CBC Sports Online's soccer expert, John Molinaro, takes you inside the world of soccer and offers his insights about the action on the pitch and in the front office.
Real Madrid not dead yet
Comments (12)
Tuesday, October 24, 2006 | 02:23 PM ET
What a difference a year makes.
Dismantled to the tune of 3-0 by FC Barcelona last November at home, Real Madrid exacted a rather large measure of revenge this past weekend with a 2-0 victory over their bitter Spanish league rivals.
Sunday’s result not only allowed Real climb to within two points of co-leaders Barcelona and Valencia in the standings, but it also sent a clear message to the Catalans that it can expect a dogfight for this season’s la liga crown.
Such was not the case a year ago.
Barcelona ran rampant in last November’s el clásico against a Real Madrid starting lineup that included Zidane, Raul, Ronaldo and Beckham.
The galacticos were no match for Barcelona on that night, bamboozled by the brilliant Ronaldinho who scored two highlight-reel goals and conjured several moments of pure magic on the field.
Such was the level of the Brazilian’s performance that several sections of Santiago Bernabéu stadium gave him a standing ovation.
The last opposing player to be lavished with such praise by Real Madrid fans? Diego Maradona who, as a member of Barcelona in 1983, ran Real's defence ragged in that year’s clásico.
Barcelona’s victory was the defining moment in last season’s campaign. Real Madrid never fully recovered from that crushing psychological blow and Barcelona essentially wrapped up the league title a month before Christmas.
It looks as though the Catalans won’t have such an easy time of it this season.
Sunday’s contest was a must-win for Real. Still smarting from their 1-0 loss to modest Getafe the previous week, Real needed a victory – and a convincing win at that – against their archrivals to reassert themselves and let everyone know they’re not dead.
Mission accomplished.
Quick hits:
- Staying in Spain, Valencia faces possible punishment after an assistant referee was hit on the head by a stick of licorice thrown from the crowd this past weekend. According to Spanish sports daily Marca, the assistant suffered "a slight graze" behind his left ear from the offending piece of candy. Seriously. I couldn’t make something like this up.
- Much has been made in the British media about Aston Villa – and not Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United – being the only unbeaten team in the English Premiership after nine games. Conveniently overlooked is the fact Villa has earned six draws! I know we’re all anxious to see another club challenge for the league crown, but people touting Villa as title contenders need to get a grip.
- Juventus is on the plus side following a 1-0 away victory over Triestina on Saturday. Juve erased its 17-point penalty with its sixth straight victory and now sits third from bottom in the Serie B standings with two points. It looks as though it’s only a matter of time before my beloved Juve are back in Serie A and making life miserable for Inter Milan.
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About the Author
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (12)
MM
Australia
good article.. but real madrid was never dead...never will be! Real madrid for life!
Posted October 24, 2006 09:05 PM
John Macnab
The English press are just playing their usual, meaningless, statistical games with Villa's undefeated status, but no one is actually claiming they are title contenders. Instead, it is just remarkable that a club who barely escaped relegation last season, by playing some of the most pathetic football imaginable, have now pulled their socks up and are now the only undefeated side in the top-four tiers of English soccer. Their enthusiasm centres on Martin O'Neil's golden touch as a manager, not Villa's European prospects. Also, keep in mind that two of those "six draws" were away to Chelsea and Arsenal, excellent results at the best of times, even more impressive considering Villa's awful away form last season.
Posted October 24, 2006 11:50 PM
SF
Edmonton
Madrid Will never be back. Ronaldo has had bad luck with injuries the past few years but once he's back Real Madrid will get even better. Ronaldo will will world player of the year award next year. I said it here first!!! and beckham suck. he is why madrid have been doing bad. since the first game he came to madrid, they have been slumping. I hope he leaves that English pretty boy. Robinho is AWESOME. BRAZIL TOO
Posted October 25, 2006 01:01 AM
Douglas P. Gilmour
Toronto
Like most teams that succeed for a number of years in pro sports, Barcelona is a wave that has crested, and although it has yet to crash into the shore, it is enivitably headed in that direction. That's not to say that they're washed up - not even close - just that they have achieved much (Champs League, 2 La Liga titles) recently and eventually another team will reach its crescendo and succeed Barca's wave. Probably Valencia before Real Madrid, and I say this despite my allegiance to the latter, but as long as Beckham and Ronaldo remain with the Whites, there's little chance of prolonged success. I only wish they had talked Zizou into staying one more year and given him the likes of Cannavaro, Emerson, and Diarra to protect him, allowing him to take risks. As for your Juve, I say only this: There was little doubt that Serie B would be a mere formality and that they would again challenge AC, however, I am more interested in whether or not they will give Palermo a run for their money!
Posted October 25, 2006 10:22 AM
GreekinCanada
Toronto
All this media attention on Villa is taking attention away from Bolton which sits third and has been building their team for a few years now. Most of their top players are in match form, especially Campo and they looked confident and strong in the games I have watched. From what I have seen so far, Bolton seems the only credible "small" team to compete for the title this year.
As for Juventus, we'll see how miserable they make life for Inter without the benefit of payed off referee's!!! LOL
Posted October 25, 2006 01:15 PM
SF
Edmonton
I made an error in previous post. "madrid will never be back." I meant madrid has never been dead. its just players like beckham that make the team better. oh and about everyone critisizing ronaldo. before you do that, look at his record first. he has the highest goal/game average in the history of La Liga. Even in the last few years he's been scoring every chance he gets. its not his fault he gets injured a lot. Every time plays, even if in worst shape there are 2-3 defenders marking him all the time. so its pretty amazing that he still scores all those goals. give him more credit. he single handedly took brazil to WC finals in 1998 and won it in 2002.
Posted October 26, 2006 01:28 AM
JD
Blaming Beckham for Real's problems is a bit simplistic. Beckham has not been outstanding for Real nor has he been horrible. He has a role to play and I think he plays that role effectively. Many players on Real are playing mediocre soccer lately, including Ronaldo.
Personally I think Real's problems stem from having too many superstars that have won too many titles and don't really have the hunger to win anymore. It's a cycle, once some of the older players start to go and new younger, hungrier players come along, Real Madrid will be back on top again.
Ive also heard a rumour that Beckham is considering coming to play for NY in the MLS. Has anyone else heard anything pertaining to that???
Posted October 26, 2006 10:22 AM
Anthony
Toronto
hey SF Edmonton, Is that english your speaking? Ronaldo is a pretty boy that can`t stand on his own two feet and if your talking about the fat guy your on crack. Fabio Cannavaro player of the year, nobody else will come close. Brazil is overated my friend, just look what they did in the world cup.
Posted October 26, 2006 03:32 PM
MM
all you folks that suggest Beckham isn't doing anything at Madrid need to think twice and understand that football isn't just about getting the ball into the back of the net... people fail to see beckhams superb goal assists, passes and crosses and the way he takes those free kicks in style!
And as for Ronaldo.. he proved his critics wrong at the world cup this year and he will once again prove them wrong when playing for Real! Ronaldo is a legend! Real Madrid for ever!
Posted November 12, 2006 11:21 PM
ABDULKADRI YAHAYA
please how many time did real madrid defeat fc-barcelona home and a-way, also how many time did fc-barcelona defeat real madrid home and a-way thanks
Posted November 18, 2006 06:37 PM
Ronnie
Everywhere
MADRID MADRID MADRID. Barcelona will crash and burn! DIE BARCELONA
Posted December 29, 2006 03:46 PM
sama
cameroon
spanish champion is naturally barcelona for 5yrs
Posted December 30, 2006 03:42 PM