Closer to winning the title
Real Madrid 1-0 Murcia
April 13, 2008 -Three more points and one game less. The match had a negative start for the Whites when Miguel Torres was sent off in the 19th minute, but Sneijder eventually managed to score the only goal of the game. There are still six games left in the competition and Real Madrid are currently leaders with a nine-point cushion.
There is something at stake for every team at this stage in the League; some look to make it to next season's Champions League, others to the UEFA Cup, some want to avoid relegation... Nothing's easy any more.
Pepe returned to the starting line-up instead of Cannavaro, who had been given the day off by Bernd Schuster. Miguel Torres took the place of Sergio Ramos, who missed the game due to suspension, and Robinho took Higuaín's spot. They were ready to face Real Murcia, who had recently defeated Espanyol 4-0 and surprisingly won against Valencia last week.
One man down
Real Madrid looked for an early goal. Sneijder had the first chance with a long free-kick that Corini sent out for a Madrid corner kick (7’). The Dutchman again created a dangerous chance from a free-kick, but Raúl failed to finish it off on target (11’). The most controversial moment of the game came in the 19th minute when Miguel Torres was sent off with a red card after tackling Aquino. The Whites were left with ten men on the pitch and things got complicated for them, but they never gave up.
Murcia defended fiercely against every local onslaught with as many as seven men in defence at times, but they only had one dangerous chance in the entire first half when they reached Iker Casillas' box with several attackers against Pepe and Heinze, but Sneijder suddenly cut through their play diagonally and took the ball (43’).
Murcia's unconquerable defensive wall
Murcia played their cards brilliantly; a draw at the Bernabéu was a very good result for them. On the other hand, the Whites needed a victory to increase their lead on the table and Sneijder eventually scored from a great shot with his right foot (58’).
Real Madrid stayed focused and didn't relax one bit. Murcia continued with their defensive system despite the goal and Schuster decided to strenghten the team's defence with Míchel Salgado, who came in for Robinho.
The final minutes of the encounter saw Murcia desperately trying to net an equaliser, but hardly putting Iker to the test, while the locals looked for a second strike with some interesting cross-over plays. In the end, Real Madrid won a not too brilliant match, distancing themselves further from the other contenders to the title.
MATCH REPORT:
REAL MADRID: Casillas; M.Torres, Pepe, Heinze, Marcelo; Sneijder (Drenthe, 70’), Guti (Diarra, 86’), Gago, Robben; Robinho (Michel Salgado, 62’) & Raúl.
Real Murcia: Carini; Pina, Pignol (Movilla, 60’), Marañón, Peña; Arzo, Cuadrado; De Lucas (Rosinei, 57’), Kabous, Dani; & Goitom.
REFEREE: Eduardo Iturralde González. Booked Pepe (16’), Guti (29’), Robben (85’), Cuadrado (26’), Goitom (34’), C. Arzo (41’), and sent off M.Torres with a red card (19’).
GOALS:
1-0, 58': Sneijder.
NOTES: Matchday 32 of the Spanish League. The Santiago Bernabéu paid tribute to futsal side Interviú Fadesa, who recently won their fourth consecutive Futsal Intercontinental Cup.
Match report by Arancha Díaz
Photography by Alejandro González
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
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