Atletico Madrid 1 - 4 Real Madrid - Match Report
There will be a huge sigh of relief in the white half of Madrid tonight, as a special performance by Cristiano Ronaldo saves the blushes of a Madrid side who look far from champions elect.
There will be a huge sigh of relief in the white half of Madrid tonight, as a special performance by Cristiano Ronaldo saves the blushes of a Madrid side who look far from champions elect. It was quite a startling performance in all honesty, helmed by a man called The Special One, One of the greatest managers of our time and A third needlessly over the top description of a football coach, you wouldnt expect such a great deal of tactical ineptitude which had me believing that his pre match pep talk was most likely Please. Just go win. Which, although touching in its simplicity, would struggle to get a group of physically imposing, middle aged Glaswegians playing 8 year old girls motivated, let alone a team fighting for their lives in the title race. I know, I know, its difficult to criticise a team who won a match scoring 4 goals, however Madrid spent a lot of the time not looking like champions, but instead looking tactically inept against a spirited and feisty Atletico side who dominated much of the first half. A battling midfield three anchored by the wonderfully talented Diego caused Madrid all sorts of problems, however it wasnt just Atletico skill that stoppered Madrids playing. Madrid looked scared. With good reason after surrendering a 10 point lead to Barcelona, however instead of going out, keeping a cool head, maintaining possession and slowly killing off Atletico. Experienced players like Ramos, Kaka and Pepe failed to keep cool heads and caused all sorts of problems for Madrid in the centre of the park as Atletico took more and more of the game to the league leaders. However luckily for Madrid, they have Cristiano Ronaldo, whos place in Madrids arsenal is akin to bringing a nuclear warhead to a water gun fight played by babies. Giving Madrid an undeserved lead in the first half by striking an incredible free kick from 30 yards past a stumped Courtois. You might want to dust off some Messi Only sensationalist descriptions, that was phenomenal. Despite this lead, Madrid didnt look more assured in the second half, and that was reflected in Atleticos deserved equaliser. They finally found the final ball for the dangerous looking Falcao who headed neatly past Casillas. Madrids defending? ...You dont want to know. Luckily for Madrid however, the half time replacement of Kaka with the exquisite Ozil added assurance and calm to the midfield, and Ozil, combined with the outstanding Ronaldo turned the game on its head for Madrid. Ronaldo has often been criticised for disappearing in big games, but tonight he proved his title winning experience and quality by leading a side who looked devoid of that very quality. Best proven by his stunning solo effort for the second, rocketing the ball in from 30 yards at an angle that no keeper would have expected him to. A penalty a short while later allowed Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick and take the game completely from Atletico. Callejon, on as a substitute, rounded the game off thanks to a brilliant run and pass by, you guessed it, Ronaldo. Calmly slotting the ball under the keeper to inflict, a slightly unfair, but calming result for Real Madrid. Who now have restored there four point lead at the top of the table.