Copa Del Rey Derby: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid - Half Time Report
Starting XI for Real Madrid: Casillas, Ramos, Carvalho, Arbeloa, Marcelo, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xabi-Alonso-c37045, Ozil, Khedira, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema
Subs: Adan, Garay, Gago, Granero, Kaka, L. Diarra, Pedro Leon
Starting XI for Atletico Madrid: De Gea, Ujfalusi, Perea, Luis, Dominguez, Reyes, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juanfran-c19849, Garcia, Assuncao, Aguero, Forlan
Subs: Lopez, Godin, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Costa-c9458, Elias, Merida, Valera, Koke
In this exciting Copa Del Rey derby between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, both sides didn’t give much space to each other. It was all action since the opening whistle blew.
Atletico took the early lead, curtsey a goal from Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan. Aguero got the benefit of the doubt from the linesman as he ran clear of the defence onto Reyes' through ball. He then nicked the ball past Casillas before going down under
the keeper's clumsy challenge. Forlan followed it up, knocking the ball into an empty net.
What a start it was to the derby! Aguero was fortunate to get away with the offside decision, but Casillas was equally lucky to get away with his late challenge on Aguero in the box. Having said that, it was definitely not the start Jose Mourinho had hoped
for.
However, the hosts soon managed to get an equaliser. Winger Angel Di Maria swung the corner into the far stick, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Ramos-c33096 thundered a spectacular header past De Gea. With the scores level, it was now a roller coaster ride for both sides as wave after
wave of attacks came with no mercy being shown from either side.
Real got close to taking the lead in the 21st minute when Marcelo picked out Benzema inside the box. He cut onto his left foot and took a shot which was blocked by David De Geo. It was an unorthodox save by the Atletico keeper as he got his shins
behind the shot to knock it clear for a corner.
The resulting corner was also cleared, but only for as far as a white shirt. The ball ended up back with Ronaldo, who ran with it into the area from the left, cut onto his right foot and took a good shot. Once again, it took some heroic goalkeeping from
De Gea to deny the Portuguese his side's second goal of the match.
Near the half time whistle, Real tried to counter one last time, and Ramos went down off the ball in the area. The referee however waved play on, before finally blowing the whistle for half time.
Both sides have so far played some high paced football in the match. The next goal from either side would be important as it would set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Real’s striking force may well prove to be much for their lesser city neighbours but the likes of Aguero and Forlan could take the game to the Blancos till the final whistle is blown.
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