Biased or Unbiased?

     As this is my last blog posting, I will end it with a surprise. All semester long I have presented both Real Madrid and Barcelona as equals and tried to make them seem as equal as possible. Nevertheless, the blog is called Real Madrid VS. Barcelona! So who is the winner?? Undoubtably Barcelona is the better team by miles and miles. After beating Madrid 5-0, Barcelona was crowned the best team in the world.
     But, who is my team? which team do I support on a daily basis? Since the young age of 8, I have been an ardent Real Madrid fan. Believe me, it's difficult being always behind Barcelona in the statistics. I have faith in my team and I never lose that faith. I watch all of their games hoping for their wins and I watch all Barcelona's hoping with hate for a loss. Was i biased? or was I not?

Messi! Messi! Messi!

     Last Tuesday, the gala of the best football players joined in an event of astounding results which left many sad-faced and discontent, while pleasing others to indescribable levels. The nominees for 2010 best player of the year was a close battle between three Barcelona players Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi. Messi having won the award last year was the least favorite. Xavi and Iniesta had both won the World Cup and were clearly the front runners in the competition. Shockingly, Messi took the prize right out of Spain's hands who were expecting the victory. Just as Spain thought Pep Guardiola was going to take the prize for best coach of 2010, Jose Mourihno won. Spain was left empty-handed. 

Copa del Rey

     Any club team's ultimate success would be to win the Champions League, a tournament with all the best clubs in Europe, the country's individual league, and the country's individual cup. The main difference between the cup and the league is the process of selecting the winner. In the league, the winner is chosen from a system of points after every team has played each other twice. In the cup, teams are eliminated one by one, head to head.
     This year, Barcelona and Real Madrid seem to be matched-up by destiny. In all three competitions, they are the favorite teams, and potentially could be disputed between these two teams. They could end up playing in the finals for both the Champions League and the cup, La Copa del Rey (the King's Cup). With this stringent schedule, a regular team will play up to two games a week traveling all over Europe and their individual countries. Barcelona won all three tournaments two years ago. Jose Mourihno, Madrid's head coach, won all three competitions last year with Inter de Milan.

Higuaín Out Two More Months

     Gonzalo Higuaín, Real Madrid striker, played his last game November 20, after receiving a hard hit to his knee which at first seemed to be a minor injury; however, medics confirmed in December that the Argentine forward would not be able to play for two months until January with intense therapy and a slow recuperation.
     Giving Karim Benzema an opportunity to shine through Higuaín's absence, the club has not been satisfied with Benzema's performance and yearns to have Higuaín back in the starting position, but his ominous injury would prove to be more serious than first expected.
     After the holidays, Higuaín returned to Real Madrid's medical ward which issued devastating news: his injury would require knee surgery meaning his expected return to the soccer pitch would be delayed even further. As of today, Real Madrid has confirmed that Higuaín will receive knee surgery in Chicago and be subject to recuperation for two more months. Until then, Benzema will have to prove he is worthy of stealing the lead striker position from Gonzalo Higuaín.

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The Catalan Derby

     This weekend, the two teams from the radically segregated sector, Cataluña will face each other: Espanyol vs. Barcelona. Emotions run high between both teams, while Barcelona is obviously superior skill wise. Espanyol is currently in fourth place in the league, while Barcleona is in first place. The fans are simply divided as these two teams face off. Regularly, these two team's fans are always in conjunction against other sectors in the area.
     Victor Valdes, the goalie for Barcelona, explains that Barcelona his team will come out playing full throttle, holding nothing back! He praised the Espanyol team's new method of playing and their improvement from last year's horrific season.

Carlitos Tevez

     The Manchester City striker is fed up with his club team. He simply can't stand the thought of being incorporated in Manchester City any longer. There have been racist comments about him, but the fans are simply begging him to remain in the club. The club offered him a five million euro bonus to remain in the club, they offered him a higher payed salary (highest in the club), and he would maintain his position as captain of the squad. This is not a monetary motivation as he has declined these incentives to remain in the club. 
     Currently, both teams Real Madrid and Barcelona are looking at this possible addition to their club. Personally, Madrid's style is will accommodate Tevez better as he will be playing with fellow Argentinian striker Higuain. His raw power and speed wouldn't fit in with Barcelona's fast-paced game.
   
 
    

Madrid and Barça's Delight

      As the final match of the group stage of the Champions League came to a close, both Madrid and Barcelona comfortably enjoyed taking the first place in their respective groups even if they lost. Both teams came out playing with their second string team full of youngsters and some experienced players. Barcelona refrained from playing with Valdes, Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Alves, Iniesta, Villa, and Pedro. Madrid only absented Casillas, Di Maria, Ozil, and Khedira (Pepe, Ramos, Alonso all had red cards or accumulation of yellows). Nevertheless, both teams took satisfying wins over international club teams. Barcelona beat Rubin Kazan 2-0 and Madrid scorched Auxerre 4-0.

World's Best Player 2010

     The shortlisted was posted of the three candidates for the FIFA player of the year for 2010. The winner will be announced next week voted by players and coaches world wide.
     Lionel Messi is the strong horse in this competition scoring a total of 34 goals in this year's season; however Messi's dry spell in the World Cup with his Argentine national team puts him at par with the other two players.
     Andres Iniesta was also nominated for scoring the decisive goal in the World Cup Final against Holland. His artistic style and constant efficient passes are what makes him a top favorite among viewers. Nevertheless, Iniesta has a tendency to score very few goals; he sort of "chokes" in front of the goal posts.
     Xavi Hernandez is the final nominee for the year's prize. Xavi is the perfect mixture between Iniesta and Messi. He is visually beautiful with his skill work and has a tendency to pass and shoot at perfect moments.
     These three nominees however all come from a trifecta konwn to every soccer lover in Barcelona's top team. These three players make art and sheer beauty out of a simple found ball. Without one of them, the others would fall. Messi needs passes from Xavi and Iniesta, and Xavi and Iniesta always need someone to pass it to! Also, all three players come from Barcelona's academy youth teams signifying its importance and efficiency in it's program. Whoever wins will take the prize, but all three will take the honor.

Madrid Digs a Deeper Ditch

     The UEFA has fined Real Madrid for its unsportman-like behavior in its victory over Ajax 4-0. Apparently, José Mourihno secretly told Dudek to inform Casillas to inform Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso to receive red cards on purpose. This was done to relieve the accumulated of yellow cards for the second round of the UEFA Champions League. Both Ramos and Alonso received red cards by stalling a free kick three minutes from each other.
     UEFA has fined both Xabi Alonso y Ramos with 20,000 euros each. Casillas has been fined with 10,000 euros and Dudek with 5,000. Also, the team has been fined with 120,000 euros. In total, the squad will have to pay 215,000 euros for its forced red cards.

5-0 Ouch!

     Monday, November 29, 2010, will live dearly in the hearts and souls of the Catalán people. Processions of parties rallied through Barcelona with flags bearing not only a team but a country inside it. In Madrid, dead silence seeped through the eyes of Real Madrid fans and followers. All around the world the weight of the loss, or should I call it the defeat, was unbearable and embarrassing. The scoreboard read 5 Barcelona - 0 Real Madrid.
      El Clásico proved to be a monotonous, one sided game. It appeared as if the souls and mentality of Mourihno's squad had been sucked out entirely! I even believed they Barcelona was dancing around them at one point. The Camp Nou was as festive as the Fourth of July, or even more.
     Xavi, Pedro, Villa (2), and Jeffren scored seemingly simply on Casilla's goal posts. Madrid being confused and dazed (almost seemed drugged) began feeling some sort of desperation and fouls were committed left right up down. Sergio Ramos received his second red card in a week after forcefully kicking Messi (man of the match) and shoving Puyol and Xavi, members of his own national team.
     Barcelona takes the lead in front of Madrid for La Liga, yet two points is no less than the suffering honor of the Madrid players. Monday was history.

Jose Mourinho Banned

Jose Mourinho, head coach for Real Madrid, was sent out of the game against Murcia last Wednesday for arguing repeatedly with the referee. Mourinho was sent from the dugout in the 38th minute. He will miss the match-up against Sporting de Gijon and Atletic de Bilbao which means......HE WILL BE BACK FOR EL CLASICO!!! Expectations are high for this epic classic game Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. Definitely the climax of the entirety of my blog!

Ibrahim Afellay

Recently featured, Ibrahim Afellay a Dutch 24 year-old playing for Dutch club PSV has signed a contract to play for Barcelona this upcoming winter transfer season. "PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Ibrahim Afellay to Barca, subject to successfully settling personal terms between the player and the Catalan club over the coming weeks," read PSV's website. The annual pay for Afellay is yet to be decided but the prestige will be invincible. Afellay played in the World Cup Final for his native nation of Holland against his now upcoming home: Spain.

Dani Jarque R.I.P.

As the remaining minutes of the World Cup Final came to a close, Andres Iniesta scorched a rearing goal into the lower left angle of the net. What he did next was legendary. Lifting his national Jersey, an under armour shirt revealed the message "DANI JARQUE SIEMPRE CON NOSOTROS" (You will always be with us, Dani Jarque). Jarque, a young player of Espanyol, had tragically deceased during a soccer match  of a heart attack. He was beloved by fans and players alike.  The shirt and it's loving messgae became unique as Andres Iniesta lifted the trophy with Jarque's spirit.  Today, Espanyol has asked Iniesta for the gift of being able to keep the shirt, and Iniesta respectfully agreed with much sentiment. Here is a video in Spanish of the Press conference.

Cataluña Elections

Cataluña is a rebellious area in Spain who denies their relationship with Spain. They speak another language and eat completely different foods. Apart from differing cultures, Spain has fought to maintain Cataluña under it's wing for many many years. Turns out, Barcelona is the capital of Cataluña, and Madrid is the capital of Spain.What's more, Cataluña will have Parliamentary elections on the Saturday, November 20, the same day as The Classic Game (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona)! The LFP (Liga Futbol Professional) wants avoid at all costs for this soccer match to turn into a political battlefield. You see! Soccer is a political event as well. To avoid any real manifestations of violence, the LFP has decided to move the soccer game to Monday, November 23 at 3:00 ET. Prepare for a legendary match up!

Recap: Barça's Goliath

As I have already done a recap of Madrid's season so far, Barça's season is not been an easy one to describe. Last year they were crowned champs of the Spanish League, third in Champions League, and fifth in the Spanish Cup. Aside from that, Messi received the Golden Boot (top goal scorer in any league). After selling a useless giant like Ibrahimovic and buying a legend like David Villa, Barça seemed to be breaking top quality limits once again. When nothing could go wrong, Barça received shocking news of José Mourihno's arrival to Real Madrid. Ever since then, it seems stress, anxiety, and pressure has elevated to their heads! Currently, Madrid stands in first place by a point ahead. Anything can happen from here on out. I will like to announce that these two teams (El Clásico) will happen November 28, 2010. That will be the climax of this blog.

Recap: Madrid's Rising Team

It's now my duty to update my fans on Madrid's season so far and how much they have accomplished in so little time. The puppeteer, the man behind the actions, Real Madrid's head coach José Mourihno has been instructing his talented stars to achieve perfection. With only 6 League games, 3 Champions League games, and 1 Spanish Cup game, the 'Mou Team' is bringing style and beauty back into Madrid's soccer. Who can forget the embarrassing game against Alcorcon last year, when Real Madrid lost 4-0 to a second division team? Now, the 'Mou Team' is erasing the past and writing a great future where they are first in the League and in Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo, the elite Portuguese striker, is top scorer in the League and Di María, the Argentinian lefty, is winning the hearts of the fans. The Dark Ages have disappeared from Real Madrid and the Renaissance of soccer emerges. Here we go! 

Rideing with Style!

Car company Audi has sponsored Barcelona since 2006. As a gift to their constant support and honor, Audi has taken the honor and personally handed a brand new Audi A7 Sportback to each member of the 22 player squad in Barcelona! The players were given the luxury to ride freely to test the maneuverability and direction of their new automobiles on a professional race car track. All members of Barcelona happily accepted this generous offer except for head coach Pep Guardiola who refused his Audi out of solidarity for the other coaching staff who didn't have the 'right' to a car.

Wayne Rooney!

Talented Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney,  just released yesterday his burning desire to leave his childhood club. Topping of charts and scoring unbelievable upper 90 goals, every club's desire is to sign this legendary player into their starting 11. It's as if you threw a juicy piece of steak into a pit full of angry lions. In addition, not only does Rooney want to leave his club, he wants also to be the highest paid professional soccer player, that's $14 million/year we're talking about. Currently Cristiano Ronaldo holds this record at $13 million/year. What does this have to do with Real Madrid or Barcelona? They will be play the auction game for Rooney once the market reopens in December; whoever bids the highest will have the privilege of owning England's superstar, Wayne Rooney!

Bojan Krkić

In my blog I believe we must honor the young players more than the elder, more experienced ones because in the end, they're going to be the ones who shape football for it's greatness. Bojan Krkić, at age 20, is a stellar representation of Barcelona's youth implemented into its attackers. Actually, Bojan is famous for being young after being the youngest player to score in Barça's history at age 17! That's my age! Bojan is very skillful with his technique and his speedy approaches to the goal has not been left unrewarded. Playing with the heart of a soldier in battle, Krkic has scored very important goals under Guardiola's reign; however, because of his youth, Bojan isn't put into the games until the very end most of the time substituting Pedrito, Messi, or Villa. Even with the few minutes he received in playing time, he still managed to score 11 goals for Barcelona. Be on the lookout for this rising mischievous player.

Pique, or Piqué?

Today, I encountered a vocab word "pique" meaning "verb: to arouse an emotion or provoke to action"! Does anybody see the connection! Gerarde Piqué! The great defender for Barcelona. Classy, stylish, solid the defender who rose literally from zero to hero in one year! Coming from being a nobody in Manchester United, Piqué quickly began scaling the ladder of international success in Barcelona. With his extraordinarily strong physical body and the ability to travel forward with the ball, Piqué is sometimes referred to Piquembauer (after Franz Beckenbauer) because of his natural talent to score goals as well as defend. He has become a regular pair with Carles Puyol, and the both of the have become unstoppable forces. Last year alone, he scored 7 goals, won the World Cup with Spain, and held the Spanish Premier League title in honor. 

Pique's Greatness Video