€80 Million For Alvaro Morata!!!!

By El Maestro

On Wednesday, Real Madrid confirmed the transfer of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea FC. Morata will replace Diego Costa as the club’s leading striker with the Spanish-Brazilian forward not being included in Antonio Conte’s plans for the upcoming season. Although Conte and Morata have not worked together, Conte did spend a summer or two trying to sign the Spanish striker when he was managing Juventus.

Having come up Real Madrid’s La Fabrica academy, Morata played two seasons with the first team where he came off the bench in Madrid’s Champions League Final victories in Lisbon and Cardiff. He also played two seasons for Italian giants Juventus where he started and scored in the 2015 Champions League Final; as well as scoring twice in the semi-finals against Real Madrid.

That being said, Morata’s transfer leaves €80 Million in Madrid’s bank account. A lot of money for a player that was backup last year to Benzema and in his second season with Juventus after the club signed Mario Mandžukić and Paulo Dybala. I’m not criticizing Chelsea for paying that huge amount because it’s how the market is, especially when 18-year old Kylian Mbappé is being linked with a €120+ million move away from AS Monaco. Regardless, it is yet another piece of business by Florentino Perez.

I don’t know how Florentino does it, but he somehow is able to get these kind of deals done. Just this summer, despite the transfer window still being open and Kylian Mbappé being linked to the club, Real Madrid have made a profit of €55 million from their signings and departures.

Signings:

• The Hernandez – €30 million
• Dani Ceballos – €17 million
• Jesus Vallejo – €5 million

Total Spent – €52 million

Departures:

• James Rodriguez – €10 million (loan fee)
• Mariano Diaz – €8 million
• Diego Llorente – €6 million
• Burgui – €3 million
• Pepe – Free transfer
• Coentrao – Loan
• Alvaro Morato – €80 million

Total Sum – €107 million

Real Madrid will even receive compensation for James Rodriguez at the end of his loan spell, regardless of whether Bayern Munich decide to use the option to buy him or not. Florentino Perez may have haters in the Spanish media, but if there is some he knows to do, it’s how to run a business.

Easy Votes at the Expense of Real Madrid

By El Maestro

On Sunday, the game that was suppose to see Celta Vigo take on Real Madrid the Estadio de Balaidos was postponed as a result of stadium concerns. Extreme weather on the Friday before the game had caused some damages to Celta’s home stadium and after a report presented by Vigo’s City Council, Balaidos was not deemed safe for the game to go on.

However, since the game was postponed, all the focus has been on Real Madrid and Vigo’s Mayor Abel Caballero. A battle that was started on Monday by Mr. Caballero and has continued through Tuesday when he said he was disappointed by Real Madrid’s behavior, and even accused them of being arrogant and inconsiderate of the dangerous conditions.

https://twitter.com/elchiringuitotv/status/828624719087796224

Something that prompted a response from “los Blanco” who slammed Vigo’s Mayor by virtually calling him a liar and saying his claims were completely false.

https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/828695411766489088

Opportunism at its Fullest:  

In terms of the game being postponed, there is nothing to argue. Vigo’s City Council made a report stating the potential liability and it was wise to cancel the game. In fact, it was Abel Caballero who announced on Saturday afternoon that the game would not be played. Even though the league office didn’t officially cancel the match until later that evening.   

Regardless, Abel Caballero’s behavior this week was nothing more than an opportunity for him to reinforce his political image. He claims that Real Madrid tried pressuring the city to play the game at any cost. Something that, as previously stated by Madrid, is completely false. Not just that, no one at club, from Florentino Perez to Zidane to the players, has even said anything publicly in regards to Sunday’s postponed fixture.

So why would Abel Caballero make a big deal about this? It has nothing to do with media reports, closed door conversations, or public statements.

Very simple, it’s all a political stunt. By challenging Real Madrid, Spain’s most successful and hated football club, he is:

1. Winning easy votes.
2. Strengthening his political image amongst fellow colleagues.  
3. Gaining some global awareness.

Quick Memo:

If Celta Vigo really wanted to play the game, they would have done everything in their power to fix the stadium damages. Maybe the game still wouldn’t have been played, but they would have worked until the last minute to play the game.

James Drops the Bombshell

By El Maestro

After the 4-2 victory over Kashima Antlers in the FIFA Club World Cup Final, you would think everyone would be talking about Madrid’s amazing year that included three international titles; nope. All the attention shifted to James Rodriguez’s post match comments saying that he couldn’t guarantee he would continue with Real Madrid and wanted to play more. James’ situation has been interesting since the arrival of Rafa Benitez last season. He wasn’t a starter under Benitez, Zidane took over and put him back in the 11, then dropped him, and now James is sometimes not even one of the three substitutes that comes on. A decision that at times has been highly criticized in his native Colombia and rumors have even circulated that there may be a personal reason behind.

There is no evidence to prove that, but no manager would be stubborn enough to throw stones at someone else’s glass house. Zidane isn’t going to bench a top class player that cost Real Madrid $107 million for some kind of personal reason. If James isn’t a regular starter, the only person he has to blame is himself.

What to do?

Personally, I think if James wants to leave and there is a good offer on the table, Real Madrid should sell him right now in January for four reasons:

1. Real Madrid won the transfer ban appeal: The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced Madrid’s transfer ban from two windows to one. Real Madrid will only be sanctioned for the upcoming transfer window in January.
   
2. Deep squad: Real Madrid have a deep enough squad to replace James. Players like Lucas Vazquez, Isco, Asensio, and Kovacic are already getting more playing time than James. Even if Real Madrid are eying a replacement for James, they could always make the signing now and loan him out for the next six months.
3. Market value decreases: Despite his recent struggles, James is still recognized as a world class player. There is a reason Real Madrid paid so much money for him. Regardless, his market value goes down the more time he spends on the bench. Not to mention there are two notable teams that will be eager to bring in a player of his class on board once the window opens: Chelsea and Manchester United. Chelsea will need to replace the departure of Oscar to China and Manchester United are desperate to bring in more top talent to strengthen the squad. Along with the fact that neither team is playing Champions League football this season, there may be a good opportunity for Florentino Perez to regain the money invested in James. If a good offer is presented, Madrid should move forward with the deal.
4. Not sure what Zidane is doing: Zidane’s management of James Rodriguez has been a little peculiar since taking over. James might come off the bench for a couple of games, then get a few starts, return to the bench, doesn’t play for a week or two, and then starts the most important game of the season. Just look at Madrid’s last 13 league and international fixtures:

• Legia Warsaw: Starter
• Athletic Bilbao: Did Not Play
• Deportivo Alaves: Did Not Play
• Legia Warsaw: Did Not Play
• Leganes: Substitute
• Atletico Madrid: Substitute
• Sporting de Portugal: Did Not Play
• Sporting Gijon: Starter
• Barcelona: Did Not Play
• Borussia Dortmund: Starter
• Deportivo de La Coruña: Starter
• Club America: Substitute
• Kashima Antlers: Did Not Play

At times, it almost looks like Zidane is confused with how to manage James while  already playing Cristiano, Benzema, and Bale in the starting 11. It’s normal to leave players out when they are struggling with form, but it’s not common for a coach to start a player in the team’s most important international game (Borussia Dortmund) when he was left on the bench just a few days earlier in the most important league fixture (Barcelona) of the season. Regardless, if Zidane doesn’t figure out what to do with James on the field, then it would probably be best to cash in when January comes around.    

  

  

 

Bye Bye Topo!

By El Maestro

Last Saturday, after days of uncertainty, Real Madrid finally confirmed that Iker Casillas would be departing the club to join FC Porto. Despite this, I’ve had to spend the last week hearing things such as Madrid disrespected Casillas, the fan base is against Florentino, Madrid doesn’t respect players, and much more garbage. Now, it’s my turn to speak.

Personally, I have no sympathy for Casillas whatsoever. I laugh at all these critics because it’s Casillas who decided to leave, it was his own decision to speak alone at the press conference last Sundays, it was him who rejected the tributes the club offered him in front of the fans (even though the club went on to host it), and it’s Madrid whose going to pay almost 75% of his contract at Porto. Casillas’ damaged relationship with a portion of the fan base is not because of Florentino, Mourinho, or even the press that defended him. The only person responsible for this is Iker and Iker alone.

Why? Because this is what happens….

• When you abuse your legendary status at the club.
• When you decide to care only for yourself and not for the team that pays your salary.
• When you get your friends in the press to start a campaign in your favor instead of working on the field to get your position back.
• When you turn the other cheek and allow your club, your coach, and your fellow teammates to be ridiculed by the press.
• When you worry about what the press thinks instead of what your own fans think.

Iker’s real problem is that he’s the most naive and ill prepared person of all time. He never understood how to handle tough situations and always got himself into more hot water than before. He was always more concerned about his national team duties, he actually believed that Xavi Hernandez was his “best friend”, and he really thought he could get away with calling Xavi and apologizing as captain of Real Madrid for his team’s behavior during the 2011 Spanish Supercup (when Madrid was not at fault). Even when he tried to win back that part of the fan base, he didn’t realize that he was throwing under the bus those in the press that defended him all these years (and they made sure to let him know). Not to mention he missed his best chance to leave on top last summer after the Champions League victory, despite his costly blunder. Madrid won ‘la Decima’, the entire stadium chanted Iker’s name during the festivities, and he was treated like a king. That was the ideal moment for him to pack up and leave on a high note, but he chose to stay another year and now the tables have turned.

I could go on, but I’m going to end it here. I don’t care whether Casillas does well or not at Porto. The only thing I’m happy about is that he finally left and that Madrid confirmed the signing of Kiko Casilla from Espanyol. Once again, I have no sympathy for Casillas at all. He was the worst captain in Real Madrid’s history, and yet he left with two tributes by the club, Madrid is going to pay almost 75% of his salary at Porto, and he even got a farewell card from Xavi Hernandez. There is no reason to feel bad for Iker. I’m sure Eric Abidal would have liked a fraction of the treatment that Casillas got.

Bye Bye Topo!

Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

 

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.   

 

 

 

 

Arbeloa off ‘La Coja’

By El Maestro

Let me just make it clear that what I’m about to write is my personal opinion. On Tuesday, Del Bosque announced his 30 man provisional squad, which will be cut to the mandated 23 on May 25th. This list included a few new comers, such as Carvajal, Alberto Moreno,  Iturraspe and Koke. Regardless, the biggest surprise was someone who was left of the squad. After almost seven years of being a regular, Arbeloa’s name was not mentioned among the 30 selected. Already, many have come out to defend “El Marquez” saying Arbeloa’s two month injury and the competition for the right back position led to this decision being made. Ironically, the people who defend this theory are the same that keep saying Mourinho’s decision to bench Casillas was “personal”.

I do agree that Spain has more than two quality right backs and any of the options could have been selected. Azpilicueta has had an outstanding season this season at Chelsea (even though he played at left back) and is probably the best Spanish right back going into this World Cup. Atletico Madrid has made it to the Champions League Final with Juanfran as their right back and Carvajal has shown some promising signs for the future in his first season with Real Madrid. However, Juanfran and Carvajal are no better defenders than Arbeloa. The question many are asking is was Del Bosque’s decision to leave Arbeloa out purely a sporting decision?

My Opinion: Not one bit

In fact, he used the two month injury as the perfect excuse to finally leave him out. I don’t buy this injury explanation because  Thiago Alcântara has been out since late March and that didn’t stop Del Bosque from including him. Pique, Navas and Cazorla have also been struggling with injuries the last two months and they’re all on the list. Along with this, we shouldn’t forget Del Bosque publicly stated he would wait until the last minute to take Villa to the 2012 Euro after suffering a six month injury in December 2011. With that said, why is he willing to take all these players (despite their injury problems) and not take Arbeloa? Why was he willing to take wait for Villa in 2012? Why did he take Torres to the Euro when he wasn’t a starter or scoring goals for his club team? Why did he include Villa and Torres in the provisional squad when they haven’t produced this season? Why does he continue to take Reina when his form has completed dropped in the last two years? Why would he start Casillas in the Confederations Cup when he hadn’t played a game since January 2013?    

Simple, because all these players are part of ‘Del Bosque’s group’ and Arbeloa is seen as the radical who’s ruining the team chemistry in the dressing room. Since he doesn’t bouy down to everyone of Xavi’s commands and doesn’t apologize for mistakes he hasn’t committed, he’s seen as a radical who’s ruining the team chemistry in the Spanish dressing room. The only thing Arbeloa has been guilty of is being a great professional for both Real Madrid and Spain. If there is anyone at fault here, it is Del Bosque and his “group” for not knowing when to differentiate playing for your club and country. What do people expect when Real Madrid takes on Barcelona and Atletico Madrid (hugs, kisses and an easy going game)? Problems will always exist between players from both sides because they are rivalry games and each team really wants to win. Arbeloa is a true example of how to handle these situations because he’s always defended the side who pays his salary first, but puts all those confrontations during these heated fixtures aside to represent and do what’s best for Spain. Sadly, ‘Del Bosque’s group’ and ‘piperos’ don’t agree with this and Arbeloa will be watching the World Cup from a television set; unless a string of injuries occur at the right back position.

Despite this injustice, Arbeloa will continue to be a fantastic professional and all I can do is thank him for always putting Real Madrid as his number 1 footballing priority and for not allowing outside forces to change his way of thinking.

Arbeloa: Get fit this summer and enjoy your vacation.

¡ESPARTANO!

 

 

The Press

By El Maestro

For years, I actually thought one of the reasons for the presses behavior was because of a player’s legendary status at Real Madrid and his Spanish nationality. I realize that is completely false since these ‘piperos’ still sell that Mourinho “mistreated” Pedro Leon and continue to ridicule Arbeloa just for defending his manager. Maybe in Italy it works somewhat like this, which would explain why Buffon is still playing for Juventus, but in Spain it’s all about contacts and information. The Spanish press doesn’t care about who’s the manager, who plays or what’s really the best for Real Madrid. All they want are news to sell.

Do people actually think that the press got on Mourinho because he “really” was bad for Madrid or praise Casillas every time he makes a save because he’s the best keeper in the world? It’s very simple, Mou locked the press out when he was in charge and Casillas was the one who leaked everything, and the famous interview his girlfriend gave in Mexico could only enhance it. Even today, many ‘priperos’ continue to criticize Florentino for letting Del Bosque go and some believe that Ramon Calderon did a better job with the club when he was President from 2006-2009. There are just a few things wrong with this.

1. The man who presented the idea to Florentino about not renewing Del Bosque’s contract was his Sporting Director at the time, Jorge Valdano. However, no one dares to mention his name because he’s a guest on El Larguero, which is a radio show on La Cadena Ser, and is very good friends with other fellow journalists, such as Santiago Segurola and Diego Torres.

2. Yes, there are people who actually defend Ramon Calderon. For them, Calderon was a good President, but the Ramon Calderon most of us madridistas remember is the one who couldn’t shut his mouth, was fooled by a ‘fake Nicolas Cage’, took secret commissions from signings and left in the most disgraceful way when it was discovered he manipulated accounts in the infamous December 2008 shareholders meeting (resigning a month later). Let’s also not forget he had his own Del Bosque moment when he fired Fabio Capello after winning the 2006/2007 La Liga trophy. The only difference is that Calderon really fired Capello.

These people don’t care about the fact that Madrid had to sell top players in 1999 to pay that current squad and is now the richest sports franchise in the world. Or that Madrid was able to spend more than €100 million in signings and get it all back with departures, sales and sponsorships. All this thanks to Florentino. There is just one thing he has not done well at: keeping the press out of Real Madrid. 

However, let me get back to what I exactly mean when I say contacts and information. The ‘piperos’ from the Spanish press will say good things about players, coaches or Presidents who give them access, information or get along well with them. Florentino is mistreated because he doesn’t have a good relationship with them. Iker is the one who leaks everything, Calderon had a better relationship with the press and Raul had a very good agent.

Lets take another example: Michel, former Real Madrid player and now coach of Olympiacos. During the 2011/2012 season, there were many coaching vacancies. Every single time a coach was sacked and the press began with their usual speculations, a name that would always be mentioned was Michel’s. What had me scratching my head was why would a coach, whose only prior success had been qualifying Getafe for the Europa League in 2010 (fired in May 2011), constantly be appearing? After that, his experiences include taking charge of Rayo Vallecano in 2005 and not promoting them to Second Division, relegating a very good Real Madrid Castilla side to Second Division B (included Ruben de la Red, Javi Garcia, Borja Valero, Mata and Negredo) and just barely saving Getafe from relegation in 2009 by one goal. Like I said before, along with having worked in El Larguero, he has a very good agent who knows a lot of people in the press. Eventually, all that paid off when he was appointed new manager of Sevilla in March 2012, and then fired in January 2013.

I know many of you think this is nonsense and that no press in the world would stoop to this level, but sadly it really is. In fact, if you analyze just the front covers of Marca and As for the last 2 or 3 years, it would tell you a lot. Mourinho would only be on the center of the page if Madrid lost, Casillas for the easiest save and Diego Lopez would barely be mentioned even if his performances saved the team. The only player who’s actually being praised for his incredible performances on the field is Cristiano, but even at times I think is the Spanish press doing this to recognize his incredible form or would it have been different if he hadn’t “betrayed” Mourinho. Obviously, you can’t change the Spanish press, but you can do things to help protect the club.

• Eliminating the ‘Topos’ from the club (players, coaches or staff).
• Sanctions for players who leak information to the press without the clubs consent.
• Prohibiting players and coaches from giving interviews.
• Lawsuits for any journalist who steps his boundary.

Real Madrid cannot allow players and coaches to leave the club just because the Spanish press makes it unbearable to play in the Santiago Bernabeu. The President is responsible for what happens at the club and the manager for making sure his players are ready to play, not the press.

Juventus and Real Sociedad: 

Just a brief summary. Real Madrid took a valuable point from Turin with a 2-2 draw and almost sealed the 1st place position in the group. Against the Basque side, Madrid played a fantastic 45 minutes of football and finished them early with four unanswered goals in the 1st half. They took their foot off the peddle and allowed Real Sociedad to score, but at least CR7 would give us something to cheer about in the second half with a fabulous free kick. Bit by bit it seems as if the team is finally finding its form and style of play. Lets just hope they don’t lose it after the international break.

The Anti-Diego Campaign

By El Maestro

Every time someone asks me why Spain is in this huge sh*thole, my response is always “just follow the Spanish sporting press” (I mean it). In reality, I always knew the Spanish press was one of the worst in the Europe, but I at least thought they were better than Italian journalist since they were one of the reasons that Mourinho left Inter Milan. Not just was I completely wrong, there is a whole world just between Spanish and Italian journalist.

What these people from Marca, As, Copa, Cadena Ser, Cuatro and several others did to Mourinho these last three years was a disgrace and could only be done by individuals with no conscious whatsoever, but what is now happening to Diego Lopez this season is ridiculous and out of line. I’ve heard many comments this past week, such as Diego Lopez has been a bust of a keeper, all 17 league goals conceded this season were his fault (Really?) and that he’s a “terrible” keeper in terms of areal play. What’s sad is that they are trying use his “terrible areal play” to get Iker his job back. So they want Iker back in goal because Diego is bad in the air?

Example: That’s like a guy saying he’s going to stop drinking Diet Coca Cola because it has too much sugar and starts drinking regular Coca Cola instead.

Of course, the match in Turin on Tuesday only doubles the pressure. In my opinion, Iker had a good game and made one important save, but nothing special. However, leave it to the Spanish press to blow it out of proportion. The very next day, As does a survey asking their viewers who should be the starting keeper for Real Madrid, which Casillas won (naturally) with 84% of the votes. I wonder if the people from As actually realize that madridistas aren’t the only ones who read their website.

What has Diego Lopez done to deserve this? Accepting an offer to play for his dream club when they were in search of a keeper at a very crucial moment. Being put in goal, exceeding expectations and making world class saves in important matches. Or simply because of the fact that he took his opportunity.

If there is anything these last 10 months have shown, it’s that Diego Lopez is as good a keeper as Iker Casillas. Like Iker in years past, Diego has made incredible saves, has been huge in big games and has saved the team in a few occasions. This season, with this horrific defending, he’s been our second best player behind CR7. He’s made mistakes like everyone, but at least he’s been consistent with his form. Regardless, the Spanish press doesn’t care. Diego Lopez is ridiculed even for the slightest mistake and Casillas is praised as the “best keeper in the world” just for making a simple stop against Finland (FINLAND!!!). For the Spanish press, it seems unexplainable and idiotic to why Iker is not the full starter. It also appears as if most of the footballing world is asking this exact question except two people: Mourinho and Capello.

Yes, Capello, who had to come out to defend Diego Lopez’s performance last week, believed that the young Diego he had back in the 2006/2007 season was better than Iker Casillas. In fact, he was a pencil print away from benching the 26-year old Casillas for Diego, but backed off after discovering what was to come his way if he made that decision. Then again, that Iker Casillas was an actual world class keeper. Not this irregular, weak, cry baby, leaking, sad excuse for a captain we have right not.

Just to make it clear, I’m not saying that no one is allowed to give his or her own opinion. Everyone has the same right to say that they feel Iker or Diego is better than the other. All I’m saying is that Diego Lopez shouldn’t be disrespected just because he left Casillas on the bench. In January, Diego signed as the keeper for Real Madrid, what was he suppose to do? Play at an average level and not make big saves so that Iker could get his job back when he returned from injury. What the press and many Real Madrid fans are forgetting are the basics of football. It doesn’t matter the name that’s on the field, but whether that name can do his job for Real Madrid. Diego Lopez came in at an important time and not just did his job; he played at a world-class level. Like the saying goes, if something’s not broken, don’t fix it. If Diego is still playing at that world-class level, then he should be the starter by all means. However, Diego Lopez must be fairly criticized when he makes a mistake and be given the same respect all these ‘piperos’ from the Spanish press ask for Iker Casillas.

Costa Selección

By El Maestro

I know Diego Costa plays for Atletico and many feel I have no business dedicating an entire post about him, but the idea that the Brazilian born striker, who became a Spanish citizen last year, has decided to play for Spain continues to swerve around my head. First of all, this article is not to express my opinion whether Costa should or shouldn’t play for Spain, but to show once again the double standard that exists between Real Madrid and the rest of the La Liga teams.

Personally and as a Spaniard, I have no problem whatsoever with Diego Costa playing for Spain. I think he’s a good striker, has been showing his talent at Atletico the last two seasons and is an aggressive player. Along with this, he’s the best Spanish striker of them all (right now) and will only continue to get better as he plays the Champions League this season with the ‘Colchoneros’. In fact, if Costa starts next summer at the 2014 World Cup, then Spain’s only weakness will be the man with the mustache wearing a suit.

Striker Ranking (for now):

1. Diego Costa
2. Michu
3. Soldado
4. Negredo
5. Llorente
6. Villa
7. Torres

However, what I don’t understand is why is there such a big media frenzy from La Cope, El Larguero, Marca, As and all these Spanish sport programmers to get Costa to play for Spain. For the last few years, these same journalists were saying that Real Madrid needed to sign more Spanish players (and coaches) because Spain had the best players in the world, were Euro-World Cup-Euro Champions and should be the number one focus for Madrid. You would think they would use this standard with the Spanish national team as well, but no. It’s okay for Spain to have naturalized players on the team that weren’t born, raised or come from a Spanish family. Suddenly, there are no good Spanish born or breaded 9’s in the La Liga or around the top  European leagues. So Madrid should only sign Spanish players and coaches, but anyone from any part of the world that is originally not connected with Spain from birth can play for the Spanish national team. Sadly, this also demonstrates why Spain is in such bad shape.

What I also find interesting is that Diego Costa is complete polar opposite to what many have sold ‘La Coja’ to be: “Humble, noble and clean players”. Those who are asking for Costa’s selection are the same ones that made Pepe’s life (before “betraying” Mou) in Spain a living hell after his incident with Casquero, Alves (despite not touching him), Messi and a few others along the way. If people are saying Pepe is a dirty player, then Diego Costa is equally as bad or worse; and he’s had his fair share of incidents.

Diego Costa vs. Ramos and Pepe

Against Mallorca

The punch on Pepe

These are some incidents to name a few. You can find a lot more on YouTube and Google, but this is what Spain would be getting with Diego Costa. As I said earlier, this is not an “Anti-Costa Selección” article. Again, I think he would be great for the national team and could give the national team a new edge up front. However, I can’t stand these Spanish journalist (not everyone, but in general), who call themselves “honest and professional”, that defend Costa while they continue to trash Pepe and the entire club. I wonder what would’ve been the media’s general opinion if Costa was wearing a white shirt instead of one with stripes?

7th Week of the Season

By El Maestro

A lot has happened in the last seven weeks that I don’t even know where to start. The team’s performance on the field has been inconsistent, Ancelotti doesn’t seem to have a good idea about certain things and the press keeps showing they really don’t care about the well being of Real Madrid (what a surprise).

Performance & Ancelotti:

Up to date, Real Madrid still hasn’t played a complete 90-minute game of football. The closes they came was in the 6-1 thrashing against Galatasaray, after struggling the first half hour. Besides that, the team can’t seem to find the right stride or style of play. Ancelotti hasn’t found the right system as he continues to experiment with new lineups and formations. Along with this, certain big name and important players to the squad haven’t been playing to their full potential.

It’s a new coach with a new system, so we all have to be patient, but Madrid’s performances in the past week are no excuse. Playing a terrible game against newly promoted Elche, which we would have lost in any other occasion if not for Muniz Fernandez. Culminating in the shambolic performance last Saturday night against Atletico Madrid, which brought to an end our 15-year La Liga winning streak against the ‘Colchonoros’. Madrid went back to winning ways after beat FC Copenhagen in the Champions League 4-0 and extending the gap to four points between Juventus, but the style of play has to improve.

Luckily, Ancelotti will have some free time to figure his squad out, as La Liga will stop after this weekends matches for the international fixtures. However, he’ll have to use that time very wisely as a heavy schedule awaits his side upon returning. First Malaga in the Bernabeu, then Juventus comes in for the Champions League and then it’s time to go to Barcelona for the Clasico. After the Clasico, Sevilla comes to Madrid, Madrid then takes a short bus ride to Vallecas and then it’s off to Turin to take on the Italian Champions once again. Important and crucial matches that will determine where this team is. Hopefully by then, the team will be playing its ideal style and with a usual starting 11. Regardless, Ancelotti has a lot to figure out in the upcoming weeks.

Defense: With Varane now back (FINALLY!!!), who will partner him at center back? Will Marcelo or Coentrao be the starting left back and who will be the number 1 right back between Arbeloa and Carvajal.

Midfield: With Xabi Alonso still out, Ancelotti has used different players in midfield. His favorite partnership, clearly, has been Khedira and Modric, but he’s surprisingly given Illarramendi a lot of starts, which included the match against Atletico that didn’t exactly go well. Despite that, Illarra hasn’t looked too shabby, on the contrary to Casemiro who’s disappeared in the last month. However, it’s important Ancelotti finds the ride partnership and gives it continuity since we all know the midfield is the brain of the team. Unfortunately, the midfield is going to cause Carlo more headaches in a few weeks when Xabi returns from the injury list.

Attack: Benzema, Morata or a striker in January? That is my may concern and I have no worries of what Ancelotti will do on the wings with CR7, Bale, Di Maria and Jese. Benzema hasn’t been the ‘lion’ we all know he can be and has heard it from the fans. Morata has been given a lot of chances and has shown promise, but not enough to see if he’s truly a striker made for Real Madrid. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give Morata a few starts, beginning with this weekends match, to see if he really is cut out for this team. If not, Madrid will have to look for a striker in January. Especially since January 2014 will be the best winter transfer market in many years with a lot of quality strikers eligible to play the Champions League.

Falco, in my opinion is the best 9 striker in the world, is reported to be unhappy at newly promoted side Monaco and is searching for a way out. Plus, his price tag is said to be around €45 million (trust me, that’s cheap). If not, another possibility could Luis Suarez. The only problem, along with not being a pure 9 and having a head similar to Pepe, is his price since Liverpool have asked for more than €50 million. Either way, this will depend on Benzema’s and Morata’s performances on the field.

Keeper: Yes, this position that has been a nightmare for all of us and a field day for the press will be an issue once again, but not now. Ancelotti has made it clear Diego Lopez will be playing in La Liga and Iker will do it in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. However, what I’m interested in seeing is what will the Italian do when the 2nd round of the Champions League begins. Stay with Casillas or go with the starting league keeper for the most important European matches. One things for sure, if this possibility gets leaked to the Spanish press, it will put the Italian in an even more trickier position than he was before.

Lastly, Ancelotti has to really figure out what will the formation be. At the beginning it was the 4-3-3, then it went to the 4-4-2 and on Wednesday he went back with three strikers up front. This is something that has to be solved, but in his defense, who can blame him? With all the weapons he has, it’s hard to pick between the 4-3-3, 4-2-2 and 4-2-3-1. In fact, at the rate Ramos and Pepe are playing, don’t be surprise he considers the possibility of playing with 3 in the back, which is something I’m sure many wouldn’t mind (starting with me). Still, it is important he finds the right formation for the team and stays with it the entire season.

Spanish Press (Piperos):

I will only say this; the best part about Madrid’s struggles is seeing how the Spanish press in general proves my and many of us madridistas theories.

Memo: This memo is for all those madridistas that were fed up with Mou and don’t seem to be happy with Ancelotti: SHUT UP! It’s normal for a new coach to have problems early in his tenure, but you people shouldn’t be talking since this is what you wanted. You bought exactly what the ‘piperos’ from the press were saying and thought it was best for a new coach to come in. Now the team is struggling and everyone’s up in harms. Ancelotti is the new manager and deserves respect, especially from you people. If you’re not happy with him, SUCK IT UP.