http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/ en Copyright 2012 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:38:33 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Seven points. Seven massive points. With the way Barca has dominated La Liga in recent seasons it'd be foolish to say the title is returning to the Bernabeu just yet - but it's a very good bet. My last post focused on Madrid's impressive performance at the Camp Nou in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final, even though Pep's boys progressed to a semi-final date with Valencia. It focused on the mental strength of Madrid in Catalonia that night. The strength Los Blancos showed despite dominating the first-half and somehow finding themselves 2-0 down. The strength to continue playing well, not letting their heads drop, and coming away unbeaten. That mental strength seems to be winning the way for Madrid at the moment, and it's having a negative impact on Barca - as shown with three draws on the spin. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/02/magnificent_seven_should_be_en.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/02/magnificent_seven_should_be_en.php Match Previews Getafe Jose Mourinho Real Madrid Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:38:33 +0000 "We gave a very good performance. It's a shame really, but feeling we were superior is important." - Xabi Alonso. Okay, let's first get the negatives out of the way. Madrid are out of the Copa del Rey, the competition they were defending this season after last year's triumph. They bowed out over two-legs against old foes Barcelona, who again bag the bragging rights. For neutrals looking at the scoreline and the headlines, it'll be a case of just another Clasico win for Barca. It was anything but 'just another win'. As Xabi Alonso says above, Los Blancos can take plenty from their performance at the Camp Nou. Madrid deserved to win the game. Deserved? Or threw it away? They certainly had the best chances, they certainly had Pep's boys against the ropes late on, and they certainly, for a change, had the heart.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/thats_the_way_to_do_it.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/thats_the_way_to_do_it.php El Clásico Barcelona Copa del Rey El Clasico Real Madrid Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:52:46 +0000 New competition, new personnel, new year. Same old story. It's difficult to come online after another Clasico defeat at the hands of Barca and try to explain just why Los Blancos are no match for their Catalan rivals, at least in head-to-head competition. I can't begin to imagine what it feels like for Jose Mourinho. A winner. A man who doesn't 'do' losing. Unless it's against Barca. The 'Special One' is very-much second best to Pep Guardiola at the moment and, seemingly, he can do little to change the flow. After analysing, analysing and analysing the only conclusion is quite simple, and quite hurtful for Madridistas. When the sides meet, Barcelona are simply much better than Madrid. While many, myself included, felt the tide was turning before the Liga Clasico clash at the Bernabeu at the start of December, Pep's boys upped their gear to show they still have a hold over Madrid in Clasico matches, and Wednesday night's Copa del Rey meeting proved no different. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/same_old_story_as_madrid_succu.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/same_old_story_as_madrid_succu.php El Clásico Barcelona Copa del Rey Cristiano Ronaldo El Clasico Jose Mourinho Pepe Real Madrid Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:24:50 +0000 'Copa del Rey is the third target, but tomorrow it will be the first one, because nobody plays to lose. We want two more games in February.' - Jose Mourinho. There's been much debate over how important the Copa del Rey double-header between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be. Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas says the duel has become "a little decaffeinated" thanks to the frequent nature of their meetings in recent years - Wednesday night's quarter-final first leg clash will be the fourth time the sides have met already this season and the eighth time in less than nine months. But while some argue that there can sometimes be too much of a good thing, Mourinho's comments in the pre-match press conference hit the nail on the head. Everyone knows the King's Cup is third on the list of priorities for both clubs this season - behind La Liga and the Champions League - but it'll be first on the list of priorities come Wednesday evening at the Bernabeu, especially because the Catalans are in town.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/madrids_copa_xi_that_could_bea.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/madrids_copa_xi_that_could_bea.php El Clásico Barcelona Copa del Rey Real Madrid Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:34:49 +0000 @nicholasrigg), and some words from Iker Casillas's mouth this week - and who's going to argue with Iker? It seems to be a case of there can sometimes be too much of a good thing.]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/hard_hats_at_the_ready_the_cop.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/hard_hats_at_the_ready_the_cop.php El Clásico Copa del Rey El Clasico Real Madrid Ronaldo Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:01:01 +0000 One dramatic come-from-behind midweek cup win, Iker Casillas has a street named after him, and Real Madrid beat Barcelona. Los Blancos have yet to return to La Liga action following the winter break but the week leading up to Saturday's clash against Granada at the Bernabeu has been anything but quiet. Okay, so Madrid's 'Clasico' victory wasn't in the football, it was in the basketball. But maybe, just maybe, it'll be a sign of things to come in the second half of La Liga (okay, I admit, it has no bearing at all - we can but hope) as Madrid look to maintain the form that saw them top the table, three points ahead of Barca, going into 2012. Nothing less than three points will do against the Andalusian side for Jose Mourinho and his men as they look to kick-start 2012 in the league in the same they ended it - with a convincing victory. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/madrid_target_warming_return_f.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2012/01/madrid_target_warming_return_f.php Match Previews Copa del Rey Iker Casillas Real Madrid Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:15:40 +0000 It's midway through the season for Madrid...almost. It's the La Liga winter break anyway, and almost midway through the campaign. So with this is mind, it's as good a time as any to do a bit of a 'mid-term' report on Los Blancos so far. You know, the kind you always got at school and usually (in my case anyway), hid from your parents until as late as possible. 'Can do better' was my usual report, probably a bit of a kick up the behind to get me in the right gear for the 'business end' of the school year - the bit that really matters. The 'bit that really matters' is yet to come for Jose Mourinho and his men, and although some 'kicking up the behind' may be necessary to keep Madrid's forward momentum going, there certainly isn't much of the 'can do better' on this report card. El Clasico, as usual, aside. It's an A from me. Top of La Liga, comfortable progress in the Champions League and goals galore. The only thing preventing Madrid's report card being an A+ is the slip-up against old foes Barcelona. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/madrids_midterm_report.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/madrids_midterm_report.php Club News Copa del Rey Gonzalo Higuain Kaka Real Madrid Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:14:34 +0000 Visit the official Real Madrid website this week and you'll see the headline: Mourinho: "We've done very well so far this season". A slightly bland assessment of the campaign, especially for a charismatic man such as Mourinho, but a level-headed and pretty much spot-on assessment nevertheless. It's been over a week since my last blog update. A decision to let the dust settle on my post-match Clasico post more than anything. And there was plenty dust left to settle, I'm sure you'll agree. It was my intention to post an article on Ronaldo, and his poor performance against Barcelona, and to also have a look at the importance of the game against Sevilla - the final league game before the winter break. Good job I didn't write that Ronaldo article, eh?! http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/back_on_top_a_nice_christmas_p.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/back_on_top_a_nice_christmas_p.php Match Reaction Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Sevilla Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:38:32 +0000 First thing's first - well done to Barca. It pains me to say it, but after all the hype, all the good football by Madrid this season in the run up to the game, and the apparent below-par performances of the Catalans (poor away form, loss at Getafe etc.), Pep's boys last night showed Mourinho and his men (or should that 'boys' and 'men' be the other way around?) that Los Blancos still have a way to go to catch their bitter rivals. A way to go, but just how far? Not miles, going on last night's showing, and form over the season as a whole so far. Barca fans get the bragging rights, again, but they know the gap's closing, and they know that titles aren't decided in December. That was the reaction from Guardiola, too, and rightly so. Match details aside, the reaction of both managers after the match highlighted one thing - that although psychologically Barca will have the upper hand, victory for Barca only makes the La Liga title race closer than recent seasons. The post-match press conferences were, by Clasico standards, low key from both clubs. Last night's game was always going to be more important for Barca - victory for Madrid would have put them in pole position for the title. Beating Barca and winning their game in hand would have put them a huge nine points clear - a big gap to close in what's certain to be a two-horse race. As it is now, a win for Madrid in their game in hand would see them regain top spot by three points although Barca do now have the better head-to-head record. Barca have won the battle, but Madrid can still win the war. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/barca_have_won_the_battle_madr.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/barca_have_won_the_battle_madr.php Match Reaction Barcelona El Clasico Real Madrid Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:16:34 +0000 I couldn't resist going on the Barcelona website just now to see their perspective of tomorrow's Clásico. If my internet had hands, I'd make sure they were washed twice over, don't worry about that. On a serious note, clicking on the 'El Clásico' section of their official site points you straight in the direction of Barca's memorable wins against Madrid, and it doesn't make pretty reading for Madridistas, as you'd expect. Of course, we all know history and statistics points to Los Blancos being the more successful of the two Spanish giants, something Barca fans can't argue with. The thing that strikes you is their more recent 'memorable' games - the 5-0 at the Camp Nou last season and the 6-2 at the Bernabeu in 2009. I won't take anything away from Barca for their successes in those two games, and their trophy successes in recent seasons where they have been, unfortunately, 'top dogs' in Spanish football, in Europe and possibly, the world. What I can take from paining myself on the Barcelona official site is that tomorrow's game is huge, a possible 'tide-turner' in the bitter rivalry between Los Blancos and the Catalans. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_the_final_say.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_the_final_say.php El Clásico Angel di Maria Barcelona El Clasico Real Madrid Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:54:32 +0000 Barca blog: Clasico returns for what's left of your soul We all love to play the role of football manager, even more so when it comes to the massive games such as these. But while it's been relatively easy to predict a successful Madrid starting XI in most of their games so far this season, domestically and in Europe, there always needs to be some extra thought put into it for El Clasico. So here's my XI...]]> http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_my_madrid_starting.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_my_madrid_starting.php El Clásico Barcelona El Clasico Real Madrid Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:58:49 +0000 In day two of my preview ahead of Saturday's big one at the Bernabeu, I look at the key men who can make the difference for Los Blancos against their bitter rivals on the day. From defence, to midfield and attack Madrid have been superb so far this season as a team but as they say, a match such as the Clásico can be won by a moment of magic, or lost by a moment of madness. I was keen to put my preferred starting eleven forward today, but with the Champions League game at Ajax still to be played (yes, Madrid may have breezed through their group and won it at a canter, but there's still one game left to play in Holland...), I thought it wise to wait until after it. While Jose Mourinho is expected to put a weakened team out at the Amsterdam ArenA, some first team players that are likely to be in Saturday's squad could still feature, and I wouldn't want to put the curse on anyone before the big one. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_madrids_key_men.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/el_clasico_madrids_key_men.php El Clásico Barcelona Cristiano Ronaldo El Clasico Pepe Real Madrid Sergio Ramos Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:04:28 +0000 It's time. It's the fixture we've been waiting for since... well, since the 2011-12 La Liga fixtures were announced back in the summer. The Spanish Super Cup may have provided a fiery and freescoring match in typical Clasico fashion between Los Blancos and Barcelona (and a bit of eye gouging, too), but the league clashes are what matter most and this Saturday provides the first head-to-head of the campaign between the two Spanish giants. Madrid host Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu in the most important La Liga match of the season so far. It'll possibly also be the most watched of the season so far, likely only to be surpassed by the return fixture at the Camp Nou, if at all. The Spanish sports press may have led with Spain's Davis Cup victory over Argentina on Sunday, but rest assured the majority of the pages from now until the big kick-off will focus firmly on the old foes ahead of this weekend's clash. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/let_the_el_clasico_buildup_com.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/let_the_el_clasico_buildup_com.php El Clásico Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:51:30 +0000 Sporting Gijon and their El Molinón ground have proved trickier opposition than most for Jose Mourinho since he took charge at the Bernabeu. Heck, whenever Mourinho has met Gijon and their manager, Manuel Preciado, whether it be home or away, Los Blancos have struggled, even if it's been a struggle to an eventual victory. It'd be fair to say, even though Gijon are currently occupying a relegation spot in La Liga, that Saturday's trip to El Molinón won't be a walk in the park, in a traditionally hostile atmosphere, especially when Madrid come to town. This time, however, Los Blancos will have to do it without midfield lynchpin Xabi Alonso, who's been my player of the season so far. For me, Alonso (who's serving a one-match suspension) is a bigger loss to Madrid then any of the headline makers this season - be in Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil or Gonzalo Higuain. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/can_madrid_show_cohesion_witho.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/12/can_madrid_show_cohesion_witho.php Match Previews Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:13:33 +0000 Madrid is well known for being one of the party capitals of the world. Late starts to your Saturday night out, late finishes - or is that early Sunday morning finishes? Either way, Madridistas will have been partying slightly harder then usual this Saturday just gone thanks to two massive results in La Liga, both in the Spanish capital. Los Blancos started proceedings with a 4-1 victory over neighbours Atletico in a fiery match at the Bernabeu which saw the visitors, travel-shy going into the match this season in La Liga, take an unlikely lead. Two penalties, two sending-offs, play-acting and some tough tackles later and Jose Mourinho's men finished up with a deserved three points which took them six clear of Barca at the top of the table. http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/11/the_perfect_night_in_the_spani.php http://blogs.soccernet.com/realmadrid/archives/2011/11/the_perfect_night_in_the_spani.php Match Reaction Angel di Maria Atletico Barcelona El Derbi Real Madrid Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:20:14 +0000