Respect

I don’t care if you support Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, AC Milan, Manchester United or whatever team you support.  You gotta show respect to everybody.  Yeah, during games, we shit talk each team.  We all do it. And we all want our team to win.  But to go so far as to tweet to a player that you want him to die?  That’s bullshit.  That’s unnecessary and completely ncalled for.  Do you see any of the players telling each other to die or anything like that?  No.  What do they do? They shake hands and congratulate each other.  They show RESPECT.  And as fans, that’s what we should do.  Whether it’s your team or not, you gotta show respect, not hate.  Football isn’t about hate.  Football is about people playing the sport they love and we’re lucky enough to get to see that.  Regardless of your team, if you’re nice, I’ll like you.  This hate crap is just stupid and it really aggravates me that people don’t see that.  

I know Puyol will never read this, but I’d just like to apologize for the jerk who sent him that nasty tweet.  He honestly doesn’t represent all Real Madrid fans.

Real Madrid v Sevilla 15/09/2012

It is not even 10 minutes into the game, and I'm already pissed off.

Seriously.  Guys.  That goal, two minutes in? What in the name of all things football was that?

And then it gets even better! Challenge after challenge.  Everyone is either on the ground or fighting.  Seriously Higuain, I know he elbowed you, and yes it was a foul.  But you didn't need to kick him after the fact.  Then Arbeloa is taken down, then Ozil.  What the hell is going on?  Then Higuain freaks out! My word.    It took Iker coming out of the goal to get Higuain to calm down.  Both Higuain and Navarro deserved yellow cards.  Not just Higuain.  I'm sorry, but so far, I have to say I'm disappointed in the way my boys were playing.  It was sloppy and just bad.   We are SO much better than the way we played last night.  

I am also very angry with all of the challenges and fouls that Real Madrid experienced.  I know that sometimes challenges can't be helped.  But the amount of fouls in this game is horrendous.  It's just awful and unprofessional.

I can't even continue on this game.  It's just bad.  Real Madrid are the current La Liga champions, and we are not playing like so.  I don't know whether it's the recent return from the International break, where all the players have been traveling, or another reason, but we need to get our act together and play like the Real Madrid I know.

Chelsea v. QPR

So. What the hell?

This is not going to be an analysis of the game or any sort of good journalistic report. So if that is what you want, I say you should go somewhere else.  If you don't mind reading a short, personal opinion of the game, then by all means, stay.

First of all, our defense was fine.  There were no goals, Petr Cech was good in goal.  He blocked some simple, head on shots.  No big deal.  There was that one instance where Cisse came very close to scoring.  He beat all of the defenders and Petr Cech was kind of far out of the goal.  He made for Cisse, prevented a shot, Cisse moved and Cech followed.  When the shot was taken, John Terry was there to protect the goal. But that was really the only time that I saw a lack in our defense.  David Luiz played well, he didn't take any weird risks with getting the ball cleared today, which was good.  Terry played well, even with his injury.  Our  defense was pretty good.

Second of all, our attacks didn't seem up to par.  We didn't get many chances at the goal.  No, I'm not saying Julio Cesar is a bad keeper and that if we had chances we would have scored on him.  I'm not saying that at all.  He's a fairly good keeper and he protected his goal.  I'm saying that we didn't get or take enough shots on goal to even come close to scoring.  That and QPR's defense was prepared for us.  Ferdinand blocked a good chance from Torres.  I'm mad at Hazard though.  He had a nice shot set up for him, and then he send the friggen ball soaring above the goal.  Like what a waste of a ball.  I also think he spent a little too much time on the ground trying to get fouls.  Like clearly some of them were not fouls.  He is a good player though, and I expect good things.

On Torres, LEAVE HIM ALONE! God. I was listening to the commentators and they were talking about how Chelsea was going to miss Drogba and stuff, and I just wanted to yell at them because they aren't giving Nando a chance.  It's still the beginning of the season for crying out loud! No he wasn't playing his best, but he was still trying.  He was able to play the ball, so what if for one game he wasn't able to score?  Shit happens.  If anyone would notice, no one scored! Not Lamps, not Hazard and not Sturridge when they subbed him in for Torres.  Have a little faith in Nando.  I think this will be a good season for him.  Especially with Mata.  Yes, I do agree that the way he stormed off the field when he was subbed was slightly childish.  However frustrated he was, he still should have stayed to support his team.

Speaking of Mata, he wasn't there.  He wasn't even on the subs list.  Can anyone tell me why?

I think this season will shape up to be a good one.  We still have to work out some kinks, especially with John Terry and his injury.  He limped off the field at one point.  I don't want him to be injured.  He's crucial to this team.  But anyway, if we keep working, I think we'll have a successful season.

And since it was QPR, I have to say something about Granero.  As much as I miss him at Madrid this season, I feel that this move was good.  Granero needed a change of scenery.  With Ozil, and now Modric, I really didn't feel that he would have had much playing time this coming season.  And with QPR, he played the entire 90 minutes.  It seemed like he meshed well with the team too.  He set up an assist that could have been a really great goal if it had connected.  I really think Granero is going to prosper at QPR and I'm excited for him.  I wish him the best of luck.

(Pictures are not mine!)

Saturday, 15th of September 2012

This coming Saturday, the 15 September 2012, Real Madrid will face Sevilla in their stadium, Sánchez Pizjuán.  The game will air at 4pm Eastern Time. Which I'm sad to say I'll have to miss because I have to work.  I'm pretty confident in Real Madrid's ability.  Ozil had a spectacular game against the Faroe Islands, scoring 2 of Die Manschaft's 3 goals.  He also scored a penalty against Austria.  Hopefully he'll start instead of Modric.  Don't get me wrong, I like Modric.  I just don't like entertaining the idea that he may replace Mesut.  I prefer Mesut over Modric any day.  

Also on Saturday, Chelsea will face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.  The game will air at 11 am Eastern Time.  I will be able to watch this one, and I'm very excited.  Hopefully after the international break the Chelsea boys will have gotten back to their higher standard.  I have faith that we'll win.  I'm hoping to see a goal from Torres.  After that loss to Atletico Madrid, I was glad to have the break.  That loss was horrible and I'm not even sure what happened.  Chelsea is so much better than that.  

This game against QPR is slightly bittersweet for me because Esteban Granero was just transferred to QPR from Real Madrid and it was a sad day.  I am hoping he gets to play though.  Even though he's no longer a Madridista, I still want what's best for him.  So I hope to see him play in the game, even if it won't be with Madrid.   

13 Years of Dedication

Iker Casillas Interview

Iker Casillas made his debut with Real Madrid 13 years ago.  The link takes you to an interview with Casillas from RealMadrid.com.  I'm thankful we've had Casillas with us for the past 13 years and I'm glad he'll be with us for more to come.  Thank you San Iker.

(I've used this picture before, but it's just amazing. And it I love it. Anyway, this picture is not mine!)

Happy birthday to Oscar!

Today, besides being Luka's birthday, is also the birthday of Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior was born today, 9th of September in 1991.  Happy 21st birthday Oscar!

(This picture is not mine!)

Wow, I can't believe I missed Albiol's birthday.

Raul Albiol, player for Real Madrid and the Spain NT, turned 27 on the 4th of September.  Happy late birthday!

(This picture is not mine!)

Happy Birthday Luka Modric!

On the ninth of September 1985, Luka Modric was born in Croatia.  So I'd just like to say Happy birthday to one of our new members of Real Madrid.

(This picture is not mine!)

Upcoming National Team Matches

Here are some upcoming National Team matches: (Note:  I got these tables from soccernet.espn.go and FIFA.com.  All times are in Eastern Time.)

Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria have been called up from Real Madrid to play with Argentina.

Eden Hazard from Chelsea will be featured with the Belgium NT.

Petr Cech from Chelsea will play for the Czech Republic in the upcoming matches. 

Brazil's upcoming schedule which I had to use FIFA.com for.  Players on  Brazil from Chelsea include David Luiz, Oscar and Ramires. Marcelo is the only Real Madrid player for the Brazil NT.

The only player from Croatia on Real Madrid is Luka Modric.

John Terry, Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill, Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Bertrand have been called up for England from Chelsea.  Ashley Cole will not be playing in the 7 Sept game because of an injury.

Karim Benzema has been called up for the France NT from Real Madrid, along with Raphael Varane, who will be playing with France's U21 team.

The German NT will feature Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira from Real Madrid.

No Real Madrid or Chelsea players are on the Italy NT.

Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao will all play for Portugal in the upcoming games.

From Chelsea, Spain will have Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, as well as Oriol Romeu who will play for the U21 team.  Real Madrid's Spanish players include Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa.  

Late pictures

So, these pictures are from a Real Madrid game I went to.  Now don't get too excited, it wasn't at the Santiago Bernabeu.  Which is so sad.  I saw Real Madrid on their American tour.  They played Celtic at the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philly Eagles.  It's a beautiful stadium, and it was even better having been transformed for the soccer/futbol game.  I had so much fun.  I could watch Real Madrid play anywhere and be happy.  I even got to see Kaka play! It was amazing.  They beat Celtic, of course.  Anyway, here are the pictures! (As you can probably tell, I really like Mesut Ozil.  I also like Sergio Ramos. And the entire Real Madrid squad.. And the Spain NT and the Italy NT.  I will support the Germany, Brazil and Portugal NT's when the time calls for it.  I also like Chelsea.)

Cristiano and Iker

I probably shouldn't open my mouth.  But I can't help it.  I have a big mouth.

First of all, this mess with Cristiano.  If he's sad, let him be sad.  He's not some fucking superhuman god with no emotions.  Whatever is wrong with him will work itself out.  It isn't any of our business why he's sad.  If it's because of the club, let them discuss it.  If it's for other reasons, let Cristiano take care of it.  He doesn't need all of us speculating on why he's sad based on some shitty journalism.  He doesn't need us spreading rumors about what's going on between him and the club.  If it truly is something with Real Madrid, then Cristiano will decide to do whatever is best for him.  And you know what? Us Real Madrid fans need to support him.  He's one of our players.  

Second of all, this Iker business.  Who the fuck do all these people think they are, claiming that Iker is a horrible captain?  They need to sit the fuck down and listen.  Iker is one of the best captains out there.  He's respectful to his team and his fans and he's respectful to other teams.  Isn't that what we look for in a leader?  Someone who can show respect in both victory and defeat?  Someone who the others look up to?  That's what Iker is.  He cares about his team.  He's dedicated more years to Real Madrid than probably any of us fans.  He's been part of Real Madrid since he was 17 and now he's 31.  And you know what? He's done a damn good job here.  I'm proud to have him as our captain.  And anyone who says different isn't a true Madridista.  

Finally, stop spreading rumors.  This is how this bullshit gets started.  Some stupid journalist prints something, without any true evidence to support it, and automatically people assume it's the truth.  Unless it is an official announcement coming from straight from Real Madrid, you don't know if it's true.  God, this shit has gone on long enough.  The 'drama' needs to come to an end.  It's really just embarrassing.  

  (These pictures are not mine!)

Farewell El Pirata

So this post is to say farewell to a Real Madrid player.  His transfer to the Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League was finalized the other day.  There will always be a spot in my heart for Esteban Granero.  But this transfer is probably best for him.  I think we all knew that being at Real Madrid was just going to hinder his talents.  Mourinho has many good players, Granero included, however Granero would not have gotten any playing time this season, especially with Modric coming in.  I'm glad he's not being wasted on a bench anymore.  Good luck at QPR Esteban!  Us Madridistas will miss you.

(This picture is not mine!)

Group Draw for UEFA Champions League

The groups for the UEFA Champions League.  Both Chelsea and Real Madrid have a long run ahead of them.  I have faith that they will do well.
(Taken from UEFA's website)