Defeated by the bare minimum
August 03, 2008 -Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid
A weekend of brilliant football in London drew to a close on Sunday with a thriller. Two of the top teams in Europe head to head with the primary objective of fine tuning their game heading into their respective season openers. Hamburg clinched the second edition of the Emirates Cup with Arsenal's defeat over Real Madrid, who finished second ahead of the hosts and Juventus.
Bernd Schuster continued making changes to his preseason lineup, this time making way for Robinho to take position alongside Raúl. Juanmi Callejón was also given the green light after providing the assist on Saturday's winner against Hamburg.
The first shot of the match was produced by Robinho, who tested Manuel Almunia from a distance (min. 6). Arsenal then seized control and proved to be in better form. Walcott created the greatest danger, forcing Dudek to making several breathtaking saves. Real Madrid's best chance of the first half was a 30-metre flick by Javi García which grazed the post (min. 34). Clichy answered with a volley steared clear by Dudek (min. 38). Raúl had the last go in the first period, but was unable to control Guti's pass (min. 39).
Fatigue from Saturday's match settled in. Sneijder, Robben, and Van Nistelrooy provided fresh legs for Schuster, whose squad found itself behind shortly after the break. Michel Salgado fouled Van Persie inside the box and Adebayor converted the ensuing penalty to put the Gunners ahead (min.48).
Wesley Sneijder was stretchered off after injuring his knee in a tie-up with Diaby. Arsenal continued attacking and proving to be the better team, but Madrid refused to throw in the towel and sought the equaliser. Van Nistelrooy nearly leveled after receiving a good ball by Robben, but Almunia fisted the shot clear of goal (min.68).
Hoping to give playing time to his internationals, Schuster subbed in Rubén de la Red, who made his first appearance since returning to Real Madrid as a Euro champion.
The Emirates Cup was won by Hamburg, who secured the trophy with a 3-0 win over Juventus.
MATCH REPORT:
Arsenal - 1: Almunia; Diaby (Ramsey, 73’), Sagna, Senderos, Gallas (Djourou, 88’); Nasri (Wilshere, 74’), Van Persie (Eboue, 64’), Denilson, Clichy, Adebayor (Bendtner, 74’) & Walcott (Vela, 64’).
Real Madrid - 0: Dudek; Salgado, Heinze, Javi García, Torres; Diarra (De la Red, 78’), Guti, Callejón (Sneijder, 46’ (Parejo, 60’), Baptista (Robben, 46’); Robinho (Saviola, 60’) & Raúl (Van Nistelrooy, 46’).
REFEREE: Drabek Diezmar. Booked Mayrleb (9’) and Guti (10’).
GOALS:
1-0, min. 48. Adebayor
By Arancha Díaz (London)
Translation by Matthew Goltz
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