There are not many FOOTBALL duels bigger than the ones involving REAL MADRID (RM) & BARCELONA (Barca) and isn't it FANTASTIC that we have another barely one month after the last one?? I disagree totally with San Iker (Iker Casillas) that the EL CLASICO is fast losing its shine because of the frequency of meetings. Perhaps, he is afraid of being destroyed again by Pep Guardiola's men. Who wouldn't?
It is not that it is pre-planned or fixed. Oh! far from it. Even the most pessimistic football fan cannot agree less that when Jose 'the special one' Mourinho arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would most certainly challenge Barcelona on all fronts and he hasn't done badly in that regard. Although most will argue that since he became coach of the Merengues (Real Madrid), he has only won 1 out of a possible 8 games v Barcelona, drawing 3 and losing the rest. That is not something to write home about for a manager of his calibre and very impressive coaching stats.He has another chance to put things right when he faces the Catalans later today in the 1st leg of the CDR-Copa Del Rey at the Bernabeu.
The sanctuary of Real Madrid has become a playground for Guardiola and Barcelona in recent years, something that hasn't gone down well with followers of the Capital club. Since 2008, Guardiola has won every match (including the 6-2 bashing in 09-10) at the Bernabeu (except 2-this season's 1st leg SPANISH SUPER CUP tie, and the league game last season which ended in 2-2, and 1-1 draws respectively) and he will be very confident of coming away with YET another victory tonight especially on the occasion of his 41st birthday which coincidentally is on this day. The former Blaugrana midfielder has carved a niche for himself as the best manager in the World unarguably, but even by his lofty standards, he would be well aware that Mourinho is not far off and therefore wouldn't rest on his laurels. In Messi (13 goals in CLASICO meetings), Barcelona have in their armoury, a 3 time FIFA-BALON D'OR winner and certainly the best footballer in the WORLD today. He has managed a staggering 33 goals this season and we are only in January. He trails another goal machine and persistent rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the PICHICHI (Highest goal scorer award in LA LIGA), but this is a different scenario entirely. But you ask yourself, what situation does Messi find difficult to control???none that I can remember in a Barcelona apparel since Pep took over. Ably supported by Messrs' Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets, Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Alexis Sanchez,etc... there is no looking past them to qualify to the semi-finals on the basis of the team sheet and previous results.
It is not often anyways that Jose Mourinho's teams go into games as UNDERDOGS...But this is one of the few or maybe the only sort of game that it occurs. Mou has tried a few formations in the past to stop Barca. Both Positive and Negative, all have proved exercises in FUTILITY. Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira aka Pepe has been deployed to man mark Messi..(something that only Esteban Cambiasso has done effectively), yet it has failed, not because Pepe didn't put in his best performance, but simply as a result of the little Argie's immense capabilities on the ball. Jose will be aiming to use a different strategy this time, after the one he employed in December yielded no fruitful outcome. He will take some positives from the League game last month nevertheless. His boys played a very good match for 45 minutes or thereabout until they collapsed immediately after Marcelo's freak own goal. Players like Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, Benzema and Lassana Diarra must put in their best shifts today. Alonso most especially must hold the game by the scruff of the neck and do well to dictate proceedings from the middle of the pack. Easier said than done, but there is no harm trying. Ronaldo has to also put on his scoring boots and contribute more all round as he mostly suffers from stage fright when he faces Barca. With only 1 outfield goal (the extra time winner in last year's CDR final) against the men from Catalunya, it hasn't been one of his favourite games obviously. Mourinho can try all he can to defend the Portuguese Magician and the World's most COMPLETE footballer...however, the only way he can bury his demons is to stand up and be counted tomorrow and that he MUST do for RM to have any chance whatsoever of taking a good lead into the 2ND LEG a week from today at the NOU CAMP.
Ohis Eboreime
follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Tuesday 17 January 2012
LONDON V MANCHESTER:Episode 2. SUPER SUNDAY CLASSIC
Who would have thought that the 11-12 EPL season will be packed with so much enthralling and exciting events? A friend of mine calls it the 'STUFF OF DREAMS'. 2 or 3 years ago, no one would have called a match involving Tottenham and Manchester City a big game, but all that has changed.
The on-going battle between London (ARSENAL & SPURS) and Manchester (UNITED AND CITY) is a fierce one. I am not by any means taking Chelsea out of the equation, but sadly they do not play on SUPER SUNDAY, hence the unintentional omission. Earlier on in the season, MANCHESTER dominated the meetings against London clubs, with United annihilating Arsenal 8-2 at the Theatre of Dreams (OLD TRAFFORD) and City destroying Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane. Despite the fact that both London clubs have remarkably come to the fore after the embarrassing defeats, revenge will not be far from the minds of the players when they trader tackles on Sunday, the 22ND of January.
Since the disappointments suffered by WENGER AND REDKNAPP, they have completely transformed their respective teams from strugglers to serious contenders for the Premier League trophy, the latter being the more astonishing. Spurs have experienced a renaissance since their early season capitulations (refer to my article on the 'lilywhites' on OPOSTS) and sit just 5 points behind leaders Manchester City whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal on the other hand, are a little bit far off in 5th, but deserve eulogies for their amazing turnaround in fortunes which saw them defeat Chelsea at the Bridge and pull off some magnificent results along the way. Although they are an almost unassailable 15 points behind leaders City, they would fancy a shot at the title they haven't won for 8 years now (since 2004) and what better way to do it, than to see off arch-rivals Manchester United and consequently inflict more harm on the red army's title aspirations. This is more of a 6 pointer for ARSENAL AND SPURS than for their Manchester counterparts, because anything other than an outright victory against the big two spells danger for any title ambitions they are nurturing.
Spurs go into their crunch tie v City in good form. Bar the recent draw v Wolves, they have done really well in previous games against West Brom and Everton (although the former was a below-par performance, but they still came out victorious) and will fancy their chances of stealing at least a point from the surprise pace setters. City on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, no thanks to the absence of Midfield fulcrum, driver and director----YAYA TOURE (who is off to the African Cup of Nations), his elder brother, Kolo, and Vincent and Captain, Leader and defensive rock, Vincent Kompany (who was deservedly sent off in the FA CUP defeat v neighbours, MAN UTD). Mancini's wards have been dumped out of the FA CUP by Biggest headache-MUFC, lost the 1st leg of the Carling Cup at home to Liverpool, amongst others. Although they got back to winning ways on Monday at the DW stadium v Wigan, it wasn't a vintage City performance....certainly not one they would be proud of , but that's what makes the difference when awards are handed out and Titles are hoisted at the end of the season. Kompany and the Toure brothers will sit this one out too, but the Etihad landlords will be buoyed by the fact that the effulgent David Silva, arguably the best EPL player this season, is available for selection. The nimble and quick-witted Spanish PARAGON has the rare ability to decide a match on his own and his contributions will be telling on Sunday. Spurs also bring some terrific footballers to the Etihad on Sunday. Luka Modric (tired of paying tributes to his immense talents), Scott Parker, Rafa Van Der Vaart, Aaaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Emma Adebayor all have the quality the swing any match in their favour. The return of Michael Dawson also provides the much needed boost in defense, although the last time he played against City, it was a whitewash.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above any other striker in EUROPE at the MOMENT (Mario Gomez, Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, El Matador Cavani & KJ Huntelaar inclusive + Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not strikers in my opinion) and he has the records to show for his invaluable contributions to the Arsenal cause in the last 365 days or thereabouts. He has been almost IMPECCABLE. 22 goals this season (18 in the EPL) and a handful of assists goes a long way to buttress his exceptional and meteoric rise to the EXCLUSIVE LEAGUE of the World's most gifted footballers. He is certainly the danger man on Sunday when they come face to face with a Manchester United team that haven't hit top gear yet, despite victories in their last 2 games. The Gunners will look to put behind back to back successive away defeats to Fulham and Swansea when the Red Devils come calling.
Prior to the FA cup tie involving both Manchester Clubs, Fergie again pulled one of the surprises of the Century, unleashing PAUL 'THE GINGER MAESTRO' Scholes. The 2nd coming of a man Zizou described as one of the best footballers of his generation, came as a huge shock to everyone that follows the beautiful game. Noel Gallagher, former MCFC player exclaimed that it was 'LAUGHABLE' seeing Scholsy return to active soccer. However, greatness is in-born, and everlasting....as if he needed to prove the likes of Noel wrong, he opened the floodgates at OLD TRAFFORDMUFC goal and 1st on his 2nd coming. That has kept a lot of doubters and cynics quiet at least for the time being. Arsenal had earlier on , completed the loan signing of a certain Thierry Henry, who in my view is the best footballer ever to star in the English top flight. The french god came back to a surrounding in which he had etched his great name in the sands of time. 226 phenomenal goals don't come everyday for a footballer. He is so revered in North London that after only 8 meritorious years of service, he has a statue erected in his honour...WELL DESERVED. He followed the laid down script by coming on 2 Mondays ago, and scoring his 227th goal and 1st on his 2nd coming to take the gooners to the 4th round of the FA CUP at the expense of a Leeds team who gave their all, until the KING OF HIGHBURY came along to render their efforts irrelevant. He was in a wee bit of trouble after the Swansea game....He allegedly had an altercation with a fan...but that has since been swept under the carpet. Why not????It is the LEGENDARY TITI and am in full support of it. Rio Ferdinand has been all over the news ranting and shouting to whoever has ears, that he is chuffed at the return of both Scholsy and Henry who he described as 2 of the 5 players he rates as his all time best campaigners in EPL HISTORY. He will have to be at the very top of his game to stop not only RVP, but the MASTER GOALSCORER HIMSELF (HENRY).
Manchester United of course always possess the best footballers money can buy. In Wayne Rooney, they have in their ranks, the best striker of 2011 (according to FIFA) and on his day, he is UNPLAYABLE. An inconsistent goalscorer, YES....BUT he remains United's arrowhead, leader and most important player. If SAF and his soldiers harbour any hopes of taking anything away from the Emirates after 90 minutes, then WAZZA (Rooney's nickname) must bring his A game.United have other players who can decide the game. Players like Antonio Valencia, Old war horse Giggs, Nani (when he is well), and Michael Carrick all have it in them to ensure victory for the red devils.
Whatever happens at the end of the day, the games (if not marred by annoying decisions of the officials) promise to be really INTENSE AND CAPTIVATING.
Ohireime Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
The on-going battle between London (ARSENAL & SPURS) and Manchester (UNITED AND CITY) is a fierce one. I am not by any means taking Chelsea out of the equation, but sadly they do not play on SUPER SUNDAY, hence the unintentional omission. Earlier on in the season, MANCHESTER dominated the meetings against London clubs, with United annihilating Arsenal 8-2 at the Theatre of Dreams (OLD TRAFFORD) and City destroying Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane. Despite the fact that both London clubs have remarkably come to the fore after the embarrassing defeats, revenge will not be far from the minds of the players when they trader tackles on Sunday, the 22ND of January.
Since the disappointments suffered by WENGER AND REDKNAPP, they have completely transformed their respective teams from strugglers to serious contenders for the Premier League trophy, the latter being the more astonishing. Spurs have experienced a renaissance since their early season capitulations (refer to my article on the 'lilywhites' on OPOSTS) and sit just 5 points behind leaders Manchester City whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal on the other hand, are a little bit far off in 5th, but deserve eulogies for their amazing turnaround in fortunes which saw them defeat Chelsea at the Bridge and pull off some magnificent results along the way. Although they are an almost unassailable 15 points behind leaders City, they would fancy a shot at the title they haven't won for 8 years now (since 2004) and what better way to do it, than to see off arch-rivals Manchester United and consequently inflict more harm on the red army's title aspirations. This is more of a 6 pointer for ARSENAL AND SPURS than for their Manchester counterparts, because anything other than an outright victory against the big two spells danger for any title ambitions they are nurturing.
Spurs go into their crunch tie v City in good form. Bar the recent draw v Wolves, they have done really well in previous games against West Brom and Everton (although the former was a below-par performance, but they still came out victorious) and will fancy their chances of stealing at least a point from the surprise pace setters. City on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, no thanks to the absence of Midfield fulcrum, driver and director----YAYA TOURE (who is off to the African Cup of Nations), his elder brother, Kolo, and Vincent and Captain, Leader and defensive rock, Vincent Kompany (who was deservedly sent off in the FA CUP defeat v neighbours, MAN UTD). Mancini's wards have been dumped out of the FA CUP by Biggest headache-MUFC, lost the 1st leg of the Carling Cup at home to Liverpool, amongst others. Although they got back to winning ways on Monday at the DW stadium v Wigan, it wasn't a vintage City performance....certainly not one they would be proud of , but that's what makes the difference when awards are handed out and Titles are hoisted at the end of the season. Kompany and the Toure brothers will sit this one out too, but the Etihad landlords will be buoyed by the fact that the effulgent David Silva, arguably the best EPL player this season, is available for selection. The nimble and quick-witted Spanish PARAGON has the rare ability to decide a match on his own and his contributions will be telling on Sunday. Spurs also bring some terrific footballers to the Etihad on Sunday. Luka Modric (tired of paying tributes to his immense talents), Scott Parker, Rafa Van Der Vaart, Aaaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Emma Adebayor all have the quality the swing any match in their favour. The return of Michael Dawson also provides the much needed boost in defense, although the last time he played against City, it was a whitewash.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above any other striker in EUROPE at the MOMENT (Mario Gomez, Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, El Matador Cavani & KJ Huntelaar inclusive + Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not strikers in my opinion) and he has the records to show for his invaluable contributions to the Arsenal cause in the last 365 days or thereabouts. He has been almost IMPECCABLE. 22 goals this season (18 in the EPL) and a handful of assists goes a long way to buttress his exceptional and meteoric rise to the EXCLUSIVE LEAGUE of the World's most gifted footballers. He is certainly the danger man on Sunday when they come face to face with a Manchester United team that haven't hit top gear yet, despite victories in their last 2 games. The Gunners will look to put behind back to back successive away defeats to Fulham and Swansea when the Red Devils come calling.
Prior to the FA cup tie involving both Manchester Clubs, Fergie again pulled one of the surprises of the Century, unleashing PAUL 'THE GINGER MAESTRO' Scholes. The 2nd coming of a man Zizou described as one of the best footballers of his generation, came as a huge shock to everyone that follows the beautiful game. Noel Gallagher, former MCFC player exclaimed that it was 'LAUGHABLE' seeing Scholsy return to active soccer. However, greatness is in-born, and everlasting....as if he needed to prove the likes of Noel wrong, he opened the floodgates at OLD TRAFFORDMUFC goal and 1st on his 2nd coming. That has kept a lot of doubters and cynics quiet at least for the time being. Arsenal had earlier on , completed the loan signing of a certain Thierry Henry, who in my view is the best footballer ever to star in the English top flight. The french god came back to a surrounding in which he had etched his great name in the sands of time. 226 phenomenal goals don't come everyday for a footballer. He is so revered in North London that after only 8 meritorious years of service, he has a statue erected in his honour...WELL DESERVED. He followed the laid down script by coming on 2 Mondays ago, and scoring his 227th goal and 1st on his 2nd coming to take the gooners to the 4th round of the FA CUP at the expense of a Leeds team who gave their all, until the KING OF HIGHBURY came along to render their efforts irrelevant. He was in a wee bit of trouble after the Swansea game....He allegedly had an altercation with a fan...but that has since been swept under the carpet. Why not????It is the LEGENDARY TITI and am in full support of it. Rio Ferdinand has been all over the news ranting and shouting to whoever has ears, that he is chuffed at the return of both Scholsy and Henry who he described as 2 of the 5 players he rates as his all time best campaigners in EPL HISTORY. He will have to be at the very top of his game to stop not only RVP, but the MASTER GOALSCORER HIMSELF (HENRY).
Manchester United of course always possess the best footballers money can buy. In Wayne Rooney, they have in their ranks, the best striker of 2011 (according to FIFA) and on his day, he is UNPLAYABLE. An inconsistent goalscorer, YES....BUT he remains United's arrowhead, leader and most important player. If SAF and his soldiers harbour any hopes of taking anything away from the Emirates after 90 minutes, then WAZZA (Rooney's nickname) must bring his A game.United have other players who can decide the game. Players like Antonio Valencia, Old war horse Giggs, Nani (when he is well), and Michael Carrick all have it in them to ensure victory for the red devils.
Whatever happens at the end of the day, the games (if not marred by annoying decisions of the officials) promise to be really INTENSE AND CAPTIVATING.
Ohireime Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
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