If Gerrard ends up at Real Madrid, their midfield next season is going to look very "heavy". At the moment, I think their midfield area is fine and with Mourinho around, he will surely be able to do something with the players in midfield. Their back four is the obvious problem.
Spanish Football thread
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Dr. Pepper
Chairman of Selectors
I think that Kolarov and De Rossi are more likely targets tbh.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
Indeed. De Rossi is the perfect for the defensive midfield position and could allow Alonso to concentrate on his game. The same applies to Kolarov at left back, solid and dynamic at the same time. Although personally I would still prefer Filipe.
Dr. Pepper
Chairman of Selectors
There's a really good quote from Franco Baresi regarding the signings of central midfield players for Real Madrid this season. I'll try and find it...
“One thing does not fit,” says Baresi. “Why have they [Real Madrid] hired Xabi Alonso? Xabi Alonso is a good player but he serves the same profile as Gago, Granero and Mahmadou Diarra. They had to sign Felipe Melo. He is technically and physically superior and is able to give a new dimension to the midfield. Lass, Xabi and Granero play on the same plane. It is a mistake to put them together. The only one who breaks the line is Guti.”
I think that Alonso is better technically than Melo but the point he's making is very good. Liverpool realised this season that Alonso was truely crucial because he was the link between Mascherano and Gerrard and offered a different dimension. If you have a flat line of players, there's a lot of predictability in your attack. De Rossi will offer something different from Alonso and Madrid should be a lot more fluid in transition.
“One thing does not fit,” says Baresi. “Why have they [Real Madrid] hired Xabi Alonso? Xabi Alonso is a good player but he serves the same profile as Gago, Granero and Mahmadou Diarra. They had to sign Felipe Melo. He is technically and physically superior and is able to give a new dimension to the midfield. Lass, Xabi and Granero play on the same plane. It is a mistake to put them together. The only one who breaks the line is Guti.”
I think that Alonso is better technically than Melo but the point he's making is very good. Liverpool realised this season that Alonso was truely crucial because he was the link between Mascherano and Gerrard and offered a different dimension. If you have a flat line of players, there's a lot of predictability in your attack. De Rossi will offer something different from Alonso and Madrid should be a lot more fluid in transition.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
1. Melo has been horrific for Juventus last season.
2. We were expecting Lass to "do his job" and support Alonso in midfield. He did exactly that in the second half of the previous season, but was a big disappointment in 2009-10. While I agree Gago and Alonso are similar, Lass is/was the holding man. Baresi has got that wrong and also Granero plays in much more advance position.
3. De Rossi will basically be a more "reliable" option than Lass.
2. We were expecting Lass to "do his job" and support Alonso in midfield. He did exactly that in the second half of the previous season, but was a big disappointment in 2009-10. While I agree Gago and Alonso are similar, Lass is/was the holding man. Baresi has got that wrong and also Granero plays in much more advance position.
3. De Rossi will basically be a more "reliable" option than Lass.
Dr. Pepper
Chairman of Selectors
1. I think it's the same point but only for Juventus here; Melo and Sissiko tended to basically ploay on the same, flat line offering the same role. It clearly didn't work and Juventus were predictable, and Melo was uncomfortable.
2. Fair enough about Granero, but I think the point here is that they were playing on too flat a line and that they become predictable and easy to mark. From what I saw of Real Madrid it looked like they were basically playing a square/box formation in the midfield.
3. Yeah I guess I agree with that.
2. Fair enough about Granero, but I think the point here is that they were playing on too flat a line and that they become predictable and easy to mark. From what I saw of Real Madrid it looked like they were basically playing a square/box formation in the midfield.
3. Yeah I guess I agree with that.
War
Chairman of Selectors
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Saw that Kolarov bloke for Serbia for the first time the other day. Looks good. But surely big Ash Cole would be a better buy.
Kolarov then could be easily tempted to go to Chelsea, if Cole goes to Madrid. With his team Ivanovic already their.
Kolarov then could be easily tempted to go to Chelsea, if Cole goes to Madrid. With his team Ivanovic already their.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
La Liga starting on the 28th of August.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
Spain have returned to the top of the FIFA rankings as well, exactly a year after losing it to Brazil after the Confederations Cup.
Confirms the 'best team in the world' position completely and not just because of winning the World Cup.
And this is just the beginning.:happy
Confirms the 'best team in the world' position completely and not just because of winning the World Cup.
And this is just the beginning.:happy
:laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh
This is like South African Cricket team dominating the world of cricket
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
I think its very good now that Kolarov is going to City.
m_vaughan
Chairman of Selectors
So we start of with Mallorca. Last season's surprise package. Clasicos in Nov and Apr, and in general Nov-Dec and Apr-May going to be crucial for us as we have Pathetico, Bilbao, Barca, Valencia and Sevilla pretty much back to back.
Barca have certainly had a more favourable draw.
Barca have certainly had a more favourable draw.
Whatever draws come in Barcelona's way .......it does not not matter mate......
I am cent percent sure they will take sweet revenge on Mourinho following their elimination by Inter in last year's CL semis.......
Only one winner really in barcelona.....
I am cent percent sure they will take sweet revenge on Mourinho following their elimination by Inter in last year's CL semis.......
Only one winner really in barcelona.....
