Part II

Now off to the bad.

1- Mourinho and his arrogance

I was surprised by how Mou managed the team by last season and thought it was unusual how he didn’t ” Mourinho ” the situation. But, this season he did. I think this issue started in the summer because ever since then the team has been shaken by something which has been kept a secret throughout the season but no doubt there was a dispute and a “shake” in the squad and indeed the Madrid fans over the Casillas situation.

Mourinho thinks he’d have his way at Real Madrid and that the fans will back him in whatever decision he makes as his fans at Porto, Chelsea and Inter but Real Madrid isn’t like that. He’s not doing Real Madrid a favor by managing them. In Real, the club is above everything; Casillas understood that and acted as the professional he is and made Mou look like a child.

2- Less Callejon

One of the good things about last season is Callejon. He has been an outstanding player and gave that extra to the playing style of the squad. Above all he is a product of Castilla and those players are always received with all respect and affection.

3- The unexplainable decline in the team’s performance

It doesn’t take a genius observation to notice that a lot of players, just as some gained form, have lost their form that was integral to last season’s success. Benzema is the standout player who seems to have lost his excellent performance from last season. Arbeloa has been diabolical this season, constantly being out of position, caught off, unnecessary tackles and cards. Marcelo lost form but that was due to an injury he had with the Brazilian National Team to which he needed surgery.

4- The Dortmund loss

Thank you Real for that birthday present.. Clearly being outclassed and Lewandowski having the form of his life. I still believe his form was helped with the mistake Mourinho made by playing Pepe who hadn’t started a game since he came from injury and arguably 3 of the 4 goals were almost directly his fault.

5- The cup final loss, against who?

Yes ladies and gentlemen. Real Madrid lost to Atletico for the first time in 17 years. Many of us never even saw the last time Atletico won … oh wait..

Despite going ahead with a typical Ronaldo goal, and being unlucky in numerous opportunities. Eventually, the inevitable happened. The match which also saw Mourinho and Ronaldo sent off in an unfair match where many of the Atletico players are lucky to still be on the pitch.

6- The league away form

No doubt the reason for our success last season has been our away form. Although we had an excellent home run, but there’s no point if you lose your away matches.

7- Ronaldo losing out the Balon D’Or, again

Ronaldo worked on himself to produce an EXCELLENT season and lifted a broken Portugal side to the Euros semi final to lose to eventual winners Spain in a penalty shoot-out. All that to be swepped away once again by Messi who won it for the fourth consecutive year. (Well done UEFA).

And if that wasn’t enough, he was also snubbed by Guardiola at the ceremony.

This was such an unfair hurtful moment for Ronaldo and Madridistas alike and is of course one of the bad moments of the season.

I’m sure many of you could think of more events but I think this covers almost everything, don’t pay attention to the fact that in this post the good points are more than the bad because the bad ruined a potentially amazing season for Real Madrid. If it hadn’t been for the way Mourinho handled the affairs in the dressing room and sticking to the same objective and united towards one objective and same form we could’ve had it all (Bayern are a perfect example of how perfect a team could be despite all the pressure they had).

Laying Down Real Madrid’s 2012-13 Campaign

This season’s campaign came to an end last Saturday with a 4-2 win over Osasuna at the Bernabeu. So it’s a good time to lay down the good and bad of this campaign starting off with the good part.

1- Super Copa win

Real Madrid started off the season how they were supposed to by beating Barcelona in the super cup in August. Higuain and Ronaldo were on the scoresheet and Leo Messi for FCB.

2- Unbeaten at home

Many of you who played any manager game must have received the objective “Make your home a fortress”. Well that was what Jose Mourinho and co. made sure about last Saturday by beating Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu.

3- Castilla players taking chances

Many Castilla players featured this season. The two that stand out are Morata and Nacho. The latter actually had been promoted to the first team last summer, he snatched a winner against Levante in an aquatic game which Ronaldo was subbed off at half time due to a head injury. He also featured in the 2-1 home game against Barcelona where he provided the assist for Benzema’s opener before being denied a chance to score himself in the second half. Whether or not the new manager will loan him out to prove himself and prove his worth in a top flight club is still not known but with Higuain’s departure he might as well slip in.

Nacho has been superb, many of the Madrid faithful who watch/follow Castilla must be dying to see him take a chance to play in the first team because of his constant display with Castilla. People tend to forget he’s 23. With Carvalho leaving to Monaco and the uncertainty of Pepe and Albiol’s situation next season could be the time where he is finally promoted to the first team.

4- Diego Lopez’s return to save us

“Every minute that I play with Real Madrid is a gift from heaven for me” were his words. I’m genuinely surprised that no one knew that he’s actually a product of Castilla and has been our number 2 not so long ago. Obviously he was too good to be a number two, but since his return he produced a string of world class performances especially the second leg at Olf Trafford against Manchester United. He’s been reported saying that the competition amongst the keepers at Real is “healthy” and he would like to stay; and so do we.

5- Varane

Varane to us has been “happening” since last season but this season he turned the heads of millions towards his world class displays; especially the Copa matches against Barcelona where he also proved he can score many goals- as a defender – keeping in mind he’s only 20. We are lucky to have a calm, intelligent and a goal scoring young defender.

6- Sweeping Barcelona away

No doubt many Madrid fans this season hang on this particular positive point because, lets face it, its fun to beat Barcelona 😛 although our fellow rivals haven’t had their usual brilliant season but still a classico is a classic, ( and they won La Liga ). Also, another nice thing about classicos this season is that there were no fights or any form of violence. Back to the old nice rivalry with the FCB

7- The Dortmund second leg fans’ spirit

The way the Madridistas greeted the team and supported them throughout the match was outstanding. It’s a beautiful sight that gives you goosebumps despite not being able to qualify at the night.

8- The jersey

To me, I think the kits this season are superb! especially the green Champions league kit.

How Real Madrid’s summer should be

After a disappointing season full of drama and frustration where Real Madrid ended their season trophy-less, (I will write a seperate post about the good and bad of the season later). Also, with Mourinho leaving, every Madridista has his/her eyes on next season and how the club prepare for it this summer. In this post I’ll be giving my view on how I think Real Madrid should approach the summer and the changes I think should take place.
Of course all this assuming Mou is definitely leaving and that Ancelotti comes to lead The Whites.

So without further due;

1. Look into the depth of the defensive line

With Pepe being linked to a move to Manchester City to join Manuel Pellegrini, Carvalho and Albiol being linked with several clubs the issue is clear, Real Madrid should look into the depth of the defense. For teams like Real who play 50+ games of high intensity every season it is beyond doubt that in order to compete you need: depth

By “depth” I don’t mean go out and buy Thiago Silva or Hummels or David Luiz, but to take the opportunity to add ‘under the radar defenders’ to nurture them into Varanes. An example, Nacho Fernandez has featured quite a few times this season and immediately one can see the benefit of having him in the defensive lineup. Perhaps promoting a youth player or buying am extra defender with experience or energy in case Ramos and Varane are unavailable.

2. Bring back Dani Carvajal!!

It’s a no brainer! A player who was a KEY to RM Castilla’s return to Segunda last season and is currently on the “2-year loan + buy back” deal (the one Arbeloa and Callejon had) to Bayer Leverkusen and I’ve never supported that move. I always have this idea that if you want to build a player stick him in your squad with an older player with more experience in his same position. NO ONE doesn’t know what position is Real the weakest. *cough* Right-back *cough*. He did a fantastic job with Leverkusen being a key squad player and included in the Bundesliga team of the season. Dont believe me? Ok: check him out.

3. Look for a long-term replacement for Alonso

When I say that phrase about any player I always get attacked and criticized. But people, Alonso isn’t young and he might be staying next season but you can’t count on him to be 100% fit and ready all the time, Modric might fill up his spot on a few occasions but he is not like Xabi. Whether Ancelotti will rely tactically on him as Mourinho did or change things around is beyond me.
Candidates: Sahin; although out of favor and on a loan for 18 months at Dortmund I still think Sahin would be a good player for RM in this position.
Alex Fernandez from Castilla has been excellent in orchestrating the attack and defense and might be a candidate.
Also to talk more about midfielders, I never understood the logic behind selling Granero and Diarra.

4. Kaka or no Kaka?

I personally love Kaka and I would like for him to stay and I’m assuming Ancelotti might want to keep him. As much as people think he’s been useless I don’t see that at all. For the few matches he featured he always plays well. He’s elegant in his play, smart and puts all his effort.

5. Edinson Cavani

Higuain leaving, Benzema can’t help in big games. As a Real Madrid fan, ever since Ronaldo (Brazilian), Van Nistelrooy and Raul left there hasn’t been a GOOD, prolific smart striker who scores even when the team isn’t playing well. Ronaldo has done a fantastic job but you can’t just rely on him to produce every game especially that he’s a Left Wing.
Cavani is a well established striker on a club and international level and has great stamina with fantastic work rate and fighting mentality who has one thing in mind when he’s on the pitch: scoring goals.

Morata and Callejon are both important to have in a team with the high number of matches and different teams who all play differently. Morata could really learn a lot from Cavani as well.

6. Isco/Bale?

Both outstanding youngsters who would add a lot to the team, but RM can’t buy both not because of the price but for the team balance and waiting for the team to adapt again would cost us a season.

Bale looks like staying at Spurs for next season however Malaga need the money would probably look into selling a few players. However, many teams in Europe are chasing Isco’s signature.

In the end I wish Real Madrid a pleasant summer with good preparation to another season.

These were the points I think are essential to clear out this summer, if you think you have more or agree/disagree please comment or tweet me @OmaR7RauL