Racing Santander vs. Real Madrid: League Rankings at Stake
La Liga heated up yesterday, as Real Madrid earned a crushing 7-0 victory over Malaga. They will now play Racing Santander, as they seek to gain confidence in their ability to get to the top spot in the League rankings.
The thrashing of Malaga, however, was marred by the the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from a leg injury—questions remain as to how confident the team would be. Beating Malaga was the victory of a giant over a dwarf; Real's dominance was a class act. Yet the road to a classic clash between Real and Barcelona in just over a month beckons, and all their strength will need to be mustered.
Yet for the moment they face Racing Salander in the next League match, what would be the 27th match of the season. Surely, this should be another routine victory. Racing is not without hope. Here's a look at some of the stories, and what is at stake, going into their clash in a few days.
The Absence of Ronaldo
1 of 4
Ronalo has proved a revelation for Real Madrid, as he has consistently demonstrated his talent and striker-savyness over the years with the club. It proved the same story again against Malaga, when he deepened their hole, adding salt to the wound in going on a hat-trick of goals from 4-0 up.
The story, indeed, has been the same against Racing before—Real has beaten them seven times in a row, with the last win coming in their last League match at home, 6-1. There, Ronaldo had gone on a similar streak, winning four goals at a stretch at one point.
How crucial, then, is Ronaldo's absence? A leg injury has cost him participation for at least a few weeks; the intelligent answer, however, would be that it isn't. Ronaldo has been the star boy of Real, but the team should remain solid enough to eke out a win even without him.
Home Advantage for Racing?
2 of 4
Looking at the stats behind Real's recent performance, it is somewhat surprising to learn that its success playing away has proven less than up to par.
In contrast to their crushing home victories in the last four matches they have played at Madrid, where they are now 14-2 in goals won and loss, they have only managed two goals, to two lost, in playing their last four matches. There is something to be said about the home crowd, and the magic that a wild, supportive audience can stir in a footballer's heart. Notably, in Ronaldo, but generally, in the pride of the Whites.
Moreover, Racing has had a history of success playing at home in recent months, having won their last nine matches, when playing at home. The home crowd, too, has favoured them. Playing Real on Sunday will be their 10th match at home.
It is significant, however, that as poorly as Real seems to have performed at fixtures away from home, they have only lost one, in the last four played. The tide is against Racing.
El Sardinero: The Scent of Familiar Turf?
3 of 4
The venue, however, may prove more significant than the fact of whether this is a home or away fixture for Real. The stats tell it all—they have won their last three matches at this stadium, and all by the score of 2-0. Often, familiar turf may exude the same winning feeling as any home fixture.
In contrast, Racing's performance at El Sardinero, at this home stadium, has been slightly less impressive. Despite having won their last nine home ties, at Sardinero they have drawn four of their last five games. Contradictory probabilities are presented to us. Real, while having a poor record recently playing away, are playing against a team that has failed to dominate at home.
The question is: Will the scent of victory in familiar surrounds overpower the sight of familiar surrounds?
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Real Madrid's Stakes in La Liga
4 of 4
Of course, for all the opportunity that Racing's next match seems to be presenting, with Ronaldo being absent, and their playing on home ground, Real Madrid will be heavy favourites to win an eighth straight match against the men from Santander. Bigger and scarier things are up ahead.
The biggest priority of the team would be, of course, not only a win —and a clean and disciplined one at that—but a chance, in doing so, to earn valuable ranking points for their standing in the La Liga. As of now, and for the last thirteen games since their last loss in the league to Barcelona, they stand at number two. Barcelona has demonstrated again its characteristic solidness and dominance, winning every match since their loss to Hercules in their second fixture last year.
For Real to gain any much wanted ground from Racing, it will need to build on the confidence of their 7-0 thrashing of Malaga to go on a roll—a roll, which, in five league games from now, will hopefully come crashing down on Barcelona in a mouth-watering El Clasico encounter.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
