The backlash as a means of survival

Real Madrid beat Valencia 2-0 in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey at Santiago Bernabeu disputed. Jose Mourinho solventaron The best result with one of the first impressions that will have to end by June dispute between itself and the Champions Cup.

The post game is marked again-unfortunately-for the performance of the referee. Since Valencia have not hesitated to express their grievances by arbitration Muñiz Fernández. Truth is that they have reason to do so, especially for offsides revoking pitados plays heads-whites, and some other possible penalty. With what I disagree with is that the second goal Real Madrid hand reaches for Higuain. As much as I repeated the play I can not clearly distinguish, and that none of the three players who are next valencianistas Balona react with protests of a signal is the less to consider.

But let's focus on what really matters in Football Notes , which is nothing else than shown by both teams on the pitch. With the League but lost to Real Madrid, Copa del Rey is a priority. So expect a significant improvement compared to the bad image of last Saturday at the Reyno de Navarra . And the image improved, although not as much as we expected.

Improved especially with regard to the motivation of the players. Clearly, each day league for the second round will be an ordeal in the morale aspect for players to know that not aspire to the title. Fighting for second place is required, but not very satisfying for players at this level. So games like last night to wake up the interest of the players, and it showed from the opening whistle with involvement and intensity reminiscent of the last season. Pressure high and organized, coordinated movements. Good feelings without the ball.

Balloon But things change, and Madrid is still a team in need of predictable and vertigo and speed. It is true that the presence of Marcelo, although not yet be at a good level, is noted positively. Xabi Alonso thanked Especially, when it comes to finding a partner to get the ball played. However, as the minutes passed and stilled the initial arreón merengue group, led by the trivote Valencia Banega became a splendid control.

And the Madrid began to suffer sometimes, yet he was comfortable. Cristiano, Benzema, Ozil ... looked forward and saw a highway for which riding frantically. And so it was like a good stop from Casillas-holder, as any objective mind knew it would be-a great chance to Jonas, became a counterattack led by Essien speed, very cleverly extended by Khedira and buttoned to the Benzema perfection. Again the hallmark of vertigo. Kickback as a means of survival in the remainder of the season.

In the second half, Valencia and Madrid lost bellows back was armed with entry-Marcelo Coentrao is still for 90 minutes. Moreover, Mourinho ushered Di Maria in order to open the field, Valencia stretch the defense and create good spaces to take advantage against. The second goal came with some luck after an inmate of Coentrao centered Saved introduced to the network. That goal marked a turning point in the match. From the foot of lead from both teams spent a few minutes late really crazy, that easily could have been solved with a pair of goals for Real Madrid. But Guaita appeared to make two or three stops of real merit to Cristiano Ronaldo that this time was no door, but once again proved to be the cornerstone of this team offensive.

Finally, I highlight the role of the defensive line Madrid. To achieve that, at least for a day, not miss two carving stations Pepe and Sergio Ramos is noteworthy. Carvalho was on the verge of retirement, and against Valencia has scored a perfect match. As Albiol. And note also Essien, who plays out of place though, knows comply based on their intelligence and capacity for sacrifice. Your level is not enough to be starters, and probably either-I mean-Carvalho and Essien in the template will be next season, but have shown that they can count on them for special occasions.