They are called the ‘Aristocrats of world football’ and they continue their march towards winning the European crown. Last night, Real Madrid absolutely dismantled Lazio with a first half performance that reminded the world why they still are the top club in Europe and on their day, inarguably the best club in the world. The match was probably a story of two halves, the first being a dazzling display of skill and control by the home team, while the second half saw the home team probably take it a touch easier on the turf.
Real topped Group C with the 3-1 win and along with them the Greek side Olympiakos secured the second qualifying spot into the knockout stages of the Champions league this year. The Greek side easily went past Werder Bremen with a 3-0 win in Athens. It is nice to see that Greek football is really doing well off late and it’s sad to see Bremen being confined to the UEFA cup.
But the night was all about the style and the sleek that Real exhibited on the ball. The match was over pretty quickly as in the 12th minute Robinho found Brazilian fellow countryman Julio Baptista who shot the ball to find the back of the net from 20 meters out. Soon Robinho turned the provider again as the ‘King of Spain’ Raul netted in a second goal just 3 minutes from the first. If Lazio still had any hopes of a miraculous comeback then they were soon shattered by the breathtaking Brazilian, Robinho. The provider turned into the poacher as one of the greatest poachers of the goal within the 6-yard box; Ruud van Nistelrooy let a ball through for Robinho to tap it in.
Real looked in great form but also demonstrated that their defense is still weak, as they allowed the visitors to nearly claw their way back in. A second half goal from Pandev and then a near second one from a penalty spot almost saw them make a comeback. Iker Casillas made a brilliant save to make sure that the penalty did not get converted and the night ended 3-1.
In group B Schalke overcame their squad problems to register an impressive 3-1 win over Norway’s Rosenborg. Chelsea topped the group after they finished with a dull 0-0 draw at home to the Spanish giants Valencia. It is sad to see Valencia finish bottom of the group and out of European football for this season. It is such a waste of talent. Also Schalke are the only German club to make it to the last 16, which does not speak volumes for German football.
Real maintained their 100% win record at the Bernabeu this season and are really building an impregnable fortress for themselves at home. They still are weak in defense, but then the combination of Iker’s brilliance at the net and their own attack forward might save them. Even historically Real have always worked on the principle that: ‘we can always score one more than the opposition’. That is why we love them, that is why they are so entertaining to watch, that is why they are the most successful club in the world and that is the reason they are the ‘Aristocrats of world football’.
