For Spain’s top dogs, the season started like this…
“If I were Barça president Sandro Roselli I’d give him a contract for the next 50 years.”
Aw, that’s so nice of Jose Mourinho to want Pep Guardiola to stay with Barca. Of course, Guardiola prefers to take things poc a poc.
Guardiola Gives a Little Direction from the Touch-line
Not to be out done, here is Guardiola’s retort.
“He is probably the best coach in the world. It is often difficult to decide in these cases who is the best, but his career in several countries is immaculate.”
The footballing world agrees.
Mourinho Wins Coach of the Year
Then all hell broke loose when someone thought it would be a good idea to fill the end of the season with El Clasicos.
Suddenly that wonderful faith in your team and your coach, which looks like this…
“I was clear that I wanted to play for the best, and for me Mourinho is the best. We spoke and he convinced me.”
Mesut Ozil“Barcelona are not invincible. They have demonstrated in recent years that they have a great team, but we do not feel inferior to them or anyone. We want to win every title possible this season.”
Sergio Ramos
And this…
“It is an honour to play in this team and with players like Messi, the best player in the world. Whoever does not fit in with him, doesn’t deserve to be in this team.”
David Villa“If Pep told me to throw myself off the third tier of Camp Nou, I’d think, ‘there must be something good down there’.”
Dani Alves
Started to look like this…
Ramos Shoves Puyol
And this…
Villa Snarls at Arbeloa
Thankfully this was all just misunderstandings and heat-of-the-moment responses
“We didn’t make a huge deal out of it. It was a big game with a lot of kicking going on. But once the game’s over, that’s that. We’re all colleagues and if there’s one thing that sums up the Spain team it’s the great atmosphere we’ve got going. I get on well with everyone, no matter which club they’re from. Those are just things that happen out on the pitch.”
Sergio Ramos’ statement in response to his sending off after shoving of Spain team-mates Carles Puyol (pictured above) in Real Madrid’s 5-0 loss to Barcelona
But even putting the violence on the field aside there was plenty to shake your head at off the pitch.
Our two beloved coaches went to war in the press-room.
Mourinho and Guardiola Have Words
And both clubs went to town charging each other with anything they could think of.
There were some bright spots though.
“Congratulations to Real Madrid for paying homage to Abidal of Barcelona. Football is so much more than rivalry.”
Ronaldo, who played for both sides put out this Tweet in response to these shirts…
Real Madrid supports Barca's Abidal in Recovering from Surgery
This weekend Barcelona and Real Madrid are back at it, again. The two-legged Super Copa is upon us, since Barca won the League and Madrid won the Cup. Let’s hope this season doesn’t leave the same after taste last season did.
Real’s found themselves some outstanding transfers. My favorite is Fabio Coentrao (or the Messi-stopper as I like to call him). The pacy, accurate Portuguese winger has already shone in Madrid’s preseason.
Fabio Coentrao Battles Away Against Guadalajara
Of course, Barcelona have a few tricks up their sleeves too. They’ve gone fishing in the endless-pool that is La Masia and turned out some more prize catches.
Take Thiago. Well, don’t take him. He’s ours. You know what I mean. Stop shaking your head at me and look at the lovely picture.
Thiago Tries to Put Another One Over and Manchester United
This Spanish U-21 Euro star was a scouring machine in the preseason. Let’s hope he keeps it up.
So, I have no idea who will take home the scalps this year. If you do, I’d love to hear it.
I’ll leave you with message form a Spanish National Team icon.
Manolo el del Bombo Supporting Good Sporting Values
Fanatical for Football 