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ANCELOTTI HAS FAILED HIS TEAM

On Thursday night, it was a familiar tale for Los Blancos against Atletico, Atleti were compact, defended deep and with robust physicality, took their chances and got the job done against their arch rivals. Madrid fans will point to key mistakes at important times during the game.

THE DEFENSIVE MIDFEILDER:AN ARTIST

In recent times, it is often said that the art of defending is dying in the modern game, that the obsession with free-flowing attacking football by so many managers in the game today has made defending become secondary and people forget the fact that you might score three or more goals and not win

WHATS HAPPENING AT ARSENAL: MY TAKE ON THINGS

Its been a pretty grim couple of weeks for Arsenal starting from the absolute capitulation against Anderlecht to losing our 15-month unbeaten home record to a severely weakened Manchester United team.

FINDING MARCO'S PLACE

It is no secret that Marco Reus’s contract at Dortmund is nearing it’s end. It is also no secret that a release clause in his contract will be activated in 2015. As expected the top teams in Europe will already be scrambling for his signature as he is arguably one of the best and most promising talents in the football universe at the moment.

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Friday 6 September 2013

WHY MADRID HAD TO SELL OZIL.

I needed 5 days to calm down and write this article because at the time of the sale. I was furious at both Real Madrid & Mesut ozil. Now I see reasons with the club. Some may call this article biased & and a backlash towards Ozil but in truth majority of it is fact, while to a smaller extent its a backlash towards Ozil. Please be very free to criticise any point written here. In this article I'll be looking at how the transfer affects both Ozil & Madrid in the sporting & business aspects. It is a really long article, So brace yourself.
When Isco was presented at the Bernabeu the Madrid fans chanted "we want Gareth Bale" and later during the presentation Florentino Perez said madrid's summer business wasn't over yet. Ironically at Gareth Bale's presentation the fans chanted "don't sell Ozil" but this time the president put a finger on his lips, just the way a father will tell a little child to keep quiet.
The Ozil issue all started in January when through his father he asked Madrid to increase his contract to €10million a year and till 2019. This to me is madness. That's the same thing Cristiano earns & he his no were near the level of importance Cristiano is to Madrid. He later changed his request to €7m a year till 2019. Madrid again told him to wait and see if funds will be available for that after this summer's transfer window & Cristiano's renewal. Ozil was angry. Now moving to Arsenal he earns that fee (€7m) so on a business side you can say the deal is excellent for Ozil.
Now on the sporting side, this is were question marks will be asked mostly. Ozil was at one of the best clubs in the world at Real madrid, never had to fight for his place once (before now). He was one of the best "number 10s" in the world or the best if you listen to Mourinho. He was under the guidance of his idol Zidane and played with the best players in the world. (No offence to Arsenal here,& I mean it). Why jump ship to a club that are not sure of qualifying for the champions league? A german newspaper carried "From champions league contender to Champions league qualification struggle" Or one that the players there are not quite the same as his old teams mates in terms of talent. Here Many Madrid fans including myself feel that anger towards Ozil, as this was the only season he faced competition and he left. He could argue that he needed gaming time in order to be 1st choice in the German team, but the fact that he is a Real madrid player almost guarantees him a place in the national team just like Benzema,Arbeloa and Casillas. Then again Isco would not play all 55+ matches Madrid would play this season. As a matter of fact he(Ozil) played 2 of the opening 3 matches for Madrid,even though it was before Bale was signed. Ozil's father may have realised his son was doing the wrong thing that's why he tried to prevent the move (part of the cause for the long wait on deadline day before the move was completed).


For Real Madrid, on the sporting side it was brilliant business. They Got his wages off the wage bill and €50m on him. So with that the only money Madrid lost this summer was money €67m. Madrid needed him to go to recoup money. Such was the keenness that Jose Angel Sanchez madrid's general manager pushed the deal to the finality because Ozil had preferred a move to Man utd ( the 2nd reason why the deal took so long to be completed).
Again on the sporting side it appears tricky here. Many people have made their comments."If I were in charge at Madrid, Ozil would be one of the last to be leaving," Sergio Ramos said. And Alvaro Arbeloa added: "He said goodbye on Sunday, but I thought he was joking. Ozil is different; there is no-one else like him in the world - it's a shame and a big loss." Former coach Jose Mourinho was also surprised Madrid allowed Ozil to leave. "He is unique," the Portuguese pondered. "The best number 10 in the world.". Isco said he was sad kaka and especially Ozil left. Madrid's main man Ronaldo said he was said, Ozil new his moves and that he is upset by the transfer.(You can get his point,Ozil assisted 21 la Liga goals(the most from one player to another this century) and 27 in all to Ronaldo), but again it doesn't always have to be about Ronaldo. Jurgen Klopp said he was surprised Madrid let Ozil go. Joachim Low(annoyingly if you ask me) Criticised Madrid for our "poor treatment" to Ozil. Here another story can come up. Did Madrid treat Ozil poorly ?or did Ozil not show the right attitude towards the club ?. Ozil said "the coach(referring to Ancelloti) didn't have 100% faith in him" so he left. Here I can say Ozil is right. Ancelloti didn't show 100% faith in Ozil because he wasn't working hard enough. Ancelloti said Casillas was on the bench because Diego Lopez was working harder in training. Casillas can easily come out & say what Ozil said. At least he has more reasons to be frustrated & worried at staying on the bench than Ozil. Ancelloti stated after the betis match "Isco and Ozil have to learn how to defend," the Italian said. "We need quality players, but they must work defensively. That's the key to the season, finding the balance with quality players.". Ozil complained thereafter that he didn't like playing on the right wing, the position he played that day. In truth he can't play there because lacks pace, cuts inside constantly and rarely tracks back. The next game he was placed in his favourite position which he didn't perform well at all,he later reacted angrily at being substituted by walking straight to the showers and boarding the coach as soon as the final whistle had been blown. In truth Ozil was bound to struggle in Madrid this season with the new signings and the change of manager. Mourinho played his counter attacking style, while Ancelloti wants "spectacular & intensive football" which Ozil wasn't responding to in training & in matches. At his brilliant best, Ozil may be - as Mourinho claims - the finest number 10 in world football. Yet too often at Madrid he would struggle with his fitness, running out of steam late in games (Mourinho himself complained about this in 2012 stating this as a reason why he always substituted Ozil at the hour mark or with 15 minutes to go). Never one of the side's strongest characters, there was also a tendency to go missing mentally in the very big matches (didn't provide a single assist in his 1st 9 Clasico's. Was average at best in the 6 UCL semi finals at Madrid scoring 1 goal (a rebound) and assisting 1. Missed a 1 on 1 against Dortmund ,2 leg) When he was at his prime both physically and mentally, he could be unplayable - but that was by no means all of the time. People say he performed in the Clasico's but he only assisted 6 of Real's 25 goals (24%)in those games 3 of which were set pieces). Di Maria was meant to leave but against Granada & Betis he showed what Ancelloti wanted and now deserves his place in Madrid. Isco, At 21, is nowhere near his peak, but all of the talent is there for him to become an ever better player than the German. Arguably, in fact, he is already there.The former Malaga man is more of an all-round player than Ozil; more athletic, quicker, stronger and able to operate in a number of different positions (Played the holding as part of the holding 2 against Granada), the Spain star also boasts brilliant vision and tremendous technique & is also a big game player. Crucially, he will score goals as well. So far, he has hit three already in just three games and also set up one of Madrid's other three strikes in 2013-14. Madrid now lack in the number 10 role but with Di Maria(he had brilliant run of games there in 2012 when Mourinho decided not to start Ozil for a long period. Assisted 3 & scored 1 against sevilla during that period), Modric & Bale who can play there if anything happens to Isco.


At the end Madrid had to let him go. It was a good price, he wasn't happy. Look at how Robinho ended up after his "awful treatment" by Madrid. Ozil wasn't forced to leave. Ancelloti wanted more from him "I'm happy Ozil is unhappy, no one should be contented with being on the bench. Give more in training and you'll start". Ozil may have felt he was giving all he could & as they say he's best was not good enough for Carlo. A german newspaper headline read "Madrid now too big a club for Ozil". It remains to be seen who regrets the move more. Madrid or Ozil. For the good of football non should happen. But my prospective is that he shouldn't have gone, his departure makes me brand him a coward looking at what the likes of Casillas, Di Maria & Kaka have fought for to stay in Madrid. After 159 games, 27 goals,71,82 or 89 assists (depending on your source) and 3 trophies in Madrid, you'll be missed bro, just hope you don't regret your choice.

Thursday 5 September 2013

MADRID'S EXCELLENT SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW

Florentino Perez started his summer dealings right before the season even ended by agreeing with Jose Mourinho to terminate the special one's contract. The Portuguese had issues with many of the big players at the Bernabeu and many were very happy to see his back.
The fact that Real madrid only lost €67m this transfer window despite spending big money on players can be seen to be a big gain knowing that shortly that they'll cover up that debt. With new coaches and new signings, there are always questions asked of some players in the starting XI, and with Real madrid its no different. Here we take a look at some arrivals and departures at the bernabeu and how they affect Madrid.

ARRIVALS
Dani Carjaval Madrid were clever to insert a buy-back clause in the Spanish u-21's contract when they sold him to Leverkusen a year ago. The club academy graduate was voted as the best right back in Germany last year (Philip lahm went to left back). He's good going forward and can come up with the odd goal. Arbeloa( To me Madrid's worst player last season) will be sweating to keep his place in the team and should not, although he is more defensive minded and has more experience. "http://soccerbants.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/carjaval-re-signs-for-madrid.png">

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CASMEIRO The Brazilian was signed on a permanent basis this summer from sao paulo after a loan spell last year. He was expected to continue in the castilla, but strong showings in pre-season has seen him added to the 1st team squad this season. He is a strong defensive midfielder, but he looks certain to play more for the Castilla this season than for the 1st team.

ASIER ILLARAMENDI. The basque born player is the heir to Xabi Alonso. "Illara" as he is fondly called has the potential to be better than Alonso. To me his qualities are a combination of Alonso's vision,passing range & calmness as well as Busquests defensive qualities. He is a hybrid. This season will be too big for him,adjusting to the pressure in madrid & to a high price tag(€32m actually. Buy-out clause,tax law made it €38). He will eventually prove to be worth every penny and the a real star for both Madrid & Spain. ="alignnone size-full" src="http://soccerbants.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/illaramendi-signs-for-madrid.png" alt="" title="illaramendi-signs-for-Madrid.png" width="480" height="360" />

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FRANISCO ALCARON--ISCO . I saw this guy play last year for Malaga. Watched him at the euro u-21. I knew this guy would be a perfect fit to Madrid. He has pace,dribbles,scores,versatile and he's a big game player. He has shown maturity beyond his years in Madrid with scintillating performances as though he had been here for ages. He has been madrid's best player so far this season and already showing why Madrid fans should forget Ozil.

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GARETH BALE. Ah the longest transfer saga of the summer. To me we bought a future Balon d'or winner. As a matter of fact we bought the symbol & best player in the EPL last season. He's a mirror image of Cristiano Ronaldo and I have no doubt that he will succeed at Madrid. People have said things about the price. Some like Tata Martino or Oliver Kahn have said disrespectful things about it. But the fact is haters keep hating. The fact that the 2 names above represent our nearest rivals in the Europe, I'll call them jealous & fearful haters. We bought him, deal with it. http://soccerbants.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/madridista-bale.jpg">

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DEPARTURES

MICHAEL ESSIEN. Returned to Chelsea with Mourinho. Had a couple of few games at the club.

RICARDO CARVALHO. He left on a free. A decent defender but well past his best. Best time at the club was his 1st season. After that he was 4th & eventually 5th choice at the back. Not a big loss. But a gain due to his wages are off the list.

RAUL ALBIOL. The former Valencia man left for €12m. He like Carvalho had his best time in madrid in his 1st season. He became 4th choice centre back at his departue. Good lad. But with him gone we just hope we don't have our 3 centre backs injured or suspended at the same time, although Nacho is a fair enough replacement.

JOSE MARIA CAJELLON. A Madrid boy to core. Very effective player from the bench. He will be missed. It was best he left with the signings of this summer.


GONZALO HIGUAIN. I couldn't just understand this guy leaving although I was happy. He complained he wasn't playing enough, at a time Mourinho used a rotation policy for the forwards. Out of 6 UCL semi finals he started 3 (which I don't understand when he hardly ever scores getting 1 assist in the process while Benzema scored 1 & assisted 1 in 2 starts). To me I like the fact he left. The young shall grow in Jese & Morata. "http://soccerbants.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/napoli-madridistas.png">



MESUT OZIL. This guy is the person I don't get the most. He blamed Ancelloti for not having faith in him when he wasn't playing well. He wasn't ready to fight for a place if you ask me. Truth be told Ozil is talented but Real Madrid hid many of his flaws, which I'm going to write about in my next article. For those Madrid fans still sad, look he was our player maker and did we win much? NO !!. Isco is playing well, let's trust him. He may be they key to La decima.

RICARDO KAKA. People call him a flop, but to me, he did his best. Injuries and Ozil's form kept him out. He played well in most games, but could not leave up to the expectations on a regular basis. A perfect example of a true gentle man. Fought for his place till the end,didn't blame anyone for his misfortunes & has even decided to come back for a goodbye. You'll be missed Ricky. Just as a Jibe to those Catalans. Kaka had a better season than Iniesta statistically (8 goals 15 assists compared to 5 goals 17 assists).Good thing for all parties involved,although I'm surprised Madrid allowed him go for free. Financially we didn't lose that much in the deal considering how famous Kaka is in the Asian market.




Madrid fans should be grateful to the President as this has been a well planned transfer window, in which he has brought in fantastic talent all under the age of 24. Have faith in this team. This might be our year. Hala Madrid !!!