Three months ago, you would have never believed Real Madrid’s ascension to the top of La Liga possible, but since then the fates have conspired to bestow poor finishing and dressing room divisions on Barcelona, while infusing enough of a crisis of confidence on FC Sevilla to keep the Andalucian team from ever taking a serious lead. Like West Ham United in England, Real Madrid, with a little help from Lady Luck, has overcome a season inundated with off-field controversy to embark on what looks to be an inexorable drive toward its goal. Back-to-back comeback wins against Sevilla (3-2) and now Espanyol (4-3) will have the Merengues believing that this may be their year.
On Saturday, it was another storybook comeback after Espanyol’s Walter Pandiani easily put three past Real’s flat-looking backline in 34 minutes, thanks in particular to out-of-sorts defending from Guti, Cicinho and a recalled Roberto Carlos. The former two were so poor they were replaced at halftime, and with David Beckham and Robinho missing through suspension, a win would require inspired performances from substitutes Jose Antonio Reyes and Gonzalo Higuain.
First, it was veteran Raul with a well-taken captain’s goal that brought the match back to 3-2 four minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later, an Espanyol collision led to an open net that Reyes tucked away neatly from a tight angle. And just when as it looked like the Merengues would settle for a draw, Higuain won the ball on the flank and played a quick one-two with Reyes that he slid home at the near post with just a minute to spare.