TOUR EVENT
The game of Real Madrid. In the first half, Espanyol three times reached the opponent’s goal, and each of the campaigns changed the score. The hat-trick of Walter Pandiani persistently argued that Real Madrid needed to fight not only with a strong opponent, but also with fatal bad luck. The strength of the current royal club is in impulsivity and courage. When Madrid goes on the attack, it seems that there is no such defense that could contain this pressure. Grace Raoul is multiplied by the zeal of Higuain, and van Nistelrooy’s focus is added to this. At the output, we have a product with the Champion Game label. Yielding to the break 1: 3, “Real” was not broken. Madrid knew: you have to play your football, and everything will work out. And - it turned out. Goals were given to Real Madrid with amazing ease and grace. Pass heel? You are welcome! Volley? No problem. Such a “Real”, no matter how hard you try, cannot be stopped. 4: 3 - it was probably a comeback for the championship.
HERO TOUR
Gonzalo Higuain. Higuain’s statistics at River Plate wasn’t very impressive: in 14 matches he scored 5 goals. This could not affect the firmness of the Madrid decision - in a difficult season, Real Madrid certainly needed fresh blood. In addition, Higuain is valuable not by goals, but by the ability to work for a team, move a lot and create room for partners. This work often goes unnoticed, and with defeats it is on such shadow fighters that all the cones fall: since it was invisible, it means it played poorly. In relation to Higuain, such unfair assessments sounded often, but the young Argentine did not break. In the match against Espanyol, when much evolved against Real Madrid, Higuain completed his usual amount of rough work. But with a score of 3: 3, his last name was not on the scoreboard. It was then that the midfielder turned on the speed on the right edge, recaptured the ball, played a wall with Reyes and brought Real Madrid forward. All Higuain’s football skills fit in one attack. And all the team efforts of Real Madrid closed on him. A strong-willed victory, in addition to three points, gives the Madrid club a psychological advantage. While Barcelona is at a loss, Real Madrid has been inspired.
TOUR FAILURE
Barcelona The week in which Barcelona received a slap in the face from Getafe and deprived themselves of the final of the Cup of the country did not bode well for the Catalans. Ronaldinho’s quick goal in the home game with Betis inspired Ricardo’s team with excessive optimism. “Barca” squandered a dozen more scoring chances, and then took up a favorite manner of rolling the ball. Betis coach Luis Fernandez meanwhile enraged the team with substitutions. Fresh players decided the outcome of the match by organizing a goal attack in the last minute. Marcos Assunsao gave Rafael Sobis - and he took away from Barca not only victory, but also leadership. “Barcelona” has forgotten how to impose its will on the opponent. The class of her game is illusory, and charisma is doubtful. If the team does not urgently mobilize, then Real and Seville will gladly share the fight for the championship without it.
TOUR SENSATION
The tour was unexpectedly difficult for the hosts. Only three Barcelona pursuers were able to defeat the houses: Real Madrid, Sevilla and Valencia. The poor form of the Catalans became an excellent incentive for this three. But “Celta” went wild in front of the native audience in the mast “for six points” against “Levante”. The hangover “Getafe” came under Madrid neighbors from “Atletico” - 1: 4. Usually, the substantial “Racing” did not find at home what to present to the weak “Mallorca” - 0: 2. Total: half of the matches of the tour ended with guest wins! Plus, a draw at Nou Camp, which Betis can safely consider to be its victory.
TREND
Momentary. The current championship draws up new trends, not having time to consolidate the old. A few rounds ago, the game of Barca seemed solid and quite champion. Today, the Catalan team is like a ship with a hole. More recently, Real Madrid football could not be associated with any prospect. Today it is the Madrid game that leaves the strongest impression. Sevilla, whose forces were almost exhausted due to the tight schedule, remains in the race, showing the ability to win in the classroom. “Valencia”, already deleted from the championship fight, gives out a powerful match against “Zaragoza” and is now only four points behind the first place. The system of Spanish values changes every week. Support points do not exist. There is only a moment. Yesterday, today, tomorrow are in no way connected. At any moment, Real Madrid may lose inspiration, and Barca will gain it, Sevilla will still break, and Valencia will believe that it is stronger than all. None of the teams deserves the championship in the classical sense: no one has proved their superiority. Each was good in his own way and on a limited stretch. Now the applicants have reached the finish line. The laws of the genre say: who knows how to make the last leap, he will win. But who knows?
CM. ALSO
Midfielder of “Valencia” David Silva in a match with “Osasuna” gave an assist as an aperitif, getting a taste, earned a penalty, and scored a goal for dessert, having sustained a pause of a true gourmet.
NUMERAL
It took 19 minutes for Hispaniola striker Walter Pandiani to get a hat-trick on Santiago Bernabeu.
Timur CRANES