Barcelona's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday needs little introduction. The La Liga leaders travel to Real Madrid with a four-point lead over their fiercest rivals, and boasting an unbeaten record in the league so far this season. Adding to the intensity of this already fraught fixture is the prospect that Luis Suarez could make his debut for the Catalan club, following a lengthy ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's World Cup win over Italy way back in June. … [Read more...]
Madrid bag another 5
Madrid are on top form at the moment, two 5-0 wins in La Liga either side of the international break mean they are closing in on Barca who are in top spot. Carlo Ancelotti’s men strolled to victory against Levante. Another brace from Ronaldo takes his tally for La Liga this season to 15 goals, an incredible start which is almost unimaginable in the modern game. … [Read more...]
Can Madrid’s strikeforce fire them to the La Liga title?
Real Madrid have been on a scoring spree having notched 13 times in their previous two outings! The club has reinforced heavily throughout Carlo Ancelotti's reign as manager, having brought in James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale for a combined £145 million. That's not to mention the £80 million spent on Cristiano Ronaldo when he moved from Manchester United. The club also has Karim Benzema, Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez (once he recovers from injury) to make up a frightening front line. Madrid have already lost two games in La Liga this season, but with their attack beginning to click, can … [Read more...]
Perez, Real Madrid, and the Curse of the Big Signing
In winning their 10th European Cup this past summer, Real Madrid seemed to have found its ideal strategy under Ancelotti. With the work rate and skill of Di Maria, the intelligence of the midfield, and the goal scoring ability of Bale, Ronaldo, and Benzema, the club was able to defend, counter, and attack with skill, precision, and intelligence. The players knew what was expected of each other and formed a very cohesive team. On paper then and with the turnover and problems at Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid was the clear favorite to win this year’s La Liga crown. However, after … [Read more...]
How Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso’s Absences Will Affect Real Madrid
For anyone associated with Real Madrid CF it must be mystifying how Florentino Perez Rodriguez, their President controls the Los Merengues’ transfer policy, often to the chagrin or bemusement of the coaching staff. Ever since the controversial construction magnate first assumed control of the Real boardroom in 2000 with the unlikely-looking but tantalizing prospect of luring then Barcelona star Luis Figo to their playing staff, the autocratic Perez has established and stuck to his ‘Galactico’ policy, never mind the fact that this has often unbalanced the playing staff. … [Read more...]
Real Sociedad v Real Madrid match report
At full-time its Real Sociedad who take the three points after an inspired comeback. Coming to Anoeta is never easy for any team in the league and Real Madrid will rue all their missed chances that in reality could have ended the game within the first half hour of play. The early 2-0 lead looked to be an indication of a pummeling for Real Sociedad, but the players and the crowd in attendance put up a great effort and upset the European champions. The goalscorers were Ramos and Bale for Madrid and Zurutuza (twice), Vela, and Martinez for Real Sociedad. … [Read more...]
Chicharito to Real Madrid analysis
It’s not Falcao, it’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez! Hernandez has officially sealed a move to none other than Real Madrid from Manchester United on season long loan with Real Madrid having the first option to buy next summer. “Chicharito” will wear his habitual number fourteen that was coincidentally previously left vacant by Xabi Alonso. Chicharito provides another attacking option that Real Madrid have lacked since the departures of Higuain and Morata as well as the injury to Jese. … [Read more...]
Falcao off to Manchester instead of Madrid
Monaco striker Radamel Falcao will move to Manchester United instead of Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal. The Colombian has been a long-term target for Real, but will now play for United subject to a medical at Old Trafford. Having joined the French club for €50 million, it looked as though the only club able to buy the striker would be Real Madrid, but the option of a year-long loan deal has now come up. It is expected that the Colombian's wages and loan fee will be sky-high, but United boss Louis van Gaal wants extra firepower to correct the club's poor start to the season. Van Gaal … [Read more...]
All the goals from La Liga Matchday 2
A round-up of the weekend action as Real Madrid lost in spectacular fashion in Sociedad, and both Barca and Atletico struggled past stubborn opposition. There were also wins for Valencia, Sevilla and Getafe in the final week of La Liga before the international break. Friday 29th August Getafe 1 (Vazquez) Almeria 0 http://youtu.be/6mcOqbJISWQ?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Valencia 3 (Alcacer, Piatti, Parejo) Malaga 0 http://youtu.be/CyG7uTqowEU?list=UUTv-XvfzLX3i4IGWAm4sbmA Saturday 30th August Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz, Iturraspe, Muniain) Levante … [Read more...]
Di Maria to Manchester United – an analysis
Last season it was Mesut Ozil, this season it’s Angel Di Maria. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has always been known for doing good business in the transfer market. Ridding the squad of Angel Di Maria was probably not one of his best bits of business. According to BBC Sport, Di Maria signed for Manchester United for a record 59.7 million pounds. Perez might have recovered what was spent on Toni Kroos and a fraction of the fee paid for James Rodriguez, but the squad lost much more. … [Read more...]