Villarreal 0-5 Real Madrid

Schuster's men destroy Villarreal and become sole leaders in the League

Quality football was victorious. Real Madrid played a brilliant game and won away from home. They had fun, created many chances and scored many goals. Villarreal gave a good image, especially in the first half, when they had several chances on Casillas’ goal. Heinze made his debut with the Whites.

El Madrigal was packed to receive Real Madrid and both teams gave a good image in a brilliant match. Villarreal had defeated Valencia 3-0 at Mestalla Stadium the previous week, proving to be an increasingly important side in the League every year. Cazorla, Pires and Tomasson, gave signs of being the key players on this year’s Villarreal. The fans had anticipated an enjoyable match with chances for both teams and that’s what they got. Casillas and Viera were very effective under their goals and thwarted several chances by both sides.

Real Madrid had a quieter start, with Villarreal practically sieging Casillas’ goal from the opening minutes. Pires took a shot from outside the small area, but the Whites’ keeper managed to save it. Real Madrid soon counterattacked through Wesley Sneijder, whose powerful shot from outside the box was slightly off target, but marked the beginning of Real Madrid’s onslaught.

Bernd Schuster’s attacking scheme resembled that of last week against Atletico Madrid. The only different player on the pitch was Metzelder because Pepe is currently injured. Against an attacking side as Villarreal, Schuster looked to create chances and advanced his defence in a bold and very brave move. Real Madrid’s great movement, speed and phenomenal touch on ball grew stronger against Villarreal, who focused on attacking down the left wing through Cazorla, who had an outstanding encounter. Sneijder led Madrid’s attack on the left wing too with a brilliant showcase of versatility and skill with both legs.

The Dutchman saw a run by Raúl on the 38-minute mark, passing the ball to the captain, who flicked it over the keeper and netted the first goal of the evening. This was Raúl’s second strike so far in the season –he scored against Atletico last weekend- and he never kept his eyes off Villarreal’s goal. Sneijder was relentless and kept looking for Robinho, Raúl and Van Nistelrooy, who took advantage of the danger he created.

The first half came to an end with a brilliant chance by Cazorla down the left wing, alerting the Whites not to relax despite deservedly leading on the score-board. When the game was resumed, the Whites’ scheme didn’t change; they kept looking to score. Wesley Sneijder soon netted a brilliant free-kick; he kicked the ball on target with his right foot and it ricoched into the back of the net from the left corner of the goal. The strike was unstoppable and it was yet another display of the new signing’s amazing quality.

Villarreal strengthened their attack and created dangerous chances on Casillas’ goal, but Real Madrid continued attacking and soon netted a third; Sergio Ramos crossed the ball into the box for Van Nistelrooy to score after a fast run down the left. Ramos lifted his shirt up in celebration, which read: Puerta, hermano, descansa en paz. Nunca te olvidaré -Puerta, brother, rest in peace. I will never forget you-, in memory of the late Sevilla player Antonio Puerta who was a close friend of Ramos’, as they both came from the Andalusian club’s youth system.

The show went on. Real Madrid were winning 3-0 only ten minutes into the second half... And the fourth goal came soon after. Guti received the ball on the left wing and, instead of passing it forward to the middle, he passed it back to Sneijder, who sent it to the back of the net grazing the far post. Villarreal, desperate to score one goal to save their honour, left many wide spaces, one of which Guti took advantage of to score a beautiful strike from right outside the box.

This impressive 5-0 defeat proved many things: that this season’s Real Madrid is going to play a beautiful game; that the Raúl, Van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Guti and Sneijder alliance is going to thrill the fans; and that seven scored goals and only one conceded strike in just two games proves the Schuster’s brilliant attacking scheme also includes defending well.

MATCH REPORT:
0 - Villarreal: Viera, Javi Venta, Cygan, Fuentes, Capdevilla, Josico (Matías Fernández, 55’), Marcos Senna, Pires (Cani, 67’), Rossi (Guille Franco, 55’), Cazorla & Tomasson.
5 - Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Metzelder, Cannavaro, Drenthe, Robinho, Guti, Diarra (Gago, 77’), Sneijder (Baptista,77’) , Raúl (Heinze, 57’) & Van Nistelrooy.
GOALS:
0-1, 38'. Raúl.
0-2, 49'. Sneijder, free-kick.
0-3, 50'. Van Nistelrooy.
0-4, 71'. Sneijder.
0-5, 79'. Guti.
REFEREE: Luis Medina Cantalejo. Booked Rossi (11’), Javi Venta (73’) and Ramos (52’). HIGHLIGHTS: Matchday 2 of the Spanish League. A minute's silence in memory of Antonio Puerta was held before kick-off. Ramón Calderón and Villarreal President Fernando Roig attended the match. Venue: El Madrigal Stadium. Attendance: 22,000.

Report by Arancha Díaz
Photography by Ángel Martínez
Special correspondents to Villarreal
Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

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