Comments on: Sporting Gijon Midweek Action

By: Sambit

Sambit — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:08:00 +0000

James, all of VDV’s goals were amazingly aesthetically pleasing. Strangely enough I liked the third goal the most, that sublime perfectly placed slotted finish into the bottom corner, so amazing. And his through ball to Robben threaded past 3 defenders, such skill (although admittedly there was absolutely no communication between those defenders and their positioning was rubbish, but regardless, very impressive.

By: James

James — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:33:15 +0000

Ask and ye shall receive!!! I asked for a 7-0 merengue victory and got 7-1…can’t complain too much about that! Check mate to Barca’s 6-1!

John, you gotta see the first half…VDV’s second goal was fantastic, and the buildup to his first was a thing of beauty!

By: john

john — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:35:47 +0000

I can’t wait until the news catches up with everybody: A blowout at the Bernabeu. I could only catch the first half, and this is one that would make the Quinta del Buitre proud.

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:29:34 +0000

They were the double pivot of the Castilla team for so long, it was one of my favorite classes of the youth system. I think its definately gonna happen, as Diarra does need a rest given all the matches we have left in such a short space of time.

Also, while I enjoy that VdV is so versatile, his effectiveness goes down when he is played out of position. Playing where Guti plays, he is to far from goal to create much, he needs to be further forward, while on the wing he is limited to what he can do. I think in a limited case he should be used out wide, id rather have Drenthe play.

By: Donovan

Donovan — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:55:38 +0000

Just read Schusters comments about Javi Garcia. WOW! Im really excited now cant wait for the game tomorrow. It will be nice seeing Javi and Ruben playing together. I remember Ruben saying in an interview that his best friend was Javi Garcia so them playing together again must be incredible.

By: 9 champion leagues

9 champion leagues — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:25:28 +0000

One of the madridista’s defense advantage is that ramos and heinze can play as wingers or central defenders, miguel torres is pretty much ambivalent with both legs which gives schuster enough options to place him as a right or left winger in the case of any injuries.

De la red is turning out to be as important as we followers were visualizing. He’s scored in a couple matches and manages to move the ball around well. With Van der Vaart, the team has many more options and lets consider sneider is still out. Robben mentioned the team perhaps needed another winger but id say v d vaart can play as a left winger while placing robben on the right and leave guti…de la red or sneider in the middle. That’s the beauty v d vaart offers, he can be changed from a winger to a second striker or offensive midfielder.

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:04:26 +0000

When asked about his midfield options, Schuster responded with a vote of confidence for Javi Garcia!

Question: Rubén de la Red usually plays ahead of the center midfielder. With Gago out, do you think you might pull him back a little?

Schuster: “I don’t want to use him there if I don’t have to because he is very capable of scoring. He proved it against Valencia. If he played more defensively we wouldn’t see his true ability. Javi García can also play in that position with Gago out, and Diarra can rest.”

Will we see Javi Garcia partnering VdV and De la Red against Sporting? My guess is yes, and I am pretty excited about it.

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:55:43 +0000

Also, Schuster and wife just welcomed a baby girl into the world, so congratulations Bernadine.

By: Corey

Corey — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:39:53 +0000

Yes Hawk, actually if you look at the schedule, Barca will play a team and then the week after Real plays them. I have no reason as to why this is, but its how the schedule is setup. Which means Barca is playing Betis this week, and Real on the weekend. Also, I realized my mistake while writing it but never corrected it, thanks for pointing that out.

By: hawk

hawk — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:03:39 +0000

Barca won 6-1 not 5-1.
I know thats good news for you, a weaker, owngoaling defence but my love for Barca forces me to point it out.
You seem to know a lot about Sporting…
Does anyone know if Madrid playing Barca’s last week opponent is a coincidence or…?