We Cry With You Casillas

He lived up to his title of San Casillas. The wings flapped out and the hands blessed by the gods of football blocked countless missiles fired from the ‘Reds’. However, with all his heart and might he could not stop the four goals that were shot passed him. It is a pity that our phenomenal keeper would have to walk out of Anfield the way that he did, with frustration and tears.

He was the only one who was at the height of this match, the only one who left everything on the field, and the only one who represented the badge with honor and dignity.  Every other player dressed in white has made a mockery of the Madridismo and what was displayed last night was unforgivable. An utterly atrocious performance and for the fifth  consecutive year the European dream is cut prematurely.  They left a poor and sorry image in Europe once again, but this defeat has to be one of the most degrading  defeats I have ever witnessed. One thing is to loose with our credibility in tact, but another is to not fight and be humiliated in such an outrageous manner. The only one that came out of Anfield with his credibility and the respect of the fans is Iker Casillas. He is one of the few players that truly feels the colors of this club and his tears are evidence of that. 

Grande Iker!!! Es el orgullo del Madridismo!!!

 

*The wound is still fresh but it must be said, Liverpool played stunning football and really did school Madrid on how a Champions League match is played. They were a flawless machine from head to toe that wanted it more from the first minute till the very last dying seconds. Hats off to Benitez and his boys.

One Foot Outside of the Champions League

It is apparent that Real Madrid still has not learned the lessons of the past and now is stuck in a very complicated situation. Maybe they believed their own hype and under appreciated their rival or the decima is not meant to be just yet. Whatever the case may be it now seems Madrid are doomed to be eaten alive at the sacred grounds of Anfield. A 0-0 result may not have been an ideal score but it would have been better than a 0-1 defeat which pretty much kills any chances of at least going through to the next round. First off it is quite obvious that the calamity of the Lass-Huntalaar signup confusion has played its role in Madrid’s performance. Huntalaar was key in the last two matches where Madrid had showed improvement in their game and against Liverpool it was apparent that his presence was sorely missed. With Huntalaar there was an assurance of goals but better yet he opened the spaces for Higuain and Raul to move through while he distracted the defense. Simply put Madrid were a more forward minded team with the tall Dutch boy. Too bad he had too watch the match from his couch. Then there is Juande’s mistake of taking off Marcelo, in a newly discovered position, had played a good first half. With the entrance of Guti Madrid loss attacking power up front. Guti one of those frustrating geniuses that when the light bulb clicks on are purely magic and splendor, however, that is only when he feels like turning the light bulb on and that’s where Guti’s problem lies. Therefore you never know what you are going to get with Don Guti. Another problem came with Juande’s lack of ambition or daringness. With the time and ideas running out Juande never dared to put in Sneijder or Van der Vaart, who either one of them could have offered a little something extra to the attack. Towards the end it was quite visible that there was a huge gap between the two strikers and those who are supposed to deliver creativity. There was a fracture which led to disorganization and lack of possession. We began to see sloppy passes and desperation leading to errors like the one Heinze committed in a very dangerous zone. Free kick and Benayoun’s goal. A goal from one of Liverpool’s shortest players; I find it hard to believe that at this stage such silly mistakes in defending could cause Madrid’s elimination once again.

Now to 'thrash' Liverpool at Anfield?

Benitez, the genius that he is set up a tactically defensive team, which for the most part was looking for a scoreless draw, and now ends up returning to Liverpool with a very satisfying result. Liverpool they never seize to amaze me and at the Bernabeau they proved why the Champions League always suits them to perfection. Although there are 90 minutes left to this game it certainly looks like the Reds have one foot set in the next round while Madrid can add another year of European failure. Madrid will have to grow a pair and leave their heart, blood, and tears at Anfield in order to win. However, even with all of that it may not be enough to bring down Liverpool. For the moment the road to Rome looks much further away and almost intangible.

Too Close to Call

Manchester had it in their power to destroy Inter, but thanks to their strikers off night and Inter’s brilliant Julio Cesar this match will be decided at Old Trafford. A 0-0 result is too close to call but if Inter failed to attack in their own home soil, then what makes us think that they will burst into Old Trafford looking to score? Mourinho may have his positive history against Manchester, but I’m pretty sure I know how this story will end.

At this point I think there is a 80% chance of Manchester United going to the next round.

Get Familiar with Adam Szalai

The final list for the knockout round of the Champions League has been finished and sent in. To no surprise the usuals were inscribed with the inclusion of the fantastic Lass. However, there is one particular player that is getting quite some buzz for his presence on the list. Hungarian striker Adam Szalai who currently plays for Real Madrid Castilla is having a very impressive season and has not gone unnoticed by Juande Ramos. The 21 year old has created a superb partnership with Alberto Bueno (also in the CL list), scoring 14 times and becoming La Segunda B’s  top scorer so far. Already the press are comparing him to Zlatan Ibrahimovic a comment that I believe is to early to make from this young but maturing Hungarian striker. The similarities are there but the last thing one should do is to start labeling these young players. He is still to make a debut with Real Madrid, but Juande Ramos is well known to give the cantera players a chance, so Szalai may just have an opportunity pretty soon. The Killer of Valdebebas, tall with undeniable strength, may be the solution to an offense that at times lacks shine and most importantly the goal. With time and support, Szalai may turn out to be the answer to Madrid’s problems. For now he seems to be the savior of Real Madrid Castilla.

Knock Out!

The events in Turin where embarrassing but what was lived in the Bernabeu were absolutely appalling. From some time now it was quite obvious that Madrid were not playing at the expected level, but never would I have imagined that in the sacred grounds of the Santiago Bernabeu, Juventus would humiliate Madrid and worst of all, Madrid would put on such a shameful and pale performance. Juventus with class and hierarchy demonstrated Madrid’s true face as a team, ugly and dysfunctional. No one at the club is saved from the ridicule and everyone is fault. Madridista’s it is time to get concerned for our team has fallen and they have fallen hard.

I’m often asked why Madrisista’s are so critical of their team and I always respond because we expect the best out of them. We expect that the players live up to Madrid’s rich history and put Madrid’s name as high as possible. So when the team displays such a horrendous show in front of its devoted fans one cannot expect the Madridista’s to be enchanted with the club. The only positive that I can truly get out of this game is of having the pleasure to watch the eternal Del Piero. Madrid typically never give a standing ovation to anyone, but the Madridismo knows how to honor someone when they sincerely deserve it, and Del Piero is one of those special players. Once again Del Piero lives up to his legend , and will surely never forget his dazzling night in the Spanish capitol. So we have to put aside what club we belong to and any view we may have, and admit that ‘la Vecchia Signora’ sang and she sang beautifully.