City Bragging Rights

Real Madrid broke down their city rivals, Atletico Madrid, who took an early lead and fortress Bernabeu on Sunday. Los blancos battled back from a one goal deficit in another El Derbi Madrileno which ended in a victory for Real Madrid, 3-2. It wasn't as glamorous as it may seem as Real add another choppy win to their resume. Three points is three points but the room for improvement is notable at very least. It seemed to be another case of us scoring enough goals in one half to create a big enough insurance bubble to last us the match. Our chances out-weighed Atleti's remarkably but the fact they they were still able to score 2 goals isn't too reassuring. Let's take a look at this edition of the Derby. But before I get started to anyone else notice how slick the pitch was? It was like they were skating out there.

We let up the first goal 10 minutes in to a 20 minute period where we just hadn't shown up yet. A lot of people will love to point the finger at Marcelo. He was the one responsible for Reyes but was pulled out of position when Albiol recklessly few into a tackle that he didn't win against Thiago. The Portuguese international evaded the challenge leaving us stretched. Ramos had to leave his mark, Aguero to cover for his other center back and Marcelo had to slide in to try and get to Aguero in time. The Brazilian did manage to to stand up the Argentine but Aguero's clever flick to former Madrid player Reyes was too crafty. Reyes settled and curled it in to the back post. Nothing Casillas could do.

I wanna discuss Xabi Alonso this match. He was a major part of the rise and fall at times. First half, abysmal. Second half, just brilliant until he gave a way the second half penalty that made things 3-2 and made the last 25 minutes a bit uncomfortable. I've hardly ever seen a performance so bad out our number 22 as I seen in this first half. Given away sooo many times in midfield and miss hit balls over top. Usually when you're having a bad day you just wanna go back to basics and keep things simple but he couldn't even done that. Pellegrini must have dug deep into him during the interval because he started our comeback in the second half. I have to credit Pellegrini for his tactics on corners because Xabi Alonso has scored two goals from that exact situation on corners. It was Albiol who got up to win the initial header. Though heading wide of the far post, Alonso cleaned it up by thumping the ball into the roof of the net and from there we built, and so did Xabi Alonso. The Basque-born midfielder was turned toward our own net at midfield and hit an absolutely unhuman ball over the top of Atletico's back line to a streaking Arbeloa. Quality and vision like none other found the right back in stride. He juked one defender and then De Gea before slotting the ball far post. An unlikely goal from an unlikely source. 2-1. I'll get to a third goal in a minute but the second goal against should have never happened. Yes, we're up 3-1 at the point but unnecissary with the handball of Atletico's corner. If you're not going to win it, don't handle it. Giving them a penalty, that Forlan eventually scored, is a more sure chance of a goal than letting them trying direct it in off their heads yeah? He didn't even get booked from it. However he did pick up a booking for thumping Salvio (maybe?) on the sideline. Must have been on purpose because he will be suspended for the next match rather than El Clasico the fallowing weekend. Sergio Ramos did the same but did his a little more subtly but wasting time rather than inflicting pain. However, I don't mind causing Pathetico pain.

Thiago picked up an assist on our third goal. By tackling Granero, he played Pipita in who casually slotted the ball with his unfavored left foot past De Gea who had his young hands full all match. I want to give credit to Marcelo who I thought played one of his most collectively solid game, meaning offensively and defensively, of the season. He did try to sombraro Simao in our own corner, which was stupid, but other than that, let's not slay him this match okay? Ronaldo will be disgusted with himself as always when he doesn't score but probably in tears that he missed that header at the end of the first half and three opportunities to score from a free kick. Not his best performance. He had to change boots at half time I noticed. I don't know if it was him changing up his fashion for the night or to prevent himself from slipping, but either way it didn't improve his performance. The subs didn't do anything after arriving on the field. Raul, Guti, Diarra, did nothing for me. One thing that did scare me though, was I felt like I saw dashes of the old Gago, charging around meaninglessly diving into challenges and pulling himself out of position. Pellegrini, slap him on the wrist before it starts up again.

Athletico haven't beat us in 11 years now. Goltv said something like out of Raul's 27 matches against them, he's only lost twice. Whatever the case may be, our city bragging rights are more than off the charts right with all the latest clashes against the Mattress Makers. We equaled Barcelona on points and made up the goal differential they put up against Mallorca this weekend with the loan Zlatan goal. I thought that Mallorca were unlucky not to score. They rang the frame twice in the first half and a couple nmore efforts went unpayed. I couldn't tell if it was Barcelona or Villarreal with the aweful yellow shots. top of the league for now and 9 finals to go.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

El Derbi Madrileno

With the title race in so close contention, all eyes are on the April 11th mega clash between Spain's largest titans, Real Madrid and Barcelona. The match will surely be the most decisive factor in a title race that is tighter than a fish's asshole, and that's water tight people (stole that off my coach). However, there is another derby among us. Last season, when Real Madrid was going into the Christmas break, we were 5th place in La Liga, below one of our most hated foes, city rivals, Atletico Madrid. One of my Barcelona friends took a shot at me and told me "How could you ever say you're the best team in Spain when you're not even the best team in Madrid." Personally, I've been so insulted in my life. Pathetico Madrid? Please. They haven't beat us in a decade and there are those who are say this Derbi isn't only about who gets the bragging rights in city for weeks to come after the match but a lot more to it. It's been said that Real is the Royal club, the club of the crown, the middle class and up ward. It provides a demographic of a wealthy and proud people in the North of Madrid, Chamartin. Whereas Atletico have been seen as more of the working class of people in the city. My friend provided me with a video I thought all of you might enjoy. To give you some more insight to the match. It's more than a match. It's what separates mediocrity from greatness. Guess which one we are?

http://partofthegame.tv/#/videos/series/1428/



How'd ya like it? Just a little background and insight to this massive match. We call them Pathetico but they are the only Spanish club still competing in all three competitions this season. I guess you can't really call that an accomplishment to still be in La Liga because you can't get knocked out but they're in the final of the Copa del Rey, and still bumping heads in the Europa League where they are too face Valencia in the next round in an all Spanish affair. After a slow start to the season, the Colchoneros have clawed their way up the table and currently hold the position of 8th on the table, still scraping to get back to a European competition for next season. Like Casillas said, Atletico are unpredictable. They tied Chelsea earlier this season 2-2 in the Champions League and then go and flush out a result like 1-1 vs Tenerife and a 2-0 loss to Malaga but hand Barcelona their only defeat of the season. You never know what you are going to get. When we went up 3-0 at the Calderon this season I thought it was game over but they pulled two late ones back and Casillas bailed us out of a draw if not a travesty called a loss.


Kaka proved his worth in his first Capital derby with that magic shot that broke the deadlock only 4 minutes into the game but won't feature in this edition of El Derbi Madrileno because he is struggling to get over an injury. His misfortune has almost come as a blessing in disguise for Van der Vaart who has found some hot form in the Brazilians absence. Ronaldo will get to play in his first city derby. Let's hope he is more well behaved in this city derby than in the Manchester derby. I think he was sent off at least twice against Manchester City. So behave yourself Ron. Lassana Diarra was not fit enough to make the squad list so maybe he can sit on the bench and reflect on his poor performances because he's been nothing short of not good enough. I hope Gago can hold the rebirth of form he's been gifted by the good lord. He just has to remember to keep it simple. Garay is a bit of a glass man for me. I'm beginning to realize that. He'll be missing the match due to a new injury (sigh). Ultimately that means Ramos will play center back along side Albiol, Arbeloa on the right and Marcelo can put his defending to the test. Drenthe and Benzema are sill injured. Will we ever see Benzema again? Here's the line up I picked out for the match.

Like I've said above, you never know what you are going to get from Atletico. They have players that do damage. Forlan was last season's Pichichi winner. Everyone hypes up Aguero who was spectacular when Atletico beat Barcelona but I think he is a little overrated. D Simao is always a dangerous face. It's not like I want to admit they have some pretty fine talents but to ignore some of their key players would be pure stupidity. don't get me wrong, Aguero is a very good player but If I had to pick him or Pipita, definitely Pipita. Atletico's awful defending is what has let them down time after time this season and with the way we've been scoring at home, we should be able to crack this. In their last 16 visits to the Bernabeu, our striped neighbors have only won once. Tragic for them, humorous for us. Messi didn't score on Wednesday so Higuain and Ronaldo have made up two goals a piece in the race for Pichichi. I would really love to see everyone talk about Messi all season only to have him be outscored by Pipa when it's all said and done.

We need the three points obviously with the title so tight. While our other Rivals will be squaring up against Mallorca who have won 12 of 13 matches at home, we still are to face the Islanders at their place but we'll take it a match at a time. It's always a better match when it's a derby. Three points, La Liga, and bragging rights are all on the line and I want them all!

HALA MADRID

Anything Barca Can Do...

Hey everyone. I apologize for not being quick with the pen as of late. My school work has engulfed me and spit me up time after time this week. I'm mentally drained. That being said I do what ever it takes to watch at least a little bit of every Real Madrid match if all possible. I started watching the match of a crappy online feed in my Cultural Studies of Media class. Quietly hiding behind my laptop, and swearing under my breathe whenever I was unsatisfied with what was going on or the feed froze. And even though my class ended 20 minutes into the first half, I raced home to shoot on the TV before I had to leave a training session of my own around 40 minutes. Miraculously, through the terrible feed and the gaps in which I missed, I managed to see all four Real Madrid goals! Real Madrid 4, Getafe 2. If someone were to tell me that Real Madrid would score four goals at the beginning of the day, I'd take it. Two goals from Pipita, two goals for CR9, a blunder from our wonder keeper, and another lucky deflection which lead to the Getafe goal based on the highlights.

I've been tuning into the footballing world as much as I can lately but I have been hiding under an academic rock all week. I did notice Kaka didn't make the squad list still (sigh) and Lass also had to pull out (yesss, sorry but he's been an absolute flop lately and it's starting to bug me). In light of little Diarra's absence, I think we've seen some what of a renaissance of Gago. He came on at the weekend against Gijon and was solid and also played fairly well today. Definitely moved way up the line on the pecking order for defensive center midfield on my list. I might even slide him into one of my sliding line up. I can't believe I'm actually saying that. But what's good for the club is good for the club. Also judging off the first half alone, I thought Van der Vaart was also great. He had the assist on both of Pipita's goals and has just been a driving spark behind the team in a past few games. It's truly impressive how two of our midfielders who have been a total selection question in two different parts of the season just burst back onto the scene. Van der Vaart and Gago have both been pretty much on their way out of Madrid. The Dutchman in the summer and Gago as recent as January. The Argentine probably would have left if City had not been total amateurs about the transfer. We put them in the same midfield today in the absence of players like Lass and Kaka, who are ranked as much better players in the footballing world, and VDV and Gago play just as good if not better than our big buys. Interesting.

Ronaldo broke the dead lock with a sublime free kick. With all the rain and choppy online screen no bigger than a game boy screen, I couldn't tell if the handball was in or outside the penalty area. However, it wasn't like I was concerned though with CR9 and VDV over the ball. Ronaldo simply sublime from about 19 yards out. It was fallowed by a loud whisper cheer. Attracted some attention but I don't care if anyone knows. It doesn't get much more top corner than that. The Getafe keeper must have just been exhausted first half. He faced an absolute onslaught first half. He definitely should have done better with Ronaldo's second goal but a cracker of a goal nonetheless. A couple step overs and a bullet from a sharp angle. It doesn't get any prettier than that. I flew out of my see with a "Wow!"

Casillas, common man. I love you to death but that was stupid. An to get mad at Parejo for scoring? I would have done the same thing. It's not like the tackle was dirty. It was solid and he capitalized on your mistake. Rolling around on the ground isn't going to make things any better. Ask Ronaldo.

I really can't tell you much else because I didn't see the whole match so comments will be extremely valued. It's a college Thursday night and I have a reason to celebrate now. I'm over the hump and ready to have some fun.

Hala Madrid!

Bobby

Three Points The Hard Way

Always pissed off before pleased. If it wasn't the awful Real Madrid play in the first half, the annoying TV commentators set me off. That guy must hate Real Madrid. How many times did I have to hear "bunch of individuals." Whatever, it's still three points in the bank and a world of topics to be talked over as Real Madrid battle back at the fortress to win 3-1 over Sporting Gijon. Plenty of action though! Down a goal, and then up a goal in the blink of an eye. Controversy and chaos. Ronaldo plays with a block of ice in his hand to reduce swelling on a little bump on his precious face? Crazy. This puts us three points above Barcelona but they haven't played yet. Zaragoza will be awaiting the blaugrana's arrival. Goals from Van der Vaart, Xabi Alonso who got his first goal from open play (immediately fallowing the corner), and another for Pipita!

I guess it takes a strike of lightning to light a fire under our asses to get us going. A questionably offside David Barrel creeped in untouched and smashed the ball into the roof of our own net, stunning the Bernabeu faithful and the shirts in white at 53 minutes. My heart sunk. Barrel, a former Madrid product, was brave enough to celebrate by signing his name on the pitch. It was quickly erased. Before I could even get upset or angry, we equalized and our tempo shot into the sky like a Chinese firework! I thought to myself when our own goal was penetrated that maybe just maybe this will provoke a response. It did. Ronaldo's dipping free kick, 2 minutes later, caused a lot of trouble for Colinas who fumbled the rocket onto a platter for Rafael Van der Vaart who trapped it with what looked like a volleyball bump before thrashing a left footed volley into the net. I'm a biased supporter but that was definitely a handball. Am I going to complain? No. But let's just say we'll call it even for Xavi's dive against Espanyol. Goal for a goal right? Another two minutes later, after winning a corner Ronaldo jumped higher than the cross bar to win the initial header which found Xabi Alonso at the far post to nod past the line from close range. And just like that, we're on top.

I make it sound glamorous but it was far from. The first half was abysmal. I take no credit away from Gijon who were very well organized defensively in half number 1. We created next to nothing and Ronaldo was a tad bit selfish (and I don't often call him that). What did we do to solve the problem? Lass out, Guti in. I said it at half time to my friends watching the match with me. I told them that had to be the change. I think Lass barfed up the ball every time he got it. Just dreadful. For those of you that chose to grade our players, please fail Lassana Diarra for me. I said it in the preview, no Lass. Didn't listen to me did you Manuel? He clogged everything up, ran into dead ends, fouled, and did things he shouldn't be trying. How many times must he be told? Another lacking performance from Granero as well. The one shot he took has even landed yet. He needs to improve. Xabi Alonso wasn't his great self today, aside from netting the winner. Just a step off. Gave it away too often. Our best holding center midfielder of the evening was (I can't believe I'm gonna even say this because it's against what I so avidly preach) Gago. He came on, kept it simple. He didn't play tag, running from player to player fouling. Everytime he got it, he just distributed. Well done. When he does that he looks a very good player. Guti I thought was instrumental after coming in. Helped connect everything. He was composed and his all seeing eyes opened up attacks for us. Liked him.

Man of the Match you ask? Van der Vaart for me. Kaka will have to work to break back into my Real Madrid team. Tremendous outing from the Dutchman. He's really finding good form. His goal probably should not have stood but none the less, he got one when we most needed it. But how bout that back heal? Cracked a wide smile on my face. He was lively and upbeat throughout the match. He almost scored an acrobatic header earlier in the first half but I felt like he was the driving force behind Madrid today. Put Ronaldo in the passenger seat. Ronaldo had an off game for me. I mean he was involved. His free kick caused the rebound that VDV scored from and he also won the header from the corner that Xabi Alonso scored from, but he took some shots he probably shouldn't have. He was little to obvious on trying to draw that penalty. Coughed it up a few times trying to do some fancy stuff. He won't be pleased. And neither will his make up artist who has a bump to try and hide for the cameras (:]) Don't get me wrong, I'm not picking on him. But with a player of his caliber, you have to expect more. And for future refference, leave the ice on the sidelines...

Let's turn our focus to the back line. No Albiol? Mystery to me. If anyone can clear that up for me, I'd love to know. Really kind of mucked things up I think. Garay was not good at all today. The whole back line was leaky and here's what I think. Without Albiol, Ramos has to play center back. He likes to play the left sided center back but so does Garay. Garay must have felt out of place on the right or something because he looked very uncomfortable. I thought Marcelo made a few good tackles actually but spent most of his time attacking as usual. Arbeloa, eh so-so. But none were good. Especially Ramos, the gladiator didn't have a dominating game. He almost gave up a goal single handedly by casually scuffing a routine pass back to Casillas. Our prize keeper saved the day though. Well done San Iker. We dominated the match completely our a defenders still managed to give Gijon some pretty damn good chances.

Always glad to see Pipita net one. Took it beautifully too. Scurried away from some defenders and caressed the ball past the goal keeper with his left foot into the corner. Another one for Higuain. Another one toward Pichichi. Catch Messi buddy, catch him.

A win is a win. Another ugly job but 3 points nonetheless. Puts us on top for the time being on points and adds two more goals to goal differential stats. And as my girlfriend put it when I text her about the result, "good now you won't be bitchy." Haha that's a good way to put it. The season long home winning streak continues!

Hala Madrid!

Bobby

Three Point Necessity

Real Madrid vs Sporting Gijon played out a to a goalless stalemate the last time the two sides met earlier this season at El Molinon. This must not be the case at the return leg in fortress Bernabeu this Saturday. It's almost common knowledge now to know that we are tied on points with Barcelona but lead them by goal differential simply because head to head cannot count as of yet because we haven't played them a second time. Another goalless draw would put us undoubtedly two points behind and most likely caught up to on goal differential by an ever dangerous Barcelona who I always assume are unlikely to fail. The Catalans who progressed in Champions League to meet the likes of Cesc Fabregas and co., take on a lowly Zaragoza. Real have issued their squad list which has excluded Benzema, Drenthe, and Kaka once again. The squad list looks very similar to the last against Zaragoza and for another time this season, Marcos Alonso was included. Benzema and Drenthe both touched the ball in training this week but obviously aren't up to speed. I'll be anxious to see if this injury has acted as a rebirth for Benzema. He has never really had a good streak of games to get settled in. He has one good game fallowed up by a few absent performances (whether he was on the field or not). I really think he was brought in to kind of crowd Pipita out as our main striker but little did some daft people realize, Higuain is quickly becoming one of the best strikers in Europe and the world, despite his Champions League miss.

Van der Vaart should expect to get another full game. He mentioned that after the clash vs Valladolid that it was only the second time he played a full match. Even I didn't catch on to that. He was unpopular in the beginning of time and suffered injury hardships but has still proved extremely useful. Even when Kaka returns I'm more than content with either of the on field or even (dun dun dun dunnn) both? Just a wacky thought but you never know. Granero will also probably get some good time. I'd rather Lass sat. If one of the Diarra's should be playing it should be Mahamadou. A friend named Bassam published a great article about the two Diarra's on http://www.real.theoffside.com/. Xabi Alonso should no doubt be the holding midfielder if we decide to go with one but it's games like these where we can possibly try thing like starting our Malain. It's not like I don't trust Diarra in there. After all we won back to back La Liga's with him anchored in there and then after a few games last season his tragic knee injury sidelined him for the season; we lost La Liga. I know I know that's not the only reason, Ruud was gone two and a bunch of other disectable aspects of our failure but this isn't the article for that. I'm not even gonna focus on that. It's history, Can't change it now. Here's my line up to face Gijon.

I don't expect Pellegrini to agree with me, he rarely does but I still back him 100% for the job. I don't care what the press writes. I'd like to see Marcos Alonso get a few minutes for Arbeloa, who hasn't been himself lately if we can establish a good lead. That's the only way the boss will even contemplate putting a cantanero in. I left Granero out, not for any particular reason. I know he will probably start. I sacrificed him for big Diarra. People were talking about seeing Xabi Alonso do more box to box work so I thought "hey, why not?" I'm not underestimating Gijon, but they only have 2 wins since the turn of the year. Obviously we'll still have to keep an eye on Diego Castro Gimenez who has 9 goals and Cuevas who has tallied 5. Also, Ronaldo beware of Gregory, the guy has 10 yellow cards and I know you'll go ape-sh*t if you get knocked (:])

Hopefully we can pull out this result. It should be a routine win but La Liga is everything but routine.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Sparked by Arrogance of a Foe

I really didn't have much planned to write about this week. It's kind of bland and we are still in a bit of a depressing stage with out Champions League exit. Even though I hate bringing it up, I have to at times. We can't escape it. But while reading an article on goal.com, I was astonished at arrogance of Dani Alves, who I've never fancied as a person or player. He throws a hissy fit because he couldn't handle Malouda in last year's second leg of the Champions League semi final (in which Chelsea was cheated but that's an arguement for another day) and get's himself booked for crying, disabling him to play in the final for yellow card suspension, childish. He stated that fellow Brazilian, Kaka, had picked the wrong club and should have come to Barcelona instead. First of all, I think that Dani Alves should keep his nose in his Barca business and maybe hold his tongue and concentrate more on trying to catch us and focus his own football. It rekindled my hatred flame for the right back, if he even be considered that. It also conjured up so good debates and discussions that had my mind ticking like a time bomb in World History 2. Here are some of his out of place and of bad taste comments.

"In Milan, he played for the team, but that is not the case in Madrid."

"They have bought many important players, and one seems to take away the space from another. Kaka is not playing in the position he likes, things are complicated, and the pressure increases."

“At Brazil we play as a collective, something that also happens in Barcelona, but not at Real Madrid. It would have been better if had come here with us."

"Our game is perfect for him..."

First of all before I get carried away. There is truth in the statement in which the right back (sorta) mentioned Kaka has played in his position of choice. That was true in the earlier parts of the season but since then, Kaka has been playing in behind the striker(s), the position in which Alves is referring too.

Where did Dani step out of line (besides calling himself a defender)? Where he said we play collective at Barcelona , but not at Real Madrid. Okay, so at Barca the play a very obsessive pass possession footballing style but its almost a comment of ethnocentrism to think that just because they've been very successful at it, that it's the best and only way to go about playing. However, that being said, who's to say we don't play team football as well? We're not as seasoned as a team because our core players haven't played together as long as those at Barcelona, and just because we have big names, everyone needs to brand them as individuals, not team players. Especially Ronaldo. Because he has such individual talent and can often times take on a hand full of defenders and score, he isn't a team player? But it's a bit of a double standard. Not that I want to bring Leo Messi into the debate but he is the best comparison. He scored a hat trick this weekend in what was mostly individual efforts. I mean you pretty much have to receive the ball from somebody but twice he deeked out a couple of defenders and scored goals pretty much single handedly but you hear no rings "ball hog" or people saying he isn't a team player. The third goal, he received a quality ball from Henry, but he still did most of the work himself It's really unfair if you think about it, just because we bought big players. However can we really be blamed from spending big? We obviously needed a major change to compete with a team that won the treble and then went on to add a perfect 6/6. This past summer Barcelona purchased Zlatan Ibrahimovic who cost them €70 million plus Eto'o who was rated around the same price. The also bough Maxwell as a supplement to be injected at left back. The year before that, when Madrid had previously won the title, the blaugrana spent 80€ million on Hleb, Caceres, Keita, and Alves himeslf. Madrid have bought big but also sold big as well, Robben, Sniejder, Robinho ect.

I think it was dumb of Alves to throw his compatriot under the bus like that too. Kaka has been under a pressure like no other and with the World Cup approaching, he decides it would be a good idea to put more attention on him. Can the spotlight get any brighter on the guy? He played the first half of the season injured with a team that hardly knew each other. He finally recovers, we still have a ways to go but the gelling is starting to set in, and we are starting to see the Kaka we all know. Prior to the Lyon tragedy, he had netted 3 goals in two games. If anyone is underachieving that is expected to do great things, I'd point the finger at Iniesta. He's played three more games than Ricky, and has 6 less goals, and 2 less assists. Yet you don't hear him getting the same drilling that Kaka gets in the media because he wasn't bought for a great sum of money. However, Ibra was and despite his clear lack of form, goal scoring ability, and discipline lately, doesn't get nearly as much as the drudging Kaka gets. I do agree that we haven't seen Kaka's best stuff but patience is a virtue.

Alves seems to be gloating and bragging about how they do it at Barca and how their style is better and Kaka would like it their better but look who is chasing who right now? Aren't we winning the league? I wouldn't expect Alves to say this out of the pressure of the league race or jealousy for that matter, but then again he is a child. I think his comments are misplaced. Who says we don't play team football? Here are some counter arguments.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skp376uK0r0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1x73hmxFEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drht7ZSRpSI

There are more but I'm gonna wrap this up. I have Spanish to do and if I don't stop stating my case now. I never will. Way to piss me off Dani Alves.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Back With a Flash

I've yet to see the entire Real Madrid vs Valladolid match. Actually I'm watching it while I type but I have seen the highlights and inevitably the final score. I was traveling back so school, frequently using my phone to check the score as well as the Barca score. I had a bit of false hope when the blaugrana and los che were even after half time. Then I got a text message from when of my Barcelona supporting friends that read something like "Messi hattrick!!!!!!" After that I just decided I'd wait until the Madrid game started to checking up on the scores again. Valladolid 1-4 Real Madrid. At first reaction after seeing the result and score sheet I realized we had accomplished two things. We not only responded to the midweek tragedy but did it with four goals (five if you count Albiol's). We desperately needed a win. Ever since the exit to the Champions League, I've been eager to put it behind us and I think we did all we really could have done to do that. What more can we do than win our next match in La Liga? Nothing. The second thing Madrid accomplished or more Higuain in particular is that Pipita scored, not one not two but three goals! When I saw that my initial feeling was, "He scores three here, and misses an open net vs Lyon?" Whatever though, not much we can do about it now. I was worried about his confidence after goofing up at least two clear chances to score last Wednesday. Not to mention I could text my Barca friend back with "Pipita hattrick!!!!!" Really did some favors to keep himself in the race for Pichichi. The most important aspect of the weekend is that we remain the leaders. We only had Barcelona on goal differential coming into the weekend but Messi's 3 goals in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Valencia put them up by 3 points and one goal. So We need to win by at least 2 if we wanted stay leaders. That's also another criteria that we rose too.

As I'm watching this match though, the start really hasn't been pretty. This further reinforces my thoughts that we struggle to play a complete 90 minutes of good football. Whether it be the second half, or the first 25 minutes, I'm yet to recollect a performance where we dominated from start to finish in 2010. Ramos just picked up another booking, his 10th of the season (sigh) and Vallodolid just missed wide. I hate to keep bringing it up but after the Lyon match, the pressure is on us to succeed and achieve especially now that Barcelona is the ones chasing us. Scoring goals is important as long as we are even on points. It's about the 24th minute and we're starting to move the ball around more effectively and Valladolid really has had no other option but to foul us which is frustrating for me because I want to see us flow but it lead to a great Ramos header on the back post.

From the highlights, I saw that Granero drew the free kick that Ronaldo scored from. Good to see another contribution from El Pirata. Ronaldo scored his free kick, took a slight deflection but took leadership to break the deadlock and open the floodgates. I'm sure CR9 will be happy that he has scored. I call it the Ronaldo appeasement policy. He'll be sour if he doesn't get one. It was nice to see Van der Vaart get the start in Kaka's absence. I've always found him useful and has done good things this season despite being somewhat of a squad outcast when this whole project started, taking his number from him and everything, rightfully returned. I saw Ronaldo get stomped on, that wasn't pretty. Childish from the Valladolid player. Did't see who it was. Ronaldo's reaction deserved an Oscar though. I would have been just as pissed though so I can't say a whole lot. Nasty looking wounds. Casillas Made a pretty save on Pele's freekick. It was in a very dangerous area dipping toward the bottom right corner, maybe knicking off someone's head.

Pipita's second goal was mighty pretty. Free kick quickly taken by Xabi Alonso who chipped a ball delicately into C-Ron who flicked it on to Higuain. Pipita blew past a defender leaving him to watch the Numero 20 tuck the ball into the corner from the view of the turf. He also did well to score his number three. One of the best qualities of being a striker is being a poacher, being in the right place at the right time to score. Ask Ruud or Inzaghi. He made a living out of it. So when Ronaldo's tight angled shot, Higuain was in the perfect spot tuck home the rebound. Pipita has 19 goals in 20 games. The most efficient goal scorer in La Liga. It seems like him and Messi are playing the "Anything you can do I can do better." Casillas played a great game. He was unlucky not to get the clean sheet when his kick save hit Albiol and ended up in our own net. We have Arbeloa to thank for that.

This match improved our away form record as well. I always get a bit nervous when we travel but was comforted by this game's final score. Next week we go back to the La Liga fortress Bernabeu to take on Sporting Gijon who we drew 0-0 with away earlier in the season. Barca travels to Zaragoza where I expect them to win, and maybe by a significant score so it is important that we win comfortably as well. That's all I have for now. I'll continue writing this week.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

The Dark Era Will Pass.

I would usually say "in light of yesterdays defeat..." but I'm affraid my friends that there is no "light" to discuss. It is a gloomy sky over the Capital (metaphorically) today. Today is a day much like five other days that have preceded it, a day where when I awoke I wished that it had all been a bad dream but another year it will have to be before I can afford to smile during Champions League football. After I opened my eyes. I put my face in my hands, a similar action that immeadiately fallow Pjanic's goal. Madrid is in dark times my friends. Since 2005, Real Madrid have only won 2 trophies out of a possible 17 (not including this years La Liga because it has yet to be decided. Nonetheless we are all soldiers of the crest. The bandwagons have been hopefully weeded out and we stand alone. The press has had a field day with our devistating exit but it's what we had to expect and something that we have dealt and coped with before, sadly. In these troubled times of big names and even greater expectations we have delivered very little. No one has known this more than the supporters ourselves. Our only two triumphs of the most recent history are our La Liga wins of 2007 and 2008. However this could be an omen of better things to come.

Let me reach deep into the history books. Every dark age is fallowed by a renaissance, a rebirth of the white shirt. Madrid endured a 20 year trophy drought in probably the darkest of ages between 1933 and 1953 (minus 2 or 3 Copa del Reys) which also included the Spanish Civil War. However after that, the next seven years was very kind to the royal Spanish capital. It brought us 5 European Cup trophies in succession as well as four La Liga tiles. And to continue with the success, in the 60's Real won 8 out of 10 possible La Liga championships and another European Cup. That is the greatest rebirth but it isn't the only. Currently Barcelona are enjoying the success that we so envy, coming off the greatest season in their club history with 6 trophies but this isn't the first time they've had a string of success. In the early 90's between 1991 and 1994 Barca won four consecutive La Liga's and a European Cup to go alond with but Real rebounded once again, tallying a Copa del Rey success in 1993 and a La Liga trophey for 1995 and 1997. In 1998, los blancos lifted their 7th European Cup 32 years after their last, then again in 2000 and then again in 2002.

Real Madrid CF is a club, a way of life, built on the meaning of success. Set backs are inevitable. This is football not heaven. The media thrashes us, the haters hate on us but I take it in stride. Madrid forever. This isn't going to keep me from loving the shirt, loving the club. It will hurt my pride and shot down some of my dreams but new dreams are born with every new season. I'm 20 years old and have lived through 3 European cups, 1 Copa del Rey, and 8 La Liga's, through the ages of both Ronaldos, Raul, Zidane, Morientes, Zizou, Redondo, Hierro, Ruud, and Makelele and so many more. The fact is that just because we didn't qualify for the Champions League Round of 8 doesn't define us as a club. It's tragic because we Madridistas hold our team to standards that no other club does. Playing for Real Madrid is not only a privilege but a duty that comes with responsibility. As a bearer of the white shirt you have not only an obligation to succeed, but to represent the club well in society with maturity and class. Football is our main passion but we are also successful in other fields. We''re the richest club in the world which attributes to what football has done for our club financially and economically. Our players set an example for the rest of society. We support those who have been hit by natural disasters in the cases of Haiti, Chile, and Cristiano Ronaldo's hometown as well as many other cases. The team split up and visited hospitals all over Madrid during the holiday and prisons like Sergio Ramos did last week. We are not only talented and eye catching footballers but good people who not only use their gifts on football pitches but their utilize their power in other positive ways to give back to the people. We have more to be proud about than football. Even if we did not succeed in breaking our five year (now six year) curse of not advancing past the round of 16, there's always another year and we still have chance to rip the La Liga crown from the scalp of Catalonia. We have nothing to be ashamed of. The frustration has been vented. It's time to move on.

A Real Madridista will be upset but will not pout. We know that there is more Champions Leagues and other championships to be won in the future and we won't rest until we lift those trophies. For the meantime it's back to work. They can say all they want. We're not phased by it, we expect it. Just as we should expect, they are seizing their moment in our despair because it's a rare occasion. They'll take every opportunity to ridicule us, but we will return to haunt them. We are Real Madrid and I say it proudly. We have more to smile about than to frown. We only have more work to do.

Hala Madrid

Bobby

Another Year, Same Old Sad Song

Frankly it's another disgrace. Laughing stock of Europe once again. It's almost as if I've built an immunity to the pain and just leaped forward to being extremely pissed. Let's see what we've accomplished. Never beaten Lyon away, never beaten Lyon at home, lost every time to Lyon away, drawn every time to Lyon at home, and haven't progressed passed the round of 16 since I was 14 (I'm now twenty). It's been over half a decade. The sad part is even if we would have managed to keep Lyon scoreless in the first leg, we still would have gone out. Let me remind you that this surely hinders us in next season's Champions League group stage draw. Maybe instead of drawing with a big team like Milan, we'll Draw someone easier like Manchester Utd or Chelsea (sarcasm). I really don't even know where to begin. What do you say? At least we can focus on La Liga now? I guess that's the only positive you can take from it. The final at our own ground will be played in our absence. In what many saw as our primary objective has gone up in flames. We'll be ridiculed and harrassed for our spending and you can't say we don't deserve it. If we can't beat Lyon we can't expect to beat those who progress to the next round any how. Save us the embarrassment of being beaten 5 or 6 to nil by an Inter Milan or someone. Unfortunately, Pellegrini's future is in dire questioning. If I had my way I'd keep him but for those of you who know the club also know it's out of our hands.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that we were two totally different teams in the two halves? First half, we came out roaring! Our goal was a work of art from Guti, Ronaldo ran onto it and smashed it through the legs of Lloris, 1-0. We got a goal in 6 minutes! That means we have 84 + stoppage times in two halves to get a second. I wasn't even drastically upset after Pipita missed that open net by hitting the post because I just got the feeling we were gonna get one, but from then on out, everything took a turn for the worse. I'd like to personally send a F*ck you to the both the referee and linesman for not granted us a clear penalty which they both had an exceptional view of. Match decider right there. It's like all of our energy was burned up in the first half. Lyon were man handling us second half. We had hardly any possession second half (before Lyon scored) whereas Lyon only had 37% or something like that in the first half. OL only had 1 shot, off target, in the first half. I just can't believe we're out, again.

Ronaldo was great in the first half, microscopic second half. I can say the same for Higuain and Kaka. It's as if someone broke into our locker room at halftime and shaved down the trident. Everyone was remarkably poorer in the second half. Except for Lass who was awful in both halves. Thanks for your services bud, but if you don't regain any sort of form, I'm in favor of selling you. It's a shame that Xabi had to miss this. Arbeloa, an ugly performance. When we actually did get the chance to string a few passes together and regain momentum and possession in the second half, he lets the ball role past his foot an out of bounds. It happened more than once too. Today you could visibly tell he is not a natural left back. When receiving passes from Garay, he turned up field using his right foot, most of the time sprayin the ball upwards and out of control. I must have been 8 years old when I was told to open up using my back foot, in this case, the left foot. You're a professional! And for Real Madrid! I don't care what foot your better with. I actually missed Marcelo at left back today. Yeah, I DID just say that. No surprise that Pellegrini pulled him off for Diarra.

Guti said it after the match today "No sabemos jugar en los partidos importantes." For those of you who can't read Spanish it's "We don't know how to play in important games." I can't agree more. Sure we have El Clasico twice a year. However, playing Sevilla and Valencia are not the same as playing Champions League matches. We lost to Milan at home, we tied them away. That could be considered a big game, yet no wins. We have one big game left this season, a month from tomorrow we play Barcelona. We say that we have this great team but look at our resume from this year, a win against Valencia away, and Sevilla at home am I forgetting anything? We're more of a disappointment than success again. If those are our wins, look at our faults. Loss to Barca, knocked out of the Champions League to Lyon, loss to Milan, losses to Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla away, draws at Gijon, Osasuna, Copa del Rey exit to Alcorcon (need I say more?).

We have one competition left, La Liga. We already knocked ourselves out of the other two. We actually have a chance of saving ourselves a bit of pride from what we have left by winning the 32nd. We're top of the league now but on goal difference alone. If Barcelona we're to tie us on goal differential as of right now, they would go top because the next tie breaker is head to head in which we lost. We have to sweep our shit together, once again forget what's in the past, and ride on with our La Liga form. Tonight should have hurt our players. If they are not crushed, they don't deserve the shirt, few do. By the way Cris, I've lost all respect for you for kicking Raul, you little prat. Forever a Real Madrid supporter, I will be built up be let down. When you always expect greatness, you're often times disappointed. I knew this burden before I chose my club. It's just adding on to sad chapter in Real Madrid History. The dark ages of our club are among us. We need the white shirt to shine more than ever now.

Bobby

Another Epic Battle at the Helm of Fortress Bernabeu

Usually on the eve before the second leg of a Champions League Round of 16 match I'm turning over the scenarios and what it will take us to get through to the next round rather nervously but strangely enough I'm calm, collected, confident. Quite a different mood from my fright in the night previous to the Stade Gerland match. After what I saw on Saturday and later comprehend, I feeling as if we're taking the momentum from the comeback and the energy from the fans and are confident (not cocky) that we can progress. It's a feeling unlike the last 5 years going into this second leg. I have reason to be upbeat. Maybe it's because the objective is very clear. Win by two goals. There's no if, ands, or buts about it. However we only need one goal in 90 minutes to force extra time but I'd rather just get the job done in 90 minutes. Sorry if the preview is coming to everyone a little late. I've been very busy running around at home because of spring break. Let's get started. Shall we?

Let's look at some positives going in. Obviously momentum from the big win this weekend a little extra from the fashion in which that game was one. Also the team seems united. When you bring a bunch of new players together no one can expect gelling right away (unless you're stupid). Not only do the players have to learn each others playing styles and habbits in order to perform well but the need to learn their personalities, become close friends. I think we are beginning to see that more and more. When the team all gathered together in one huddle after the Sevilla game that's when I knew things are tight knit. Also, the fans will be as amped as ever after what they witnessed on Saturday. How do I know this? Well, I'm a fan, duh. Not only is the team as one but there are currently very few injuries in the squad. Benzema and Drenthe are the only ones out with their respectable knocks and other than that the squad is out on the training pitch rather than in the gym. Drenthe won't be missed because he hardly plays and I can't say Benzema will that missed either because our offense seems to be working on all cylinders without him.

So with the thought that we need two goals to progress in mind, we have to think offensively but a the same time we can't afford to get scored against because for everytime we let one up, we have to add on one to the amount of goals we have to score. Obviously Xabi Alonso is unable to play due to yellow card suspension so what do? Obvious plug in for me is either of the Diarras. If lass just distributes and does the actual job of a holding (not attacking dude) I think he is a better option only because Mahamadou is more of a bruiser. Ah hah! In that case we might need the number 6 instead because it is sure to be a physical battle. I think we have learned a valuable lesson from Sevilla in what our offense can do with all the right tools. Offense is the best defence at times. It is crucial that we score early. It would settle nerves and put us in a rhythm to get another one. We haven't failed to score at home all year. We have 90 minutes to at least get one. There are a few games away in which we failed to score, Lyon being one of them. Here is my line up for the match tomorrow.




Very similar to the post substitution Real Madrid we saw this weekend. Arbeloa takes the place of Marcelo who is also suspended and I have M. Diarra as the holding midfielder. To me he is more of a Xabi Alonso like player than Lass is and we need the physical presence. I figured why not go so offensively when we need goals. We needed goals this weekend, and roughly these are the guys that got us there. Pellegrini had an A+ performance this weekend. As for subs, I can see Granero and Raul both featuring at some point and Lass or big Diarra coming off the bench depending who gets the start. After the first leg, many fans said we lacked midfield creativity because Guti and Van der Vaart were injured. Well they're back now and if they bring to the table what they did on Saturday, we'll be in business.

As for Lyon, since we last saw them three weeks ago, they've not conceded a goal in Ligue 1. They have two wins and a 0-0 draw against Boulonge this past weekend. Lyon have no players suspended for the match but Brazilian international Michel Bastos, who played for Brazil at left back in their recent friendly against the Republic of Ireland, will be missing with a thigh injury.

The objective is clear. The team is ready. Us supporters just sit and await our faith anxiously. It will be a nervy 90 minutes for me personally. I transform into a monster when Madrid plays. You probably don't ever want to watch a match with me (:p).

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Comeback Kids Defend The Bernabeu

Let me start this post off with a Hell Yeah! The match ended 2 hours ago and my hear is still a thumpin'! I can't even wipe the wide smirk off my face. It's a great view from the top! Where do I begin? I mean at the end of the first half I was turning over furniture in my room and throwing pillows, just screaming at the heavens asking how we hadn't scored at the top of my lungs. I'm surprised my neighbors didn't call the police because it probably sounded like a domestic disturbance in this place. In all honesty, even though Sevilla didn't get like any shots off, we were dominated the first 20 minutes. We saw no possession, had no good chances to speak off either. I was sitting with a dumb look on my face thinking to myself "this is gonna be a long match..." How much more wrong could I have been? I know it may be bias but this could be one of the matches of the season. So let's get to the game itself.

Started off awful. It just wasn't pretty. This was at the stage when I thought we were in for a rough night. I had to watch the game on an online feed so I was already sour to begin with. With about 10 minutes into the game after I had clearly notice that we were well below standard my feed froze but the sound continued. I hear "GOOOOOOOLLLL GOL GOL GOLLLLL!" I scrambled fiercely. I refreshed my page only to see a smiling Alvaro Negredo trotting off to the corner flag. My heart sunk. "It would be him.." I muttered but after seeing the replay it appears as if Xabi Alonso got the last touch. Arbeloa just seemed to lose track of where Navas was on that right side. His cross missed two unmarked Sevilla attackers before it was put back across by Capel and into our own net by Xabi. I was upset, but composed. There were still 80 minutes to be played so I wasn't as concerned as if the opening goal would have came against us with 20 minutes to spare.

All of a sudden with the blink of an eye on exactly 20 minutes it would seem, the lethargic, uninterested, and outplayed Madrid transformed into the up beat, feisty, creative Madrid. It was like night an day. A lot of times u hear of a game of two haves but our form picked up dead smack in the middle of half 1. We had 14 shots at the end of the first half. I checked the stats. Seven of those shots were on goal. Sevilla had zero. Yeah.. ZERO. I was like how can we possibly be losing? They haven't even had a shot. There second goal can't even really be considered a shot either. It was a fluke. I was livid at that point that we had gone 2-0 down at Sevilla had not even once shot at our goal. "How can this be happening!" I cried. Safe to say at this point my family stopped checking up on me to see how the match was going. So I'm not even going to count their second goal as a shot either.

This surely should have killed our momentum but Pellegrini stole the show. He removed Arbeloa who has very little to offer offensively, moved an attack minded Marcelo to left back, removed a creativity lacking Lass, and injected a Van der Vaart and a Guti into midfield. How much more straight forward attacking can you be? We were essentially defending with just Garay and Albiol with Ramos and Marcelo acting like wing-backs. So our formation looked something like 2-5-3. That clearly was the turning point in the match. No doubt in my mind. VDV added an extra energy and Guti contributed vision that we hadn't seen all game. The players caught on immediately. Marcelo's pass into the area took a little deflection and found none other that Ronaldo who one timed it past Palop who had been brilliant to that point. "About time!" I screamed as I shut the door to my room. Couldn't have any disturbances at this point. I just always had the feeling we were gonna get two after that one went in. You could see that the Ronaldo goal broke Sevilla's spirit. They knew they had awoken a sleeping giant.

For minutes later Mr. Ramos headed home a corner, scoring against his former club. I love Ramos. I was glad it was him. I was a little puzzled by the nipple rub celebration though. Just me? Whatever. That was the last thing I was concerned about at this point. Two in four minutes? Now we have 25 plus some to score one more, but it was elusive. Guti's magic vision found a couple open players and I bet if you were on the pitch right now and felt the frame of the goal, it would still be rattling and vibrating. Guti rocked it, Higuain blasted it. I can't believe we only scored three. When Raul came on for Kaka, I sort of went "why?" Raul was amazing but I felt like we had such a good thing going already I didn't want to disturb it. Nothing against el Capitan. Nonetheless I was still confident he could do a job. This was around the same time I noticed the first Sevilla shot coming from Jesus Navas (clearly Sevilla's best player today). I checked ESPN's Soccernet and I was right. It was the 79th minute and other than the two goals, the Rojiblancos recorded no other shots than that.

So my heart is racing and I can hear the fortress in full song. There must have been so much atmosphere that it was spilling out of the computer and into my room. I could feel it. Fifteen minutes to go, no goal. Ten minutes to go, still no goal. Stoppage time now, at least there was four minutes. I didn't want to think it quite yet but the though that Barca tied today made me think at least we're not losing ground on them. Just as that thought was passing a lose ball is open in the area. Ronaldo has the whole goal to shoot at. Raul tries to move out of the way but in the wrong direction and with ball aimed at the side netting, it strikes the Numero Siete and away from the goal. I just closed my eyes. That was it. That was the chance. To my utter delight I was incorrect. Ramos curls a ball into the area a moment later. Higuain gets up and nods a header toward the goal. Palop deflects. "OHHH- wait - get it- GOLLLLLLLLL!!!!" Van der Vaart is now ripping off his jersey and flying torward the corner.

I'm in extacy. A 10 man Barcelona tied against Ameria away so that means we are Top Of La Liga! On goal differential of course by 2 goal difference. I'm going to go continue celebrating . Already hit up Red Lobster haha.

HALA MADRID!

Bobby

The First of Two Make or Break Matches

Sorry if this prematch thought preview is coming to you all a little late. I'm coming off an epic Thursday night. (For those who have gone or currently are attending college, you know what what I mean) However, I'm sure everyone I was with last night was getting a little annoyed at the fact that I kept talking about this fixture. Real Madrid vs Sevilla in Fortress Bernabeu. The first of two whopping fixtures in a few short days. Real are currently two short points behind their rivals and can't afford to fall three more behind with the way Barcelona is playing. Our players escaped the international midweek unscathed by injury and we performed well on the world stage collectively (minus Lass, looked poor for France. But Hey, it's hard to look good against Spain at the moment). Ramos and Higuain both starred against very established national teams each having themselves a goal a piece. Kaka played 90 minutes against the Republic of Ireland in Brazil's 2-0 win. Ronaldo played a half in Portugal's 2-0 victory over China. Van der Vaart came on as sub to torture the U.S. (sigh). This further shows me that I want him to play a bigger part in these up coming fixtures.

The squad has been named (not Castilla players) for the home match against the team that beat us 2-1 at the Sanchez Pizjuan earlier this season. Madrid's only goal came via Pepe who we all know is tragically absent for the rest of the season with a devastating ACL tear. It's a big one. Barcelona are not likely to drop points and we essentially have to win a big game just to keep pace at the moment. Their toughest fixtures don't come until the last few weeks of the season (excluding El Clasico). One of the most important issues that I wrote about last article is do we rest players? It's been a ritual for Champions League teams to sit important players the weekend prior when the European competition is on the horizon. However, Sevilla are in the Champions League at this time and even though they aren't playing on Tuesday or Wednesday due to the new format, they should still beat treated as the Champions League team they are. Like I always say: "With great power comes great responsibility" (again, Uncle Ben from Spiderman) Players like Ronaldo, Kaka, Higuain need to play because we need them to play. Simple as that. We know fatigue is setting in but we don't have a whole lot of options when we need three points. Obviously we can help plug in players who were not called up for internationals. Even though Benzema and Drenthe are still injured, Granero, Raul, Guti, Diarra, Gago, and Garay all weren't too busy this week except for a 3-1 win over Castilla in which two of the first team's goals were scored by Castilla players filling in for absentees.

We fell to the Rojiblancos earlier this season but we are a much different team now. We were also Ronaldo-less when we traveled to Andulusia. I know that sounds like we depend on him but I had to include cause anyone with a couple brain cells knows he's a major factor. I'm not saying we NEED to have him on the field. I've constructed just a line up of my own this week. I'm totally baffled to what Pellegrini will do. The one question I have is do we give Xabi Alonso 90 minutes? He is suspended for the Champions League clash against Lyon so we don't have to worry about his fitness but do we need to get some high pressure practice without him. It is clearly visable that our creativity and pass accuracy percentage in midfield drops when he is on the pitch. We are boosted greatly by Guti who has been included in the squad list. You should remember from the 2007-2008 season in this exact fixture, Guti tore apart Sevilla with some master vision and master class passes that lead to three goals. Also in my memory of many thoughts I remember a Guti back heel just as magical if not more divine as the play at Riazor against Sevilla at home to Zidane that resulted in a goal. Don't remember? Look it up. Classic.

If you haven't noticed by now, I decided that we're just going to half to tough this one out. We can't rest players. Someone said to me the other day "You can sleep when your dead." I just kinda smiled and applied it football. Not to say that's always the correct option but in this case, I think it pertains. I chose a Marcelo-less back four. Although he had a pretty decent game against Tenerife, his defending will be no match for Navas who was sprightly after coming on against France in the second half this week. Navas is a must go for the World Cup this summer. Anyways, this also the back four we will most likely see against Lyon. Grab a seat Marcelo. I opted to have both big Diarra and Xabi Alonso playing in holding midfield. Most people I know I'm a fan of the single pivot rather than tho double pivot but like I said above, we need Xabi Alonso because it would be stupid not to play him but we also need Mahamadou to get some game time before he faces his former club before our Do or Die on Wednesday. I sat Granero. As much as I love him, he hasn't been himself lately. Maybe starting off on the bench will motivate him to make a difference when coming on. I replaced him with Guti (I already explained why, btw.. big Guti fan if you couldn't tell). Obviously the evil genious can't play 90 minutes here and expect to play a major part agains Lyon on Wednesday. His body can't take. Not to mention he is coming off an injury. So Granero can replace him sometime in the second half. No surprises other than that. Ronaldo, Kaka, and Higuain just have to be the counter attacking trident we saw against Tenerife. You might notice I didn't say Van der Vaart. This is the only player I want to rest. I think he can tear up Lyon. Agree?

As for Sevilla. What can we say? Big forwards, good service. It was brought to my attention that we will have to be efficiently offensively to survive defensively. We'll have to score because we will probably get scored against. It's just the nature of how it will be. If we don't get scored on, I'll be the first to brag about it but I'm just saying with Kanoute and Negredo both of size it will be an aerial battle all match. That's one of the reasons I chose Garay at center back, good header of the ball but him an Albiol will have to keep a better eye on people in our own area than we did against Tenerife. Arbeloa will have his hands full with Navas. That's a bit worrisome for me. As much as I've grown to like Alvaro, his defending still scares me. He was questionable at best against France. Ribery gave him issues and he fouled a good bit. Also his ability to defend the one-two is poor. That being said, I think he is a good defender but has some stuff to work on, way better than Marcelo though. Renato isn't bad player either though. We'll have to keep and eye on him.

Alright everyone. I am going to hop in a much needed shower and then head back to my hometown of beautiful Erie Pennsylvania for my spring break. Although I'll hardly be relaxing with our fixture list. If we win hear, the pressure will starting getting to Barca. They play Almeria who has been pretty respectable in the last few games. Hopefully the Blaugrana slip up. They ALMOST did against Malaga (another sigh).

Hala Madrid!

Bobby