(0-1) 5' Aranda, (1-1) 23' Cristiano Ronaldo, (1-2) 41' Vadocz, (2-2) 43' Marcelo, (3-2) 89' Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a last gasp header to keep Real Madrid in the title hunt, still only one point behind Barca. After Barcelona had dispatched of Villarreal with consumate ease yesterday, there was a certain element of pressure on Real Madrid today as they took on Jose Antonio Camachos Osasuna. Not a great performance, as Cristianos frank post-match assessment testified, but they got the job done. Sheer determination to grind out a result, coupled with a goal-hungry Cristiano Ronaldo, got Real Madrid through, after they had fell behind twice to an Osasuna side who were only playing for pride, but showed no signs of making it easy for the hosts.
Had Masoud scored an absolute sitter with the score at 2-2, it could well have been curtains for Real Madrids league challenge, as Osasuna frequently took advantage of some woeful defending. Unfortunately for Barca fans he sliced the chance hopelessly wide, and with seconds left Ronaldo stooped to nod in Higuains pinpoint cross to maintain the pressure on their Catalan rivals with three matches to play. The only hope they've got is a favour from Sevilla in two weeks time, cause you can't imagine Barca dropping points at home against Tenerife or Valladolid. For Real Madrid the most difficult remaining fixture is Mallorca away. Having rescued their hopes in the dying minutes of their last two league fixtures, it seems Barca will need 99 points to win it. Real Madrid are in no mood to go down without a fight.
Sevilla 3 - 1 Atletico Madrid
(1-0) 5' Luis Fabiano, (1-1) 7' Thiago, (2-1) 12' Negredo (p), (3-1) 39' Negredo (p)
Just what Sevilla needed to continue in the hunt for that final Champions League; a weary Atletico Madrid, fresh from a marathon Europa League semi against Liverpool. Truth be told, they have performed worse this season, though having drawn level after Luis Fabiano fired Sevilla into an early lead, two penalties, which followed two slightly contentious decisions from underfire ref Perez Burrull, coverted expertly by Alvaro Negredo gave Sevilla the spoils in a dress rehearsal for this months Copa del Rey final. Only negative for Sevilla (and Real Madrid) was a sprain to Luis Fabianos ankle, which will see him miss the league encounter against Barcelona. As for Atletico, the league is simply a practice ground for their two upcoming cup finals, although this defeat will leave Sevilla in positive mood ahead of their cup showdown at the Camp Nou.
Athletic Bilbao 1 - 3 Mallorca
(0-1) 43' Chori Castro, (1-1) 46' Llorente, (1-2) 49' Nunes, (1-3) 51' Aduriz
Gregorio Manzano: Manager of the Year 2009/2010. Without a shadow of a doubt. A stunning away victory at Athletic Bilbao which keeps them in fourth place, two points ahead of fifth place Sevilla. One of the stories of the season. Getting Mallorca into the Champions League would be on a par with Fulham winning the Europa League (perhaps) and Steve McClarens FC Twente winning the Dutch League. Players like Chori Castro, Borja Valero and Julio Alvarez have blossomed under the guidance of the experienced manager and what was once a distant dream is now very much a realistic prospect. Bravo.
I saw the second half of this match, and it was fantastic seeing Real Madrid attack in never-ending waves, you can see that they really want it.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I forgot to ask, who's that kid Juanfran Real put in the second half?
ReplyDeleteWithout a shadow of doubt...I can see both teams winning all three remaining matches with Barca winning the league by on point. Mallorca v Real Madrid and Sevilla v Barca will decide it.
ReplyDeleteJuanfran. He was on loan last year at Villarreal B and helped get them promoted to La Segunda, scoring 3 goals. Also had a spell at Getafe. Quick and skilful by all accounts, but at 21 I can't imagine he'll make the grade in the long-run. Another Mata or Negredo in the making....although probably another Javier Portillo. Just about goes to show the shaky state of affairs in the youth set up...churns out lots of decent talent, but nothing truely world class.
Hmm, i wonder, maybe if madrid had kept Robben or Sneijder, any of those two could've made a bigger difference than the youngster. Thx for the info!
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