Espanyol versus Real Madrid – First half review – Part 2
In the 22nd minute of the match, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Xabi-Alonso-c37045 went into the referee’s book for a foul on Luis Garcia. The Spanish midfielder pulled his compatriot down by tugging his shirt as Espanyol were on their way to a counter attack.
The 23rd minute of the match saw Real Madrid take the lead in the first half.
It was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629, who played a wonderful no look pass to Marcelo as the left back surged down the left wing for Real Madrid.
The Brazilian full back’s first touch took him past his marker and after that he fired off a powerful shot, which blitzed past Kameni in the Espanyol goal.
As a result, Real Madrid took the lead against Espanyol at Estadio Cornellá-El Prat.
In the 25th minute of the match, Real almost doubled their lead as Adebayor saw his shot saved by Kameni. It was a powerful strike by the Manchester City striker but Espanyol’s shot stopper was equal to the task. After getting their first goal
of the match, Real Madrid then effectively sat back and invited Espanyol forward.
This ploy worked well for the visitors as they waited for a counter attacking opportunity. In the 34th minute, this opportunity presented itself as Ronaldo was released with a through ball. The Portuguese winger tried to play in Adebayor.
However, the former Arsenal man was slow to react as Kameni came out of his six yard box to clear the ball away for the home team.
In the 37th minute of the match, Xabi Alonso brought down Baena right outside the Real Madrid penalty area. Espanyol appealed for a second yellow card for the Spanish national team midfielder but the referee practiced patience as he just signalled
towards a free kick.
The ensuing set piece was a disappointing one as Javi Marquez’s shot sailed over the Real Madrid goal.
In the 39th minute of the match, Ronaldo again led a Real Madrid counter attack. The former Manchester United winger passed the ball to Marcelo, whose shot on goal was an easy one for Kameni to handle.
In the 40th minute of the match, Real were given a golden opportunity to increase their lead. Adebayor was released clean through on goal by Alonso’s lofted pass. The Togolese national team target man tried to chip the goalkeeper but his shot
just nicked the top of the cross bar before going out of play for an Espanyol goal kick.
Thus, the first half of Espanyol versus Real Madrid came to an end with the score line 1-0 to the visitors despite the early sending off of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Iker-Casillas-c16815.
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