Slick Madrid Sink Racing

Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid

Two fine strikes in the second half separated a counter-attacking Real Madrid side from a Racing outfit that couldn't quite come close enough to goal...



Despite a slow, defensive start, Real Madrid eventually ended up two goals to the good in the tough arena that is the Sardinero. While the hosts had no shortages of attack themselves - especially down the flank, the capital side in the end deserved their victory.

Racing made seven changes from the side that edges past Honka midweek in the UEFA Cup, the most notable absentees being Ezequiel Garay and Pedro Munitis. The latter, an ex-Madrid man, is out injured for six weeks, while Garay's disappearance presumably has to do with his being property of Real Madrid.

The blancos, meanwhile, surprisingly fielded Raúl, who had rumoured to be set for a benching. Gonzalo Higuaín also earned a start, while Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart sat on the bench.

First Half

It took ten minutes for the first chance to present itself, Higuaín dribbling past left-back Christian before cutting the ball across goal. Raúl was ready and waiting, but Navas was able to hack it clear.

That should have signalled the start of a period of dominance for the blancos, but instead it took a further ten minutes for another decent chance to present itself, Guti cutting a free-kick back to de la Red, who forced a fingertip save from Toño.

Racing had found it hard to carve out chances due to Madrid's double pivot, but by running down the flanks they were able to create a few half-opportunities as the first period wore on. It took 37 minutes for them to really test Casillas, which Jonathan Pereira did with a sweet overhead kick.

Still, the half ended with difficulty for Madrid: Guti went over badly on his ankle and was stretchered off, with Rafael van der Vaart coming on as a replacement.

Overall it had been a largely cautious first period for both sides, and one in which a goalless outcome was probably appropriate.

Second Half

Bernd Schuster sent his team out in patient fashion for the second period, allowing Racing some time to try to come forward, dispossess, and attack.

In the end this was responsible for the opening goal - but it was for Madrid. Seizing the ball from a Racing set piece, Gonzalo Higuaín strode forward on the right, with Raúl and Rubén de la Red in support. The captain drew the approaching defence onto him, allowing Higuaín to slot the ball to de la Red, whose unmarked drive beat Toño for the opener.

Racing immediately tried to fight back, Luccin seeing his low drive deflected agonisingly wide, and Madrid began to look a little bit stretched, especially at the full-back positions.

However, direct chances were few and far between, with some last-gasp defending keeping the blancos safe.

In the end Van Nistelrooy belied his quiet status to chip in with a lovely second goal. Van der Vaart's through ball found the Dutchman in the area, and he toyed with Marcano before effortlessly looping a shot around Toño from twelve yards.

Racing substitute Tchité could have pulled one back seconds later as he headed goalwards from a corner, but Van der Vaart scooped the ball off the line.

Tchité, and corners in general, were causing Madrid no end of trouble, but as the clock ticked down Racing lost both energy and belief. Madrid did enough to win in quite unusual tactical fashion, and 2-0 it ended.

REAL RACING CLUB 0-0 REAL MADRID CF
0-1 De la Red 55'
0-2 Van Nistelrooy 74'

Racing: Toño; Pinillos, César Navas, Marcano, Christian; Valera (Tchité 66), Lacen (Luccin 58), Colsa, Serrano (Gonçalvez 79); Jonathan Pereira, Juanjo.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; De la Red, Diarrà; Higuaín (Saviola 84), Guti (Van der Vaart 44), Raúl (Robben 69'); Van Nistelrooy.

Yellow Cards: Heinze 22', Higuaín 34', Cannavaro 41', de la Red 80', van der Vaart 88',