Spanish Supercup 1st Leg

By El Maestro

Since I’m pressed for time and to make it easy on all of us, I’m just going to write a quick basic recap.

Real Madrid

The performance was completely opposite to what we saw last week. Despite having 73% possession, Madrid didn’t have any shots on target in the 1st half. The 2nd half was a little bit better and they were able to open up Atletico’s defense. James played well in place of CR7 and Di Maria gave the team more creativity with his substitution. Toni Kroos was once again outstanding and started the play that lead to James scoring his first goal as a Real Madrid player. Unfortunately, Atletico equalized due to some sloppiness in the back and take a slim advantage into the 2nd leg on Friday. Winning in the Calderon is far from a taunting task, especially since Atletico has not beaten Madrid in their own home stadium since 1998. Regardless, that doesn’t mean it will be an easy match.

Atletico Madrid

I thought they would be a little more offensive this season after the signings of Mandzukic and Griezmann, but they played the exact same way they’ve been known for doing so: aggressive side that plays to the limit and takes advantage of the chances they get. In fact, Griezmann started on the bench and Atletico played hard from the beginning, which lead to two players receiving yellow cards in the first 12 minutes. They were lucky to finish with 11 men after Siquiera, Mandzukic and Mario Suarez were not sent off. Despite everything, they took advantage of their best opportunity late in the game and now head back to Manzanares with a great result.

Referee

Atletico fans will argue that Ramos should have been sent off for his punch on Mandzukic and rightfully so. Just like Siqueira should have been given his second yellow for a similar foul that got him booked in the 1st half, Mandzukic for cutting off a play with his arm and Mario Suarez for his handball in the box that wasn’t called.

Casillas

Of course, I can’t finish this post without once again talking about Casillas. I hate when fans blame and scapegoat one player every time their team does not get the ideal result. Iker is not the reason Madrid did not get the win, BUT he is responsible for Atletico’s late goal. I’ve heard all the excuses to defend him, but he should have come out. It was in the air and he should of at least punched it away. I’m not going to give my opinion on what should or will happen, but that mistake will make Ancelotti rethink his starter in goal.

Overall Impression

We didn’t get the result we want…………

¡A GANAR EN EL CALDERÓN! 

 

The Night in Cardiff

By El Maestro

To say Real Madrid simply won would be an understatement. They completely steamrolled Sevilla, despite only scoring two goals and being the first game with the full squad together. Before the match, I was a little concerned after watching the preseason in the U.S. and not playing any friendlies with all the international players. Not just did they prove me wrong, they did so with flying colors. Sevilla sat back and tried to take their chances on counters and areal plays, but Madrid took full advantage of the spaces. The entire team was spot on: the defense was solid, Modric started the same way he ended last season, Benzema was fantastic, Bale looks like an exact clone of Cristiano, Cristiano scored both goals and was outstanding and even Casillas had a good performance. James Rodríguez also played well, but it took him awhile to get himself settled and may need a few more fixtures to get adjusted. However, the player that really surprised was Toni Kroos. He had only trained eight days and yet he looked like he’d been apart of this team for years. He was consistent throughout the entire game, played short and long balls, always looked for the open man, great vision and defensive work, was a threat with his deliveries from set plays and helped set up the second goal. The only thing we didn’t get to see was his dangerous shot from outside the box, but that will come soon.

Casillas:

Like I said, Iker had a good game, but that’s it. It should be left at that, but it took the press seconds after the final whistle to blow his saves out of proportion. He didn’t have a great, outstanding or out of this world performance, just a simple GOOD game. He did well on set plays and made three saves, one of which was important. The second one in the middle of the 1st half when the defense failed to properly clear and forced Casillas to come out quick and narrow the angles. The other two were shot straight at him and should have relegated him to the bench if they had gone in. Now lets see if he continues with this form in his next outing.

1 down, 5 to go:

Ancelotti made it clear that the goal was to win the 6 trophies in play for the 2014/2015 season (European Supercup, Spanish Supercup, Club World Cup, Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League). In Cardiff, the first trophy was conquered and Madrid will go for the second on Tuesday in the 1st leg of the Spanish Supercup against Atletico in the Bernabeu. As I said before, I was concerned about how this squad would come together in such a short period of time, but now I’m very optimistic about the season. The only way Madrid can fail is if they don’t play to their full potential and take teams for granted. In other words, DON’T DO WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR.

¡Hala Madrid! 

 

A Great Injustice, but Far from Over

By El Maestro

Although it’s not yet confirmed, Diego Lopez is right now in Italy waiting to sign with AC Milan. He was not included in the 22 man squad that traveled to Cardiff and was interviewed on camera at Barajas Airport saying his goodbyes to Real Madrid as a new chapter begins in his professional career. A huge injustice for him as the only thing he’s been guilty of is being one great professional. Unfortunately, this decision was based simply on economic reasons. Like Florentino said last year in an interview with El Larguero, a player who’s under contract doesn’t leave unless he wants to. Madrid didn’t want to go through the Casilas-Lopez saga in goal for another year, and Diego sadly drew the short stick. Even Villiam Vecchi made it obvious by saying he’s a complete keeper and praising him as one of the best he’s ever worked with. If anyone actually thought this is what Madrid really wanted, they are hugely mistaken. If Florentino and Ancelotti wanted Diego out from the beginning, he would have left before the first day of training. The decision to let Diego Lopez go was because Casillas made it extremely difficult on the club. No team wanted to pay a transfer fee for him, none of the offers (or the offer) met Casillas’ demands and he was willing to rescind his contract only if Madrid paid his remaining three year salary up front. In total, that would have cost almost €24 million plus taxes compared to the €7 million to unload Diego. I personally thank Diego Lopez for his professionalism, positive attitude and respect towards Real Madrid, and I wish him the best. He dealt with a lot of unjust scrutiny and pressure just for being a Mourinho signing, but at least it’s good to see him go to a side that actually wants and appreciates him.

Regardless, this doesn’t mean the goalkeeping situation is over (far from it). In fact, I think there is still a chance Casillas departs the club before the end of this transfer window. A lot will rely on his performance in the European Supercup against Sevilla. Ancelotti doesn’t have the same attitude as Mou, but he has some personality. If Casillas plays like he did in the friendly against Man U, the World Cup and the Champions League Final, the only way I see him playing the Spanish Supercup against Atletico is if Carletto crumples under the pressure of the pro-Casillas propaganda campaign. However, I don’t think he would have to worry about that because not even the press is going to be able to defend Iker’s continuous low form. Especially with Madrid playing a friendly on Saturday against Fiorentina and Keylor Navas showing great enthusiasm in training last week. If, by any chance, Navas is in goal against the ‘Colchonerros’ and in the first league game against Cordoba, that could mark the end of Casillas at Real Madrid.

1. I don’t see how he comes back from this after losing the starting job first to Diego Lopez (experienced la Liga and Champions League keeper) and then to Keylor Navas, who’s only top experience was playing the last World Cup.

2. Iker will not want to go another year on the bench playing only cup games (at least I think he’ll only play that competition).

All this makes me believe that he would want to leave before the end of the transfer market; and the likely replacement would be Kiko Casilla. It’s also because of Kiko’s situation at Espanyol that makes me think something is on the brink. Madrid still has a buyback option that ends this summer and his contract expires in 2015, which he has not renewed. Along with this, I’m not fully convinced Ancelotti even wants him as the backup if he continues the way he’s been. Even if Iker doesn’t depart in this transfer window, I see him leaving either in January or next summer. The way it’s all going, I see one of three things happening after the match in Cardiff:

Option #1: Casillas actually has a good game, which the press blows out of proportion and Carlo will keep him as the starter.

Option #2: Casillas has another terrible performance, Navas takes his place and everything I previously said unfolds one by one.

Option #3: Casillas has a bad game, but Ancelotti refuses to bench him because of the constant pressure.

Hopefully, it won’t be option #3.   

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, inside Florentino’s office…

By El Maestro

Nine days after the World Cup Final, Real Madrid signed and presented Germany international Toni Kroos and the sensation of the last WC James Rodríguez from AS Monaco. These are two outstanding signings that will greatly improve the midfield. In spite of the two titles, Madrid at times lacked creativity in midfield last season. Modric was phenomenal, but Xabi was inconsistent, Isco was average and Illarramendi has shown that he’s not fully ready to take charge of the midfield just yet. Toni Kroos brings youth and experience: only 24-years old, played four seasons and was a consistent starter at Bayern Munich, was on the treble winning side in 2013 with Jupp Heynckes, has a great shot from outside and is now a World Cup winner being one of the key players for Germany. James, on the other hand, will revolutionize both the midfield and the attack. A natural number ’10’ playmaker that plays in the attacking midfielder position, but can also play as a winger and even at striker if needed. He doesn’t have the same experience or success as Kroos, but he’s still earned a lot for a recently turned 23-year old. Made his debut at the age of 16 in Colombia, signed for Argentine club Banfield a year later where he won the league title and transferred to Porto for only €5.1 million at 19 years of age where he won eight titles in his three seasons, which included the quadruple winning campaign in 2010/2011 that included the Europa League title, and was named the best player in the Primeira Liga for the 2011/2012 season. He was then sold to Monaco for €45 million where his 10 goals and 12 assist allowed him to finish the season as the assist leader in the French league and helped Monaco earn a spot in next seasons Champions League edition for the first time since 2004. Not to mention the way he put Colombia on his back in the last World Cup and carried them through the tournament with six goals (named the top goalscorer) and two assists (all without Falcao) only enhances his reputation as a star player. There is some concern that he could be another Ozil (unknown player that exploded in the World Cup). However, James was already a well known player long the World Cup and had even received offers from several top clubs in the past, including Madrid, whereas Ozil was a talented player only known to German football and did not express any interests until after the 2010 World Cup. Regardless, we won’t know how he pans out until the seasons starts, but the sky is the limit for James Rodríguez.

Departures:

Up to date, only two players have left the club: Casemiro on loan to Porto and Morata miraculously sold to Juventus for €20 million with a €30 million buy back option (either Florentino’s a genius or someone slipped something in Andrea Agnelli’s drink). Before new players can come into the club, current players are going to have to depart to make room; beginning with Di Maria. He had a fantastic second half of the season, but his bad attitude is once again becoming a problem. He was not happy with Bale’s signing and even insinuated at one point he only played because he was an expensive buy, had that confrontation in a Copa game with Ancelotti and we all still remember the crotch incident at the beginning of the new year. Fortunately, his improvement in form last season, the fact he was named MVP in the Champions League Final and his good performances in the World Cup means his stock is still high and Madrid can make a huge profit with his departure. The latest rumor is that PSG has increased their offer to €80 million, but Manchester United are still looking to make one last push. Once this is done, the next order of business in Sami Khedira, who has a year remaining on his contract. He’s always been an important player for Madrid and he showed that this summer being another of the key players for Germany, but there has not been any indication that he is going to renew his contract. If this is the case, Madrid is going to have to sell him this summer to cash in, although it won’t be hard to find them since Arsenal and Chelsea have both expressed interest. The problem is if Khedira does leave, Madrid is going to have to go back into the market to sign a defensive midfielder.

The club also has to figure out what to do with Illarramendi and Isco. Illarra looked certain to leave the club this summer on loan, but the uncertainty with Khedira has put a halt on that. On the other hand, Isco looks set to stay (unless something happens with Di Maria) and fight for a starting job with James. Isco did show some flashes of his amazing talent last season, but it took him a while to adjust to the club and the enormous pressure that comes with it. Still, he could have a breakout season if he responds well to the competition in his spot. In Illarramendi’s case, the best thing that can happen is a loan deal. He didn’t have a bad season, but his performance in Dortmund psychologically destroyed him and showed that the Santiago Bernabeu is too big a stage for him right now. With that said, if our expectation is for him to be Xabi Alonso’s future replacement, it has to be a proper loan out to a Premier League team or to a side playing Champions League football (Porto, Monaco, Schalke, Bayer Leverkuson or even Napoli). It will do him very little if he goes back to Real Sociedad or even crosses over to Bilbao. Yes, Athletic is going to play the Champions League next season, but that would still be within his comfort zone playing in the same region he grew up in, less than two hours away from his family and competing in the same league he’s played in since making his debut in 2010. He probably wouldn’t go far in the Champions League with any of the teams mentioned above (or even play it with the English teams he may go to), but at least he’d be getting a new perspective by playing in another league, adapting to that country and getting the feel of European matches.

The Dreaded Goalkeeping Situation:

Lastly, there is the situation we all want to end: Diego or Casillas? I don’t know what will happen, but this issue has to be resolved by the end of the transfer window. I’ll about this more another day, but Real Madrid cannot go through another turmoil of a season because of what happens in goal. The latest report is that  Ancelotti has decided to make Iker the full time starter, Diego Lopez will rescind his contract in the next few days and Madrid will announce the signing of Levante keeper Keylor Navas on Monday; but I’m not buying that for one second. To make it simple, I WILL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT. When I see Real Madrid officially confirm they have departed ways with Diego, then I will believe. In the meantime, it’s up to Carletto to make that decision. The only thing I can ask of him is to do what he truly thinks is right. If (by any chance) he actually likes Casillas more than Diego then so be it, but because he actually thinks Iker is better. Not because if he lets him go, he’s going to have the press on him and a lot of the fans are going to point the finger at him if they lose. Like I said, I will talk about this more in the upcoming days, but it has to be dealt with.