The Whites miss out on a golden opportunity to end their 17-year winless streak in La Coruña
Deportivo 1-0 Real Madrid
March 15, 2008 -Real Madrid were unsuccessful in their attempt to break the Deportivo Coruña defense on Saturday. In an otherwise uninspiring match, the hosts put up the only goal of the night when Pepe tapped into his own net. The Whites maintain the top spot in the league despite the defeat, but Barcelona still have a chance to cut into the eight-point difference. Valencia visit the Santiago Bernabéu next Sunday.
Bernd Schuster had many changes in store as Real Madrid visited Depotivo on Saturday. Robinho joined Baptista and Marcelo on the bench, while Cannavaro, Soldado, and Drenthe took position on the pitch. The opponent: a five-man back line that complicated every Real Madrid attack.
Real Madrid took contol early on and relegated Deportivo to counterattacks. Guti and Sneijder paired up as the two brainchildren in midfield and Diarra backed them up close behind. Raúl and Soldado headed the attack but created very few scoring chances in the first 45. Guti delivered the first opportunity which Aouate stretched to clear (5’). Sneijder had a go ten minutes later from outside the box.
Pepe was outstanding in defense and displayed his knack for clearing balls out of the last third. Although Guti and Sneijder managed to move Madrid forward, Deportivo kept the visitors' threats to a minimum. Royston Drenthe was able to slip past Manuel Pablo several times along the left wing, but the lackluster first half quickly drew to a close.
It was much of the same after halftime. Deportivo placed their chips in their defense as Madrid looked for open space to mount a charge. The pace eventually picked up and both sides went on the attack, but it was the hosts who delivered the knockout punch. Filipe escaped from two Madridistas and shot on goal, but the ball struck Pepe's foot and sailed past Casillas (56’).
Real Madrid didn't cave in despite the goal and continued searching for the equaliser. Robinho and Higuaín replaced Drenthe and Soldado in an attempt to provide more offense, but because of Depor's positioning, Real Madrid's only chances were by way of set pieces and long-range shots. Sneijder nearly surprised Aouate, but the Dutchman's powerful strike sailed just wide of the post (Min. 82’). The hosts insisted on the counterattack and missed two great chances in front of Casillas, who was quiet all night long.
Neither Robinho from the left flank, nor Baptista from inside the box, nor Raúl and Higuaín were able to penetrate the defensive wall Miguel Ángel Lotina designed for his team. The Riazor curse must wait another season to be broken as Real Madrid extend their winless steak in La Coruña to 18 years. The Whites remain atop La Liga table and will look to regain the distance lost tonight with a win over Valencia next Sunday.
MATCH REPORT:
1- DEPORTIVO: Aouate, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Pablo Amo, Coloccini, Filipe, Wilhelmsson, Sergio (Antonio Tomás, 86’), De Guzmán, Lafita (Guardado, 79’) and Xisco (Riki, 68’).
0- REAL MADRID: Casillas, Miguel Torres, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze (Baptista, 77’), Sneijder, Guti, Diarra, Drenthe (Higuaín, 70’), Raúl and Soldado (Robinho, 70’).
REFEREE: Turienzo Alvarez. Booked De Guzmán (60’), Coloccini (69’), Torres (71’), Aouate (89’), Lopo (90’), and Pepe.
GOALS:
1-0, 56': Pepe own goal.
NOTES: Matchday 28 of La Liga played at Riazor Stadium. Attendance: 35,000.
Match report by Cristina Monge
Photography by David R. Anchuelo & Fernando Comeche
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
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