Real Madrid

Becks, Stay put!

J. Buckenmeyer — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:08:00 +0000

Marca is up to no good, sighting a vote on the page favoring the arrival of Ribery in place of David Beckham. I really dislike it when these type of newspapers critisize and create controversies. I guess that's how the sell newspapers. They frequently cause problems with their headlines and polls.

The most previous case being when Aragones briefly resigned as Spain's manager because of all the pressure from the press. I also remember not too far back when Marca posted the following headline "Vamos a jubilar a Zidane" (We're going to retire Zidane) before the France-Spain world cup tie. What an arrogant statement to make and of course, we then lost to France and were knocked out of the world cup. They could of said, "Let's hope we retire Zidane..". I enjoy reading Marca but now and then I get upset with the some of headlines and controversies they stir up.

Getting back to Becks, apparently Marca claims that people wants Beckham out in favor of Ribbery. Truth is - the fans love David Beckham. All of the complaining of the past few years about the players not giving it all they've got, not running, not working hard, has never been directed at Beckham.

The England national side has been worse without his participation. It seems like Maclaren was trying to make a statement by dropping Beckham but I think he's made a mistake.

Beckham wants to stay and he should stay on board until he gets those trophies he's been sweating for the past 3 years. Stay put Becks, the trophies are coming as well as regular first team action.

Looking forward to next weekends match at Deportivo it looks like Gago may be starting in his first match alongside Emerson with Guti in front, Ronaldo at forward, Raul on the left and Beckham on the right.

Fiasco en La Coruña

J. Buckenmeyer — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 15:11:00 +0000

What can I say. Yesterday's match at Depor was a continuation of the previous match before Christmas. Real was terrible. The team looks to be in chaos. Even with the 'doble pivote' everyone hated the defense was better and they won many games playing ugly.

Robinho was left out of the match. Completely. Technical decision. What? The best player of the team not even included in the lineup.

Capello still has Ronaldo benched. Ronaldo is the best striker in the world and has decided so many matches, why in the world is he not playing? He is being unnecessarly overhumilated and is still commited to Real Madrid. Ruud is great but Ronaldo is just as good or better.

Raul needs to be either dropped to the bench or moved up to all-out forward where he may be effective again.

Guti is not consistent, but was injured at the beginning of the match.

Many of the players don't give it their all. The team cracks under pressure of the opposing team but applies no defensive pressure themselves. Also, since generally all the players under-perform, the line-up changes a lot.

I believe their are simply too many high profile players causing too many to sit on the bench. There are many problems still. All new signings quickly lose their form upon arrival.

What will it take to turn this team around?

Real Christmas Update

J. Buckenmeyer — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:25:00 +0000

The year ended on a bad note with a somewhat humiliating to 0-3 loss to an excellent Recreativo de Huelva (newly promoted this year and above mid-table). Capello put in all the offensive firepower to no avail.

Things are quiet over the Christmas break. There are rumors of Cassano to Milan on loan with a purchase option. Cassano says he doesn't want to go anywhere, that he want to be successful at Real Madrid, yet he keeps getting himself into problems. Hopefully he can end up helping the team.

Beckham is said to have recieved at least 20 offers, one in particular from Inter who will be selling Figo (who is rumored to have signed for a Saudi team?). In 3 days Beckham is free to negociate with whoever he wants. I think he will, however, re-sign with Real. He's not going anywhere until he's successful here, that's my guess. Now that Capello is changing his mind about the 'double-pivote' of Emerson and Diarra, Beckham will probably get more starts.

The Argentinian for Boca, Gago, is now on board and boy do we need him! Capello has yet to solve our midfield problems, we need someone who can defend and distribute the ball well. He has been compared to Redondo, and if he can perform as well our midfield problem may finally be solved.

Next match is at Zaragoza followed by a Copa quarterfinal tie against Real Betis.

Real top Español with 10 men

J. Buckenmeyer — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 21:58:00 +0000

Tonight's match was a defensive struggle for most of the first half. Neither Real Madrid nor Español could get much attacking going. The Real midfield was very solid and well organized. Capello dropped Diarra from midfield and played Guti next to Emerson. Emerson was fantastic, much improved as he did a great job stopping Español and as well as distributing the ball.

In the beginning the of the second half Van-Nistelrooy scored the only goal of the match from a pass from Guti. He had a defender in front of him but he quickly turned around and shot past the defender and the goalie. Shortly after the ref gave Canavarro his second yellow which sent him off for an apparent handball, but the ball actually hit him in the eye (not in the arm) and he had a red face to show for it. The rest of the match Real spend defending with only 10 men and they actually had a few chances to score. Diarra came on late to help defend and played quite well with a couple chances to score on offensive counter-attacks.

Capello is effective once again wich pulls us back up to 2 points behind Sevilla and 1 point behind Barca (who have a game in hand). Next league match is mid-week at Recreativo.

Loss at Sevilla, Español on Sunday

J. Buckenmeyer — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 19:36:00 +0000

Well, we lost a close match at Sevilla last weekend. Real played fairly well in quite an intense match, but Sevilla made best of their chances. Beckham hit an amazing free kick from way out on the left side of the field into the back of the next. The ball curled into the corner catching the goalie out of place. Beckham will be out for the next match as he picked up his 5th yellow.

The loss takes us 4 points adrift of Barca and 2 points behind Sevilla. We need a big win this weekend at the Bernabeu against an in-form Español who, after a poor start to the season, is on a 4 game win streak and is in great shape in the Uefa cup. Helguera is still out with injury so the back like will be Ramos and Carnavaro in the center with Michel on the right. Capello hasn't revealed if Ronaldo will be starting or not.

Valencia and Zaragoza are playing tonight. Hopefully Valencia will pull back a win so Zaragaza, currently in 4th place behind Real will drop some points.

Getafe Derbi

J. Buckenmeyer — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:46:00 +0000

On saturday night Real will attempt to take home their first victory from 'lowely' Getafe. Real is coming off a tie against Atletico in the Bernabeu and needs to take the 3 points to stay near the top of the table. Barca and Valencia are both 2 points ahead with Sevilla 1 point above Real.

Raul has improved and scored 3 goals in the last 2 games. Robinho hasn't even seen the playing field in the last 2 games. Beckham has started on the bench for the past month and with Ronaldo healthy and apparently practicing well with Van Nistelrooy, even more great player are going to be wasted on the bench. It amazes me that Robinho does even make it on to the field, he is the most exciting talent to come to Real Madrid since Zidane (but much younger). Although it is good to see Guti getting deserved playing time.

I also noticed that the Bernabeu is amazingly cheering on Ronaldo, maybe they've finally figured out he'll play better with support than with critisizm. Maybe the spanish press, especially Marca, could learn from that example.

A real feeling of change in the Madrid camp

J. Buckenmeyer — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:40:00 +0000

Finally, what should have occured 2 years ago, has finally occured. The old administration is out, Perez, Butrageño, everyone and there is an air of something new, different and most important, positive.

We have a new president, Ramon Calderon, an new coach, Fabio Capello, and there is new hope in Madrid. Hopefully, the team designated by FIFA as the best club of the 21st century will begin to look like that team again.

Real has secured the services of central defender Cannavaro and defensive midfielder Emerson from scandal ridden and demoted Juventis. We are attempting to sign Van Nistelrooy but the signing is at a hault as Manchester United insists on overpricing the player's exit (as usually happens when Real Madrid recruits new players, even ones already on their way out.)

It looks like good things are in store, let's keep our fingers crossed.

El Clasico: Real Vs Barca

J. Buckenmeyer — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 02:01:00 +0000

The big night is upon us. It only comes around twice a year. Who will pull out the Win? Marca's reader seem to think Barcelona, with 55% of the vote, followed by 30% to Real and 6% vote for a tie. Only 35% percent of readers think Madrid can stop Ronaldinho.

Real has some much needed rejuvinated confidence after dropping Depor 4-nill. I don't see Barca taking two clasicos in a row, especially with a nerve-wracking return leg tie with Benifica this week for a place in the Champions League semi-finals. I think Cincinho, Robinho, Beckham and company are going to take it the Azulgranos and come home with the 3 points.

I expect Eto to get one past Casillas as he always does. With an 11 point gap, all we really have is pride at stake.

Lack of Wisdom in the Real camp

J. Buckenmeyer — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:09:00 +0000

I haven't posted anything for months. No time. Since then Real sacked their coach again, was knocked out of the Champions League, knocked out of the Copa del Rey and are trailing Barca by 11 points. Not only that, but Florentino Perez has handed in a shock resignation.

The second team coach, Lopez Caro was instated to take over Luxemburgo as a temporary solution until a new coach was found. Caro took the Real Madrid Castilla team up to the second division of Spanish football and shortly after taking over the first team there was a great improvement. Unfortunately, Real failed in the big games and the overall play has become mediocre once again. The new president is ready to find yet another new coach and is mouthing off about it.

What is wrong with this club? A team needs stability, it needs to stick with a project, stick with a coach until the victories arrive. How can the players believe in themselves and in their coach with no stability from the top. The last succesfull coach was sacked for no apparent reason (he wasn't pretty enough for the distinguished Real brand) and all the direction can do is keep sacking coaches right and left, even with a new president, they are no wiser as they search for another new coach.

Raul seems to know more than anyone else in the club, stating the obvious: It's not normal to have 13 coaches in 11 years (and 5-6 in the last 3 seasons). Let the socios vote for a new president.

Champions League Next Round Qualification through Injuries

J. Buckenmeyer — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 15:07:00 +0000

Ever since Ronaldo (at the time leading the ‘pichichi’ race) went tumbling out of the match against Atleti, Real Madrid players have been getting injured one after another.

Players still injured include: Michel Salgado, Ronaldo, Julio Baptista, Thomas Graveson, Pablo Garcia, David Beckham (may play although), Zinedine Zidane and Ivan Helguera.

Regardless of the injuries Real has pulled out 2 victories in a row against Real Betis and Rosenburg and is now clear through to the next round of the Champions League with 2 matches left to play. Real sits third in La Liga table behind Osasuna and Barca on 18 points.

This weekend we play Real Zaragoza with Real’s previous midfielder, Albert Celades. Next week is the big match up against Barcelona. Previous Barcelona and Real Madrid player, Luis Figo says he is still 100% Madridista and wants to see a Real Madrid victory. I must say, it’s not quite the same with Figo gone.

Sweet Second Half

J. Buckenmeyer — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 23:03:00 +0000

An amazing second half performance and comeback lifted Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory over Rosenburg. Woodgate scored his first goal (in the correct net) as a Real player showing great set play abilities. After scoring he immediately ran over and hugged his doctor. Raul scored the next goal after an amazing run from Robinho who flew past 2 defenders but let the ball slip just a bit past his reach when Raul grabbed it. He stepped on the ball with one foot as the goalie came out to cover it up and did some kind of amazing thing with his right foot to take the ball out of reach of the goalie and through the very small angle he had left to place the ball into the net. Helguera headed in a third goal on another great set piece orchestrated by Beckham. Finally and fittingly Beckham scored on the last goal on a perfect free kick into the upper right corner of the net.

Guti proved again that he is in great form and should probably be starting. But how can you bench Zidane? Hopefully the great man will get his game back. Pablo Garcia is also playing well and providing a solid presence in the middle. Carlos Diogo in for injured Michel Salgado also had a failry solid performance.

Baptista was added to the list of injuries and will be out for a month. Real has played well and scored without the injured Ronaldo. That is good news. The depth of quality players on the roster is paying dividends with all of the current injuries. Real is now at 6 points, second after Lyon.

Next up is Valencia in a Liga match. Real Madrid is tied with Osasuna at the top of La Liga with an edge on more goals scored.

The Derbi

J. Buckenmeyer — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 09:16:00 +0000

Real pulled out a 0-3 victory at the Calderon Saturday night. Real Madrid looked the btter side most of the match and with good overall play and great play from Guti and Ronaldo’s finishing touch. Ronaldo actually scored what appeared to be a hat-trick but I believe the last goal was awarded to Perea as an own goal. Ronaldo and Michel Salgado both left the match on injury and both will be out for Real’s next match against Rosenburg.

Winning Streak

J. Buckenmeyer — Fri, 30 Sep 2005 14:54:00 +0000

Unfortunately, due to a present change of residence to a new country, I have been unable to see any of the three last matches. I don’t mind so much considering Real Madrid has won all three.

After poor officiating and mediocre performances in the previous three matches Real has returned to winning ways with victories over Bilbao, Alaves, and a much needed win hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League. After a poor start and just 3 straight victories Real now sits third in La Liga behind Celta and Getafe and second behind Lyon in their Champions League group.

Raul has become the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League moving past Alfredo Di-Stefano with 50 goals. With Ronaldo serving his second match of suspension, the cantero, Roberto Soldado, came on and scored the winning goal against Olympiacos in Wednesday’s match.

Luxemburgo Bashing

J. Buckenmeyer — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 15:00:00 +0000

Vanderli has taken heavy criticism this week for the 2 losses last week and his no-winger formation. Memories are short in and around Madrid. The same system propelled Real to a total number of points last year capable of winning the title - if Barca had not been exceptional (finishing even 4 points higher).

The criticism is a natural response to 2 years of frustration, felt by everyone, including yours truly. I was uncharacteristically harsh in my last post, a natural reaction to seeing a collection of world all-stars unable to perform well as a unit, not well enough at least, since the end of 2003-2004 season.

Luxemburgo has accepted all of the blame for the poor results. Accepting responsibility is the key to success and Vanderli Luxemburgo has a proven history of such success. I believe that over the next 2 months, through Lux's persistence, results will be had and the team will play as they should.

From Bad to Worse

J. Buckenmeyer — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:59:00 +0000

Real lost for the second time in a row tonight in the Champions League opener against Leon. The only player who seemed to show any kind of form is the new whiz-kid Robinho, but even he can't save this sinking ship. Some player have left, some have arrived, but the magic formula to success is yet to be had by the club directors.

How can a team with all these great players be so bad. Are they jinxed? Maybe next year they should skip the summer tour and start training early.

The coach has cut off their wings, literally, and its not helping the play of the team. It makes things quite simple for the opposition, congregate in the center of the field and form a roadblock.

It has been probably said enough times, but I'll repeat it here just once more, the team hasn't been the same since Makalele left. He brought organization and defensive quality to the midfield and kept the team together. When you have a winning team and a winning coach, don't mess with the formula, don't be too ambitious, and if it 'aint' broke, then for heaven's sake, don't fix it!