0-2: The Whites came on for a win and they ran out with it



The Whites came on for a win and they ran out with it. Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos gave the 0-2 victory to their team. After this match against Vigo, Real stands at the top positions of the Liga table. Queiroz’ boys succeded on this tough ground thanks to their work, quality and sacrifice. The first half was just awesome: we enjoyed some perfect passes, dribblings and attacks from both flanks. Besides, Real managed to face the home side’s most aggressive drive. They conveyed a very serious image that has left no doubt about the Whites’ performance on the road. Partizan will be their next rival.

Real’s attitude ruined all sorts of starting strategies. Ahead of the encounter Queiroz had already warned that “we will have to display all our quality and sacrifice”. His men did exactly what he asked for. We could see how the attacking line was deployed very near the opposing goal. This gave a lot of trouble to the locals’ freedom to move around the field as they lost a good number of balls. The resulting effect was Real’s undisputable control of the game. Another great feature of the Whites’ play was their sealing-off of every gap, their passing and their smooth team work. Madrid moved around the field very skilfully when they did not have the ball and proved very dangerous on the opposing goal every time the ball was at their feet. Roberto Carlos and Salgado did a wonderful job sending the ball ahead on the flanks. Figo got every single pass.

As the game went on, Real played more and more like clockwork. They put the home side on the ropes on three occasions: Zidane’s centre shot (11’), a very close-range missile by Ra?l (14’) and Ronaldo’s heel kick hitting the post (20’). The goal was bound to come any time. Ronaldo eventually got it in the 24th minute. Ra?l Bravo stole the ball, on to Zidane who runs to the flank. Figo receives and gives the great pass. The impressive local defence collapsed with these four moves. Just like last campaign, the Brazilian forward opened the score in Vigo.

THE MATCH:
0 - CELTA: Cavallero; Velasco, Caceres, Contreras, Juanfran; Angel, Luccin, Jose Ignacio (Vagner, 65’); Gustavo Lopez (Jesuli, 31’), Mostovoi; and Milosevic (Catania, 56’).
2 - REAL MADRID: Casillas; Salgado, Pavon, Raul Bravo, Roberto Carlos; Helguera, Beckham; Figo (Guti, 77’), Zidane; Raul and Ronaldo (Solari, 85’).
GOALS:
0-1 (24’): Ronaldo finishes up a perfect interplay between Zidane and Figo.
0-2 (65’): Roberto Carlos comes up with a powerful right-footed shot that beats Cavallero, after having hit Contreras.
REFEREE: Perez Burrull (Cantabria Referees Association). He cautioned Milosevic, Beckham, Raul Bravo and Juanfran.
STADIUM: Balaidos. Liga Matchday 7.