Sprightly Robinho earns Real a point

Real Madrid left Zaragoza on the brink of relegation when they secured a pulsating 2-2 draw at La Romareda on Sunday evening.

Robinho, handed a starting place in a three-man front line, was put through early on only for the alert Cesar to clear.

Wesley Sneijder then tried his luck for the carefree champions, shooting just over from 25 yards out.

But it was Zaragoza who drew first blood on 19 minutes, with Oliveira tapping in Sergio Garcia’s pinpoint centre.

The visitors drew level shortly afterwards when Sneijder and Guti combined to play in Robinho. Cesar could only parry the No10’s well-struck volley into the path of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who tucked the ball home.

The Brazilian, back to his dangerous best and linking up seamlessly with the industrious Sneijder on the left flank, then saw his shot blocked as the opportunities flowed.

Desperate for the points to escape the danger zone, Zaragoza came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half, Aimar going close and Oliveira heading against the bar.

Full of running, Sneijder thought he had won a penalty when he was upended by Roberto Ayala after bursting into the box.

At the other end, an inspired Jerzy Dudek then made excellent saves from Diego Milito and Sergio to keep the scores level.

The tireless Sneijder set up Robinho for a low drive that was well saved by Cesar before being brought down by Paredes as he bore down on goal.

Real continued to threaten and when Gonzalo Higuain set Robinho scampering through on goal, O Principe kept his cool to chip home his 11th of the season.

But in the last act of breathless encounter Sergio equalised to keep Zaragoza’s slim survival hopes alive.

REAL ZARAGOZA 2-2 REAL MADRID

Date: 11/05/08
Kick-off: 21.00 (local time)
Venue: La Romareda (Zaragoza)
Referee: Perez Lasa
Goals: Oliveira 19 (1-0); Van Nistelrooy 26 (1-1); Robinho 77 (1-2); Sergio 86 (2-2)
Bookings: Javier Paredes, Sergio Rodriguez, Albert Celades (Real Zaragoza); Marcelo, Robinho, Wesley Sneijder, Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid)

Attendance: 34,500

Real Zaragoza (4-4-2): Cesar; Zapater, Ayala, Sergio, Paredes; Sergio Garcia, Celades, Matuzalem (Oscar 77), Aimar (Gabi 56); Diego Milito, Oliveira
Coach: Manolo Villanova

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Dudek; Sergio Ramos, Metzelder, Cannavaro, Marcelo (Torres 79); Sneijder, Diarra, Guti; Higuain (Saviola 85), Van Nistelrooy (Baptista 73), Robinho
Coach: Bernd Schuster

 
Fobazo - home of the world's best footballers

Send to a friend