MD 18: DEPORTIVO MADRID 6-0 FC ISTANBUL
Madrid kept their fifth clean sheet in a row to keep their hopes of silverware alive.
Written by: Saad Maan, Forta Evening News
As Madrid took on Istanbul, many fans went into it not only expecting a win, but a slaughter. With the Spaniards scoring 18 unanswered goals in their last five matches, it would take something extra for a Turkish upset.
Notably, Tobi Lawbender was missing from the Madrid line-up as they walked out in front of the home crowd. It wouldn't be of surprise if the young Nigerian found a new club to represent in the coming match days.
Deportivo Madrid would meet our expectations after just nine minutes of play, as Madrid probed the Istanbul defence for openings. Loord Bendtner would find Shmurda in a pocket of space, who made no mistake as he advanced into the box and scored the opener.
After a sloppy goal kick from Istanbul, Madrid won the ball back in the opposing half. Combining with Marcus Wood, Bendtner took an early shot with his weak foot, rifling it home in the top left corner, doubling Madrid's lead in the 21st minute.
Despite there being a good amount of chances in the final 25 minutes of the half, we wouldn't see any more goals. As the whistle blew for half-time, felt confident to experiment with their formation — opting for a unique 5-3-2.
The experiment would work for Madrid as just five minutes after kick-off, they would score the third of the night from a lethal counter-attack. The move was started by Cheeky Marsala and Hussein Joaquin, laying it off to Isagi Yoichi in the left full-back position. Bendtner would make himself available for the pass, before sending Shmurda through on goal, who'd end the move with a tidy finish.
With nothing to lose, Istanbul went all out, sending numbers forward. The daring move would be punished by Lennox Vito in the 76th minute as he chested down a ball, popped up by Bendtner, before volleying it into the top corner.
Just two minutes after Madrid's fourth, another would come. Billy Boyo dispossessed Greg Slightly before launching a ball forward to the feet of Bendtner, who'd double his goal tally of the night. In the 86th minute, defensive midfielder Eye Amgroot would put on his shooting boots, as he held off the Istanbul defender before slotting in his third goal of the season.
Madrid's victory sees them keep their hopes of a title alive, as they inch closer to the top 3. Istanbul, on the other hand, seem almost certain to relegation, as their interim captain confirms his own transfer to Zagreb NK.
