Qualification, Point Reduction and CR7’s Golden Ball

By El Maestro

Again, my apologies for being late on sevaral matters that have happened in the last two weeks. As expected, Real Madrid beat Osasuna to qualify for the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey. They went from being 5 points behind the two league leaders to being within a game of the first place position after consecutive draws from Atletico and Barcelona. As well as Ronaldo winning his second Golden Ball.

Copa del Rey:

Yes, very nice. Madrid beat Osasuna in both matches by the same scoreline (2-0/0-2) in what were two very bleak performances. Then they beat Espanyol 0-1 in the first leg at Cornellà-El Prat and look to seal qualification for the semifinals on Tuesday in the Bernabeu.

La Liga:

Espanyol: The only good things I can say about the league encounter are that Pepe scored the only goal of the game and Modric is simply a ‘BEAST’.

Betis: On the other hand, I can say a lot of good things about the 0-5 victory over Betis. They dominated the ‘Verdiblandos’ from the beginning and gave them no chance. Ronaldo opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with an incredible shot from long range, Bale added the second with a wonderfully taken free kick and Benzema made it 3-0 just before halftime. In the 2nd half, Di Maria put his name on the board with a powerful shot from outside and left with an ovation from the Madrid supporters in the stadium. Morata would conclude the scoring just before stoppage time with an easy tap in after a bicycle assist from CR7. Five goals, despite the fact that Real Madrid didn’t exactly play at 100%.

Granada: Saturdays game wasn’t as attractive as last week, but enough to beat the side from Andalusia. Madrid struggled early and could not do much in the 1st half, despite Ronaldo’s incredible bicycle kick that was somehow stopped by Roberto. However, Cristiano was able to break the deadlock just before the hour mark and then Benzema finished the game off with his 11th goal of the season. Now Real Madrid sit in first place, waiting to see what Barcelona and Atletico do on Sunday.

C. Ronaldo’s Golden Ball:

Of course, I cannot conclude this without talking about the Golden Ball. I don’t want to spend too much time on this because I’m not really interested in this award (or any for individual awards). I don’t understand how it’s given nor would it make Madrid’s 2013 year any better. Still, I’m very happy for CR7 being named the best player of 2013. I’m also glad to see that the Catalan press has accepted ‘La Maquina’s’ award with “professionalism” and “maturity”.

Bottom left hand side

!Enhorabuena Cristiano!

Di Maria’s Itch and Xabi Alonso’s Surprise

By El Maestro

It’s amazing how these last 2 days have gone. From witnessing one of the most inappropriate actions done by a player to the fan base to the renewal of one of our most important players.

Di Maria: 

In all the years I’ve been following Real Madrid, I have seen many players get angry with the fans and dedicate a few gestures to them. Walter Samuel once took his hand to his ear after scoring his only goal in a Madrid shirt, Emerson refused to celebrate his goal and even Benzema did something with his fingers when he was substituted in the first match of this season against Betis.

However, what Di Maria did last Monday when he squeezed his privates while being substituted is the most disgusting and disrespecting gesture I have ever seen a Madrid player do. Not just does he insult the fans in the stadium, but all those fans worldwide, everyone at the club, Florentino, Ancelotti and of course Gareth Bale, since he touched his parts just before tapping hands with the Welshman.

My opinion, Madrid should sell him now. After fining him a hefty amount, the club should look for bidders (which I’m sure exist) and ship him to the side that offers the most. It would make him happy, but Madrid would have one less distraction in the dressing room. With that said, he cannot go cheap. Di Maria is worth somewhere between €30- €35 million (maybe even close to 40). If a team is not able to pay that price, then Madrid will have to use the next option: leaving him in the stands. Leave him out for a months worth of games, possible even 2, but not for the remainder of the season. His value would drop and the club would loose a lot of money. Then, once the season is over, sell him to the highest bidder.

Sadly, it looks like that second option will not be used as Madrid decided to close this issue in a statement earlier today. Regardless, the transfer window is open until January 31st.

Xabi Alonso:

Then came the news that thrilled all madridistas, and our good friend El Malcriado, with the extension of Xabi Alonso’s contract until 2016. Something that took all of us by surprise and left the Spanish press (piperos) once again with no credibility, since most of them reported that Xabi looked to be on his way out of the club.

Honestly, I always wanted Xabi to stay, but I thought at one point it shouldn’t be Madrid’s number one priority. Despite his great performances over the last four years, he turned 32 in November and was beginning to struggle with injuries (which made him miss the first two months of this season). Not to mention Madrid signed Illarramendi to be his successor and it all looked as if the club was also going to bring in Gündoğan, who’s contract with Dortmund expires in June 2015. However, my opinion quickly changed once I saw the impact he made in midfield. The difference between Xabi being and not being in the lineup was enormous. In fact, it was Xabi Alonso’s return that finally gave the team that stability Ancelotti had been missing the first two months. It was a long procedure and it got to the point where many of us thought it wouldn’t happen, but it finally got done and Xabi Alonso will continue to play in the Santiago Bernabeu for another two seasons.

Year in Review

By El Maestro

First off, my apologies to all the viewers for this lengthy delay. Work and other important matters have kept me and the rest of us unable to write. Second, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a nice and safe holiday.

To sum up 2013, it wasn’t exactly the best year for Real Madrid. They let La Liga slip away early in the season and finished 15 points behind Barcelona. Madrid went out for a third straight year in the semifinals of the Champions League, losing to Borussia Dortmund. Then they lost the final of the Copa del Rey in their home stadium to cross-city rival Atletico Madrid (who hadn’t beaten Madrid since 1999) after taking the lead and hitting the post 3 times. Worst of all, our commander and general, Jose Mourinho, was force to leave Real Madrid due to unprecedented circumstances surrounding the club (Casillas and his journalistic gang). With a trophy-less year, the only good things about 2013 were the 1-3 victory over Barcelona in the Camp Nou in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal and the 2-0 victory in the 2nd leg of the Champions semifinal where Madrid left it all on the field and fell a goal shy of reaching the Champions League final.

Now, I must say these last 6 months with Ancelotti have gone really well. Honestly, I thought the big egos were going to walk over him and Madrid would go back to the days where the players were in charge, but he has held his weight. After much uncertainty, he finally has found the right formation, lineup and the way this team is suppose to play (which is almost like last year). He’s a different personality to Mourinho, but they do have two things in common: the same love-hate relationship with Ramos and both believe that Casillas is not the best keeper in the world (although Carlo starts him for Champions League matches).

There is one thing I don’t like about Ancelott: he’s too friendly with the press. In the time he’s been in charge, he’s already spoken with about 3 or 4 radio stations. Worst of all, the list includes El Larguero (Cadena Ser), La Cope and Onda Cero; with La Cope interview coming 2 days before el Clasico (not well planned). In spite of this, Ancelotti has not given into their demands and has made decisions based on what he believes is right for the team (at least I think he has).

2014:

There is a lot to look forward to as we begin the New Year. The players are more adjusted to Ancelotti’s system and the team will no doubt improve in the 2nd half of the season. Excluding Varane, everyone is healthy and have no major injuries. Bale, Isco, Illarramendi and Jese have done well in their first 6 months and it will be thrilling to see how they progress as the season enters its most crucial point.

However, like every year, there is only one objective for Real Madrid: win trophies. So far, everything is within reach. Madrid is only 5 points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the league table, with all 3 teams having some complicated matches in the upcoming weeks (Atletico vs. Barcelona on January 11th). In Copa del Rey, they will take on Osasuna in the round of 16 (always a different opponent) and the road to getting back to the final will present some challenging obstacles if they advance. Lastly, there is the competition every madridista is most interested in winning: the Champions League.

In the round of 16, Real Madrid will take on German opposition Schalke 04. A respectable opponent, but a side that Madrid should be able to eliminate with little problems. Regardless, even if Madrid does advance (which I fully expect), the road to Lisbon will not be easy. Especially this season, which I believe will go down as one of the best Champions League editions in history. Already, we’ve had a very entertaining group stage, which saw Juventus, Benfica and Oporto fall at the first hurdle. As well as seeing Zenit go threw with 6 points and Napoli go out with 12 points. If the group stage was great, the round of 16 will be even better: Man City v. Barcelona, Arsenal v Bayern, Galatasaray v. Chelsea, Milan v. Atletico, etc. Not to mention, a lot of these teams are playing very well in their domestic competitions and are equally as motivated to prove themselves in Europe.

So far, Real Madrid has kicked off 2014 on a high by defeating Celta de Vigo 3-0 (Benzema & 2 from CR7) in their first official game of the year. Not a very attractive or entertaining match, but usually these first games after the holidays tend to be like that. A good way to start a very hectic month, which will see Madrid fight for a place in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey and travel to Cornellà-El Prat and Benito Villamarin. Real Madrid’s first 6 months with Ancelotti have gone well, but the months between January and May are when things get really serious.