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VALLADOLID, SPAIN – MARCH 14: Sergio Ramos (C) of Real Madrid shoots past goalkeeper Justo Villar of Valladolid during the La Liga match between Valladolid and Real Madrid at Estadio Jose Zorilla on March 14, 2010 in Valladolid, Spain.
Real Madrid moved to within two points of Atletico, and eight points of Barcelona with a narrow win on the road, and now have 13 points out of a possible 24 from away league games this season. Former Manchester United player, Manucho and Madrid’s Ozil scored a brace each, and Benzema grabbed a rare goal in an open encounter at the Jose Zorrilla stadium. Newly promoted Valladolid’s seventh spot in the table is now under threat, but the signs seem to be right for Miroslav Dukic’s men, who would have earned at least a point against any other opposition.
It was the first start of the season at left back for Nacho, as the reigning Spanish champions deal with injuries to both Marcelo and Coentrao, while Jose Callejon kept his spot ahead of Di Maria after an excellent performance against Ajax in Madrid. It only took Ronaldo two minutes to get an attempt away, but it sailed over the cross bar, while Callejon drew a save from Dani Hernandez soon after. Out of nowhere, it was the home team that took the lead though, as Real displayed some poor defending from a corner. A corner from the left made it all the way across the Madrid box to the back post, where the ensuing fracas saw Manucho slot the ball high into the net to make it 1 – 0 in the seventh minute.
Real Madrid turned up the heat, and the lead lasted only five minutes as a terrible back pass from Omar let Callejon in behind the Valladolid defence. They were caught pressing out after having absorbed an attack, and this allowed Callejon to find Benzema unmarked in the box, and the French striker was left with a simple tap-in for his third league goal of the season. The Valladolid ‘keeper was called into action soon after, as a free kick from Ronaldo dipped devilishly after passing the wall, but was straight at Hernandez, and was punched over the bar. Horrible marking from the Real Madrid defence saw Manucho make it two from two corners, as he headed past Casillas with ease, ahead of Ramos who attempted to pick him up but was too late. In stark contrast to last weekend’s Madrid derby, it was an open, flowing game, and another slip from the home defence saw Callejon through on goal, with only the ‘keeper to beat. The Spanish starlet tried to do too much though, as he attempted to lob it over Hernandez at the first attempt and ended up putting it wide of goal. There was bad news for Valladolid soon after though, as star performer Ebert, who had assisted Manucho for the second goal, pulled up with a hamstring injury, and had to be replaced.
VALLADOLID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 08: Mesut Ozil (C) of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring Real’s 3rd goal during the La Liga match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at estadio Jose Zorrilla on December 8, 2012 in Valladolid, Spain.
Hernandez was a busy man, as one would expect for any ‘keeper from a newly promoted side fighting against the champions, and pulled off yet another diving save to keep out Ronaldo’s attempt from outside the box. Real continued to press, with Sergio Ramos nearly getting a late header on the ball, and Benzema seeing his shot fly straight at the ‘keeper. Madrid did finally manage to breach Hernandez’s for a second time, in the last minute of regulation time in the first half. A dinky run from Ozil saw him get into the box, where he played a brilliant one-two with Benzema before scoring, although Hernandez managed to get a foot to the ball. Thus it was that both teams went into half-time on level terms, leaving Mourinho with a less fiery speech to give.
There was an interesting change at the start of the second half from the “special one”, with Di Maria replacing Nacho, which meant that Callejon went in to play at left back, while Di Maria took up his usual spot on the right wing. This brought greater directness to Madrid’s attack, and Hernandez was soon back to his usual business of scampering across goal. Sami Khedira could have done better with a free header that went off target, and Benzema drew a save off Hernandez, but the scores remained level. The home side seemed taken aback with the newfound energy that Madrid brought, and it was only in the 58th minute that they had their first chance of the half. An off-balance Oscar though, sent his attempt wide of the post, while he should have at least worked Casillas. Soon after, a long range from effort was parried by Casillas, and nearly fell to Manucho, who would have been declared offside if he had come into play.
The fans at the Jose Zorrilla witnessed yet another befuddling change for Madrid, as Arbeloa was replaced by Modric, leading to Alonso stepping into the position of centre half, and Ramos going out to right back. Hernandez pulled off yet another great save just moments after, denying Angel Di Maria, and was rewarded with a bit of luck when Sergio Ramos scored past him but was wrongly declared offside. Mourinho was left fuming, but soon had reason to smile when Ozil scored his second of the night with a well taken free kick. Sereno committed a cheap foul on Benzema to concede a free kick in a dangerous position, and Ozil took it with his left foot, ahead of Ronaldo, and put it into Hernandez’s top left corner, off the cross bar. A third odd change, but an understandable one was made soon after, as Benzema was replaced by young defender, Raphael Varane.
Real seemed to have an iron grip on possession, and on the game, and Valladolid’s next chance popped up when a great run from Balenziaga was cut short by Ozil, but the resulting free kick was wild, and floated into the crowd. Dani Hernandez had yet more to do before the match ended, as he pulled off a crucial save off a Ramos header to keep the gap between the two teams to just one goal with yet another diving save. That was how the match would finish though, with Valladolid’s six match unbeaten streak coming to an end.
Result: Valladolid (Manucho 7′, 22′) 2 – 3 Real Madrid (Karim Benzema 12′, Mesut Ozil 45′, 72′)
