Real Madrid CF 2013/14

Super Progress wrote:A dreadful game by us. Our midfield let us down although I feel Modric did what he could given that neither Di Maria or Bale were particularly effective upfront when they got the chance. Alonso was poor and Illarramendi got exposed in the sort of way I have feared he would for so long. His one role is too keep the ball, because his attempts going forward were poor, but he aside from some brief periods it seemed as if his abilities aren't up there for this type of football at this level. Had hopes after the last couple of games.
I'm not surprised that Dortmund were able to create chances at all but I'm surprised that we were not clinical enough to finish them off. All we had to do was conceede some men on the counter and close the game with a single goal. Bale/Di Maria/Benzema were not sharp and this made us suffer. Instead they could get steam based on our huge blunders. Reus is simply too fast for Alonso. About the only situation where Lassana could have been useful to us. With that said I don't know how much of this is down to the 3-0 scoreline from the first game.

Part of this is also that Dortmund's style really does not suit us(or any team I suppose) and neither Chelsea, Bayern/Man Utd, Atletico/Barca play similar to them. Bayern is the closet but they are not ruthless on the counter like Dortmund. So in a sense we won't meet anybody similar. I would be quite happy with Atletico/Barca and Chelsea is still the unfinished product even if they would like our style of football.

Big up to Casemiro, Carvajal and Coentrao. And Casillas as well...I gues.  

Cristiano wrote:"I don't know what happened," the Croatian midfielder told reporters. "It may be that we were complacent because we won 3-0 and we started thinking it would be easy. I don't know.

"We need to learn from this match. We always say we need to learn but we never do.

"Of course we're happy we've reached the semi-finals but we aren't happy with how we've played, especially in the first-half," he said. We can't allow what happened in the first-half. But we improved and we are in the semi-final."

Modric.

He says something there that has irritated me for a few years now, too much bloody lip service from the players about how they are going to give it their all and fight hard to win the CL etc. Yet time and time again we manage to put in some ridiculous collapses. I'm sorry but this ain't Dortmund from last season, lot of people talking about how great Dortmund were IMO 70% was due to the shitty attitude of our players strolling about like they are 3-0 up against Rayo at home.  Commenters were on Dortmund's dick talking about how great the pressing was, it bloody wasn't when you got Alonso and Illaramendi turning with the ball 2 to 3 times before realising the ball because they want to do a fancy pass of course it's gonna be easy to win the ball back. The missed penalty was also a major lift for the Dortmund crowd  and players.

Now we will go back to hearing  it won't  happen again nonesense .

p.s The sooner we break up this Pepe and Ramos partnership the better and I use the word "partnership" loosely. Ramos is always one moment away from a red card or penalty. Pepe still hasn't learnt when and where to try and try to get the ball off the attacker. He often pushes up by himself trying a silly challenge gets turned and leaves a gap behind.  Admittedly changing it this season wouldn't help but definitely next season.

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:A dreadful game by us. Our midfield let us down although I feel Modric did what he could given that neither Di Maria or Bale were particularly effective upfront when they got the chance. Alonso was poor and Illarramendi got exposed in the sort of way I have feared he would for so long. His one role is too keep the ball, because his attempts going forward were poor, but he aside from some brief periods it seemed as if his abilities aren't up there for this type of football at this level. Had hopes after the last couple of games.
I'm not surprised that Dortmund were able to create chances at all but I'm surprised that we were not clinical enough to finish them off. All we had to do was conceede some men on the counter and close the game with a single goal. Bale/Di Maria/Benzema were not sharp and this made us suffer. Instead they could get steam based on our huge blunders. Reus is simply too fast for Alonso. About the only situation where Lassana could have been useful to us. With that said I don't know how much of this is down to the 3-0 scoreline from the first game.

Part of this is also that Dortmund's style really does not suit us(or any team I suppose) and neither Chelsea, Bayern/Man Utd, Atletico/Barca play similar to them. Bayern is the closet but they are not ruthless on the counter like Dortmund. So in a sense we won't meet anybody similar. I would be quite happy with Atletico/Barca and Chelsea is still the unfinished product even if they would like our style of football.

Big up to Casemiro, Carvajal and Coentrao. And Casillas as well...I gues.  

I would Isco aswell, not that he done anything spectacular but he showed great composure in how he kept possession disturbing Dortmund's momentum. Casemiro and Isco played like they were the experienced heads in the team.

Fey wrote:

This pic keeps cheering me up! Silly Messi!

Super Progress wrote:

Cristiano wrote:"I don't know what happened," the Croatian midfielder told reporters. "It may be that we were complacent because we won 3-0 and we started thinking it would be easy. I don't know.

"We need to learn from this match. We always say we need to learn but we never do.

"Of course we're happy we've reached the semi-finals but we aren't happy with how we've played, especially in the first-half," he said. We can't allow what happened in the first-half. But we improved and we are in the semi-final."

Modric.

He says something there that has irritated me for a few years now, too much bloody lip service from the players about how they are going to give it their all and fight hard to win the CL etc. Yet time and time again we manage to put in some ridiculous collapses. I'm sorry but this ain't Dortmund from last season, lot of people talking about how great Dortmund were IMO 70% was due to the shitty attitude of our players strolling about like they are 3-0 up against Rayo at home.  Commenters were on Dortmund's dick talking about how great the pressing was, it bloody wasn't when you got Alonso and Illaramendi turning with the ball 2 to 3 times before realising the ball because they want to do a fancy pass of course it's gonna be easy to win the ball back. The missed penalty was also a major lift for the Dortmund crowd  and players.

Now we will go back to hearing  it won't  happen again nonesense .

p.s The sooner we break up this Pepe and Ramos partnership the better and I use the word "partnership" loosely. Ramos is always one moment away from a red card or penalty. Pepe still hasn't learnt when and where to try and try to get the ball off the attacker. He often pushes up by himself trying a silly challenge gets turned and leaves a gap behind.  Admittedly changing it this season wouldn't help but definitely next season.

Our central defence with Pepe+Ramos is never safe as you say. The strange thing is that most of the goals by Dortmund against during the semi and yesterday came from random sources or very very clear mistakes.  

I'm sure they are partly complacent but to be honest I think we would have struggled even if this game had been completely open from the beginning. Their way of playing is always what I feared most and I hoped that with lesser players they would be less able to impliment it but you have to give it up to Klopp. With regards to Alonso and Illarramendi the problems are different. Alonso is getting old and he was never agile any way so Dortmund are particularly hard for him. Illarramendi is physically suited but his talent seems more limited and he tends to dribble into trouble.

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:A dreadful game by us. Our midfield let us down although I feel Modric did what he could given that neither Di Maria or Bale were particularly effective upfront when they got the chance. Alonso was poor and Illarramendi got exposed in the sort of way I have feared he would for so long. His one role is too keep the ball, because his attempts going forward were poor, but he aside from some brief periods it seemed as if his abilities aren't up there for this type of football at this level. Had hopes after the last couple of games.
I'm not surprised that Dortmund were able to create chances at all but I'm surprised that we were not clinical enough to finish them off. All we had to do was conceede some men on the counter and close the game with a single goal. Bale/Di Maria/Benzema were not sharp and this made us suffer. Instead they could get steam based on our huge blunders. Reus is simply too fast for Alonso. About the only situation where Lassana could have been useful to us. With that said I don't know how much of this is down to the 3-0 scoreline from the first game.

Part of this is also that Dortmund's style really does not suit us(or any team I suppose) and neither Chelsea, Bayern/Man Utd, Atletico/Barca play similar to them. Bayern is the closet but they are not ruthless on the counter like Dortmund. So in a sense we won't meet anybody similar. I would be quite happy with Atletico/Barca and Chelsea is still the unfinished product even if they would like our style of football.

Big up to Casemiro, Carvajal and Coentrao. And Casillas as well...I gues.  

I would Isco aswell, not that he done anything spectacular but he showed great composure in how he kept possession disturbing Dortmund's momentum. Casemiro and Isco played like they were the experienced heads in the team.

 Isco wasn't bad but he wasn't that great either but he did help the team keep the ball as you said which was really important. The problem as I see it was that he was ineffective offensively. Like Illarramendi he seemed too slow and rarely beat his man. He should have played in midfield with Di Maria continuing on the wing. We needed speed on the counter and possession in midfield. But I get that Ancelotti wanted to back to the ideal formation for the team.


@Jaime
We had settled the game quite well by the time of penalty but the miss envigorated them and the fans. The midfield was unable to stamp their authority on the game.

Ultimately my concern is that when we tried to sit back we didn't do a great job at all. Few teams,if any, are able to play at that tempo with that pressing style. But do we trust the central defence? Can we trust Illarramendi at this level? On a good note our fullbacks did well and their crosses aimed at Carvajal didn't work at all. Unlike Marcelo Carvajal can actually learn from his defensive mistakes. He has already improved from the beginning of the season.

Carvajal>>>>>>>>>>Marcelo

Ancelotti should take a page out of Mourinho last year and stick with Coentrao for the big games. Coentrao goes forward in a way we actually need by keeping the width and finding space by the touchline and getting crosses. Marcelo has better tools but he seems insistent on cutting nowadays which just screws things up anyway. Also with Di Maria exploiting the room Ronaldo leaves behind we don't need such an offensive fullback as Marcelo who will cost defensively. The trade off is not worth it.

The Easter Bunny wrote:Just wondering what are your guys opinion on the Iker situation, I thought he would of been back in the first 11 by now, but Lopez seems to be playing well. Is something going on behind the scene, anyone trying to oust him out the club/ fallen out with an important suit? And do you guys think he could realistically leave in the summer?

Super Progress wrote:Ok so we are getting a team that is most like Dortmund in terms of pressing which is unfortunate. I fear for our defence because Mandzukic will create havoc against Pepe and Ramos. And Bayern's weakness in behind defence will be harder to exploit without Ronaldo and with Benzema who is slow. We should take a page out of Moyes' book(  ) and have Bale switch with Benzema a lot so we get to release him on the break. Di Maria on the wings wouldn't be bad either with Isco helping us to keep the ball in midfield. The only advantage of no Ronaldo is that they won't be able to use Lahm as effectively.

Would liked to see a defensive Jese who could track Lahm and break on the counter with speed. The pefect solution   

Super Progress wrote:The difference between now and last time we met them is that they won't be so cautious with regards to our counter attacks. And this will hold for both games probably so as long as we have that speed on the counter we can produce something. So in that sense I'm less afraid of it all being over if we go there with a draw or a slight victory.

They were not so impressive against either Arsenal or Man Utd. But the difference is that we won't play them in the same manner as they did. Ancelotti is infested with ideas of going forward which will make it easier for them to play their way. Our last classico will probably be a guide of the sort of open game we will play. I'm hoping for prudence but haven't seen evidence so far that Ancelotti is willing to be more pragmatic.

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:The difference between now and last time we met them is that they won't be so cautious with regards to our counter attacks. And this will hold for both games probably so as long as we have that speed on the counter we can produce something. So in that sense I'm less afraid of it all being over if we go there with a draw or a slight victory.

They were not so impressive against either Arsenal or Man Utd. But the difference is that we won't play them in the same manner as they did. Ancelotti is infested with ideas of going forward which will make it easier for them to play their way. Our last classico will probably be a guide of the sort of open game we will play. I'm hoping for prudence but haven't seen evidence so far that Ancelotti is willing to be more pragmatic.

This is why it's irrelevant what happened against Arsenal and United, too much of a gap between the from 3 and the rest of the team without the ball. We always give the other team chances even in games we win convincingly.

Not optimistic at all, Bayern are more vulnerable than last year definetly but we are bloody worse.

Jaime wrote:

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:The difference between now and last time we met them is that they won't be so cautious with regards to our counter attacks. And this will hold for both games probably so as long as we have that speed on the counter we can produce something. So in that sense I'm less afraid of it all being over if we go there with a draw or a slight victory.

They were not so impressive against either Arsenal or Man Utd. But the difference is that we won't play them in the same manner as they did. Ancelotti is infested with ideas of going forward which will make it easier for them to play their way. Our last classico will probably be a guide of the sort of open game we will play. I'm hoping for prudence but haven't seen evidence so far that Ancelotti is willing to be more pragmatic.

This is why it's irrelevant what happened against Arsenal and United, too much of a gap between the from 3 and the rest of the team without the ball. We always give the other team chances even in games we win convincingly.

Not optimistic at all, Bayern are more vulnerable than last year definetly but we are bloody worse.

Just curious in what ways you think we are worse.

Cristiano wrote:

Jaime wrote:

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:The difference between now and last time we met them is that they won't be so cautious with regards to our counter attacks. And this will hold for both games probably so as long as we have that speed on the counter we can produce something. So in that sense I'm less afraid of it all being over if we go there with a draw or a slight victory.

They were not so impressive against either Arsenal or Man Utd. But the difference is that we won't play them in the same manner as they did. Ancelotti is infested with ideas of going forward which will make it easier for them to play their way. Our last classico will probably be a guide of the sort of open game we will play. I'm hoping for prudence but haven't seen evidence so far that Ancelotti is willing to be more pragmatic.

This is why it's irrelevant what happened against Arsenal and United, too much of a gap between the from 3 and the rest of the team without the ball. We always give the other team chances even in games we win convincingly.

Not optimistic at all, Bayern are more vulnerable than last year definetly but we are bloody worse.

Just curious in what ways you think we are worse.

In terms of conceding dangerous chances to the opposition, we are incapable of shutting teams out.

Jaime wrote:

Cristiano wrote:

Jaime wrote:

Cristiano wrote:

Super Progress wrote:The difference between now and last time we met them is that they won't be so cautious with regards to our counter attacks. And this will hold for both games probably so as long as we have that speed on the counter we can produce something. So in that sense I'm less afraid of it all being over if we go there with a draw or a slight victory.

They were not so impressive against either Arsenal or Man Utd. But the difference is that we won't play them in the same manner as they did. Ancelotti is infested with ideas of going forward which will make it easier for them to play their way. Our last classico will probably be a guide of the sort of open game we will play. I'm hoping for prudence but haven't seen evidence so far that Ancelotti is willing to be more pragmatic.

This is why it's irrelevant what happened against Arsenal and United, too much of a gap between the from 3 and the rest of the team without the ball. We always give the other team chances even in games we win convincingly.

Not optimistic at all, Bayern are more vulnerable than last year definetly but we are bloody worse.

Just curious in what ways you think we are worse.

In terms of conceding dangerous chances to the opposition, we are incapable of shutting teams out.

I don't disagree, but this was an issue with Jose as well.

Super Progress wrote:Benzema's passing in the last game




  

These are the sorts of things that characterized Benzema at his best. He has to get back to scoring on a regular basis but the most important thing a confident Benzema brings to the team is showcased in that video.

I belonged to Real' - how Andrea Pirlo agreed to join Madrid

This extract from Andrea Pirlo's autobiography, 'I think therefore I play', looks at how the World Cup winner came close to signing for the Spanish giants

Ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a look back at how los Blancos almost signed the midfielder in the aftermath of Italy's 2006 World Cup success. I THINK THEREFORE I PLAY by Andrea Pirlo is out now in paperback and ebook.

BOOK EXTRACT
By Andrea Pirlo

It's the summer of 2006, we've just won the World Cup, and I'm thoroughly drunk on life. I go out and about on my bike in the quiet little streets of Forte dei Marmi and, as I pass by on the seafront, people stop and pat me on the back.

They must have thought that beating France in the final had fried my brain, but there was something they didn't know. They were missing a vital piece of the story, namely that as things stood, I belonged to Real Madrid, not Milan. I was a Madrid player in my head, my heart and my soul. I had a five-year contract sitting waiting, and a salary that was out of this world.

It seemed that certain people at Milan had got themselves into one too many scrapes – or at least that was the story doing the rounds. Calciopoli was the second most popular topic of conversation back then, a close second to Italy's penalty shootout triumph in Germany.

One day you'd read that we were going to be relegated to Serie B, the next that we were looking at a 15-point penalty. The next again they'd be talking about us handing back trophies and having our titles removed from the record books. After a while I began to suspect that it wasn't Mark David Chapman who killed John Lennon. It had been one of the Milan directors.

The whole thing was an absolute shambles. Nobody had a clue what was going on and what Milan's fate would actually be, least of all me. One thing I was sure of, though: I would never drop down to Serie B. And if I had to leave, I wouldn't feel like a traitor. There was no way I was going to pay for other people's sins, if that's what they turned out to be.

The Madrid coach Fabio Capello phoned. And then Franco Baldini, their director of football. Everyone wanted to speak to me. I had a word with my agent, Tullio Tinti, and asked him to find out what Milan were saying about it all.

Shortly after, I was due back at Milanello. To make the Champions League proper, we had to get through a qualifier against Red Star Belgrade. At that point Tullio said to me: "Hold off on going back. Let me speak to Real. If you really want a change of scene from Forte dei Marmi, head back to your house in Brescia. And keep your mobile on – in a little while you'll get a call."

No sooner had he said it than the phone started ringing. Nostradamus was a mere amateur compared to our Tullio.

"Hello Andrea, it's Fabio Capello here." Only one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport.

"Hello, coach. How are you?"

"I'm great, and I imagine you're even better. Come and join us. We've just signed Emerson from Juventus and you're the man to play beside him in midfield."

"Okay then."

He didn't need much time to convince me. Less than a minute, I reckon. Not least because I'd already seen the contract. My agent had studied it in great detail and then shot off to Madrid.

"Andrea, we're on."

"I'm really happy about that, Tullio."

I pictured myself in that white jersey. Pristine, and at the same time aggressive; a mean streak running through its unusual purity. My thoughts often wandered to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Temple, a ground that struck terror into opponents. Bruised and battered slaves at the king's banquet.

"What do we do now then, Tullio?"

"Let's go for lunch in a few days."

"Where? Meson Txistu in Plaza de Angel Carbajo?"

"No, Andrea; not Madrid. Milanello."

"What do you mean 'Milanello'? Are you stupid?"

"Nope, you heard right: Milanello. We haven't got Galliani's approval yet."

The menu was always the same: I knew it off by heart. Antipasto, starter, main course and then the legendary ice cream with crunchy bits on top.

We met in the room used for team meals, halfway between the kitchens and the hall with the hearth where Berlusconi would pound away on the piano and tell various kinds of jokes.

Tullio spoke first. "Andrea's going to sign for Real."

Then me: "Yes…"

Then it was Galliani, staring straight at me. "Andrea, my friend, you're not going anywhere."

He pulled out a little case from under the table. That made me smile, thinking it had been just as well hidden as Monica Lewinsky under Bill Clinton's desk in the Oval Office.

A contract then appeared from the case, with Mr Biro (Galliani) adding, "You're not leaving, because you're going to sign this. It's for five years, and we've left the salary details blank so you can write in whatever you like."

Tullio just about ripped it out of my hands. "I'll keep hold of this."

He took his time, brought it home, read it and read it again. I went off to the national team training camp at Coverciano and, for a few days, I didn't hear anything. I thought it was a done deal: I was thinking in Spanish, dreaming in Spanish. My imagination was in overdrive, flying off to Madrid and landing somewhere between Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.

And then my agent phoned me.

"Sign for Milan. Right now, they'll not let you leave."

"No…"

"Yes."

"Ok, fine."

You're then forced to tell the media a lot of crap; provided, of course, that they manage to ask you the right question. If they enquire whether it's right you'd practically signed for Madrid, you're duty-bound to respond hiding behind well-worn clichés and half-truths. You read a dull, lifeless script written by press officers with no talent or creative spark.

"No, that's not the case. I'm perfectly happy at Milan."

F*** off!

It's a pity it went the way it did. I'd have signed for Real in a heartbeat. They're a club with more glamour than Milan; more prospects, more appeal, more everything. They strike fear in their opponents, whoever they happen to be.

All that said, at the end of the season I had the consolation of winning the Champions League. It could have gone a lot worse.