Tag Archives: real madrid

Champions League 2011/12 Group Stage Draw

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All of UEFA’s perspex balls of destiny have been drawn from their respective goldfish bowls of fate and, as a result, the groups for the 2011/12 Champions League look like this…

Group A: Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, Napoli

Group B: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor

Group C: Manchester United, Benfica, Basel, Otelul Galati

Group D: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb

Group E: Chelsea, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Genk

Group F: Arsenal, Marseille, Olympiakos, Borussia Dortmund

Group G: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, APOEL

Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen

Well, Man City’s draw could have been a lot worse with Barcelona, AC Milan and Dortmund being the toughest possible permutation but it’s not as though the balls have been especially kind to them – Bayern Munich are seasoned heavyweights whereas both Villarreal and Napoli are not to be underestimated.

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On this day – 4 January 1909

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On 4 January 1909, representatives of several clubs met in Madrid to form the Spanish football federation. The meeting was held at the offices of Real Madrid, with club president Adolfo Meléndez serving as the federation’s first secretary.

Originally named the Federación Española de Clubs de Football, the new organization followed the model of England’s FA, with the express purpose of creating a Spanish national team. After 11 years, they finally accomplished that mission when Spain played their first full international, a 1-0 win over Denmark in the 1920 Summer Olympics, where they took the silver medal. It took them another 44 years to win their first major honor, the 1964 European Championship, which they followed with an Olympic gold medal in 1992.

In February 2007, they began a record-tying unbeaten run of 35 unbeaten matches that included the 2008 European Championship. Despite those successes, critics labeled Spain as underachievers for failing to advance farther in the World Cup than their fourth-place finish in 1950. That ended in 2010, when Spain lifted the Cup over the Netherlands in a dramatic extra-time Final.

Now known as the Real Federación Española de Fútbol, or RFEF, the federation oversees the top four levels of the Spanish football pyramid, as well as both men’s and women’s national teams and the national futsal team.

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Puyol takes one from Ramos for a 5-star performance

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Carles Puyol has been the bigger man by making light of the incident when he was shoved in the face to the the ground by Spain teammate Sergio Ramos during the Monday night El Clasico.

Sergio Ramos was shown a straight red card after lunging into Lionel Messi in the 90th minutes of Real Madrid’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona. On his way out, Ramos put his hands into the face of his two Spanish teammates, Puyol and Xavi.

Puyol probably felt for his rivals and said:

“These things happen in a game of football. I’ve gone to defend a team-mate of mine because it seemed a very tough tackle.

“They are moments of high tension, but what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. I have a very good relationship with Sergio Ramos and it’s already forgotten. I have more important things to think about.”

There are always different piques with the players from Madrid because they are our biggest rivals, but it’s a pique on the field of play. We have many friends in the other camp.”

Barcelona are now the only team to defeat Real Madrid this season and score more than two goals against them – they scored FIVE in their fifth consecutive El Clasico win.

Puyol said:

“I didn’t expect a thrashing like that but, when you least expect it, it can happen. Now we need to enjoy this victory.

“We had a very complete game and played very well. We started very aggressively, playing our football and everything went perfectly.”

In related news, Jose Mourinho denies that Madrid was humiliated. I think he’s just scared now. This defeat could shatter Madrid and Mourinho’s dream of achieving European glory with this club could be over all too soon.

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El Classico – Barcelona v Real Madrid

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Jose MourinhoUnder Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid have enjoyed the best start ever to a La Liga campaign, still unbeaten in nineteen games in all competitions and currently leading the title race from rivals Barcelona who are just one point behind.

Ten victories and two draws in La Liga is pretty much what we have come to expect from Mourinho and this season Real Madrid have predictably tightened up their defence while still scoring for fun at the other end.

Xabi Alonso has noticeably taken on more responsibility in the anchor role and Brazilian full back Marcelo has become more disciplined, focusing more on his defensive play than his obvious attacking abilities.

Up front Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a more central role for Madrid and is in the form of his life, scoring fourteen goals in twelve games for the team, his focus is on getting into the box and scoring rather than spending time out on the wing.

There is little to choose between the two teams currently sitting comfortably atop of La Liga, Barcelona trail by just one point, having scored the same amount of goals (33) and conceded two more (8).

David Villa has settled into his striking role at Barcelona as well as expected managing 46 shots so far this season, twenty five on target and scoring six goals.

But no doubt all eyes will be on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in tonight’s game, both players are on top of their game and this will hopefully be a game decided by a magical moment from one or the other of them.

Messi has continued his consistent goal scoring form throughout the season in both La Liga and Champions League, with 46 goals to his name between November 2009 and October 2010.

During that period Messi has scored a goal in every 81 minutes of play, followed closely by Ronaldo who has scored in every 91 minutes of play.

But it is easy to get carried away comparing the two current greatest footballers in the world and often in these games they are stifled by the opposing team which isn’t surprising when you consider the quality of players on show.

I have to go for Real Madrid tonight, only because of the tactical nous of Mourinho who knows how to get a result against Barcelona. Pep Guardiola is no slouch of course and will attempt to win the game by doing what Barca do best, playing sexy football and taking their chances.

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Capello confirms he’ll quit football after England

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Fabio Capello, 64, qualified with ease for the 2010 World Cup but following England’s poor performances in South Africa is considered fortunate to still be in the job.

There were loud calls to sack the Italian, especially in some sections of the press that continue to attack him, but the Football Association opted to stick with the manager and he now is focused on his final task in football.

“At the moment I think of nothing else but Euro 2012 with England,” said Capello. “Unfortunately I am old, I no longer have the time; this will be my last experience on the bench.”

Capello, who is regarded as one of the greatest club managers in the game, has been coach of England since 2008 and extended his contract with the FA prior to the World Cup debacle.

The Italian guided AC Milan to four league titles and has won silverware at almost every club he has managed since. His last trophy came at Real Madrid in 2007 when he won the Spanish Primera Liga title.

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