Well both Real Madrid and Barcelona won their games this weekend. Barcelona won their game which was away to Zaragoza and Real Madrid won their home game against Racing. Barcelona won their game by two goals to nothing while Real Madrid trashed Racing by 6 goals to 1. For the game been Real Madrid and Racing, the match was a complete whitewash. Real Madrid was all over. Although they conceded a goal in that game, one will say that one cannot compute the ball possession of the game. Left to me, I will say that the ball possession was maybe 70%-30% in the favour of Real Madrid. Real Madrid played their hearts out. On the other hand the game between Barcelona and Zaragoza two was not too bad. Of course both goals of the match were scored by the current world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi. It really shows that the player is back. The La Liga table standings look like this.
Teams………………………………………………. Matches ………………………………………..Points
(1.) Real Madrid……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..20
(2.) Villareal……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..19
(3.) Barcelona……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..19
(4.) Valencia……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..16
(5.) Espanyol……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..15
(6.) Sevillla……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..14
(7.) Getafe ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..13
(8.) Atletico
Madrid ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..13
(9.) Mallorca……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..11
(10.) Athletic
Bilbao……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..10
(11.) Osasuna ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..9
(12.) Hercules……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..9
(13.) Levante ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..8
(14.) Sporting
de Gijon……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..8
(15.) Almeria ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..7
(16.) Real
Sociedad……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..7
(17.) Malaga ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..7
(18.) Racing……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..7
(19.) Deportivo ……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..4
(20.) Zaragoza……………………………………………….. 8………………………………………………..3
One can see from the table that it is still very tight at the top. The top spot is far from secure. But the remarkable thing to say is that it seems that Real Madrid has got back their usual high scoring form for which they are known. Barcelona too is not doing too badly but it is obvious that they are missing the presence of Xavi. But they (Barcelona have to up their game and find their high scoring form). They might have to look for more sharp attackers during the transfer window come January next year. They have to be more accurate that is convert more of their goal scoring chances than they are doing right now if they will provide a serious challenge to Real Madrid in their contention to retain the league trophy they won last year. This is because the defense of Real Madrid has greatly improved.
I think one will be really unfair to neglect other clubs in the La Liga because from the team occupying the second position to the one occupying the 10th position, there are still possibilities for any one of them to win it if Real Madrid becomes careless. But the team that one will look at that is showing a serious threat to Real Madrid’s lead is Villareal. Villareal is a team to watch out for. For they have been giving Barcelona a very tough time and that is why they are on the second spot. They have not hidden their intentions to win the league this season. So they also cannot be toiled with.
Seeing the present situation of the league table, one can only say that the league is still open for anyone to win it.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
This Week’s Most Memorable UEFA Champions League Match
This week’s UEFA Champions League games have all been concluded. There were winners and there were those who drew their matches. But one of the most outstanding games of the UEFA Champions League was the one between Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur. Inter Milan was the home team. Although Inter Milan won the game by 4 goals to 3, the team that made the game really a remarkable experience was the losing side Tottenham Hotspur.
The reason is this, Inter Milan for about 51 minutes were leading 4-0. Then Bale started his hat-trick in the 52nd minute. It was as if the goal gave the Tottenham players some inspiration to score more goals. They then took over the midfield and started to heap more pressure on Inter. But the time in which the pressure paid off to yield more goals was astonishing. It was in the 90th and 91st minutes. The space of time between the 2nd and 3rd goal to me is still a wonder though I believe all the goals scored by Tottenham Hotspur were a result of carelessness by the defensive midfielders and the defenders of Inter Milan.
See the form of Tottenham Hotspur and the way in which they played against Inter Milan, one can only conclude that they are a side to watch out for in this year’s UEFA Champions League.
The reason is this, Inter Milan for about 51 minutes were leading 4-0. Then Bale started his hat-trick in the 52nd minute. It was as if the goal gave the Tottenham players some inspiration to score more goals. They then took over the midfield and started to heap more pressure on Inter. But the time in which the pressure paid off to yield more goals was astonishing. It was in the 90th and 91st minutes. The space of time between the 2nd and 3rd goal to me is still a wonder though I believe all the goals scored by Tottenham Hotspur were a result of carelessness by the defensive midfielders and the defenders of Inter Milan.
See the form of Tottenham Hotspur and the way in which they played against Inter Milan, one can only conclude that they are a side to watch out for in this year’s UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid Topping La Liga.
For the soccer fanatics following the Spanish La Liga it is no news that Real Madrid is currently on top of the topmost league in Spain. Well they are leading the second Villareal by a single point. Of course to some of us, this is no surprise. Looking at the way in which Real Madrid started the season, some people were quick to criticize the new manager of the club Jose Muorinho who has described himself as the special one saying that his team has not been playing in an organized way and that they were only managing to win games by a lone goal and that Real Madrid can never score more than 1 goal per match. Some even went on to say that if Real Madrid meets any of the top four in the English Premier League, that they will suffer a heavy defeat.
The reason given for the above conclusions was for just one reason, that Real Madrid drew their first game of the league 0-0. They managed to win their second game by a lone goal. Well if I can remember, they drew their third game. I will not continue because of time and space. But now Real Madrid is topping the league. Well it is still too early for one to conclude that Real Madrid has already captured the La Liga but whoever will take over the leadership of the table from Real Madrid should be prepared for a fight. I don’t think that they will surrender their lead cheaply.
To be frank, I think that the only side that is capable of giving the present Real Madrid side a stiff opposition is Barcelona. But even with that Barcelona will have a very difficult time overtaking Real Madrid under Jose Muorinho. This is because Muorinho inspires his players to win and not to entertain which is in contrast to the football pattern of Barcelona. More so, when Jose Muorinho was in charge of Intermilan and Intermilan clashed with Barcelona in the semi-final of the champions league last season, Intermilan was the better of both sides that is to say, Jose Muorinho has won Pepe Guardiola once. So with the present situation of the La Liga, I am very sure that the manager of Barcelona Pepe Guardiola will be losing his sleep.
We cannot yet give the La Liga trophy to Real Madrid. We can only watch and observe as La Liga is taking shape.
The reason given for the above conclusions was for just one reason, that Real Madrid drew their first game of the league 0-0. They managed to win their second game by a lone goal. Well if I can remember, they drew their third game. I will not continue because of time and space. But now Real Madrid is topping the league. Well it is still too early for one to conclude that Real Madrid has already captured the La Liga but whoever will take over the leadership of the table from Real Madrid should be prepared for a fight. I don’t think that they will surrender their lead cheaply.
To be frank, I think that the only side that is capable of giving the present Real Madrid side a stiff opposition is Barcelona. But even with that Barcelona will have a very difficult time overtaking Real Madrid under Jose Muorinho. This is because Muorinho inspires his players to win and not to entertain which is in contrast to the football pattern of Barcelona. More so, when Jose Muorinho was in charge of Intermilan and Intermilan clashed with Barcelona in the semi-final of the champions league last season, Intermilan was the better of both sides that is to say, Jose Muorinho has won Pepe Guardiola once. So with the present situation of the La Liga, I am very sure that the manager of Barcelona Pepe Guardiola will be losing his sleep.
We cannot yet give the La Liga trophy to Real Madrid. We can only watch and observe as La Liga is taking shape.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Real Madrid Topping La Liga
For the soccer fanatics following the Spanish La Liga it is no news that Real Madrid is currently on top of the topmost league in Spain. Well they are leading the second Villareal by a single point. Of course to some of us, this is no surprise. Looking at the way in which Real Madrid started the season, some people were quick to criticize the new manager of the club Jose Muorinho who has described himself as the special one saying that his team has not been playing in an organized way and that they were only managing to win games by a lone goal and that Real Madrid can never score more than 1 goal per match. Some even went on to say that if Real Madrid meets any of the top four in the English Premier League, that they will suffer a heavy defeat.
The reason given for the above conclusions was for just one reason, that Real Madrid drew their first game of the league 0-0. They managed to win their second game by a lone goal. Well if I can remember, they drew their third game. I will not continue because of time and space. But now Real Madrid is topping the league. Well it is still too early for one to conclude that Real Madrid has already captured the La Liga but whoever will take over the leadership of the table from Real Madrid should be prepared for a fight. I don’t think that they will surrender their lead cheaply.
To be frank, I think that the only side that is capable of giving the present Real Madrid side a stiff opposition is Barcelona. But even with that Barcelona will have a very difficult time overtaking Real Madrid under Jose Muorinho. This is because Muorinho inspires his players to win and not to entertain which is in contrast to the football pattern of Barcelona. More so, when Jose Muorinho was in charge of Intermilan and Intermilan clashed with Barcelona in the semi-final of the champions league last season, Intermilan was the better of both sides that is to say, Jose Muorinho has won Pepe Guardiola once. So with the present situation of the La Liga, I am very sure that the manager of Barcelona Pepe Guardiola will be losing his sleep.
We cannot yet give the La Liga trophy to Real Madrid. We can only watch and observe as La Liga is taking shape.
The reason given for the above conclusions was for just one reason, that Real Madrid drew their first game of the league 0-0. They managed to win their second game by a lone goal. Well if I can remember, they drew their third game. I will not continue because of time and space. But now Real Madrid is topping the league. Well it is still too early for one to conclude that Real Madrid has already captured the La Liga but whoever will take over the leadership of the table from Real Madrid should be prepared for a fight. I don’t think that they will surrender their lead cheaply.
To be frank, I think that the only side that is capable of giving the present Real Madrid side a stiff opposition is Barcelona. But even with that Barcelona will have a very difficult time overtaking Real Madrid under Jose Muorinho. This is because Muorinho inspires his players to win and not to entertain which is in contrast to the football pattern of Barcelona. More so, when Jose Muorinho was in charge of Intermilan and Intermilan clashed with Barcelona in the semi-final of the champions league last season, Intermilan was the better of both sides that is to say, Jose Muorinho has won Pepe Guardiola once. So with the present situation of the La Liga, I am very sure that the manager of Barcelona Pepe Guardiola will be losing his sleep.
We cannot yet give the La Liga trophy to Real Madrid. We can only watch and observe as La Liga is taking shape.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
UEFA Champions League, How It All Started
The UEFA Champions league at its inception was known as the European Champions Club's Cup .It was launched one month after UEFA'S first congress which was held in Viennaon 2nd of March 1955.But funny enough it was not an UEFA initiative. The reason is this , the founding members of UEFA were mainly interested in organising a well established European national team competition.
But the French sports daily L'Equipe with their then-editor named Gabriel Hanot were championing the cause for a European club competiton that will bring together all the clubs in Europe. Then Gabriel Hanot together with his colleague Jacques Ferran designed a blueprint for a European challenge tournament. The tournament was to be played on wednessdays under floodlights. Thus the first major European football tournament was initiated by the French daily L'Equipe.
L'Equipe started the European Champions Club's Cup by inviting teams that they thought had the most fan appeal. To do this representatives of 16 clubs were invited to meetings on 2nd and 3rd of April 1955 where the L'Equipe rules were approved. Then the first European Club'Cup fixture was played in Lisbon between Partizan Belgrade of Yugoslavia and Sporting Clube de Portugal which ended 3-3. The Yugoslavian side won the return 5-2 to advance to the next stage.
To the long story short Real Madrid won the first competition and this competion developed into UEFA's major club tournament. The major turning point to the competition came in the 1992/93 season when the competition was renamed the UEFA Champions League with the format of the competion changed. Then the group stage was introduced into the competition and added to the traditional knockout elements.
But the French sports daily L'Equipe with their then-editor named Gabriel Hanot were championing the cause for a European club competiton that will bring together all the clubs in Europe. Then Gabriel Hanot together with his colleague Jacques Ferran designed a blueprint for a European challenge tournament. The tournament was to be played on wednessdays under floodlights. Thus the first major European football tournament was initiated by the French daily L'Equipe.
L'Equipe started the European Champions Club's Cup by inviting teams that they thought had the most fan appeal. To do this representatives of 16 clubs were invited to meetings on 2nd and 3rd of April 1955 where the L'Equipe rules were approved. Then the first European Club'Cup fixture was played in Lisbon between Partizan Belgrade of Yugoslavia and Sporting Clube de Portugal which ended 3-3. The Yugoslavian side won the return 5-2 to advance to the next stage.
To the long story short Real Madrid won the first competition and this competion developed into UEFA's major club tournament. The major turning point to the competition came in the 1992/93 season when the competition was renamed the UEFA Champions League with the format of the competion changed. Then the group stage was introduced into the competition and added to the traditional knockout elements.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)