Re: The All New PES5 Master League Thread.
Alaves vs Real Zaragoza - Division 2, Matchday 9
Match highlights - 5mb, fast link -
http://www.sendspace.com/file/tg8anw
An intriguing tie with plenty of past headlined a crucial week in Division 2. The home side had only notched up two victories all season - one of them being away at their opponents on Matchday 9. It was Zaragoza's only loss in the league this season. The third place side also knocked out their hosts in the D2 Cup with two impressive performances. With Zaragoza looking to put the pressure on the top two of Anderlecht and Porto, and Alaves looking to restore some pride, this match was always likely to be a cracker.
However, after over-exerting themselves last time out, Zaragoza required 10 changes, with only Zapater keeping his place. This meant that Sergio Garcia was playing wide right, in an attempt to banish the poor performance he put in against the opponents in the corresponding fixture earlier this season. This meant that giant German striker Schwarz would be starting for the visitors after impressing in a cameo role at Anderlecht. There was also a debut for young German keeper Huber and Greek full-back Seitaridis.
A tentative start by both sides was quickly forgotten after just 14 minutes. Both teams began by trying to keep the ball and making the other team chase - probably a sign of how well each team had gotten to know their opponents. Saying that, it was Zaragoza who had to be thwarted on a couple of occasions, with Cani's through passes being well stopped. However, it was Cani who would successfully play Sergio Garcia in down the right flank. The out of place striker did well to keep the ball in. The star turned on the ball, looked up, and speculatively flicked his right boot at the ball. His ball in was just what young striker Schwarz would have wanted - the replays showed the incredible intelligence of the lad, who completely outfoxed Juanito by starting his run behind the defender, only to dart ahead of him and meet Sergio Garcia's centre with a phenomenal scissors kick. The ball rifled past Costanzo, who was as shocked as all the fans, home and away, in the stadium. It was an incredible goal from the man mountain striker.
This clearly rattled the Alaves defence, who were at sixes and sevens at the back. Garcia's through pass was cut out well by Astudillo, who kept it simple and played it back to Tellez. It was a shame that the centre-back failed to follow suit - instead of hoofing the ball away from danger, he tried to pass the ball to Coromina, but sold his teammate well short. The ball went straight to Arca, whose tame looking right foot shot actually just went wide - Costanzo seemed a little slow getting down.
Just after this, in a moment that cheered up the Alaves fans, Sergio Garcia, from about 32 yards out on the right channel, ran out to a loose ball. Instead of taking the ball under control, the Spaniard lashed at a shot that probably propelled the ball out of the Estadio Mendizorroza.
The laughter nearly turned to tears from the goal kick. Costanzo hit the ball down the field, straight onto the head of Lacen. The midfielder headed the ball high back to Juanito. The centre back failed to concentrate, and when jumping for the ball, he misjudged the flight of the ball, and presented Schwarz a chance to run in on goal from 35 yards. The German striker, however, had other ideas. Instead of taking the ball in on goal, the German unleashed a first time low half-volley, which was arrowed straight for Costanzo's bottom right, but to his credit, the Argentine custodian did very well to get his fingers to the ball and tip it around the post for a corner. The corner was an outswinger by Arca, which was taken to meet the head of Cani. His diving header was diverted from goal, on the line, by Coromina. The Alaves fans were less than happy at their sides abysmal start - this was all in the first 20 minutes!
Whilst Diego Milito is definitely the best striker for La Blanquillos, Schwarz was really proving an aerial handful for Alaves. Arca outfoxed Coromina too easily with a stepover and delivered a great ball from the left. Schwarz peeled away from his marker and produced a powerful header, going away from goal, which Costanzo was forced to save. On this form, perhaps Schwarz could force his way into Jurgen Klinsmann's Germany squad - their recent performance against Italy showed that they're lacking a player like Schwarz.
The action didn't favour Alaves anymore after a slight lack of action. A throw in on the left triggered a flowing, one touch move involving Celades, Zapater, Cani, Schwarz and ultimately Sergio Garcia. The striker looked to be well offside, and maybe that is why his finish was so poor - left footed from about 8 yards out, and he cleared the bar.
It would've been fair to say that Zaragoza were dominant. It was nearly thrown away. A ball in from the Alaves left caused mass confusion in the away side's defence. Young keeper Huber showed his inexperience, and he rushed out to the ball. Antchouet did well, and crossed instead of selfishly shooting from a tight angle. Faced with an open goal and a free header, it was baffling as to how Wesley managed to head over. But at half time, it was Zaragoza who were deservedly in front, and they looked like they were going to cut Alaves apart at any moment that they wanted to.
The second half started off no different to the first - Aranzabal put in a decent cross from the left, which met the head of Arca, who jumped well, but saw his effort go high and wide after taking a corner on the right side. It was Arca who would have the next chance in the game, with a free kick from 30m out. The Argentine player got the free kick up and over the wall, but the shot lacked any real accuracy, and was too close to Costanzo.
In a recent discussion on a Zaragoza fan forum, it was concluded that a lot of fans were worried about how much Aranzabal would play. A clear Spanish legend, the veteran left-back has been a cause for concern because of his apparent lack of pace. This was highlighted when Wesley breezed past him and ran in on goal, but the left-footed playmaker curled his shot well wide. It was a big scare for the visitors. It was the start of the tide turning in the game - Alaves came back into the game, penning their opposition in their own half. However, they didn't really muster anything of any quality to test Huber. An example to epitomise this point was presented to the stadium when Carreras crossed in from the left for Carpintero, who had positioned himself excellently for a left-footed side-volley, but the execution rivalled the attempt by Sergio Garcia earlier in the match - Carpintero's finishing mirrored that of a toddler with a plate of broccoli.
Ringing the changes
And with Alaves pressuring in stoppage time, there would be a goal. A corner from Alaves was poorly delivered, and Huber caught it well. His long ball to Sergio Garcia was intercepted, but the ball went high in the air, and Juanito misjudged the ball again, leaving Schwarz the simple chance of a one on one with Costanzo. The burly German, who is reminiscent of a very young, German version of Luca Toni, took a few touches, and then placed a pacy, side-footed shot with his left foot past a statuesque Costanzo. The precocious talent showed why he was signed in the transfer window - he added something completely different to Zaragoza - a physical presence upfront which contrasts to the subtle, technical prowess of Diego Milito.
It was getting to Alaves, especially Oscar Tellez, who had been run ragged by the teenage star - his rash challenge at the end was rewarded with a yellow card. Schwarz had his speculative, long range effort saved by Costanzo, who was determined to deny the German a hat-trick.
Begging for the final whistle
The away day victory kept Zaragoza in touch with the league leaders - the gap is just 2 points between Porto and Zaragoza, and a further point between the Portugese side and Anderlecht.
Final Score
Alaves 0
Real Zaragoza 2
(Schwarz x2)
