Barcelona, Still The Real Deal

Domestic football returned yesterday, (29.08.10) in the land of the games World Champions, a season which again expects a two horse title race between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Madrid under the new leadership of the self proclaimed ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho, had the tougher opening fixtures of the two, away at Mallorca, a team that narrowly missed out on a Europa League place last term. Los campeones began their defence at Racing.

It was Pep Guardiola’s men that took to the field first, an eleven that was without Captain Carles Puyol who was rested due to injury.

The absence didn’t seem to affect Barcelona as within 3 minutes they were leading. Lionel Messi was sent racing through the middle and with his usual flair and panache, delicately chipped over the oncoming Antonia Tono.

If we thought Barcelona couldn’t score a better goal in this game we were outrageously corrected by World Cup and new national hero Andres Iniesta.

After the Racing keeper managed to punch clear a deflected David Villa cross, the ball head for the stationary Iniesta, 25 yards from goal. Without a moments hesitation he side footed it back toward goal with his instep on the volley, the ball teasing the crowd as it sat up and looped slowly over the crowd of players into the empty net, an absolute genius touch from Spain’s golden boy.

Barcelona survived a penalty scare moments later with Victor Valdes saving superbly from Mohammed Tchite. The champions looked comfortable throughout this one, a finely tuned machine with each player playing their part like a well oiled rig.

New boy Villa linked up delightfully with Messi and was finally rewarded for his efforts with a goal after having one chalked off late on in the first half for offside. Another peach too from the Catalan giants, the first of many I expect from Villa.

A pacey Dani Alves cross was met by the head of Villa, a technique of text book as he powered it back toward goal giving Tono no chance, 3-0, buenos noche Racing.

Each Barcelona goal sublime, three of the best your likely to see all season coming from three of the best players you will see all season.

How could Mourinho follow that? Well, in truth he couldn’t.

Madrid, without Kaka, looked frustrated throughout. A season that promises so much has started pretty flat for them. Mourinho has some great players at his disposal but he knows more than anyone that this is a team of individuals whereas the boys setting the benchmark in the North East of Spain are a team…………and a bloody good one at that.

New German signings Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira came on late in the second half but couldn’t help the likes of Gonzalo Higuaín and Cristiano Ronaldo break down the islander’s resistance.

La Liga looks set to be another exciting season, especially with that extra twist of involvement from Jose Mourinho.

The campaign will build up to the first Catalan derby on 28th November 2010 at Camp Nou when I anticipate Mourinho to do all the talking off the pitch and Guardiola leaving his campeones to do all the talking on it.

dcf@soccerfanbase

http://twitter.com/dcf_2009

http://www.facebook.com/pages/DCF-soccerfanbase/142242232475807?ref=ts

United relief as Real rule out Rooney

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Get ready to breathe a huge sigh of relief Manchester United fans, because Real Madrid are not going to try and take Wayne Rooney to Spain, yet.

After months of speculation surrounding a possible bid for England and United’s star striker it has finally been confirmed that Real will not make a move for Rooney this summer. Despite, Jose Mourinho being a huge admirer of the former Everton hitman, it seems the price is too steep now.

Florentino Perez told the gathered media yesterday that the Bernabeu club will not move for Rooney or Barcelona’s Lionel Messi before the new season, but that may not end the speculation.

However, the Real Madrid president was not so clear on potential offers for Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Arsneal’s Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea pair Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard. It seems that at least one, and possibly more, of these will be playing in the white of Madrid in August.

There are fresh rumours this morning of a £32m bid from Madrid for Liverpool captain Gerrard. If true, then it’s a sign of real intent on behalf of the La Liga runners-up.

It seems that United can plan for the future with Wayne Rooney but the future is less certain for the rest of the Premier League big boys.

Rooney back on the agenda as Real eye BIG signings

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Are Real Madrid readying themselves for another assault on the Premier League? It seems so!

Real president Florentino Perez has today confirmed that the Spanish giants are looking to make “two or three big signings” before the start of next season. And if their antics of last summer are anything to go by, the Premier League elite should prepare now.

In recent months Madrid have been linked to a host of stars from England, with Manchester United Wayne Rooney apparently topping their list of targets. A £95m bid has been mooted from the Spanish capital and would test the Old Trafford club’s resolve to keep their star man.

Other targets include Rooney’s United team-mates Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, while Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been strongly linked with moves to Spain. Earlier today there were also noises about a possible bid to hijack Barcelona’s attempts to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal. Fabregas’ Emirates colleague Gael Clichy has been linked to Barcelona today, but Madrid is said to be his preferred destination.

Jose Mourinho has barely got his feet under the desk at the Santiago Bernabeu but it seems he is already showing his desire to make his mark in Madrid.

Who do you expect to end up joining Mourinho at the Bernabeu? Could the former Chelsea boss take the English trio of Rooney, Lampard and Cole? I wouldn’t bet against it!

Madrid move for Rooney would mark end of United dominance

by Simon Sparrowhawk

New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is lining up a sensational £95million world record deal for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney that would rip Old Trafford apart.

In a move that would surely end the title hopes of his old friend Sir Alex Ferguson, Mourinho wants to take the England striker to the Santiago Bernabeu to partner him with Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is widely expected that Brazilian superstar Kaka, signed for almost £60m last summer, will be sold by Mourinho to help finance his efforts to build a ‘team’ in the Spanish capital. Whether the former AC Milan playmaker will be used as a makeweight in the deal is unknown, but Champions League winning boss Mourinho is desperate to get his man. Real president Florentino Perez is willing to pay whatever it takes to lure Rooney to La Liga.

Relations are rocky, at best, between the two clubs but Mourinho wants to exploit his friendship with Ferguson to get a deal off the ground. There is enough conjecture surrounding the finances at Old Trafford to fill New York’s Public Library but an offer of almost £100m, for one player, could be too good to turn down.

With a reported £734m worth of debt on their books, the chance to wipe a considerable amount of that off in one hit would be a great opportunity for the Glazer family. Whether the fans would accept it is highly debateable. To lose their star turn to Madrid for the second successive summer would be a bitter pill to swallow. The ridicule of being looked up as a ‘feeder club’ for Real would be of even greater embarrassment. After all, this is a club that prides itself on being one of the biggest in the world.

The prospect of the new, matured Rooney in tandem with the spectacular Ronaldo and free-scoring Higuain would be mouth-watering for Madridistas everywhere. Former Everton striker Rooney fits the Mourinho mould perfectly. He is hard-working and willing to sacrifice himself for the team, something Mourinho believes he will not get from Kaka, hence his increasing level of interest.

Could Rooney be tempted? Well, possibly. Rooney is very proud of his roots in the North-West of England, but will there ever be a better time to move to Spain? His baby son Kai has just been born and could be brought up in the Spanish capital. His earnings would rocket into a whole new stratosphere. His wife, Colleen, would welcome the warmer, sunnier climate of Madrid. Wayne might even like it too.

Of course, Rooney loves his life at Manchester United and has said on numerous occasions that he wants to end his career at the Theatre of Dreams. He is the idol of every man, woman and child inside Old Trafford and believes he is lucky to have the chance to play for Ferguson.

But, and there always is a but in these circumstances, Ferguson will retire one day and the uncertainty may eventually unsettle Rooney. Might he be tempted to jump ship before the chance disappears? Could United realistically turn down £95m?

If Rooney leaves Old Trafford for the Bernabeu then the tradition and status of Manchester United would go with him. For the sake of Manchester United Football Club, Jose Mourinho, for once, must not get his way. For the sake of Manchester United Football Club, Real Madrid must be told to ‘go whistle’. For the sake of Manchester United Football Club, Wayne Rooney must stay at Old Trafford.

Can Real tempt Rooney to leave Manchester? What would it mean for United?

Fernando Torres: will he or won’t he?

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Fernando Torres goes into next month’s World Cup with his head spinning after a torrid season at Liverpool. Rumour has it he wants away from Anfield this summer, but where will he end up?

Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona are all known to be admirers of El Nino but more will try their luck if the Spaniard becomes available.

Liverpool will be in a strong position should their star man follow Cesc Fabregas’ path and request a move. Rafa Benitez will be able to start a bidding war. So, let’s assess the major contenders for his signature.

Chelsea: The Blues are allegedly at the front of the queue for Torres and they could certainly compete should a likely bidding war ensue. Backed by Roman Abramovich’s billions Carlo Ancelotti would fancy his chances of netting arguably the world’s finest striker. But, do Chelsea need him? They do have Didier Drogba after all. Drogba won the Golden Boot this season and Torres is highly susceptible to injury. He could cost upwards of £70million, surely Chelsea would be better served refreshing their team in other areas.

Manchester City: Torres is widely speculated to be Roberto Mancini’s number one target. Wages? Whatever Torres wants. Fee? Whatever Liverpool want. Money is not a problem for City, but they have one big problem and it’s called the Champions League. The primary reason for Torres leaving Anfield would be the lure of Champions League football, something the Eastlands outfit cannot offer. The former Atletico Madrid captain is motivated by success, not his bank balance, so a move to City does not make sense.

Barcelona: The prospect is mouthwatering. Lionel Messi, David Villa and Fernando Torres as a three-pronged forward line would be unstoppable. With Xavi, Andres Iniesta and, in all likelihood, Fabregas the supply line would be constant and deadly. But, can Barcelona afford him? And, do they even need him? They have Zlatan Ibrahimovic too and he wants to prove himself at the Camp Nou. Having already spent £40million on Villa and £60million last year on Ibrahimovic, can they justify £70million on Torres. Pep Guardiola knows what he is doing and Torres, Messi and Villa seems too good to be true…it probably is.

Real Madrid: It is no secret that Torres has said he will never play in the white of Real. He is Atletico born and bred, he was their youngest ever captain and is still a legend at the Vicente Calderon. Torres would not sacrifice his reputation, standing and legacy with the Atletico faithful to join Jose Mourinho (as seems almost guaranteed now) at the Santiago Bernabeu. I’m sorry Madridistas this will simply not happen.

Inter Milan: Italian football is back! Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho claimed the Champions League in Madrid this week, so Serie A can consider itself back in the big time. Internazionale are rich enough to stay in the race for Torres but will they be as successful next season? Mourinho is on his way to Spain and Inter cannot guarantee that the new boss will be able to keep them in the hunt for the biggest prizes. Torres wants trophies and, with Mourinho, Inter would stand a great chance. Without the Portuguese, I can’t see Torres moving to Italy.

Manchester United: Contrary to popular belief, the Red Devils could afford Torres’ potentially massive transfer fee. But, and it’s a very sizeable but, Fernando Torres plays for Liverpool. He is not a mercenary, he has morals and he loves the Liverpool fans. He will never move to the other end of the East Lancs Road. Torres to United is a complete non-starter.

So, the big question, where will Fernando Torres start next season? I know where I would be putting my money. Liverpool. He will not go to Real or United. City are not in the Champions League and Inter are about to lose Jose Mourinho. The only real possibilities are Chelsea and Barcelona. However, neither of them need to spend £70million on him.

Whether he likes it or not…El Nino is stuck at Anfield.

Mourinho makes his move for Chelsea stars

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Jose Mourinho’s first act as Real Madrid manager will be an official offer to Chelsea for Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

It is widely acknowledged that tonight’s Champions League final, at the Santiago Bernabeu, will mark the end of Mourinho’s Inter Milan reign. It is cruel for fans of the Serie A Champions that it will also come at the home of the club who have stolen him away…Real Madrid.

Speculation that had been mounting for months has finally turned into acceptance that the controversial Portuguese will begin next season in charge of the Madrid giants. In fact, the former Chelsea boss is already planning moves that will send shockwaves through Europe.

Mourinho knows how attached the Chelsea squad are to him after guiding them to their first two Premier League titles. Not only does he know it, he intends to use it to his advantage.

It was only two years ago that Lampard openly flirted with the idea of moving to Italy when Mourinho came calling for him. Ultimately he decided to stay but this time Mourinho thinks he will get his man. Madrid are confident that an offer of £25million will be enough to convince Chelsea to release their 20-goal-a-season midfielder. That price represents a bargain for Madrid who want to partner the England midfielder with Xabi Alonso and an unnamed defensive midfielder, believed to be Liverpool target Javi Martinez.

Recently axed Real boss Manuel Pellegrini operated with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka as free spirits. Mourinho rarely affords players such freedom and even with the expectations of the Bernabeu faithful, he will not change his methods. Ronaldo is expected to be assigned the right and Kaka the left of an attacking triumvate headed by another Chelsea hero, Didier Drogba.

Mourinho brought Drogba to England from Marseille and in the aftermath of his sudden departure the Ivory Coast forward became unsettled at the Bridge. Drogba enjoyed a sensational season as he fired Chelsea to a third Premier League title and won the Golden Boot in the process but the lure of Real Madrid and Mourinho would be too much for Drogba resist.  Real President Florentino Perez has put aside a further £30million to make Mourinho’s dream of teaming Drogba with Ronaldo and Kaka a reality.

The earth shattering double offer will be in the offices of Stamford Bridge as soon as Mourinho completes his switch to the Bernabeu. Chelsea will not be happy, but they may not have a choice. Financially the offers represent good value for two players in their 30’s and Roman Abramovich is now trying to run the club as an effective business after years of excess.

The problem is, it would rip the very spine of Carlo Ancelotti’s title-winning team apart. The Blues may be able to negotiate a deal for Gonzalo Higuain in part-exchange but Lampard and Drogba are integral to Chelsea’s style and losing either could be calamitous. To lose both…catastrophic!

Can Mourinho pull off this major double coup? If he can, does it confirm the shift in the balance of power to La Liga?

Man City muscle in on race for Spanish star

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Manchester City are intent on delivering a hammer blow to Barcelona’s hopes of signing Cesc Fabregas.

Rumours are swirling around Eastlands that Chief Executive Garry Cook has been authorised to make a stunning £65million bid for the Spanish international. The news will devastate fans at the Camp Nou who were desperately waiting to see the midfielder return to light up Catalonia.

It is believed that City made a last gasp effort to convince David Villa that he should move to England with an extraordinary £350,000 per week contract. However, the former Valencia striker turned down the cash to stay in Spain with Barcelona. The Catalan giants were riled by City’s attempt to snatch Villa and will no doubt be fuming that the Citizens are now plotting to blow them out of the water in the race for Fabregas.

Roberto Mancini’s side have been linked to just about everybody in recent days but an Eastlands insider confirmed: “There have been talks about a bid for Fabregas. The money is about the same as [Fernando] Torres.”

Fabregas has expressed his desire to leave the Emirates and Barca were expecting to negotiate a deal with Arsenal his services before the World Cup. However, City’s interest, and belief that they can attract another superstar, means Fabregas’ future may have to be decided on his return from South Africa.

City do not expect Fabregas to sign for them but the move demonstrates their power in the market. The former Barcelona trainee will be offered wages in the region £250,000 a week (after tax) by the Eastlands outfit who will not give up until the 23-year-old signs on the dotted line at the Camp Nou.

The only problem for City is that they are also considering a move for Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who would be available for about £45million. However, with City driving the cost of Fabregas’ transfer up then Barca will undoubtedly may want more cash to part with the Swede who has failed to set the world alight in Spain.

Can City take Fabregas to Manchester? It would be a massive coup, and you just never know…..

The ‘El Nino’ War

Athletico Madrid Versus Liverpool is going to be by far the most anticipated game in liverpool’s season. and the biggest in the season of Fernando ‘El Nino’ Torres.

Back to his boyhood heroes and the team he lead for so many years, after he bitterly lost the fitness race for the previous encounter, he will be raring to go this time around. It was his goals that secured Liverpool their place in the semi-final after a closely fought battle with Benfica where Liverpool were 4-1 winners in the second leg with a 5-3 win overall on aggregate. His fitness looked questionable after being taken off in the 86th minute, where he headed straight for the tunnel and was not on the pitch for the final whistle celebration. He will be more than excited at the prospect of going to back to his old stomping ground the Vicente Calderón stadium. where he was adored my many and still is to this day. no doubt his name will be chanted with pride on the night, afterall he may have moved on but he is still a Atleti boy at heart. he may be gone from but never forgotten in the heart of every true Athletico fan. Fernando Torres ALWAYS will be a hero in the minds of all surrounding the club.

The Question is will Fernando rule with his head or his heart on the night ?

Maxi Rodriguez also came to us from Athletico Madrid but will be unable to face his old club due to being inelligable after playing for them in Europe this season.

The game will be extremely close and Athletico are an extremely strong team, as many will remember from the two legs against them previously, my prediction is for a 1-1 draw in the first leg and Liverpool will edge the second leg by a slender lead of 2-1.

Barcelona V Arsenal – Game Of The Century?

After the first 15 minutes of Part 1 of this highly anticipated Champions League tie, one would have been forgiven for thinking that Part 2 would merely be a formality. Arsenal were completely dominated from the off by Barcelona and if not for the heroics of the much-maligned goal-keeper, Manuel Almunia, would well have been 4 goals down. But as has become customary of the Arsenal team this season, they remained strong in the face of adversity, slowly got back into the game and went into half-time on level terms.

Read the rest of this entry »

AC 4Eva: Kaka To Madrid

As much as I am disapointed with Kaka’s move I wasn’t as suprised as most and I didn’t really think he’d stay after Lenardo announced we would be playing a 4-3-3 formation. Kaka was pritty much forced out so I forgive him.