As a Real Madrid supporter it is important for me to be patient. A lot of people, me included, have to look at Al Ittihad as a guaranteed win for a prestigious side like Real Madrid. We had a starting line up, that in mid season form would put the Saudi side to shame with Ronaldo, Raul, Benzema, Sneijder and others. However, los blancos skidded into a pretty evenly matched 1-1 draw. I watched the game online and struggled to find a feed that satisfied me. Although my expectations are high because I'd love to see it crystal clear. I missed much of the first half. The lag was dreadful even for spells in the second but there are a few things that caught my attention. I'm only giving my opinion on what I saw, there was plenty I would have missed. So please feel free to comment and tell me what you think.
Once again, Gago frustrated me. As soon as I got the feed to start working, my first image of the match was Gago giving the ball away. I sighed in dispare but continued to watch. It's my opinion but I think there are so many more solid midfielders at the club, that Gago really shouldn't have a spot, yet he started the match. He was definitely the player marking the Al Ittihad goalscorer on the set piece, which seemed to be scored in a sloppy fashion. Just terrible marking in general. Of course, I can't blame the entirity of the goal on Gago. Lass was the player who gave away the free kick which lead to the goal. That leads me to my next point. I only saw the match in segments as you know, but out of the few short clips I saw, Lassana Diarra was a frequent fouler. I think he is a great player with a lot to offer and very technically gifted, but he is a sloppy reckless defender. He brings plenty of pace and creativity, but doesn't hold down the fort in front of the back line very well. As a holding center mid, I'd love to see him composed and solid. I can see why Pellegrini still wants Xabi Alonso because he can do just what Lass doesn't. He isn't to fancy, but a solid player who plays the role he is given very well. That is what Madrid has missed dearly ever since the knee injury last season to almost forgot Mahamadou Diarra. He really did that holding job well and was just a driving physical force behind midfield. Occasionally he got forward, but only when there was the opportunity, much like Yaya Toure at Barcelona. I would hate to see Lass out of the line up but he is certainly a different kind of holding center midfielder than what I am used to seeing.
Back to the match. Madrid's back line has been somewhat makeshift in their first preseason matches. I know Pellegrini is trying to find the right partnership at the center back positions and with the absence of one of my favorite players, Sergio Ramos, right back has been up for grabs as well. However, no matter which players are working together back there, the defending has been sketchy? If that is the correct word. Especially on the flanks, far to many balls AND players get in behind the back line and aren't always dealed with in a tidy manor. That worries me because Madrid might be able to get away with it against Shamrock Rovers and Al Ittihad, but against solid La Liga and Champions League sides the Merengue won't be so lucky. I continue to heap praise on Benzema who had the eye to find Raul for the goal. I'm not too impressed with Raul's finish but that's only because I already know he is capable of that skill and so many more. For what I could see, Ronaldo didn't have a typical Ronaldo performance but I'm not going to doubt his abilities as everyone knows what he can do, he just needs time to settle in. I didn't know much about Granero, who returned to Real Madrid earlier this week for a 2 year spell at Getafe. I was surprised he was in the squad list so soon, especially because it appeared he bumped Van der Vaart out , who played very well for me against Shamrock. I soon found out what kind of player he was. I liked him at a first look. He seemed to be composed, although he only had 15 minutes or so. He manage to almost break the cross bar from a whopping 35 or so yards out too. Even though Robben came on late I thought he provided a spart to the team, a new energy. He had a couple chances and really helped strengthen the attack. Well done on his part.
Real Madrid is a team full of new faces and faces that haven't returned yet from International duty. Even though I'm disappointed with a draw I can accept it. There are so many players that need to find out each other's playing style and the coach needs to find the right mixture and formation with so many options. I'm convinced they will be able to make it work. The season is still over a month away and it's just a preseason match. Greatness doesn't come over night and I know that. I'm patient and accepting and eagerly awaiting the next match in two days time. i hope he isn't one to make way for new players.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
Once again, Gago frustrated me. As soon as I got the feed to start working, my first image of the match was Gago giving the ball away. I sighed in dispare but continued to watch. It's my opinion but I think there are so many more solid midfielders at the club, that Gago really shouldn't have a spot, yet he started the match. He was definitely the player marking the Al Ittihad goalscorer on the set piece, which seemed to be scored in a sloppy fashion. Just terrible marking in general. Of course, I can't blame the entirity of the goal on Gago. Lass was the player who gave away the free kick which lead to the goal. That leads me to my next point. I only saw the match in segments as you know, but out of the few short clips I saw, Lassana Diarra was a frequent fouler. I think he is a great player with a lot to offer and very technically gifted, but he is a sloppy reckless defender. He brings plenty of pace and creativity, but doesn't hold down the fort in front of the back line very well. As a holding center mid, I'd love to see him composed and solid. I can see why Pellegrini still wants Xabi Alonso because he can do just what Lass doesn't. He isn't to fancy, but a solid player who plays the role he is given very well. That is what Madrid has missed dearly ever since the knee injury last season to almost forgot Mahamadou Diarra. He really did that holding job well and was just a driving physical force behind midfield. Occasionally he got forward, but only when there was the opportunity, much like Yaya Toure at Barcelona. I would hate to see Lass out of the line up but he is certainly a different kind of holding center midfielder than what I am used to seeing.
Back to the match. Madrid's back line has been somewhat makeshift in their first preseason matches. I know Pellegrini is trying to find the right partnership at the center back positions and with the absence of one of my favorite players, Sergio Ramos, right back has been up for grabs as well. However, no matter which players are working together back there, the defending has been sketchy? If that is the correct word. Especially on the flanks, far to many balls AND players get in behind the back line and aren't always dealed with in a tidy manor. That worries me because Madrid might be able to get away with it against Shamrock Rovers and Al Ittihad, but against solid La Liga and Champions League sides the Merengue won't be so lucky. I continue to heap praise on Benzema who had the eye to find Raul for the goal. I'm not too impressed with Raul's finish but that's only because I already know he is capable of that skill and so many more. For what I could see, Ronaldo didn't have a typical Ronaldo performance but I'm not going to doubt his abilities as everyone knows what he can do, he just needs time to settle in. I didn't know much about Granero, who returned to Real Madrid earlier this week for a 2 year spell at Getafe. I was surprised he was in the squad list so soon, especially because it appeared he bumped Van der Vaart out , who played very well for me against Shamrock. I soon found out what kind of player he was. I liked him at a first look. He seemed to be composed, although he only had 15 minutes or so. He manage to almost break the cross bar from a whopping 35 or so yards out too. Even though Robben came on late I thought he provided a spart to the team, a new energy. He had a couple chances and really helped strengthen the attack. Well done on his part.
Real Madrid is a team full of new faces and faces that haven't returned yet from International duty. Even though I'm disappointed with a draw I can accept it. There are so many players that need to find out each other's playing style and the coach needs to find the right mixture and formation with so many options. I'm convinced they will be able to make it work. The season is still over a month away and it's just a preseason match. Greatness doesn't come over night and I know that. I'm patient and accepting and eagerly awaiting the next match in two days time. i hope he isn't one to make way for new players.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
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