Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid | La Liga Review
Sunday, 21 September 08, 08:57 PM · Comments (7)
With what we could call an improved performance, Real Madrid beat Racing Santander 2-0 to snatch another three points making the total six points from two wins and one defeat.
Bernd Schuster, however, used a new lineup this time. There weren't any surprises in the backline as Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro and Heinze all started. However, the midfield was quite different.
Schuster started with Diarra, Guti and De La Red at the same time. This gave the team more power in the midfield and allowed them to dominate the match. However, the problem was on the left wing as it seems unoccupied.
Higuain played on the right, while Ruud and Rau'l upfront, the later along with Guti and De La Red swapping places on the left wing from time to time. Guti got injured and had to be replaced. VDV came in and the game improved. Higuain played another great match. He was really a big threat and therefore he was always strictly marked. However, that didn't stop him from creating more danger.
In the second half, he dribbled past two defenders to cross the ball to De La Red who artistically sent it to the back of the net. Real didn't stop putting more and more pressure and Van Nistelrooy proved once again he is world class when he scored a fantastic goal.
Robben then came in for Rau'l and Saviola replaced Higuain. There were some good chances for Racing but the failed to convert them to goals thanks to the improved defense and to Casillas' quality.
The good:
We managed to earn another three points which is always good.
The team is slowly improving and by the time we are deep in La Liga and Champions League the team will be in its top form.
Schuster tried different ideas and allowed youngsters such as De La Red and Higuain to shine.
The bad:
Guti got injured. It is not yet known whether it is serious or not, but we can't afford to lose another midfielder after losing Sneijder and Gago.
What did you think of the team? And do you think Schuster should have started with Robben and VDV?
Hala Madrid!
| Racing de Santander | Toño | Pinillos | César Navas |
|---|---|
| Marcano | |
| Christian | |
| Lacen | |
 Luccin 58' |
|
| Valera | |
| Tchité 69' |
|
| Colsa | |
| Serrano | |
| Jorge Gonçalves 79' |
|
| Jonathan Pereira | |
| Juanjo |
| Real Madrid | Casillas | Sergio Ramos | Pepe |
|---|---|
| Cannavaro |  |
| Heinze | |
| Diarra | |
| De la Red | Gol 55' |
| Guti | |
| Van der Vaart 46' |
|
| Van Nistelrooy | Gol 75' |
| Higuaín | |
| Saviola 86' |
|
| Raúl | |
| Robben 70' |
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Higuain's starting to really challenge Raul for the spot along Ruud, he's done brilliiantly recently, he's scoring and creaing. He could just be Raul's successor but for that he needs playing time and I think Schuster has some thinking to do. It was a good win, it showed how important Canna and Ramos are and how they organize the defense. Racing had no end product and we were clinical. Even though we might not have played that well throughout the game, we still won and that just shows that we're a great team. It should be a good game on Wednesday, i'm looking forward to seeing who Schuster puts on the field. Hala Madrid!
It was not a good first half, but the second half showed how Real can turn it on. Now that Guti is hurt De la Red will have more playing time which will be good for him and us cuz i think he is guti's future replacement in that mid. I like seeing VDV and Higuian playing on the sides robben is good but has no right foot whatsoever always doing the cut in from the right side his predictability will hurt him against the better teams in the league and champions league.
Reply to HalaMadrid:
Higuain's starting to really challenge Raul for the spot along Ruud, he's done brilliiantly recently, he's scoring and creaing. He could just be Raul's successor but for that he needs playing time and I think Schuster has some thinking to do. It was a good win, it showed how important Canna and...
Yes, I have always said that Higuan would more useful than Rau'l. He is still young and in a better shape. Additionally, he can play in more than one position in contrast to Rau'l who is more comfortable playing inside the box as a stand-alone or second striker.
Hopefully, Schuster will also experiment with Saviola whom I think could be a very good replacement for Ruud or Rau'l should one of them gets injured - God forbids that.
Real played well, but it could see the left wing is need this could be due Robinho's place being empty.
7 Madridistas have commented on "Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid | La Liga Review" · Add yours
it looks like schuster is a good coach after all...all his decisions and changes in the team prove to give solutions!i say this cause i didn t expect this line up!in my opinion the defence must be like in the match with santader,in the midfield i would line up diarra vdv robben and sneijder(well he is injured) or guti and in attack ruud and raul who i love so much but it is true that he doesn t perform well so this period i would put higuain instead...watch this lad guys he does breliant things!in my line up he would play for sure either in attack or in the midfield like he did on sunday!that s all plz help me find the official realmadrid photo in good resolution...someone tell meee...
One victory more,let just Schuster work!Hala Madrid
P.S. I tried download before too but it is impossible from official site!Try Getty Images-Real Madrid