Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory but their star winger Cristiano Ronaldo required stitches in his ankle following the match with Dinamo Zangreb. Cristiano called the referee’s performance “shameful” and when asked why other players seem to go after him much he said, “I think it’s because I’m rich, handsome and a great player. They envy me – there’s no other explanation.” Real’s left back Marcelo was sent off during the game and assistant Aitor Karanka said, “It’s worrying to see Marcelo was sent off when Cristiano Ronaldo is receiving stitches in the dressing room. All players should be equally protected.” I agree with Karanka and it is obvious when some refs are biased against a team or player. FIFA needs to start punishing these refs and/or get some new ones in because a player should not be receiving stitches after a game, whether its Cristiano or a youth player.
After tallying another brace yesterday vs Villareal, Cristiano Ronaldo tied La Liga’s all time season scoring record of 38 goals held by Athletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra in 1950-51 and Real Madrid’s own Hugo Sanchez back in 1989-90. It has been amazing season for Cristiano, and now that he has locked up the Pichichi award, (Given to the top goal scorer in league play), CR7 will be looking to tally one more in Madrid’s final game next week against Almeria to hold the record alone. Arguably the best player in the world, the isn’t much on the pitch Ronaldo can’t do and after this magnificent seaosn, Ronaldo will have La Liga title and Champions League titles on his agenda for 2011-12. Congrats Cristiano Ronaldo you are an amazing footballer and I wish you luck next week against Almeria.
Real Madrid fought hard for 120 minutes and came out victorious in the Copa del Rey final over their arch rival Barcelona. After an action packed 90 minutes of scoreless football (Or soccer for my fellow Americans), the game went into extra time where in the 103rd minute Angel di Maria’s cross found the head of Cristiano Ronaldo who slammed it in the back of the net. This cup was Madrid’s 18th Domestic Cup, and the first since 1993. Jose Mourinho had made a point to winning everything this season, and with the league all but out of reach, he nailed down the Copa del Rey and will have his sights on the Champions League, where they face Barcelona Wednesday to kick off the semi finals. Hala Madrid!
After a long rehab process, Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Kaka is making his long awaited return to Real Madrid. Kaka was placed on the squad list for tomorrows match against Getafe, after a whopping 238 days out due to a kneee injury. When healthy, Kaka is arguably the best player in the world (He was endorsed as the best by the great Pele), and pairing him up with Cristiano Ronaldo only makes a deadly Madrid side even more lethal and dangerous. We shall see #8 take to the pitch tomorrow and work his craft and hopefully enjoy a Real Madrid victory in the process. Welcome back Kaka and Hala Madrid!
In the month of October there was one football player who’s name was brought up seemingly daily, Cristiano Ronaldo, and for good reason. Cristiano did something in October that was truly magnificent. CR7 as he’s commonly referred to, scored an amazing ten goals over four consecutive matches, breaking the Real Madrid record of nine previously held by three former Madrid players. Overall, CR7 tallied 13 goals over nine matches, setting a career high in goals for a month, including a career high four goals against Racing. Next on his sight is breaking Puskas’ record of 13 goals over seven consecutive matches. Is it possible? Definately. CR7 has dominated so far this season in both La Liga play as well as in the Champions League. Arguably the world best player, C. Ronaldo has shown everyone exactly why with beautiful scoring touch, great passing, lethal set piece kicks as well as hustle. There isn’t much the 25 year old winger can’t do and expect another record to fall as CR7 continues his World-Class play.
When the words Manchester and United come together, your’e talking about one the greatest clubs in football (soccer) history. One that has seen the likes of Cantona, Beckham, Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs do some unbelievable things on the pitch. Another player, striker Wayne Rooney, has done some amazing things but yet has had alot of “baggage” along with him. Once a top flight striker for Everton, Rooney came over to Man U in 2004 for a heavy fee. Rooney has scored 92 goals in 193 appearances and has helped his team win three Premiership titles, two League Cups, two FA Community Shields and a UEFA Champions League title.
Of late however, there have been many rumors and speculation in regards to the 25 yr old. Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Man U, came out and confirmed reports that Rooney wants out of Manchester United and will not sign a new contract with the club. The rumored landing spots for Ronney have been Real Madrid (Alongside former Red Devil teammate Cristiano Ronaldo), Chelsea and Manchester City, Ronney’s preferred next club. This whole episode seems eerily similar to when Rooney left Everton for Manchester United so many years ago. So what’s the problem? Is it Rooney? Is it Ferguson? Or is it both? In my opinion, even as both a fan of Rooney and Man U, I believe it’s mostly Ronney’s. Playing poorly, or in some cases not at all, Rooney has seen his level of play drop and hasn’t been that same lethal striker we’ve grown accustomed to over the past eight years. Rooney needs to find his form before he asks for more money or a transfer as well as keeping himself out of the newspapers. Manchester United has two options in this case: One is to sell off Rooney now and allow Chicharito and Berbatov start alongside each other, or to keep Rooney and hope the Liverpool native returns to form and helps them win the Premiership. I think Rooney will be held onto, despite Real Madrid,Barcelonaand Chelsea having deep pockets.
Real Madrid came into yesterday’s game having only scored nine goals in seven games this season. Facing a much weaker Depor side, Madrid came out firing on all cylinders and scored in the 4th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo headed the ball into the back of the net off a corner. From there it was “All systems go.” Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain would all score before an own goal by Depor knocked them down to 5-0. Juan Rodriguez would get one back after capitalizing on one of the very opportunities his team had and then finally Cristiano would score a vintage Cristiano goal and cap off the scoring and the game at 6-1. This was only the 2nd time Madrid had put up a half dozen goals on Depor, the last time coming in 1945. Jose Mourinho gave Juan Carlos a cap, his La Liga debut, and also gave Esteban Granero and Lass Diarra some much needed minutes. Juan Carlos’ appearance came at the expense of Karim Benzema who has been involved in many rumors and speculations. Real Madrid can now look ahead to their Sept 17th matchup with Malaga who sit tied for 10th and with 7 points.
Jose Mourinho brought the troops into the Champions League opener Wednesday and they took care of business with ease. Despite not having Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo having a subpar game and missing many chances, Real Madrid easily handled Ajax in a 2-0 victory. Real Madrid collected an astounding 35 shots (14 on target) and Gonzalo Higuain scored off a volley from Mesut Ozil, and was in on a 50-50 ball that Ajax midfielder Vurnon Anita headed off his foot and into his own goal. Next up for the Whites is AJ Auxerre on September 28. Mourinho wants more scoring and that means the squad will need to bury some more chances, especially if they take 35 again. Look for Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil to continue to distribute and Cristinao Ronaldo, Higuain and Benzema to continue to get oppotunities at goal.
Once again the Spanish juggernaut Real Madrid had a busy offseason. Adding players such as Germany’s Mesut Ozil and Argentina’s Angel Di Maria, the squad is up to 26 players and manager Jose Mourinho is looking to lighten to load of the squad. General manager Jorge Valdano told Marca: “We have 26 players right now, so we need to lighten the squad and it will happen in the coming days. This position does not affect the Spanish players currently on our books.” Speculation is that players in the midfield could be shipped out. Mahamadou Diarra and Lass are atop of that list as well as Dutchman Rafael Van der Vaart. It will be interesting to see who stays and who goes. One thing for certain is that Real Madrid will be looking to win back the La Liga title, something they have not done since the 2007-2008 season.
Posted by DABsportstalk 
