Modric Has Finally Arrived!!!!

By El Maestro

After three months of hard negotiations, Real Madrid finally agreed to terms with Tottenham to sign the Croatian attacking midfielder. The first new signing of the season, and possibly not the last.

Mou at last has the player he’s been wanting. Someone who can play behind the striker, but can also be used in midfield. Probably Modric’s biggest upside is he comes from the EPL where he’s played for the last four years. Meaning he is physically strong, mentally tough, and has a quick sense for the game.

He’ll no doubt bring a new spark to the team as Madrid have lost their first two league games. Modric will also help Ozil increase his form as they both play the same position and the German still seems to be on vacation.

The only downside is Modric hasn’t played a game since August 15th with his country, and a full one since Croatia’s elimination from the Euro against Spain. During the negotiation process, Modric had been training alone at Tottenham and had not played any preseason games, which means he might be a little rusty at the beginning. Not to mention he is moving to a different country. Nevertheless, once he picks up his form, he will be a constant threat.

Madrid make the calls:

Now the thing I loved about the Modric signing was the way it was handled, and Madrid stuck it to the press. Just 24 hours earlier, Madrid had lost to Getafe and there were no signs of an agreement. In the early hours of Monday, Real Madrid confirmed they had reached a deal with Tottenham. What came next was unbelievable.

Modric arrives in Madrid at around 11:00 am local time where he is taken to a clinic for his physical examination. He is then driven to the Santiago Bernabeu where he signs his contract, has a press conference and is presented on the pitch with his new number 19 jersey.

Before, it was the team would confirm the signing immediately, the press would be informed right away and the player would arrive the next day. Sometimes it would be the press who would confirm the signing before the actual club.

The Spanish sporting press has always acted like they knew what was going in all 20 La Liga teams. To potential signings, players departing, team problems, etc. Without a doubt, the team that the Spanish press likes to mess with is Real Madrid.

Last year, they had a lot of fun messing with Mou’s future. Saying he was leaving and had agreed to terms with another team. Only to be stunned when Real Madrid’s official website announced that Mourinho had extented his contract through 2016.

EPIC!!!!

So, in a sense, this was Madrid’s way of messing with the press. Real Madrid and Tottenham had already reached an agreement sometime during the weekend, but decided not to announce it until Monday. Probably because Madrid had a game on Sunday and the club didn’t want the players to get distracted.

It also showed that Modric’s signing was not an issue of money, but a matter of departures. In order for the Croatian to arrive, either Kaka or Sahin needed to leave. Sahin was loaned out to Liverpool on Friday, and Modric signed on Monday. In fact, it won’t surprise me if Florentino and Levy had already finalized the deal weeks ago, but were waiting for one of those players to go.

Still, Real Madrid sent a strong message to the press that they are the ones who sign the players, and they will confirm it when the deal is done. As we speak, Real Madrid might be finishing off a deal to bring in another signing (most likely a right back) in the next few days or even hours.

!Hala Madrid!

 

Getafe vs Real Madrid Recap

By El Maestro

UNACCEPTABLE! UNACCEPTABLE! 

A game that should of been a cake walk for Real Madrid and pretty much over when Higuain put the team up 0-1 in the 28th minute, turned into an utter disaster. This was Madrid’s worst performance since the 0-0 draw against Racing de Santander at the beginning of last season.

Madrid lacked creativity, ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. In fact, Getafe’s two goals were the only shots they had on target.

In the 1st half, Real Madrid only created two clear goal chances; one being Higuain’s goal. The other came in the first 15 minutes when Ozil was given the perfect opportunity for a simple tap in, but somehow couldn’t keep it down and hit the crossbar.

In the 2nd half, with Madrid up 0-1, you would think they’d be more relaxed and determined to finish the game off.

WRONG!!!!!

Eight minutes after the restart, Varela would tie the match after heading Barrada’s free kick into the goal. Mou would then make two substitutions in the next ten minutes. First, taking off Lass for Benzema (Same thing he did against Valencia). Then removing Marcelo for Callejon and playing with 3 defenders. The substitutes did very little to help the team and just a few minutes after Callejon came on, Getafe would take the lead. A great run by Colunga allowed him to slip the ball to a wide open Barrada, who only had to calmly strike it to get it past Casillas. Madrid pushed forward and did what they could to find the equalizer, but couldn’t break through Getafe’s defense.

Madrid now trail Barcelona in the league table by 5 points. The only good news is it’s only been two games. Real Madrid will hit their peek and Barcelona with eventually stumble. Not to mention Real Madrid and Barcelona still need to play each other.

However, Madrid has to drastically improve. Mou already let his team know that the lost was unacceptable in the post game press, and will make sure they get that message through their heads.

I don’t know what the problem is. Maybe the Euro is having an effect as ten players represented their countries and might not be at 100%. Or maybe some players are still living in last years La Liga success.

Whatever the case may be, Real Madrid need to do two things:

1. Forget about these last two league games and focus on Wednesday’s clash against Barcelona, and Sunday’s game against Granada.

2. Finalize the squad before the August 31st transfer market deadline. Meaning sign Modric, a right back, and determine what to do with Kaka.

 

 

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: 1st Leg of the Spanish Supercup

By El Maestro

Very good result. After 90 minutes, Real Madrid leave the Camp Nou with a doable 3-2 scoreline. Once again, Mou shocked everyone when he came out with Callejon instead of Di Maria, which reflected somewhat what he had in mind. The 1st half was a very boring and unattractive encounter as Barcelona dominated possession, while Madrid struggled to get anything going, but neither team had any shots on target.

The 2nd half was when the game really began. Barcelona continued with its style as Madrid began to loosen and get some ideas going. Despite Barcelona’s dominance, it would be Real Madrid who would open the scoring after a wonderful corner by Ozil was headed in by none other than “La Maquina” Ronaldo, who scored for the fourth straight time in the Camp Nou. However, the lead wouldn’t last long as just a minute later Pedro would even the score after braking loose to beat Casillas.

Although images clearly show that Pedro was offside.

After the goal, Mou would try to explode Madrid’s firepower when he took off Benzema and Callejon for Higuain and Benzema. Both sides continued to go back and forward until the 68th minute when Barcelona were rewarded a penalty. “El Enano” would score the penalty to put the Cules up 2-1. Things got even worse just a few minutes later when Xavi extended the lead to 3-1 after a marvelous run by Iniesta. It was going all out window and the title was almost put on ice when Messi had a great opportunity to make 4-1, but Casillas managed to keep the ball out. Ironically, that save would start Madrid’s counter attack that led to them reducing the deficit to 3-2.

The counter attack didn’t go as planned since Ronaldo’s pass was cut off by Adriano, who then touched it back to Valdes; then the unthinkable. Valdes lost control of the ball, which allowed Di Maria to pounce on it and score.

Both teams made last gasp effort to snatch an extra goal, but neither was successful. Now the tie switches to the Santiago Bernabeu where it will be decided on Wednesday.

Memo to Iker: When I saw Messi shoot his penalty to the right and Iker go left, I wanted to run up and put a ‘For Sale‘ around his neck.

Now, all you readers are probably wondering: What problem do I have with this? It was a penalty. Penalty kicks are 60%-40% in favor of the kicker.

That is true, but the thing is Messi is the most predictable player in the world when it comes to penalties. He is in love with shooting the ball to his right hand side. Last season, his three misses against Sevilla, Valencia and Chelsea; and his goals against Mallorca, Milan (in the group stage), and even against Espanyol where he scored two from the penalty spot all went to his right side. If Messi were to shoot 10 straight penalties, 9 would go to his right.

With that said, you would think Casillas, who is considered by many the best keeper in the world, would catch on. With all the practices and free time he’s had to study film, it’s only logical he pick up on Messi’s routine. Now it makes me wonder Iker’s commitment off the field.

Casillas is not a mind reader, but if he had studied, he should have had common sense. It’s a crucial penalty that would give Barcelona the lead. Surely he would have thought that Messi would go to his safe side.

All I want from Casillas is for him not to forget that moment and next time remember where to dive. He might not save it, but at least we know he is doing his homework.

!Hala Madrid! !A Por La Supercopa! 

Real Madrid vs. Valencia Recap: La Liga is back, but not the best way to start

By El Maestro

After a long summer, Real Madrid finally began the defense of their Championship starting the new La Liga season against a much improved Valencia side. Unfortunately, Madrid did not get off to the best start as they drew 1-1. With Lass and Higuain as surprises in the starting 11, Real Madrid came out strong and scored the first of many goals this season in the 8th minute when a wonderful ball by Di Maria was put away by “el Pipita”.

It took him, literally, three opportunities to beat Diego Alves, but he scored.

After the goal, Real Madrid kept pushing forward, but were not able to create any opportunities. Then with four minutes until halftime, Valencia would even the score on their only dangerous play of the game when Casillas (more like Pajillas) completely mistimed his run out and allowed Jonas to easily head the ball into the wide open net.

An error that will make Mou consider the possibility of sitting Casillas and giving Adan some opportunities.

His mistake also resulted in Pepe picking up an injury and having to be taken off at halftime.

In the 2nd half, Madrid went all out in search of that 2nd goal, but had not creativity in midfield. Mou then tried to shake things up when he took off Lass for Benzema, dropping Ozil to midfield and Benzema to play behind Higuain. Real Madrid started to function better and created some dangerous chances, but Dielgo Alves kept them out. With that the game came to an end, which allowed Valencia to escape with a point, and forced Madrid to start the new season from behind.

Thankfully, it was only the first game of the season and there are 37 La Liga games left, but the team must improve. Real Madrid were playing well in the first 20 minutes, but as the game progressed they looked slow, with no ideas and lack of creativity.

Madrid will not have any time to ponder over this mishap as they travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the 1st leg of the Spanish Supercup on Thursday. The first opportunity to take on this new “Barca de Tito”.

Changes:

There is no doubt Mou will have his team fully ready when they take on the Cules. Now if Madrid wants to increase their performance, I think there is only one necessary change that must be done to the starting lineup: take out Lass for Khedira.

Lass has great technical skills and is a fantastic defensive midfielder, but he always seems to bother Xabi and thinks he can play the part of “brains of the midfield” when what he really does is damage the function of the team.

Khedira on the hand has a better partnership with Xabi. He does his defensive duties really well and allows Xabi to do his job. Not to mention he has more creativity than Lass, is a big guy at 6’3, and was one of Germany’s best players in the Euro (probably the best).

If Mou makes this change, Real Madrid will be in much better shape against Barcelona.

!Hala Madrid!