Javier Saviola Saves Real Madrid
Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid looked worn out when they visited the Estadio Jose Zorila on Sunday to face Real Valladolid for the 4th matchday of the 2007-08 Spanish Primera Liga season. Real Valladolid were last season’s Segunda Liga champions, which earned them the opportunity to join the Primera Liga this season. On paper, Real Madrid definitely looked the better side, and their recent football performance made them huge favorites to win the match against Real Valladolid.
However, the Segunda Liga champions Real Valladolid put on an inspired performance in order to prove their metal against the Primera Liga champions Real Madrid. In this champion vs. champion match, it was Real Valladolid who took control at the start as Real Madrid struggled to find a consistent flow to their game. Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas had to make some heroic saves against the attempts of Valladolid’s Jose Antonio Garcia Calvo, Joseba Llorente, Borja Fernandez and Sisi Gonzales.
Real Valladolid should’ve been up 1-0 before the end of the first half when Daniel Kome put the ball in the back of the Real Madrid net. However, a linesman had signalled offside, and the goal was disallowed.
When the match opened up, Real Madrid were able to attack the Real Valladolid goal with the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Raul drawing impresive saves from Valladolid keeper Ludovic Butelle. Eventually, it was Real Valladolid who put their mark on the scoreboard first with a 70th minute goal by Valladolid’s Pedro Muñoz. Pedro Muñoz was unmarked some 30 meters from the goal, and he unleashed a scorcher of a shot that found the left top corner, beating the outstretched Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.
Real Valladolid continued to frustrate the Real Madrid side, who had problems getting a clean shot on goal. Eventually, in the 87th minute, Ruud Van Nistelrooy was able to avoid the oncoming Real Valladolid keeper Ludovic Butelle and passed off to Real Madrid subsititute Javier Saviola, who calmly put the ball in the back of the empty net. Valladolid players protested that 3 Real Madrid players were offside, but the protests were in vain as the referee allowed the goal to put the score at 1-1.
Real Madrid’s draw still keeps them at the top of the standings after 4 weeks of the 2007-08 Spanish La Liga season with 10 points. Spanish clubs Villareal and Valencia are tied for the 2nd spot with 9 points each. Meanwhile, Barcelona FC improves to 3rd spot with 8 points following a 2-1 win against Copa del Rey champions, Spanish Super Cup Champions and UEFA Cup titleholders Sevilla FC.
The Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid will be hosts to Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday, September 27. Real Betis won their last match against Valencia 1-0, and hope to upset Real Madrid to continue their win streak.
To bet on Real Madrid vs. Real Betis and other matches of the 2007-08 Spanish La Liga season, click here.
