Real Madrid won’t wilt (Real Madrid 2-1 Philadelphia Union)

It was getting dark by the time the Madridistas took the field against Philadelphia Union for their third game in the World Football Challenge, but the heat wave that has stagnated over the Northeastern United States wouldn’t yield. It was 94 degrees and 45% humidity at the start. Both sides gave the moisture wicking technology in their kits a work out as the first half was played at a fair pace.

Callejon (back from a fruitful loan to Espanyol) picked up the first goal for Madrid in the second minute off a perfect midfield pass from Alonso. Özil doubled the advantage with an assist from Benzema (11′). Union weren’t about to be out done. They created some nice chances in the first half. More than a couple of them put Casillas in an awkward position: sliding in feet first, laying flat, face down and with knees bent and arms wide. But he didn’t have to pick the ball out of the net.

Casillas vs. Ruiz

That honor would be reserved for Tomás, the third man to stand between the posts for Madrid in one night (with 11 substitutions being allowed, I’m not giving you the run down of who played with whom when). It was Michael Farfan (one of a pair of twins that plays for Union), who chip Tomás in the 80th minute. The goal lead to a nervy finish for Madrid. But, in the end, it turned out to be only a well deserved consolation.

Real regretfully leave the States (they’ve all gotten themselves such lovely tans). But they leave as the top seed team in the World Football Challenge with Manchester United just behind. Madrid are off to Germany to play Hertha Berlin in a friendly this Wednesday. There they will face one of the talented keepers to leave Bayern München with the arrival of Neuer. Look for Thomas Kraft to put in some good stops against a shiny, new, unstoppable Real Madrid.

On to a bit of fun side note.

So here we have Mourinho loading up the kiddies, but take a moment to look at his shirt. Do you see something that is missing? (Play Jeopardy music here)

Mourinho's bizzar shirt

Give up? OK, I’ll tell you. See the three Adidas stripes on his left shoulder. Right. Now where are the ones on his right shoulder? Well get this. They are on his back, just on the other side of his shoulder. Neither set is actually on the seam of the shirt. One is forward and the other is back. I’m thinking this is some master Mourinho tactic to mess with the minds of the opposition. It certainly got me to stop and stare.

If you prick us do we not bleed? (Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid)

If you give Mourinho a stage will he not create a theater production?

Mourinho came out with his sword of back-handed comments drawn and ready for a media massacre on Tuesday in the press conference before Wednesday’s first leg of the semi-final of the Champions League between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Mourinho accused Guardiola of making disparaging remarks about the national origin of a Portuguese referee. He also reminded the press that he has rarely played Barcelona and come away with all 11 men still on the pitch, arguing that decisions go Barça’s way more off then not.

If you call Guardiola “Pep” will he not launch into a tirade in Spanish?

Guardiola exploded at several points during his subsequent per-match press conference in response to Mourinho’s jabs. The expletive peppered retorts carried waves of frustration and outrage that must have been building for weeks and finally let loose. Guardiola’s words may have been unsteady at times up his intentions were not. He was outraged at how disrespectful Mourinho had been to him (using his first name as a prime example), especially considering they worked together for four years when Guardiola played for Barça and Mourinho worked as an assistant. Guardiola was sick and tired of Mourinho’s press games and granted him an “off-field Champions League prize” for his accomplishments in that area. Lastly, and most importantly, Gaurdiola pledged to be faithful to Barça’s style of play, though he did indicate that some adaptation would be required.

If you stand around in your own half will not Barcelona pass around in theirs?

By the end of a goalless first half, Barcelona had racked up nearly 80% of the possession. Though this might not be staggering figure for the Catalans, it is unusual in that most of it took place in their own half. The game started as a stalemate, with Real Madrid looking to put up a brick wall of a defense on their half while Barça played keep-ball in theirs.

If you leave Ronaldo as the lone striker up top will he not pout?

Mourinho started Ronaldo as the lone striker. Those who recall him pulling this particular stunt in La Liga will also recall that never has Ronaldo looked so totally out of place. An uneasy Ronaldo is not a normal sight, but as the game progressed, and he saw less and less of the ball, his expression moved to one we are more familiar with, that of frustration. He started to sulk. That can be no surprise. In front of Real Madrid’s home fans it might have been expected that they go for the ball and go for the net, but alas there was very little of that. Real Madrid’s best chance came when Valdés could not hang onto the ball after a fierce strike by Ronaldo and was forced to make a second, quick save as Özil tried to capitalize on the loose ball. Once more the ball managed to elude the keeper’s safe hands and was hit again by Ramos, but this time it went flying over the bar, all of which came just before half-time.

If you tell Real Madrid to play the players not the ball will they not get booked?

Well, Mourinho did have a point when he said his teams rarely make it through 90 minutes against Barcelona, but some of that might have to go down to his tactical approach. They make sure that Barça don’t score by standing in front of them, running them over, stepping on them, and kicking them (mind you, these outcomes are the unintentional results of tired legs up against speed and ball control). Point being, if you are going to go in with a physical mentality on a team that is about half your size, you are almost sure to get booked. Arbeloa got booked for a standing still as Pedro ran at pace into him (40’). Five minutes later, he was the central figure in a fight as the two sides headed for the dressing rooms at half time, which saw Pinto red carded.

Round two saw Ramos booked, meaning he will miss the return leg (53’). Then disaster stuck for Real Madrid when Pepe got straight red for a knee-high, studs up challenge that might have hit Dani Alves’ leg if he had not swung it away at the last moment. Unfortunately, for the Brazilian the speed of his one-legged rotation to safety put him off-balance and resulted in his falling to the ground in such an awkward position and with such force that he injured his leg only a few inches blow where Pepe would have made contact. That or Alves dove for his life and rolled around a lot to get the Portuguese center-back booked. If the latter is true, then why he needed to be stretchered off after the booking is the next question to be addressed (to waste time?). Eventually, Alves returned to pitch, go figure.

If you are getting run over by Real Madrid will you not roll around a bit more?

Speaking of diving or legitimate injuries, which was the case with Barça? I like to give players the benefit of the doubt, and I always look to see the whole picture of an incident. It is certainly true that players get booked for injuries they may not have caused, as probably is the case with Pepe (unless you want to talk in terms of what would have happened if Dani didn’t get out of the way of his spiked foot). But just because a player goes down without being clearly fouled, does that mean the dove. Ronaldo hits the deck a lot because his technique with the football means he almost never has a solid foot to stand on (one too many step-overs). Di María isn’t called “el flaco” for nothing. The boy’s light enough for a stiff wind to send him sliding over the grass.

Now that I’ve defended some of Real Madrid’s players let’s see what you think of my defense of some of Barça’s worst offenders in this match. Back to Arbeloa’s red card, harsh I know, but Pedro smashed into him at a sprint and likely ran his cheek bone into the shoulder or arm of the towering frame in his path. If you didn’t buy that one, or Dani’s fall, try this on for size, Sergio Busquets didn’t fake being hit in the face during his encounter with Marcelo. If you watch the replay, and I have, a lot, you can see Marcelo’s arm swing up and back as he turns before they make the contact that everyone is paying attention to. It is here that Marcelo accidentally thwacks Busquets in the face. So I ask, is it diving or play acting, or just calls by the referee that have nothing to do with the injuries sustained?

If you see your dread rivals doing unsporting things will you not crowd the referee?

With all the accusations over diving and dangerous play everyone was after the poor German referee (Wolfgang Stark) every time anything happened. He did his best to keep things running, but in El Clasico there is little that can be done to dissuade the players from arguing their case. The stakes are too high. The enemy to unconscionable to let things lie. It’s something of a tradition among some of these players anyway. Seeing Valdés come off his line and across the pitch is not new. Piqué somehow manages to beat most of the Barça midfield to the site of a challenge. Pepe, Marcelo, and Ramos often have a few thoughts to add as well (though I was very impressed with Ramos’ behavior in the game overall). But in El Clasico they all become guilty, and it is a real shame that they won’t leave it those involved and the Captains because many a fight has commenced when they all gathered round to protest after someone’s gone down.

If one of your players gets sent off will you not have something to say?

Diez jugadores, are words that must haunt Mourinho’s dreams. When Pepe was sent off he felt compelled to let the referees know they were doing a good job in the most sardonic way possible, complete with smarmy wink. His words allowed him to commiserate with his band player as he too was band from the touchline to the time out box of orange bars. There he wrote furiously, probably preparing his post-match comments to the press.

If your defense is at sea will Messi not score?

With Pepe gone, Real Madrid’s defense fell into disarray. Mourinho’s master plan of getting a draw or sneaking a goal by putting Adebayor on was shot to smithereens. The great white wall started to drift apart as the midfield was stretched. And it was thus, that Messi lost his markers and ran with easy through their ranks. On 76 minutes, substitute Ibrahim Afellay ran down the flank, beet Marcelo, and crossed to Messi at the far post. Messi taped the ball in through Iker Casillas’ legs. Then three minutes from the end, Messi played a quick one-two with Busquets in the center of the pitch and then ran by everyone in the midfield and defense to slot the ball past Casillas, who came up asking what happened to all the Madridistas who should have been in his way. In both goals Ramos came across the backline to provide the only real pressure the Argentine experienced.

Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0

How Barcelona saw the game:

 

How Madrid saw the game:

If you see an injustice will you not report it to UEFA?

Mourinho had an extra hour after the game to contemplate what he would say to the press, as it was decided to give everyone a cooling off period before talking to the media. The outcome of this down time was a retrospective Mourinho who called for Barcelona’s bizarre run of sendings off in Champions League play in their favor to be investigated. There is a pattern there (just ask Arsenal) but the way he went about stating it implied that it was some sort of conspiracy between the club, the Spanish football league, and UEFA to ensure Barcelona always make the final.

So now, Barcelona want Mourinho’s statements investigated, which UEFA is already doing. And Madrid have decided that something also has to be done about Barça’s play acting/diving, so they have asked UEFA to investigate that too. The outcomes should all be determined before the teams play the second leg next Tuesday.

If we have to do this all again next week will there not be a war?

Oh God, not another one. The fourth El Clasico in as many weeks will spell the end to what has become an increasingly dark chapter in the books of both Real Madrid and Barcelona. If Barça had won the Copa del Rey last week things might have been a bit calmer, but with the Champions League ties now deciding who gets one or two trophies, both sides are out for blood.

Some Spanish national players and their manager, Vicente del Bosque, have voiced concerns that these back to back grudge matches could wreak havoc on the national team’s outstanding camaraderie. With most of Spain’s starting lineup on either side of the pitch when the two clubs meet, it’s no surprise he is worried. There’s been no time for the players to make up over squabbles on the pitch as they have to face each other down again each week. They’ll be in for a lot of trust falls when the Spanish national team meets up again. There is also the larger concern that the good work done by Spain’s world cup winning team in bringing the nation together may now have been tarnished as tensions between Spain’s centralists and separatists is bound to intensify. 

So here is my wish list for next week, no one gets hurt (players or fans), no more controversial decisions, and no wars. Please. And thank you.

Having a healthy respect for the opposition,

H.

Breaking Perfection (Copa del Rey Final 2011)

Perfection only lasts so long. That was the lesson Real Madrid and Barcelona learned from the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday. It took 105 minutes to see the perfection of a 0-0 score line to break, despite both team’s efforts to smash the ball past the goal line. Casillas, Pinto, and the post saw fit to keep the score line placid. Pedro managed to see the ball into the back of the net off Messi’s pass, but he also saw the linesmen’s flag. A grueling game where Mourinho once more saturated midfield with defensive stalwarts Khedira, Pepe, and Alonso blunted Barça‘s attacking prowess, which has been a little out of step since Villa and Pedro’s scoring turned from a sprint to a stroll moved past the allotted 90 minutes and on into extra time. The perfect pass from Di María was followed up by the perfect header from Ronaldo and perfect score line turned lopsided. Real Madrid 1, Barça 0. The balance would not be restored in the remaining extra time. Captain Iker Casillas would get to lift the first bit of silverware for the Madridistas in three years and the first Copa del Rey title he has seen in his long career in white. 

 Before Casillas could get a hand up from the King of Spain though, Barça had to gather their sapped strength to accept the accolade for being second best. In the initial shock Messi stood still in the crowd of down cast players whose bright garnet pullovers belied their blackened moods. While the others lifted their chins and lent each other their support, Messi remained motionless. Like a perfect statue, he stood near the side lines staring through the beleaguered Barça supporters and the raucous Real fanatics. Whether he was replaying missed opportunities over last 120 minutes or simply awash in disappointment cannot be said, but he was an immovable figure in a sea of vehement emotion. Casillas, the perfect sportsman, went around to the Barça players to give them a much deserved congratulations on a strong showing against a fearsome Madrid. Messi didn’t move. The Barça bench emptied out to lift the spirits of those who had battled long and hard. Milito whispered in Messi’s ear, still he did not move. At some point, someone must have pointed out that he still had to make the long walk up the stairs through a sea of fans from both sides to shake hands with the King and Queen. He made the trek along with the rest of the team to receive their medals. They didn’t remain around their necks for long. A second place medal is a harsh reminder of failure. There was a bit of confusion between Puyol and Guardiola as to who would lift the second place plate, which was short lived as Guardiola slid stealthily down the line to shake hands with the Royal family, sticking Puyol with the “honors”.

             

When Real Madrid went up, it was a different response. Each player clutched their small trophy with the glee born of adrenaline and elation. Casillas hopped up on to a railing with the help of the King, kissed the cup, and lofted it on high to share with all of the Madridistas around the world. The perfection of his balance had to be maintained into the small hours of the morning when he climbed the scaffolding to place a Madrid scarf around the statue of the Roman goddess Cybele in the Plaza de Cibeles. Such perfection of coordination could not be maintained by all of the Madrid players after a long game, plane ride home, and ride through town on top of the team bus at 4 AM. Too much excitement and not enough rest created a minor slip up for Sergio Ramos when he dropped the trophy when he tried to bring it down from on top his head as the team road through town. Unfortunately, for the long time Madridista and co-captain, he was standing at the front of the bus and trophy fell onto the street and was run over by the bus’ right front wheel. Emergency services gathered up the no longer perfect pieces. The dented silverware was then snatched by the bus driver and place alongside him rather than risk its return to the roof. I would pay quite a hefty fee to have seen Casillas’ reaction and probably even more to have gotten the Barça based Spanish national players’ uncensored thoughts when they discovered what their comrade had done.

             

Next Wednesday, both sides will have it all to pay for again, this time with the first of two Champions League semi-final games on the line. Mourinho will be without Khedira through injury but is likely to maintain his defensive midfield. Guardiola will have Puyol on offer and should return to a more normal looking back line despite the absence of the influential Adriano. Pep seems unlikely to change his tactics, so the perfection of his players’ execution of total football will be judged against the perfection of Mourinho’s men in their defensive mentality and counterattacking ingenuity. 

Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid

Dressing room celebration

Copa del Rey dropped by Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos

Felicidades,

H.