"5-1:Feel the White Magic Mállaga"



With some top-class football, authority and determination. From all the leading candidates to the Liga title, Real has stood out this matchday with a sort of ‘reflexive’ football, as some have called it. They got back to their old style amid the usual support from the stands, which were already full by kickoff. The applauds from the crowds resulted in the best possible reward for any football fan. Morientes (2), Raúl (2) and Roberto Carlos all got more targets to their names in a flawless game. Guti did a wonderful performance against the courage of the visiting side, who today happened to pay for the Turin defeat. The Liga could not get more exciting.

The game was already sorted out by the 18th minute of play. Three early attakcs by Morientes, Raúl and Roberto Carlos got the Bernabéu crowds more interested in listening to what was happening on Real Sociedad’s ground (they got a win today, which puts them on the top position). But the best news is that these three attacks were not one-off actions or moments of brilliant inspiration
Quite on the contrary, these actions were fruit of an overwhelming control of the midfield by the white players. A lot of their goal scoring-opportunities started off at the midfield. Over the first half of play, Raúl (twice) and Roberto Carlos enjoyed clear chances to make it a bigger win. The Whites remained in the possession of the ball most of the time. Guti was the main responsible player for this clear dominance with some spotless actions. Del Bosque’s boys kept reaching the opposing goal by playing the ball on the first kick.

Besides, Malaga showed a very generous attitude, playing and letting play, resulting in a very beautiful footbal show. The visiting coach (who has never managed to beat Madrid) remained loyal to his style, even when the score was most unfavourable for his side.

The visitors were playing with six footballers from the Real Madrid reserve teams, so tonight they displayed all the skills they have learnt during their training in the white club. They could have hit Madrid’s goal more times, but then, the home defenders did a great performance in blocking their area. We watched a duel between the most veteran forward and the youngest keeper of the Liga, with the result that Dely Valdés found it impossible to reach Casillas’ goal through the white defence.

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Real fans had not seen such a nice and easy second half for ages. The win seemed secured, so both sides preferred to play some nice football for the crowds to enjoy (there were also many Malaga fans on the stands). They both staged beautiful and showy actions every time they could. Morientes made the win bigger and Manu (the best visiting player without a doubt) score the goal of the honour. Raúl concluded the show with a great target following one of the many assists by Guti. Del Bosque gave a break to Zidane, Figo and Roberto Carlos in the final stretch of play. All three left the field amid the applause of the followers. There are other important fixtures in the schedule now that the final stretch of the Liga is round the corner. It will be a thrilling competition until the very last matchday.

THE MATCH:
5 - REAL MADRID: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos (Cambiasso, 81’); Figo (McManaman, 75’), Flavio, Guti, Zidane (Solari, 65’); Raúl and Morientes.
1 - MÁLAGA: Contreras; Josemi, Sanz, Roteta, Valcarce (Iznata, 29’); Manu, Musampa (Leko, 72’), Miguel Angel, Gerardo, Sandro; and Dely Valdés (Canabal, 72’).
REFEREE: Puentes Leira, Galicia Referees Association. Yellow cards to Gerardo (37’), Iznata (45’), Manu (66’), Miguel Angel (76’).
GOALS:
1-0: Min. 4: Counterattacking interplay between Zidane and Figo, who passes to Morientes to beat the goalie with a cross shot.
2-0: Min. 15: Guti’s centre shot towards Raúl, who scores from the penalty spot.
3-0: Min. 18: Roberto Carlos makes the most of a clear in the area.
4-0: Min. 53: Morientes, following a perfect assist by Raúl.
4-1: Min. 63: Manu, right-footed from a pass by Sandro
. 5-1: Min. 82: Another great assist of Guti’s to Raúl, who tricks Roteta and beats Contreras.
OTHER FACTS: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Liga Matchday 34. Tickets sold out for the 16th time this season. Field of play in excellent conditions.