They’re more than just pretty bums to us, they’re goal scoring bums! These manty lined fellows had such a good start to the Rayo match, but drama always seems to be on our heels, this season. Damn you, drama!! Let our boys play! Now lets get to the post!
How do you say “Boohoo” in French?
Things started off with almost an immediate goal from Cristiano, but he was flagged offside, the man can’t get ‘em all! It was the rarely starting, Morata, who was successful in scoring the opener. With an Ozil assist, and what an assist it was, bebe put his goal away. Let’s hear it for a three minute wait for goals!
I wish we had the chance to see Morata in action more often, he’s come through for us one more than one occasion, he deserves the chance to shine. Following his goal, we saw a few back & forth chances from both sides, in the 6th and 7th minutes. Kaka with a shot just wide of the post & Chori Dominguez with the same, at the opposite end of the pitch.
Casado made the mistake of causing our Capi take a flip. Hurt him & he’ll get ya back! RM was awarded the free kick.
Expert camera skills at it’s finest. Pan & zoom on his Sergitos.
Ozi took the free kick and Sergio with a return to his fabulous header days, smashed our second goal in. Sese knows how to celebrate his 250th Liga match right!
Aww & a shout out to Mama Paqui!….no not you, Leo Millares. Maybe next time dude.
With both assists of the night under his belt, Ozi became the La Liga player with most assists. He has seven assists in La Liga & a total of 11 in all championships. GO Ozi!
We were 13 minutes into the match and were two goals in, how about that for productivity? What could go wrong from that point on, we thought. Silly us! There’s always the possibility of someone getting shown our favorite color…RED. There’s red & there’s Ramos red, isn’t there? (Btw if there were a nail polish of that name, I’d put it out of stock!) Our notorious card collector, had it right when he said it’s becoming easy for refs to send him off. He’s got the reputation, so why not take advantage? Ahh, Capi was taken from us too soon.
He saw his first yellow in the 17th minute, for bringing Trashorras down. What a show that guy can put on! Bullshit card #1.
A minute later, Sergio received his second yellow for that handball. Bullshit card #2. If players played with their hands bound behind their backs, La Liga refs would still find a way to card people for handballs. So that was it for Sergio….boy, does he know how to make an exit.
Hellowwww, Serhio Ramo!
It was a shame to see one goalscorer sent off, but even more of a shame for Morata having had to be subbed out. With Sergio out, we needed another defender out there and calling it early for bebe Morata was just collateral damage.
Albiol came on for Morata in the 27th minute.
With ten men on the pitch, the fiyah the boys displayed in the beginning, seemed to have fizzled out. They were unable to attack in the same way, as they had to focus on defense with Rayo picking up most of the possession.
Our second sub was made in the 67th minute, Di Maria coming on for the big assisting, Ozi.
Rayo showed some fiyah of their own in the last moments of the match, sending shots to the posts & getting dangerous in front of Diego…can we call him DLo, or how about Diego from the block post?
The last sub came in the 80th minute, with Callejon coming on for Kaka. The remainder of the match was finished out quietly & scare free.
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Post Match Comments
From Realmadrid.com
Karanka:
Aitor Karanka first addressed the media in the Santiago Bernabeu press room to comment on Sergio Ramos being sent off: “It’s more of the same. We already knew of this happening on other occasions. It’s no surprise. It was a shame for the match. It started out beautifully for the public, with Rayo playing very actively and us focusing on attack, but in the end it wasn’t to be.” He also spoke of the various criteria applied in handing out cards: “It’s worrying because it’s happened in many matches and early on, but it’s something that’s not up to us. It’s difficult to understand because each match there are confusing decisions.”
Regarding the absence of Benzema and Adan, the Whites’ assistant coach explained that it was over technical matters: “The decisions that are taken are always for the good of the team. It’s the same when it comes to who’s called up. We look to have people on the bench who can contribute.” That was the case of the academy player Morata who, despite being substituted after Ramos was sent off, opened the scoring for Real Madrid “Regarding the case of Morata, everyone wants to see people from the academy. He had an opportunity and he scored. Then we weren’t so lucky. But it’s important for him. He’s taking advantage of the few opportunities that he’s had. He’s done what’s been asked of him and he’s scored important goals like that of the other day and today’s. We know he’s in good form and it’s important that he’s playing at this level.”
Karanka also mentioned Kaka and Pepe. Regarding the Brazilian, he said “the explanation is that each match we look for those that are in the best form. When we see that a match is good for him, we can give him pitch time. Today was one of those days where we’ve seen Kaka in great form.” Speaking of the Portuguese defender, he indicated that he’s key to the team: “Pepe was off for a while but he’s a leader on the field and with time he’ll be better.”
Lastly, he spoke of Varane: “He’s been having a spectacular season and all of us are surprised at the maturity with which he plays and participates and which he transmits to the team. He fits right in and his level of play is good for the team and his competitiveness. He has a spectacular future ahead and should go on improving and progressing.”
Sergio:
Sergio Ramos scored the second goal against Rayo Vallecano but did not finish the match after being sent off. The Whites’ defender explained how he felt after the match: “It hurts, especially because of how it happened. It is not normal that he sent me off in two minutes. I’ve never been a player to go in hard and it hurts me to have left my teammates outnumbered at such an early stage. I’m going home feeling quite bad. Referees are required to interpret the play and the circumstances. I think the first yellow was unfair and a team can’t be left with ten players in the first few minutes. I think it’s very easy to send off Ramos because of previous events or reputation. In competitions like the European Cup or the World Cup there are no problems. In the end I got to dedicate a goal to my mother, who deserves it for all that she has suffered, and we go home happy with the win.”
The Real Madrid player appealed for the squad to remain united during this decisive part of the season: “Everyone is free to give their opinion, both the coach and my teammates, my style is not to single people out. We have to be more united now than ever because we have big matches coming up and we are playing for our season in two competitions.” The Sevillian finished by responding to a question about the refereeing: “I won’t go into the refereeing. Spanish football deserves refereeing that matches the level of the great players we have.”
Morata:
Álvaro Morata made the most of his appearance in the starting XI against Rayo Vallecano and opened the scoring in the match. The reserve team player analysed the match: “There are times when this sort of thing happens, that’s life and I’m happy because the team won. It happened to Callejón recently. The match was set up well with two goals in the first minutes. Then these are things that happen and we need to accept them. We know the criteria that the referees follow and that it is up to them. It is always difficult to play with a man less and Rayo do it very well. They are a great team and they lacked a little punch. They will be up their fighting for a place in Europe.”
The attacker talked about his position in the team: “I am very proud to be in this squad and play in matches like this. I am learning and I am in no hurry. I need to take it step by step.” With regards to his personal performance his was happy: “I didn’t expect to be in the starting XI and when the coach told me it made me extremely happy. To start a match at the Bernabéu and score my first goal here is incredible.”
Kaka:
Kaka was part of the Madrid strike force against Rayo Vallecano and he congratulated the squad for their effort after Ramos was sent off: “I think the team read the match very well with one player off and we all fought hard in a game that became more and more physical and less a matter of skill. It’s always harder when you are down to ten men, you have to run more and struggle more. We are all pleased because we fought hard and came away with an important win. Now we have a week to rest and I congratulate the whole team on a great match.”
The Brazilian also spoke about his most recent games: “Against Rayo I was able to help actively. I am pleased with the win and with the fact that this was the second match in a row that the crowd gave us a standing ovation. It looks like our training and effort are producing results. I will keep on battling and I believe I can help and contribute a lot to the team; whenever I get the chance I will demonstrate that. Things are working out for me, little by little.” As for the upcoming matches, he had this to say: “I’d really like to play in those matches and make my contribution to the team.”
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HALA MADRID!!!
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-Maisougio
headbandsandheartbreak
“Ramos Red”! I like that, you should write essie and suggest it =)
I should! They could even create the perfect metallic silver in his honor – “Crushed CdR”
You may have hit on a great idea: Real Madrid nailpolish! But my twitter profile pic will show that I have been sporting Real Madrid nails for over a year!
Or maybe OPI can do a whole Real Madrid line. I would so get them all! A bright yellow for Sunshine Marcello, Ramos Red, a classy navy blue for Alonso etc.
Seriously, I would go berserk. Nail polish is one of my addictions.
I can just see Ozil as a pearlescent white
Morata was amazing. I was so happy for him getting to start and then scoring so quickly. It’s a shame he had to be subbed off. I really hope Mou starts using him more often. Our other strikers have been lackluster and Morata deserves the chance.
Poor Serhio. That was harsh. And it was BS that he then didn’t send Lass off in the second half for a much worse handball. It honestly feels like we’ve played just as many, if not more, matches with 10 men than we have with 11 this season.
DLo – Diego from the post!
He’s still, he’s still Diego from the post. No matter where he goes, he knows where he came from! Hahaha
The Rayo player who traded shirts with Pepe must really admire him. The Rayo budget is so tight that players trading shirts must pay for the shirt from their own pocket.
It was at this match that Real Madrid unveiled their new Early Retirement Plan: Score goal, leave pitch. Too bad for Morata, but he made good use of the few minutes he had on the pitch and did such a terrific job!
What does Ramos refer to when he talks about all his mom has gone thru? I know his grandmother did pass, but I thought that was a some time ago.