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Player Ratings: Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid (Review)
Sunday, 21 September 08, 02:38 PM · Comments(2)
Real Madrid
Casillas - 7: Called into action just once in the first half and was off his line to avert the danger. Similarly untested in the second period, but remained solid.
Sergio Ramos - 8: Ramos as we know him. An invaluable outlet going forward, worked his man in that regard as well and was strong on the ground and in the air at the back - but always suspect positionally from time to time when he gets too far forward and is susceptible to the counterattack. In the second half, however, he stayed back in defence and was simply unbeatable.
Cannavaro - 7.5: Looking stronger game by game as he comes back to full fitness. His nightmare start in Spain looks all but behind him. One somewhat shaky moment as he chose to head a low ball that was easier to kick, but was otherwise formidable in the challenge and unfortunate to get booked.
Pepe - 7: Still lacking a little bit of sharpness and looked like he could be exposed by the tricky nature of Racing's forwards, but ultimately his physical presence and power kept him ahead of the game.
Heinze - 6.5: Another one unfortunate to be shown the yellow card. Defensively solid in the first half, let nothing past him, but of course failed to provide much genuine width down the left as Marcelo has done in recent weeks. Was stretched in the second period upon Tchite's introduction, beaten too many times and allowed too many balls to find their way into the box.
Higuaín - 8: Despite his promising showings up front, again shunted to right-wing this evening, but made a better fist of it than usual. His running caused Christian problems, though his dive in the area certainly could have been done without. Proved decisive as he darted forward superbly down the right hand side and played a cool ball inside to de la Red to finish for the opening and all important goal.
Diarrá - 7.5: Rock solid as ever, let nothing past him and helped organise the defence fairly well against the Racing counterattacks. A little wayward on the ball, but it is hardly his speciality or necessarily required of him anyway.
De la Red - 8: Justified his inclusion with defensive discipline and some strong long shots. Did not pass as well as he can, but made up for it by darting forward on the counterattack with his team-mates and showing a cool head to finish the straightforward chance presented to him to get the opening goal.
Guti - 7: Will be content with his half's work. No end product to show for it, but with both de la Red and Diarra protecting him, Guti was able to play with a degree of freedom and made some good passes, as well as some smart set-plays. Unfortunately went off injured at the end of the first half.
Raúl - 7: Largely anonymous due to the nature of Madrid's counterattacking game in the second half, and in the first he was defended against very well. Nevertheless linked up tidily when he was involved and made a crucial run to drag defenders out of position which allowed de la Red the space to score the opening goal.
Van Nistelrooy - 7.5: Like Raul, very much anonymous, but he showed good defensive work rate - particularly in the first half - and besides all that, scored a magnificent goal to kill the game. Chasing a ball down the left, he cut inside and somehow managed to deceive absolutely everybody and fire it home at the near post. Sublime.
Substitutes:
Van der Vaart - 7: Did not make quite the impact he would have hoped, as Madrid played much of the second half on the counterattack. Nevertheless, he provided a sublime long ball along the floor for Ruud van Nistelrooy, who finished spectacularly.
Robben - 6.5: A relentless runner - as ever - but once or twice he could have been more effective if he had released the ball earlier.
Saviola - n/a.
Casillas - 7: Called into action just once in the first half and was off his line to avert the danger. Similarly untested in the second period, but remained solid.
Sergio Ramos - 8: Ramos as we know him. An invaluable outlet going forward, worked his man in that regard as well and was strong on the ground and in the air at the back - but always suspect positionally from time to time when he gets too far forward and is susceptible to the counterattack. In the second half, however, he stayed back in defence and was simply unbeatable.
Cannavaro - 7.5: Looking stronger game by game as he comes back to full fitness. His nightmare start in Spain looks all but behind him. One somewhat shaky moment as he chose to head a low ball that was easier to kick, but was otherwise formidable in the challenge and unfortunate to get booked.
Pepe - 7: Still lacking a little bit of sharpness and looked like he could be exposed by the tricky nature of Racing's forwards, but ultimately his physical presence and power kept him ahead of the game.
Heinze - 6.5: Another one unfortunate to be shown the yellow card. Defensively solid in the first half, let nothing past him, but of course failed to provide much genuine width down the left as Marcelo has done in recent weeks. Was stretched in the second period upon Tchite's introduction, beaten too many times and allowed too many balls to find their way into the box.
Higuaín - 8: Despite his promising showings up front, again shunted to right-wing this evening, but made a better fist of it than usual. His running caused Christian problems, though his dive in the area certainly could have been done without. Proved decisive as he darted forward superbly down the right hand side and played a cool ball inside to de la Red to finish for the opening and all important goal.
Diarrá - 7.5: Rock solid as ever, let nothing past him and helped organise the defence fairly well against the Racing counterattacks. A little wayward on the ball, but it is hardly his speciality or necessarily required of him anyway.
De la Red - 8: Justified his inclusion with defensive discipline and some strong long shots. Did not pass as well as he can, but made up for it by darting forward on the counterattack with his team-mates and showing a cool head to finish the straightforward chance presented to him to get the opening goal.
Guti - 7: Will be content with his half's work. No end product to show for it, but with both de la Red and Diarra protecting him, Guti was able to play with a degree of freedom and made some good passes, as well as some smart set-plays. Unfortunately went off injured at the end of the first half.
Raúl - 7: Largely anonymous due to the nature of Madrid's counterattacking game in the second half, and in the first he was defended against very well. Nevertheless linked up tidily when he was involved and made a crucial run to drag defenders out of position which allowed de la Red the space to score the opening goal.
Van Nistelrooy - 7.5: Like Raul, very much anonymous, but he showed good defensive work rate - particularly in the first half - and besides all that, scored a magnificent goal to kill the game. Chasing a ball down the left, he cut inside and somehow managed to deceive absolutely everybody and fire it home at the near post. Sublime.
Substitutes:
Van der Vaart - 7: Did not make quite the impact he would have hoped, as Madrid played much of the second half on the counterattack. Nevertheless, he provided a sublime long ball along the floor for Ruud van Nistelrooy, who finished spectacularly.
Robben - 6.5: A relentless runner - as ever - but once or twice he could have been more effective if he had released the ball earlier.
Saviola - n/a.
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Michael E. Taire said:Real Madrid faulty passes is a serious concern. She must do something about it ...
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2 Comments · Add yours
Didn't see the game but looks like Higuian might be edging over Raul? What do you lot think? Did you hear that Guti almost took a beating from a boxer?
Reply to Juanka:
Man higuian is doing great!
Van der Vaart wasnt so good today.But i think raul will loose his starting post soon.