Real Madrid Thread [2007-2008]

[MaestroZidane]

Very happy with the result and even happier to see Babtista start.. I Don't care what everyone else says, I prefer him over Higuian any day, I hope Schuster keeps playing him..

Now bring in the draw... Hala Madrid!!

 

[KingPaulV]

was i right or was i right

yup you predicted it right, I didnt think Lazio was going to fold like they did thought

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

Champions League starts now after having to sweat it out in this first phase. I nominate "La Bestia" along with Ramos and Marcelo for M.o.M...

San Casillas does it again with that pk save, the fans started to chant his name as well as they chanted Raul's after his goal that pretty much sentenced the game at minute 15.

I though I would never miss someone like Heinze, I felt he was a dirty player when he wasn't on my team but now that he is...damn I see him as the shiznit. He's one of those players you love to have on your team and hate him otherwise. I hope he comes back soon.

Pepe, my nigga'.

Really, when this team has their backs to the wall is when they shine. It's as if they need that stressful motivation factor. At times, we are the best side on the planet it seems. Today's first half was absolute brilliance. Notice how everyone ran, sweated their shirts and looked exceptionally hungry? Everyone had a great game but special mention to Baptista (whom I always rated). He is winning everyone's confidaence especially Schuster. And talking about Schuster, the man is really turning out to be a fine coach and I'll tell you why. He rested Guti in the last liga match in order to have him start today. What happens? Baptista had a very good game against Bilbao and hence got the nod again tonight. He stuck with Baptista because he felt he earned the start and also because he wants to keep Baptistras confidence going. But what really struck me was when he substitued Robinho and Sneijder for Robben & Guti. He could have taken of Baptista but why would he? He brought in Guti = Guti is happy and not thinking negative things on the bench. Kind of cancelled out the whole Baptista replacing Guti idea. Then he brought in Robben to work out and Robben had a great showing I thought. His skill is sick to the bone. Brought in Higuain to see if he shapes up as well. And going further back, his whole dealing with the Robinho & Brasil party incident....how he blew it off, didn't give the media ammo and publicly backed Robinho. Also, little by little he is making more changes that affect the game in a positive way. In short, I have faith in Schuster. I like what he's doing and how he's doing it. There is definately an air to this side that has success written all over them.

P.S- I am very impressed with Marcelo and Pepe, big time. Casillas? Who ever denies he's the best is tripping. Robinho is nowhere near his prime imo, Raul is shutting mouths everywhere. I am sooo happy that everyone decided to stick w/ him and not take the easy route of getting rid of him. The guy is special. He makes me believe, he makes me know that there is hope, he triumphs. Really, he sets a great example. I hope Baptista stays w/ us.

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

was i right or was i right

Hey Al, ready for el clasico? Should be a cracker. If we can stop Messi, we can win easily. No offense but I think we have more depth and more quality. Although playing over there is always difficult. Although it is way to early in the season, this match can be pivotal in the liga title.

 

[Jaouadinho]

Raul is shutting mouths everywhere. I am sooo happy that everyone decided to stick w/ him and not take the easy route of getting rid of him.

we have to thank capello for that.

 

[justhammy]

Guys, yesterday again was so special! I really believed that if we scored once then we would go over them and that happened! What a superb performance! One touch football was FANTASTIC to see! I dont know what I can say about our Brazilian magician, but f*ck me. I dont care what everyone thinks, but for me he is the best player in the world atm. It is NOT NORMAL to see this kid play at this time! He is out of this earth. What Messi was last season in Spain, Robinho is this season....completely impossible to stop! Keep it up!

Now over to the others. For me MoM was Baptista! Great player! A joy to watch! That goal was class! Marcelo is really getting it. He is really becoming someone we cant miss there. Although Torres is also superb! Ramos was FANTASTIC, best RB in the world, no f*cking doubt! He sometimes looks like a winger, the stepovers, his ball control, his pace...really impressive. Pepe - Cannavaro is rock solid. They are doing better and better, and special mention to Pepe who was again very impressive and I for one think he is worth the money we payed! Sneijder has again player great IMO. He worked his socks off and was influential in building up the play! Diarra had a few mistakes (that header) but was solid for the rest! Robben had a good second half, when he came in. His speed is really deadly! Guti was good too. Raul-Ruud was again a joy to watch. It really begins to sound boring, because every week they are fantastic.

HALA MADRID!

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

hammy, talking about Robben, he is a real joy to watch. His touch on the ball reminds me of a dummied down Zidane (still a big complement). He doesn't panic and usually works out of trouble due to his footwork and reading the defender. Did you catch a couple of those first touch chips he tried? Very hard to pull off and he tried 2. One succesful and the other not so just because the defender put his body in front and knocked him down. With him and Robinho I think we have the flashiest duo with substance. I think Sneijder is back in form. I knew he'd come around again. He's class and it's normal that players have a bad stretch. Now big question. Does Baptista start against Osasuna and Barca? I say yes, unless he miraculously slumps of course. Does Robben start soon? Perhaps agaict Barca? Guti? Based on yesterdays performance who would you start?

 

[R.9]

hammy, talking about Robben, he is a real joy to watch. His touch on the ball reminds me of a dummied down Zidane (still a big complement). He doesn't panic and usually works out of trouble due to his footwork and reading the defender. Did you catch a couple of those first touch chips he tried? Very hard to pull off and he tried 2. One succesful and the other not so just because the defender put his body in front and knocked him down. With him and Robinho I think we have the flashiest duo with substance. I think Sneijder is back in form. I knew he'd come around again. He's class and it's normal that players have a bad stretch. Now big question. Does Baptista start against Osasuna and Barca? I say yes, unless he miraculously slumps of course. Does Robben start soon? Perhaps agaict Barca? Guti? Based on yesterdays performance who would you start?

Now that you mention Robben touch and the way he dribble remind me a bit a the great Zizou but Zidane was just pure class. I am really happy for Baptista, this player has class and he paitent and work is paying off with Schuster having faith in him now.

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

When is the Champions league draw? It's usually the Thursday or Friday after the last group game no? Anyone you wanna avoid? Wanna match up to? Honestly, I don't care because if we are going to win it we are going to tackle all the hard teams anyway.

 

[justhammy]

hammy, talking about Robben, he is a real joy to watch. His touch on the ball reminds me of a dummied down Zidane (still a big complement). He doesn't panic and usually works out of trouble due to his footwork and reading the defender. Did you catch a couple of those first touch chips he tried? Very hard to pull off and he tried 2. One succesful and the other not so just because the defender put his body in front and knocked him down. With him and Robinho I think we have the flashiest duo with substance. I think Sneijder is back in form. I knew he'd come around again. He's class and it's normal that players have a bad stretch. Now big question. Does Baptista start against Osasuna and Barca? I say yes, unless he miraculously slumps of course. Does Robben start soon? Perhaps agaict Barca? Guti? Based on yesterdays performance who would you start?

With Robben and Robinho I think we have 2 of the best dribblers around! There are only a few that can dribble like these 2. Also the pace of the 2 is really fantastic. A Robben in top form is really impossible to defend. Watch the way he dribbles, lol, watch those arms! haha, but still, he can get his way out of difficult situations with his movement! I hope he can stay fit, because if he does he is gonna be worth that immense price tag. Im not gonna say anything about Robinho anymore, because everyone knows what I think of him

 

[Socrates]

we have to thank capello for that.

What do you mean by that? I don't think he was great last year and he was never going to be sold either... it seems like Schuster is using him in the right way with RVN though which is great.

Anyway only saw the first half and the last bit of the second and how in the hell did the ref not call a penalty for us when Ramos was held down on the corner ( right before the Pepe handball incident ), that was a clear penalty but whatever we still got the win so it's good. We also played some pretty good stuff out there. Ramos is getting back to his usual self. Also Baptista has been pretty impressive as of late.

I wonder how we will play once Robben is fully fit...do we move Robinho to the right or use only one of them? Going to be interesting to see what Schuster does.

 

[KingPaulV]

Alright so I Know we are all excited let us not look over Osasuna althought I know we are playing in Madrid still, we know that this year specifically its been the small teams and the somewhat "easy" matches that have been giving us problems....one game at a time. I am happy for our team I am happy for how we are playing and even I am dreaming with La Decima, but still, lets take it in stride....


Secondly, about Robben; Yesterday was the first game since the game right before he got injured that IMO he played his best...however I noticed that (perhaps because of his prior injuries) He tends to conduct the ball towards the middle and look for the cross or the pass at that point or a shot....That is not the Robben of old, in the past, he used his speed and control to outflank down the left, when he received from the middle he would look to flank out and overlap the flank...just a thought....however he did play well yesterday and seems to be gaining in confidence...

The draw will be December 20th or 21st not sure when it will be in Switzerland....Looking at the full list of all qualified teams, I agree with Raul, I believe it would benefit us to play a tough team right off the bat; for two reason, one cause that would mean they are out of the tournament and two because that means we would play better more likely than not....like someone said here at times we look like the best team in the world hands down, but at others, (specially on defense) we look like Real Madrid C...

I hope Pepe can keep improving and showing class, same for Cannavaro he is doing much better and Marcelo is improving defensively, Ramos, ya'll already know I think he is the best RB in the world and will go down as one of the great RB in history....he is along with Raul the source of our fighthing spirit! they never quit!

 

[KingPaulV]

Here is the list of the possible matchups and next to them is my difficulty meter from 1-10

Roma- A dangerous team, very hard to score against. Great Striker in Vucinic (Cicihno's return to Bernabeu?) = 8

Arsenal - IMO one of top five teams in the world. When they are on they are on!...= 9

Liverpool - Probably the toughtest rival for second round. They seem to elevate their game when they play CL. they are also scoring a bunch lately...and F. Torres is no joke....tough = 10

Celtic - They barely made it so they are probably the "easiest" on paper, but they know how to defend extremely well = 7

Fernerbache - Winning inTurkey is going to be nearly impossible...They can score but suffer from defensive Lapses (RC's! return home!!?) = 7

Lyon - Last two CL's we have suffered at their hands. Very dangerous team, but playing the return match at home helps specially against them= 8

Schalke 04 - A tough team to figure out, but they are afterall German! that doesnt bode well for us....they will fight to the end....dangerous team = 8

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

Here is the list of the possible matchups and next to them is my difficulty meter from 1-10

Roma- A dangerous team, very hard to score against. Great Striker in Vucinic (Cicihno's return to Bernabeu?) = 8

Arsenal - IMO one of top five teams in the world. When they are on they are on!...= 9

Liverpool - Probably the toughtest rival for second round. They seem to elevate their game when they play CL. they are also scoring a bunch lately...and F. Torres is no joke....tough = 10

Celtic - They barely made it so they are probably the "easiest" on paper, but they know how to defend extremely well = 7

Fernerbache - Winning inTurkey is going to be nearly impossible...They can score but suffer from defensive Lapses (RC's! return home!!?) = 7

Lyon - Last two CL's we have suffered at their hands. Very dangerous team, but playing the return match at home helps specially against them= 8

Schalke 04 - A tough team to figure out, but they are afterall German! that doesnt bode well for us....they will fight to the end....dangerous team = 8

Paul, I agree with this. But from here on any team is going to be hard and the smaller teams can do as much damage as the elite ones. In la liga it happens all the time to us. I really don't know who I want to face first but now that I think about it, it would have to be a smaller team whom we've had success with in the past. I am also thinking of the CL from a business perspective. Lets not kid ourselves, football is a business like any other and big clubs remain big largely due to finances. The further we advance, the more money we bring in which is always fundamental. Don't get me wrong, this year like any other year I believe we can go all the way. With hard work and a bit of luck (every team needs luck), we can do it. And if not? We generate excitement and funds. As long as the team plays their hearts out...it's all I care about. If they play the way they do against Lazio, then I'll be happy.

 

[justhammy]

I am not joking if I say that the most difficult of them IMO is AS ROMA. Why?! They have a classy defense, a superb midfield and one of the best strikers in the world in Totti. I would never want to face him. Dont be joked by last years defeat against Man Utd. Really difficult team!

 

[Jaouadinho]

every team we face is going to be tricky.

personally the easiest team we could get is fenerbahce and the hardest is liverpool.

i really hope we avoide liverpool.

fenerbahce would be good for us. espeacially r. carlos coming back, that would be the best thing about it.

socrates, if it wasnt for capello raul wouldnt be here, he is the one who stuck by him even when his form was sh*t, he said that all of the board wanted him out on loan, but capello decided it was best we kept him.

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

every team we face is going to be tricky.

personally the easiest team we could get is fenerbahce and the hardest is liverpool.

i really hope we avoide liverpool.

fenerbahce would be good for us. espeacially r. carlos coming back, that would be the best thing about it.

socrates, if it wasnt for capello raul wouldnt be here, he is the one who stuck by him even when his form was sh*t, he said that all of the board wanted him out on loan, but capello decided it was best we kept him.

I agree on avoiding Liverpool. A few days ago, Caps was doing an interview and he said that Calderon wanted to loan out Raul. Did Caps fight it? Is that the reason why Raul remained? I don't know. all I know is that I can never ever see Raul wearing another shirt. It's just not right. P.S- Would like to see R. Carlos and Fener play us. Another team I wished advanced in order for us to possibly face us was Rangers. Then again, not sure how the groups' setup affects the matchups. I'd like to avoid Liverpool, Arsenal, Inter

 

[Axolote]

Whats the situation of Saviola and Higuain...?

Are they transfer listed..? Loan...?

I have a dream...hehe.

 

[KingPaulV]

neither axolote, they are both solidly in the squad, specially Higuain, he is still developing and has a lot of football left in Madrid...if Saviola was to leave it wont be till next year, so that is out of the question for now...


Well the only teams we will avoid for sure are Olympiakos, and all the other group leaders....Therefore Inter would not be a possible match up...the teams I listed are the only teams we could end up playing....In a way I would rather play liverpool now, and get it out of the way...if we beat them then we dont have to worry about them and we can look forward...

 

[Socrates]

neither axolote, they are both solidly in the squad, specially Higuain, he is still developing and has a lot of football left in Madrid...if Saviola was to leave it wont be till next year, so that is out of the question for now...


Well the only teams we will avoid for sure are Olympiakos, and all the other group leaders....Therefore Inter would not be a possible match up...the teams I listed are the only teams we could end up playing....In a way I would rather play liverpool now, and get it out of the way...if we beat them then we dont have to worry about them and we can look forward...

Nah, Rafa can bore the **** out of some other team. I would really not want to watch that match, no one on the list looks too great to play TBH. I keep getting this feeling that we are going to play against Roma.

Higuain stays for sure, he has everthing except to be a fantastic player for us and has a very good future here.