Villareal - Real Madrid
In the twenty-third round of the Spanish La Liga, Real Madrid overcame the pressure from Barcelona and routed Villareal on Sunday, 6-2. Real Madrid remains within two points of Barça, which is leading La Liga with 58 points.
The triumph also rejuvenated the team after its 1-0 loss last Tuesday against Lyon, in the fourth round of the Champions League.
During the game, Pellegrini faced the battle against Villareal with only one adjustment from the loss against Lyon: Lassana Diarra joined the field, replacing Mamadou Diarra. The clash was an opportunity '“ and perhaps an obligation '“ for Real Madrid to regain its football spirit.
And regain it did. Real Madrid took control of the game from the opening minutes. Xabi Alonso found life in the offense after Lass Diarra appeared by his side, while Cristiano Ronaldo reflected his power in every attack. Even better '“ for Real Madrid '“ Villarreal adopted an overly defensive stance and gave the whole midfield in the initial half hour.
With a great performance from Ronaldo, the Merengues scored twice: first at minute 17 when the Portuguese player scored with an accurate free kick shot and beat Villarreal's goalkeeper; second two minutes later, when Kaka executed a penalty kick to put the score at 2-0.
However, Carlos Senna rescued Villarreal and cut the scoring at minute 30, ending the first half with a score of 2-1.
The rout really began in the second half. The Merengues worked at the same tempo but with greater coordination. At minute 54, after a good pass from Ronaldo, Gonazlo Higuain added a third goal for the Whites. But Villarreal managed to respond at minute 66, with Silva Nilmar adding one to bring the score to 3-2.
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Higuain appeared yet again for the Merengues, scoring off of another assist from Ronaldo, adding a second goal to the game at minute 69. Nine minutes later, kaka appeared in a good play with '“ yet again '“ Ronaldo to score a great shot in minute 78.
In the final minutes of the second half, it seemed that the game would finish 5-2. But Xabi added a sixth goal for the White in a penalty kick at minute 87.
With Xabi's last goal, Real Madrid solidified the confidence and strength the team will need to keep fighting for first place in the standings and the 2010 title.
At the end of the match, Real Madrid coach, Manuel Pellegrini stated he was happy with the way his team performed against Villarreal. He hoped the players would keep fighting with the same energy and motivation to get even closer to the top spot and surpass Barcelona.
'œI thought the game was fairly even. Villarreal are a good team and if there is something that I don't like it was the way we conceded the second goal. It was good to see the way we attacked and we know that if we had taken the pressure off Villarreal they would have caused damage," said Pellegrini.
Real Madrid's next match will be against Tenerife on February 27th at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium while Villarreal will face Deportivo La Coruña at home on February 28th
The triumph also rejuvenated the team after its 1-0 loss last Tuesday against Lyon, in the fourth round of the Champions League.
During the game, Pellegrini faced the battle against Villareal with only one adjustment from the loss against Lyon: Lassana Diarra joined the field, replacing Mamadou Diarra. The clash was an opportunity '“ and perhaps an obligation '“ for Real Madrid to regain its football spirit.
And regain it did. Real Madrid took control of the game from the opening minutes. Xabi Alonso found life in the offense after Lass Diarra appeared by his side, while Cristiano Ronaldo reflected his power in every attack. Even better '“ for Real Madrid '“ Villarreal adopted an overly defensive stance and gave the whole midfield in the initial half hour.
With a great performance from Ronaldo, the Merengues scored twice: first at minute 17 when the Portuguese player scored with an accurate free kick shot and beat Villarreal's goalkeeper; second two minutes later, when Kaka executed a penalty kick to put the score at 2-0.
However, Carlos Senna rescued Villarreal and cut the scoring at minute 30, ending the first half with a score of 2-1.
The rout really began in the second half. The Merengues worked at the same tempo but with greater coordination. At minute 54, after a good pass from Ronaldo, Gonazlo Higuain added a third goal for the Whites. But Villarreal managed to respond at minute 66, with Silva Nilmar adding one to bring the score to 3-2.
<
Higuain appeared yet again for the Merengues, scoring off of another assist from Ronaldo, adding a second goal to the game at minute 69. Nine minutes later, kaka appeared in a good play with '“ yet again '“ Ronaldo to score a great shot in minute 78.
In the final minutes of the second half, it seemed that the game would finish 5-2. But Xabi added a sixth goal for the White in a penalty kick at minute 87.
With Xabi's last goal, Real Madrid solidified the confidence and strength the team will need to keep fighting for first place in the standings and the 2010 title.
At the end of the match, Real Madrid coach, Manuel Pellegrini stated he was happy with the way his team performed against Villarreal. He hoped the players would keep fighting with the same energy and motivation to get even closer to the top spot and surpass Barcelona.
'œI thought the game was fairly even. Villarreal are a good team and if there is something that I don't like it was the way we conceded the second goal. It was good to see the way we attacked and we know that if we had taken the pressure off Villarreal they would have caused damage," said Pellegrini.
Real Madrid's next match will be against Tenerife on February 27th at the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez Stadium while Villarreal will face Deportivo La Coruña at home on February 28th
