Racing Santander 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Shared Spoils In Sardinero Stalemate

Posted Monday, February 08, 2010 by Goal.com

A point a-piece in a drab Copa dress rehearsal

Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid played out a tepid 1-1 draw at El Sardinero with goals from Diego Forlan and Gonzalo Colsa rare moments of animation in a largely dull affair in Cantabria.

Although the hosts started brightly with Pedro Munitis enjoying plenty of time and space on the right wing they failed to make their superiority in possession tell and Atletico looked comfortable and confident in defence with Alvaro Dominguez marshalling the aerial threat with ease.

Los Colchoneros were cautious in attack not venturing forward too much, but got a goal out of nothing when Forlan raced onto Simao's lofted through ball to poke the ball past the advancing Fabio Coltorti. His effort bobbled onto the upright and as it crawled across the goal line, the Uruguayan was on hand to give it the necessary nudge over the line to give his side the lead.

The visitors seemed comfortable and willing to allow the Racinguistas to attack down the channels, but they were surely made to rue that decision ten minutes before the interval when Luis Perea struggled to clear a Pablo Pinillos cross and former Atleti man Colsa pounced to lash a left footed shot past David De Gea from 14 yards to give Racing an equaliser.

The first half closed in turgid fashion with neither side managing to piece together a decent effort on goal.

After the break Racing raced out of the blocks and Colsa could have doubled his tally early on but failed to direct his near post header on target as he rose unmarked to meet Canales corner.

Pedro Munitis then fired into the side netting from 20 yards before Mohamed Tchite had a glorious chance to give the Cantabrian outfit the lead. The Congolese striker raced clear, in similar fashion to Forlan's goal, clipping the ball past the advancing De Gea, who tripped Tchite. Luis Perea recovered to turn the goal bound effort clear, off the post, atoning for his first half error.

Back on his feet, Tchite had a shot blocked before he protested furiously, going chest to chest with referee Gonzalez Gonzalez. Booked for his protest, Tchite was fortunate not to receive his marching orders for his physical encounter with the match official.

That incident sparked the home support to life, but they couldn't inspire their side to life as neither side could find the breakthrough.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result as the two sides canceled each other out in the midfield battle. On this showing Atletico will have little to worry about taking a four goal lead to El Sardinero on Wednesday in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi final.