Previews Galore

Before you scroll down and read anything, please click on this link http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma45300.htm and read the very important information!

I apologize for not having posted in over a week, I was busy with final exams and papers, as well as packing up and moving into a new apartment complex on campus and then going home for the winter break, but not before spending the last two nights in bars. It has been an eventful one, with winning the CL group and going into the next round draw as a #1 seed, and a efficient if not spectacular win against Osasuna, two goals from the double Dutch. Or as I like to call them, the Dutch Oven (ewww). And thank you for reading the important information regarding the Holiday Dinner.

El Clasico!

We all know what is coming, and no it isnt Christmas, not even the Kings Cup draw against Alicante, its El Classico. I am proud to say this is my first El Classico that I will be covering. I will do a brief detail of the match, as everyone knows this is the biggest derbi in the world. And I am not bragging or being vain, this is a huge match.

Real Madrid and Barcelona now a days are just the two most winningest teams in Spain, with Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico/Sevilla up their too. But Real Madrid and Barcelona have historically represented two vastly different political, societal and footballing attitudes. I really do not want to get all wrapped up in the underlying political undertones, it is not my place as I am neither Spanish nor have I ever been to Spain. I do love the history of the country though, so if you are not big history buffs nor football history buffs, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cl%C3%A1sico

For a really brief overview, Madrid represents the royal family (Real = Royal, duh) and the seat of the central government of Spain. It is the embodiment of ‘pure Spanish culture’ (no such thing), which would be Castillian culture, and the idea of centralism since Madrid is in the middle of the country and is where the government is. During the Franco era, Madrid was the ultimate capital of the dictator and it was where he went about attempting to destroy the regionalism that makes Spain so diverse. Madrid is seen as the staunch, traditional, and somewhat boring city of Spain, unfairly so in these more modern times. Madrid, and more specifically, Real Madrid, represents the ‘man’, mostly due to it being Franco’s favorite club, and the kings.

On the other hand, Barcelona is the Robin Hood to Real’s The Establishment. Barcelona represents Catalonia, and the city itself is a very modern and chique city, not that Madrid isnt, but has always been the hot bed of ideas that have helped shape not only Catlan culture and history but also Spanish. It was the main resistor of Franco’s brutal rule along with the Basque territory, and has always had a general distatse for central authority, and have for years wanted to be their own. Barcelona as a club represents all of this. During the Franco era, Barcelona’s games at the Camp Nou were the only place for Catalans to show their regional pride and express their political feelings without censorship, so it became a very symbolic ground and team.

Alot of the tension between the two teams stems from the Franco era, but the regional issue go back to before Ferdinand and Isballa united Spain and drove the Moors out of the south. So this is an ancient issue. For a lenghty explanation within a football context, Phil Ball is your man, and you may want to pick up his book “White Storm”. If your a Barca fan you may not be able to stomach an entire book on the history of Real, but it is a good read and does a great job of explaing the situation without including to many confusing details. Also, Phil has kindly wrote a pre-match column here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=491597&root=europe&cc=5901&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2

Here are the past match results for ten years:

1997-1998 Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 3 FC Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 0
1998-1999 Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 2 FC Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 0
1999-2000 Real Madrid 3 FC Barcelona 0 FC Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2
2000-2001 Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 2 FC Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0
2001-2002 Real Madrid 2 FC Barcelona 0 FC Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1
2002-2003 Real Madrid 1 FC Barcelona 1 FC Barcelona 0 Real Madrid 0
2003-2004 Real Madrid 1 FC Barcelona 2 FC Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2
2004-2005 Real Madrid 4 FC Barcelona 2 FC Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 0

I will have more indepth team news as the match approaches, and I realize the history lesson was brief and a little sloppy, but its what I could throw together at work so be understanding. Now a war of words has already begun, with Pedja Mijatovic getting the first jibe by declaring Barcelona’s dressing room has ” a poor atmosphere”. Joan Laporta decided to take the “high road” and say this:

“These are statements made by the chief director of Real Madrid and must be respected. Everybody has a way of acting, we are a club that acts differently: we somehow (establishing) relationship of respect and harmony with our rivals and this is what we will continue to do.”

When I say taking the high road I dont mean it, and harmony with our rivals. Wow, do you usually spew shit out of your mouth Laporta? Mijatovic is an idiot for even speaking about Barcelona, but Laporta saying he wants harmony. And I crap on a golden toilet seat in the morning. Anyway you look at it, it was a swipe at Mijatovic and Real by Laporta, my reading into it being Barca are classie then Real and will not speak of our opponents. And if that is true, then dont say anything at all, nadda. Id prefer Real’s directors never speak about opponents or say anything about our biggest rivals dressing room atmosphere, so for now, Barca are taking the higher ground. Stay classy Mijatovic.

Iker Casillas was a bit relieved to see Lio Messi go down injured, but he was still worried about good ole Sammy Etoo who had returned with 2 goals against Valencia, the first making Helguera and Marchena look foolish. “It is clear that the injury to Lionel Messi is very important for Barcelona as he is a key player who is in fantastic form, but there has been a change because they lose Messi, but recover Eto’o.

“Eto’o has already made it clear that he’s okay by the goals he’s scored.”

This is true, and I would rather have Henry up front for Barca then Etoo, who would have thought that 3 or 4 years ago? There is also the Goofy One’s will he/wont he play scenario. My guess is he will, but Gudjohnsen looked good against Valencia, so he may ride the pine yet again. As far as Real is concerned, we will wait on that until the match gets closer. Here is a preview of the King’s Cup Match against Segunda B side Alicante. Just in case you wondered, Alicante is on the southwest coast, inbetween Valencia and Malaga:

Alicante’s coach José Carlos Granero had this to say about the big match for his team:

“I could use the old cliché’s and say that I would like the tie to remain open for the second leg or that we wantt o draw or win, but the best result would be that people enjoy themselves and are proud of the team,” he said.

“Our plan is to compete and prove that we are apable. We have to show them respect, but play like we always do and be daring.

“If I told the team to change their style that would be a mistake. We are going to try and play like always and take risks and then see what Madrid have.”

“To us, we are not thinking about whether first team regulars or reserves are coming; Madrid are coming,” he continued. “They may not be as focussed, but that is that.

“For us the best thing will be if we are ready, because it will be a great game and there is no pressure on us to win.

“They will not dazzle our players, as we have several players that have played against them in first division.”

Nice to see, and Alicante is not a puny opponent, they have a few decent players and they should not be underestimated, but to be honest, if Schuster doesnt rest players for this match, he will be an idiot. And even though he rests players, he calls up no youth team players. So either Schuster is a dumbass or the youth team is reallypoor this year, but surely Alberto Bueno would warrant a call up? Anyways, here is the squad list for the Alicante trip:

Goalkeepers: Dudek and Codina.
Defenders: Pepe, Marcelo, Drenthe, Heinze, Metzelder, Michel Salgado, and Torres.
Midfielders: Gago, Robben, Guti, and Balboa.
Forwards: Soldado, Saviola, and Higuaín.

Ok so I would really like to see Codina in goal, Drenthe at left back, Torres at right back and Metzelder and Heinze in the middle. But I doubt Drenthe will play at left back, so we will see Heinze on the left and Pepe and Metz in the middle. Gago and Guti in the middle, Higuain and Balboa out wide and Soldado and Saviola up front. Who does that leave out? Probably Drenthe, but we all know he will start over Balboa, so put Balboa on the right, then Hig’s with Saviola, which leaves out Soldado (boo). Salgado is a non-factor these days, while Dudek will probably feature but shouldnt, he blows hard. So, the probable lineup will be:

——————Dudek——————–
Torres——Pepe——Metzelder——Heinze
Balboa?——Gago——Guti——Drenthe
————Higuain—-Saviola———–

Metzelder and Robben look to be just fine after minor niggles, as the full squad trained in the rain yesterday. As for a prediction of the score, I would go 2-0. Saviola and Balboa (hopeful) as they both could use them. Higuain and Guti also need a good performance to even be considered for the Barca match, while Heinze and Pepe will use the game to keep up with match pace as they both are recovering from injury, Pepe not so much anymore. My biggest hope for this game is no injuries, so with no bad juju on my shoulders, and a knock on wood, I see us escaping injury free.

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News

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