SCHUSTER AND COMPANY REMAIN UNDEFEATED AFTER
A VERY LEVEL GAME
Valladolid 1-1 Real Madrid
September 23, 2007 – What a show. Fans from Valladolid couldn't have asked for a better match between two teams who play good football and know how to take care of the ball. Real Valladolid made a major statement that they're a force to be reckoned with this season, but Real Madrid were able to grind it out against the recently-promoted side. Bernd Schuster and company remain undefeated and are still the best team in Spain's top flight.
Everyone expected a fantastic match, and neither Real Valladolid nor Real Madrid let down the more than 26,000 spectators at Nuevo José Zorrilla Stadium. It had been three years since the Whites' last visited Valladolid, and the crowd, most with split allegiances, had a great time. Real Valladolid came out firing. Not intimidated by presence of the League leaders on their pitch, the hosts were relentless during the first 15 minutes of the match. They easily dictated the pace and gave Real Madrid all they could handle in search for the three points at stake.
It was also an evening for lineup rotations. Bernd Schuster decided to rest Wesley Sneijder, who had started the three previous League matches, and Higuaín, who was given the nod for the Whites' European debut last Tuesday. Drenthe made his way into the starting eleven and occupied the left wing, while Marcelo made his League debut. With the only other new addition being Míchel Salgado, Real Madrid took the pitch in their quest for the fourth consecutive win in the competition.
Real Valladolid knew it was a statement game and were the first to create any danger. Jonathan Sesma flew in from the right and mananged to get a touch on the cross, but Casillas was there to make the save. The Whites answered back minutes later when Robinho centred a ball for Van Nistelrooy to tap home with the tip of his boot. The Dutchman was one of the main threats throughout the entire first half.
Both sides continued attacking the opponent's box. The hosts exploited the right flank with Sisi and Sesma, but the ball that came closest to finding the back of the net came off the boot of Raúl. Drenthe's centre pass found Robinho, who in turn crossed to the Real Madrid captain, but Butelle extended his full body to send the powerful shot out of bounds.
Referee Iturralde González had injured himself during the pre-match warmup, and after calling the entire first half, was replaced by the fourth referee Costas Soto for the last 45 minutes. Real Madrid looked more focused coming out of the dressing room, but Valladolid never surrendered and continued attacking Iker's goal.
Real Valladolid's intensity throughout the first half began taking its toll, and Real Madrid took advantage of the hosts' tired legs. Van Nistelrooy had a near miss from the edge of the box, and Robben zig-zagged his way through the Valladolid defence on the ensuing play. The Dutch midfielder, who had come off the bench in place of Drenthe, flew down the left wing and crossed in a ball that Raúl was unable to send to the far post. Valladolid began leaving open spaces on the pitch and Real Madrid found them. Higuaín, who substituted Robinho, also had an easy lob that would have opened the scoring, but the Argentine sent the ball just wide of Butelle's right post.
The hosts finally got the goal they had been searching for. There was nothing Iker Casillas could do to stop Pedro López's 30-metre strike from finding the far corner of the net. With nothing to lose, Schuster put it all on the line in the hope of not leaving Valladolid empty-handed. Saviola came in for Salgado, leaving three men on the back line and Cannavaro as the only centre-back. The bet paid off. Van Nistelrooy received a long pass from Guti in front of the keeper, and the Dutchman tapped it to Saviola who pushed it home for the equaliser.
The draw at José Zorrilla Stadium was a deserving result for both sides who left their hearts and souls on the pitch. Real Madrid remain undefeated and maintain a foothold on the the League lead.
MATCH SUMMARY:
Real Valladolid: Butelle, García Calvo, Borja, Sisi (Marcos, 77’), Llorente, Óscar Sánchez, Kome (Víctor, 65’), Rafa, Pedro López, Álvaro Rubio (Vivar Dorado, 83’) and Sesma.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado (Saviola, 83’), Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Diarra, Guti, Robinho (Higuaín, 62’), Drenthe (Robben, 62’), Van Nistelrooy and Raúl.
Goals:
1-0, min.73. Pedro López from 30 metres out.
1-1, min.88. Van Nistelrooy assist and Saviola tap-in.
Referee: Iturralde González (Basque Referee Association). Booked Michel Salgado (17’), Butelle (40’), and Borja (60’).
Notes: Matchday 4 of La Liga.
Match report by Arancha Díaz
Photos by David R. Aranchuelo and Fernando Comeche
Special correspondents to Valladolid
Translation by Matthew Goltz
Flash Content
