This was the performance I have been looking for this preseason with Real Madrid. I'm delighted at the result and even more so that we are into the Peace Cup semi-finals against a strong test being Juventus. There is a lot to be proud of in this performance but still a few key notes that worry me. Let's take a closer look.There weren't many things that bugged me in this match but two or three sore issues stick out. Despite being held scoreless in the first half, I'm concerned to see Robben go off before the half time whistle. We all know how prone he is to injury. I wish him a speedy recovery. Benzema too, seemed to go off with a knock after being clipped fallowing a shot he took early in the second half. It seemed to be an impact injury rather than a strain or tear, but I worry anyways because he has been great in preseason for Madrid and looks promising for the upcoming campaign. In the first half more than the second half, I become angered when 50 and 60 yards ball hit out of their back third can find forwards over top or on the flanks of our defense. Now on the flanks, I don't care as much. If they're game plan is to launch missiles across the boarders into areas where Real Madrid can easily recover, let them. The balls that worry me or the one's that get over top and in behind the back line, I don't like. If the center backs want to force the forwards offsides, then step. If not, they better be tracking. It didn't happen often but against Juventus, we could be caught. The issue that even a blind man could see is defending set pieces. Dudek could do nothing about the goals but the rest of the team could have. Madrid have let up 3 goals in this tournament, all from set plays. We have the size. Pepe, Metzelder, Ronaldo, Gago, they aren't small. Put little Marcelo, Drenthe, or Lass, on the posts and let the big guys take care of big threats. Yes, the first goal scored against us was a bit unlucky with the unorthodox bike for a secondary cross, but nonetheless, a goal off a set play. The one player that seems to have worried me quite a bit in preseason is Higuain. I don't know if it's because he needs to get back in the swing of things from the off season but his first touch was very noticably off today as it was against Shamrock Rovers. I'm so used to stand out performances from him, that it seems wrong if I couldn't tell you if he was playing or not because he is making such a minuscule impact on the match. Again, it's only preseason. My faith in Higuain will not be conflicted because of 3 preseason matches but I'm anxious to see last seasons form surface again.
Let me first start off some positives with Gago. In the last few matches have really eaten him alive, saying their are better players Madrid have in the midfield than him and he gives balls away constantly, but I was impressed by his performance today. He looks a much better player when he just changes the point of attack and finds simple passes that keep our football flowing and moving. He is very good at that and could be of some value if he continues what he started today. He still is a little wild and reckless when defending but that can change as well. Much better today from him. The moment we have all been waiting for finally arrived today, and it will surely grab the headlines. Cristiano Ronaldo gets off the mark at Real Madrid. Okay, so the goal didn't come from a 40 yard lash, or a cheeky flick. It came from a penalty. However, he drew it himself in typical Ronaldo fashion, skinning two defenders and being fouled by the third. It seemed as if he provided the spark and set a tempo all on his own with the first goal. It goes to show what his performances can do for a team's momentum. He is a special player, but you don't need me to tell you that. Granero has played probably less than 90 minutes for Real Madrid total since he arrived last week but he is quickly becoming one of my favorites. He was there to clean up Ronaldo's rebound for the second goal, which he seemed just honored to score. For an absence at Real Madrid for 2 years, you can tell his madridista passion has always been with him. He really caught my eye against Al Ittihad because he was so composed with the ball at his feet and never tried anything he knew he couldn't do. Not to mention that cross bar blast had me dying for a second look. Today, he didn't fail to excite again with the goal of his own and the delicious corner ball he served in for Metzelder who glanced it in the top corner for goal number 3. I thought Salgado was going to find a rare goal when he made his triumphant run out of the back and continued into the box. Raul scooped the ball perfectly for him. He took it down on the chest but his rocket volley was sadly parried away with a great save from the LUDQ goalkeeper. Salgado was all over the place today. Quite a work ethic for 90+ plus minutes, defending pesky, crafty, Liga wingers and forwards all match. Pepe was nothing short of a beast today. He was simply an animal. A brick wall 1v1, and noting short of solid, almost grabbing a goal of his own there toward the end of the match. I was delighted with him today. Marcelo is beginning to resemble former Real Madrid Brazilian, Robinho, with his step overs and ability to penetrate the defense from the left. He does well offensively, but a little more to be desired on the defensive half of the game. Not a bad outing for his 90 minute performance either. The goal for every coach when he brings on substitutions he wants the play to increase and not drop. He got just that from subs, Negredo, Drenthe, and Lassana Diarra who combined for the fourth Madrid goal. Lass clipped the ball down the line for a scampering Drenthe who curled the ball low across the box for the oncoming Negredo to poke in from close range, marking his first goal for the club since returning from his loan spell. Madrid have scored 6 times this preseason with 6 different goal scorers, Benzema, Raul, Ronaldo, Granero, Metzelder, and Negredo.
Pellegrini has much to be pleased with. If I'm proud, he damn well better be too. And to think that he still has Kaka, Sergio Ramos, Casillas, and Raul Albiol at his disposal. I hope this marks the beginning of more good results. We'll find out when the squad meets an on form Juventus side on the 31st.
Viva el futbol y HALA MADRID
Bobby
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