Manchester United in the Round of 16

By El Maestro

After almost two weeks of waiting, Real Madrid finally know who they will face. Manchester United will be the opponent in the Round of 16.

Ronaldo will finally have the opportunity to face the side that made him the player he is today.

Mourinho returns to the stadium where he made his first iconic impression on world football.

The first leg will take place in the Santiago Bernabeu on February 13th, and the return leg will be on March 5th in Old Trafford.

Two of the most important clubs meet once again in the Champions League knockout stage. In fact, this clash comes almost 10 years since their last meeting in the 2002/2003 season. That season, a Real Madrid side, coached by Vicente ‘El Marques del Nabo’ Del Bosque, defeated the English side 3-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu, and sealed their qualification in Old Trafford with an historic hat-track by Ronado (Brazilian Ronaldo).

However, the clash most Madrid fans remember was the meeting in the 1999/2000 season when Redondo pulled his incredible taconazo to help lead “los blancos” to an important 2-3 victory in the “Theater of Dreams” after drawing the first game 0-0.

Back to Reality:

A lot has changed since those last meetings. Real Madrid is now a constant threat in all competitions, and aspires to everything. Whereas that Madrid side, coached by “El Bigoton”, only did well in one competition (Liga or Champions), and made a fool of themselves in the other two (mostly Copa).

Manchester United is still coached by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, who is in his 26th season as ‘The Red Devils’ manager. They are currently in first place in the English Premiere League, and have been Champions League finalist in three of the last five editions (winning the 2007/2008 final).

The Match: 

The tie will be very difficult for both sides, but Real Madrid should be the favorite to go through on paper. Overall, Madrid has a better and deeper squad than Manchester United.

Defense: Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, and Marcelo (when he returns) or Coentrao is a better back line than Rafael, Rio, Vidic, and Evra.

Midfield: Real Madrid’s midfield (Khedira, Alonso, Modric, Ozil, and Essien) is more creative and well structured than United’s (Scholes, Cleverly, Powell, Carrick, and Nani).

Attack: Both sides have some of the best strikers in the world, but Real Madrid (Ronaldo, Benzema, Di Maria, Callejon, and Higuain) has slightly more dangerous weapons than Manchester United (Rooney, Van Persie, Hernandez, Welbeck and Giggs).

The two positions where both teams are very equally matched are at coaching and goalkeeping; but not for the same reasons.

Mourinho vs. Ferguson: The two best managers in the world. Historically, Mou has the upper hand on Ferguson, going back to his Chelsea days and the famous touch line run with Oporto in 2004. On the other hand, Ferguson did win the last time both met in 2009 when United eliminated Mou’s Inter Milan in the Round of 16. It will be interesting to see how both coaches approach these games.

Casillas vs. De Gea: Another equally tied position, but not because they are the two best keepers in the world. But because both are having very below average campaigns. Casillas has been on vacation for most part of the season, and De Gea has still not developed into that top goalie many said he would turn out to be. Despite their recent performances, a lot can change in two months.

Now just because Real Madrid is the favorite does not mean anything. Every game is won on the field. Like with Casillas and De Gea, a lot can happen in the upcoming months. Players can get injuried, teams can have an increase or drop in form, crucial league matches can get in the way. Either way, this clash will be very exciting for both players and fans. The only sad part is that one of these giants will unfortunately have to be sent home at such an early stage of the Champions League knockout phase. If Real Madrid manage to go through, it will give then a lot of confidence going forward in the tournament.

!Hala Madrid! !A Por El Manchester United!

Real Madrid vs. Espanyol Recap

By El Maestro

Everything seems to be going wrong. When it looked like Real Madrid had the game under control and were going to get the win, an 88th minute goal by Albin spoiled the party, and now puts Mou’s team into an even more complicated situation in La Liga.

The game started very well for Real Madrid. They pressured Espanyol in their own half, the circulation of the ball was good, and it looked as if Madrid would blow the Catalan side out of the water. However, Madrid’s intensity began to slightly drop after the 20th minute, which allowed Espanyol to settle in and create some chances off the break. Despite Madrid’s decent 1st half performance, the “parakeets” took advantage of a miscue in midfield for Sergio Garcia to break away, and beat Casillas for the shock 0-1 lead. Real Madrid almost responded minutes later when a great through ball by Ozil found Ronaldo, but his shot was stopped by Kiko Casilla. Then in stoppage time, when it seemed as if Espanyol would go into halftime ahead, a great cross by Khedira was put away by “La Maquina” seconds before the whistle.

Before the start of the 2nd half, Mou tried to give the team more explosiveness by taking out Modric for Di Maria.

Real Madrid began the 2nd half the way the finished the 1st, and had a dream start when Coentrao put ‘los blancos” ahead after receiving a through ball from Ronaldo. With the lead, Real Madrid had multiple opportunities to ice the game.

Five minutes after Coentrao’s goal, a great counter attack started by Ozil eventually put Di Maria alone in front of goal, but his attempt was stopped by the keeper. A few minutes later, Di Maria had another chance with a strong shot from outside, but again it was Casilla got a hand on it, and managed to keep it out. In the 57th minute, it would be Ronaldo with his opportunity after a another great counter attack, but he could not get a good foot on it. Four minutes later, Ozil would have his chance after receiving a lob pass from Di Maria, but his shot was cleared again by the keeper. Almost 15 minutes from time, Morata (who had come on for Callejon) would have an opportunity of his own when Casilla was pulled out of position, and was presented with a good part of the goal open, but his header was cleared by an Espanyol defender.

Unfortunately, Real Madrid would pay for those missed chances in the 88th minute, when more sloppy defender allowed Albin to be left alone and score to tie the game. Real Madrid still had one last opportunity in the final minute when Morata was left onside, and was one on one with Casilla, but he could not control it, and the ball rolled straight into the keepers hands.

13 points behind:

With Barcelona’s victory over Atletico Madrid, the gap is now at 13 points. In the post game press conference, Mou said that La Liga is now almost impossible for Real Madrid to win. At this point, it is Barcelona’s league to lose. Real Madrid’s prime objectives will be to win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Now just because the distance with Barcelona is at 13 points does not mean Real Madrid will give up on La Liga that easy. Mou said is was almost impossible. That means it is very difficult, but that there is a small possibility of winning it. Yes, La Liga is in Barcelona’s control, but people are forgetting that we’ve seen this film twice in the last four years. Not to mention this scenario happened just last season.

Real Madrid 2011/2012: In February, Real Madrid had a 10 point lead on Barcelona. Like Mou, Guardiola also came out and said La Liga would be impossible to win. However, he didn’t say is was almost impossible, but simply impossible. While Mou is being crucified for those comments, the “piperos” praised Pep by saying it was a strategy to motivate his players, and for Real Madrid to lower their intensity. Whatever the case, Real Madrid went to the Camp Nou at the end of April with a 4 points lead, where they eventually clinched La Liga title with a vital 1-2 victory.

Barcelona 2008/2009: In Pep’s first season, Barcelona had a 12 point lead going into the Christmas break. Like last seasons Real Madrid team, Barcelona also went to the Santiago Bernabeu in early May at 4 points, and virtually sealed the league with a win.

Now I’m not saying history will repeat itself, but a lot can happen. By the end of January, Barcelona’s lead could extend to 18, or Real Madrid could shorten the gap to 5. While many are already criticizing Mou for ‘throwing in the towel’, don’t think he will allow his player to give up that easy. Mou will no doubt want to focus more on la Copa and the Champions League, but he will not leave La Liga thrown aside. Real Madrid will do their part in La Liga. They’ll try to will all the games they can to finish in second, and by March we’ll see what the distance is. If something changes in favor of Real Madrid, then great. If it stays the same, then we still have la Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Celta de Vigo vs. Real Madrid 1st Leg Recap

By El Maestro

After the match in Valladolid on Saturday, Real Madrid put La Liga aside to focus on the Copa del Rey where they took on Celta de Vigo. Despite traveling with the full squad, Mou came out with a mixed starting eleven that consisted of regulars and reserves.

Adan

                                                  Varane       Pepe       Carvalho       Arbeloa 

Essien        Alonso

      Di Maria                                   Ronaldo

Modric

 Benzema

With rainy and cold conditions, the 1st half was very tricky for both sides. The rain made the ball movement very fast and slippery for the players. However, thanks to Celta’s fantastic drainage system, the grass was only wet and playable. Unlike other teams who allow their fields to be turned into a swimming pool.

Despite the conditions, Real Madrid still came out and tried to play their game. In the 1st half, it was Madrid who attack, while Celta sat back and tried to create some chances off the break. Even though the pace of the game was quick, the only shot on target was Ronaldo’s curving blast that went straight to the keeper. The 1st half wouldn’t end well for Real Madrid, as Benzema would be taken off fifteen minutes before the break after picking up an injury. At halftime, Mou would make another change by taking off the struggling Di Maria for Ozil.

The 2nd half would not go well for Real Madrid.

Celta would open the scoring in the 57th minute after a great pass by Krohn-Dehli found a wide open Mario Bermejo, who put the ball through Adan’s legs for the 1-0 lead. Down a goal, Madrid pushed forward and did all they could to get the equalizer. Ronaldo would have great opportunity to score when his shot from outside dipped in front of the keeper, but was stopped Sergio Alvarez. Unfortunately, the tie would get even worse for Madrid in the 78th minute when a terrible throw in by Pepe, allowed Christian Bustos to shoot from long range, and place his shot into the top corner of the net, making it impossible for Adan. Now facing a 2-0 deficit for the return leg, Real Madrid needed at least a goal to make their chance of going through a little easier. Ronaldo would be presented with another two great opportunities to score, but once again could not beat the Celta keeper. Finally, when it looked like all was lost, “La Maquina” would make it 2-1 in the 86th minute after receiving a wonderful lob pass by Xabi, and calmly putting it away to keep Real Madrid’s hopes alive. Now instead of beating Celta 3-0 on January 9th in the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid can simply qualify with a 1-0 victory. It still won’t be easy, but that last minute goal makes it more accessible for Mou’s team to go through.

Valladolid vs. Real Madrid Recap

By El Maestro

After 90 minutes of hard playing football, Real Madrid escaped the Nuevo Jose Zorrilla with all three points to maintain the gap between Barcelona. Madrid did not get off to a good start as Valladolid would take the lead after just seven minutes through Manucho, who took advantage of poor marking to open the scoring. Despite the early goal, Real Madrid did not back down, and went all out for the equalizer. The lead would only last five minutes, when Callejon took advantage of a defensive miscue, and past it to Benzecrack who put it away to make it 1-1.

In the 1st half, Real Madrid looked like the 2011/2012 team that pressured the opposing teams midfield, moved the ball well, and had a great attack.

Unfortunately, so did the defense that didn’t seem to learn anything from their first mistake. Just fourteen minutes after conceding the first goal from a corner, Valladolid would regain the lead; from another corner, from the same exact spot, and was headed in again by Manucho. Although Manucho was Ramos’ responsibility, the goal falls on Casillas’ shoulders as it happened in his 6 yard box, and did not come out.

‘The best keeper in the world’? And he doesn’t come out for the easy grab (I’m sure Adan would have come out for that).

While Real Madrid didn’t learn from their mistake, Valladolid did. They were much stronger in defense, and made it more difficult for Madrid to break through. However, just when everyone thought Vallodolid would enter the halftime break ahead, a great play between Ozil and Benzema allowed the German to tie the game a minute before stoppage.

Before the restart, Mou tried giving his team more attacking power by taking off Nacho for Di Maria, and moving Callejon back to left back. Regardless of the change, Valladolid came out the better side at the start of the 2nd half, and were was the team that came out the strongest, and were constantly threatening Madrid’s goals.

With this, Mou decided to make another change by putting in Modric, however, the substitution surprised many as he took off Arbeloa. With both wings backs out, Mou dropped Alonso’s position, kept Callejon left back, moved Ramos to the right, and put Modric in midfield to give the team more creativity. The change worked, to a certain degree, as Real Madrid began to regain control of the game. On the other hand, taking off the two traditionally backs left Madrid more exposed in defense. The game suddenly turned into a tennis match, as both teams were going back and forth looking for victory.

Then in the 71st minutes, Real Madrid were given an excellent opportunity to score from a dangerous free kick from just outside the box. Ronaldo, Ozil, and Ramos surrounded the ball deciding who would take it. It would be Ozil who would take it, and he did not disappoint. With the league on the line, he beautifully placed it into the top corner of the goal to give Real Madrid the 2-3 lead.

Immediately, Mou wasted no time in fixing his defense by taking off Benzema for Varane. Now Ramos went back to the center, Varane to the right, and Callejon stayed on the left. Finally, after being down twice and using four different defensive lines, the final whistle blew and Real Madrid got the important win.

Real Madrid vs. Ajax Recap

By El Maestro

After the Derbi win on Saturday, Real Madrid took on Ajax in the last game of the Champions League group stage. With Madrid already qualified for the next round, Mou decided to give other first team players an opportunity to play.

Adan

                                                  Nacho      Varane      Carvalho       Coentrao

Khedira Modric

Di Maria                           Ronaldo

Kaka

  Benzema

With nothing on the line, Real Madrid’s A2 team took care of business, and rolled through Ajax. They would open the scoring early in the 13th minute after a great ball by Modric was brought down by Benzema, and put away by Ronaldo for his sixth goal of tournament. In the 28th minute, Madrid would extent their after another fantastic ball by Modric was controlled by Callejon, who got it past the keeper for the 2-0 lead.

The only bad news the 1st half brought was Coentrao picked up an injury, and was forced to be taken off in the 22nd minute.

Just four minutes after the restart, Kaka would make it three with a wonderful strike from outside the box.

After the goal, Real Madrid’s intensity began to go down, which allowed Ajax to get some ideas going. The side from Amsterdam would get a goal back after a bad punch by Adan fell to the feet of Boerrigter, who kicked the ball into the wide open net. Despite the goal and the decrease in performance, Mou used this game to put in some canteranos. Such as 17 year old phenom Jose Rodriguez, and striker Alvaro Morata. Three minutes from time, Real Madrid rounded off the scoring  after a great run by Morata, was crossed in, and headed into the goal by Callejon for the 4-1 lead.  Morata could have had a goal for himself in stoppage time when he was one on one with the keeper, but couldn’t position himself correctly as the ball went out for a goal kick.

Real Madrid finishes the group stage in second place, and will find out who their opponent will be in the next round on Thursday, December 20th.

Possible Opponents: Manchester United, Bayern Munich, PSG, Schalke 04, and Juventus.

Adan: Despite his mistake that resulted in the Ajax goal, he still played a great game. In fact, for the first time in more than a year, Real Madrid played with a complete goalkeeper.

Casillas is the best keeper in terms of refelexes, and one one ones, but he is not a complete keeper. He doesn’t come out well, has a bad punch, and is one of the worst keepers in the world when it comes to feet. Not to mention he doesn’t take responsibilities for any of his mistakes.

It is true, however, that when Casillas is in the ‘zone’, he is unbeatable. I don’t know what happens to him, but he turns into the figure everyone has come to know him as “San Iker”

On the other hand, when Iker is in his world, this happens:

On the other hand, Adan comes out really well, has a great punch, has a better presence in goal (which allows his teammates to be more relaxed), and can play with his feet. Against Ajax, he went 8/12 with long ball clearances going straight to his teammates. Much better than Casillas, who usually goes 1/10 in every game. 

Another thing, while the goal was his fault, at least you can see the confidence and determination Adan has when coming out. Casillas wouldn’t have even come out for that ball (not even in his dreams), and his punch would have been weak.

I’m not saying Mou needs to bench Casillas, just pointing this out.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico de Madrid Recap

By El Maestro

Another year, another Derbi win.

After much talk that this would finally be the year for Atletico, Real Madrid once again put the Colchoneros in their place by defeating the side coached by Simeone 2-0. In the first 15 minutes, it seemed as Atletico had a different mentality and played like they had nothing to lose. Atletico would create the first opportunity of the game in the 13th minute when Coentrao’s slip allowed Diego Costa to break loose and cross for Falcao, but his attempt was blocked by Casillas. Everything would change in Real Madrid’s favor in the 16th minute when they were rewarded a free kick after a hand ball by Arda Turan, and “La Maquina” would step up to take it.

Ronaldo hadn’t scored in the last three games, and was looking to break that streak.

He would redeem himself by lifting his shot over the wall and wonderfully placing it to Courtois’ far bottom corner for the 1-0.

From then on, Real Madrid took control of match, while the goal seemed to psychologically destroy Atletico. Although Madrid was playing slightly better, the 1st half didn’t offer much spectacular. Except for Diego Costa, who was constantly causing problems with Pepe, Ramos, and Xabi.

The 2nd half was a completely different story. Real Madrid dominated the side from Manzanares, who did not have any answers to get back in the game. Ronaldo alone could have easily sent Atletico back to their side of the Spanish capital with five goals, but failed to score.

He had a free kick stopped by the Belgium keeper, and hit the bar twice.

Real Madrid would finish the game off in the 66th minute after a great counter attack concluded with Ronaldo providing a good through ball for Ozil, who put it through the legs of Courtois to make it 2-0.

This now extends Atletico Madrid’s streak to 13 years without winning a Derbi, something el Fondo Sur made sure to remind them of.

 

Like last year.

And the year before that.

!Hala Madrid!