Questions about the match


Just saw this last night. Honestly, I was a little disappointed, in that I was expecting a soccer movie with an artsy quality, but instead got an art film that was set in a soccer match. But I suppose that's an issue of my own expectations. Still, there's a whole lot of footage of Zidane walking around, watching the action from afar, and spitting (frequently!).

That said, Zidane has an amazing presence. His intensity is palpable and intimidating, even for the viewers of this film-- separated from these events by thousands of miles and several years (one of the points, I suppose, of the film). I can't imagine what it was like to go head-to-head with him! My favorite part, though, is when his icy glare is briefly broken with a warm, playful conversation with Roberto Carlos.

The music was beautiful-- spacious and melodic, like a well-played soccer match.

So...does anyone know any details about this match? What was the final score? What caused him to blow up at the end of the film-- was it the officiating or another player? Any thoughts on what he and Roberto Carlos were talking about?

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Real won 2-1 that was the final score. Carlos made a joke during a break in play and made Zidane smile (the only time he does I think - or the only time we are privy to in this portrait) - I would interpret this to mean more (i.e. the two are like minded talismen and the director wanted to show them sharing this moment to show that Zidane is content with competence of Carlos as a fellow footballing great)

Re: what caused him to 'blow up' that is a very expansive question... I'll start the ball rolling with my 2 cents...

I think he grabbed at his rival's throat because he has a lot of built up frustration with many people on the field (the referee, the rival team even some of his teamates perhaps which is why he is always miles apart in mind and footballing ability) that guy happens to be a sort of justified target in his mind to vent these frustrations I guess and so Zidane does what he does and does not care what anyone thinks because he is a unique and true individual. He is the absolute epitomy of the saying "It's lonely at the top".

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http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=179082&cc=5739

Saturday, April 23rd 2005
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Spain
Attendance: 80,000
Match Time: 21:00 UK
Official(s): Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez (Referee)

Scoring Summary
Real Madrid 2 Villarreal 1

Ronaldo (69) Juan Riquelme (39)
Míchel Salgado (74)

Real Madrid
1 Iker Casillas (G)
22 Francisco Pavón (D)
2 Míchel Salgado (D)
3 Roberto Carlos (D)
19 Walter Samuel (D)
23 David Beckham (M)
4 Borja (M)
7 Raúl (F)
11 Michael Owen (F)
5 Zinedine Zidane (F)
9 Ronaldo (F)

Villarreal
25 Pepe Reina (G)
12 Juan Pablo Sorin (D)
2 Gonzalo (D)
3 Rodolfo Arruabarrena (D)
24 Armando Sa (D)
16 Quique Álvarez (D)
23 José Mari (M)
6 Josico (M)
19 Marcos Senna (M)
5 Diego Forlan (F)
8 Juan Riquelme (F)

Real Madrid Substitutions
Guti for Borja (69),
Ivan Helguera for Michael Owen (77)
Luis Figo for Ronaldo (77)

Villarreal Substitutions
Luciano Figueroa for Diego Forlan (73)
Antonio Guayre for Rodolfo Arruabarrena (81)
Hector Font for Josico (87)

Real Madrid Yellow Cards
Walter Samuel (53)
Míchel Salgado (87)
David Beckham (90)

Villarreal Yellow Cards
Rodolfo Arruabarrena (16)
Juan Pablo Sorin (45)
Juan Riquelme (81)

Real Madrid Red Cards
Walter Samuel (72)
Zinedine Zidane (90)

Villarreal Red Cards
Quique Álvarez (90)

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MADRID, April 23 (Primera Liga) - Full-back Michel Salgado was the unlikely hero as nine-man Real Madrid came back from a goal down to snatch a vital win that keeps them in the race for the Primera Liga title.

Salgado side-footed home from 12 yards to give Madrid all three points after it was beginning to look if they would never score against the well-disciplined Villarreal.

The visitors had taken the lead thanks to a 38th-minute Juan Roman Riquelme penalty and had looked good value for their lead after the first 45 minutes before Ronaldo equalised with 20 minutes to go.

Real defender Walter Samuel was then sent off before Salgado scored what proved to be the decider.

In stoppage time Real playmaker Zinedine Zidane and Villarreal's Quique Alvarez were also banished by referee Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez.

The visitors will still be wondering how Riquelme and Diego Forlan contrived to miss a chance that would have put them two ahead as they bore down unopposed on Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas just before the hour.

That was the turning point and nine minutes later Madrid, who were inspired by a dynamic David Beckham all night, levelled the scores.

Ronaldo headed home from close range following a brilliant run from Zidane who was being recorded by 14 cameras as part of a film about him.

The first half was a tense affair with neither side able to make progress in midfield although Riquelme was looking to lead all of the visitors' attacks.

Beckham was working hard back on the right of midfield, but the most notable moment in the first half-hour was when he slipped taking a free-kick to slice the ball high into the crowd.

He should have scored after 31 minutes after taking a return pass from Ronaldo.

Twelve yards out Beckham steadied himself, picked his spot and drove the ball inches wide.

That proved to be a costly miss as after 38 minutes Francisco Pavon was penalised for bringing down Forlan in the area and Riquelme buried the resultant spot-kick.

The second half saw Madrid increase the intensity of their play, with Beckham once again their driving force, although Villarreal never renounced the chance to hit them on the break.

However Riquelme and Forlan's miss seemed a symbolic turning point.

Two minutes later Michael Owen saw a shot saved and Beckham was inches away from setting up Raul with a smart header.

There were nerves in the Bernabeu but they were eased when Zidane's moment of magic helped Ronaldo level the scores.

Madrid's joy looked as if it would be short-lived when Argentinian defender Samuel was dismissed for a second booking two minutes later, but after 74 minutes Salgado scored a rare goal.

Villarreal never looked as if they would get back but Madrid suffered a late setback as Zidane was sent off following a scuffle late in injury time.

With Salgado and Samuel also suspended, Madrid will be without key players for next week's equally vital trip to San Sebastian where they will take on Real Sociedad.

- http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=179082&cc=3888&league=ESP.1

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