Real Madrid 3-1 Sporting Gijon: Los Merengues prevail after falling behind

The Asturians claimed a shock lead, but could not hold on...

20 Mar 2010 20:57:00

By Arjun Miglani

More On :  Real Madrid, Sporting de Gijón
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Gregory Arnolin of Sporting Gijon (Getty Images)
Real Madrid 3-1 Sporting Gijon - Lineups/Stats
La Liga - Fixtures/Results

Real Madrid leapt to the top of the league, after coming from behind to beat Sporting Gijon.

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Real Madrid were missing Kaka and Raul Albiol, while Sporting Gijon fielded their strongest possible line-up.

Both teams have a fairly attacking mentality, so it was a surprise that the match got off to a cagey start, and it was not until 15 minutes that the first shot on target occured, when Miguel De Las Cuevas shot straight at Iker Casillas at the near post.

Real Madrid had their first genuine chance on 23 minutes, when Esteban Granero's attempted chip flew over the bar, after he had been set up by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Los Merengues were dominating the game, but they still looked vulnerable to Sporting's counter-attacks, and Diego Barral should have done better on 35 minutes, but his shot was deflected wide after he had been found by De Las Cuevas.

With five minutes to go, Ronaldo finally found some space and cut in from the right, but his drive flew well into the stands. Seconds later, Gonzalo Higuain fired a shot golwards, but Juan Pablo was equal to the task.

That proved to be the last chance of the half, as the sides went in goalless, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.



Immediately after the second half started, Higuain raced up the right flank and put a cross in for Rafael Van Der Vaart, who headed over. The host were trying their luck from everywhere but Granero also blasted into the bar from the edge of the box.

It looked as though Madrid would rue their missed chances, and sure enough, on 53 minutes, Diego Barral made them pay, latching onto a ball on th right and smashing it in at Casillas' near post.

The hosts were stunned, but it took mere minutes for them to equalize. Juan Pablo could only parry Ronaldo's free-kick into the path of Van Der Vaart, and the Dutch midfielder duly obliged to bring the sides level.

Having equalized, Madrid then went for the kill, and it did not take long for the blow to arrive. With more than half an hour still left to play, Xabi Alonso got his head behind a corner at the far post, leaving Juan Pablo with no chance.

Sporting still looked vaguely dangerous on he counter, but Madrid were always likely to score next, and they did just that on 68 minutes, when Higuain burst through the defence and sent a low shot into the bottom corner.

The result was now a foregone conclusion, and Madrid nearly claimed a fourth in comical fashion, when Gregory's clearance smashed into Ronaldo and rebounded just wide of the net. Then, Marcelo had a great chance when Juan Pablo could only parry Higuain's effort into his path, but he blazed over the bar.

Los Merengues' performance was far from perfect though, and a terrible mix-up between Sergio Ramos and Casillas nearly resulted in a goal for Sporting, before Garay cleared. At the other end, Raul did well to get on the end of Marcelo's cross, but his header was straight at Juan Pablo.

The last ten minutes passed without incident, as Real Madrid eased to a win which puts all the pressure on Barcelona, ahead of their trip to Zaragoza.

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