Alicante Preview and Mercato News

Message from the Supreme Imperial Commandeer Ramon Calderon:

On this first day of 2008 I want to wish all Madridistas peace, love and success in sports.

I would like to end by again wishing all Madridistas a happy 2008. Their support is essential for the achievement of our goals.

Nice to see the Social Integration of Immigrants intiative, if one things for certain, Calderon’s degree of caring is up for debate, but the organization itself is trying to assist in social change. And thats great by men, I am by no means a bleeding heart liberal, but social programs are needed. Go here for an overview of the program http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma45670.htm

Copa del Rey 2nd Leg
We take on Alicante tonight at the Bernabeu, after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, Balboa saving our skins with a late header. Not that a 1-0 loss away from home would have been disasterous with the JV squad out there. But a home win is definately expected now, we havent lost at home in such a long time, the exact number escapes me for some reason.

The squad will have a few first teamers in it, with Julio Baptista most likely starting in midfield alongside Gago, and Sergio Ramos in the squad, although I would hope that he does not play, let Salgado play with Torres on the left. He may play in the center as Pepe has the flu and Metz has a wart on his foot. So Ramos may play in the center with Heinze, as surelly Canna wont play and get some more rest. As for the remainder of the squad, there is not an official squad list out but expect Robben to start, with Higuain and Saviola up front as Bernadine wont begrudge Soldado a start. And I would like to see Balboa start seeign as how he did so well in the last leg. Ohh, and the Dirty Dudek in goal.

I want a win, and progression in the cup, but I worry about injuries an fatigue for players like Baptista and Ramos. Sure Ramos is pretty much needed, but maybe we should try out a few youth teamers. Gary or Schorch at center back, Javier Velayos at left back and Dani Parejo for the right, maybe Bueno or a Callejon brother at striker, surprise me. Think about it Schuster.

Should be a comofortable win.

Grapevine
Now for some mercato news, seeing as how its now open and I am eagerly anticipating the first ridiculous EPL transfer!

- Saviola wants to stay and fight for his place at Madrid. Place, by what do you mean? Here is the full article:

‘In all honesty the thought of leaving has never entered my head,’ Saviola told the club’s official website.

‘I will keep working to be able to play and to battle for my place and if at any point I see that the situation isn’t the best then I may consider it, but not now.

‘All I want for the new year is the continuity that every player craves – the pride of feeling useful for a team and helping my team-mates.

‘In sport you always want to feel useful, to be able to play those minutes that you want. But I also want the team to continue on their run so that things continue going well.’

‘We know that winning three competitions isn’t easy,’ added Saviola. ‘But I think we have everything we need.

‘We’ll look at the situation as it happens, but from my point of view, we have the team to battle for all three trophies.’

‘I think winning that game was very important for us,’ said Saviola. ‘We won well, battling and playing good football.

‘The most important thing though is to realise we won an important game but the league isn’t won.

‘Having the team they have, I think the worst thing that could happen to us is to relax. We’re seven points clear, but if we do relax and think we have won the league it could act against us.

‘They are a great team and of course they will battle until the final day and we have to keep the same mentality that we had at the Nou Camp.’

I say get rid of him, he has proven to be ineffective so far, and I would much rather see Soldado getting subbed in. Also, it would be a profit to sell him and buy some other striker if need be.

- Real have made their first purchase, young Chilean striker Sebastian Pinto from Universidad de Chile. He is going into the Castilla team and is seen as a possible replacement for Soldado if he moves on this winter. Sebastian was signed on a free, and is 21. He scored 7 goals last year he primarily plays as a target man at 1.87 meters. He has a cap for the Chilean national team, playing in the 1-0 loss to the Aragon regional team on December 28th. I dont expect to much from him this year though.

- Almeria has signed Guilherme, 18 year old Brazilian left back from Vasco, who is of great potential. I was pretty hot and heavy on him, and even signed him for Real in my FIFA manager mode. Real would do well to keep their eyes on him, he is touted as better then Marcelo.

- Speaking of prospects, Johan Pitriopa has been signed by Hambrug. Congrats to him as well as Guilherme, both prospects on my depth chart, a talented right winger/second striker from Burkina Faso who had been playing with Frieburg for awhile. Not a Real Madrid signing, but definately worth a mid-table teams investment. I should be a damn scout in Europe.

- More prospects, now I am just gloating. Well, its hardly gloating if everyone doesnt know what my prospects are, so I will have to get those into a list and put up for you. That post will be coming soon.

- David Albelda is going to seek a legal injunction to allow him to leave Valencia. He has played more then 5 games this year in La Liga so he can not move out on loan,a 60 million dolla buyout clause that he wants wiped clear for a possible sale.

We should keep in mind that [David] is an employee with the same rights as any other employee,” continued Giuillem.

“David knows that this measure is not being taken against Valencia the club, but rather those within it that make the decisions.

“If the player was very hurt and upset by the decision to isolate him from the team, then the lack of response to the questions and faxes of the past 26 days have perplexed him, and he’s faced with a situation that he doesn’t believe he deserves either as a player or as team captain in recent years.”

Seems silly for Valencia not to want the player but to keep his price at 60 million. Seeing as how he was technically sacked, why wouldnt a court see his contract terminated and he be released? Well, not so fast, but atleast be allowedto move, and for less then 60 million, because no one would pay that. Madrid obviously wouldnt mind bringing him in, so lets hope this ruling goes in his favor.

- Roma want Arjen Robben and now Royston Drenthe, beside Urby Emanuelson. Well good for you, going Dutch usually works.

-And finally, Pepe doesnt just want to win the League again, he wants the treble in his first season. Just like Calderon does. He certainly is endearing himself to the Real faithful, he almost seems worth half of his transfer price now. Not to

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share