Magnificent Real Hand Valencia Four Of The Best
Real Madrid produced a master class in attacking football to dispose of Valencia 4-1 at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid produced a master class in attacking football to dispose of Valencia 4-1 at the Bernabeu.
After eight minutes Roberto Carlos took the ball past two Ches defenders before forcing a super save from Andres Palop. Raul then shot wide for the home side.
On 27 minutes Amedeo Carboni cleared after Luis Figo was allowed into the Valencia area. Ronaldo then spurned a great chance when he turned his free-header wide.
Not long after, Raul shot just wide of the left hand post, before he put a super opportunity wide with his head.
Real took a deserved lead on 35 minutes when Zidane picked up the ball after great defensive work from Fernando Hierro. The Frenchman released Ronaldo who rounded Palop with ease and slotted home. The Brazilian then went to embrace his coach Vicente Del Bosque who recently lost his mother.
Roberto Carlos twice came close on 38 minutes when, first his low free-kick was palmed away by Palop, and then his power-blaster from the left side of the area hit the post.
The remaining action of the half saw Casillas make a comfortable save from Pablo Aimar, and Raul receive a Carlos pass only to shoot inches wide of the right-hand post.
Eight minutes after the break Valencia were level when Roberto Ayala rose superbly to head Fabio Aurelio's free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.
Valencia were well in control at this point and it looked as though Real may be set to rue their missed first-half chances. Ruben Baraja's low shot from the edge of the area was saved and gathered by Casillas, and Aimar was booked for a follow-through on the goalkeeper.
On the hour John Carew eluded Carlos before shooting across goal and wide, before the game's turning point in the 63rd minute. Aimar was dismissed after a silly challenge on Michel Salgado.
Real immediately regained their lost ascendency, and after Ronaldo had shot against the side netting, they took the lead when Zidane's effort from the edge of the area deflected off Ayala and past the helpless Palop.
On 71 minutes, Casillas gathered David Albelda's shot at the second attempt, before he beat away Mista's header 12 minutes later.
Substitute Guti made sure of the points on 85 when he set himself up to superbly volley home into the bottom right corner of the net from the edge of the box.
In stoppage time Zidane, who enjoyed a superb match, breezed past Baraja in the midfield before slipping in another substitute, Javier Portillo, who finished confidently past Palop.
Overall a splendid attacking display from Real in far from ideal conditions, and in front of watching AS Roma coach Fabio Capello.
They now trail leaders Real Sociedad by just three points.