FC Zurich vs. Real Madrid: The Scribblings of a Madridista

(Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Those of you, who have come here to read a match report will be disappointed because this is not your average match-report, these are the thoughts of a fan—biased, unedited, uncensored, true but explained. It is way more fun than a match-report, really!

Last night I sat down with my trusty notepad and pencil to watch the first Champions League group match of Real Madrid against FC Zurich, the match started and so did my scribbling:

Thoughts on the Real Madrid lineup:

Defense: Iker Casillas (GK), Alvaro Arbeloa (RB), Raul Albiol (CB), Pepe (CB)and Royston Drenthe (LB)

Expected defense lineup except for Drenthe; well what difference does that make? Luckily Pepe isn't banned in the Champions League becasue of his "moment of madness," and we'll get to see Pepe and Albiol together for the first time in the season.

I still miss Sergio Ramos in that line-up, damn you tendinitis in the left Achilles tendon!

Midfield: Kaka (RM and LM), Xabi Alonso (CM), Lassana Diarra (CM) and Cristiano Ronaldo (RM and LM)

I don't like Lass and Xabi together, I can't explain, I just don't like it! The team performed very well with Xabi and Guti playing in the center on Saturday against Espanyol, I want to see that happen, I want Xabi/Lass with Granero/Guti in the center, I guess that I'll have to wait.

Forwards: Raul (ST) and Gonzalo Higuain (ST)

I love you Pellegrini, even though you cost me fantasy points, you have given me hope that rotation will take place and Pipita will get the chances that he deserves.

Scribblings of the First Half:

2': "Nice Drenthe, I know this is too soon, but I like you more than Marcelo!"—Drenthe had just won a tackle and was combining well on an attack with Cristiano, a Madridista knows that this was the best thing that either Marcelo or Drenthe could do.

15': "A yellow to Kaka—that's unfair ref!"—Kaka was booked for his first tackle (shirt pull) of the game, a harsh yellow card.

23': Yellow Card—Drenthe 24': Yellow Card—Stahel — This was the time I knew that the referee was on a one-man mission to yellow card players, especially the Madrid players.

27': "It feels so good not to be on the receiving end of CR rockets"—Leoni gets a hand to it but it still goes in, a beauty from "CR9." Real Madrid 1-0 up.

33': "Higuain and Raul—Oh WOW!"—A header from Xabi Alonso puts the ball in the path Gonzalo Higuain, who runs and then drags it back for Raul who scores, and Real Madrid 2-0 up before half-time. It was delightful to see the pair of Raul and Higuain play like last season!

34': "My little research before the game was correct—Vonlanthen is really dangerous!"—Vonlanthen's shot flew over the cross-bar!

38': "Classic Pipita goa...DAMN HE'S OFFSIDE!"—Higuain beats the keeper and coolly slots it in, but he's offside.

45': "Kaka is Zidane with more hair on the head and longer shorts!"—Kaka may not like the comparisons but he has been handed the Zidane role (he starts from the wing and comes inside) and he is doing an awesome job. I love Kaka—the best €65 million ever spent!

45'+1': "IN YO FACE MARADONA, IN YO FACE! Pipita showing just why he's loved by the Madridistas"—Higuain beats a defender, and coolly puts the ball past Leoni after Raul sets the ball in his path. 3-0 to Real Madrid.

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