All of Madrid Celebrates

Its hard to be an Atletico supporter because you never know what you are going to get from your team. They are a mixed bag full of surprises. One day its all bad football and the next they play the game of their life. Thankfully against Barcelona they played their hearts out and delivered probably the best match of the whole season. 7 goals and a lot of drama, really nothing new to an Atleti-Barca clash, but this time all of Madrid cheered and celebrated with their victory.

Before the match there was the whole Messi vs. Kun debate on who would be the star of the match, and I think its easy to say that Kun was brilliant especially in the second half. No one from Barcelona could stop him. He was a mad man on a mission and stormed through all of Barcelona’s defence, cracked the backs of the Azulgrana, and pleased all of the Calderon with his goals. Mission accomplished Kun! While Messi with some sparks of individualism was able to fire some light into a lackluster Barcelona, there was no taking the spot light off of the brilliant Kun. However, Forlan must not be forgotten for he was also utterly amazing. His first goal simply left me speechless and his second goal left me without a voice after screaming my lungs out. Now if only Atleti could just fix their sorry defence which has been their Achilles heel for so long. I think the question on everyone’s mind is why Pablo still is featured on this team.

To the surprise of many Madrid are now only 4 points behind Barcelona and still there is so much more Liga left to play. So this is where La Liga becomes fascinating and where little details will define who in the end takes the prize home. To think these both teams still have to play Atletico Madrid (Madrid still has to face them), Villareal, Valencia (who’s on a free fall), Sevilla, and most importantly have to face each other in El Classico…oh what a finale awaits us.

Far From Over

I look at the picture above and I still cannot believe what may eyes are looking at. What seemed like an indestructible team had fallen in its own soil and no one ever expected. Barca was a solid block that showed no signs of breaking not a single crack. However, now the impossible looks possible and all thanks to their inner city rival Espanyol.   Espanyol took Barcelona off the high horse and brought them back to reality. No team is unbeatable. Once again Espanyol has been a torment for Barcelona and the demons of the 2006-2007 Liga seem to reappear for Barcelona. Madrid scored six goal but the Bernabeu celebrated 8 goals that night. What seemed like a comfortable cushion between them and their eternal rival is cut down to only 7 points and La Liga begins to sizzle. And although 7 points is still quite a distance one has to remember that just a month ago everyone was already handing Barcelona the title, but now the seeds of doubt are planted and one begins to question if Madrid can actually pull it off and bring down one of the best Barcelona teams in the history of their existence. I personally think that Barcelona still have it in them to win it, but I now have what I didn’t have just a week ago, and that is hope. We all know that when Madrid get inspired and injected with faith they turn into a machine that will destroy whatever is in their way to get at what they so desire. So not only does this bring hope that Madrid will obtain a hold of La Liga, but most importantly defeat Liverpool and take one step closer to reaching la decima.

Schuster Leading Madrid Nowhere

Madrid relying on epic victories lost devastatingly to Sevilla, leaving a nine point gap between arch rivals Barcelona. The problems are visible and the damage is severe. However, in a time of crisis a supporter hopes to see improvement and words of reassurance from the club, players, and the coach. I personally do not see any of that just of broken promises and lies that have been fed to the supporters by the club president. Still, if the president lets you down you seek for your clubs coach to at least give you a white lie and tell you everything will be fine and that things will get better. A fan just seeks for something that will ease the nerves after one bad result after the other. However, with Schuster you get just the opposite.

Schuster in his post match comments made it clear that in Camp Nou there was no possible way to snatch all three points. He went on to declare that Barcelona were having a stunning season and that this would be their year. Now I will admit that Barcelona are having a superb season and that they are the best team of Spain and Europe. The stats are evidence of it. Honestly, Madrid have a very slim chance of winning (and at this point all I can hope for is that they do not receive a humiliating thrashing). However, let us not forget that this is a classic match between two giants where current form can be thrown out the window. What  matters is how you play at that current moment on the field and not what position you are in the table. It is about honor and fully knowing that the badge that is placed over your heart should be defended at all cost. But comments like the ones Schuster made makes it look like its not worth the fight. It’s like why bother let us just throw the white flag of surrender now and hope that Barca goes easy on us. Hell let’s not even go to the match and give Barcelona the three  points in advance. This is a complete slap to the face to not just the supporters but the players as well.

Beyond the fact that the President and club directors did not get him the players he wanted it is time for Schuster to move on and start acting and thinking like a coach. It is the moment to prove that with the current group of players something great can be achieved. But instead he sits there on the bench looking bored and as though he would rather be somewhere else. I’ve never seen him get up from the bench and motivate his players or yell something be it of encouragement or not. Not one emotion from the cold German. I question if he really wants to be the coach for it seems as though the pressure of it all has become to much for him to handle. I question if he knows anything about strategy or that of tactics. Does he even bother too field the team himself? Or does he even bother to look at other teams before making any tactical schemes? For the most part I think the answer to all these questions are no. Schuster does not inspire confidence in the fans and I’m certain that neither does he on the players. With a loser mentality like the one Schuster has  this team will go nowhere. The heart and soul of this club is of the need and will to win everything, but how can this happen when our coach has a different philosophy. Thankfully, we have Raul who can come out and say that they will never surrender and that they can win at the Camp Nou. Realistic or not its these type of comments we the fans seek for. Words that give hope and even the chance to dream.

Just What Dinho Wanted

 

It was just a matter of time when we would find out where Ronaldinho’s future lied, and to no surprise it ended up being Milan. Ultimatetly, it was his desire to play for Milan that was the determining factor in this long saga. For the next three season Dinho’ will call the San Siro home and hopefully bring with him the jogo bonito that impressed everyone just a couple of years ago with Barcelona. His lack of discipline and form leave much to be desired of, but now Milan have given him a chance to show the world that the magic is still there. However, if he expects to play the same selfish games that he did while at Barca then we have another Brazilian flop in our hands, but I want to be more optimistic and believe that he truly has the desire to regain his best form. Just a piece of advice to him: Don’t Blow It!!!

Well in the end, Dinho will wear the red and black just like he wanted, Barca got rid of the supposed ‘black sheep’, the heads at Milan have the ‘crack’ they so truly wanted, and well the supporters of Milan can only hope that next season goes well.

Shame on You Eto’o and Deco!

As Barcelona dominated a Valencia in turmoil they were all aware that Madrid would inevitably be Champions yet again. Either Sunday against Osasuna or possibly against them in ‘El Classico’. Either option was hard to swallow for the frustrated Cule’s especially knowing that they may have to honor their eternal rival with a pasillo (opponents line up and applaud the champs). Madrid would seize glory while Barca would have to reminisce of what went wrong in their season. The pasillo almost feels as a final punishment for the Cules. Still, most accepted the fact that they would have to honor the Merengues while Eto’o and Deco took it upon themselves to make sure they missed the invitation by receiving their 5th yellow.

They say it was not intentional and that they had no clue about the number of bookings they had. Statements that not even the azul grana followers believe. First if Barca were already winning by a great margin why bother and make a mistake that will cost you to miss the match and most importantly affect your team. That is what is key in their actions that they were selfish and only cared about their egos and not about the club they represent. As Rijkaard stated that they were fully aware of the number of bookings they had before they went on to field. It is no secret that Eto’o has never been fond of Madrid and it is clear that he probably is the last player that wants to recognize Madrid’s championship. Still, he should have put his ego behind him and put the team as the first priority. Obviously, Eto’o and Deco do not have the pants to face Madrid and instead chose to stay in their lush homes back in Barcelona, while the rest of the team with real sportsmanship will go through with the pasillo and play the match agianst the Merengues. Simply put: They are cowards!

Players like Puyol show what sportsmanship is really like. Even though he is not happy about doing the pasillo but feels it is necessary to recognise the champions despite their rivalry. Hats off to Puyol. I have only respect for someone who can put everything behind him for his team. His other teammates should learn a thing or two from the great captain.

Anyway, even without Eto’o or Deco the crowd of El Bernabeau will surely remember them. Especially Eto’o and the crowd will surely send him a message straight from Madrid to Barcelona: ‘Eto’o cabron saluda al Campeon!’