Real Madrid C.F. 2009/10

Jaime wrote:

borocooper wrote:You could play your B team vs Milan.

I read one rumour that Milan want Drenthe in January. So he definitely should not play.

Hopefully they're just that.

Guti's picked up an ankle injury in training. Not really sure as he is just about the only one in training this week. But anyway he is doubtful for the match against Valladolid.

Metzelder also out for about a week with an ankle injury.

Was Drenthe something to do with either case?

Although the season has barely started, the international week means that the media is already talking of sigining next year (not even January but August 2010). Stories today include "Man City trying to throw money at Bayern to sign Ribery away from RM" and "RM management already decided that Negredo and Parejo will be bought back".

There was also Zidane talking again about how he wants Ribery to sign for Madrid

I genuinely think Perez only associated Zidane with his project in order to attract Ribery.

Hopefully he goes to City.

Jaime wrote:Hopefully he goes to City.

Why? You'll need a Ronaldo replacement because that voodoo guy looks like he knows what he was doing

kas wrote:

Jaime wrote:Hopefully he goes to City.

Why? You'll need a Ronaldo replacement because that voodoo guy looks like he knows what he was doing

Yeah, his name is David Silva.

kas wrote:There was also Zidane talking again about how he wants Ribery to sign for Madrid

I genuinely think Perez only associated Zidane with his project in order to attract Ribery.

It probably was a factor in us getting Benzema, I think. Also maybe done to keep holding on to Enzo Zidane. (Well, TBH, I'd say it is mainly to raise the image of the club, after diablo blanco's effort).

Benzema said himself that he's only met Zidane once and that it didn't have any influence on his decision to sign. It seems that Zidane knows Ribery a bit better but hopefully City will step in and save the day.

Jaime wrote:Benzema said himself that he's only met Zidane once and that it didn't have any influence on his decision to sign. It seems that Zidane knows Ribery a bit better but hopefully City will step in and save the day.

The only reason I would prefer Silva over Ribery is that he is left footed and spanish. Except that Ribery is at least equal to him.

Super Cassano wrote:

Jaime wrote:Benzema said himself that he's only met Zidane once and that it didn't have any influence on his decision to sign. It seems that Zidane knows Ribery a bit better but hopefully City will step in and save the day.

The only reason I would prefer Silva over Ribery is that he is left footed and spanish. Except that Ribery is at least equal to him.

And is proven in a top flight league.

La esperanza blanca para la defensa es hijo de un culé

Marcelo tiene los días contados en el Real Madrid o, por lo menos, en el once titular de Manuel Pellegrini. La nefasta actuación que protagonizó en el Sánchez Pizjuán le pasará factura y, por mucho que la directiva haya salido en su defensa, lo cierto es que existe confianza cero hacía el brasileño.

En el Bernabéu ya se busca sustituto para el lateral zurdo y, sorprendentemente, se hace dentro de la casa. El Madrid no quiere invertir más dinero en fichajes y ha depositado todas sus esperanzas en el joven Marcos Alonso. El lateral izquierdo ya se ha entrenado con el primer equipo y espera su oportunidad. Hasta aquí, todo sería normal –canterano que alterna filial y primer equipo– si no estuviéramos hablando del tercer eslabón de una histórica saga de futbolistas. Su padre, Marcos Alonso, defendió la camiseta de Racing de Santander, Atlético de Madrid y Logroñés y militó durante cinco temporadas en el FC Barcelona. Fue uno de los jugadores más destacados de la década de los años ochenta... aunque no fue el primer Marcos Alonso del fútbol. Unas décadas antes, su padre, es decir, el abuelo del actual canterano del Real Madrid, levantó hasta cinco Copas de Europa con el conjunto blanco.

Ahora, su nieto pelea por convertirse en digno sucesor de aquel ‘Marquitos’ que arrasó en los años cincuenta en el Santiago Bernabéu. Condiciones no le faltan. Corpulento y físicamente muy potente, a sus 18 años es internacional indiscutible en las categorías inferiores de la selección y tiene todos los números para convertirse en el refuerzo invernal que tanto ansía Pellegrini para la defensa madridista.

El primer paso ya está hecho, ahora sólo hace falta esperar la llamada que le catapulte definitivamente al primer nivel.

http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=652687&idseccio_PK=805

Even SPORT saying that Marcos Alonso could get a chance with the first team.

I'm curious to know if Perez and Valdano watched Negredo's performance last night

kas wrote:I'm curious to know if Perez and Valdano watched Negredo's performance last night

Apparently they've decided they are definitely bringing him back next year. And Parejo too. I'm all for it if true.

On current form I'd take him in front of Benzema and Higuain.

I thought Negredo's buyback clause of 17m was only after the 2nd year?

kas wrote:I thought Negredo's buyback clause of 17m was only after the 2nd year?

No, it can be activated any time during the next two years. After the second year it is void.

Jaime wrote:

kas wrote:I'm curious to know if Perez and Valdano watched Negredo's performance last night

Apparently they've decided they are definitely bringing him back next year. And Parejo too. I'm all for it if true.

That's great, but is Raul retiring this summer?

Ronaldo, Raul, Higuain, Benzema...and Negredo?

Hmmm...

TM wrote:

Jaime wrote:

kas wrote:I'm curious to know if Perez and Valdano watched Negredo's performance last night

Apparently they've decided they are definitely bringing him back next year. And Parejo too. I'm all for it if true.

That's great, but is Raul retiring this summer?

Ronaldo, Raul, Higuain, Benzema...and Negredo?

Hmmm...

No, but RVN is not going to be back next year so it's perfect.

That's assuming he doesn't play 35 games this season Which is a distinct possiblity IMHO

TM wrote:That's assuming he doesn't play 35 games this season Which is a distinct possiblity IMHO

Not if he keeps getting injured!

CONVOCATORIA:

Porteros: Casillas y Dudek
Defensas: Albiol, Arbeloa, Garay, Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos
Centrocampistas: Xabi Alonso, Diarra, Drenthe, Granero, Kaká, Lass, Van der Vaart
Delanteros: Benzema, Higuaín, Raúl

Pellegrini has confirmed Marcelo in the XI against Valladolid. I suppose he needs a boost of confidence just at the moment but if he doesn't shape up he needs to put Arbeloa or even maybe try Marcos Alonso.

Kaka has arrived from Brasil late and injured!

Marca's predicted lineup:

-------------------Casillas

S. Ramos-----Pepe-----Albiol-----Marcelo

Granero----Alonso----Lass----v.d. Vaart

-------------Raul----Benzema

Jaime wrote:Kaka has arrived from Brasil late and injured!

Marca's predicted lineup:

-------------------Casillas

S. Ramos-----Pepe-----Albiol-----Marcelo

Granero----Alonso----Lass----v.d. Vaart

-------------Raul----Benzema

And still Raul ahead of Higuain. When is this shit ever going to end?

King Pipita wrote:

Jaime wrote:Kaka has arrived from Brasil late and injured!

Marca's predicted lineup:

-------------------Casillas

S. Ramos-----Pepe-----Albiol-----Marcelo

Granero----Alonso----Lass----v.d. Vaart

-------------Raul----Benzema

And still Raul ahead of Higuain. When is this shit ever going to end?

Well, in this case Higuain has returned after two difficult matches and a 12 hour flight, by his own admission he is tired so it's a somewhat understandable decision. Interestingly AS claim Kaka will be playing.

http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-higuain-llego-feliz-cansado/dasftb/20091017dasdaiftb_27/Tes

Hopefully Kaka plays because Marca's lineup has no dribbling penetration. In the absence of this I think Higuain is a better choice than Raul because at least he has some pace to stretch the defense out a bit. Otherwise I fear we will be ridiculously clogged in the centre with no wingers, Raul dropping deep, and Benzema hanging back as well which he does far too often.

Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano claims signing Kaka from Milan was "easy", stirring up the rivalry ahead of next week's Champions League clash.

Kaka meets with his former team-mates in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Valdano has reflected on the stellar summer signing and has given his views on the game.

"It was easy taking Kaka from Milan because Florentino Perez and Adriano Galliani have a good relationship," Valdano told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

"Kaka is a sensible player and he will be very emotional."

Milan have not had the best of starts in Europe, contrary to Real Madrid, who are enjoying the view from the summit of their group. However, Valdano believes his side still have some way to climb against Milan.

"We have to be careful of Milan," he said. "I don't trust them as they have plenty of international experience. [Filippo] Inzaghi is extraordinary, but don't underestimate Raul."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was linked to Real Madrid before he joined Barcelona, as was Inter coach Jose Mourinho. But the Real director has set the record straight.

"Ibrahimovic? We never looked for him. We wanted Valencia's David Villa. When Los Che said 'no' we went for Karim Benzema instead. The Frenchman has more potential for the future compared to 'Ibra'," added Valdano.

"As for Mourinho, I deny any interest. Our choices were Arsene Wenger and Manuel Pellegrini."

Only match I saw this weekend was ours. Surprisingly good game from Raul! He really looked like the Raul of old. Of course this is the great problem. He has one of these matches every two months and get everyone slobbering over this performance and then will go missing again until Christmas. Oh well. Surprisingly decent performance from VDV. He didn't do anything great but he actually looked like he gave a sh!t for once and some of his passing was pretty decent. Granero had a very strong game I thought and what a finish on the goal by Higuain! Very disappointed with Benzema yet again. Have no idea what to do with him.