UCL Knockouts – CSKA Moskva vs Real Madrid Liveblog

Starting lineup

Iker
Arbeloa – Ramos – Pepe – Coentrao
Khedira – Xabi
Callejon – Ozil – Cristiano
Benzema

Nothing much more to add other than Corey’s preview here. All we have to do now is wait for that sweet sweet UCL Anthem and hope for a good result in some really tough conditions. Hala Madrid!

About the author

Madridista and football romantic from India. If twitter is your thing, follow me @_kaushik7; and the blog at @RMFootballBlog

Ashsih

Was begining to wonder if get a liveblog today.
Carvivlie

I don’t like these early games. My anxiety over them and my morning coffee combine to make me a mess at work.
ROD

so mad right now why 5 at the back

boeder

Why Albiol? Why not Varane? Carvalho?

Omor99

clearly, Albiol has naked pictures of Mou and Fiorentino and has threatened to release them to the press. No other logical explanation for Mou’s idiocy here!

Anonymous

Would of taken a 1-0 loss over benzo’s injury!!!
boeder

Damn you Albiol! Why was he dancing in the area just before the goal? Why was he subbed-in in the first place?
marttynz

Painful end…wtf…we cant defend setpeices!!!now we have to work hard to be in the quarterfinal,Mou should really work on that defence….and sell Albiol…am not saying he was the cause of the goal…he is always a liability in our defence anytime he plays.
James

Why the f was Albiol put in for Ozil?? Why not Granero if you want to control the game? WTF is wrong with Mou, Albiol hasn’t played in ages and he puts him in the crucial moments of one of the biggest games of the year. Bonehead move.

Omor99

i simply dont get it. the cold must have frozen Mou’s brain, or perhaps, Albiol has “dirt” on Mou and threatened Mou to expose him! that sub was just despicably inexplicable! shocking and disturbing!

Anonymous

Madridismo1902 with the optimism:

The last minute goal definitely blows, but we got the vital away goal thanks to Ronaldo, so we’re technically the winners right now (doesn’t feel like it, but it’s true). And they will be celebrating now, but in 3 weeks they’ve got to come meet us at the Bernabeu. And pending a minor footballing miracle, we’ll clean the terrace floors with them there. Especially now that we’re pissed.

So no time to panic yet, guys.

Anonymous

You’ve made the key point. It sucks we gave up yet another goal off a set piece and how it happened at the last moment, but a draw with an away goal in sub-freezing temps with very hostile fans is still an okay result. Not one we should be happy about, not one we should accept as worthy of the team, but not one to panic over.

I’m more worried about the Benz injury as others have pointed out. Hope he’s alright.

Nat

Ronaldo was absolutely horrible aside from the first goal… never passed to higuain when he was open and decided to dribble the whole time wtf pass bro
Omor99

how stupid was Jose??!! what was the point of Albiol? honestly? this is a guy who has made his career by making sure the opponents always score against his team and the stupid coach brings him in? fo what? for what reason?

more worrying is that the team is very naive! people like Ramos, who are dumb to the brain, keep giving the ball away and trying to do one move 10 times and fail every single time. Then you have Higuian and Callejon who are simply not good enough for CL level.

CSKA was the better side and thats a damning indictment on the team

Jean

Goodness !!!Everyone makes mistakes;I agree that Mou’s decision was a bad judgement call but it is what it is.Its hardly the end of the world, isnt it?!!!!

James

The Albiol sub cost us the 1 goal lead. If he wanted to take Ozil off that bad, then he should have at least put in Granero in order to retain POSSESSION of the ball and shut the game out. Putting a defender in for a midfielder is asking for the opponent to attack you to the death.

Hinotame

Everything is Ozil related to you…

James

?. I wasn’t upset that Ozil was taken off, I just thought it should have been Granero that went in.

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

MOURINHO OUT?!?! Bringing on an extra CB while 1-0 up away from home wasn’t such a bad response to CSKA bringing on their 6’3″ striker. To blame albiol or act like it’s a sudden departure from the way mourinho has always done things seems overly harsh…

boeder

Albiol is walking disaster, some of us here seem to think he’s a good defender because he was a starter in the Pelligrini era and is a “worldcup winner”. Immediately after entering, Albiol broke the integrity of the defense, watch how he was dancing like a monkey in the CSKA goal incident.

Ultimately, the blame is on Mourinho for subbing-in such an inept defender at a critical stage of an important UCL game especially when he had better options: Carvalho or Granero. But we can’t blame Mourinho for Albiol stupidity.

http://twitter.com/_kaushik7 Kaushik

Unbelievable amount of hate for Albiol!

James

Not really his fault. Dumbass move from Mourinho.

Aditya

yup we know better rite

Omor99

the hate is from Albiol. if he truely loved this club and wished the fans well,he will leave!
Anonymous

when the goal was really Alonso’ bad covering and Ramos, not really albiol, so I dont get the Albiol hate, jeez! Even Coentroa caused really stupid foul, if anything Albiol has nothing to do with a goal..
Stop overracting people(not you Kaushik)!!…1-1 is a good result, if we cant win in CSKA in bernabeu regardless of this result in Moscow, I think we move on, Jose move makes sense for him tbh

super

agreed with everything there.. albiol was being the spacegoat here.. i’d blame about 3-4 other players before calling albiol head for thi draw..

super

Albiol did nothing wrong though. I think subbing in Kaka instead of Granero or Marcelo is the worse move.. Kaka made the midfield got run over..

James

I still don’t think Mourinho knows how to utilize Ozil. If anyone is going to say that Ozil had a crap game, they need to realize how little of the ball he saw, how there was no exchanging of passes, no off the ball movement. Those are things that Ozil thrives off of. It’s also perplexing to me why Ozil always seems to be the deepest of the front 4, even though he is most dangerous playing close up to the striker and playing quick one-twos around the box. He is always the deepest of the attacking players on counter attacks as well, maybe due to his poor workate. Anyways this is baffling to me because everytime he plays for Germany he is at least the second highest up the pitch next to Klose/Gomez, and sometimes plays even higher up the pitch then them. Again, before people rant on how invisible Ozil was, these are some things to consider.

super

he’s the deepest because he was expected to help the midfield/ make transition between midfield & attack.. his workrate is fine.. and he wasn’t invisible as you suggested.. the whole team having a hard time, none was really shined, besides jose tried to play conservative & play it safe..

James

I agree he wasn’t invisible, but to most (perhaps including Mou), whenever Ozil doesn’t create 3 or 4 clear chances it’s considered a bad game so I’m trying to give reasons why he wasn’t at his best to those haters.

super

i don’t think anyone will blame him for this one, he put reasonable performance & showed respectable effort in building up the play & defensively too with even tackles & interceptions.. he’s avoiding a more risky moves or passes to prevent losing possesion, but I doubt Mou would want him to do otherwise for this match

James

Problem is there needs to be more offball movement, passing exchanges. Right now, whenever times get tough (such as against Barca), there’s too much 1 on 1 (mostly Ronaldo). It hasn’t been working and it will not be working against quality sides.

Carvivlie

I understand what you are saying. I think he (like Kaka a lot of times) ends up playing deeper in order to get some touches on the ball–especially when the short pass game has gone invisible. Its funny because I constantly see Kaka coming to Xabi to try to get the ball during these situations and Xabi always passes it to someone else. Ozil and Kaka are the same in that they need a lot of touches and will come deep to get them.

James

I guess so… But it’s weird how Ozil always seems to be very high up the pitch and in the thick of the attack while in Madrid he seems to be “left behind.” I guess it’s because when the ball is passed to the wings, Ronaldo and Di Maria just start sprinting all out and don’t look for Ozil to exchange passes (which in my opinion is a problem against quality teams).

Carvivlie

You are right and that is just the habit that has evolved at Madrid. They look to Cris first and then the other flank but not the middle. I admit I am an AC Milan and Kaka fan and this set up does him no good either. In Milan Pirlo spread it out to Seedorf, Kaka and the flanks. We are very predictable in our passing–which I think hurts us. I like when Ozil and Kaka play together because they play alike –in terms of movement–and they just make the best pass and don’t try to constantly force it to Cris.

Hal

Don’t get into the trap of over analyzing, and setting everything on concrete when you think you know how a player should play or how a manager should use a him.

Ozil is young. He’s still growing and learning.
Mou does change his tactics every game, and in some games he may ask a player to do something different.

Also Ozil is most dangerous not because of his 1-2s or counter attacks. It’s his ability to draw defenders away from their positions and creating space for his team mates, his constant moving between the lines creating passing triangles, it’s more his intelligence rather than his technical ability. He’s always thinking, always making the opponents think.

He is one of our best players no doubt about it but he’s still learning. The Bernabeu love Ozil and the appreciate his football. Doubt they’ll give him a hard time over a game that was played in the conditions that they were.

And finally, we’re not Germany, we’re Real Madrid.

James

But don’t you feel like getting the most out of Ozil will help us? Because the way we are playing against quality teams(we haven’t faced any besides Barca in La Liga) is going to get us the Champions League title. No off the ball movement, no passing exchanges, way too static and waiting for Ronaldo to dribble with his head down. I understand this isn’t Germany, but it sure does look like the Portuguese National Team.

James

I meant is NOT going to get us the Champions League.
Plykab

I think Madrid will win the CL this year. This was a horrible game due to Mou’s tactics, that’s it. This team, when let loose, is a sight to behold. Benz and DiMaria are incredibly important, and hopefully they will be back by the time we move into the quarters.

http://madridistamac.blogspot.com Madridista Mac

Because he’s the link between the ‘back 6′ and the front 4. Just like how many strikers drop deep to link play and also drags defenders out of position, Ozil does the same from his ’10′ position. You are right though that there was little off-the-ball movement from his teammates: I blame a couple of factors:

1.) The Cold
2.) CSKA’s looking doing their own pressing
3.) Am I the only one who thought that the pitch was unusually narrow?

Anonymous

I thought pitch was even worse than the weather, the way the ball moves was slow, and the way players even run was slow IMO.
James

Do you feel like there is a solution to Ozil’s lack of production against top teams from time to time?

Aditya

i think cause of the last minute goal ., everyones massively dissappointed , but i dont think we should go overboard with negativity , the match was good in completely alien conditions , we played well , Ronaldo scored a good goal , but then missed one or 2 , it happens , n somehow we conceded a last minute goal , n as a result people are calling our wonderful manager stupid n what not , relax guys , if he decides to put albiol in , he obv knows n understand better than we do , he put him in to do something , but albiol coudnt do it , but its not like we lost 3 to 1 or something , k we drew 1 to 1 , but still we r very much in a good position , its not like we have to go to moscow , they have to come here , so all in all its a good away result ,

Omor99

the team played well? they were poor! totally outplayed by CSKA!

Aditya

well we both watched a different game then
Saint Iker

Outplayed? RM were the better team but we they didn’t play great, not surprising with the conditions but a 1-1 away goal is not bad.
http://madridistamac.blogspot.com Madridista Mac

Were you watching a russian league game between CSKA and Siberia FC? Because clearly you and I didn’t see the same match.

boeder

Mourinho’s amateur subbing cost us a valuable win away from home, absolutely suicidal. Why Albiol??! He hasn’t played for quite some time and Mou decides to insert him in the AT of a UCL knockout game? Seriously? His addition broke the backline unity and walah another goal conceded from a set piece!! Was Mou trying to prove a point to Perez by putting on Albiol (ie this is why I want the guy out)?

We all know we’ll make it to the quarterfinals (barring a miracle) but we cannot go on defending set pieces like that, at this stage it’s getting disgraceful.

http://madridistamac.blogspot.com Madridista Mac

i have NO IDEA why you think Albiol was at fault in that one.

Anonymous

Before things get loose!

It is a good score. We could of won but this is football. If they didn’t score no one would be blaming albiol and more over mou. Again this is football. As Mac would say knee jerking is the last thing we should be kicking right now. Deep breaths for tonite and fingers crossed for benzo.

Ain’t the end of the world. Even and I say EVEN if mou was wrong, well no ones perfect and it’s good to make a mistake in such a game where u have another go to fix it. We will thrash them at home. Mark my word.

The only loss is not the draw, it’s benzo benzo benzo

Keep the faith people, breath, and keep it real

AddyDBaddy

Exactly…..definitely having Benz come back ok is of more concern.
Hal

Well said nomz, no point in crying over spilt milk. Let’s move on and put the tie to bed at the Bernabeu.
http://madridistamac.blogspot.com Madridista Mac

THANK YOU NOMZ! That’s what I was thinking of exactly while I was browsing through the comments… some of them making a list of summer transfer targets already (which reeks of knee jerk reaction)

You have read my mind perfectly my friend: as I am not worried about the return leg at the Bernabeu (if we sort out defending set pieces), I’m worried about Benzema. I hope his injury isn’t serious and that his substitution was just a precaution

Nikhil

i understand that draw is still a good result when home tie is pending for us. but if we see our yesterdays performance i am little worried about return leg. no one was able to keep possession for long time, crosses were not going to our players, passed were getting intercepted i dont know this is because of ground or not. but CSKA is not a weak team and i am very much worried about return leg.

sorry for bad english if any

Anonymous

I read it is not serious…but I need confirmation
Nasty

Thrash them at home? Overconfident much?

Anonymous

yeah! and you heard it here first too..

boeder

Way to make SLUTsky happy, Albiol.

Anonymous

hadyy bruv

AddyDBaddy

Time to get that windchill down here to cool all our hot headed brethren down !!!. We have the advantage not counting the return is at the Bernabeu
Madrid86

Well disappointing to get a draw when it looked like a likely win but if we’re worried that we won’t beat CSKA at the Bernabau and will be knocked out then we don’t deserve to go all the way in the competition anyway. If we can’t beat CSKA then how do we expect to tackle Bayern/Milan/Barca?

With this result there can be no complacency – all out attack in 3 weeks time and we should be fine. We do need to work on our set pieces though…
Anonymous

This is what happens when everyone (including the players) talk about the weather instead of the opposition

boeder

I doubt Mourinho spoke to his player only about the weather.

Anonymous

ofcourse not, I’m just saying people made the cold weather issue a really big deal as if we were going to play on a different planet

boeder

-10 is pretty bad, my friend.

But you are right, we really need to discuss this vulnerability to conceding silly goals from setpieces, this is what the 7th goal from a setpiece since December? It’s a problem that needs to be addressed pronto.

Jean

jajjajajjajajja lol

boeder

If we had a team doctor like Chelsea’s, Benzema and Nuri would be fit in no time!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-olT79LEwg/TrwPwHYgUWI/AAAAAAAAAEc/OodCwljwHmI/s1600/Eva+Carneiro+1.jpg

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

lol, notice john terry has been injured a lot lately… ;p

boeder

He’s getting an operation for his racism..

IceX1992

She is hot :p
Don

Either that or get get injured frequently to see the doc!

Omor99

look @ Cavani!! this is what a striker should be like. So happy Madrid have inquired about him. Hopefully, the transfer goes through in the summer and Madrid can move on from strikers who are afraid of CL football to this amazing beast!

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

YEAAAAAAAAA!!! BUY THEM ALLL!!!!

Omor99

nope! this team is already amazing, just need THREE (3) tweeks: a striker who can finish half chances (Cavani) a midfielder who can create from deep (Borja Valero/Modric) and a Right back (Azpilicueta/Rafael). Simple and final! nothing more.

The good thing is that I have heard it from relaible authority that madrid already inquired about Cavani…now, Lass/Altintop need to leave for a better CM and Albiol must go for a right back.

with a cavani, Madrid will not be mising 5 chances in the first 3 minutes versus barca.

boeder

Cavani! Awesome footballer.
Borja is a bit too old, so I’d go with J. Martinez
RB: Can’t think of an option, not fully convinced by Rafael Da Silva (not sure SAF will let him go + he’s getting minutes at Manutd). Azp is injured with ACL so it would be risky to buy him before he’s fully at 100%.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Borja is too old? He is 27 years old…
boeder

and just turned 27, my bad, somehow I had the idea he was 29..
Guest

Borja is balding…not old..haha !!!
Omor99

Borja Valero is 27 years old. thats very young.

Javi martinez is a Defensive Midfielder. madrid does not need another donkey. Either Borja or Modric.

Azpilicueta has not been injured for over 6 months and has had a monster of a season.
Anonymous

what about the mario fernandez kid?

http://www.realmadridfootballblog.com Corey

Its not fucking FIFA, your three tweeks would cost 90-120 million euros and displace three very established and respected squad members in Granero/Lass, Higuain and Arbeloa. If I was a vengeful man I would ban you for being stupid with these comments about transfers in February, but I much more enjoy poking holes in these fantasies.

boeder

Nothing wrong with buying Cavani..

Cavani is probably the most complete striker in Europe, one hell of a player. The argument might be that he will be a waste with the presence of Benzema and Higuain.

Benzema has progressed from being a cat to a tiger, Cristiano was criticized at the beginning of the season but boy has he upped his game. Higuain, on the other hand, has not changed, it seems as though his development has stalled. I am not saying he had a bad game today and I’m not saying we should sell him, but between Gonzalo and Cavani, I’ll go with the latter. Where do I cash Higuain’s “madridismo” when he fails against big teams and has poor showings in the UCL?

Again, not saying we should sell GH, but if we want to flash our cash and buy a striker, might as well be Cavani.

http://twitter.com/_kaushik7 Kaushik

No seriously, where’s this fails against big teams and poor showings in the UCL coming from?

boeder

Lyon is one good example in the UCL, under-performing vs Barcelona in recent clasicos.
http://twitter.com/_kaushik7 Kaushik

Have you counted CR’s poor showings that way?

Underperforming vs Barcelona is something I don’t buy. I don’t have the stats with me right now but I will make sure to dig them up when I wake up tomorrow.
boeder

replied above..
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

That’s like saying lets kick Ronaldo out for having 8 bad games against Barcelona. Everyone in Madrid has had bad games vs Barcelona.

And people need to get over the Lyon game. His misses back then are the same as saying Ronaldo’s misses today were fatal. It happens, we move on. He has since scored 5 CL goals in less than 8 starts. That’s not bad, especially considering his injury last season.
boeder

I’m really comparing Benzema with Higuain here, striker for striker, compare Benz’s performance against the Catalans with Higuain’s.

Fine, let’s forget the Lyon GAMES in the UCL, how about his pathetic performances vs Juventus (2 legs – 2008), Liverpool (2009), Milan (2009). I am talking BIG games here.

Higuain has 6 goals in 33 games in the UCL spread over 5.5 seasons. Benzema has 11 goals in 19 games over 2.5 seasons.

I’m sorry but for a striker playing at the highest level at RM, “not bad” doesn’t cut it.
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Come on man, RVN, Robben and many more played very badly. That’s not a basis.

You are also talking about a Higuain that was playing on the wing/second striker and had Zero CL experience as a starter back then.

He scored against Milan and he is improving. This was Cavani’s first CL season and just because he scored a couple of goals he is better than Higuain now? Again, let’s be realistic.
Anonymous

Excuses, excuses: entire team playing badly, other players played bad too, no CL experience..a 0.18 goal per game in the UCL is pretty shitty pal, no two ways around it.
Anonymous

I never mentioned it, but yes, Cavani is a much better all-around striker, I’ve been following him closely for 3 seasons now.

For the 10th time, not saying let’s sell Higuain and buy Cavani, but if it does happen, it wont be a bad thing for the team.
Anonymous

Let remember that higuain scored a goal against the Catalan after being 1minute subbed in that clasico, higuain scored in that ucl game against Catalan as well lol.
Poor Pipita, I will never take cavani over him because I personally think cavani is always injured, Napoli best player is Lavezzi anyway ( not according to last night game only) but they are as duo killer, that’s why Napoli attacking force is amazing because of these 2 with hamsik although I rate Lavezzi higher than cavani

Omor99

Cavani = 1 goal + 2 assists against chelsea. While Higuian was runningaround moscow like a headless chicken.

If Cavani was to arrive Madrid (hopefully, everything goes well with negotiaitons), Cavani will be the undisputed starter. No competition! the issue will be whether Mou decides to play with two strikers (keeping higuian and benz –with Di maria’s injuries, that may be a good idea) or if mou plays with 1 striker, where will Higi be sold to.

Madridista4ever

Would never sell Pipa ……He bleeds white Madridismo is in his blood…….Omar after every match u suggest us to buy new players hahhahahahahh…..u can be next robero mancini

http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

HAHA gotta catch em all.. POKEMON

http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

IF Mourinho did this….
IF Albiol did that… If If IF IF IF IF…

Damn people get ahold of yourselves; Its an 180 minute tie, everyone just loves looking at the negatives and totally ignored the positives of the game; I give alot of credit for Pepe and Ramos today, I finally felt we have 2 CL class defenders who won’t ever let you down, Pepe especially, the guy was a monster.I can understand the criticism Albiol is getting in general, but throwing fault at him for this is just putting you in the pseudo-madridista category. I really thought we had the game but fluke goals are fluke. Shit happens and this is football.This is the champions league afterall… if you’ve been a long time follower of this competition you’ll know that Luck is a HUGE factor when it comes to winning some of your matches.

We are way stronger than CSKA and they have gigantic flaws in there team, I am sure we will beat them at the Bernebue with a big margin and you can quote me on that.

So yeah, what happened today was a lack of luck and some misjudgment on Mourinhos behalf with taking Ozil off. I think he just got into a habit of subbing him no matter what the case is, its become a joke really every 75 minutes we see Ozil mysteriously taken out of the game. Anyway Mourinho isn’t the first coach to make a mistake like that.. Every coach out there has had his share bad subbings.

I really think the goal was avoidable but this draw could be a blessing in disguise; Our players will be more focused in the next match to win instead of having a false sense of security of a 1-0 lead in the first leg.

boeder

I agree to an extent, but conceding goals from set-pieces at this high level of football is pretty disastrous, and to be honest it’s getting very irritating. I think this is the source of a lot of the criticism. This problem needs to be addressed.

http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

Yeah you’re right, we do need to improve on defending set pieces for sure, but even so, there is no fail proof defending. No matter how well you defend you are just lessening the chances of error.

There are other variables players can’t control, in layman’s terms .. flukes happen, see it all the time. I think that goal was one of those times; Not to be cocky or anything but I really believe that if the game was extended for a couple of more minutes we would have scored but you know what… it will be extended.. for another 90 minutes we can give them a nice ass whooping.

boeder

That’s true, but we’ve become ultra-susceptible to conceding from those setpieces meaning there exists an issue that needs proper attention. The odds of us letting goals in through free-kicks, corners and dead balls are ridiculously high.

http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

Nope here is where I disagree; I don’t think thats really Real Madrids weakness, even though we did concede from set pieces in the past, this one is very different.

The lack of concentration is where I believe lies the main problem. Coentrao should have known better than to think he’d get away with the hand ball, at such a dangerous time and place. I haven’t seen the replay, but he did get a yellow card which I thought could have been pretty much avoidable. Had he let the guy run past him and cross the ball the chances of scoring wouldn’t have been as high as when the set piece was played with 10 CSKA players in the box.
Anonymous

Well, that explains how we gave up a FK so cheaply, and you are right in that respect.

However, we must not forget the poor defending in the box courtesy of Ramos, Arbeloa and Xabi as well as the confusion created by the positioning of Albiol. There seemed to be loss of communication and misunderstanding between the players, then again it could be, as you said, a fluke, a random goal.

Real2

Fact of the matter is, our backline just ain’t as good as, if not better, than the other top teams. Not just in the CL. Look at the amount of goals we have conceded against lesser competition. It’s jarringly obvious. We can only console ourselves that it’s been better than what RM have seen in the past few seasons before Mou.

Anonymous

Before signing off remember this mob
“defeat has one father!” you hear that mou!! U good for nothing youuuu. Lol
Jean

We could have, should have won this game but it is what it is!
Jean

Well on the bright side at least no one seems to be blaming Cristiano lol.This result could have been worse. I think its a reasonnably good result and I know that next time we are going to win by a huge margin(well hopefully). We just need to fix some problems (ahemmm Abiol, Ozil, Sergio….)within the team and stay focused. By the way I think that Pepe was excellent tonight, he seems to excel during big games:):):)
http://twitter.com/_kaushik7 Kaushik

Xavi is right. Madridistas don’t know how to lose. The worst part? We didn’t even lose. Some people need to stop getting used to the 3-4 goal wins and get some perspective.

http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

Come on though not Xavi.. According to Xavi the world doesn’t know how to lose… According to Xavi nobody else plays football correctly…etc etc

According to Xavi… I’m going to make a meme lol… Not to be a dick or anything but not Xavi please… He’s so annoying and his comments are biased as hell
Anonymous

I think some people are just shocked that we conceded in the last minute. But hey, lets just blame Albiol!
Anonymous

I demand you take your comment down, NOW

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Not sure what people are complaining about when it comes to Albiol. Is it just because he is Albiol and something went wrong when he came in that we are complaining? He was marking his man and tried to help out in the loose ball. If anything, the blame goes to Ramos and Alonso that were ball watching rather than covering the man all alone. Or is the popular fashion to blame Albiol now? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t rate Albiol as much as I used to, but if he didn’t do anything wrong, then I can’t blame him.

I don’t understand the calls for a “striker that can finish”. I didn’t see Benzema or Higuain miss any chance. In fact if it wasn’t for the pressuring and work rate of Pipita, the first goal wouldn’t have happened. Him and Benzema have been exceptional at doing that, and i don’t think any striker out there is capable of applying such pressure. Very few strikers are that mobile and have the stamina to do that. And yes, that includes Cavani.

We missed 3 good chances. One from Khedira and 2 from Ronaldo. We should have scored at least one of those and that last minute goal would be not as important. But alas, 1-1 away in the CL against a tough opponent and in tough circumstances is a good result.

The only negatives i can take are Benzema injury (rumored to be out for a month) and Alonso suspension. Now here is the time that you wonder: Why has Sahin not been integrated to be able to cover for Alonso in a like to like replacement?

James

I am not blaming Albiol. I am blaming Mou’s decision to put him in instead of Granero.
Anonymous

I totally agree. We have Khedira, Lass, Granero, Coentrao (can play there as well) and Sahin. Out of all these players only ONE is similar to Alonso and IMO has the potential to make Alonso look amateur. Mourinho knew fully well that there would be a time this season that we may not have had Alonso for whatever reason. This would have been the time to have a fully fit, adapted and healthy Sahin take the role.

However he has rarely seen any game time (5 to be exact with only 2 or 3 as a starter) and hardly gets picked for the bench even. I am well aware that there are lists of players that haven’t played like Granero but there are many occasions where it would have been smart to play Sahin while we were thrashing a team than playing a player like Kaka who has seen plenty of game time and doesn’t exactly have a long future with us. It’s starting to really disturb me, this situation.
Anonymous

I just watched the goal again and maybe I was a bit hasty blaming Albiol directly for the goal. It was Arbeloa and Xabi who take the responsibility for the most part. I still think Albiol’s introduction threw the backline and midfield off-balance, that isn’t Albiol’s fault though, Mourinho should have went with Carvalho or Granero.

A guy mentions Cavani being a beast and suddenly you claim there are “calls” for a striker? No one is demanding anything imo. Yes, Higuain’s numbers are far from flattering in the UCL. Would I personally like to see Cavani in a RM jersey? Definitely.

Make that 4, Callejon missed a good opportunity too.

Really? A month for a groin injury? At first glance I thought it would be a 2-week thing, hope you’re wrong buddy. We will never know why Sahin is not getting minutes, it is very unlikely that Mourinho has abandoned him, I think his injury has reappeared or he’s not 100% fit and not getting there.

Well, Higuain has a golden chance to silence me and his critics, and I hope he does.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Not sure what Higuain has to silence in terms of League form. He has been consistently scoring for the past 5 seasons (including this one) in the league. Has he been the best in the CL? No. But there is improvement.

Our problem at Real Madrid isn’t quality. We have the best players out there. At times, vs Barca to be specific, we lacked heart. We lacked that MAdridismo. I know that Higuain hasn’t performed that well vs Barca (2 starts in the last 9 clasicos, so not really much space to shine), but the attitude he brings to the team is like no other. Look at the first goal today again. That goal would never happen if it’s not for Higuain pressing and stealing the ball. Look at the game vs Mallorca, he scored one and he pressed to lead to the second one.

Cavani is a great striker, no doubt. But This is his first season in the CL. Can he do it again? Probably. Will i take a risk and replace Higuain for him + a lot of money to see? Not really.

Anonymous

His league form is ok, I meant if Benz misses the second leg of the UCL.

Lack of “Madridismo” is one aspect of it, yes, then their was the poor finishing and Higuain played a big role in that too. As I said before, I am not disputing that his hunger, drive and energy have benefited the team over the years and today was no different.

Bassam, I am not talking about today, or yesterday, I’ve been following Cavani for some time now and I’d take him over Gonzalo any day, don’t really care what the Argentine “oozes” because what’s the use of spirit if it counteracted by selfishness (yes, he is more selfish than an average striker) and wastefulness?

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

League form Ok? See, this is where i think you lose your argument.

08/09: Games: 34. Goals: 22. Assists: 9
09/10: Games: 32. Goals: 27. Assists: 5
10/11: Games: 17. Goals: 10. Assists: 6
11/12: Games: 21. Goals: 14. Assists: 2.

Let’s also keep in mind that out of the 21 games he has played this season in the league, only 9 of those games he has started in. He scored 11 as a starter, and 3 as a sub.

If this, in your opinion is ok, then please show me a striker who is doing better than him recently.

In the CL this season, Higuain has two starts. In those two starts, he scored 2 goals. Yes, he needs more improvement, but if you really rate him as OK, then i will respectfully say that you are being a tad biased.

Let’s not forget, it’s a different plan when Higuain is on the pitch than from when Benzema is on. One drops deep and contributes to interplay, while the other plays on the edge of the defensive line looking for a defense splitting pass. So when you start the game with one over the other, the whole team needs to adjust.

I’m not saying Higuain is the best striker in the world. But for me, Benzema and him are top 5 in the world right now. RVP? Cavani? Aguero? Only two that i can think of that would compete scoring wise. But in terms of pressuring like Benz and Higuain do, i think all the 3 above (except maybe Aguero?) are not mobile enough to fit the pressure high up game.

And btw, I’ve been following Cavani for a while as well. He upped his game the last two seasons. And I’m not saying he is a bad player. I just think the difference is very small between him and Higuain. Each has his strengths. Cavani offers goals, but Higuain (offers goals as well, btw), offers something that helps Ronaldo a lot: Loads of tracking back.
Omor99

madrid needs a striker that takes his chances, not a striker that runs around making a nuisance! yes, being a fighter is great, but you need a finisher to win the CL! Higuian is NOT a finisher. He is not even close to being as good as Cavani. no chance!
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

how can you not be a finisher and score so many goals in a small space of games? I don’t see you making a valid argument, you are just throwing around statements.

Not to mention, last i checked (2 weeks ago), Higuain was the top in europe in terms of Chance to conversion rate. He was the same 2 seasons ago. And the one before. Surely the stats don’t lie.
Anonymous

Dude comeon, you’re being way too harsh, “NOT” a finisher?
Madridista4ever

PIPA is a World class striker….any other europn team would love to have him in there squad ask the likes of chelsea , arsenal, liverpool………Pipa has been performing year after year for us……Napoli has built there whole game around Cavani thats y he shines there…..like barca around messi………Real around CR……
Omor99

chelsea, arsenal and liverpool are not great teams.
Anonymous

OK was arbitrary here! Meaning, I had no complains about his performances/stats in La Liga THIS season, considering the games he’s played since his injury last season he’s doing good.

http://twitter.com/siddharth_k Siddharth Kanjilal

I have to say though that Albiol’s half hearted effort in wanting to clear the ball creates a bit of confusion for others in the area.
Anonymous

I actually thought Alonso in this game was frustrating, how many time did he pass the ball back to iker, or fact he kept losing possession, I don’t know if the turf or he is tired or the cold, but Alonso definitely wasn’t his best game, ( am in team xabi)
How anyone could blame Pipita for not being finisher in this game when in reality I didn’t see shot a ball on target(one good save by the keepr) isn’t his fault? Or his provider fault!
In football there is stuff called stereotyping, higuain not doing well in “big games” is one of them

If we like to point fingers, cristano missed 2clear chances, so is he not a finisher sarcasm

super

Agreed. Higuain did a good job up there & put great work rate.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Also here is a fun fact. The last time we won an away tie in the last 16 of the CL was in the 88/89 season. During that time we won 3 CL titles.

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

painful as it is to correct this but I’m sure I remember RM beating Barca in the Camp Nou on their way to winning the CL with that Zidane wondergoal…2002 I think?
[EDIT: unless you mean specifically the round where there are still 16 teams..]

http://twitter.com/_kaushik7 Kaushik

Last 16 he said. And yes, that game can never be forgotten. Zizou and Mc Manaman

Sid

did the 88/89 season have a last 16? I though the round of 16 was introduced only in 2003. But I may be mistaken.
Safwat Karim

So ur telling we might not win the CL this season!

Anonymous

CHILL, people!!! All I have to say,
OKCorral

Don’t understand the criticism that Mourinho receives. It’s like Madrid goes from getting broomsticked in the last 16 every year with Barca working you guys in the league, to having pretty strong odds to qualify and having a very strong position in the league. Mourinho is the single reason behind that. 1-1 Away is a good result, and the goal was just a stupid goal that just happens. Not much blame to be assigned anywhere.

I just find it amazing that everyone’s questioning Mourinho’s subs like he’s Wenger or something or he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s on course to do a fantastic job, madrid fans just need to chill and stop looking for people to blame when things go the slightest bit off course.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

while I don’t like hasty criticisms. And I also am not that big of a fan of adding a defender in the mix to keep the score at bay (would rather add a midfielder), I would certainly not say Mourinho is the only reason why we are where we are right now. The credit goes to both manager and player. Mourinho knows that and the players know that.

OKCorral

Ten points ahead of the best team in the world domestically — due to a perfectly executed managerial plan. Get the best squad in Europe, and just win every other game over the course of the season while making every player fight for his place. C-league is also a different story. Organization is there, six defenders to meet every attack. Solid defending, no cheap goals (except from set pieces). Pure managerial solutions. Don’t think Madrid’s been beaten by a team in the six years of not getting past the 16 that was anywhere near the talent level that they had(Except for Liverpool?). The fact that they’ve managed to progress now is largely due to managerial differences. Almost singularly I’d say.

Anonymous

It wasn’t a great game and it wasn’t a terrible game either. What is annoying though is the fact some of you are complaining about Albiol and Higuain. Firstly, Albiol had no part in our last goal conceded. It had nothing to do with him but because he is probably our weakest link in defence and the fact that he has built a pretty bad reputation around himself for being a risky decision making defender, you guys do what many Madridista’s do and put the blame on the easiest target. Second, Higuain did not have a bad game. As a striker, who are judged by goals, he was pretty quiet but everything else he did right. He pressured (which actually led to our first goal) and didn’t stop running (good ol Pipita). Way to stick up for your team.

I also read some comments regarding Cavani to the Bernabeu? When we are winning games by 4 goals, most of you cry for Morata or Joselu to be given chances, but when we are drawing games or playing lousy upfront you guys look for the best striker out there (ironically, he is with us already but injured) to sign. Cavani is exceptionally talented but there is no way I’d want Real to sign a player that will be warming our bench for 20 + mill. Karim Benzema is a far superior player. Overall he is probably the best forward out there right now. Name me anything one forward out there can do that Benzema can’t and more. We have an extremely gifted player in Benzema, and an extremely hard working player in Pipita. I wouldn’t give up these two for no forwards out there.

Mesut Ozil had a pretty quiet game. I just feel that Mourinho is not utilizing Ozil’s quality effectively. Sometimes I see the play maker playing really deep or helping out in defence. This is the wrong way to use Ozil. Just give Ozil the free role. Surround him with Benzema, Khedira, Alonso and in the near future his perfect partner (theoretically) Nuri Sahin, and watch how much our side will change. You saw what he did to Barcelona when he was given freedom and had no defensive responsibilities. Why doesn’t Mourinho just open his eyes? Perhaps it is I who am blinded by frustration? Or perhaps Mourinho should pay Lowe a visit? Just watch the last match Germany had with Ozil (vs. Netherlands 3-0 demolition) or better yet just watch them all, and look at the difference in Ozil, his role, his positioning and the way his team plays with him.

In my opinion Khedira was MOTM.

James

Finally someone agrees with me on Ozil’s role….
OKCorral

Giving Ozil a free role sounds good in theory, but in a match like this where you don’t want to concede from open play, don’t think that idea comes out well in practice. Every player has to be directly engaged against an opposition player. The reason ronaldo gets a pass most games, is because he pins back a player, and generally occupies so much attention that there’s less of a reason for him to defend. I think Ozil being given a free role in the middle would result in a more overrun midfield, and on the left, in a 2v1 on arbeloa depending on how attacking the team we play is.

Even then, we should remember when Ronaldo switched to the left in the home match of the Copa tie with Barca, it was Abidal who scored the goal. So I just don’t know how great of a longterm idea it would be.

Also can’t think of very many teams that give their midfielders a free role to create and are very successful in Europe.

James

I think you are misinterpreting what a “free” role means. It means that Ozil shouldn’t be responsible for chasing opposing defensive midfielders around.

OKCorral

No, and yes that’s the point. When you say chasing defensive midfielders around you mean, occupying a pivot. Holding mids don’t really move very much and they’re important when they’re “free/unoccupied” players for teams to control possession. Think of athletico real before courtois was sent off. Diego occupied alonso to stop us from playing, and then would find space and he helped create that goal to go 1-0 up.

Anyways we’re the perfect example. When there’s no #10 to occupy alonso, or if no striker drops off to pick him up, then we generally win. He has time to pick his head up, see the pass and generally control the game. The best teams usually have players like these and if no one occupies them, it doesn’t bode well for opposing teams.

James

By defensive midfielder, I meant like a destroyer or tackling-type, not a deep-lying midfielder. That’s why against Barca we should play Ozil on the wing, so he has more space and doesn’t have to pick up Xavi. Other than Barca, I don’t see any other team possessing a deep-lying PLAYMAKER that we need to mark out of the game in order to win.
OKCorral

Not to specifically win, but to help shore up things and not leave a free player with time and space. Malaga with Toulalan, Villareal when they were better and used Bruno … etc.

Any team that plays with 9/10 behind the ball, doesn’t factor into this equation. It’s only the teams that press up and try to win it back and play that require Ozil to mark a player out. I think that was the main reason why Mourinho said after the December classico that Ozil needed to do more. When we play against the best/better teams we’ll need Ozil to contribute defensively if he plays through the middle.

Look at Man U with Rooney playing through the center.
http://twitter.com/mesqueunprofile Justin

honestly, and this is not a criticism but I think a recognition of fact, you guys might need to adopt one strategy against barca and one against the rest of the world. This is not to say that you should play defensively or reactive, but barcelona’s way of playing stresses certain things, and giving ozil a free role is a liability in defensive(also busquets tends to own him, which is why moving him wide left really freed him up last clasico).

However against non barca teams the idea of ozil being free in the middle is a good one, he is one of the best passers in the world and he provides excellent service. Freeing him of defensive responsibilities (and how many teams are capable of possessing against you even if ozil is not pressing?) enables him to play the full 90 and find the best angles offensively.

Anonymous

Having a free role does not necessarily mean having absolutely no strict responsibilities similar to Messi, but instead being given a more flexible role in which you are able to interchange positions with your attackers and do not have the responsibility of having to drop deeper in the field to defend.

You do not need the entire Madrid squad to mark the entire opposition squad. When the opponents are attacking us they usually do so by hitting us on the break. Not many teams attack us the way Barcelona does. In this case then, our wingers, CB’s and CDM’s should be the only ones responsible for fending off the attack. In our case, Benzema does so as well which makes it that much more effective, BUT Ozil’s contribution to defence should be minor and he should not be playing so deeply like Benzema and the wingers usually do on the break. This is because as soon as their counter ends we are usually set to make a counter ourselves and the best option (think 2-2 Barca CDR) is for our defenders to feed the ball to Ozil. Ozil is very talented in maintaining possession of the ball and his vision is far superior to every player on our squad save for maybe Alonso. While our players are getting themselves set in position for a counter, it is Ozil that uses his vision to feed the best possible player directly or to chain a counter (think Ajax and you’ll know). However, having no play maker like Ozil given a free role or occupying space higher up the pitch than we don’t have a strong counter because no one is set in a effective position to “release the trigger.” Only Alonso is talented in this respect but even he is often occupied deeper in our penalty box at times.

Now I don’t mean to be rude by asking this, but do you regularly watch the German national team? If you do than this should all be more clear. As a long term idea it is quite effective even against the “supposed” second best team in the world Netherlands. Jogi has figured Ozil out, and if you notice the way he uses Ozil, it is very similar to what I’m trying to explain. Ozil is as flexible as an acrobat in a small cube when playing for Die Manschaaft. He is free to occupy any position in the forward line and it is evident when you notice that Klose, Ozil and Muller are CONSTANTLY switching positions with each other which not only pisses off the defenders but creates BIG gaps to exploit and we all know that if there is even a single shred of space in front of an in form Ozil, it will be taken advantage of (Think Barca again ). If Jogi is able to apply this strategy over a long term (since 2009) than I’m sure the self proclaimed “special one” with a 365 million squad can do so as well.

If I don’t make sense and you want more clarification, read this article which explains it in a slightly different way than I do but with the same focus of having Ozil as our focal point:

http://tinyurl.com/6p9ns9x

James

Do you think Ozil had a free role today? In my opinion he didn’t.

Anonymous

I actually don’t think he did. Mourinho knew about the difficulty of the match and just like before 2012 played him in a role where it would constrain his abilities. However, I will give in that part of his poor performance today was also because he was not used to the conditions at all. I don’t mean weather, but turf, boots, etc.

OKCorral

In 2-2 Match against Barca, Ozil created the goal by coming inside and abidal refused to track him. I think he had one other pass to ronaldo when he again came inside against Abidal. Wasn’t given a free role to drift across the pitch, he largely stayed on the left (sometimes drifting in), and played against abidal who I don’t think made a single attacking foray. Ozil just destroyed Abidal. Just simply outplayed him. He was Abidal’s responsibility, and he just shed him time and time again in 1v1 situations. We were also playing 4-2-4/4-2-2-2/4-4-2(after the sub) that game, and both ronaldo and benz occupied the CBs which in turn gave ozil even more space than he’s used to in barca-real matches. We pressed high and occupied everyone with benz or ronaldo dropping off to pick up busquets. Ozil had a responsbility, it was just Abidal didn’t really do much at all in an attacking sense. Don’t think he played the “free” role you’re talking about. Mourinho just put him against the worst barca attacker so he’d be able to do much more offensively — as he sometimes tries with ronaldo when he’s being pushed back by alves.

To address your other point, Ozil does drop deeper to help us in the mid when he plays in the center, but the other purpose is for him to carry the ball out and link the attack when we win it back. We’ve tried playing him super high up and letting him do his thing with interchanging positions, but it sometimes results with us being a broken team –6 in defense, 1 in attack. Granero eases that when he plays by being able to carry the ball forward and link the two. Khedira much less so. Ozil playing deeper serves two purposes, solidifies the mid, and links the three front players with the back six.

National side setup is a little different than club setup and there are many reasons why his role can’t be replicated.

OKCorral

Largely played on the Right* in classico and six in defense and four in attack. **

hassan

I thought Mesut played his usual self and made enough horizontal runs. The Russians did a great job in denying him space, doubling him up in the middle. Our backline also hoofed the ball a lot in 1st half due to the cold. lol

Also, I am not convinced Madrid’s front players are cooperating enough despite the recent goal rush. With exception of Alonso and Mesut our attacking crew needs to be little more unselfish and make that extra pass proactively; u give the ball to Ronaldo and Benzema and the attack easily becomes “either or”; the whole idea of looking for a player in a better position does not register, not enough one twos, not enough awareness of where other players might be except after running into a wall. For instance, Benzema’s injury today might have been avoid had he looked for the open player to his right. Callejon had two great opportunities to link up with Higuain but went for the glory. Ronaldo………………………

Anonymous

I didn’t even watch the game and it is a bit disheartening to concede in the last few minutes, but guys this is an AWAY game to an opponent that has an advantage in more than one areas. It wasn’t going to be an easy game and the return leg won’t be either. It’s moments like these that allow Madrid and its players (including the fans) to prove to the world that despite whatever “setback,” they can still rise up and win. Remember, ultimately we’re the winner in this game cause we got than 1 away goal! And besides, the return leg will be THAT MUCH more exciting! I agree with Bassam how the only “bad” thing that happened in this game is Benz’s injury. -sigh- I hate it when one of our “in fire-form” players get injured. Let’s hope Pipita can step up to the plate so we don’t miss Benz all that much

Don’t worry! We got thiiiiiiiis!
Anonymous

I’ll comment on the match later, but who else enjoyed the sponsor-free jerseys? So much classier.

Anonymous

YES! That’s what was missing from them, I noticed they were different, but couldn’t put my finger on it.
Anonymous

They look far better without the sponsors! Simple white looks so much more classy.
http://madridistamac.blogspot.com Madridista Mac

I loved the sponsor-free jerseys….!
Anonymous

@nomz:disqus Hhhhmmm…. Avatar maybe??

Anonymous

avatar aye, how about a busy looking man pic :p

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

yeah why was that? some kind of betting advertising ban in russia? :s

Anonymous

Yeah, I think alcohol and betting advertisements are banned in Russia.

WangFengLei

Everyone’s panic bout the 1-1. Calling Mou’s IDIOT or STUPID or FOOLISH. That’s kinda harsh. i know madridista HAS THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE. Still it’s a bit disrespectful. Why can’t we just sit back n relax? WE ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD. We’ll crush them like bugs on the 2nd leg.
http://twitter.com/punkfusion92 Sandeep

My palm has just gone through my face seeing the number of people using Albiol as a scapegoat…. its amazing
Im furious with Alonso for not picking up Wernbloom for that set piece and neither Ramos or Arbeloa won their ariel duel
it was pathetic defending after a game where everyone in the team, especially, i mean especially, Pepe had done a fantastic job
but I really dont want to go to much into this, it is extremely difficult to play in the cold, especially in -10…. and on a synthetic piece of garbage they call a field
1-1 is the best we could even hope for, even in our imperious form…. i think at the Bernabeu we will crush them, we were doing really well tonight too, and our play at the Bernabeu this season has been super
i congratulate the boys, i was hoping for a 1-1 and even a 2-1 loss wouldnt have been half bad
and they almost came out with a win
Madridista4ever

I ONLY SAW 1 NEGATIVE IN THE MATCH AND THAT IS………CR7 STOP TAKING FREEKICKS U WASTE ALL OF THEM……HE NEEDS TO LET OTHERS ALSO HAVE A GO FROM OUR SPOT KICKS…..AND BENZO INJURED HOPE ITS NOT TOO SERIOUS….
And CSKA JUST GOT LUCKY WITH THERE LAST MINT GOAL……….AND GUYS I REALLY NEED TO SEE SAHIN GETTIN SUM MINTS AND SLOWLLY INTEGRATED INTO THE TEAM……BASSAM CAN U GET SUM INFO ON SAHINS SITUATION IN THE NEXT POST JUST A REQUEST….PEPE JUST KEEP UR CALM AND U’LL BE THE BEST DEFENDER

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

WRITING IN CAPS IS SOOO FUN!! YEA I CAN DO THAT MAYBE A MIDWEEK POST FOR NEXT WEEK AFTER EXAMS!

Madridista4ever

THNX BuDdY……….

Anonymous

Horrible performance by Callejon.. 2 very selfish plays when he could have easily squared it to Pipa who was completely in the clear at least for one move!
Totally messed the first chance with that sloppy left footed finish… He should have been subbed much much earlier. Strange substitution choices by Mou in this game. Dunno if it was supposed to be some wild experiment!
http://rahulmadrid.wordpress.com/ Rahul_Madrid

Rahul_Madrid Collapse

I had a dream a few days ago that Real Madrid drew 1-1 with CSKA
in Moscow. And in the dream I was reasonably satisfied but also a bit
worried. I don’t know what the result will be but I do think it will be a
tricky game. The Russians are far behind us in both talent and fitness
levels but you can’t read too much into that. This will be our most
difficult game this month. A scoring draw will be a decent result but it
will put our men under a lot of pressure at home. I’ll be ecstatic if
we win 1-0. Anything on top of that will be a bonus.

1 day ago

—> so… am I a soothsayer or what?? I should start betting on games on the basis of my dreams. Extremely disappointing though that we would concede a goal with the last kick of the game. Pepe and Ramos were really good throughout the match but faltered when it mattered. Really disappointing. Can’t say it was an unfair result though as CSKA tried really hard upfront and looked dangerous throughout the match. This still leaves a bad taste though. This will put quite a bit of pressure on us at home. We’re still clear favourites but CSKA will be defensively organized at the Bernabeu and we will have to watch out for Dzagoev, Doumbia, Musa and Oliseh.
http://rahulmadrid.wordpress.com/ Rahul_Madrid

Fact: It’s not Mourinho’s fault. There was nothing wrong with the tactical set-up or team selection.

Fact: It’s not Higuain’s fault. He didn’t have many chances to work with. His work-rate was great as usual and his pressing paid dividends.

Fact: It’s not Albiol’s fault. I’m not as big a fan of his as I was when he was at Valencia and when he first signed for us. But he was not at fault for the goal. Alonso, Arbeloa, Pepe and Ramos should share the blame.

Fact: To concede a goal with the last kick of the game is deeply disappointing. But it shouldn’t cloud our assessment of the game. The goal was conceded due to poor defensive organization.

Fact: 1-1 away from home in Moscow is a decent result. A win would have been better, certainly. But on the basis of this performance, we can be confident that Real will win at home.
Anonymous

1984/85, first leg of the UEFA Cup semifinal between Inter Milan and Real Madrid. After Milan won 2-0 at San Siro, legendary Real Madrid’s forward Juanito approached Milan defender Graziano Bini and said, “Noventa minuti en el Bernabéu son molto longo” (90 minutes at the Bernabéu is a very long time). Real Madrid won 3-0 in the Spanish capital and played in the final. Since then Inter Milan knew how long one minute at the Bernabéu truly is…
http://twitter.com/mesqueunprofile Justin

Hey barca fan here, i generally hold of on commenting here right after games to let people settle down.

Just wanted to share a thought I had:

I think right now the expectations of both cules and madristas are insane, there were barca fans who were disappointed with a 3-1 away win in the champions league, thats insane.

For you guys drawing 1-1 in frigid russia is a fine result, cska now has to score in the bernabeu (or death star, whatever you wanna call it) that is a huge task for that team especially considering how lethal you are on the counter.

Barca and Madrid right now are clearly the two best teams in the world. Whose better is unimportant, I happen to think the answer is that at our best/head to head we are better but you guys have been more consistent and therefore deserve the 10 point lead (although as I said to Bassam on twitter, I hope it’s the only 10 you celebrate this season).

It seems as if both sets of fans think that they should be massacring teams every week while playing attractive football and basically not being human and this is simply not possible. The expectations on both sides are getting just absurd. I understand where they are coming from, Cules have been spoiled and Madrid right now is 10 pts ahead of a team considered an all time great, but still both groups need to calm down.

Besides, we should all be celebrating the giant egg on the “best league in the world’s” face.

Anonymous

nice one justin, great thoughts. people think that we should be winning 7 or 8 every game, i say might as well the whole team sits at home and just be given the titles by default
anyways wise words my friend from cule planet have a good one

Mourinho Big Fan

yeah, i would much prefer 8 straight 1-0 wins than 8-0 win then a draw/loss in the next game. 8-0 wins in 8 straight games mean you don’t belong to the league anymore or… you get help from “the powers that be”, or both.

Anonymous

Jajajajaja oh right, ” the best league in the world” is getting hammered, but does this mean calcio is the best in the world :p
AddyDBaddy

Agree 99% except who;s better ..:)

hihihihihihihi

Stop asking for higuain to leave……

any other team would die to have him…..please stop…he is a madridista through and through

i have a chemistry quiz tomorrow lol…..i need to stop reading some of these anti higuain comments
Muhammad

The draw is not a bad result – we played a tough opponent in tough conditions and CSK played well, fought hard at the end and got a draw .
I think a lot of us are spoilt with 4-0, 5-0 results etc. We were not playing Levante and the Rayo’s of La Liga and the style and quality of opposition are of a higher standard – this results in less time on the ball, less space to operate and limited opportunities to score goals.
When we play them at home the conditions will suit our style better and we need to work hard to get a positive result.
Now to some other posts: I see that Cavanni has now joined Gotze, Hazard and I think Thiago Silva as the players people on this blog are clamouring for …lol… This is a weird mentality – a couple posts ago we had a post on the Canteras and when things are going well these same people are calling for Morata etc to play. When things don’t go our way we suddenly need to buy buy buy cause our team is not good enough. Seriously – I don’t get this. I also get a sense that people want Higuain out which is very unfair and I feel that he has never gotten the credit he deserves whilst playing for Madrid.
Lastly there was a poster who claimed – we will crush CSKA like bugs at the Bernebeau. Another one said we will win cause we are the best team in the world.
Some of these posters have not been Real fans for long it seems and the disrespects shown to opponents are laughable – No matter which players we have, iff we do not execute and don’t work hard we will get beaten – ala Laventa earlier this season. No matter which team we play we cannot assume that we will just win the game – we must earn the result through playing harder and better than our opposition.
Also we are not the best team in the world. You earn that moniker through performances on the pitch and through winning trophies. We should not become arrogant and should remain humble and work hard to earn the title of being the best in the world

AddyDBaddy

Well written Sir……Higuain is very good, of course he is rusty. I don’t think he has to prove his worth to Mou. I like that you mentioned what matters the most. The belief and ability to execute the plan and work hard on the pitch. It is frustrating that 89 minutes of good work goes down due to 1 min of lack of focus and bad luck.

Carvivlie

No that it looks like Benz is out for a couple of weeks, Pipita will have his chance to shine.

Anonymous

maybe fate is trying to pay him back ( remember last year when Pipita got injured and the Benz. took the opportunity! )
he should do the same as the Benz did and return the “favor” to him

Plykab

Higuain at his absolute best is not close to Benz at his absolute best. We are talking about different levels of talent. But Higuain at his best is still damn good.
Anonymous

well i am a not big fan of higuain, but absolutely heguain is damn good, his aggression and the fighter spirit within him, beside his finishing skills are the things that benzema lack.

Rm9077

the pitch and the subzero condition was the winner today. There was no fluency in either madrids or CSKA plays. I could say complacency creep in a bit towards the dying minutes of the game. but hats off to the madrid players for getting a good result at the end. Mou will no doubt have one eye on the return leg after yesterdays final whistle. The fear and a possibility of getting knocked out in this round cannot be even imagined by anyone who has anything to with Madrid
Anonymous

When Coentrao was playing his ‘joker’ role all round the pitch I nicknamed him ‘Jack’ (of all trades master of none) now he’s actually being playing in his supposed role I’m just gonna call him Chirinsky!
30 million, jeez

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

defensively he is solid. But not sure if he offers much going forward. Especially since the left flank is so vital for us. Seems to lack that ability to dribble past players on the left like Marcelo does.

Anonymous

If we’d paid 10 million for him I’d say fair comment, but to me he isn’t better than Marcelo in any shape or form, particuarly based on last night’s performance. CSK were good at pressing high and winning the ball, luckily for us they didn’t know what to do with it after. Don’t think they would have had so much success there with Granero and Marcelo in that high area
Anonymous

i guess its good to have both options..he’s not marcelo going forward but isnt bad either..decent but agree doesnt justify the 30million price tag..hope he’ll come around even though i feel the reason we dont see much of him is partly because he doesnt have the great understanding with ronaldo that marcelo has..

back to my point, its good to have both options and mourinho can choose whichever player he needs
super

Marcelo dribble better, but Ceontrao link up with others better than Marcelo. Coentrao also able to run back to his post whenever he had to without much problem, unlike Marcelo.

Anonymous

Another point to note…
What about the 3 yellows dished out to our crucial players and one of which is dished out to a repeat offender (Ramos). I hope these guys can maintain their discipline. Wouldn’t want to miss on any of them at such a crucial stage in UCL!
Anonymous

I think the argument of Mourinho not able to use ozil well is funny, this argument is just frustrating tbh, ozil has an ok game so it is Jose for not able to use him ( I didn’t see him doing that much defensive work yesterday, in matter of fact, he tried to play his game, he was just pushed to the back because he was yes COVERED, you know when coaches think a player is a threat so they defend against him) stop comparing us to Germany it is annoying as well, ozil happens to be the German star who plays in RM where he has to share his style with other stars such as Benz, di amria, cristano..etc
Jose knows how to use Ozil since he is the second higher assist maker in europe behind messi.

Ozil had a quite game wasn’t bad, but again wasn’t great isn’t Jose fault, not really. There is so much a coach could do you know..

Anonymous

I suggest u find a bunker and quick!! James is gonna come after you after this post lol :p

Anonymous

Jajaja
I have nothing against criticism, but you can’t be a good player one game and the next isn’t although you play in the same system because of the system you are forced to play in, if I make sense :p

Anonymous

I suggest u duck now!! Bwahahahahaha

James

I’m here!!!! Haha jk, I just want Ozil to be more involved. I think it could help our cause.
Anonymous

I hope you realize the system we used against this Russian team was slightly different than that we normally use against La Liga sides. On paper, the players were occupying their traditional positions but on the field their roles differ. I don’t want to put the blame on Ozil nor Mourinho, but I feel that Mourinho’s “system” is to blame. Not bashing on the way he makes us play but we are far from a single unit and more of a collection of units.

The reason why many people compare Germany and Real Madrid whenever Ozil is mentioned is quite simple. The formation is both generally the same 4-2-3-1 and their general style is the same: lethal counter attacks. However, what is so different between the two sides is the system employed by both managers. Jogi and Josi.

I don’t know if many of you regularly follow German football or Germany for that matter but I’m sure that all of you at least know that Ozil is far superior playing for German national team than he is for Real Madrid. Why? My general answer is that he is given different roles and that the system itself is laid out quite differently. Germany has something that Real Madrid in my opinion seriously lacks (you can tell when you watch our Clasico’s) and that is off the ball movement. Ozil knows how to play with the likes of Klose and Muller for example because they are constantly exchanging roles, positions etc. Ozil is also not given the restriction of having to play deeper to defend.

The main idea is that Ozil going forward is one of the biggest assets we have. But you are only limiting his potential and contribution if you give him any kind of restricting role.

If I am wrong in this than I don’t know what the answer is or at least I will need time to find out what else is wrong. If he played average for Germany just like he has done with Real Madrid, there would be no discussion on this. The fact that he plays exceptionally well for Germany and not Real Madrid just bothers me. It makes me point to the system both sides use.

BTW Real Madrid have more individual quality than Germany, but that fails in comparision to the team work Germany portray.

Anonymous

That’s my point, ozil is not average with us not at all ( he is inconsistent), in some games tactics are adjusted based on the game we are facing, based on that Ozil should adjust himself to fit it, not the other way around

Anonymous

The reason he is inconsistent with us is because of the various roles he is given in some games and that shows his “average” self and not his “true” self. There is a strong relation between his performances and roles. It’s not even the entire set-up that effects him but the particular role that Mourinho wants him to get accustomed to in some matches. Mourinho might as well play Kaka and have Kaka do all the things that would normally limit Ozil’s contributions and only play Ozil when we really want to win a game.

I know no player is as big as Real Madrid but it is SO EVIDENT that when Ozil is having a good game, everyone is having a good game. It’s not so hard to see that. So perhaps Mou should find a way to get Ozil in his comfort zone but at the same time have the team play the same way or have the attacks channelled through Ozil rather than that annoying wing on the left.

Anonymous

I actually don’t agree with this statement, as the left side of our attack is not stupid as it gets cristano And Marcelo, ozil is playing well with them not being vocal point in the game and still gives solid performances….as I stated it is not about tactics, it is ozil adjustment to the tactics and the way defenders mark him!
Anonymous

Your right. A factor in reducing the contributions made by Ozil has a lot to do with defending and tactics that are used against Real Madrid. I also realize that Ozil does perform greatly at times when he is not the focal point of Madrid, but notice when Ozil is having a great game, we are as well? I have a theory and it involves replicating the exact system used by the Germans. Forget entirely about individual skill and quality and instead play as a single unit with Ozil as the focal point. It’s understandable why I would want Ozil as the focal point when I see that his good games usually show how many opportunities Real Madrid create. The German system is probably the most effective out there and maybe only second to the total possession football (albeit boring) that Spain/Barcelona use.
super

Agreed with what said above, many other factors also contributed to certain extent of course, but I believe the role he was given is the most dominant factor played role in Ozil’s so called inconsistency.
Anonymous

It’s reasonable to think the way I do because his problems/inconsistencies are only present with Real Madrid and not when he’s playing with the German national team. It leads me to believe that perhaps it is a factor involving the role Ozil is assigned.

Saint Iker

I dont know what everyone is crying about, I’m happy with the result. People need to look back between 2003 & 2010 and get some persective
Pegah

I didnt watch the game but noticed a lot of you were hating on Albiol for the goal. Watched the highlights, and guys HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. Stop hating on the guy for goodness sakes, it was a set piece and it was on the other complete side of Albiol and affected different defenders. He did his job, its luck that the goal was scored when he was subbed in.
Roschmannrodrigues

All in all god result we would wanted madrid play their flamboyant style of football in second leg so their is and edge to game , the only thing i saw wrong that game when higuian came on and benz sub we got really stagnant in my opinion higuian game is lacking he good in front goal but his build up play needs alot work alot the why benz is infront him to score goals he great but bensz score too higuian need to work on this build up play learn how get that ball rolling
http://www.facebook.com/mohanad.aljibreen Ned Jibreen

THANK GOD…

Benzema only 2 weeks out. It was a minor grade 1 strain according to Marca…

Groin muscles are HELL to recover from but I’m glad this one is only minor.

This is really good news for us and he should be fit before against Betis, so thats a game before the return leg against CSKA.

I’m am so relieved.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I wasn’t really worried about him missing the CSKA game. I think, despite what many hate to admit, that Higuain is quality enough to play against CSKA and contribute well (as he did in this game, btw). I was more worried that he would be out longer, because as the season stretches, and since Morata isn’t integrated at all, playing with one striker only is risky.

Arshjot

Yeah, but Benzema is in form

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

And Pipita is out of form?

Anonymous

Thank you, Jibreen! That’s a relief! So he’ll miss two games, no? 1x League and 1x UCL.

Anonymous

While i want to stay calm and assume we will win the return leg with a thumper, I cant help but recall the last time Lyon dumped us out of the UCL. (If i recall correctly) We drew the first leg and everyone said wed kill them at home….only we didnt and got put out.
I think we shouldnt read too negatively into the draw…But i REALLY hope the team doesnt feel the return leg will be a walk in the park. Otherwise CSKA will be our new Lyon.

The fans can be calm, but i want the Team foaming at the mouth for the return.

Anonymous

Similarly, last season, we went 1 up against Lyon away only to draw with them at the end of the 1st leg, as frustrating as that was, crushing them at the SB was a joy.

Not marginalizing CSKA but surely you cannot compare the French greats Lyon with these Russian dwarfs.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I would argue CSKA has a better team than the one Lyon had last year though. Wouldn’t mind progressing and meeting Lyon in the quarter finals though

Yousuf

Actually we lost the first leg. And tied the return leg at home thus we lost.

Anonymous

no offense to anyone but i cant help feel the quality of the comments is a tad lower than it used to be..still have the usual suspects with good posts..those bring a smile..thanks

maybe its the result thats causing people to go kinda nuts

ask yourselves one question people: 2 days ago, would you have taken a 1-1 draw in moscow..i know i would, mourinho said he would, any sane person would

agree the fact we conceded at the last minute is very frustrating, but to jump to conclusions and start blaming and calling people “stupid” and what not, and wishing for transfers already..thats just immature and shows a lack of football knowledge

remember what that mentality got us..coach after coach with no results!!

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

The RMFB team fully agrees on the quality of comments. Not sure what to make of it really. And to be a tad honest, it’s discouraging for us, since we put effort into writing something, but are met with bickering over Barca and Mou and who to sign. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Anonymous

well i hope you guys know we (i speak for alot of people i guess) appreciate your work

we’ll try to steer the discussion from these topics, but i think these are the bread and butter nowadays..theres mourinho for you, he brings controversy and generates debates!

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I learned to be selective with the comments i read.

Much appreciated though. And the likes of you and many many more are the reason why we continue to write. Well that and our love for the Club

Anonymous

And nomz agrees respectfully

Anonymous

true, we sure miss the likes of zizou, andres, ed max, muna and many more old regulars. hey you where are you boyz, come back now!!

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I believe most of them still read (or atleast the articles). Muna for example, is on twitter. I’m sure Zizou is still lurking out and about.

Anonymous

yeah, even andres seems to be active on the liveblog as i saw, well anyways hope they come back soon and good luck on your eam buddy. make us proud and we dont want a draw :p only a thumping 4 or 5 score, translated A+

Anonymous

Since I recently started commenting, I hope am not one of them :p

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Not at all. A joy as always, Sara!

Anonymous

Thnx!!

http://www.realmadridfootballblog.com Corey

Im well aware of it and it is very discouraging to see people demanding transfers of galacticos and whining about perceived slants against Mou and Ozil, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how ignorant it may appear.
http://rahulmadrid.wordpress.com/ Rahul_Madrid

Well the blog is becoming more popular and attracting more people so this was bound to happen. The type of comments we see nowadays are common in other blogs and forums. This blog has a certain ethos and certain norms that some new readers might not be aware of. So everyone should try to set an example, it will rub off on people. These commenters are our fellow Madridistas after all.

Anonymous

yeah nicely put bro, but either that or we call in the magical broomstick :p

ROD

Graham Hunter Casually Reports Barcelona Use HGH On Players For Years
http://www.irishpeloton.com/2012/02/drugs-in-football-pull-the-other-one/

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

wow, explains why barca players are all so musclebound and never get injured!

Anonymous

FUCK FUCK FUCK (pardon me), according to the Marca front page: We will be WITHOUT Angel Di Maria for another MONTH; Benzema will be out for 15 days.

I don’t know whether to blame Sanitas or the Argentine’s fragility, but, it seems to me like he wasn’t 100% fit when he played vs Racing. This is a big blow for us imo.
Omor99

anyone watch Azpilicueta for Marseille v. Inter today? Very very very good defensively. Never beaten. His positioning is very good. The only issues I had with him is that (1) he seems not to make himself available for a pass on multiple occassions when his team are on the counter attack; and (2) I only saw him dribble past Chivu once –it could be thjat Dechamps wanted the team to play defensively in the first half especialy….anyways, definitely would like to watch him a couple of more times, but i was very impressed wth him defensively

ROD

it was a decent display could easily be compared to arbeloa but obivously much quicker,taller,and better going forward still would prefer to give carvajal to get his chance
Anonymous

he was good, thats true..most of their chances came from the right flank thats for sure
i guess we have time until the summer for those discussions..imagine we want him and they slap a pricetag of 30million+
would you still be so interested?

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I would hate it if we buy a RB before trying out Carvajal though. He has his problems on set pieces (he is very short), but he is a carbon copy of Salgado, if you remember him. High work rate and bombs forward very well and effectively.

http://www.facebook.com/RealKateleMadrid Katele Madrid

Bassam, if you’re not good in the air because you’re short then that’s not a problem, which would be if the opposite was true. Dani Alves, Lahm, Rafinha, Rafael, Abate…….. they aren’t tall either but they are very good in other aspects of the game. If Carvajal is that good then he deserves a spot in this Real Madrid squad. People may like Arbeloa but he’s just an average player to be honest. You mention top 20 RBs right now and he won’t be on the list. I know it’s probably not convenient to talk about new signings on here but Real Madrid need a top class Box To Box Midfielder, a top class Right Back (Carvajal?), and a back up CD.

Omor99

real madrid does not need a CB:

Pepe
Ramos
Varane
Carvalho/Albiol

thats four! because one of cav or alb will leave. The right back is a must + a central mdfielder with lots of flair (Modric or Borja valero) and a finisher is also a must (cavani)
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Major face palm again!

Anonymous

Nope, don’t really remember Salgado that well…I think he was “before my time” (and by before my time, that would include everything up to three years ago). I remember seeing him in a preseason game in 2009 on TV….he was trying so hard to score a goal, that as soon as he got the ball in the opponent’s box, and a defender charged him, he flailed over and tried to win a free kick, to no avail. The referee yellow carded him, and Guti and Ronaldo were laughing on the sidelines. I guess Salgado could do many things well, but diving wasn’t one of them.
Oh well, that’s my one Salgado memory to contribute. I second your trying Carvajal idea, btw. Why go through all that work to develop a Cantera if you’re not going to use it, eh?

Anonymous

salgado is the last great rb we had tht i can remember, we had some honey moon with cicinho, brazilian, but he came and left. then we got ramos and he did great, and now he is doing much better at cb
oh and i dont know if this is relevant but salgado was married to our past president sanz, am sure he had some special treatment back then
j_ee

I remember Salgado was quite famous for playing jedi mind tricks on opponents. he really got on their nerves & got them out of the game.
It was a joy watching him & Carlos bombing out on the flanks tho; they provided so much width to the team.
Anonymous

so true man, some posts ago i said that our right flank is weak and i got bombarded by people here saying no need, we have our right flank doing the job. like you said and me too, back then we had a two solid flanks that offer what we have only on our left flank today. oh well, what do they know
j_ee

well, my guess the reason for that is more of a tactical decision than a lack in personnel. When Ramos was playing at RB last year, and he was famous for his attacking runs at one point in his early RM career, he was also instructed to limit his forward runs. Mourinho seems to prefer having 3 defenders at the back + Alonso [who sometimes slots in between the CBs] at all times*.

The other difference between then and now is Makelele used to cover for the space created at the back by our fullbacks moving forward. compare him to Alonso and you’d see he offered more mobility and quickness than the latter. Another reason why Mou might be reluctant to order both fullbacks to attack. Notice I am considering Alonso and not the other CM [Khedira/Lass/Granero] as I see that position more of a box-to-box midfielder with a freer role to move forward than Alonso’s.

and last, to be fair, our defense was usually quite shaky during the first Galactico era. I remember our approach kinda was “you will score in our goal, but we will score more in yours”. With Mourinho as our coach now, I don’t see us adopting anything similar.

–
*Notice Barcelona adopt a similar tactic with Alves given a free role on the right and a more reserved LB, with Busquets slotting in between the CBs occasionally when Alves is up front.
Anonymous

agreed, but my take is why not use both flanks, albeit focusing on our left, but when the right is required because the other team is parking the bus on that side then you switch to the right.
and as for having 3 at the back, well marcelo/fabio stay behind when we are going forward thru the right flank. simple.
you have seen the number of times arbi would be wondering with the ball up front right, and it happens so many times, if only he is as good an attacking rb as he is defensively then you can only imagine how diverse and strong we can get.
j_ee

Agreed nomz, but with 1 reservations:

1- Marcelo is not that solid defensively [especially in a 3-man defense]. His ways of defending are unorthodox to say the least. So when switching the flanks, the defense might suffer at times. Coentrao is a better pick here, but then again whenever he plays, we seem to be lacking creativity on the left as well as the right.

I am wondering whether that was what Mourinho was trying to achieve by playing Altintop as a RB. i.e. to offer some creativity on the right flank & have a more balanced attack. Not that the experimentation was a complete success.

As you mentioned, I too have noticed many times Arbeloa wondering up front with the ball, but not offering anything unpredictable. But this scenario usually happens while playing a team who is mainly defending against us [have parked the bus] or when we are in desperate need of a goal. In which case, and given the limitations of our squad, I’d suggest ordering Arbeloa to stay back, but substituting one of our non-creative pivots with a right midfielder ala the Mallorca game.
Anonymous

forgot to comment on this “you will score in our goal, but we will score more in yours:” you my friend are definitely from the french inquisition days, you are a veteran, yes that was our philosophy and i luved it to say the least. glad to shoot the hoops with you bradda, peace
http://rahulmadrid.wordpress.com/ Rahul_Madrid

Salgado was bad-ass, plain and simple. Really miss him. He became pretty crappy in the last couple of seasons as he lost his pace but when he was at his peak he was fantastic.
Omor99

state one logical reason you want to “try carvajal?”

and also, you know that 90% of youth team players never make it to the first team right? clubs dont develop a youth teammer because they want to use them all, they develop them for many reasons: to find a diamond amongst the others, to sell them and make money,to use them as exchange + cash for established player e.t.c.
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I’ll state one logical reason: He is a REAL MADRID player. Then why not try him?
Anonymous

Are you usually this ignorant?
Yousuf

Also the drive that kids from the academy have, cannot i repeat cannot be replaced by a buy from outside. It takes years for someone to associate himself to that club and love it. When they play, they play for something they feel they owe, they possess, they understand, they love and most importantly they believe in.

That in itself is a good enough reason.

Omor99

3 things -

1. Mourinho does not seem to believe Carvajal is good enough

2. Azpilicueta is competing for Div 1 championship and competin for CL quaters WHILE Carvajal plays in Div 3. Am sorry, this is real madrid, not a backyard team.

3. We heard the same thing about juan Carlos, Mateos and Sarabia. All three have been sent out to div 1 teams and while the first two are fighting relegaton, the last one cannot even tart for lowly getafe! please, we cant continue to throw sentiments about. If these players are good, Mou will give them a chance! he gave a chance to Santon and Khrin at inter because they were ready.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Major Face palm.
Omor99

Bassam, you know I am right.
Ignorance

If the world had more people who thought like you id probably just kill myself to save from being surrounded by ignorance.
http://rahulmadrid.wordpress.com/ Rahul_Madrid

He has a right to an opinion.. even if you don’t agree with it.

Anonymous

Of course I remember him.. One of the best RB in last decade imo, little shaky defensively but I think him and Roberto Carlos were two of our great strengths, both short though.. We could attack on both wings equally with figo and zidane upfront
I agree on giving carvajal a chance this year, see what he can do.. Worst thing, we have Ramos and plenty of CBs for backup

Omor99

i think they quoted 10million or so in january. i cant remember.

However, if they are stupid enough to ask for 30 million, then Madrid is smart enough to say “no thanks.”

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Here is a question for you all to discuss sincce we are all swamped to put out a new post (i finish exams tomorrow night!).

With Benzema out for a 3 weeks (2 games), back up striker: Morata, Joselu or none?

I know many hate Morata for some reason, despite him being the more talented between Morata and Joselu. With that said, Joselu did have a preseason with the club this summer. Buuut, Morata was winning the European U19 euros with Spain, scoring 5 in just as many games and winning the golden boot.

Morata has 9 goals and 5 assists this season. Joselu has 13 goals in more games though (morata was out for about a month missing over 5 games). Joselu has been playing as the main striker up front, while Morata has been playing in a more withdrawn position behind him. For those that used to listen to the Castilla podcast, when Morata gets himself in the forward position, he is lethal. At the same time, Joselu is the “right place at the right time kind of striker”. Have your pick.

Mine goes for Morata, on basis of potential, talent and tactical flexibility. Joselu is a tad more mature perhaps, but really limited in terms of skills IMO.

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

I’d agree on morata though I’ve only seen a little of him in the u19 euros, but I’d predict ronaldo will probably get the nod to play more of a striker role if needed..

Yousuf

Na i dont think so, Ronaldo is a lethal on the wings. whenever he has played as the striker, he just has not been that great consistently. He is great at ghosting in and around defenders, but playing the ball with his back on the goal, just isnt ronaldos strong suit. He is a master at running at the defence and this is what strikes fear in to the opposite defence. I just dont see it happen. I could imagine Callejon playing striker if needed to be.

Oo and how many people agree, that Callejons finishing is just incredible.

http://www.facebook.com/RealKateleMadrid Katele Madrid

Morata.
Anonymous

I don’t think Mourinho would go with either of them. I think the best option would be Callejon. He has experience as a centre forward
j_ee

Realistically speaking, I hardly doubt any of them will get a call up.
whether it’s because Mourinho wants them to focus on promotion or just doesn’t trust them, I’ll leave you to be the judge of that.
But as things stand, the first team has enough dept to cover for a 2-3 week injury to Benz. Ronaldo and Callejon can both slot into that position to give Higuain a rest near the end of matches [if need be].

good luck in your exams!

j_ee

depth*

Anonymous

I don’t think it is hate for Morata I just think Joselu has the talent RIGHT NOW to play in the first division. When at Celta Vigo he was playing in the first team, and playing at a higher level. Yes Morata is the long term answer, but Joselu is the answer for right now. He is good in the air and with his feet.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I don’t disagree. But here is my question: If Morata is not given the chance, then how will he have the confidence and maturity? At the end of the day, Joselu only got that because he went to Celta Vigo.

http://profile.yahoo.com/Q6Y2K7P4QGJQEH257RF7XMXSZ4 Rích

sell to getafe buy back in a few seasons if any good..?

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I think Getafe are no longer the team to build a youth player that they were before.

Anonymous

I have seen both Morata and Joselu play and I while I am particularly impressed with Joselu I think that after Castilla reach the Segunda Division, Morata should get as much call ups as possible.

Morata, Sarabia and Carvajal were clearly the greatest players on that U19 Spanish side and their best player would be without a doubt Sarabia. Anyway back to Morata; he has the potential to be as lethal as they get. He’s a mix between a poacher and a technical forward in my eyes.

You can relate Joselu and Morata to Benzema and Higuain. Joselu is like Higuain. Always at the right place at the right time and has an instinct to score. Morata is more technical, intelligent and possesses more skills much like Benzema. Morata much to our satisfaction is only 19 and has so much time to develop further. Joselu is 21 and if he doesn’t get call ups next season than I don’t think he ever will unless he suddenly transforms into a Raul. We should get Morata into a competitive playing environment with Castilla itself and while playing in that Segunda Division we should start calling him up more often to train with the team, play Segunda Matches and eventually play some minutes with Real. This will further his development.

Anonymous

mou sucks!
Aren’t we leading la liga by 10 points!
Yeah, but mou sucks!
Haven’t we like … scored a gazillion goals so far
Wohoo, still mou sucks!
Didn’t we win all our UCL group games this year
Big time fluke, mou sucks!
For sure we have the best stats as a team in Europe today
Yawwwn! Next! mou sucks!
But he has done so much for us
What nonsense, where, who, when, mou sucks!
He must be playing our player to their limit and best position, no?
Rubbish! iker in goal!!! Can you believe that!! mou sucks!
Isn’t he the special one
Special my arse, mou sucks!
So who won all those trophies in the last decade then
Who cares, mou sucks!
We won a trophy last year, didn’t we?
You call that a trophy, peff, mou sucks!
So whats ticking you off then
Listen, mou sucks!
Why is that, spit it out
He is a shit tactician, we can all see it but you, mou sucks!
So, so far you think all of this is a luck charm?
Luck yes, running out yes, mou you suck!
Didn’t he make clinical subs where we won before
Never heard of them, mou sucks!
So he makes one allegedly wrong sub and you think he sucks
Allegedly! ha ha, believe me, mou sucks!
Did you just start watching football?
Who me!! Listen to me YOU, mou sucks!
You are plain crazy, you know that right
I love you too, mou sucks!
O what the hell then, HEY MOU, YOU SUCK!!

Anonymous

Mou sucks! He should go back to Inter! Damn you Mou!
Anonymous

Your best work yet, * take a bow* nomz!

Anonymous

best compliment i ever got to date, *taking a bow* sara!

j_ee

this is the type of rumors we don’t usually get…
so does it mean it’s true?
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1574/41/mourinho-set-scupper-fulhams-move-real-starlet

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

Realistically, if Castilla gets promoted, Jese will remain there. If not, he will either leave to a La Liga side with a buy back clause or go on loan to England.

If the club really has a plan for him, they will send him to a club wisely. Perfect example of this is Sarabia. He was sent to a Getafe side that was under upper management change (being purchased by team dubai) and under a manager change. Not only that, but the manager that was brought in is one that doesn’t like playing inexperienced players. When De La Red and Granero were sent to Getafe, the club had a manager that relied on youthfulness more than experience.

Omor99

Bassam, you are choosing to blame Luis Garcia for Sarabia’s inability to get into the getafe team?

You forget that he relies on Barada who is 22 years old. the truth is, if Sarabia was good enough, he will be starting and impressing in getafe. If Getafe had Thiago or Cuenca from Barca, do you think Garcia will bench them because they are young?

daryl

a lot of posters here love over rating castilla’s players
michel

who the hell are tiago and cuenca..have you seen them play outside the barca system
come on man, you gotta take in account all variables here

same as argument between sir alex vs mourinho philosophy of clubs

regardless, you cant make that judgement unless you see them play at getafe..lots of players dont make it into our first team yet play great at other clubs, first example would be mata..there are many reasons for that, and unless you address them all specifically you cannot just jump to conclusions like you are doing!!

Yousuf

I agree to disagree, yea those la Masia boys would not be on the level they are on the barca team. But to be good enough to play for Barca must count for something. I wont get involved in whose better the Masia brats or Castilla.

But yea, just because Sarabia isn’t playing doesn’t indicate he doesn’t have the talent. The main thing is that does he fit in the system the manager employs, from what i have heard ( i am no expert) they have a player already playing Sarabias role and he just doesn’t fit in the other roles as well. Thus he is not starting, correct me if i am wrong.
http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

The thing is, they aren’t even utilizing the role Sarabia uses. And when he is being used, he is being played on the wing. Which is not his favorite position.

The mix was a bad one from the start. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets more chances as the season goes on and next season. Look at Rodrigo at benfica, he was loaned out after joining them because they thought he wasn’t good enough and then he was never a starter at his loan place. Now? He has benched Saviola and Cordazo and is being considered for the spanish National team.

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I think it’s sad that you are willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a stranger to the club rather a player who still technically belongs to the club. This says a lot about your bias against Castilla players.

Hinotame

Put a lighter in the air for Benzema and especially Di Maria…i will miss watching our own Robben play.

j_ee

we had our own Robben at one point. He was the same Robben that now plays in Munchen. Not that I was a big fan of him…

James

Has Ozil’s growth stagnated?. I know this is off topic, but I’m genuinely worried about
Ozil’s growth as an individual at Madrid. He doesn’t seem to have
improved any particular part of his game in over a year, or since he has
arrived at Madrid. His shot is still poor, he still often disappears
from games, and his ability to create off the dribble has seemingly
diminished (as compared to Ronaldo and Di Maria, who both are capable of
making something out of nothing). He was such a great talent at Bremen,
where he often carried his team and was involved in everything they did. I
understand we have Ronaldo now, but Ozil seems to be content to stay in
his shadows, therefore perhaps not improving his game. These are the
years that a player of Ozil’s potential should be becoming better each
and every year. It just doesn’t seem to happen with Ozil, and his
price-tag justifies it; his market value has been the same (32 million
euros) for over a year now.

Anonymous

If this Wednesday, Ozil performs greatly ONCE AGAIN for the German National Team, than the fault lies somewhere within Real Madrid, whether it be the environment, Jose Mourinho, any external factors, etc. I just can’t think of any other idea’s but those that originate from Real Madrid itself.

James

I meant, as an individual, Ozil really hasn’t improved much since his arrival at Madrid. The German National team plays as a team, which may hide some players’ lack of immense technical ability (Podolski, Klose, etc). I’m not saying teamwork isn’t the way to go (in fact I believe it is), but if Ozil really has improved individually over the past 1 and half years, then even if Madrid doesn’t suit his playing style perfectly, Mesut would still be able to adapt because of his own ability. That simply isn’t the case because to be honest, he hasn’t improved since the World Cup.

michel

still too young to judge honestly

forget the footballing aspect for a minute, if you wanna talk on a personal level, im sure mou is the best for that..ozil himself said that mourinho is like a father for him

now football-wise, different systems, different language, different mentalities, different opponents, different coaches, different motivations…
one cannot judge club and NT that easily..or else CR and messi would be shit! which they are not, but i for one believe a great player needs to impress at both levels in order to be legendary ie zidane

still zizou had probably the best generation of french players around him, and at Real, the best players in the world with a great coach..as soon as that started changing, his whole game went down, even though i remember seeing the team play like shit around 04-05 yet zizou would still have that flashy brilliance of his

ozil needs to do a lot more to get there..good thing is what i started my post with..he is young and has team..he just needs the right environment and i believe this real madrid team and the management are the appropriate one for him

James

Well I believe if he continues to play with Ronaldo he will never reach Zidane because he will always be overshadowed by Ronaldo. Therefore, Mesut will not feel the need to improve.
Yousuf

I dont understand your argument, he wont feel the need to improve? The only reason a person would not want to improve is that he lacks the mental toughness to accept that he can do something better, or he just doesnt give a shit. For me, if i was under the shadow of another player, i would work the extra mile to not only get to his level but far exceed his level. Exactly what ronaldo is doing against all the criticism that he isn’t on messi’s level.

Honestly i used to hate ronaldo before, but now i am a fan boy. Just because the guy works his balls off, not only for his personal duel with messi but he understands that playing for the collective will make him better then messi.

And i really have a feeling you think ozil is maradonna or something. Ozil is a brilliant playmaker, but currently he isnt near the greats. I hope that time will come, when he evolves his game to that standard. But from all his performances i have seen he isnt a complete player yet. But damn he has the vision.

Hal

Is Ozil all you talk about? There’s another 20 odd players in the squad. Talk about them.

James

Lol he’s the only player I am interested in talking about individually. I only talk about other players in regards to their performance in a game. Btw what’s your take on Ozil’s development?

Hal

I don’t understand what the fuss is about.

First what you need to do is stop comparing players at different stages of their career.

Ronaldo is either getting up to his peak or hitting it. He’s 27, an absolute machine of a player.

Ozil has the second highest assists in the league as well as the third highest accurate key pass per game. He’s still creating.

Ozil needs time. He’s 23 and still growing as a player. He needs a good coach above him, which he has, mature and experienced players that he needs to feed off, which he has (Kaka as an example) and playing time in one of the best leagues in the world, which he is.

It’s a pretty heavy burden wearing the nb 10 jersey for the biggest club in the world and when the fans expect you to play like super athletes every game, it’s just not going to happen. Gotta keep it real.

Yousuf

I completely agree with you. He has done a tremendous job this year. He had a bit of a dip in form in the beginning of the year. But the way mourinho has allowed him to adapt to the ring wing, (when playing along kaka) has given real madrid as a team, i would say a whole new strategy against the other la liga sides. This ultra creative outlet has been great for the team, thus we have been so consistent. Yes maybe we dont see ozil doing all the final passes like most of the time last year.

This is primarily because everyone has been doing there part. Look at di maria, he played phenomenal in the first part of the season then he got injured. Kaka has taken over Ozils tranditional slot and he has been doing a good job. Benzema and Higuin are playing amazing.

Thus you dont see the SAME spark in Ozil. But nevertheless i believe he has been playing really good since the new years. You can expect every player to sparkle like ronaldo, just because they arent on his immediate level/ OR they dont play the same role.

Roles dictate how much you stand out, just look at Khadeira , until now i havent seen a play from him, where i have gone like WOOWWWW hes amazing. But i know that he plays his role really well. Thus the team is so stable.
James

You are quite right, maybe Ozil’s role has changed quite alot this past year.

Anonymous

Ozil is a great great player, but I think people are expecting way too much from him. For me he is doing what is expected from a playmaker, he keeps possession and feeds the attackers. Watch him carefully, I know you do, he rarely gives a wrong pass. A player like Di Maria loses the ball ten times until he makes something spectacular (Nothing against Di Maria, he is also a great player but in a different way). Ozil doesn’t try to make incredible passes. He gives the right pass at the right time.

James

I just don’t think Ozil is as dangerous as Di Maria and Ronaldo, quite frankly.

super

Ozil isn’t as direct, but just as dangerous if not more dangerous. Di Maria & Ronaldo’s style was explosive & scaring the opponent by their run is part of their game. While Ozil style is the opposite, he likes to deceive the opponent before fooling them by his move.
Anonymous

Ronaldo has got to be one of the most predictable players on our squad. Di Maria is only dangerous with his movements when he decides to use his head. Our most dangerous players in terms of unpredictability and effectiveness going forward are Benzema, Alonso, and Ozil.

James

Agree, however Ozil needs to see more of the ball.

super

That is bull shit James. He IS improving. I give you about his shot. But his workrate is much higher now. Stamina also improved. His link play & passing already awesome, especially short pass, so not much of area of improvement in thi matter. His fake is improving a lot I believe, the way he fool Abidal & many other guys with his fake is impressive. He’s just as capable as Ronaldo & Di Maria to make something out of nothing, imagine if his shots vs barca from 30 yard & vs Levante (after the nutmeg) went in, both were out of nothing. He just not as direct & as often doing that kind of thing, unless he sure it has high probability to work. But the reason why Ozil is so valuable to our team is because he is a FANTASTIC playmaker. He’s the one that even when himself doesn’t really shine, he makes players around him play better.

When is the last he’s dissapears in games James? I don’t remember this season he’s ever dissapeared like he did in some barca & sevilla games last season.
Madrid has some many great player & you can’t expect Ozil to outshine everyone week in week out like he did when he played barca in camp nou. Not even Cristiano managed to do such thing and he frequently outshined by the younger player around him (Benzema, Ozil, Di Maria).

Anonymous

I know how James feels. We both believe that Mourinho is not using Ozil to his full potential or not utilizing Ozil’s full capabilities. You guys are impressed with him so far, but truly, none of you have seen the terror that is Mesut Ozil. I feel that James has seen Ozil well enough to know what a monster he can be to opponents.

ROD

Nacho, Carvajal, Álex , Jesé y Joselu were involved in todays training session with the first team

Anonymous

haha they always train with the first team, even Real Madrid C teams players at times… Has anything happened with them on a real field for the first team?

Nasty

CSKA will beat real Madrid at the bernabeu. You heard it here first!!!

ROD

that is truly Nasty!

galactico

more like a nasty troll.

Anonymous

Misc. News

- According to El Confidencial, Jese will play with the first team starting next season. Mourinho also closely following Carjaval and Tcherysev
http://www.defensacentral.com/real_madrid/67820-jese-primer-equipo-real-madridparecidido-cristiano-ronaldo-carvajal/

- AS: Villar and Rosell met, the relevant part of this piece of news is that the Barcelona president AGAIN insisted that our Santiago Bernabeu be the venue for the CDR final!
http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/villar-rosell-vieron-secreto-hotel/20120223dasdaiftb_52/Tes

Unbelievable classless douchery from this guy!

- Marca: Villar to Rosell: “What more do you want me to give you, Sandro”
http://www.marca.com/2012/02/23/futbol/1330010333.html

Another piece of journalism garbage or is their some truth to it?

http://real.theoffside.com/ Bassam

I hate being a hypocrite, so if i believe these, then i have to believe the bullshit Marca says about Madrid. I don’t believe all there made up conversations, so i won’t believe these either.

Anonymous

Yes, I agree, I think its bullshit, Mourinho is giving Marca very little to talk about hence the need for imaginary Villarato crap.

galactico

wohooooo..amazing news..jesse deserves to be promoted.I think he’ll play back up to di maria.We shouldn’t at any cost loose this gem.I’m sure mourinho knows that too.

Anonymous

Dear james,

after the many requests from fellow bloggers here and around the world, i have been given the tough job of coming out public and ask you about ozil, ok dont shoot am just the messenger. here are the questions?

how long have you been following ozil?
which was the first game you saw ozil play, and what made it click for you?
what is it exactly you like about ozil’s game?
do you think ozil made the right decision to join madrid?
if not, where do you think he would shine otherwise?
where do you see ozil in 5, 10 years?
and the grand finale
do you think real can win the decima with out ozil

other bloggers are welcome to post their question below too, but make it sincere and polite pls

thank you Mr james and no disrespect whatsoever in posting this post. me and the fans are eager to read your replies. and we luv ozil too

Anonymous

Maybe Ozil is his favourite player? Everyone tends to take their favourite player to heart and when you see that your player is not being used at his best you start to worry. It is only natural. I don’t see what the big deal is really or maybe I’m just new around here.

Anonymous

will the real slim ozil pls stand up? :p

James

I’ve been following Ozil ever since his MOTM performance against England in the U21 European Championship in 2009. It was that game in which I first saw him. I think Ozil is a player that has really changed his game over the years I have seen him play(2009-present). What first made me fall in love with his game was his immaculate control and ability to dribble past opponents like Messi. Btw, up until 2009, my favorite player was Messi, but I always felt he was a tad too selfish. Then when I saw Ozil, a player who I believed to have the dribbling abilities of Messi, and combined to have the vision of Rui Costa (amazing playmaker, also one of my favorite players), I thought I got the best of both worlds in Ozil. Then, quite mysteriously, Ozil began to considerably change his game after the World Cup, or when he arrived at Madrid. He didn’t dribble much and wasn’t nearly as aggressive, and I began to feel like the Ozil I loved was lost. However, when I began to closely analyze Ozil’s change as a player, I’ve realized that his change in play style could allow him to remain a world class player for a much longer time. Before arriving at Madrid, Ozil often relied on his physique (speed, quickness), but those traits will be gone by his late 20′s, early 30′s (look at Kaka). Now, Ozil utilizes his intelligences and his awareness much more, and these traits stay forever. So, to answer your third question, what I love about Ozil nowadays is his intelligence in his movement off the ball, and his unmatched vision. I think ultimately Ozil made the right decision in joining Madrid. Although, he would have been a much better fit for Barcelona, working with Mourinho has benefited Ozil. He plays with more passion, and plays harder, even if he always has that gloomy look with an occasional smile. I think Ozil will remain in Madrid in 5 years. In 10 years time, I see him returning to Germany, perhaps to Bayern Munich? Not sure about that. Can Madrid win a 10th Champions Cup without Ozil? Man your really putting me on the spot Nomz haha. I think it all depends on the fitness of Di Maria. If Di Maria can return to his best and become that creative playmaker he was in the first half of the year, then yes I do think Madrid can win it. However, Madrid’s chances will be much slimmer without Ozil!

Anonymous

wow, what passion, passion that i respect. i agree totally, ozil is a wizard and he can only get better and god willing he will. he owned the camp poo last time didnt he.

and by the way, we see you taking the ozil cause to other blogs, we are watching you mate

anyways, thank you Mr james for taking some time to answer your fan mail. we appreciate your time and passion, we hope we can interview you again soon, and until then we wish you and ozil all the best.

that’s all folks, till we find another blogger here to pester hehe, this is nomz from rmfb 90.0 luv fm
peace and keep it real

j_ee

epic stuff!
maybe you should start a new section within the site nomz.

Corey, what do you say? got a few extra liveblog dollars lying around to hire a new anchorman?

http://www.realmadridfootballblog.com Corey

I dont get it?

AddyBDaddy

Stop ribbing him..haha., this is what i love about the community feel at RMFB , Recently it seems that the founders are none to happy with posters for their critique lately, but i for one think that We truly appreciate them for giving us all a platform to express ourselves too.

Anonymous

That’s some real interesting stuff. I too was first aware of Ozil in the U21 Euro’s but only became like the most hardcore fan of his when he played for the German National Team. In his Schalke days, it was all about his trickery and pace but fell out of favour over there. He signed for Bremen and only got stronger, faster, overall better, but there was a new side to his game. He now incorporated his vision, control, and intelligence to his football. It was these attributes that really had Jogi notice him. Now at Madrid, he does not rely on speed or trickery, 2 attributes that can make you be a fail if your opponent manages to shut you down.

He will last longer with the attributes he currently possesses but they are somewhat being wasted at times in Real Madrid. Had he gone to Barcelona like he wanted to, Fabregas would still be sitting in the Arsenal infirmary and Thiago would still be needing his diaper changed. Xavi would start feeling like a grandpa and Iniesta would have the partner of his life! But it never happened and so he chose to develop under Mourinho. Good choice, for me anyway, and now he shows complete allegiance to Real Madrid.

That gloomy look is natural and fits Ozil’s personality really well. Wait until you see him unleash his third eye!

Will Madrid win the Champions League without Ozil? Let’s rephrase that question. Will Real Madrid win the Champions League without a player LIKE Ozil? I don’t think so. Real Madrid NEED that creative midfield player. Di Maria is NOT THE SAME. He is more of a Robben but less selfish. Extremely talented but just not the same. Di Maria is a player that can easily be shut down, especially by Barcelona. Di Maria’s main attributes are speed and trickery. It won’t be easy but he’ll be taken care of one way or another by experienced defenders. Real Madrid need that Zidanesque player. Ozil is no Zidane but the closest thing we have had in 6-7 years. With a forward line like ours we must have a midfield genius dictating the play. Just look at Bayern Munich when they don’t have a CAM performing at his best. Ozil uses his intelligence. His greatest gift in football. It is his greatest weapon just like it was Zidane’s.

Hala Madrid.

James

Completely agree on that last part. Ozil is so unique to the Madrid’s squad, he just brings that touch of class and creativity. I hope he doesn’t get dropped for the Rayo game just because he started midweek in Moscow. It could be a potential trap game.

Anonymous

Interesting to see Sahin has been selected for Turkey’s friendly next week (no Altintop, however). I’m interested to see if he can put in a performance that might garner more of a look by Mou.

Anonymous

I knew they would call up Sahin. They are not exactly “packed” with quality in the midfield and Sahin, despite not playing, has trained regularly and comfortably with the Real Madrid squad. Their manager also tried calling Sahin up when he was injured some time ago as well, so who’s not to say they wouldn’t have tried this time? I’m worried for injuries but this is also a chance to prove how great of a player he is.

Anonymous

Precisely my hopes as well (worry over injuries and chance to shine).

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