Raul Albiol presentation…, is he happy to be here????
By: Cesar |
38 Comments
Raul Albiol was presented as a Real Madrid player earlier this afternoon.
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Category: Team News
Do we really need this guy????
By: Cesar | 15 Comments
I still have mixed feelings about the Benzema signing, but I’d like to share my concerns with you regarding another frenchman, Franck Ribery.
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Category: Team NewsYUSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Corey | 40 Comments
Benzemaaaaa. Say It. Just Rolls Off The Tongue!
One very happy blogger here. Benzema has been signed, its official. Read more about it here and here. Both the Real Madrid an Lyon websites have made it official as well.
Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique Lyonnais have reached an agreement for the transfer of Karim Benzema, contingent upon the player’s medical examination and the signing of his contracts.
The 21-year old striker will sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid.
Discuss amongst yourselves while I go run to the top of a mountain and scream in all of my excitement.
PS: Im still on vacation
Category: Team NewsWelcome Kaka!!!
By: Cesar | 41 Comments
It all started beautifully, with a series of videos of the great players that have worn the whit shirt, Di Stefano, Zidane, Figo, etc, with images of Kaka with brazil and AC Milan, and I have to say, I got a little misty watching Zidane, HOW WE MISS YOU ZIZOU!!!!
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Category: Team NewsYour new guest blogger!!! and bad news on a somehow exciting day…
By: Cesar | 15 Comments
Hello everybody, this is Cesar, your regular visitor to the Real Madrid Offside. I will be holding down the fort while Corey’s away on vacation, and I’ll try my best to keep up to the high standards that Corey has made us grown accustomed to, so here goes my FIRST EVER BLOG, and I apologize in advance for any mistakes I make (this a learn as you go experience for me).
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Category: Team NewsVaction Time
By: Corey | 62 Comments
Well its come time for me to take my vacation for the year from blogging. I do this only because one gets a little run down with the constant posting and I am to be honest, a tad burned out right now. I plan on being out of action until the 13th of July, so thats a whole two weeks or so of not coverage from me. I apologize, but the break is needed. When I return, preseason will be right around the corner and we will have had presentations of the players we signed this summer so far. I promise to put a post up with picture of the presentations of Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul Albiol when they happen, but beyond that it will be pretty quiet around here. So feel free to discuss whatever you want on this thread. Just dont get rowdy, I would hate to have to come back from my vacation early to moderate comments.
Have a good couple of weeks everyone, and as always HALA MADRID!
Category: Team NewsRaul Albiol Official….Is He What We Needed?
By: Corey | 32 Comments
Raul Albiol has become the third player brought in under Florentino Perez as a clear indication that he will not be repeating the same mistakes of signing only attacking players. But then again, people do not know what happened when Perez was last chief, tending to focus on the sale of Makelele and the hurried retirement of Fernando Hierro. Jorge Valdano intimated to the press the other day that David Villa’s situation is very similar to how Valencia handled the Roberto Ayala negotiations right around the time of Makelele and Hierro leaving, deciding to pull out when the fee and contract were agreed. Luckily this has not happened with Albiol.
The fee is 15 million euros, and he will provide competition for Christoph Metzelder and Ezey G for a center back position. This also puts an end to the rumors of Sergio Ramos being used as a center back in the upcoming season. Although judging by his crap performance against the United States, that might not be a bad idea….Albiol comes to Real after 4 seasons with Valencia where he was affectionately known as Albi-own goal, not a nick name Real fans would like him to continue with. Bad luck or poor interception skills no one is positive, but lets hope that little flaw in his game is removed. As I read Cesar of the Valencia Offside talk about Albiol, he reminded me of why I never talk the player up much in the past. Sure he is a promising player, but he still needs work if he is to become a sturdy center back.
So my question to the readers is: Is Albiol going to be good enough to replace someone like Cannavaro and not leave an already positionally shaky Pepe horribly exposed when he himself goes on a wander around the pitch?
Category: Team NewsRaul Albiol On His Way? Arbeloa Too?
By: Corey | 34 Comments
Raul Albiol, the 23 year old Valencia center back who is currently with the Spain squad in South Africa, could be headed to Real Madrid for 15 million euro in a smart move from the Real management. Albiol has long been an up-and-comer in the Spanish game, rated as one of the best young center backs along with Marc Torrejon and Cesar Arzo. He will hopefully make the move after the Confederations Cup is won by Spain, and Im not saying that because I am cocky, it just seems a distinct possibility. More information on the move can be found at AS.
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Category: Team NewsWesley Sneijder Opinion Poll
By: Corey | 10 Comments
With the signings of Kaka and Ronaldo, the retention of Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart and Royston Drenthe so far, and the possible return of Ruben de la Red to the first team, where does that leave Wesley Sneijder? It can rightfully be argued that Royston Drenthe does not offer much competition for Sneijder, and that Ronaldo and Robben are fundamentally different players then Sneijder so they are not in competition either. But with Manuel Pellegrini preferring a double pivot with a winger and a creator as his flank men, is there space in the team for Sneijder given all of the options Pellegrini has to choose from? Lets do some formation speculating shall we….
Pellegrini uses a typical 4-4-2, but he positions his wide players differently depending on the opponent. He also likes to tinker with the positioning of the secondary striker, and sometimes slots a playmaker into the hole if the situation calls for it. Although not very likely, a 4-4-1-1 is also used. My recommendation is to use a 4-3-2-1, so lets compare said formations and see where Sneidjer could possibly fit in:
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4-4-2 Traditional Wingers
———-Hunter/Ruud—Higuain/Raul———- (Negredo)
Robben—–Gago/DLR—-Lass/Diarra—-Ronaldo
With such a lineup, the creative play comes from the wings. The point is to stretch the opposition so that there is more room across the pitch to operate. The problem is that unless its DLR at one of the center midfield positions, there is no one to adequately control the space afforded to Real if the width is provided. Sneijder may be an option in the highlighted spot where Gago/DLR currently occupy. His vertical ball movement and long range shooting abilities make him a threat from a central location going forward, but he provides far little coverage on the defensive end of things. And with two very wide players on the flanks, the center is left exposed.
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4-4-2 With Winger/Playmaker Combo
—————-Hunter/Ruud——————— (Negredo)
————————Higuain/Raul————-
Kaka/VDV—–DLR/Guti—-Lass/Diarra—-Ronaldo/Robben
Again, a solid center pairing with any of the four players working together to defend primarily, but also distribute intelligently. The width provided by Ronaldo or Robben will stretch a team wide right, and with the overlapping of Sergio Ramos, defensive efforts must be focused on this flank. Therefore a playmaker who is playing off-center of sorts such as Kaka or VDV will still have space to work without crowding the pitch to much. A deeper lying Higuain or Raul will also aid in any defensive efforts through the middle and if a tag team of Diarras or Gago is used, they will be the main distributor of the ball from the hole. Sneijder can essentially play on either the left in the off center role, or next to the DM such as Guti or DLR.
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The 4-4-1-1 With A Playmaker In The Hole
————–Negredo/Hunter/Ruud/Higuain————– (Raul)
———————-Kaka/VDV————————
Robben/DLR—–Gago/Parejo—Lass/Diarra—-Ronaldo/Guti
This one can go either way. Although the playmaker is not restricted to Kaka and VDV, it really should be. Sneijder can fit into the spot primarily because of his vertical ball movement. He could also be used which ever side does not have the winger in place of DLR or Guti. The weakened center with Gago or Parejo as the water carrier (although DLR again can slot right in there) allows for less width, but will this prove to be to much congestion? One winger, preferably on the left, would keep things spaced properly, and the playmaker would be tasked with drifting right form time to time. The problem I see for Sneijder here is how he can justify himself as being better then any of the players out there. Surely Kaka, Guti and DLR on a good day are better then Sneijder.
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The 4-3-2-1 Collapsable Width
————–Negredo/Hunter/Ruud/Higuain————– (Raul)
Robben/Kaka————————————Ronaldo/VDV
———-Guti/Gago—Lass/Diarra—DLR/Parejo————
This to me presents not only the best opportunity for Sneijder to get in to the team on a regular basis, but an easy way to fit in all of our talent in midfield without upsetting the positional balance. One or two Diarra’s can play depending on Gago, while DLR or Parejo can really be though of as the center midfielder who runs the length of the field doing attacking and defending. Guti can be the ball distributor if picked ahead of a double Diarra/1 Diarra-Gago combo. Width is readily available although playmakers like Kaka and VDV can be used. The problem here is using one striker when we have five good ones. Sneijder can slot in to highlighted position where he offers like Guti, vertical ball movement with the support of two players behind him. Probably the best way for him to thrive as such a formation is used by the Dutch national team, where he does his best work.
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Considering the talent we now have in several positions, it seems likely Wesley will either be on the bench or sold this summer. Of course that is if De la Red is healthy enough to play, Guti can stay consistent throughout the year, Parejo is not loaned out, and Gago or Mahamdou Diarra is not sold. And of course Van der Vaart remains a huge question mark. Sneijder of course is seen by the fans as a very committed player, and thy admire his passion for the shirt. Sneijder himself has spoken of his delight at playing for Real and wants to stay to see out his contract.
So my question to you is whether or not Wesley Sneijder has a place in the team any more? He is entering his third season, which makes him some what of a veteran considering the squad turnover we are use to, but if he is not to play much, should he be sold? Let me know in this weeks poll:
Is Welsey Sneijder Still Needed By Real Madrid?(survey software)
Category: Team NewsMiguel Torres: A Fans Dream
By: Corey | 7 Comments
In a move that was unexpected but not out of character, Miguel Torres has decided that despite his participation in the UEFA u-21 Championship this summer, he will not be taking an extended holiday like the other players who are participating in international tournaments during the offseason. Torres will return to training camp on July 10th just like every other player, which gives him somewhere around a 3-4 week break for the action. Like I said, not out of character for Miguel Torres, who is one of the hardest working players in the squad, and a canterano none the less.
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Category: Team News
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