Have you heard? Karim Benzema is off to Arsenal for only $ 32million.
This is the news "hot" off the internet.
What wonderful news. Sr. Florentino Perez you have been given a second chance to redeem yourself.
Which combination will give Real Madrid a good chance for the "DECIMA"?
1. Sell Benzema and do nothing.
2. Sell Benzema and bid for Lewandowski ( or Diego Lopez ).
3. Sell Benzema and buy back Ozil.
4. Sell Benzema and bid for Lewandowski ( or Diego Lopez ) AND Ozil.
The million dollar question is - which alternative will you take Sr. Florentino Perez?
Is this the result of Ancelotti being brought to the Bernabeu?
Is this the result of Zidane's influence on the team as the Assistant Coach?
Is the result of buying super stars?
I don't mind Real Madridbeing beaten by a good and better team. But for Heaven's Sake - do not go down in this pathetic manner. It was the worst display of ineptitude I have seen from Real Madrid. And I can only blame Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez.
One does not have to be "professional" football coach to tell you, and tell you correctly, that Real Madrid today is carrying Benzema , Arbeloa and Khedira. Without these three millstones around the Team's neck, I am sure Real Madrid will be a better team.
Forget analyzing the game.
We should discuss what is fundamentally wrong about the Team.
1. How many scoring chances were created in the first half?
2. How many passes were incomplete?
3. How many shots were taken at Atletic's goal?
4. How many times did Arbeloa pass the ball BACK to Pepe or Khedira?
5. How many times did Arbeloa cross the ball to his forwards?
6. How many times did Ronaldo enter Atletic's area?
The problems go on and on.
It was terrifying to see Atletico get the ball and run at the heart of the Madrid defence. The defence was like a house of cards - frail, weak and vulnerable. Everytime an attack was on, we felt the panic and terror in the defence.
Madrid's midfield was non existant today. Di Maria was awful. I was sorely missing Ozil weren't you Mr. Acelotti?
The only saving Grace was Diego Lopez. He was Madrid's savior yet again.
I really don't know where Madrid goes from here.
The Management needs to go back to the drawing board and start from the basics.
My simple advice is. You DO NOT need 11 men on the field. You need 11 professional, confident, skillful footballers who play in specialized positions and play as a team.
Watching the first half one might have thought that Elche are the favourites - the Galacticos and Real Madrid were the minions.
Again Mr. Ancelotti- I have said this time and again, but you continue to turn a deaf ear:-
1. Sergio Ramos should have been sent off - had the Referee not been kind to Real Madrid. I have said this over and over again, Ramos is going to get Real Madrid into serious trouble by being sent off. He plays a very rough and dangerous game. You cannot put your team in danger by being so stupid.
2. Why is Ramos the Captain when he continually attracts yellow cards setting a bad example to the youngsters? If he cannot tackle legally he should be benched. It seems he gets a yellow card every single match.
3. Albeloa - how many times did he cross the ball - ONCE. He takes the ball up to the oppositions area and then passes the ball back. Please see the TV replays. Its awful. Terrible waste of an attacking move if you have to go back when you are in opponents area.
4. Passing the ball back when there is no opponent near you - see how many times the ball was passed back when taking the ball forward would have been the most logical thing to do. See the TV replays.
5. What is Khedira and Albeloa doing in the team? Benzema is atleast trying today - but he should also be benched.
6. The Madrid defence and midfield are weak - letting Elche do whatever they want - attack freely down Madrid's left flank.
7. Had it not been for Diego Lopez, Real Madrid would have been 2-0 down going into the break.
8. You don't have a genuine right winger.
9. The left flank is where all the attacks are coming through - the same every game.
Mr. Ancelotti, you belittled Ozil during the week, but your words will come back to haunt you. There are very few players of Ozil's caliber in Real Madrid.
I hope you throw the book at those highly overrated and overpaid players. They do not do our REAL MADRID BADGE and COLOUR proud.
We are worried how Real Madrid will score, or will they score or can they score?
For us Madridistas, we have to suffer during every match. Our defence is porous. Our midfield lacks creativity and the forwards are not getting the right passes or crosses or through balls. Goals are like gold dust - very few and very precious.
The second half started and within a few minutes Ronaldo was brought down outside the Elche area and he converted from the free kick. The free kick went through the barrier; in fact I think the Madrid players moved away and the ball went through the gap into the near post bouncing just as it went in.
After the goal, Madrid played indifferent football. Nothing happened. It was all Elche - they were trying their best to score a goal. They shots at Diego Lopez's goal - reminding me of the old saying - if you don't shoot or take a shot, you will not score a goal.
Elche's perseverance finally paid off when during extra time they stretched the Madrid's defence and the Ghanian forward headed home a beautiful, nicely constructed goal. A good move - free flowing - nice to watch.
As time was ticking way, Madrid was awarded a corner and from the corner- a penalty. It seemed like Pepe was held and brought down in the area. It was perhaps a fair decision for Madrid but a cruel one for Elche.
Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot.
Madrid came away with the 3 points.
But well done Elche you deserve more. You left your hearts out on the field.
We the Real Madrid fans salute you.
You played well, you played with passion and you gave it your all.
Ozil on his debut showed what a brilliant creative player he is.
My only concern is that besides Giroud, Arsenal does not have quality strikers to capitalize on Ozil's creative passes.
Look at Walcott. He missed two clear opportunities of goal - both created by Ozil.
It could be that Ozil may become frustrated playing with such poor quality strikers.Arsenal were clearly the better side but they had good fortune when the Referee - Atkinson disallowed a Sunderland goal and did not play the advantage.
It is sad when you see referee's of " a certain standard" make a complete hash of things. And the funny thing is - it always favours the stronger and better teams.
Ramsay was a stand out player for Arsenal scoring two goals and Gardner for Sunderland was active in the second half.
As an ardent Real Madrid fan, I cannot understand why Madrid had to sell Ozil?
If Madrid has to sell someone why not Khedira or Alonso?
Is it because Ozil fetched more money than these two combined?
Was it really a question of money?
Sr. Perez and Ancelotti please respond:-
: Why would Arsenal pay $ 67million for a midfielder?
: Why would you sell one of your most creative player?
: Why would you sell such a talented YOUNG player?
: Why would you NOT sell the likes of Khedira and Alonso who really do not add any value?
: Why would you sell someone who has been your sole right winger?
: Why would you sell someone whose passing was so accurate and could float the ball in at will?
I cannot understand the logic and I am sure many of my fellow Real supporters do not either.
Finally why would the Club bring in a forward ( Bale ) and sell a STAR ( Ozil )?
Its a "real" shame.
It was a pathetic display of ineptitude.
Real Madrid does not need Bale, they need a whole new team!!
What is the forward line doing? It cannot get together a couple of passes and get inside the Granada defence? If they cannot breakdown the Granada defence, what will they do against the better teams like Barcelona and Athletico Madrid?
Ancelotti you have a lot to think about. Ronaldo is clearly out of form, Benzema should be benched even if he scored the only goal. The only two players who tried today was Di Maria and Ozil. The rest spent the 90 minutes putting us to sleep.
Albeloa does not have the ability to cross the ball into the penalty area. The number of times he back passed the ball to Pepe or another team mate was incredible. The flow of the game is savagely cut and all comes a halt. In this day and age, if a left back cannot cross the ball and feed the forwards, he has no right to be in the team. Look at Marcelo, he crosses are beautiful - if the forwards mess it up - it is not his fault.
I am really frustrated seeing this poor poor quality of football.
Are the stories of the imminent arrival of Gareth Bale so disturbing to the Madrid players?
What is the reason?
They were up against Granada for God's Sake not Bayern Munich or Dortmund.
God help us.
