Raul pelle canna delpi + the Dutch exodus
Haha.. Confused you, didn’t I? If not I beg you to forgive me. But hell after making more than 950 posts I can bet that anyone will struggle to give suitable a title for your posts especially when there is not much to talk about. This is one such post. I just wanted to talk about last night’s rodeo against the bulls (I’d say bullocks) from Turin before I headed out to grab a sub and take a nice peaceful walk on the shore.
Anyhoo, getting back on track, both Manu Pellegrini and El Capitan have given their reactions to our first loss of the season. The coach’s reaction can be found here. He says that he is really concerned about the way on which we are defending set pieces. 5 goals conceded this season and all five from set plays. But what he also says is that the team hasn’t worked too hard on it. D’oh! We can see that Manu! When are we ever gonna change?!
If one person knows how to exploit us through set pieces it is Fabio Cannavaro. Hell, he was a part of the god damned tradition of conceding from set pieces for three whole years and I wasn’t surprised when I saw him jump up and grab himself a goal something he couldn’t do for us for three seasons. One other difference I noticed in him was that he was defending his heart out. Well, yeah, once you ditch The old lady for money and you want to get back with her you’ve got to do stuff you’ve never done before. I shant blame him. He had a few words to say after the match as well. Speaking to some random press guy immediately after the game he said:
It’s always good to win in the pre-season. We came up against a great Madrid side, a very strong team. But we will only see them at their best in September, once the pre-season is over.
The ‘Berlin Wall’ then admitted that he did not celebrate his goal in the third minute when he nodded in Alessandro Del Piero’s freekick out of respect for old former team-mates and fans, although he did assure that it was a weird feeling scoring against former club. Bah! He should’ve celebrated. he should’ve piled those clowns in grey and stood on them like he did in once here at Real. It was super funny to see that.
Moving on, Alex Del Piero insists Juve are better than Real. I don’t think we can talk about it. Three out of the last three for them. Patience amigo, patience. Il capitan as the Raul-wannabe is called, told the press:
These are emotions that are always pleasing and you can never get used to them. We did really well and we were organised and compact, giving the impression that we are more of a team than [Real Madrid] are. These are important wins that always give you motivation. We have shown that we can play at the highest level against any team.
I don’t give two hoots about losing right now. I hope we lose all the games we are destined to lose in pre-season itself. Its the real season that matters. If this had been the season in proper I’d have been ranting by now. I just hope things change and for the good.
El Capitan as usual was made to speak to the press in order to pacify the fans as we lost last night. He told AS:
There needs to be calm. We are still absorbing some concepts and some new ideas. It’s a long process, but we are on the right track. There have been noticeable improvements in every game. There’s no doubt that it will be a great year for Madrid.
In Raul we believe. Period.
But what that loss doesn’t have an effect on is the transfer market. Players will be sold. Liverpool will be stupid. And you know the usual rumors will fly around. Both Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart are linked with moves to Inter Milan. The former though is wanted by a host of other top European clubs including Chelsea and Bayern. The player’s representitive, Soren Lerby, has revealed the midfielder could be tempted by a move elsewhere if he believes his first-team opportunites could be under threat in 2009/10.
The Galacticos have built a team which can compete in all the competitions, but you need good players to rotate. So Wesley doesn’t feel out of place because he wants to give everything for them. At the same time a big player needs to play regularly and that may not happen at the Bernabeu. If Wesley was to leave Spain he would only do it for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
All this only means Sneijder needs more allowance which I am sure will be taken care of. On the other hand Rafael van der Vaart who surprisingly was left out of the Peace Cup squad (which only meant his services have been deemed unnecessary) is on the verge of a loan move to Inter with an option to sign him for 5m euros come end of the spell. Thats less than half of what we spent on him.
The other Dutch player leaving is Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Ajax, Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in him. There are rumors that he could be a part of the Xabi deal but Rafa insists that he is not interested in any of our players and is thus demanding 40m euros for the Basque. We on the other hand are only willing to spend 25m.
Thats about it for the day. I’m running out of stuff to type and I’m growing hungry by the second.
Cheers,
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Post-match comments
Despite the defeat against Juventus, Manuel Pellegrini was happy with his team’s peformance. Guti never likes to lose and was disappointed with the defeat, but he nevertheless believes the team played well and gave signs of improvement. Esteban Granero was one of Real Madrid’s best men against Juventus.
Pellegrini:
I think every opponent in the preseason is serious. We all know how well Juventus play and we are aware of their capacity to take the advantage quickly in either half. We had clear chances on goal and the worst side to our game were the set pieces. We shouldn’t concede so many goals that way. We’ll have to work on it.
I don’t know who will be a starter in one month’s time. We are evaluating each player’s performance. We need to give them time to play to figure stuff out and make decisions.
The team is making progress in each game. It’s worrying to see how we defend in set pieces, but we’ve actually worked little on that. We aren’t working hard on it at the moment.
The condition the pitch was in was deplorable. It was impossible to enjoy the game. I’m happy because the team overcame this and was true to its philosophy throughout the match.
We still needed players. They must all be competitive and we need them to be in optimum form. We all know where Kaka will play.
Guti:
It was a shame. I don’t know what happens to us against these teams. They had three chances and scored two goals. We need to improve on that in order to be better. We are playing well and adapting to the new style. Results are what matter in the end and we lost tonight.
We’ve been working for a short time and we’ve already played a lot. I think it’s normal for the team to somewhat deflate in the second half. We did improve in respect to our previous match. The team is gradually assimilating the coach’s ideas and finding its identity. We played a tough game tonight because clashes with sides like Juventus are never just mere friendlies. We have to focus on our next games, for which the whole squad will be available. We will all fight to have a starting spot next year.
Granero:
We kept possession throughout most of the match, but situations can become difficult when you allow a team like Juventus to take the advantage. We shouldn’t worry too much about it. This is the preseason and we have to gradually get used to playing more. I think this game has helped us achieve this.
The important thing is that the team is gradually getting used to playing and growing more confident. We all have to get used to the ball again after one month’s holiday. I am very happy on a personal level because I am playing and because the coach is having faith in me. I hope to repay him on the pitch.
Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
A clash between Real Madrid and Juventus can never be too friendly. There’s always more than victory at stake, even in a summer tournament. Quality and spectacle are assured. That’s exactly what fans got out of the clash between both sides at the Sanchez Pizjuan tonight. Real Madrid’s excellent offensive style met with Juventus’ strong defence and counter-attacks. Cristiano Ronaldo, Cannavaro and Salihamidzic scored the evening’s goals.
Both teams were somewhat imprecise at the start of the match and Juventus got a head start with an early goal from Fabio Cannavaro on the 3-minute mark. The Italian headed in a free-kick served by Del Piero. Real Madrid had no choice but to attack and Benzema stepped up by running down the right wing and serving a cross that Ronaldo hammered into Buffon (4′).
The Whites were organised in attack and serious in defence while trying to score their first strike. Benzema started a triungulation between Granero and Cristiano that failed to go through the Italian defence (7′). Metzelder came close to scoring from a lob by Granero (18′), who later passed the ball to Raul as the captain ran between the defensive lines. The striker turned on the ball and shot on target, but Buffon cleared it and a corner kick was awarded (21′). Juventus worked hard to defend themselves and tried to net a second strike in counterattacks, one of which had a near-tragic end for the Whites until Metzelder cleared the ball on the goal-line (24′).
The best of Real Madrid’s game in the first half were the combinations between Ronaldo, Raul, Benzema and Granero, and they paid off. Cristiano passed the ball to Raul inside the box after battling with Cannavaro. The captain was tackled and a penalty was awarded. Ronaldo stepped up and scored the equaliser on the 40-minute mark.
At the start of the second half, Salihamidzic headed a corner kick from Del Piero into the back of the net, giving his team the lead again (49′). Real Madrid didn’t give up. Cristiano Ronaldo reached the box and served the ball to Raul, but the captain’s shot hit the post (50′). The Whites dominated the match, but their chances on goal found no reward. Their game started to take place in midfield for the most part due to the exhaustion of playing so many games this early in the preseason. Benzema came close to scoring the qualiser with two powerful shots from outside the box, but they were both off target.
Despite the defeat, Real Madrid can draw positive conclusions from their performance tonight. The team looks ready for greater challenges despite the little time it has had to work on its new style.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Dudek, Torres, Pepe, Metzelder, Drenthe, Guti (Gago 79’), Lass, Granero, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul (Negredo 71′), Benzema (Higuain, 71′);
Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Cannavaro (Legrottaglie 45′), Grygera, Felipe Melo (Marrone 71′), Salihamidzic, Amauri, Camoranesi, Giovinco (Zanetti 61′), Tiago Mendes, Del Piero (Iaquinta 68′);
Goals:
Venue: Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium (Seville).
Attendance: 23,000.
Referee: Stephan Johannesson (Sweden), Alon Yefet (ISR).
Booked: Melo, Salihahamidzic, Camoranesi, Grygera, Amauri, Granero, Drenthe;
Notes: Peace Cup semifinal. A one minute silence was held in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Palma de Mallorca.
Juventus vs Real Madrid | Peace Cup 2009 | Semi-Finals | Preview
Real Madrid and Juventus will come face-to-face tonight at 22:30 CET in the semifinals of the Peace Cup. Fabio Cannavaro will play against his former team in Seville.
Real Madrid and Juventus have eleven European Cups between them. Some of the best footballers in history have played for both sides, which have clashed on several occasions in historic matches. The Whites have defeated the Italians seven times, losing five games, and have reached the Peace Cup semis as group leaders by defeating Liga Quito and drawing against Al Ittihad. Juventus defeated both Sevilla and Seongnam.
Real Madrid will use all their artillery at the Sanchez Pizjuan save for the recently arrived internationals -Kaka, Casillas, Albiol, Ramos and Arbeloa-. They will face men such as Trezeguet, Del Piero, Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro.
The first time both sides clashed was in the 1961/62 European Cup. Each team won one match 1-0 with goals from Di Stefano and Omar Sivori.
The most memorable Real Madrid-Juventus fixture was the 1998 Champions League final held in Amsterdam, which the Whites won 1-0 despite the Italins’ condition as favourites for reaching their third consecuutive final in the championship.
No changes for Seville
Pellegrini has called-up the same men that made the cut against Liga Universitaria Quito. The newly arrived Casillas, Ramos, Albiol, Arbeloa and Kaka will remain in Madrid while Van Nistelrooy, Diarra and Garay aren’t yet fit to play. Heinze, Huntelaar and Van der Vaart have been left out for coaching decisions.
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Dudek, Adan;
Defenders: Salgado, Pepe, Marcelo, Agus, Metzelder, Torres;
Midfielders: Gago, Lass, Sneijder, Robben, Guti, Drenthe, Granero;
Forwards: Raul, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema, Negredo;
36, 42, 27, 194, 185…
Morning all,
I’m sure the title of this post caught your eye as you saw it. If thats the case then its job is done. I remember when I was in my 8th standard (not Grade, We don’t call it grade here in India) I remember this guy who took a few classes to help us with our public speaking skills. The first thing he said were a few random numbers which no one understood as to why he was doing so. And it was then that he said “It caught your attention didn’t it? That’s the secret behind public speaking.” and the rest was all blah blah and more of blah to me as I went back to what I was actually doing. What a loser!
Anyhoo, moving on to the post itself, it has been a dull weekend with all the people involved in the transfer market spending time with their families, girlfriends or all alone. Spain played South Africa and won on Saturday snatching the World record for most consecutive wins which Brazil held for quite some time now. Brazil beat Italy comprehensively last night knocking them out of the tournament. At their expense the team that went into the semi-finals to meet Spain was the U.S.A who beat Egypt 3-0.
The Transfer Market itself has been quite dull lately. The David Villa saga is still going on. Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema are being linked with us just for the heck of it. All the dutch starlets are linked with a move away from the club along with Fernando Gago. And we are planning to swoop both maico and hell Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
On Friday Valencia’s president Manuel Llorente declared that David Villa will not be sold in this transfer window. Manuel Llorente has said that since there aren’t any good offers currently David Villa will probably continue his career at the Mestalla next season but that would be the case only if there aren’t any amazing offers.
Llorente said:
We have taken the decision to not sell David Villa. We’ve taken this decision after some days of thought in which we studied the advantages and disadvantages. We think David Villa is the best striker in Europe and we have the fortune to have him in our team and we are going to fight to keep him.
Gaizka Mendieta, a few years ago, too was almost assured of playing in Real Madrid when Valencia blocked his transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu. Instead it was to Rome that he went to don the colors of Lazio who paid a record sum at that time to gain the midfielder’s services. Ofcourse he went and ruined his career there. Valencia, according to reports from Spain, are supposedly doing the same thing here. Llorente though insists the current move is not a ploy either, saying:
It’s not a strategy, but to avoid all the rumours. Because they affect Valencia, the media and the player. We have to be calm and think about the project. When we talked of selling it was because we thought that some players could bring in a lot of money, like Villa. But it’s not been like that.
Llorente did admit though that the decision taken by Valencia does not necessarily guarantee Villa will still be at the Mestalla next season.
I cannot say that because there could arrive an amazing offer.
The striker’s agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, said:
They [Valencia] have put us through a situation that is, sadly, very unpleasant because this is no good for anyone. Valencia have changed their minds and they are telling us they don’t want to sell the player after, as everyone knows, having talks with three of the four top clubs.
The player himself is unsure of his club future but he insisted that he wouldn’t let this uncertainity affect Spain‘s Conferderations Cup campaign. But one thing is for sure, Villa will remain in Spain, is atleast what his Fernando Torres thinks.
One other Spaniard who is linked with Real Madrid is Xabi Alonso. The Telegraph and The Daily Express reported that Xabi might be on his way out of Liverpool. But on Sunday the player himself said that he is not planning on leaving the club this summer. But then according to The Mirror Chelsea have joined the £18million race to grab Xabi Alonso.
Karim Benzema too has been linked with us. Jean-Michel Aulas hinted that he could be powerless to keep Benzema from leaving Lyon. But The Telegraph insists that Karim Benzema will not leave Lyon before the next World Cup.
Manchester United are rumored to make an offer that Real can’t refuse for Iker Casillas. Well, forget Iker Casillas, WE WON”T SELL A VIRUS TO THAT MOB.
Fernando Gago is worth 20 million euros apparently and Juve are interested. Read this.
Going Dutch, according to The Daily Star, Ruud van Nistelrooy wants his Dutch compatriots to move on if they do get a chance. Hahahahaha!
Royston Drenthe is linked with a move to Italy to Fiorentina but ON LOAN which is really really good. NOTW says that Aston Villa have lost the race to sign the Dutch youngster and are now onto Jurado.
The Guardian has an article that says Real Madrid have warned Arjen Robben that they are prepared to leave him out of their squad next season if he refuses to leave the club this summer whereas The Dutchman himself is not keen to leave the Santiago Bernabéu (which is wonderful to hear as we will need him). As to the whole banishing thing: BULLOCKS!
Another Dutchman who doesn’t want to leave Real is Wesley Sneijder. Speaking to AS he said:
I have no intention of leaving Real Madrid. Nobody called me to speak about that and what I want to do is stay at Madrid because I battled hard to join this club and being successful in this shirt is my aim. No doubt about it. I am pretty much relaxed and cannot wait to get back to work. Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka or Franck Ribery is an honour for every player.
Does that mean Ribery is in?
There is another rumor that says Frank Rijkaard wanting Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to link up with him in Turkey. Bullocks again.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is desperate to leave Inter and to move to Real Madrid, is what Marca says. According to Marca, negotiations are going on between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Real Madrid. Inter in return want Mahamadou Diarra, Sneijder, Robben and Higuaín. And I want to whip Massimo Morati’s arse all around Milan. Personally I am no believer of Ibracadabra. I don’t like his attitude. We already have Ronaldo to do the tricks. We don’t need the Swede. But if I am proved wrong…
According to Corriero dello Sport, Marco Branca, the technical director of Inter Milan, is in Madrid to discuss the possible transfer of the Brazilian full-back Maicon. Why do we need a right sided player again?
And about someone who will surely wear Real Madrid colors next season in Cristiano Ronaldo, The Mail says that Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract dispute with Real Madrid is understood to have been resolved which means the record deal will be completed soon. Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he made up his mind to leave Manchester United last summer. And according to The Mirror Sergio Ramos and co. are OK with Ronaldo’s wages.
And finally Vicente Del Bosque speaks about Raul‘s possible return into the Spanish National Team.
Thats it. End of post. More from me soon.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
P.S: Our kit for next season has been released. The serigraphy on the shirts have also changed.
An early morning brain wave
Its sometime around 0730 or 0800 or whatever here and I am up already. Hell I am getting no sleep. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. I could go on and on like this. But this isn’t about that. I’ve got a lot of other stuff to talk about
For the past few weeks or so I’ve been concentrating too much on the big names like Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery and David Villa the former pair have been signed and the latter duo have been strongly linked with us. But what I seem to have forgotten already was the fact that we do have other players on our team who have been linked with moves away from the club (Six in-Nine out Policy of Florentino) and plus there are millions of other European quality players.
So without further adieu lets get rollin’…
This is what David Villa told the press following the game in Bloemfontein after again being quizzed about his future:
I have made my decision. My agent knows my wishes, and he is now working on that – so I am relaxed. There is no deadline on the subject, and I really do not have any more details as this whole thing is not totally dependent on me.
We are hearing this amongst the rumors that the striker wants to stay in Spain and that only Real Madrid and Barcelona are contenders to sign him. At the same time there have been other rumors as to the only club Villa would move to would be the one in which his La Roja strike partner Fernando Torres is in at the moment. Well, just because they celebrate every goal of theirs like they’ve just given birth to a new baby, it doesn’t mean… Hell.. what am I saying?! This is a future Madridista we’re talking about. But why is he linked with Barcelona?!?
Anyhoo, moving on, the next rumor is about an exit from the Bernabeu concerning a one Mahamadou Diarra who was sitting at home throughout last season nurtuting an injury. The Malian central midfielder has been linked with a move to Juventus who are very keen on the 28 year old. Diarra is said to have been recommended to the Bianconeri by Fabio Cannavaro. He knee injury is unlikely to scupper any potential deal.
Diarra admits he would be willing to discuss a move to Italy, but insists any such agreement will rest in the hands of his current employers which is ofcourse Real Madrid. Speaking to skysports.com he said:
I am feeling very well at the moment and I hope to come back even stronger next season. Real are recruiting a lot of big stars at the moment and I am looking forward to the next campaign.
Thats nice to hear. But he did have a few words to say about Juve:
Juve? They are a great side, one of the best in the world, so to be linked with them is fantastic.But to play there, I don’t know yet. We will have to wait and see what the new officials at Real have planned.
It is true that we are having an abundance (of players) in the middle of the park with Lass, Gago, De la Red, Kaka, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Guti, Parejo, Javi Garcia which means that we will sell one or two or maybe send them on loan. Diarra is a good player. No doubt. And it is very obvious that he is our most mature defensive midfielder with the lesser mature being the likes of Lass, Gago and Javi Garcia. So do we sell him?
For sometime now The Offside guy has been whining to get to back the Cantaneros who are doing so well now at every other club (almost (OK, exaggeration)) other than Real Madrid. One such player who has been linked with us is Álvaro Arbeloa of Liverpool. The player has admitted that he would consider a return to Spain as he believes he has a point to prove in his homeland.And also there is this little fact that he has only one year left in his contract and Liverpool are close to signing a certain Glen Johnson who too plays in the same position as our young Cantanero. Anyhoo, Arbeloa has been talking and we too have been talking about a right sided player (God knows why). He told Elmundo while on international duty at the Confederations Cup:
I am happy at Liverpool, but I have something to prove in Spain as I did not show my best form in La Liga. One day, I’m sure I will return.
It is always nice to be linked to big teams – even to this Madrid side in a time of transition. They are working hard to build a great team.
I have one more year remaining on my Liverpool deal, but anything can happen. A contract renewal is in the air. I am contracted for one more year, but if Liverpool get an offer they will consider it. It is all in the hands of my agent.
If there is one Cantanero whom I would never want Real to sign it would be him. First of all he is cheap and second of all he has played for both Deportivo and Liverpool. And ofcourse there is obvious reason that we don’t need a Right sided defender who can do nothing but play on the Right side.
And if there is one Cantanero whom I want us to sign ASAP it would be Esteban Granero. But Getafe president Angel Torres has said that Granero would be made to stay for another year atleast despite being linked with swap deals to Valencia and Villareal.
Bayern Munich is confused. Der Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer is yeah, senile. Franck Ribery is AWESOME. Even though these three phrases don’t sum up to mean anything they are independently true.
It was Beckenbauer who told Bild that:
We discussed the issue at our last board meeting and we all agreed that, if he really wants to leave, then we will deal with the issue.
Immediately reports emanating from Spain suggested that Real are leading the chase for the sought-after Ribery by offering Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder as makeweights in the deal which is SO BLOODY FOOLISH. And Zidane was quoted as saying:
We will do whatever it takes to make Ribéry come to Real Madrid. It is the voice of Florentino Perez and mine.
But then Bayern made all this just a little more than a speculation by releasing an official statement that said:
There is no such resolution by the advisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG which includes the issue of a sale of the player Franck Ribery. The transfer (sale) of a player does not need the approval of the advisory board, according to the constitution of the FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors. The FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors have made the overwhelming resolution that the player Franck Ribery is not for sale.
There are several reasons as to why you can love Arjen Robben and there are several more reasons why you can love Hans Robben, Arjen Robben’s father, who is also the Dutch International’s agent. The following is one amongst them. He told Dutch paper Algemeen Dagblad:
There are reports currently circulating on the internet that the agent of Arjen has confirmed there are talks with Spurs. But the only who is representing him is me and I don’t know anything about it. At the moment we are not in action with any other team than Real Madrid.
Robben Senior is adamant his son will not be playing under Harry Redknapp next season adding:
I even want to bet on a bottle of wine Arjen won’t play there.
Staying with England, Tottenham have put in a 30 million pound bid for Real Madrid trio, Arjen Robben, Gabriel Heinze and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Sportsmail revealed that Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy is in Madrid along with finance director Matthew Collecott to meet Florentino Perez.
Harry Redknapp’s priority this season is a winger, striker and left-back. The White Hart Lane boss has already gone about trying to get hold of another Madrid player, Ruud van Nistelrooy, but the Dutch striker’s wage demands are too high for the North London club.
F*ck you Tottenham! F*ck you Redknapp! F*ck you North London!
Oh talking about North London, we are apparently vying for the signature of Arsenal’s French full backs Bacary Sagna and Gaël Clichy. Sagna went from ‘not against’ Real deal to ‘deny any knowledge of link to Madrid‘. But then again why are we after a right back? And about the other Gunner, he straightway declared that Arsenal is his only club but at the same time he is flattered that he has been linked with Real Madrid.
Another player of ours who is linked with a move to England is Royston Drenthe. After Barry’s move to Man City the player has been linked with a move to Villa Park to play under Martin O’Neill. Villa have supposedly made a bid close to 5 million euros. Reject it immediately. Period.
Luis Antonio Valencia is still linked with Real Madrid. Its false. Don’t believe it.
I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t heard of Luca Dürholtz. This is a kid who plays under-17 football with Bayer Leverkusen and is considered to be the next Bernd Schuster (ofcourse he has blonde hair). We are apparently ready to pay 700,000 for the youngster to lure him into Castilla. He is a German international at the U-16 level and plays offensive midfield.
Staying with Castilla, Real Valladolid are targeting Alberto Bueno, Miguel Torres and Dani Parejo. The wage structure of Dani Parejo though doesn’t match with his suitors. But one kid who will be staying at Real Madrid when he grows up will be World Champion Pablo Sarabia. The youngster has declared that his goal is to play at the Bernabeu.
Now that was a lot of rumors considering it being a single post. *Sigh*
I’ll make sure that it isn’t the case next time out. And yeah, Hala Madrid will be following a new format soon (tentatively from 1st of July). The changes will be obvious and so I am not going to list out all the changes and stuff.
Until then, Cheerios!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
The first of the things to come…
We are having a very mediocre season. Yes we won a lot of games in 2009 but it was of no use in the end. To top that we are now on a losing streak while Barcelona just completed a treble for the season, something which even Real Madrid has never done. We all know that Barcelona is a mediocre team. Losing to them amongst other very mediocre teams like Valencia, Villareal, Mallorca means we are even worse than they are. The Spanish League isn’t all that strong as it used to be ergo we won the league for the past two seasons using a similar team with less injured players. But now a team like Barcelona has suddenly come out of the blue winning everything possible. We cannot just stand and stare at them doing us. We need to respond. The only way we can respond is by rebuilding this team full of players with feet as strong as glass. Major rebuilding beckons! Election or no election the board has to do something about it. Also there is the fact that we haven’t done anything at all in Europe for the past 20 million years, oh yeah, except for the nine titles of course.
The other teams in Europe like Juve and Bayern which got the doing last season in both the domestic league and Europe are quickly bolstering their squad for next season. Having already signed Anatoliy Tymoshchuk from FC Zenit St. Petersburg, Ivica Olić from Hamburger SV, Alexander Baumjohann from VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayern München are set to complete the signing of VfB Stuttgart striker Mario Gómez with the club declaring that the deal is “now little more than a formality”. The two clubs are reported to have agreed a €30m fee for the Germany international. Andreas Görlitz will also return to the club following his loan spell with Karlsruher SC. Whereas Juve after bringing free-agent Fabio Cannavaro back to Turin last week, Juventus have made their second signing ahead of the 2009/10 season by acquiring the services of Brazilian playmaker Diego from Werder Bremen for €24.5m. The 24-year-old former Santos FC and FC Porto midfielder has signed a five-year deal with the Bianconeri after undergoing a medical in Turin.
We too have had our share of transfer news. We refused to give Canna a new deal. He thus became a free agent. The only player we have tried to sign is Luis Antonio Valencia from Wigan Atheltic!
But with the elections due in June and Perez most likely to reign again we should see refusal of giving Fabio a new deal as a part of the new project and as the first amonst the things to come.
We will rule the world again.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Naples or Turin it doesn’t matter, Canna is leaving!
Come end of the season, Fabio Cannavaro’s deal with Real Madrid is set to expire. Reports emanating from Spain suggest that we do have any new deal to offer him and that he automatically will become a free agent.Naples was supposedly his favored destination to spend the twilight of his glittering career but now Juve too are said to be interested in regaining his services. It should be noted that Fabio spent two years with Juve before heading to the Bernabeu in the wake of the Italian match-fixing scandal in 2006 when other stars like Gigi Buffon and Alessandro Del Piero stayed and played in Serie B.
His agent Gaetano Fedele has now announced that his client is a target for clubs in England, Russia and Germany, but has hinted that a return to Juve is more likely. Fedele believes Cannavaro would welcome the opportunity to join Juve for a second time.
Juve’s offer is the biggest and most interesting. There’s every chance this will be the decisive week. Juventus have been really correct and so they have immediately contacted Real Madrid because the player is set to be a free agent. Fabio would be really, really happy to come back to Juve with sums clearly less than the ones he currently earns.
Meanwhile, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said he would welcome Fabio Cannavaro’s return to Turin this summer.
Someone of Cannavaro’s experience would be good for any team,” said Buffon. “He would be important on and off the pitch. It’s clear he cannot be a part of the team’s long-term project but then again neither would I as I’m 31.
He’s leaving for sure. But who is going to replace him? Not Heinze for heaven’s sake!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Peace Cup 2009
While the primary goal of the Peace Cup is to promote world peace, the attention of this year’s edition will no doubt be centered on the twelve participating teams, who have over 1,130 years of combined history.
The twelve participating teams will be divided into four groups of three, in which each team will play at least two matches and a maximum of four. The top team of each group will automatically qualify for the semifinals.
This year’s participants include Real Madrid, Sevilla, Malaga (Spain), Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Aston Villa (England), Celtic (Scotland), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Juventus (Italy), LDU Quito (Ecuador), Olympique Lyonnais (France), Porto (Portugal) and Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (South Korea).
The venues for the competition include the Santiago Bernabeu, La Rosaleda (Malaga), Chapin (Jerez), Nuevo Colombino (Huelva) and the Sanchez Pizjuan (Seville).
Pedja Mijatovic commented on the importance of the Peace Cup and the draw which took place on Thursday and pitted Real Madrid against Liga de Quito and Al-Ittihad.
It’s a very prestigious tournament. Just look at the teams that are participating. These matches will help our coach prepare for the start of the new season. Football fans will be very happy because they get to see some great matches over the summer.
The tournament has always been important because bringing teams together during their preparations stages is very difficult. Real Madrid would like to congratulate the organization.
The Peace Dream Foundation and the Peace Cup have created a great idea to help the world through football.
We will do whatever we can to win the tournament, which grows in prominence every year. The Peace Cup will be one of the world’s most important competitions. I am sure we will see some good football.
Real Madrid to face Liga de Quito and Al-Ittihad
Representatives of the twelve teams participating in the 2009 Peace Cup gathered at the El Gran Hotel Renacimiento in Seville on Thursday for the draw ceremony, which pitted Real Madrid against Liga de Quito and Al-Ittihad in Group B.
Real Madrid will play there first match against Liga de Quito on 26 July and two days later will face Al-Ittihad. If they finish top in Group B, the Whites will qualify for the 21 July semifinal against the Group A winner to be played in either La Cartuja (Seville) or La Rosaleda (Malaga), the former which will also host the final on 2 August.
President Vicente Boluda was accompanied by Vice-President Amador Suarez for the draw and the former discussed why Real Madrid is partricipating in such an important competition. According to Boluda,
The tournament follows the same philosophy as that of Real Madrid. We also have an important Foundation that carries out social work with more than 50,000 kids on three continents. Anything that entails the promotion of peace is important. Real Madrid has participated in many important causes. Two years ago we were in Tel Aviv to play against a team comprised of Palestinians and Israelis. We are proud to be here and happy to be in Andalucia.
And then this happens…
I am sure that none of you madridistas out there are in a mood to read this post. But I really don’t have a choice. I have to make this post else I’d become a “Real” lunatic. Anyhoo, Juve beat us yet again. This time by again by another two goals. I thought I would see two from El Capitan but ended up watching Il Capitano or whatever he is called snatch two from us after some lousy defending. I blame Guti for the first goal. Most of you would say Cannavaro but I blame Guti. Guti for losing the ball and Guti for not tracking back. This is exactly what happened against Arsenal back in 2005. Thierry Henry robbed Guti off the ball to score a superb individual goal and robbed us a berth in the quarter-finals of the Champions League which again would’ve meant that we would have had to face Juve. I can’t believe I am saying this I am far more happier now than how happy I’d have been if we had lost to them then. This is just the group stages. We still have a game against BATE away and a game at home against Zenit. We still can qualify and I am sure we will.
That is not the point. It is our form that I am worried about. Real Madrid Talk says that it was a tactical error by Schuster with which I would not agree but the one thing that I do agree with him is that Rafael van der Vaart should have got more playing time. He should have replaced Robben, not Guti. Guti say what may is a talisman. Dropping him would be pointless. I am not a big fan of the old guard and stuff but I really think Casillas-Guti-Raul are the spine of our team irrespective of whether they are in good form or not. They should not be replaced if fit and especially for these kinds of games until and unless we find the perfect replacement. Van der vaart and Guti are not the same. Van der vaart and Sneijder maybe but Van der vaart and Guti? Not at all.
I also felt that Gago should have started instead of Diarra. Guti is not the quickest and Diarra isn’t either. Gago would have been a better choice considering their midfield which had the young Sissoko and Tiago. But I cannot find any fault with Schuster. He knows what he is doing. He knew what he did when he won our 31st title for us. Why do we blame him all of a sudden?! Yes we lost to Juve again. But to be fair to him we didn’t lose a tactical battle. We lost a game which wasn’t fair enough to us. Don’t hate the player, hate the game! They had very few chances throughout the game and thanks to the brilliance of Del Piero and the sudden lack of application from St.Iker and co we went two goals down.What if Ramos had scored that sitter? Thigns could have been different. I am happy that we did our best against a ten man defense. We have got to be a little forgiving. One bad patch and all the backlash is on Schuster now? Ridiculous. Come on you people! Give the man a chance. It isn’t that easy to just glide a team through every competition without a patch like this. We have got to be patient. A little more patient than we used to be. I am sure that it’ll do us a lot of good. The management is behind our man and I feel that we too should do the same. This is the perfect time for us to be with our team and I am sure we will bounce back very very soon. We have Malaga at home in the league and Real Union at home in the King’s Cup to worry about. This isn’t a bad time for us to resurrect our season. In the last three games we have lost two and drawn one – all in different competitions that too. So we virtually have a fresh start starting this weekend. We also would probably have a fully fit squad and maybe we will make an announcement to the world of football that we are back in the fray with a comprehensive win on Saturday.Why not?!
That’s about it for this post. I just want to say that sacking Schuster would make absolutely no sense at all, so quit talking like silly emotional fans and get back to reality.
In Schuster I trust!
Hala Madrid!!
Post-match comments
Despite the loss, Bernd Schuster was pleased with his players’ attitudes and the football they put forth against Juventus. Real Madrid Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic congratulated Juventus for their solid defensive performance.
SCHUSTER:
What’s your analysis of the match?
The score doesn’t reflect what we saw on the pitch. Juventus showed just how effective they are, and that’s exactly what we were missing.
You team showed grit and attitude.
I am satisfied with the team, but we weren’t rewarded when we deserved to be. The visitors’ first shot ended up in the back of the net. We had our chances, but the Champions League is unforgiving. We had more chances than I thought we would, which is why I cannot say anything to my team.
Luck wasn’t on your side.
Luck wasn’t on our side tonight, but this is just one Champions League match. We still have a good chance to make it through. Small details decided the match. They shot once and scored. We shot four or five times and came up empty handed. It just happens sometimes.
Could more have been done to win?
I think the team did enough to win. I thought the referee did a good job. I don’t want to exagerate or make any excuses. I pay more attention to what happens between the players, which is what caused us to lose.
Did Ranieri do a better job in the tactical department?
I don’t think the defeat was due to tactics. We created several chances against a team that defended with ten men. Not being able to score is a different story. They even play that way at home.
Did the absences of Robben and Pepe play a role?
We have won matches without them, but it’s in Champions League matches that we cant afford to be without players like Pepe and Robben. Drenthe played well despite having only ten minutes to warm up.
Did you wait too long to make changes?
No we didn’t. They scored two goals on two tries. Their effectiveness is what hurt us.
It’s time to start thinking about the next two opponents.
We lay it on the line in Belarus and here at home against Zenit. We must win both matches.
MIJATOVIC:
When a team plays as well as Juve did tonight, it’s hard to have a good match. We tried every which way we could, but the Italian defense was a wall we just couldn’t bring down.
Tonight’s score is a setback on what is a difficult road in the Champions League. We have two more matches to make it into the next round and we depend solely on ourselves. We’ve seen yet again how challenging the Champions League is. We had the chance to steal a point from Turin, but luck just wasn’t on our side. We must be extremely focused when we travel to Belarus and host Zenit. We will qualify for the next round in the next two matches.
Of course I am not pleased with tonight’s result, but there are still matches to play and the team is going to improve and play hard. I am sure there are many good days to come.
Post-match comments
Iker Casillas has already forgotten about Wednesday’s defeat against Juventus, and the Madridista goalkeeper is looking forward to the next two group stage matches. After falling to Juventus on Wednesday night, Guti discussed the defeat.
Guti:
It’s a tough night. It tends to happen when we don’t win in the Santiago Bernabéu. We should have been as fit as our opponent. We are aware of the mistakes we made and we want to right the ship in order to end this streak. We want to put our best foot forward so that we start winning matches. We know what playing good football and what having a bad string of matches are about, and we want to improve. Real Madrid deserve that fans have faith in them being that they won the last two league titles.
The score really hurts. It was important to take over the top spot in teh group and to clinch home-field advantage in the next round. Real Madrid needs to play better football. We are all to blame, especially me. We have to really take a good look at what’s wrong. It wasn’t a good match to excel in considering the opponent, but we could have played better. Things are going to chance and we are going to start winning. I think we have a lot of room for improvement and that we’re only half way to where we can be.
Casillas:
I admit that conceding the goal was all my fault. I instinctively thought it would going to go over head, so I took a step forward and left the right flank unprotected. I am to blame and no one else. I would have saved it had I not taken that step.
Zenit have a tough match coming up. You still can’t say that we’re putting it all on the line in the Bernabéu. We want to lock up a spot in the next round as soon as possible, which is why we are going to Belarus to win. The weather won’t be great and it might snow, but we’ll do whatever it takes to win.
Real Madrid 0-2 Juventus
History repeats itself. As in Turin, Real Madrid played better, but Juventus won. Del Piero’s brilliance and an impressive defensive display allowed Ranieri’s men to snatch a victory despite the Whites’ incredible efforts. Nevertheless, Real Madrid remain second in their group.
Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to the starting lineup tonight, alongside Guti, Diarra and Drenthe.
Real Madrid focused on keeping possession while Juventus preferred to advance its defensive line and wait to counterattack. The locals therefore had the first chance in the opening minutes. Marcelo controlled the ball down the left wing and dribbled past a player with a brilliant nutmeg, passing the ball back to Guti, who’s shot hit Nedved. The ball fell back at his feet and tried to score again with his left leg. Real Madrid kept putting pressure on Manninger’s goal while Juventus waited for their chance.
Schuster’s men showcased speed, pressure skills, intensity and great touch on ball amidst their fans’ cheers. Diarra tried to score from outside the box, Sneijder took served several set pieces and Juventus kept waiting for their chance, which came soon enough when Del Piero recovered the ball in midfield, looked up, advanced 20 meters and scored from a brilliant shot with his left foot that grazed the post. Casillas could do nothing to save it.
Guti pulled rank and his team began to revolve around him. The pace of the game increased whenever the second captain looked up to serve assists. Van Nistelrooy was the first to benefit from his team-mate’s skill, receiving a pass from which he sent the ball to the crossbar (36′). Drenthe was next in line. Guti noticed him as he ran past his markers and served him a pass, but the Dutch player missed his chance. Diarra came close to scoring from a corner kick served by Sneijder. It was the team’s last chance before half-time.
Real Madrid had to pull rank in the second half. Raúl cheered his team-mates on at all times and became their best man in attack with Drenthe. Schuster decided to replace Sneijder with Higuaín in order to increase the team’s chances. Real Madrid clearly dominated the match as they distributed the ball down the wings through Drenthe and Higuaín. But despite all this, Juventus were awarded a free-kick and Del Piero managed to score a second goal for his team with a master shot 20 meters away from target.
Far from giving up, the Whites kept looking for a goal to no avail. Juventus won the match, but Real Madrid’s options to make it to the next round are still intact. The Bernabéu crowd gracefully acknowledged the Italians’ victory and gave Del Piero a standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Diego Armando Maradona & Carlos Bilardo on hand
Recently named boss of the Argentine national team, Diego Armando Maradona, and Carlos Bilardo were guests of honor at Wednesday’s Champions League match between Real Madrid and Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Injury Report:
Robben strained a muscle in his right leg while warming up and Sergio Ramos finished the match with a badly bruised right foot.
TEAMS:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze (Van der Vaart 84′), Marcelo, Diarra, Guti, Drenthe, Sneijder (Higuain 67′), Raul, Van Nistelrooy (Saviola 84′);
Juventus: Mallinger, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Chiellini, Nedved, Sissoko, Tiago, Marchionni, Del Piero (De Ceglie 95′), Amauri (Iaquinta 86′);
GOALS:
0-1, 17′ – Del Piero
0-2, 69′ – Del Piero
Real Madrid v Juventus | UEFA Champions League | Group Stages | Matchday 4 | Preview
Real Madrid and Juventus collide in perhaps the most intriguing game of Matchday 4 of the Champions League. With the leadership of Group H on the line, I Bianconeri arrive in the Spanish capital hot off a streak of victories and in search of their first on Madridista soil since 1962.
The Champions League returns to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second time this season. After suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their tie in Turin, Real Madrid can regain control of Group H with a victory against Juventus.
INJURY RIDDLED
The host of injuries that has plagued Real Madrid throughout the season seems to have neared an end. The only player who has been counted out is Rubén De la Red, who is still resting at home after fainting in last week’s Cup match against Real Union Irun. Miguel Torres was left off the squad list despite participating in two straight training session, but Pepe and Ruud Van Nistelrooy have been given the green light and are ready for action.
STREAKING JUVENTUS
Prior to their first meeting, Juventus were in the doldrums and coach Claudio Ranieri had a black cloud overhead. But things have changed drastically in the 15 days since, and their victory against Real Madrid was just the starting point. Three straight wins, all without the services of Trezeguet and Buffon. Juve do however recover Camoranesi, who was unable to play two weeks ago.
The Merengues’ biggest concern should be Alessandro Del Piero, who has suddenly caught fire and will do everything possible to score in the Bernabéu, one of the few European venues that still eludes the Italian striker. But keep an eye on Amauri, his partner in crime who is just as lethal.
Madridistas are well aware of what they’re up against. “Juve are very capable of doing big things with very little effort,” said Casillas in yesterday’s press conference. “They have a very clear style and they will use it at all times,” stated Guti. Two teams and two different but equally efficient styles. Whichever team best sticks to its gameplan is likely to carry the match and gain the upper hand in the fight for Group H. The Santiago Bernabéu is ready for another magical night of football.
Salgado and Van Nistelrooy return:
Michel Salgado and Ruud van Nistelrooy are just two of the 19 men who found their way onto Bernd Schuster’s squad list for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Juventus. The Dutch striker has been sidelined for about two weeks after being hurt in the first leg of the tie in Turin, while the defender recently missed the last league match with a badly bruised right knee. De la Red is still resting at home after fainting in last Thursday’s Cup match, and Javi García, Metzelder, Codina and Torres were scratched from the squad list due to a coaching decision.
- Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
- Defenders: Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Ramos, Marcelo, Salgado
- Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Guti, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Drenthe, Robben
- Forwards: Higuaín, Raúl, Van Nistelrooy, Saviola
Ranieri press conference
Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri praised Real Madrid and said it will be difficult for his team to win at the Bernabéu.
Juventus have improved since the previous clash, but Real Madrid haven’t earned good results…
Our victory againts Real Madrid gave us more confidence. We realised we could improve and that everything we did wasn’t all that bad. It helped us start from scratch again.
What do you think of Real Madrid?
Every great team has good and bad streaks. Real Madrid are Real Madrid. Schuster avoided saying Juventus was going through a crisis before the previous match and I will do the same. They are a great team. It will be hard for us to win because they will have the support of their fans.
What do you think of Van Nistelrooy’s return?
We are also missing several players. It would have been nice to see all of the star players of both teams come together for the match. Van Nistelrooy has an incredible goal record, but someone else will take his place on Wednesday if he doesn’t play.
You were the last person to coach Atletico Madrid to victory at the Bernabéu. You may help Juventus win their first game at the stadium in 46 years…
I would be delighted to do so.
How does Camoranesi feel?
He is making great strides in his recovery. He managed to do everything that was asked of him in the last couple of training sessions. He looks better each day. We will make his return to the pitch a gradual one.
Your team knew how important the first game was on an emotional level. How do you coach younger players for a match at the Bernabéu?
A great feeling automatically builds up in a player for a game like this. We should be proud of playing here. It is a real pleasure. Our younger players will have to remain calm. Adrenaline levels will lower after kick-off. I just want them to play as they always do. That’s enough for me.
Your victory against Real madrid seemed to prove Juventus is the team it used to be years ago in the European competition…
It’s hard to answer that question. I think we’ve had a positive start to the championship given that we’ve taken seven points in three games. It’s a good balance, but there are still three games left in the group stages and we haven’t made it to the quarterfinals yet. We will concentrate hard on making it.
You’ve earned very good results despite sustaining several injuries. What brough about this change in the team?
I’ve had to change my starting lineups several times. Injuries are something you deal with all the time in football. I try to find a lineup with chemistry, but it’s hard to do so when players get injured. I made seven changes to the starting 11 in seven games at the start of the previous season. It seems like a lot, but it helped me find the right balance in defence. I’ve tried out 17 men this year. The team should have chemistry and it has to recharge its batteries and get motivated for a new game every three days. We hope to continue playing this well now that we’ve found some sort of balance.
Abramovich has apparently already booked a room for the Champions League final. Do you think he is disrespecting the other teams in the championship?
No, I don’t. Roman Abramovich loves football and he has the right to book whatever he wants. He always goes to the finals, like many other club Presidents and football fans.
We have things to worry about
Hola,
We face Juve at the Bernabeu tonight. We have to beat them. As simple as that. We have just got to beat them. Our form is not all that great. We are just coming off a draw against a poor Almeria team which just made one significant attack on our goal and we came back with a single point instead of the three we had to get to stay in par with Barcelona. The only good thing about that match was that Raul got a goal while on the road. His first since the one against Racing way back in April. Otherwise we only have things to worry about. Starting from Ramos’ comments and the way he was treated after that, Pepe limping off three minutes into the second half against Almeria, De la Red’s illness and his exclusion from the squad, Saviola’s ill-treatment, Schuster’s mood in press conferences, our President’s antics, the elections that might see some Valencia fan become our supremo, our transfer policy, our striking options, lack of goals, Barcelona’s form, the list can just go on and on. What we need now is an answer to all our problems and that can be got only if start winning like we did last season again. Otherwise we can never shut our critics or rather they’d choose not to shut. I am not against critics but I hate critics when they are right.
But why aren’t we winning? I feel that our defense is very weak, yes, yet again. Weak not by capability but confidence wise at least. St.Iker’s force field in front of goal has been breached. One stellar performance from him and I am sure we will not have a single bad defensive play after that. Remember last season? One clean sheet led to five or six consecutive ones. That’s just one thing we have to do. When it comes to the mid-field I think we are fine everywhere else other than the right wing. We just don’t have enough cover there. The goal against Almeria too came through their left wing only. So we need someone who play through that channel with Ramos. I frankly think he is one of our biggest assets at the moment and I don’t think with him being as unhappy as he claims he is things are going to work out. Up front lies a few problems yet again. I am not going to bitch about Raul. I think he is offering more than any other player of his age would do. Ruud is also in fine form. So is Higuain. But I don’t think the combination we tend to play is working. A quick Higuain and a not so quick Raul seems kind of weird when paired together as both of them are similar players who tend to play the center forward role rather than a striker’s role. I have no doubts that both can get goals for us but Ruud’s presence is crucial for us. His position is something for which we have no cover for and come January if I were to decide upon our buys I’d be looking out for both an out and out striker and a right midfielder. Yes a right midfielder like Beckham and not a right-winger. The other two worries on the pitch is the lack of playing time for Saviola, who according to me is a great player, and De la red, who according to me is also a great player. Seems like Schuster hates Saviola for not making it more than 7 against Gijon. I can also be wrong. Only time can clear my doubts.
My worries about us on the pitch leads to our poll of the week (Yes, from now polls will weekly).
Off the pitch, I want to know what is up with Schuster first and foremost. Initially his press conferences used to be a delight but nowadays it is scaring me. What is he upset about? Calderon says its the fact that he has to face 30-40 journalists week in week out but is that the reason? I hope it is. Our president meanwhile has his own problems. He is being accused of living off the club and has also been fighting a battle of words with Alex Ferguson, the Man United manager. He has off late also criticized Don Florentino which would just make the upcoming elections even more crucial. I just hope we get a good president. Frankly, I don’t mind Calderon winning again but then that’s just my opinion and I am not even a socio.
These are just my worries actually speaking. If any of you have similar woes do let me know.
Hala Madrid!!
Casillas press conference
Iker Casillas offered the traditional player press conference one day before Real Madrid hosts Juventus in Champions League play.
There hasn’t been a match where you haven’t conceded any goals. What’s your view?
It’s just a phase we’re going through, but we can’t be too worried about it. Last season we went five or six matches without conceding any. Again, we can’t let it bother us. We’ve been focusing a lot on defense, and we have improved when it comes to defending set pieces. If the opponent makes a great play, all we can do is applaud them.
Ramos said he’s always on the short end of the stick, but you are too.
Sergio realizes he shouldn’t have said what he did and he apologized. He’s a great kid. Sometimes even stars make mistakes. What matters is that he knew how to right the situation. We’re sticking by his side. He’s going to continue producing great results.
Beating Juventus will be difficult if you played like you did in the second half against Almeria.
Honestly, I liked how we played in Almeria. I think we created plenty of scoring chances, but the second just didn’t go in. We couldn’t kill the match. The coach told us we let two points slip through our fingers, and I agree. Almeria scored the moment they had to attack. We can do well against Juve if we played like the other day. I think we’re on the right track. We know we cannot slip up in either La Liga or the Champions League. We’re sitting comfortably knowing that we have a great chance of moving on if we win.
What mistakes can you ill afford against Juventus?
Our biggest mistake in the first leg was allowing an early goal. They came out strong and we should have been more focused. After we had gained rhythm, we conceded the second in much the same way. Juve are very capable of doing big things with very little effort.
Do you think the team’s latest results can affect your Balon d’Or hopes?
I think everything plays a role; both individual and group success. However, I am not concerned about that. I am committed to my team, and the less I worry about other things the better. Good thngs happen when you remain calm and focused.
Do you have any preference for tonight’s Liverpool-Atletico match?
It’s a hard question because I have friends who play for both, but I would say Atletico. After all they are a Spanish team from Madrid. That’s my way of seeing it, but I am sure some others are of a different opinion. I am happy that they are once again in the Champions League and I hope they do well.
Some may be from Madrid, and tomorrow they will be cheering for Juventus.
I am sure of it, but to each his own. Regardless of the circumstances, I would rather see a Spanish team do well in Europe. Of course, if and only if it doesn’t affect Real Madrid.
What are your thoughts on the statements made by Cristiano Ronaldo regarding why he deserves the Balon d’Or?
I think Cristiano is an extraordinary player, and he wasn’t lying when he said what he did. He is a very confident person, and I am jealous of people who are like that.
Schuster press conference
Bernd Schuster said his team always wants to win and that it will try to play aggressively from the start of the game against Juventus.
Did criticism towards the team after the draw in Almería bother you?
I haven’t read any criticism, that’s why I’m not bothered…
The team lost in Turin, suffered to defeat Atletico and drew in Almeria. Things will get complicated if you don’t win tomorrow…
I think the match will be difficult and we saw how they can hurt us in the first leg. We’ll try not to make the same mistakes.
Juventus are stronger than a month ago. Do you fear any of their players?
They recovered thanks to their victory against us. The team is currently earning good results and morale must be high. Juventus has a lot of potential.
Are Van Nistelrooy and Pepe ready to play?
Yes. Everyone is ready except for Torres and De la Red.
Will Van Nistelrooy be a starter?
Ruud feels fine, but we don’t know what we are going to do. The match will be tough from the start, so we don’t know if he’ll be a starter tomorrow.
Sergio Ramos is being heavily criticised. Have you spoken to him?
I think it’s unfair to criticise him. I don’t agree with those who say he doesn’t help the team. The problem we had last week was resolved in the dressing room, as it should always be done. We have to help him be calm in order for him to do his best on the pitch.
Do you think he’s nervous?
No.
Do you think the team had a hard time getting over the defeat in Turin?
We were hurt by the defeat because we had many chances to draw the match. We will want revenge tomorrow and we also want to be leaders again.
Juventus were aggressive in Turin and won the match. Will you try the same thing tomorrow?
We are not in the situation they were in when they faced us. We like to win always and we will try to have a very strong start to the game.
We still can’t beat them can we?
Note: This post has a lot of random ramblings about the defeat in Turin. I’m just venting my anger.
I know. You know. Hell everyone knows what I am talking about. Its Juventus. To Hell with the Old Lady. We got beaten by the team which is called the Old Lady and has an history of wearing Pink strips because their original strips was lost in a mix up. Pink! Gross!! This is a disgrace to football! Above all that what pisses me off even more is the fact that they had a bigger injury crisis than we had but then they had Del Piero. Is he good or what?! His shot left St.Iker Himself stranded. And what the hell was Pepe doing? Why did he have to pass to Nedved of all the 10000 years old Czech players?!? Damn it! And it was like a dream come true for Amauri. First champions league against the most successful club in the history of European football. Wesley Sneijder was brilliant, as usual. So was Rafael. How did Cannavaro leave Del Piero free but? Damn you Italians! And now we lie second in the table. Is that good or bad? Hell I don’t know. We can beat them at home. We can beat Zenit at home as well. BATE away is tricky but hell we are Real Madrid! So as Raul Himself predicted I think we would easily qualify for the knock-out phase. But what the hell is it with this Italian menace? Why are we losing to Italian teams?!? Bernardo do something!! I can’t stand this. Just cannot! HELL!!! AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!
Next up is Athletic at home on Sunday. Guti and Diarra are training. They’ll hopefully be back. Robben is fit again. Sneijder is back! Van der Vaart is doing good as well. Van Nistelrooy is suspended but an appeal against his red card has been launched. So we might just see him play. Raul at home is in devastating form. We’ll probably see a goal or two from him as well. In all a good win on store.
Sky Sports reports that a stellar line-up of Galacticos will return to Real Madrid if presidency candidate Juan Villalonga gets his way. I want to know more about this. Hopefully Gonzalo can help. Villalonga told radio station COPE…
Players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Kaka should be at Real Madrid. I will copy with model that Florentino used.
I agree. But Florentino’s era fucked up pretty bad towards the end. At least Calderon has brought home trophies if not the big names. And Messi?? Hmmm.. We’ll have to think deep I guess. And this brings us to our second poll.
Start voting and lets see how it goes. My opinion? Well I will go with the third option. 😀
Before I conclude on Friday, the Spanish national team -current European champions-, Rubén de la Red, former youth system coach Juan Santiesteban and Real Madrid Under-17 player Álvaro López will receive trophies from the Madrid FA, which rewards those who “work towards football in Madrid” every year.
Rubén de la Red will receive the Puma Awards Golden Boots, awarded to a differtent player, coach and referee each year. The midfielder, along with Casillas and Sergio Ramos, will receive a special trophy for winning an official competition -the Euro 2008- with the national team. Former national coach Luis Aragonés will also receive one.
The Spanish national team and the Spanish FA will also participate in the Madrid FA’s tribute to sport merits in the Madrid football scene, during which Pozuelo de Alarcón Club will receive an award. Members of the Under-17 national team, who recently won the Under-17 Euro 2008 in Turkey, will also be lauded -their captain, Álvaro López, is a Real Madrid academy player-.
Real Madrid will be praised for winning the 2007/08 league championship. Getafe will also be acknowledged for their excellent performances in the UEFA Cup and for playing in the 2008 King’s Cup final. Rayo Vallecano will be mentioned for recently being promoted to the Second Division, the same as Navalcarnero, who reached the Second Division B this year. Tres Cantos Pegaso, Santa Ana, Colonia Ofigevi and Vallecas will also be noted for making their debuts in the Third Division.
Thats about it for now. I’ll bring more for you soon.
Hala Madrid!!
Post-match comments
Real Madrid Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic was disappointed about the defeat against Juventus, but he did point out the team’s second half effort and is hoping for a better result in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Bernd Schuster spoke to the media shortly after the final whistle in Turin, at which point the German coach mentioned that the team hadn’t peformed at the same level as in recent matches. Seijder, Gago, and Higuaín remain optimistic despite their defeat at the hands of Juventus on Tuesday. Ruud van Nistelrooy and Pepe tipped their hats to Juventus for their victory, but they both stressed the importance of getting back on track in both league and Champions League action. Raúl González is convinced that the Last 16 is within grasp so long as Real Madrid win their next two Champions League matches at home.
Mijatovic:
Juventus is a great team and although they aren’t at the top of their game in, the Champions League is always a different story. They had the chance to make up for lost time against Real Madrid and they won. I think we were the superior team and the team put forth a solid effort. We deserved better; at least a draw. They are top of teh group now, but they still need to play on our turf. That’s what makes us think we can win.
I think we were the better team and that we could have scored more. The score from Zenit’s match serves us well. We depend on ourselves and I think we can take care of business and finish first in our group. We were a little asleep in the first half and they capitalized on the atmosphere. We woke up after they scored. They scored their second off a mistake, but everything after that was postiive. We created scoring chances, but they didn’t go in.
We have to leave this behind us and begin thinking about the next match. We are excited about the possibilty of playing a good match in the Bernabéu against Juve because we are very optimistic about this season in the Champions League.
Schuster:
I don’t think the defeat comes as a surprise. What was surprising was the way we started. We have gotten off to great starts lately and tonight we had the same plan, but we saw just how tough it is to play against teams like Juventus. We didn’t start each half the way we had wanted, and it cost us dearly.
Juventus is always Juventus. .They are always aggressive when they play Real Madrid in the Champions League. I am not surprised that tonight wasn’t any different. They did well at the start of each half, during which we weren’t playing well. We finally managed to gain control of the match, but we had to be just as aggressive as they were.
We have to remedy the situation at gome. We must win. I don’t care about the other scores. We must finish first no matter what. We have three matches left and we control our own destiny. We will finish top of the group if we take care of business.
I am pleased Robben is back, but it’s a shame he couldn’t play the entire match. We knew he would do well along the wing. He came in in the second half and played well; he added depth on the pitch.
Sneijder:
Juventus have a strong team. They played well in the first half, but we had a pretty good second half. It’s a shame we lost, but it’s okay. We have three matches still and plenty of time to make it through to the next round. These things can happen. We played well in the second half. If we manage to continue playing like we did, we’ll do well. We have plenty of talent. Either team could have won. They deserved it in the first half, but we did afterward. This will not affect out moral.
Gago:
Too bad we couldn’t win. We created plenty of chances but could not score. The team’s second half spirit is worth noting. It was hard, but we could have done better. I am tired, but feel fine. We want to to better in our next match in order to be on the fast track to the Last 16. It was a tough match decided by two isolated plays. We had many chances and plenty of bad luck. I have to admit out first half performance was not up to par. Props to them for their goals, but we also played our style of football although we couldn’t finish off our opportunities. We were a bit lethargic at the beginning of each half. We created a lot of chances in the second half, and I really believed we could equalise after Van Nistelrooy scored. A lot was said about Juve’s poor form of late, but we all know they are one of the best teams in the world. That’s how football goes. Today wasn’t our day. We have to maintain our form in order to defeat Juve in the Bernabéu.
Higuaín:
I banged my ankle and it bothered me while playing. I’m not surprised about the way Juve started out because they really needed a win. They haven’t been in good form lately but proved they can beat anyone. We have a bit of a cushion after the Bate-Zenit draw, but more importantly we depend on ourselves.
Van Nistelrooy:
Statistics aren’t important. The match is all that matters. We played well in the second half, but we had trouble getting into the game in the first. Juve is a great team and they proved that crises don’t exist in matches like tonight’s. We have to play well and win. They were better in the first half and managed to take the victory. We have six points and want to make the Last 16 as soon as possible; if it can be as group leader, even better. The Champions League isn’t easy and any team can knock you off course. We realize it, which is why we need to focus on our next match.
Pepe:
It’s a shame, but we must learn from this match. They capitalized on their chances and we made mistakes. We must remain focused back at the Bernabéu in order not to repeat them. They are capable of playing great football whenever and wherever. I think we learned our lesson for the next match. All we want to do is remedy this result with a win in Madrid. We are all upset about losing. No one here like to lose, but we were just unlucky tonight. We get to play at home next time, so we must do what it takes to make it into the next round.
Raul:
Juve were stronger at the start of each half and scored in each. In the second half however there was only one team, and Real Madrid was it. Playing from behind and against an Italian team is always difficult. We gave it our best until the end and we’re disappointed that we did not win. Fortunately we play at home in two weeks and we know that by winning in the Bernabéu we’ll finish top in our group. The Champions League is unique, which is why we knew how dangerous Juve could be. We knew they would bring their ‘A’ game against us. Their goal five minutes in boosted their confidence. They come to our house in 15 days and we will try to show just how much better we are. Winning is all that counts. This game is now in the past.
Juventus 2-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid performed somewhat under par in the first half of their clash with Juventus, but they managed to siege Manninger’s goal practically throughout the last 45 minutes. Del Piero’s early goal hurt the Madridistas, who conceded their second strike of the evening three minutes into the second half. The Whites dominated from the on and showcased their best football; their reward will have to wait for the second leg at the Bernabéu.
Heinze and Van der Vaart were the new faces on Real Madrid’s line-up, the former playing as left back and the latter taking on midfielder duties. Raúl, Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Gago, Sneijder, Higuaín and Van Nistelrooy made up the rest of the team. There were also few surprises on the Italian starting 11, with Legrottaglie and Sissoko making their return.
The entire first half unfolded as Juventus hoped it would. Their need of a victory accounts for their pressurising all over the pitch and their strive to surprise Real Madrid. Ranieri’s men kept possession, disarming Real Madrid’s men, some of which looked somewhat lost in midfield.
A fantastic play between Amauri and Del Piero ended in the latter’s opening goal on the 5-minute mark. Juventus’ captain dribbled past Cannavaro and Gago and scored with a powerful shot from the middle of Real Madrid’s half of the pitch. All Casillas could do is watch the ball go in.
Juventus gradually fell back and stopped taking as many risks as before, waiting for their chance to pull of a counterattack. Real Madrid had the ball more often and soon had their first chance on goal from a shot by Van der Vaart that grazed the crossbar (10′). The Dutchman -one of the best tonight- tried again with a crossed shot that was easily grabbed by the keeper (19’). Seconds later, Sneijder passed the ball to Raúl, who left it for Van der Vaart. The midfielder then came close to scoring again with a shot from right outside the box (20′).
Juventus’ second dangerous chance came after Sneijder missed a shot from a large distance (25′). Grygera rand down the right wing, crossed the ball into the box and Amauri tried to head it into the goal, but missed (27’). The Whites had one more chance before half-time, but Ramos failed to control a cross from Sneijder well with his chest and Manninger managed to grab it (31’). Just before the sound of the whistle, Marchisio was replaced by Salihamidzic because of an injury.
The start of the second half was practically identical to that of the first. The Italians again surprised Real Madrid with an early goal, this time scored by Amauri from a header thanks to a cross from Nedved (48’).
The Madridistas then began their onslaught. Robben came in for Higuaín (53′) and Sneijder seemed determined to be one of the men responsible for his teams first goal. Take 1: Van der Vaart headed out one of his crosses (55′). Take 2: he pulled off another cross into the small box that Ramos failed to finish off (57′). Take 3: he came close from scoring with a powerful shot aimed close to the right post, which Manninger was forced to send out for a corner kick (58′). Take 4: another of his shots hit the far post (60′).
The Madridistas followed one onslaught with another and they were soon rewarded with a strike headed in by Van Nistelrooy from a beautifully curved cross from Heinze (65′).
Iaquinta came in for Amauri and Drenthe replaced Van der Vaart. Real Madrid kept their siege on Manninger’s goal and Juventus were finding it hard to breathe, but in the end, despite their great efforts, the Whites didn’t win. Revenge will be sought in two weeks’ time.
TEAMS:
Juventus: Alexander Manninger; Giorgio Chiellini, Nicola Legrottaglie (Olof Mellberg 46), Christian Molinaro, Zdenek Grygera, Claudio Marchisio (Hasan Salihamidžić 37), Mohamed Sissoko, Pavel Nedved, Marco Marchionni, Alessandro Del Piero, Carvalho De Oliveira Amauri (Vincenzo Iaquinta 78);
Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Fabio Cannavaro, Pepe, Gabriel Heinze, Sergio Ramos; Fernando Gago, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart (Royston Drenthe 76), Gonzalo Higuaín (Arjen Robben 54); Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raúl;
GOALS:
1-0, 5′ Alessandro Del Piero
2-0, 49′ Amauri
2-1. 68′ Ruud van Nistelrooy
Referee: Wolfgang Stark (GER)
Assistant referee: Carsten Kadach (GER) Sönke Glindemann (GER)
Fourth official: Helmut Fleischer (GER)
Booked: Amauri 49′
UEFA Delegate: Alfred Ludwig (AUT)
UEFA Referee observer: Francesco Bianchi (SUI)
Juventus v Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League | Group Stages | Matchday 3 | Preview
Two of the greatest football teams in European history will clash at Turin’s Olympic Stadium tonight at 20:45 CET. Both want to win the Champions League crown but, while Real Madrid currently stand undefeated in this year’s edition of the tournament, Juventus need a victory in order to have chances of qualifying for the next round.
The Whites haven’t lost in eight consecutive games and are currently leaders in their Champions League group. On the other hand, Juventus haven’t won in five consecutive games and are having their worst start to a campaign in 28 years. They also sustain many injuries and are somewhat needy of points.
A step closer to the Last 16
Real Madrid’s run in the Champions League this season has been excellent so far. Winning against Juventus tonight won’t certify their pass to the next round, but it would give them chances of making it if they defeat them again on 5 November at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Bernd Schuster will probably make few changes to the line-up that faced Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Heinze could be positioned as left back and Van der Vaart may be a starter in midfield. It is still uncertain if Robben will make the starting 11; if he does he will probably take Raúl’s spot. Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro (returning to his previous home), Pepe, Gago, Sneijder, Higuaín and Van Nistelrooy will probably also make the starting line-up.
Juventus want to please their fans
Fans of the Italian team hardly remember it having such a bad start to a campaign. Juventus haven’t won a game since September. They have drawn one game in the Champions League, and drawn two and lost two consecutive clashes in the Calcio. They’ve only scored six goals in total and are currently 12th on the Serie A table.
Claudio Ranieri’s team also sustains many injuries. Poulsen recently joined Buffon, Trezeguet, Camoranesi, Zebina, Zanetti and Tiago in the infirmary for being injured against Napoli, but Sissoko, Iaquinta and Legrottaglie have recovered in time for the match. Del Piero and Amauri will surely try to do their best to score against the Whites.
The countdown for the 13th game between two titans of European football has already begun…
SQUAD LIST:
- Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
- Defenders: Pepe, Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Metzelder, Heinze
- Midfielders: Gago, Sneijder, Drenthe, Robben, De la Red, Van der Vaart, Javi García
- Forwards: Higuaín, Raúl, Van Nistelrooy.
Records broken everywhere and it isn’t Ronaldo anymore
Hola Madridistas…
As rocking as FIFA 09 is and as good as it feels to beat derbi rivals, this morning has turned out to be a real good one. Yeah I mean a real good one indeed. I am happy to be back blogging about the club I love the most again and the news that I just read has just made it even better for me. This post includes what is to be the first poll in the history of Hala Madrid and it isn’t about Ronaldo. Also on this post is the news that the manager has broken a record and so have the players. The Balon D’or shortlist is out in case you didn’t know. No worries you will get to know very soon provided you continue reading this post. The squad list for the Juve game is out and Robben is back. More on that as well.
First things first. It isn’t about Cristiano Ronaldo and it involves Manchester United. Is that surprising or what? This time it is about the Argentine Carlos Tevez. Ever since the arrival of Berbacunt United have deprived Tevez of his rightful place in the line up. Now that Rooney is scoring goals to the surprise of everyone I think Tevez is a long way from getting back his place on the side. And this has given rise to the speculation that he is on his way out of very Old Trafford and his mostly coming here to Madrid to clad himself in white. Sounds good doesn’t it? Well, it is not exactly happening that way but Sir Alex is unsure of whether or not we are interested in him. Real have been linked with a bid for the Argentine forward, but Ferguson remains hopeful the 24-year-old will be staying at Manchester. When asked about Tevez the old cunt said…
I don’t have to send any message to Carlos. He knows where he is and how well we have treated him. He’s been a smashing player for us and I wouldn’t want to lose him. I’m quite confident he will be staying. There’s no deadline. Originally, we were looking at the end of the season, but that’s been brought forward and we have been having negotiations for some time. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon – we are ahead of things. I don’t know if it’s true Madrid want him. It could be, but I am not worried about that. I think we will be okay. I don’t have any worries about him going.
I seriously think we have something happening here. And this leads us to the first ever poll here.
I think Tevez will be a good inclusion to our squad and I would love to see him here. But it all depends on Mijatovic doesn’t it? I hope the Serbian does something during the transfer window in January. I wish to see more signings like Gago, Marcelo and Higuain.
Talking about minor starlet signings, we are competing yet again with Manchester United over this Brazilian kid Douglas. He is from Gremio and is supposed to be brilliant. Marca claim that Real have long been on Douglas’s trail and have been watching him for more than 12 months. United’s interest has now put Real on alert that they may have some strong competition for the 18-year-old midfielder. Douglas is being hailed as the new Ronaldinho – mainly because he is beginning his career at Gremio, as the AC Milan star did. I wonder where he is going to end up. I hope its Real. We really need youngsters like him.
In other news, a few records (2 to be specific) have been broken this week. The fact that Bernd Schuster coached his 45th match for Real Madrid on Saturday has relatively little meaning, but against Atletico Madrid he became the fastest coach to notch 100 points in league play. On Saturday Bernd Schuster edged out Frank Rijkaard, who needed 49 matches with Barcelona to reach the century mark in 2003/04. Rafa Benítez needed 51 matches in 2001/02 and 2002/03 with Valencia, Vicente del Bosque needed 52 in 1999/00 and 2000/01 with Real Madrid, Van Gaal needed 55 matches in1997/98 and 1998/99 with Barcelona. The German coach is rewriting the history books. Not only has he already won a league title and a Super Cup, but Schuster also led Madrid to the highest ever La Liga point total (85) in 2007/08 with 27 victories, four draws, and three defeats.
The Balon D’or Shortlist is out. Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Van der Vaart and Van Nistelrooy are among the 30 Balon d’Or finalists. Real Madrid is the best represented club followed by FC Barcelona and Chelsea, with three players each. Should a Madridista win on 2 December, he will be the sixth player in club history to receive such award.
Here is the whole list for you people (do not mind the spellings)..
- Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Togo.
- Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Argentine.
- Andreï Archavine (Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg), Russia.
- Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Germany.
- Karim Benzema (Lyon), France.
- Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin), Italy.
- Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Spain.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Portugal.
- Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ivory Coast.
- Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelone), Cameroon.
- Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Spain.
- Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Spain.
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), England.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Sweden.
- Kaka (Milan AC), Brazil.
- Frank Lampard (Chelsea), England.
- Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Argentina.
- Pepe (Real Madrid), Portugal.
- Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), France.
- Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), England.
- Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Spain.
- Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Spain.
- Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Italy.
- Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Netherlands.
- Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV puis Real Madrid), Netherlands.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Netherlands.
- Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Serbia.
- David Villa (Valence CF), Spain.
- Xavi (FC Barcelone), Spain.
- Youri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscou), Russia.
Isn’t that just brilliant? Yup it is! Well thats almost it for this post. The squad for the Juve game has been announced. Eighteen players will travel to Turin on Monday for Real Madrid’s third Champions League match of the season. Arjen Robben is healthy again and will make the trip, but Guti and Diarra were unable to recover in time from their respective injuries and will stay in the Spanish capital. Torres and Codina are also hurt and will not travel, and Salgado and Saviola were left off the list due to a coaching decision.
The preview will be up soon.
Hala Madrid!!
PS: I completely forgot about this. The Spanish FA held the 2008/09 Copa del Rey draw on Friday, 10th October, which paired Real Madrid with Second Division B side, Real Unión Club Irún. The first leg of the tie is scheduled for 29 October at Gal Stadium, with the return to be played on 12 November at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Just another Madridista
Hala Madrid 
Esteban Granero and more
A lot is being spoken about Esteban Granero these days. El Pirata has always been in and out of the line up ever since his return home from Getafe. And he has been starting the last few league games that we have played and has performed so well that the whole of Madrid is talking about him. So it is safe to say that Granero is finally fulfilling one of the reasons why he was brought in. Anyhoo, the player has been in spectacular form of late and does deserve most of the credit he is getting. But then the question is whether he gets picked ahead of Ronaldo and Higuain who will make the cut come Matchday 22.
According to data from a survey conducted on MARCA.com, users are clear that El Pirata must continue. More than 90 percent of readers (20,000 votes) believe that the Canterano must continue to enjoy the trust of Pellegrini.
But RealMadrid.com was not satisfied with the 90-10 ratio for the midfielder. They wanted to lure in the remanining 10 per cent by putting up a few meaningless statistics like Esteban Granero is the Madridista with the most crosses into the box, the second-best assist (which here does not mean he has made the final pass in a goal scoring move, but just the final pass in a move) man after Kaka and the team’s top-scoring midfielder in La Liga (which is much better than the other two feats). The midfielder though has only three goals to his name this season, two of which were scored in 2010 (Espanyol (Week 2), Mallorca (Week 17) and Deportivo (Week 21). They do offer a consolation saying that if we include the Champions League action as well, Granero is the second highest scoring midfielder behind Kaka, who has scored a total of four goals this season.
Firstly let me make this clear. I am NOT AT ALL against Esteban Granero. In fact I am totally for him. I have always wanted him in just like I want Negredo, Mata, Miguel Torres, Parejo etc back into the team. But then again all these rubbish statistics make no sense to me. He has been in wonderful form and that has to be appreciated. These words would have done much more good than the absolutely meaningless numbers they have used to imply the same.
(more…)
Share this:
February 8, 2010 | Categories: Comments, News | Tags: Daniel Opare, Esteban Granero, Gonzalo Higuaín, Juventus FC | 20 Comments