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Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid CF scores their first goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Zaragoza at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 3, 2012
Real went into this match on the back of an unbeaten 4 match streak, hoping to extend the run to 5 games without a defeat. Considering their lacklustre start to the season, and trailing Barcelona by 8 points, a victory today was paramount. Real started the match with their usual back four of Ramos, Albiol, Pepe and Arbeloa. With Essien and Modric as the two central midfielders, the attack consisted of Higuain up front, playing ahead of Ozil, Ronaldo and di Maria. This was quite a strong team on paper, and Real managed to start the match with a quick tempo to their passing game, but Zaragoza pushed men forward whenever a chance opened up.
Just a few minutes into the match, a poor clearance by Ramos went straight to Postiga but his shot was saved well by the legs of Iker Casillas. Real looked threatening on the counters though, and di Maria was threatening whenever he had a chance on the ball. A Real goal was in the offing and it came from a corner on the 23rd minute. The corner was headed towards the goal by Albiol; the Zaragoza keeper, Roberto, went down well but could only parry it, and Higuain was unmarked in the 6-yard box as he slotted the ball into the empty goal. Just a couple of minutes later, Real doubled their lead as a menacing run by di Maria down the right saw him fire a shot from just inside the box. The first shot was saved well by Roberto, but the ball came right back to Maria who made no mistake, firing it in this time. Real had loads of space down the right, and Ronaldo had an opportunity to put Real up 3-0 but his cross/shot went just wide of the post.
The initial period after the break was all Madrid dominance, but they couldn’t add another goal to their name. Zaragoza hit back soon, and after some fine defending, they did manage to get some joy moving forward. But a curling shot on goal by Victor Fernandez was met with an amazing save by Iker, who somehow managed to get his hands on it. Zaragoza had a couple of more shots on target through Paco Montanes and Jose Mari, with the latter’s deflected shot striking the crossbar. Real were on the back foot at this point, as a goal by Postiga was disallowed for offside. It seemed a contentious decision, and with all the furore in England over recent refereeing decisions, technology might very well be needed in the main leagues.
Real then had a few substitutions as Nacho came on for Arbeloa, with Benzema and Callejon replacing Higuain and Maria respectively. Nacho had earlier played for Real in the 2-3 loss to Zaragoza two seasons back in what was his second appearance. The youngster looked confident in this match though, as Real managed to up their tempo.
There was the trademark Ronaldo freekick as well. A good shot that was parried by Roberto onto the crossbar. The third goal came on the 89th minute after a brilliant counter attack ended with Essien slotting the ball past a hapless Roberto. Modric, who was calm and assured throughout the game without being spectacular, was eventually rewarded with a goal in injury time. A good lobbed ball into the penalty box started a melee before it was passed to Modric, who got a low shot in from the edge of the box.
Luka Modric (L) of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Zaragoza at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 3, 2012
In the end, Madrid came away with all 3 points and with a very flattering scoreline. The win was also Mourinho’s 100th win since taking over as the manager of the capital club. But due credit to Zaragoza, who showed great nerve but didn’t have either the fire power to score up front, or enough skill to deal with the menacing Madrid forward line. It also has to be noted that Madrid do seem very deadly in their counter attacks, as evidenced by their goals today. But they will have to thank Iker Casillas for what was, once again, a tremendous performance in goal. The win moved Real onto 3rd position in the Liga over Malaga. But they still remain 8 points adrift of their perennial rival Barcelona, who earlier recorded a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo. Messi seemed to have picked up a knock in that match, and it meant that for the first time since 10th December, 2011 (Real – Barca 1-3), both Ronaldo and Messi failed to score in their respective La Liga fixtures.
