Monthly Archives: September 2011

WHAT I SAW: PART VIII: REAL MADRID 3-0 AJAX: UCL

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Its officially 4-4 between Real Madrid and Ajax, yes Real Madrid defeated Ajax by 3-0 at Santiago Bernabeu with Cristiano, Kaka and Benzema writing their name on the score-sheet. Undoubtedly there were three MOM contenders for the tie first being Brazilian magician Kaka, second being Spanish orchestrator Xabi Alonso and third being ever dependable San Iker. So here are few points that caught my eye from my perspective:

Just One Hash-tag #KakaIsBackAndEvenBetter:

This is what popped up on the timeline of Mrs. Kaka’s twitter account and this is what shows what it means to the family. All this because Kaka was just magical against Ajax, going for his speed controller runs, providing the perfect passes, always on the move to support his team mate and weaving a magic throughout the Santiago Bernabeu. Missing almost whole of last season with the serious injury everyone doubted his 60million price-tag and with rumours he might give up his pursuit to perform for the club and look for a new club, he has proved his critics wrong with his performances in past 2-3 weeks which have been nothing less than mesmerizing. The celebration after his left footed bottom right corner goal from outside the box was just so intense especially coming from a guy who is known for his calm and composure on the green turf, it shows what he had to go though to comeback and how strongly he felt for that goal.

 

He Comes, He Plays & He Goes Back To Come Back Again Tomorrow:

Xabi Alonso is one of those guys on whom the coach can blindly believe to perform consistently throughout the season, we might talk as much as we want about Cristiano, Ozil, Benzema, Higuain or Kaka but in most of the cases if it’s not for Xabi they won’t even come in the picture. And that’s what was the scenario last night also Xabi was ever ready with his array of impeccable passes which lighted up the eyes of the Bernabeu faithful every time the ball was at the Spaniard’s feet. Phil Ball was quoted saying “when they saw an 18 year old 12 years ago at Real Sociedad sending out inch-perfect long balls they knew he is going to be someone big someday” and if it wasn’t for his long ball the second and third goal might not have been possible.

 

What’s With The Slow Start??:

One worrying factor that I have been seeing in past 2-3 matches that Real Madrid have played has been their slow start to come into their grooves. And it was rightly put by Cristiano after the match against Rayo “we were sleeping at the start but then we woke up”. The effect of this slow start was felt last night also when Boerrigter and de Jong coming close to scoring at the start of the game. These early minutes sleeping habits might get fatal if we play against other big teams of Europe like Bayern, Barcelona or Milan, may be Mourinho would want his players to for one Tequila shot just before the match.

 

Few Seconds Of Pure Class:

I am not too sure if you guys watched that video on YouTube which showed Ronaldo’s counter-attack goal against Rayo was faster than Usain Bolt 9.58 world record sprint. But the goal last night’s goal on the counter attack was not only fast but was a class-act, spell bounding and treat for the eyes of any football lover around the world. It started in Ajax’s half with a 1to1 between Ronaldo & Kaka, then Ronaldo cutting the ball to Ozil’s feet who slid the ball to the right flank for Benzema to send a grounded ball into Dutch side’s box where Cristiano spanked the ball into Vermeer’s net. It feels just so amazing to write these words which defined that goal which was started by Cristiano and ended by Cristiano.

The Other Things:

  1. And finally Altintop has won the race to regain fitness against his fellow countrymen Nuri Sahin by making his official debut against Ajax and he was welcomed with a round of warm applause at the Bernabeu.
  2. San Iker is like that French vine which becomes better with every crossing year. If it wasn’t for Casillas there wouldn’t have been a clean sheet especially because of his amazing save at the start and the end of the match.
  3. Benzema got Sold-Torres-ified last night he made it up with his second half goal.
  4. Mourinho shall return to European stage sideline from next Champions League match as his suspension expired after last night’s match. But the question is till when?

I would end the review with comments from man of the moment Kaka:

“I’m enjoying football again. I don’t feel any physical problems any more. I feel magnificently well and I’m sure I will continue to improve. I want to succeed on this team”

Follow Sideline Artist : http://twitter.com/#!/sidelineartist

Follow me on : http://twitter.com/#!/SrIjAn_p2P

 

 

Goal Highlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiHn6uPlyk4 : Ronaldo’s Goal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTNcuOHYONg Kaka’s Goal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w1DHroMig8 Benzema’s Goal

Blunder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1e-SAnkKcg Benzema Blubder

EUROPEAN ANGLE: REAL MADRID VS AJAX

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It’s the clash of titans which goes back a long way into the history lane with eight previous encounters (4- Ajax, 3- Real Madrid 1- Draw), it’s the clash of the biggest club in Spain and Netherlands and it’s the clash between the clubs with 61 domestic titles (Real Madrid- 31 & Ajax- 30) and 13 UEFA Champions League (Real Madrid- 9 & Ajax- 4) shared between them. So hell yeah it’s a big clash of Matchday 2 of UEFA Champions League 2011-12.

 

 

Probable Line-up

Real Madrid

  • Being the home side they would be going for a full throttle attacking line-up and with Ozil and Kaka having a great game in the midfield, I am guessing Mourinho would like to go for them.
  • I believe Benzema would get a nod above Higuain with Cristiano and Di Maria taking care of the wings.
  • With the absence of Carvalho, Pepe, Coentrao (Injury) and Marcelo (suspension) for me going for Ramos, Albiol, Varane and Arbeloa in the defense would be the best option.

Ajax

  • Being the away side I don’t think the Dutch side would be looking to take much of chances hence would be sticking to their regular 11 with only the 19 year old teenage LB Boilesen missing due to hamstring injury.
  • Bruno Silva is also out with injury.

 

The Game Plan

Real Madrid

  • Score goals:

It’s no more a hidden secret that Madrid gain their confidence with every goal they score and neither is this a secret that without goals Madrid looks like a team which is at the height of being restless and impatient. So it would be necessary for Los Blancos to score their first goal as soon as possible and not leave it for the later stage of the match.

  • Defensive combination:

With injury to the regular centre-halves Pepe & Carvalho and utility player Coentrao and also Marcelo being suspended it would be interesting to see what would be the perfect combination that Mourinho decides to go for. I am going for Varane and Albiol only due to their performance against Rayo.

  • Ozil & Kaka or Ozil & Khedira or Kaka & Khedira:

This is one bug that JMo would have to tackle. Would he go for his more established midfield duo Khedira and Ozil or would it be a chance for the man in form Kaka to play along with Sami or would Mourinho want to come out all guns blazing with Ozil and Kaka and Xabi dropping deep. One thing is sure this is one integral decision which might decide the match.

 

Ajax

  • Make use of the Left-flank:

With Marcelo suspended and Arbeloa who is actually a genuine RB will be playing on the left. Hence the attacking ability of Ajax just might be decided on how good Sulejmani and Janssen are able to utilise this advantage.

  • Crosses:

Van der Wiel has to do one simple thing for which he is actually famous for that is to keep sending in crosses. The only reason I am pointing this out is Madrid just might play with an inexperience pairing of Albiol and Varane.

  • First goal:

As any home side Madrid would be looking to take advantage of their home support but if Ajax are able to score the first goal. Then they can very much silence the Bernabeu faithful and thereby take away a very important weapon out of Los Merengues armoury.

 

Recent Form:

Real Madrid

24/09/2011 Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano 6-2 Liga BBVA
21/09/2011 Racing Santander vs Real Madrid 0-0 Liga BBVA
18/09/2011 Levante vs Real Madrid 1-0 Liga BBVA
14/09/2011 Dinamo Zagreb vs Real Madrid 0-1 UCL

 

Ajax

24/09/2011 Ajax vs FC Twente 1-1 Eredivisie
21/09/2011 Noodwijk vs Ajax 1-3 KNVB Becker
18/09/2011 PSV Eindhoven vs Ajax 2-2 Eredivisie
14/09/2011 Ajax vs Lyon 0-0 UCL

 

Player To Watch:

Cristiano Ronaldo:

Undoubtedly one of the best attacking players in the world right now, on his good days he can destroy any opponent at his own wills. He ha s bag full of tricks, speedy legs and always always has his eyes on the goal.

Jan Vertonghen:

One of the sought after young defenders in the world, Arsenal wanted to sign him in the just concluded transfer window but Ajax have a big price tag on him. His biggest aim would be to counter Madrid’s attacking                                                                                                   line-up which includes                                                                                                               Benzema, Cristiano, Di Maria,                                                                                                 Kaka and Ozil.

 

Prediction:

Real Madrid 2-0 Ajax

WHAT I SAW: PART VII: Real Madrid 6-2 Rayo Vallecano: Back On Track: Liga BBVA

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Coming from a loss and a draw against Levante and Racing, Real Madrid were expected to end their drought of victory and specially playing at Bernabeu. But a derby is a derby even if it is against a newly promoted side, and that’s how the game started with Rayo Vallecano playing as a unite and earning a shocker lead 0-1 lead 12 seconds into the game.

12 Second Shocker:

I was still trying to find a perfect stream to watch the match when I was surrounded by this news: A bad bad pass by Lass gives the possession to Rayo players and after a long range effort is blocked by San Iker, Michu runs in to slot the ball into the net & the Bernabeu faithful are stung to silence. And that is the story of worst possible start the Madridistas were expecting and I say its Diarra’s wrong pass which led to Madrid’s defense being caught off-guard and therefore the early heart attack.

 

Lass Is So Lost:

Last season I was actually vouching for this player to stay at Madrid but after his transfer window tantrums to leave the club but still ending up remaining a Madrid player. Diarra doesn’t seem like the same player, he is like that one work horse which every team would love to have and his physicality in the midfield is an add-on. But since the start of the new season he seems like a lost soul wandering around on the green turf and the story continued last night also. His wrong move led to the first goal and 62% passing accuracy is not what you want to see in a player playing for Los Merengues hence was rightly substituted only after 30 minutes. Hope he regains his form as this season Real and Mourinho expect every player of the squad to be at their best.

 

Partners In Crime:

I have been saying “Madrid’s attack looks like a ship whose Radar has been destroyed” in my past two reviews and that’s how they were going about in the first thirty minute. But after Lass was substituted for Ozil to come in his partnership in the midfield with Kaka made Madrid’s attack look so much more motivated. Ronaldo and Di Maria were able to move more freely in the wings without worrying to cater for the needs in the infield. And with Kaka and Ozil who can make defense splitting runs and passes with ease, our very own Higuain who is known for his defense splitting runs looked more threatening. Would really want to see more of this partnership hence Diarra’s loss was Real Madrid’s victory.

 

The Real Wall Of Madrid:

Meet the youngest goal scorer in Real Madrid history and best part he is not a striker but an 18 year old Centre-half. I have been building hills of appreciation for the young lad in the past few weeks and why shouldn’t I? when he is supposedly a find of Zidane’s scouting talent. Former Lens centre-back played as a block in the defense, last match he had an amazing partnership with RB Arbeloa although this time the partner changed in the form of CB Albiol but his work rate and positioning remained extraordinary (excluding the time when he left Michu alone to score from the Rayo corner). But the best moment of the match for the young Frenchmen came when he twisted and turned all in the air to score his first goal for the Blancos it surely was a treat of a goal to watch.

 

Other Things:

  1. As Mourinho said – all those who are feeling happy after our last two performances it shall end soon” I really hope this was the soon.
  2. And Ronaldo was back at his best with the hatrick, he was running around, doing his tricks and above all he was patient (I am guessing he had an appointment with Dalai Lama).
  3. Di Maria is having a bad time these days firstly he gets Khedira red carded then last night he got himself red carded. Hope the Argentine gets back to doing what he is good at.
  4. One interesting sight that would excite me for sure is seeing Pepe and Varane playing together, with Carvalho growing old Madrid needs to start maintaining the balance between the experienced and inexperienced so that Real’s defense is never left in no man’s land.
  5. Mourinho was Mr. Bold and Beautiful last night bold with taking off Lass and beautiful with his calm and composed replies in the press conference.
  6. Totally in love with the sportsmanship shown by the Vallecano’s players.
  7. FYI Cristiano with less hair gel, long sleeves and raised collar is a much more threatening striker :P