LA LIGA & REAL MADRID

[fingolfin]

... yeah, hope he will. Only 19 year old. They won the first leg of their Copa del Rey.

..Robinho is forced to play at front, he's only an attacking midfielder now he'll be a full blooded strkier.

[raul julia]

next up for the galacticos, a difficult away game to Villarreal........hopefully no more holiday hang-over. .

[raul julia]

comments on Cassano's move to Real Madrid (by Gabriele Marcotti)

What comes after the holidays? January sales, of course!
Step right up and get yourself a deal. As always, there are deep, deep discounts, particularly on players whose contracts expire in June. The most obvious case is that of Antonio Cassano, whose move to Real Madrid was the first big deal of the transfer window.
Real paid $6.7 million for the 23-year-old AS Roma striker. Quite a steal when you consider that Roma had shelled out no less than $30 million for him four years ago, when he became the most expensive teenager in history (a record since eclipsed by Wayne Rooney).
It was even more of a steal when you consider that Cassano is one of the most naturally gifted players in the world, a guy who, if he goes to the next level, will fully justify Gal?ctico status.
Real got Cassano at a knock-down price, much like Michael Owen 18 months earlier, because he was due to become a Bosman free agent in June. Debt-laden Roma wanted to cash in on him, but he turned down all the team's contract extension offers, which meant the Giallorossi had to sell him now or lose him for nothing at the end of a season.
And, as we know from Economics 101, a "motivated seller" has no leverage whatsoever, which is why Cassano fetched little more than one-fifth his original transfer fee.
Real Madrid had indicated that, after years of buying players based on commercial considerations (i.e. bringing in big names who could sell jerseys rather than worrying about how they fit together), it would go back to basics by putting winning first.
Cassano's signing would indicate that nothing has changed.
For starters, he doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. In terms of playing style, Cassano is a stockier version of Robinho, Real's other wunderkind. The Brazilian has been firing blanks since his big money move from Santos, but then, given the pressure and hype surrounding him, as well as the massive transition, it's only fair to give him time to settle.
Yet you have to wonder how much of a chance to adapt Robinho will be given that there is now another guy in his position competing for playing time.
The real concern about Cassano, however, is his head. To say he is a difficult character is an understatement. Even at Roma, a club and a city where indiscipline is tolerated if accompanied by genius (and, make no mistake about it, Cassano is a genius) he still managed to annoy everybody in sight with a series of hissy fits, mega-sulks, rows with teammates and missed training sessions.
It has always been said that he just needs to "grow up." And to do so he needs a calm, stable environment where he can continue to develop at his own pace.
Now does that sound like Real Madrid to you?
And yet -- and here's the sign that "the P?rez hasn't changed his spots" -- his signing probably makes commercial sense. Not because he sells jerseys -- not yet, anyway -- but because the risk-reward aspect is outrageously good. If he succeeds, the upside is enormous.
If he fails, what's the worst-case scenario? After a few seasons at the Bernab?u, he'll still be just 26 and there will be no shortage of clubs willing to take a gamble on him, especially since Real won't need to get too much back for him to recoup its investment.

[fingolfin]

Real Madrid had indicated that, after years of buying players based on commercial considerations (i.e. bringing in big names who could sell jerseys rather than worrying about how they fit together), it would go back to basics by putting winning first.

..yeah right, stupid perez. that statement is a damn insult to Beckham, Figo and Zidane and Ronaldo. Now he's putting all the blame on his Galacticos. I dont know what to do with this guy.

[raul julia]

Cicinho is rumored to start in favor of Beckham(who is suspended for their next LaLiga Game) @ right midfield in their game away to Villarreal>..

[K|D]

IMO, Madrid should also improve their junior team so that they would not push very young players right away into the limelight.... This way they can get used to the Madrid style football, then move up to the Senior team when they've adjusted already...

[yangski]

im not a fan of real..i just want to commet...im no football guru but the problem with real is too much publicity...everytime a big shot player is wants a way out from their current team, interesado dayon ang real...nawagtang ang focus nila which ultimately win the spanish liga ang eventually UEFA....so wlay focus...yun lang po...

[fingolfin]

@yangski, blame it on their president.

[K|D]

Arsenal 7 - Middlesbrough 0

Thierry Henry - hat-trick!!!!

What can I say, it's gonna be a good year for him. Hope he finally gets a POY honors

http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/e....jsp?page=home - mine is arriving next week!!!! weeee!!!!

[fingolfin]

..madrid eased to spanish cup quarter, killing off Bilbao 5-0 on aggregate. Betis is waiting for them......