The Whites win in convincing fashion and are eight points clear of second place
Real Madrid 7-0 Valladolid
February 10, 2008 -There was cause for celebration at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, and no better reasons to party than an absolute goalfest. Guti, Raúl, Baptista, Robben... each and every player contributed his two cents in leading Real Madrid to a very important victory. The point cushion is now back to eight, and any concerns and doubts raised following last week's defeat against Almería have quickly been dispelled. The Bernabéu hasn't witnessed its team lose in over a year.
The anniversary being celebrated in the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday deserved a great party. Completing one full year without losing at home was more than enough reason for Bernd Schuster to unleash the lions against Real Valladolid. More than 365 days have past since a visiting team has left the Madridista stadium with three points in hand. Many successful matchdays which first led to last season's league title and now have the Whites sitting on an eight-point cushion in Primera Division. One year of victories deserved one scintillating drubbing.
The stadium scoreboards went haywire in the first half with five goals by Real Madrid, who continue commanding with an iron fist and capitalizing on every opportunity they get. Tonight's victim was Real Valladolid, who never surrendered despite the thrashing. The recently-promoted side displayed courage, fighting spirit, and tremendous potential. Sisi and Llorente were their two primary threats in the first half and both tested Iker Casillas on more than one occasion. The experienced defense also looked organized and provoked five offside calls in the first 45 minutes alone.
But tonight was Real Madrid's night. Well aware that they could regain a significant lead in the table, the Whites kicked into high gear and immediately went in for the kill. Robinho created the first opportunity with a low shot that clipped Asenjo's post. One minute later, Robben trapped the ball at the top of the box and slipped it through to Baptista, who buried the first of the night (min. 10).
Break out the champagne
Robinho retired on the quarter-hour mark and was substituted by Drenthe, who was one of the most active players all night. Despite their deficit, Valladolid continued attacking with the same boldness displayed in the opening minutes.
The visitors allowed so much open space that it was only a matter of time before the goals began raining down. Four in fifteen minutes, in fact. It was the captain's turn. Raúl received a pass from Guti -his eighth assist on the year- inside the box, dribbled around the charging keeper, and put the right-footed shot into the back of the net for his tenth in league play (min.30). Only two minutes had ticked off the clock when Guti -ninth assist- found Robben in full stride and on his way to his first league goal with Real Madrid (min. 32).
Plenty of time remained for Madrid to increase the lead. The fourth was scored from the penalty spot after Baptista was tackled by Asenjo (min. 38). Raúl was given the task of taking the kick and slipped it between the keeper and the right post. In the final minute before halftime, Guti capped off his brilliant performance with a goal of his own following a long pass by Drenthe from the right wing. The players made their way to the dressing room amid a standing ovation from the Bernabéu.
The party rolls on Five goals to close out the first party and maximum concentration to begin the second. A mistake by Iker Casillas forced Míchel Salgado to intervene between the posts to keep the clean sheet intact. Guti kept the party alive with his second goal of the night. The midfielder received a Robben pass at the top the box and the ensuing strike careened off the post and in (min. 62).
Sergio Ramos and Gago were replaced by Diarra and Soldado, but Valladolid couldn't stop the bleeding. The seventh of the night was hammered home by Drenthe, who had little trouble finishing off another Guti pass (min. 79).
A match for the history books. Real Madrid have tallied eleven 7-0 victories in the Santiago Bernabéu, the last against Las Palmas in 2001/02. Seven goals which help increase the distance between the Whites and their closest pursuers. Seven goals which tighten Madrid's hold on the top spot in the table.
MATCH REPORT:
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Míchel Salgado, Sergio Ramos (Diarra, 57’), Cannavaro, Marcelo, Robinho (Drenthe, 15’), Gago (Soldado, 74’), Guti, Robben, Baptista, and Raúl.
REAL VALLADOLID: Asenjo, Marcos, García Calvo, Rafa, Pedro López, Álvaro Rubio, Vivar Dorado, Capdevila (Óscar Sánchez, 57’), Víctor (Borja, 45’), Sisi (Sesma, 72’), and Llorente.
REFEREE: Ramírez Domínguez. Booked Sergio Ramos (22’) and Asenjo (38’)
GOALS:
1-0, min.9: Baptista.
2-0, min.30: Raúl.
3-0, min.32: Robben.
4-0, min.38: Raúl.
5-0, min.44: Guti.
6-0, min.62: Guti.
7-0, min.79: Drenthe.
NOTES: La Liga Matchday 23 played at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Match report by Arancha Díaz
Photography by David R. Anchuelo and Fernando Comeche
Translation by Matthew Goltz
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