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Week  30 Cadiz 1

v

1 Atletico Madrid
Date 26th March 2006  Lobos 67 mins Kezman 33 mins
Bezares Velasco
Pablo
Garcia Calvo
Galleti
 

A packed Carranza saw Cadiz earn a hard fought point against one of the form teams in la Liga. Varela returned from suspension, with Lobos, Moran and Sesma playing behind Medina in attack.

Both teams started in typical fashion, Cadiz relying on their determination and strength, whilst Atletico tried to find the runs of Kezman, Petrov and especially Fernando Torres. As usual Cadiz raced out of the blocks, but after failing to create any chances in the opening spell Madrid started to dominate as early as the 7th or 8th minute. Torres enjoyed a fine opening half, and Limia had to be alert to keep out a number of efforts from the Spanish international and his team-mates. With Atletico keeping good possession, the main threat the home team offered was from dead ball situations. Jonathan Sesma started to influence the game, and he had two half chances which both ended with shots off target. As Cadiz started to gain some territorial advantage, spaces inevitably started to appear behind the home defence, and the Madrid midfield were constantly looking for the speed of their strikers on the break. In the 32nd minute they succeeded with the tactic. A long ball from Ibagaza found Kezman in space, and the former Chelsea striker made no mistake when left one on one with Limia. Fleurquin, Bezares and Moran struggled to keep the ball for los amarillos, and as a result there was little direction or fluidity to the play. Paz almost drew the teams level after a free-kick, but Leo Franco was relieved to see the ball come straight into his arms.

The second half was a complete turn-around, and the grit and determination the home team showed will give much hope to the fans who started to lose hope of survival after the poor  mid week showing in Mallorca. Although the determination only gained corners and dangerous freekicks rather than clear cut chances, the Madrid defence were put under much more pressure than they had in the first half. Kezman, Petrov and Torres, who had looked so dangerous in the first half, were mere spectators in the early exchanges of the second half. Cadiz got their reward midway through the first half, when Sesma was fouled in the box by Galleti. Lucas Lobos made no mistake from the spot to the delight of the home fans. The home team started to bomb forward looking for a much needed three points, but with Atletico also needing a win in their pursuit of European football there was a real danger of Cadiz throwing the match away. Esparrago sensibly calmed his players. With only a handful of half chances for both teams in the final minutes, a draw was a fair result. The performance as well as the point will give hope to the fans, although a daunting trip to Valencia is next up.