Spanish La Liga: Half time report - Real
Madrid vs. RCD Espanyol
Scoreline (1-0) (Ronaldo 28')
Real Madrid starting XI: Casillas; Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo, Ramos; Alonso, Diarra; Higuain, Ozil; Di Maria, Ronaldo.
Substitutes: Dudek, Mahamadou Diarra, Arbeloa, Benzema, Khedira, Leon, Granero.
Espanyol Starting XI: Kameni; Didac, Forlin, Garcia, Chica; Duscher, Galan; Callejon, Luis Garcia; Sergio Garcia, Verdu.
Substitutes: Coro, Ruiz, Alvarez, Javi Lopez, Amat, Molina, David Lopez.
Real Madrid have been steady but unspectacular so far in their outings. However, this is a feature of every team Jose Mourinho has coached. Espanyol have been hot and cold this season, defeating Getafe and Almeria, but suffering
a heavy defeat at the hands of Villarreal. The game was played at the Santiago Bernabeu - certainly an intimidating venue for hosts and visitors alike.
Mourinho employed his full star studded side; following his side’s 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad on Saturday, this meant the player’s had little rest. Mourinho has not lost at his home stadium for the past 7 years, which includes
wins in England (at Stamford Bridge) and in Italy (the San Siro). The manager is yet to lose at the Bernabeu and his side made a good start to the game. Los Blancos were seen passing the ball around comfortably, but failed to penetrate the visitors' defence.
One surprising change to Mourinho's set-up was the surprise inclusion of Lassana Diarra, who replaces the ever-reliable Sami Khedira in the midfield. In the fifth minute, Espanyol gave the home side an early scare. Chica ran down the right wing and crossed
for Verdu near the penalty spot. The attacker did superbly to flick the ball to the completely unmarked Callejon on the left side of the penalty area, but his first-time shot fizzled wide of the far post. Revenge for that shot came only two minute later when
Argentine winger Angel Di Maria was well picked out by Ozil on the right side of the penalty box, but found his first time shot barely blocked by Kameni and the ball went out for a corner. Nothing came out of that set-piece.
A goal finally arrived in the 28th minute, thanks to a penalty kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. The player was awarded a free kick just outside the box and took it, only for it to be deflected by Garcia in the wall. The
referee awarded the penalty kick owing to the ball being handled by Garcia. Ronaldo took the penalty twice, scoring twice in the same region. That goal burst the jam packed Bernabeu into a frenzy as Real Madrid took a much deserved lead. Moments later, Galan
produced a superb sliding block to deny Higuain, whose first touch allowed the defender to get back inside his own box. Wave after wave of Los Blancos attack was followed with CR7 doing step overs time and time again to fool the defenders. Sergio Ramos and
Ricardo Carvalho were booked for their clumsy tackles on the attackers, but have been healthy contributors in the game so far.
At half time, Real Madrid had the lead thanks to a 28th minute penalty by former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo. The player’s penalty was the only difference between the two sides but Mourinho will be looking
to find another goal to wrap up all three points for the Los Blancos.
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