital still holding onto the top spot in the League. Next up, Champions League action versus Olympiacos in Athens next Tuesday.
MATCH REPORT:
SEVILLA: Palop; Alves, Fazio (Mosquera, min.34), Dragutinovic, Crespo (Diego Capel, min.41); Poulsen, Keita, Navas, Adriano; Luis Fabiano (Renato, min.77) and Kanouté.
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Marcelo; Diarra, Gago (Torres, min.56), Robinho, Guti; Raúl (Balboa, min.70) and Van Nistelrooy (Baptista, min.80).
REFEREE: Alfonso Álvarez Izquierdo. Booked Dani Alves (min.30), Keita (min.40), Robinho (min. 47), Casillas (min.51), Raúl (min.58), Capel (min.63), Diarra (min.75) and Guti (min.85). Sent off Sergio Ramos (min.51).
GOALS:
1-0, min 20: Keita finds the right corner of the net from outside the box.
2-0, min 21: Luis Fabiano capitalizes on a Casillas deflection.
NOTES: Matchday 11 of La Liga played at Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Attendance: 45,000.
Match report by Cristina Monge
Photos by Alejandro González
Translation by Matthew Goltz
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