Sunday, December 7, 2003, 03:06 p.m.
But I wanna kill whoever it was who kick him around the face...! Grrh, Mother bear is up and enraged. Iker himself didn’t take it kindly. After all, there’s no need for that offending player to fight back if it was merely an accident. No, I think that Barça player didn’t have such intention but did it anyway to lash out his frustration.
It’s a tough game but it’s really a bewildering puzzle as to why Rijkaard didn’t line up Saviola from the first. And no Overmars, either. Both players were sent in during second half and in the case of Saviola, very much later. Big mistake.
And why, oh why, did the Dutch insisted on lining up Valdez? I mean, sure, he’s kinda okay but you guys bought Rustu, for God’s sake. Why coughing up such dough for the established world’s #1 goalkeeper just to put him on the bench?
On the whole, it’s Madrid's defense who deserved much acclaim for this match. When penetrated, it’s still Iker who’s working like a horse but the stopping mechanism was working out great. Raúl Bravo, Salgado, Carlos, Pavon (though I can’t get over the idea that he’s much too girlie). Lots of calm, effective interception; sometimes by Becks and Zidane, too.
First half went without too much incident. Puyol frustrated Madrid’s attacks unaccountably; Barcelona executed a thrilling, continous series of attack during 21’-22’. One striker was left unguarded; shooting an easy kick at 23’ but was saved by Iker, who at 27’ punched out a free kick taken by Xavi.
At 34’ Kluivert went down right before the 16 yard area and Barça was given a free kick. High ball – Iker’s weakness – but he saved it! "One of the best in the world...!" gushed the field commentator.
Two minutes later Zidane danced past a defender, shot a supply for Carlos who, as he readily admitted all the time, didn’t look but just shoot and hope for the best. Best he got indeed! A brilliant goal, one of his typical bewildering goals. Hidup Botak!
40’ saw a stupid play by Reizieger. He went blank for a while it seemed and let a pass fell out of field. Luis Garcia missed a fairly easy shot at 44’ but still Iker raged and worked his lungs to have his words broadcasted through national television!
A streaker tore into the pitch just before second half’s kick off. He was escorted out without incident. Distasteful. No photographer bothered to take any pictures. Overmars came in the stead of Luis Garcia; Quaresma in tow.
(Hey, Ronnie’s got a new pair of shoes!)
Second half’s much adorned with free kicks, corners and yellow cards. Halfway through, statistic came up to show the number of faults commited – BCN 24, RMAD 12! Still, Puyol was to be praised on his many clean tackles, one of the best example was shown at 7’.
Iker is a terrible fuss when it comes to free kick and corners. The camera once captured Zidane scurrying up towards the net to help defense at Iker’s call. And the noise he made! I could practically hear every single word! Much preferring Helguerra still, apparently.
Cursed at him, too, by the way.
Becks shot a beautiful ball at 8’, to be wasted stupidly by Raúl. Not much credit for el capitano en esto partido. 10’ saw good penetration by Kluivert. We certainly saw more action from the Catalans during second half. Xavi was offside a minute later and at 13’ an attack forced Iker to punch out the ball and shouted more sañandos.
Lots of punching from Iker recently.
I think that’s why he was both shaken and very much relieved when he saved the other attack at 19’. It was a one-on-one duel; the striker was in front of him – he managed to stop the ball but it bounced off and for a moment was free to be re-captured.
That wasn’t something he would let happen before. When the ball was safely back in Madrid’s possesion, the camera zoomed in on him sitting down, knock for six – glad that his blunder didn’t cost the team. Heart attack, eh, Fernández?
He saved another at 24’ and also beforehand at 16’ but I think he’d reconsider this boxer stunt. Sure, Ollie Kahn usually did that, too, but it’s a weakness – as Iker seemingly realised last night. (Y no quieres Ollie, ¿verdad?)
Barça’s defense went to sleep 28 mts into the game and again Zidane gave a beautiful ball for Ronnie to shoot his specialty, the extremely thin cut from a very narrow angle. 2-0 for now.
But then it’s hardwork. No more running, he’s too heavy! Quieroz sent in Portillo to save Ronnie’s breath. Rijkaard then follow the lead; sending in Saviola.
First inclination of doom. I didn’t think much of him, not much consistent a player but he could do significant damage if Madrid’s not careful.
And sure it was; he became a distraction. Another good, dangerous penetration by Kluivert; cut for a corner by Carlos – Iker even tapped a thanks on Baldy’s back! He got the ball alright but it went in along with himself and Salgado, I think. Goal, 2-1, still for Madrid but I hate that. Hate that!!!
Still stunned by the resented goal, I watched despondently as Iker saved another attack shortly afterward, another one-on-one, and cringed as I saw both players crashed again each other; Iker turning his head sharply. Initially, I thought he was steering clear from possible impact. Not to mention I was pretty consoled by the admiring exclamation of the commentator ("Brilliant goalkeeping...!")
But then Iker advanced, shouting indignantly at the striker and I should think everybody was bewildered. They quickly replayed the footage and oh, how I was outraged...! Barça’s player and Iker collided indeed, the clash forced them down the ground, the opponent’s feet was in the air next to Iker’s face and to my astonishment, went round the said face!
Iker received a full dose of a shoe on his nose. (Oh, his nose I so love...)
I always hate it when people touch my head, even a pat seems irritatingly patronizing, so I understand how the incident offended Iker so much. Even if it WAS an accident, which I doubt, I would still feel insulted. A foot squarely on my face!
Statistic flashing 5 paradas seemed an anticlimax. RCTI dubbed him man of the match, too, but it hardly matter. Kluivert’s goal had ruined everything. Everything!
First day’s wrap:
Barcelona 1 – 2 Madrid
Deportivo 1 – 0 Malaga
Sociedad 0 – 4 Betis
Osasuna 3 – 2 Celta Vigo
DeeDee SMSed when Sociedad/Betis was still 3 – 0, telling me 2 of the goals were Joaquin’s and Capi’s. Stupid TPI didn’t broadcast the game; I wanna see Joaquin!
Osasuna was doing well, they’re – I think – 5th in the league right now. Meanwhile, Sociedad, Betis and Celta Vigo might as well go on holiday early. All three were in a row five ranks from the bottom. Betis’ victory would only enable them to take Celta’s 15th post.
