Work and more work, pretty much like the same time last year has kept me not so motivated to spend the evenings writing. I end up on the couch either with my Fifa 09 manager mode game where i recently earned 20K points for not simulating even a single game for an entire season as a Manager. The last time i wrote, it was an entire post on why it is not a crisis that Madrid is going through. The board this time around have indeed come out and rectified a portion of it, which is to get a replacement for Van Nistelrooy who is out for the season. From many names that were discussed for a couple of weeks, Madrid swiftly closed the deal with one promising youngster. This was one of the smartest business deals they have done in a few seasons, especially considering the summer fiasco. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar known as the "Hunter" was signed from Ajax with a possible full amount of 27M. Though Huntelaar is currently injured with an ankle injury, he should be fit and completely ready by Jan 1st when he is eligible to play for the Whites. His scoring record is just phenomenal and many think that he will be Van Nistelrooy's flag bearer for the Netherlands. It will be interesting to see how he steps up to the demands of the La Liga.
People who follow my blog would very well know that my last post pointed out a few things, which of course some of my readers did not agree with. After their humiliating defeat at the hands of Getafe last week, Madrid were to host Sevilla at the Bernabeu. It was not that Getafe played superb, it was just that Madrid was trying their level best to be as poor as possible. After missing this match due to my travels during Thanks Giving holidays, i had my eyes set on the Sevilla clash this Sunday. This is a team to whom Madrid always lose on their trips to Seville. Schuster though on thin ice was saving his job because of the only reason that half of his first team was in the hospital. The game against Sevilla welcomed back Robben, Higuain and Cannavaro. Robben and Higuain made their impact felt in the match and so did Cannavaro i should say but not a positive one. The Sevilla match was indication that it was not just injuries. I have mentioned even in my previous post that Madrid have no problem scoring, actually they are very good in making come backs when we would have written them off. This Sunday was no exception Madrid were down 3 goals to 1 at half time. But a change in strategy at half time which saw two wingers playing saw Madrid come back and level the game at 3-3, but this time only to lose a man and lose the match 4-3.
7 goals are nothing new for Real Madrid, if i remember right this is their 4th already this season with the same scoreline. The only problem this time was that this was the first time they were on the losing side. If a team is conceding 3 goals or 4 goals in a match, its time to look at the defense, organize it and add players if need be. I would like to add a few points taken from an interview with Madrid keeper after the Sevilla match.
“I have been playing in La Liga for ten seasons and this is the worst start I have ever had,” True, Casillas and the Madrid defense are struggling to keep a single clean sheet. At least he is accepting the problem.
"Defensively, we are very vulnerable, including myself. It just seems that when teams attack us three times, they score three goals and it is clear that everyone in the team is at fault."
It was true against Sevilla, when each time they put an attacking move together the Madrid defense struggled. Casillas made a fool of himself when he came out for a cross and got thin air and then he never came out for any of the other crosses. Whereas his counterpart at Sevilla Andres Pallop made nearly 9 saves though he conceded 3 goals.
“With the way we are playing now, we will not be able to win the title. But I believe that we are just going through a bad streak and there’s still a long to go in the season. Two years ago, we were eight points behindBarcelona
Any sensible man who sees Barca go out week after week clobber teams and fire 4 and 5 goals past them, and see Madrid struggle against these very same teams the following week should know, that barring the same injury crisis at Barca there is no points for guessing who is going to win the league.
Losing was not just it, Madrid wanted to lose in a way that people will never forget and will for sure get their coach fired soon. I have a few reasons:
Marcelo was seen out of position on more than one occasion which resulted in crosses coming in from his flank, got himself booked, from the resulting free-kick Sevilla scored one of their 4 goals. When you think that he was out of position defensively, maybe he was contributing in attack. I sure don't remember any positive effect. His booking was the 5th yellow card which means he is suspended for the match against Barca. With Heinze and Torres injured, Schuster might have to find someone from the B team to play here.
Cannavaro was almost so uncomfortable playing alongside Sergio Ramos, that he left his position on numerous occasions, both defenders challenging the same players and finally the inability to win balls. I think he should maybe return to Napoli and save his reputation or retire.
Robben dubbed the "Glass man" gets a game finally after all his starts-stops and what does he do? For the most part of the game, he played well, turning defenders inside out, but either the final ball was poor or he was un-lucky with his shots. But collecting a second yellow card for arguing and abusing the referee for getting booked is just plain stupid. This meant Madrid were down to 10 men when the scoreline was 3-3 and that he would be unavailable for the game against Barca. He may have lost not just the game against Sevilla but something more. With the medical reports flowing in at the Madrid camp, it seems now Drenthe is carrying an injury which makes him doubtful for the Barca game and thus no wingers at all. I hope there is some disciplinary action taken against such behavior.
Now for the Manager, there is no excuses anymore. Actually i think Schuster might actually be looking for jobs elsewhere. If he is not he should definitely, as only a miracle can turn this team into a league winning position. The team just has forgotten to win, and there seems to be no discipline. Van Nistelrooy out for the season and now Diarra too would mean the players coming in to replace them, have to step up their game. Gonzalo Higuain is doing his part, and Gago is really doing well. Schuster needs to organize the defenders. With Casillas himself struggling it is not going to be easy, but you cannot concede 4 goals against 3rd division side Real Union and claim that we are plagued by injuries.
Last i also cannot help wonder about the medical staff at Madrid. Is something wrong? Are they rushing players back into action? Jonathan Woodgate was injured when he got to Madrid and was always injured, but he got back to England and started playing fairly on a regular basis. Brazilian striker Ronaldo took almost 4 months to get fit after signing for Madrid, this is after winning the golden boot the same summer in the World Cup. Antonio Cassano was struggling to stay fit and also was overweight, but is now a superstar in Italian Serie A. You see young De la Red fall unconscious on the pitch, and players after players getting injured, its time to look at your Physios and strength training techniques.
People who follow my blog would very well know that my last post pointed out a few things, which of course some of my readers did not agree with. After their humiliating defeat at the hands of Getafe last week, Madrid were to host Sevilla at the Bernabeu. It was not that Getafe played superb, it was just that Madrid was trying their level best to be as poor as possible. After missing this match due to my travels during Thanks Giving holidays, i had my eyes set on the Sevilla clash this Sunday. This is a team to whom Madrid always lose on their trips to Seville. Schuster though on thin ice was saving his job because of the only reason that half of his first team was in the hospital. The game against Sevilla welcomed back Robben, Higuain and Cannavaro. Robben and Higuain made their impact felt in the match and so did Cannavaro i should say but not a positive one. The Sevilla match was indication that it was not just injuries. I have mentioned even in my previous post that Madrid have no problem scoring, actually they are very good in making come backs when we would have written them off. This Sunday was no exception Madrid were down 3 goals to 1 at half time. But a change in strategy at half time which saw two wingers playing saw Madrid come back and level the game at 3-3, but this time only to lose a man and lose the match 4-3.
7 goals are nothing new for Real Madrid, if i remember right this is their 4th already this season with the same scoreline. The only problem this time was that this was the first time they were on the losing side. If a team is conceding 3 goals or 4 goals in a match, its time to look at the defense, organize it and add players if need be. I would like to add a few points taken from an interview with Madrid keeper after the Sevilla match.
“I have been playing in La Liga for ten seasons and this is the worst start I have ever had,” True, Casillas and the Madrid defense are struggling to keep a single clean sheet. At least he is accepting the problem.
"Defensively, we are very vulnerable, including myself. It just seems that when teams attack us three times, they score three goals and it is clear that everyone in the team is at fault."
It was true against Sevilla, when each time they put an attacking move together the Madrid defense struggled. Casillas made a fool of himself when he came out for a cross and got thin air and then he never came out for any of the other crosses. Whereas his counterpart at Sevilla Andres Pallop made nearly 9 saves though he conceded 3 goals.
“With the way we are playing now, we will not be able to win the title. But I believe that we are just going through a bad streak and there’s still a long to go in the season. Two years ago, we were eight points behind
Any sensible man who sees Barca go out week after week clobber teams and fire 4 and 5 goals past them, and see Madrid struggle against these very same teams the following week should know, that barring the same injury crisis at Barca there is no points for guessing who is going to win the league.
Losing was not just it, Madrid wanted to lose in a way that people will never forget and will for sure get their coach fired soon. I have a few reasons:
Marcelo was seen out of position on more than one occasion which resulted in crosses coming in from his flank, got himself booked, from the resulting free-kick Sevilla scored one of their 4 goals. When you think that he was out of position defensively, maybe he was contributing in attack. I sure don't remember any positive effect. His booking was the 5th yellow card which means he is suspended for the match against Barca. With Heinze and Torres injured, Schuster might have to find someone from the B team to play here.
Cannavaro was almost so uncomfortable playing alongside Sergio Ramos, that he left his position on numerous occasions, both defenders challenging the same players and finally the inability to win balls. I think he should maybe return to Napoli and save his reputation or retire.
Robben dubbed the "Glass man" gets a game finally after all his starts-stops and what does he do? For the most part of the game, he played well, turning defenders inside out, but either the final ball was poor or he was un-lucky with his shots. But collecting a second yellow card for arguing and abusing the referee for getting booked is just plain stupid. This meant Madrid were down to 10 men when the scoreline was 3-3 and that he would be unavailable for the game against Barca. He may have lost not just the game against Sevilla but something more. With the medical reports flowing in at the Madrid camp, it seems now Drenthe is carrying an injury which makes him doubtful for the Barca game and thus no wingers at all. I hope there is some disciplinary action taken against such behavior.
Now for the Manager, there is no excuses anymore. Actually i think Schuster might actually be looking for jobs elsewhere. If he is not he should definitely, as only a miracle can turn this team into a league winning position. The team just has forgotten to win, and there seems to be no discipline. Van Nistelrooy out for the season and now Diarra too would mean the players coming in to replace them, have to step up their game. Gonzalo Higuain is doing his part, and Gago is really doing well. Schuster needs to organize the defenders. With Casillas himself struggling it is not going to be easy, but you cannot concede 4 goals against 3rd division side Real Union and claim that we are plagued by injuries.
Last i also cannot help wonder about the medical staff at Madrid. Is something wrong? Are they rushing players back into action? Jonathan Woodgate was injured when he got to Madrid and was always injured, but he got back to England and started playing fairly on a regular basis. Brazilian striker Ronaldo took almost 4 months to get fit after signing for Madrid, this is after winning the golden boot the same summer in the World Cup. Antonio Cassano was struggling to stay fit and also was overweight, but is now a superstar in Italian Serie A. You see young De la Red fall unconscious on the pitch, and players after players getting injured, its time to look at your Physios and strength training techniques.
1 comment:
A post with integrity.
You should be in Real Madrid Advisory board!!
Post a Comment