Real Madrid 1-0 Recreativo Huelva | La Liga Review | Sneijder Is Influential
Saturday, 22 November 08, 02:51 PM · Comments (30)
A Better Defense = Better Results
There was a rumor earlier this morning that suggested Ramon Calderon would give each player 120,000 euros if the team won all of the next five games. Many fans, including me, thought that was a bad sign and a desperate move from the club to motivate the players to perform better. They shouldn't be given any bonuses for winning games, because their job is to work hard and win games. However, I'm happy to tell you that the club has denied this rumor and nothing of the sort is going to happen.
Anyway, lets talk about tonight's game. We won 1-0 thanks to a fantastic goal from Wesley Sneijder. He had a very good game, I'd say he is the man of the match not just for scoring the goal but for the stuff he did on the pitch. His energy, spirit and effectiveness - pure class - he was great.
The defense was WAY much more BETTER than the one we had in the last few games. Schuster played Torres on the right, Pepe and Ramos in the center and Marcelo on the left.
I really liked how both of Ramos and Pepe played tonight. Sergio is beginning to regain his form, he saved our ass a few times. As for Pepe, he was absolutely essential. Had Heinze played instead, God knows what would have happened.
Torres had a good game too. It was good to have him back and as we did tonight, we could always use him on the right whenever Pepe or Cannavaro gets injured. I know that'd upset Ramos a little bit because he is more comfortable being a right-back, but you know, everyone needs to do whatever it takes to help the team.
In midfield, Guti did some good stuff. Although we didn't have much ball possession in the first half, we were more effective though. Gago, one the other hand, I think was a bit shaky. Maybe he was tired? I saw him struggling in the second half.
Drenthe, the only fit-winger we have, played on the left. Yet again he didn't improve. He had the pace, but he couldn't break into the opposing defense. His crosses were not that good, and his dribbling skills are out-dated, c'mon, he is not an old dog and so he can learn new tricks.
Upfront, Higuain partnered Rau'l. The team's top goal scorer had a clear chance, although he beat the goalkeeper he failed to score as a Huelva defender cleared the ball. He got it again and passed it to Sneijder who scored but after it had crossed the line - so that goal was disallowed.
Sneijder was then replaced by Van Der Vaart as he felt some pain in his foot and Schuster didn't want to risk so he played the safe card.
In the second half, Higuain twisted his ankle and was replaced by Saviola. The rabbit didn't have much time to do anything and the fact the team was tired didn't help.
Schuster sent in Bueno for Rau'l. I was very excited and glad that he had one more chance to play. We need to give our Castilla players some first-team action, and you never know, maybe a star will rise. Barcelona have had many success with this and examples include Messi, Di Santos and Bojan.
Our next game is in the Champions League against BATE Borisov. Cannavaro is most likely to miss it, but we could see Diarra back. That'd be really helpful.
Now we need to know if Sneijder and Higuain will both be fit for the match or not. It'd be VERY VERY bad if they were not.
Anyway, these three points are invaluable. We may haven't put on a great show, but we improved. We need to work harder, and Schuster needs to think wiser, because the next five matches will be crucial. Sevilla, Barca, Villarreal and Valencia, right?
What do you think, Madridistas?
Hala Madrid!
Lineup: Casillas, Torres, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Gago, Guti, Sneijder, Drenthe, Rau'l, Higuain.
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This victory was all about the players, player of the match Sergio Ramos Sneijder was good but Ramos the the key to the back line stopping attacks and pushing up. But once again we see that Schuster is not the person to lead this team like every game he just sits on the bench winning about the refs decisions or his players misses, you never see him get up and motivate his players change them around tactically so that they can through different combinations to the opposing defense the players are the ones who have to switch themselves around as we saw drenthe move to the right. His inability to come up with a new variation in the second half was what caused the slow down in Madrid's play. What is properly the worst part is that i don't believe he learned from this game this wednesday in the champions league he will most likely start heinze in the middle.
Real still have a way to go in getting back in form and playing good attacking football with style. the game was a-ok for me and I am glad we won. I predicted a 1-0 win for us with a goal by a midfielder (VDV/sneijder) and my prediction came through. I have lost faith in Raul and even though Higuain scores and have many chances he is not consistent enough for me. Saviola, Bueno and more youth players need to get more playing time as well.
It was an ok game. The team performed better than their last game. Still major issues remain!
Best players were Drenthe, Sneider, Sergio, Higuain.
Pepe was awful! He is not having a good season by any means! He almost cost us the game on more than one instance. Gago was horrible. I don't like players who don't know what to do on the field. Guti was slow and old as well as Raul. Higuain missed many chances but he got those chances and he is improving with each game.
VDV was out of place! I wonder if its because HE IS PLAYING OUT OF POSITION!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope Higuain and Sneider are ok because if they are not then my fellow Madristas
WE AR F%^@&!!!
Hala Madrid
Just as long as we get a win, I am ok. We dont need to worry about doing any of the flashy stuff. We just need to focus on the win. As you all say, if they are indeed injured, and with Van Goal out, we are going to need some young players to step up. We are going to need someone to step up. Who that someone is...well, that is unknown right now. Also, Adam, hun, if my wireless I am picking up on my laptop is all working, I will be able to do the Live Blog for this match. Madridistas, keep tuned to RealMadrid Talk for more info!! 
HALA MADRID!
:p
and I was hoping that I'd get an idea about how the team played from here....but I simply can't understand how some are saying Pepe was one of the best on the pitch...and some say pepe was horrible.(the same thing goes for Drenthe) 
Hala Madrid! 
I must say I`m not very pleased with the game.We did not have the control of the ball, and Huelva`s forwards have 3 or 4 chances to score.But at the and we won in a good moment so I musт say it was a great feеling. 
Ramos is a Madridista for life! Hala Madrid 
30 Madridistas have commented on "Real Madrid 1-0 Recreativo Huelva | La Liga Review | Sneijder Is Influential" · Add yours
Vital win indeed . I hope to god that Higuain and Wesley is not injured , if that happens were truly .. really fucked ( excuse me for the word )
Sneijder was good tonight but I think he has some more way to go!Ramos was the man who made me happiest tonight.It begins to look like the "old" very good Ramos.To play in the middle for a while is must certain better for his sore groins.
I love all the players in Real whith one exception and that makes me sad. I have really tried but I'm sad to say that Gago is not my favourite and his performance tonight didn't make anything better. Diarra, please come back!!
Torres, on the other hand makes me very glad each time he plays. I really don't know why but that's a fact so welcome back Miquel.You did it well, with a great heart.
Read the story about the bonus on the link. The players denies to accept it if they don't win the next 7 matches.
The bonus is for a charity game.
LINK