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| Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas with the Bernabeu Trophy 2011 |
The white fans expected on Wednesday to see live Sahin and Varane, but in the case of the first, will have to wait few more weeks. The Turk was left out of the squad because someone did not see him fully recovered. And despite his absence, the former Borussia player was strengthened at the Bernabeu. Without him, they all want alongside Xabi Alonso.
With Khedira in the stands with health problems, Coentrao was the companion of Xabi in the midfield. The same that all people saw in the Camp Nou. The Portuguese can be two hours running from one place to another without stopping, but not giving sense to the Real Madrid actions. At least not for his peers, happier when the ball comes from Xabi.
The fans had not hung their last banner in support of Mourinho when Galatasaray went ahead on the scoreboard. After the ball stroll through the area of Adam, Eboue broke Sergio Ramos' waist and served the first goal of the game to Inan. In ten minutes, the Turks had already demonstrated in Madrid all their virtues.
The locals gradually had more chances to score. Goalkeeper Muslera cleared a shot following a good combination between Xabi Alonso and Di Maria (16'), and the defence later cleared a shot by Kaka (19'). Sergio Ramos scored the equaliser from a header following a cross by Alonso on the 33-minute mark.
This marked a turning point in the match, which the Whites started to control. Higuain came close to netting his team's second goal, but Muslera again saved the day for Galatasaray (41'). At the end of the first half, the crowd gave Real Madrid a standing ovation.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Carvalho, Ozil, Benzema and Albiol came on for Callejon, Pepe, Higuain, Varane and Kaka after half-time. Benzema scored on the 49-minute mark, but the referee disallowed the goal due to a non-existent offside. No matter: one minute later, the Frenchman easily defeated Muslera in a one-on-one and gave his side the victory goal. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly scored the third in the 64th minute with a shot outside the box, but the goalkeeper strained himself to clear his shot. Jose Mourinho then decided to bring on youth teamer Alex Fernandez for an exhausted Di Maria (66').
Coentrao nearly sealed the game, but his shot went straight down the middle into the keeper's hands. The locals had more chances on goal, but converted none of their shots. Academy player Morata received a standing ovation when he substituted Coentrao on the 76-minute mark. Sadly, Marcelo was forced to leave the pitch due to twisting his ankle a few minutes later and had to be replaced by youth player Mendes. Mourinho gave two other academy players, Nacho and Mandi, a chance to play with the first team before the end of the match.
Summary
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 67,000
Goals: 0-1, m.10: Inan. 1-1, m.34: Sergio Ramos. 2-1, m.51: Benzema.
