*0-1: The triumphant debut of Cassano brings the semi-finals closer
*
http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma28738.htm
In barely three minutes, Antonio Cassano started to repay the confidence
put in him. López Caro gave him the opportunity to help, and the Italian
brought them closer to the semi-finals. Another demonstration of power
by Cicinho, great intensity from Ramos and Helguera and the fifth
unbeaten match for Real Madrid in 2006. The only negative note was the
injury of Diego López in the first half. In seven days comes the moment
to finish off Betis.
Without time to savour their magnificent performance against Seville,
Real Madrid had to get back to work on the Cup. They faced a Betis with
League problems, but who were hopeful of defending win against Osasuna.
López Caro was thinking about future battles, using all of the team and
introducing various new changes in the eleven. Diego López, Raúl Bravo,
Diogo and Soldado appeared in the team with Cicinho as right winger in
the starting eleven for the second time in a row. There was a luxury
line-up on the bench which the media fought to reflect: Casillas,
Zidane, Cassano, Beckham and Mejía. A solid line-up to get past any
adversity.
Diego López goes down
Serra Ferrar had lined up his forces to put pressure on Ramos and
Helguera. Tardelli, Dani and Joaquín formed a trident which was overcome
thanks to the work of Guti and Gravesen. Robinho tried his luck
endlessly and Cicinho, as before with Seville, was unbreakable out on
the wing. The green and whites watched out for any mistakes by their
rivals to counterattack quickly. In one such situation, Dani tested
Diego López with a long shot. He responded by knocking the ball out for
a corner, but in his full length save, his right thigh suffered more
than expected and eight minutes later (20th min), López Caro had to
replace him with Casillas.
Madrid didn't suffer, and neither did Betis too much either. But the
feeling of domination and power belonged to the visitors. Soldado with
his heel after a pass from Cicinho, and Baptista in a direct free kick,
intensified the dominance of the Madrid players. Nevertheless, Iker had
to react quickly to a header from Juanito who, with everything going
against them, was almost on the point of putting his team ahead in the
knockout. The cunning of Dani heading up Seville was the only discomfort
for Helguera-Ramos, who dealt with this without too many problems. There
were no changes for the second half, with Antonio Cassano warming up for
the first time since his arrival at the club.
Triumphal debut for Cassano
Baptista and Tardelli enjoyed the first opportunities in a match which
had gathered pace with the ball moving around faster. A situation which
livened up the spirits of the local fans. Serra Ferrar took advantage of
the momentum of the push and brought on Edú for Tardelli, something
incomprehensible as he was the player with the most mobility in attack.
Betis improved and Madrid stayed ready to do them some damage with
Robinho and Cicinho on the wings. But the big news of the game came when
Cassano appeared publicly as a Madrid player during the worst moments
for his team, in which the Brazilian winger had a chance just behind the
line ….
… And in three minutes, the number ‘19’ inaugurated his role as heavy
artillery. In a free kick from a foul committed on him, Guti put himself
in the area, and Doblas made a crashing error, and Cassano, alert,
craftily put the ball into the back of the net. Moments of glory for the
Italian, hugged by his team-mates on the pitch and on the sideline. And
one of these men came out to replace the solid Cicinho. Beckham came on
and Diogo went further back. Serra Ferrer had nothing left to do and
brought on Robert for Arzu. A lucky counterattack almost finished off
the knockout, but they still had to suffer as Betis did not stop
pushing, a carrousel of events that gave excitement to a Ruiz de Lopera
stadium which had been silenced since the goal from Cassano.
With spirit
The last stretch was calmer than it looked like it was going to be.
Sergio Ramos and Helguera passed the ball sensibly and the appearance of
the Englishman gave more consistency to the midfield, passing the ball
easily, despite the last tactical entry by the Andalucian coach,
Fernando. And so came their third victory of the Copa del Rey, with the
goalkeepers unbeaten in 270 minutes, and with the successful debut of
Antonio Cassano. With this Real Madrid on a run of good luck, their next
victim could be Cádiz in the first day of the second leg. In seven days
time at the Bernabéu, one of the semi-finalists will be chosen.
HAPUS BAGIAN EMAIL YG TIDAK PERLU SEBELUM ME-REPLY.
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