Spanish Football thread

[Dr. Pepper]

I don't like to call the players at the club I support awful, and I've tried to defend evra this season but he has been very poor. Very erratic in his decisions, caught all over the place, just not there mentally. I can understand that after that horror world cup, and the blame being heavily on him as a captain that it's going to drain him mentally, and I really want him to come back from it. Another thing to consider is his age as he's 30 this year so I doubt he'll get better. If you suffer such a considerable blip around that age, it's very difficult to come back from.

 

[ARay]

Is it just me or are Real's fringe players just not good enough as the main XI team right now. I thought Madrid's performance was quite laboured. I mean the midfield with the exception of Granero has looked weak.

Also Ramos and Carvalho's partnership is also not as strong as Pepe and Carvalho's. Looks like Mou has some more work to do with the squad.

 

[Auwais]

So, that federation story for those who missed it: a report on the Spanish federation's official website this week noted that the referee for the Copa del Rey semi-final would run the game "under the watchful eye of Jos? Mourinho, who considers himself to have had decisions go against him lately". Which might have been fine on a normal website but not on the federation's site ? which not only has to be strictly neutral but has to be seen to be strictly neutral. The story was only up for 10 minutes before it got taken down but it was too late. Real Madrid released a statement attacking the article, saying it showed that the federation was not impartial and that it had deliberately conditioned referees against them. The federation's explanation? "It was the work experience girl."

 

[JBlues08]

Is it just me or are Real's fringe players just not good enough as the main XI team right now. I thought Madrid's performance was quite laboured. I mean the midfield with the exception of Granero has looked weak.

Also Ramos and Carvalho's partnership is also not as strong as Pepe and Carvalho's. Looks like Mou has some more work to do with the squad.

It seems that Mourinho is experiencing the similar problem he had with Inter in his first season. Back then, he hardly bought anyone and had to utilize the squad he inherited before being able to buy players in his second season.

 

[Auwais]

He bought a couple of wingers in Quaresma and Mancini, in his first season, which didn't work out. Obinna was another pointless signing. Only Muntari was really a relative success and he took a while to settle in.

 

[m_vaughan]

We've got ourselves a striker for the rest of the season and its not Ruud van Nistelrooy but Emanuel Adebayor. On his day, a deadly striker and with the extra physical presence in the box I would say given the circumstances, not a bad signing.

We can make the deal permanent for 18 million euros, but I don't see that happening unless he has an absolutely epic six months, since he is basically a stop-gap solution and according to various sources, the striker we are looking at next season is Fernando Llorente.

 

[JBlues08]

Lionel Messi Fined €2,500 For Wishing His Mum A Happy Birthday

 

[Haarithan]

I second jason

 

[Bevab]

I third them.

 

[War]

Haa

 

[JBlues08]

So, it looks Barcelona are through to the Copa Del Rey final after handling out another 5-0 trashing. No offence to Almeria of course.

 

[m_vaughan]

Yup Barca have had a fairly easier run to the final while we've had to deal with Atletico Madrid and now Sevilla. 1-0 win away from home in the first leg is a good start but still all to play for at the Bernabeu. Barca on the other hand can play a second string now.

Really pleased with Benzema's effort the other night. His goal was fantastic, and lets hope he can put in a consistent run now.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Barca 7 points clear and with the 5-0 head to head with Madrid. The title race MUST be over? I just can not fathom Barca losing it now.

 

[shravi]

I feel just a little bit sorry for Real Madrid. They are having a quite amazing season but it still isn't good enough to overcome Barca. They would be winning most leagues in the world with that many points in that many games.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I think they've been very poor tbh. Other than Ronaldo, Alonso and di Maria (to an extent) nobody has performed this season. The majority of time they've been seriously lacklustre and not looked like doing anything, and still been defensively shaky at the same time.