23/11/2004
Raul equals Di Stefano record to earn Real draw
Captain Raul came to RealMadrid's rescue when he equalled Alfredo Di Stefano's record of49 goals in the European Cup to earn his side a 1-1 draw at hometo Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
Real, who now must win their final Group B match at AS Romaon December 8 to qualify for the knockout phase of the ChampionsLeague, had a chance to snatch victory but Luis Figo's 81stminute spot kick was brilliantly saved by Hans-Joerg Butt.
Dynamo Kiev lead the group with 10 points with both Real andLeverkusen on eight points and AS Roma out of the reckoning withone. Dynamo and Leverkusen also meet on December 8.
The home side were on the ropes for much of the match andwere in deep trouble when Dimitar Berbatov gave the visitors thelead nine minutes before the break, firing into the roof of thenet from close range.
But Real claimed the draw thanks to a marvellous piece ofindividual skill from Figo and smart finishing from Raul 20minutes from time.
The Portuguese midfielder weaved his way past threedefenders, exchanged a smart one-two with Zinedine Zidane andslipped the ball to Raul, who guided it into the net from twometres out.
Leverkusen made a cautious start as they got men behind theball, looking to play on the break and appearing content to handthe early initiative to Real.
But the home side struggled to make inroads against theLeverkusen defence and their only chance in the first quartercame when Raul screwed a close-range header over the bar afterDavid Beckham had swept in a free kick from the right.
With Real failing to create any serious danger and the homecrowd showing their impatience by whistling their own side,Leverkusen gradually grew in confidence and began to pushforward in numbers.
They gave Real a warning of their intent in the 34th minutewhen Krzynowek sliced wide with the goal at his mercy after theball fell to his feet seven metres out. Two minutes later,however, Leverkusen made no mistake.
BECKHAM OFF
Skipper Jens Nowotny clipped in a cross from the right,Andriy Voronin headed on to the bar and after the ballricocheted off Real defender Walter Samuel, Berbatov smashed itinto the roof of the net.
Real coach Mariano Garcia Remon rang the changes after thebreak, taking Beckham off and giving Fernando Morientes a rarerun-out up front.
It was Leverkusen, though, who should have extended theirlead six minutes into the second half after Samuel giftedpossession to Berbatov 40 metres out from goal.
The Bulgarian slipped the ball to Krzynowek, who had a freerun on goal, but keeper Iker Casillas responded with a brilliantreflex save to block the Pole's powerful shot.
Real finally burst into life 20 minutes from time when Figoset off on a wonderful mazy run to set Raul up for the equaliserand had it not been for some outstanding keeping from Butt theSpaniards would have claimed the win.
A minute after Ronaldo had hit the post from close range inthe 77th minute, Butt produced a point blank save to deny Raul.
He then capped an excellent display with his penalty stopjust nine minutes from time after Zidane had manufactured thespot kick by going down on the edge of the area under pressurefrom Leverkusen defender Juan.