Pictures From the Bernabeu!
By: Corey | November 16th, 2008A week ago, reader Cesar to a trip to the Bernabeu to take in the Malaga game. And what a cracker it was, Cesar got to see 4 goals from Higuain, 7 goals in total. He was kind enough to take some pictures of the stadium and the game and send them to me so everyone could see them. So here they are, enjoy everyone and thank you Cesar!
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Thanks for the pictures Cesar, looks like you had awesome seats and got to see some spectacular goals!
Apparently, everyone’s favorite sporting director Pedja Mijatovic has called a press conference this evening in Madrid to discuss the current state of the club. This may be the end for Schuster, or just one of those ubiquitous “votes of confidence” that basically means lose 1 or 2 more and your ass can hit the road.
Question…who actually votes in the confidence elections? It’s just silly to call them “votes” of confidence anyways. Maybe it’s just me, but don’t votes imply some form of democracy? We all know Pedja and Calderon just get sweaty together (by sweaty, I do not mean jogging), and then they ask “Should we keep him around?” during their post-coital cigarette.
I’ll post the gist of what happened during the presser here later, I’m almost sure the mods will post the transcript of it eventually
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“Schuster and the team have our full support”
Real Madrid’s Sporting Director, Pedja Mijatovic, gave a press conference on Monday 17 November at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He talked about the team’s current situation and gave Bernd Schuster a vote of confidence.
“My duty as the Club’s Sporting Director is to transmit tranquillity, serenity and calmness to our fans. The current situation is that the league and the Champions League have practically just started. The season is far from being over and this project is exciting both for the fans and me. I’m not saying this to transmit tranquillity; I’m just saying what’s been happening since we arrived at the Club.”
“Last season, we were the top-scoring team and the least scored upon side in La Liga, and we won the title with a considerable cushion over the runners-up. I sometimes wonder what would have become of us at this stage had we had a season similar to other teams’; our greatest rival FC Barcelona comes to mind. I think Real Madrid has one of the best squads in Europe. That’s my opinion. And I also think this team is capable of reacting and making us all very happy.”
“I’m positive and optimistic. These are probably the hardest moments we have gone through since we arrived at the Club. I’ve always had faith in what we’ve done so far. Our work here has been very important. We’ve always believed this team can make us very happy and I think we can be satisfied 28 months later because we’ve achieved very important results. This has just begun. There have only been eleven games in the league so far this year and we’ve won seven, drawn two and lost two. These are figures worthy of a champion team. We must have faith in our players because they are capable of improving and of achieving the goals we set ourselves for this campaign.”
“Real Madrid is the greatest club there is and it is incredibly demanding. I’ve experienced this as a player and I know the fans aren’t happy with our King’s Cup elimination in the hands of a Second Division B side. If I didn’t have any faith in our players I would say so, but I do and I am sure they can make us very happy.”
“Both the squad and the coaching staff will probably read tomorrow what I’m saying tonight, so I want to say to them that both myself and the organisation that backs me have faith in them. We just have to work hard, make greater efforts and improve on everything. I don’t think we’ll have any more problems if we do this.”
Could you please clarify what happened after the match in Valladolid?
The coach has the right to make his own plans. Nobody, not even I, can interfere. He plans the training sessions, the days the squad has to rest and the schedules. It simply isn’t true that I forced Schuster to change his plans. That’s what he had arranged and he told the players. He decided there would be a volunteer session the following day and some players wished to attend. It was voluntary, so everyone is free to make his own decisions on the matter.How much credit has Bernd Schuster got left with you?
It is still the same it was at the start of the season. We had to make a decision regarding Capello after winning the title two seasons ago because we noticed things we didn’t like in his last few months. Time proved we made the right decision by winning the title again in the last campaign. We have much confidence in Schuster. He had a great season last year and we are very happy with him. The problem is that we aren’t earning good results right now and the press has started to talk. But we shouldn’t be hasty in the current situation because we could make mistakes. There are examples of this happening both in Spain and elsewhere. We will analyse the season when it’s over and we’ll see what has to be done. But the only thing we can do only eleven games into the season is to send a message of tranquillity, serenity and calmness.Is it true that the Club has been studying Schuster’s severance?
I was very surprised when I read about that this morning because it just isn’t true. We haven’t discussed it at all and we haven’t met with him. We did have meetings with him and the players last week from which we drew very positive conclusions. We were unlucky to lose in Valladolid right after having these meetings, but we have to get used to all the things that are being said in the press. It is very painful to lose after meetings of this nature. The only thing we can do is work hard and ask the fans to support the team, which is made up by professionals. I want to use this chance to ask for the fans’ support because our next match will be very important and it will be followed by a Champions League clash. We shouldn’t get nervous. It’s normal for them to be disappointed because of the unexpected defeats, but we just have to think about winning our next games.Can you guarantee Schuster will stay on as coach if the team loses on Saturday?
I remember the tough time we had during our first campaign. My way of thinking and my working philosophy don’t allow me to think about what may happen if we lose. I would analyse it and make pertinent decisions if it happened, but until then it doesn’t cross my mind because I don’t think we are going to lose our next games.Is Schuster still on the job because you have faith in him or because you don’t want the fans to blame those of you in the Presidential Balcony for the team’s mistakes?
I’m not thinking about dismissing the coach or looking for replacements. We have to value the job the coaching staff did last year. We have faith in them and in the work they are currently doing. We also have faith in our players, who will respond to our demands and those of the fans. But we are not going to make any decisions to cover up other issues. This is a decision made by myself and my team and I guarantee you we are capable of making an important decision if needed. The Sporting Directorship of the Club has had to make difficult decisions these last two years and it will continue to do so whenever it deems it necessary, but never hastily.Do you think Schuster wants to carry on?
Absolutely. We will support him to the end. The situation isn’t as dramatic as the media has made it appear.Could you please analyse the planning you did this summer?
We’ve talked about it many times, but I’ll go over it again. We wanted to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, but we couldn’t because Manchester United didn’t want to let go of him. We also tried to sign other players, but couldn’t for the same reasons. We sealed the squad with 24 players, which guarantees the team’s strength throughout the season, but nobody expected the things that have recently happened, like Ruud van Nistelrooy’s injury. That didn’t fit in our plans. We also didn’t expect what happened to Rubén de la Red in Irún. They won’t be with us for at least five weeks and that forces us to look at the winter transfer window, but we know there isn’t much to choose from. This Club’s demands are strong and we have to get someone for the future. It will be difficult, but we want to try. We will do our best to sign one or two players.People think you and Schuster don’t get along…
This has been an issue for quite some time and I’ve said countless times that we do get along very well. We talk often. What he said this summer seemed to indicate our relationship doesn’t flow well, but that isn’t true. We talked after he said those things and he told me he didn’t men that. Our relationship is very good.What positions will you look to cover during the winter transfer window?
We will try to strengthen our midfield and our attack. We don’t know if we want a striker, a second striker or an attacking midfielder yet, but what we all want is a player that makes us all happy. We are working on it, but it is hard to find someone.Did the meetings last week help determine Raúl as one of the problems on the team?
Raúl has never been and will never be a problem for this team. He is a magnificent football player, a great captain, an idol for every player on the squad and he was a very important man for us last year. He has also had a good start this season. People always attack leading figures on a team when there’s trouble. Young and recently arrived players are never a target. Raúl is calm and we have faith in him. He is the opposite of being a problem.Are there good coaches in the market to replace Schuster?
I’m sure there are, but we haven’t thought about it. This isn’t to say we won’t look into it in the future, but we’ll regard the matter whenever decisions have to be made.Why do people think you don’t have faith in him?
It’s difficult to make everyone happy. I know there are several fans who never liked how I used to play. These things always happen with football professionals. The truth is we haven’t lost faith in Bernd Schuster.Now that Ruud is injured some fans may think you didn’t plan well ahead of time this summer…
We tried to sign Ronaldo and Villa this summer, but it didn’t work out. Ruud’s injury now forces us to sign a new striker, but I think our planning has always been good. Three titles prove this.Do you think the squad also has faith in Schuster?
Last week’s meeting between them was very positive and it helped clarify many things. Losing in Valladolid was just unlucky. The defeat unfortunately didn’t confirm how positive the meeting really was, but we think the team will earn good results in the following games. There is no crisis or lack of faith in the coach. We should have faith in the team, the players and the coach. We have to send out positive vibes.http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/futbol-e…asdaiftb_35/Tes
http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/…_2008-11-17.htmPosted from
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Thanks Julien.G for posting those!
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That means Schuster is gone. Perpetually in spain whenever a club calls a conference to say they are sticking with someone, the next week they are gone.
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Yeah, thanks Julien. And Ryan’s probably right…
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O man what I would give to have the chance to beat the fuck out of mijatovic this man gets on my damn nerves I really hope schuster’s firing him is NOT the answer to our problems I hope the madridismo in spain start a movement to remove this bitch in the summer
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It’s rumoured that they essentially want to fire him, but are afraid to do so before the General Assembly at the beginning of december. I think they´re afraid to do something big before that meeting, which will be tumultuous.
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I don’t mind them sacking him because I never realy liked him his tactical set-up to matches and his defensive system always seemed to be a mess to me. It’s only his style of play that I adored.
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The thing I liked most about him was that he lasted more than a season. I was hoping that this time we’d selected a coach we could stick with, to create some cohesion among the team. But the way things are looking, the good old Madridileno revolving door is starting to swing again.
(If he does get the boot, I’ll miss his press comments too.)
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True julien G but I don’t wanna see schuster fired unless he is provided with everything he asked for and still fail then I’d be the first to stay throw him to the sharks because like you all im only concerned with madrid’s well being
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Dude…our blog is kicking so much more ass this season than last year (no offense Corey)…so many people commenting (old and new) and 3 dedicated mods. People like john, Andres, evo, cesar, realrock, 9 champs leagues, kaushik, Julien, etc. always make it fun to comment on here. I love that when I search for Real Madrid Blogs on google, this is the first one to come up. It’s just kinda fun to see this thing evolve and grow, and I didn’t know if anyone else noticed it.
Even though our club is in crisis mode, I guess I have to look at the bright side. Now I have so many more people to bitch about it with! Cheers all and hopefully the club turns it around! Hala Madrid!
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Well Andres, many fans feel that way but when you thing about it in the long run, espacilly in the CL, that tactics really come to play and a pretty sturdy defense is very important. Luck is also a very important factor. I think the midfield structure is the most important part of play infootball for both sides of the pitch.
Think back to 2004, both Monaco and Porto made the UCL final under Mourinho and Deschamps. These clubs didn’t have very stong finacial power, resources or players, but these men set up there matches accordingly to the team they played, the men they had available and tactiaclly. Mourinho being the defensive coach he is got there on defensive power and counter attacking plays (he always has trinagle between player on the pitch for support defensively and offensevley) while Deschamps did it with style (he tried to keep posession and attack along the wings) and sacrifice (a srtrong defensive system).
If Schuster can’t pull thing together were only going to win La Liga and maybe the Copa del Rey over and over again. I’m sure everyone has greater ambitions for the club than that. We couldn’t beat Roma at home or away and we we’re arguably playing some of the best football in the world (or just begun to play the best football in the world). He just dosen’t have the defensive set up. Del Dosque played defensive football against Man Utd at home (we won 3 - 1).
You can argue that Schuster had the best defensive record with Getafe and took them all the way to the Super Cup final (he beat a depleated Barca side with clear signs of a pre-crisis, they gave us the league). La liga is a completely different competion from the UCL. Schuster didn’t win the competion and he didn’t pull the squad into a european spot (6th place), we wasn’t impressive to me. If the president didn’t request for him becasue of his style of play he wouldn’t have been managing the squad. And also his reputaion as a player was also a big factor.
I think, I just look at everything at more of a sporting point a view. Im all for consistancy in managers and I would like him to complete the this season, but as it looks he’s not going to be coach for long (either because there are people eho do not like him or they just don’t have confidence in him). We haven’t even had a single match with an sort of entertaining football. It doesn’t look good for him.
However, I think Mijatovic did a horrible job recognizing holes in the squad which is his job. I think it was just niave of him to think that we had the best squad in the world and all we needed was two players to complete it. Very Stupid. WE didn’t eveen have one world class player for goodness sakes!
To think Schuster never got the type of players he wanted from Ballack or Cesc to C.Ronaldo and losing Robinho. we didn’t even sign one star since Mijatovic arrival (Ruud is a goal scoring Specialist to me not a Crack). I’m just waiting for this term to be over. Maybe Manolo Sanchez or Zizou will take over as Sporting Directors in the new champaign.
As it is, I think Deschamps is the best available managers for Madrid but i doubt they’ll even look at him because Mijatovic is a fool. Rafa is also a very good option from the Spanish managers but he has become very defensive. Wenger i have my doubts and Ancelotti has not Spanish experince where it can be a major problem in Spain if he doesn’t get the right players.
I basically consider Schuster gone. He hasn’t showed up to training for four days until today and all his players are coming off international duty which is never good.
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I know some people may not agree with me but feel free to post your coments/debates.Posted from
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I am very much worry these days my best team in the world,why? is because the team is no longer playing at it best.
Can you imagine under dog team like Malaga is giving us though time.My suggestion is that Mr. president and coach please, please buy some top strikers that will help boast my beloved team record it again.I am tired hearing of defeat. When my team is defeated I don’t sleep well.Meshach from Liberia presently studying at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
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Personally I was against Capello being sacked - I don’t think it was true that he structured the team too defensively at all - especially in the last 10 games of the season.
However, now we have Schuster I’m prepared to stick by him.
We need some continuity more than anything elsePosted from
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Ahahaha james that was a funny post
Julien G I see where you coming from schuster does look clueless in the CL I can’t remember how many times he made threw my remote against the wall last year lets pray he does better this time around
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In other news after a very long meeting the board and schuster came to the conclusion that real madrid cf will be loaning heinze and marcelo to any team it is playing against every week end from now on with a clause saying that they have to be starters according to close sources the plan is to weakened the opposition’s backline by making them play the two players named above
Sike lol j k
Have you gents heard yet our new prodigy alipio scored twice in his debut with real madrid C word is he got mijatovic , calderon and portugal wowed up
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thanks for the love James, I’m really happy that people in this blog recognize me, hopefully for my comments, not only the pictures…
how do you guys feel about arshavin and crespo maybe joining us in January??? I for one, don’t like any of them; I think Crespo is way too old and past his prime to be a viable solution; and Arshavin, well, I’ve hated him since he confessed his love for Barza during the summer, so I don’t think any of them would be viable options.
This is the time for our young player to really show what they’re made of; I’d love to watch Bueno play for us on a regular basis, but I know Schuster doesn’t care about the youth players, so I guss this is nothing more than wishful thinking on my part…
I’m very dissapointed with Bernd; I thought he was the right manager for us, but now I see he’s only good when things are going right; we need somebody who can steer our ship in difficult times, and Schuster has shown that he’s not the right man for this job. I totally agree that he hasn’t been given everything he’s asked for, but that doesn’t justify his lack of managing the squad, and it shows on the players, who don’t look compromised, save a few (Higuian, Gago, Sneijder, Iker, Diarra).
Take care everybody, have a great weekend
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Nice pic with Tomás Roncero lol i’ve met him a couple times, one diehard madridista for sure hehe
The stadium is a must, it has a good steak restaurant inside and the Valdebebas training facility is something else, the players must love it there.
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I actually think that Arshavin and Crespo would be pretty intelligent pick ups. Crespo is a good short term option as a goal getter, and he’s not cup-tied. A new striker is a long term issue, and during the summer Benzema should be our main target, but in the mean time an experienced player helps soften the Ruud blow we just took - an especially good option if we can get him on loan.
Arshavin would alleviate our congested midfield a bit. We desperately need width and the Russian - while not the ideal option - could help us with that.
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I should also note, however, that during the offseason a lot of Barcelona fans were going nuts about the prospect of signing Arshavin, and I was chuckling to myself, thinking “let them go ahead and waste a fortune on an over rated, under-tested 26 year old.” Desperate times certainly can change one’s perspective - for better or worse.
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I personally want us to sign arshavin for now since schuster seems to prefer the 4 3 3 formation to any other these days I think he would do well on the left side of our attack and as john said crespo also could be a good short term option I also noticed that we’re being link to zarate if he could get him he would be a way better option than arshavin anyways I hope that whoever we sign will be worthy of the white shirt
HALA MADRID!!!!!
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I would love Zarate, Arshavin is some waht of a risk to mee and the amount of time it would take him to adapt may be a bitch (coming from a relatively weaker league). If he can adapt quit then great but even Van der Vaart hasn’t completely adjusted into the squad and he came from the Bundesliga.
A loan for Arshavin would be a safer bet, we can depose of him in the summer especially if we can pry away with someone better like Ribery or Zarate. Plus the asking price of 25ME is way too much, 10 - 15ME would be good.
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Hopefully Granero is bought back.
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I think Crespo would be great option but only on a loan deal and when the summer arrives we should get a younger player like Benzema or Zarate. Also i think Bueno should be given a chance now as well to showcase his talents. Hope to see him in action tonight against Recreativo. Also James im dissapointed you never mentioned me as a regular of this awsome blog. By the way Cesar, great pics! Im gonna watch tonights game and hopefully we can keep a clean sheet now that Heinze will not be playing. Hala madrid!
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if man u don’t want to pay tevez’s 37 million…then snatch him, not crespo.
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