La Liga Espa�ola

I've just watched Sevilla Real game first half. Real is only background for Sevilla. I know its only one half but lookin at Real squad they have no stars except Casillsa and getting old Raul. They bought some Pepe for 30 milions euro  and in the squad they have rather mediocre players. Their forward look bad and defence even worse. I'm afraid that even Schuster can not make much of it. Perez transfer politics seems to be total disaster. What do You think? 

Originally posted by Kaysaar They picked up Javier Saviola, who was a solid striker for Barcelona last year. They already had Ruud Van Nistelrooy (one of the league leaders in goals), Robinho, and Canavarra. Personally I hope that FC Barcelona trounces them this year. Yo si le voy le voy al Bar�a!

New coach and many transfers in and out, it's gonna take them some time to learn how to play with each other.   I don't know much about the new coach Schuster other than that he was a descent player and coached coached Getafe to La Liga's best defensive team last season.  Adding Robben and Sneijder brings the Dutch feel to this roster along with Van Nistelrooy.  With Robinho, Saviola and even Julio Baptista, does Raul still have a spot in this starting lineup?  But Raul is such a homer and he has excepted that he is no longer the 'go to' guy for this team so he's been dropping back a little to help out the midfield.  Actually both Sneijder and Raul has scored in their La Liga season opener against Atletico Madrid.
Emerson's out.  He never really fitted well in Madrid even under Capello. That leaves Diarra, Guti, Julio Batista, Gago for central and defensive midfield.  This group is the key to their success this season.  Defensively Diarra is lengthy and athletic but his ability to hold the ball or turning a good defensive play to instant counter attack is less than satisfying.  Guti, Julio Baptista, Gago all can help out the offense but I don't see any one of them as a 'lock down' defensive midfielders.  Where are you Makalele, Seedorf, Cambiasso, Geremi?  But I think their back line has improved from last season.  Roberto Carlos is gone but I thought he was getting old and predictable anyway.  Sergio Ramos was a sweet surprise from last season and he will be a Blanco for years to come.  I'm not sure that Pepe guy is really worth 30 mil but Metzelder and Gabriel Heinze with Cannavaro are pretty intimidating at least.
If I was Schuster with this roster, my starting lineup would be;

                                                    Van Nistelrooy
                                                                                      Robinho
                            Robben
                                                      Guti                Julio Baptista                                                   
                                         Diarra
                                                                                             Sergio Ramos
                  Heinze                                                                
                                         Metzelder           
                                                                       Cannavaro


                                                     Casillas



with Raul, Saviola, Sneijder, Iguain, Gago, Pepe and Dudek coming off the bench.  Woops, I forgot about Salgado but he's been so forgettable past few seasons.

Raul and Saviola are still good enough to be stars of any other team in the world.

Yes, Barcelona's front four is anybody's wet dream.  But where do you put Deco?  I'm not a huge Deco fan but he is great for what he does which is being the bridge between all their talented forwards/wingers and their defense.  Remember this, Barcelona didn't win any trophy last year not because they didn't have enough talents upfront.   Chemistry will be  the biggest concern for this team.    Almost too much talents for one ball to play with.  Even with Eto'o and Messi's injuries, guys like Saviola, Guily didn't see much of the ball.   And They didn't lose La Liga because Eto'o and Messi were hurt, they were still at the top by the time both got healthy.  This Barcelona team does look more like the Galacticos and we all know what happen to the Real Madrid's Galacticos when Beckham and Owen joined them.

I'm torned.  Barcelona is my favorite team but Robinho is my favorite player.  And Ronaldinho is the second favorite.  It would be great for me if Robinho and Messi switched teams. 

I don't know. It would be crazy to think Real Madrid can have better season than Barca  but that is exactly what happened  last season.   But in the end, winning La Liga requires more consistancy throughout whole season than winning Copa Del Rey or even Champs League.  Winning the league is just  much harder for a team who has to implement a new system with new coach and many new players.  So maybe if they can have a couple of lucky game in the early rounds of Champs League, they might be able to put it together by the time later rounds come around, just like AC Milan last season.

                                                    


Edited by King Kang of Mu - 26-Aug-2007 at 15:00

I'm disappointed with Barca's first outing. They seem to be picking up right where they left off at the end of last season, with lack-luster play. I hope that Rikjaard gave them a thorough tongue lashing following the game. I was decently optimistic following their pre-season games. Fortunately this funk is happening at the beginning of the season rather than in the midst of a title chase. I think that as the season progresses the players will settle into their roles.

Yes, Barcelona will be fine.  I was just getting heated up for the new season.  What's up with the broadcasting rights dispute in Spain?  That's pissing me off even more.  Greedy Bastards!  I'm afraid that major football broadcasting coverage will slowly become more like Boxing coverage, Pay Per View, and have the same affect on the sport.  They just hook you on it and take it away like a dope dealer.  I've been lucky though.  Between Gol TV, Fox Soccer Channel, Setanta, I'm getting Spanish, Italian, German, English, Dutch, French, Scottish, Brazilian, Argentinian, Mexican, American,  Uruguayan,  Paraguayan,  Colombian,  Ecuadorian,  Bolivian,  Guatemalan,  El Salvadorian, Honduran  League games.  Also getting Japanese and Australian highlight shows.  If I had Portuguese, Greek, Turkish and Russian League, I'd be complete. Of course there is always a game on my  TV but between busy schedule and a girlfriend, I'm lucky to catch three full games a week.  But all those don't mean much if i don't get my Real and Barca.

It's just gonna be a great season.  So many layers of rivalries, Real vs Barca, Robinho vs Ronaldinho, Robinho vs Messi, The Future of Brazil vs The Future of Argentina, Henry vs Van Nistelrooy, Puyol vs Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos vs Abidal......  Long Live Football!


Edited by King Kang of Mu - 29-Aug-2007 at 10:39

I don't know but... Real Madrid reminds me something of 12th century's Byzantium. Capable roster , poor offensive ability

As it seems this will be a good season for Real.

Originally posted by Majkes I've just watched Sevilla Real game first half. Real is only background for Sevilla. I know its only one half but lookin at Real squad they have no stars except Casillsa and getting old Raul. They bought some Pepe for 30 milions euro  and in the squad they have rather mediocre players. Their forward look bad and defence even worse. I'm afraid that even Schuster can not make much of it. Perez transfer politics seems to be total disaster. What do You think?

Hey, how does that foot in your mouth taste?  Bit salty?  Don't be mad.  If you wanna start a thread with such hateful title and post, you should be able to take one as well.   Come  on, truce?

Methinks it might be time for an actual Liga thread...

Either way, I was very pleased with Bar�a's play this past week. I'm a huge Ronaldinho fan, but I share Kang's apprehension about his return. Bar�a thrives when players like Deco, Xavi and Iniesta control the center, and then set up the strikers. Just look at the number of total shots by Barcelona. They took 25 shots against Zaragoza, and were it not for the skilled play of their goalie, the score easily could have been 6-1 rather than 4-1. However, in most of their previous games, they mustered less than half of that amount of shots. I guess the biggest test will come this Tuesday when Bar�a faces Stuttgart , as Ronaldinho will be back.

EDIT - I hope that Rijkaard will be quick to realize whether or not Ronaldinho's return is effective on Tuesday, and that he doesn't push his luck to keep the Brazilian happy.


Edited by Kaysaar - 28-Sep-2007 at 21:52

I think that Champions league games are not the time to experiment with reintegrating an "injured" teammate. I think that Rijkaard should stick with what has worked for Bar�a for the last three games, at least until/if they build up a lead against Stuttgart. After they have a cushion they should sub in Ronaldinho.

At the very least, let him prove himself against some Liga opponent, where they have more time to recover from a loss/tie should it not turn out well.

I agree, Majkes.