LOS BLANCOS

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid is indeed a spectacular game to be witnessed. The rivalry between these club goes back years and still continues. But, why is this good to both the teams, who have proven that they do not go gently against any opposition? Real Madrid, the best club of the 20th century and FC Barcelona, only club to manage to win the sex-tuple so far in the footballing hierarchy.

Both have clubs have shown in the recent years, why they are always the center of the global footballing community. Beautiful and fluid gameplay, controversies, speculations and much more. The rivalry between these clubs is much in extent influenced by the political mishaps in Spain. But, the footballing side of things are untouched by these political mishaps.

FC Barcelona have taken the la liga by storm this season as they are the favorites to land the title twice in three years. Whereas, for Real Madrid, things aren't going as planned. They currently sit behind both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the la liga. They are currently a point behind Atletico and ten points behind FC Barcelona.

This match should answer a lot of questions regarding the future of players, areas to be strengthen, staff changes etc. Real Madrid find themselves in tough waters here because the Nou Camp has proven to be a difficult pitch to play in for the Los Blancos. They have lost the most recent clasico at home this season with some brilliant performance for the Balugrana side.

Even though this tie seems scary, which it actually is for both the fans and the players, Real Madrid do go to this game in good fortune with players returning such Benzema and Varane. If Madrid can capitalize on the Barca's defensive woes and hit them on the counter with the likes of Bale and Ronaldo, we might actually get a result at the Nou Camp. Real Madrid should really be strong defensively, and press them in their own half.

All in all, no matter the result, I wish my team all the best and will watch the game in full faith. Win, Lose or Tie, I shall remain a true Madridista till I die. VAMOS MI MADRID!   

That was a great performance by the men in white shirts earlier this weekend. I couldn't come up with a review sooner because of several reasons. The performance by the Real Madrid players was really commendable looking back at the game now. Sevilla started the game pretty well with attacking well in the first five minutes of the game but it only took one counter attack, one cross from Gareth Bale and one super sweet strike from the right boot of Karim Benzema to give us the lead after the first 6 minutes of first half.

Sevilla had totally crumbled after that strike as the array of attacks were pounding on Sergio Rico, the young spanish goalkeeper. He kept several efforts out including form the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. But, who can forget our super hero, Keylor Navas, who came to the rescue as Varane fouled Rami in the box to cost us a penalty. Navas saved Kevin Gameiro's penalty and that made it 3 saved penalties out of 4 for the wonderful Costa Rican man.

Midfield was dominant and much cohesive in that tie as showed Casemiro's involvement showed the importance of having a defensive midfielder in the field. He was like a knight trying to win everything from the opposition. Gareth Bale was fantastic as was Karim Benzema. The defense was awesome and much more ball playing than before, which is great because it keeps the pressure from the midfield constant. Except for that penalty miss, Cristiano's involvement was commendable. Playing Marcelo and Bale allows him to channel down the empty space and demand for the ball. Should have scored that penalty though.

In my opinion, this was the best game of the season so far. Every player demanded the ball and tried to win it even if they lost it. Creativity was oozing like hot lava out of an active volcano, hot and bright. This match should give players and managers good feeling before leaving for the Clasico.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

KEYLOR NAVAS

"He was the hero of the game again and the penalty save was just the cherry on top for this fella. He made some really wonderful saves throughout the game and earned a much needed clean sheet for himself. His quick paced goalkeeping makes it difficult for any striker. Man of the Match by a mile in that game."

It is official that Real Madrid have endured a two season long transfer ban but, they still can make signings this summer. Due to unchanged circumstances at the Merengues and lack of cohesiveness between players, rumors surrounds the footballing capital of a hefty 12 man shortlist, which obviously targets some well known players.

When you look across the rumors and see the names of the possible targets, you see all the things that they have been doing in their footballing careers. The star studded shortlist names some of Europe's brightest including the likes of Neymar, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba, David De Gea, Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and much more. I can see why Real Madrid would do such a thing. After this season ends in devastation, the senior side would me much depleted of its talent as players would possibly ask for a move elsewhere. To replenish the fluid counter attacking side, and also make the fans devoted, Real Madrid board might do such a thing.

Of course some of these transfers are quite unreachable but the three signings that I would personally love to see would be Paul Pogba, Neymar and Aubameyang. Pogba's creativity and capability would rejuvenate the midfield with Toni Kroos and Modric in any given situation. If Ronaldo were to leave the Bernabeu this season, I can see no other player filling in his shoes other than Neymar. He is similar to Ronaldo in many ways and would bring much more to the side with his dribbles, vision and samba skills. He is all about that pace, dribbles and goals this fella, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He would fit wonderfully well in the senior squad as the Merengues are a classic counter attacking side. The squad would then have options to play with two strikers upfront or stay the same.

These signings would only provide versatility to the squad in all directions. With the likes of Isco, James, Kroos all on the brink of leaving the club at the end of this summer, these signings will be pivotal to turn everything that is going wrong for the greatest club of 20th century.
   

You all must remember that magical performance against Real Betis that James Rodriguez presented at the Bernabeu for the crowd. What awesome goals and assists they were. They literally left everyone hanging on the edge of their seats begging for more of the same. A super sensational freekick, an overhead kick and Ray Hudson's cries of ecstasy still rattles in my ears. I had then predicted that this season would be even more perfect for the Colombian after performance like that. A lot has happened since then and everything has now gone south for the Colombian superstar.

Several newspapers have dubbed both James and Isco as the 'problem kids' and certainly those comments had helped less. From and 'untouchable' in the Real Madrid senior side to not a frequent starter anymore. Everyone is puzzled as what happened after that magical night at the Bernabeu? Why did the flair, the skills, the goals, the assists dry up?

For his slump in form, I will blame both personal reasons and also the long injury that he endured just after the Real Betis game. In a season when everything was starting to go right, absolutely back fired after the international call-up for Colombia where he picked up that season slumping injury. James watched from the sidelines the transitional phase of Real Madrid where he was mere an after thought. During Benitez's reign, the starting IX were often politically motivated rather based on their current ability. He featured in that nightmarish elclasico where he, just like others failed to make anything of the situation.

Had things been differently under Carlo Ancelotti? Presumably yes, but there is not a definite answer to this question. Carlo had magnificent relationship with the players and the staff. Players played more cohesively, under well built fluid tactics and most importantly every player played his role successfully for most of the part.

Bale has been featuring centrally in most the games for Los Blancos so far this season and has been both effective and prolific. With Bale playing centrally James has either been pushed to a deeper role or to the wings, which is not his natural position. Although we have seen some moments of brilliance form the Colombian but not enough to land him another 'best midfielder in La Liga'. But now times have changed as the Bernabeu whistles James; from and 'untouchable' to a bench player.


Truth be said, James is a wonderful player, a pure joy to watch. He will be a great addition in any football club in the world. His goals have lit up the bernabeu in multiple occasions and by no means I want to see him leave Real Madrid this summer. But after all that hype in the Real Betis game, what was the actual reason for his drastic slump in form this season? The answer will always be mixed in the political haziness inside the greatest football club in the world.    

Another clash at the Bernabeu is set to test the wits and vigor of our players as the woeful season continues. After a win against the Canerians in the last game, the team's defense is now completely dented with big names such as Ramos and Pepe both out due to violations. Ramos got a second yellow and was sent off in the dying moments of the game, whereas Pepe got a yellow card in the game and will serve a game ban due to accumulating 5 yellow cards.

Last time out in the great Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, Los Blancos had suffered a defeat against the Andalucian side which was just before the that infamous elclasico. So, the question still remains, can Real Madrid avenge the loss at the Ramon Sanchez?

Times are so different for both teams now. Real Madrid are prolific at home and on the contrary Sevilla are still to win any game away form home this season (D9 L5). Sevilla have conceded the most shots in La Liga this season (419) and the other hand Real Madrid have the highest amount of shots in all of La Liga (551).

The odds are on favor for the Merengues as they have proved to be good at home rather than away games and Sevilla haven't won a single away game so far in the league. Sevilla are boasting a crushing performance against FC Basel before coming into this game and the royal whites have little to say as they were disappointing against Las Palmas and were able to scrape a lucky win at the Canary Islands. Real Madrid have had more days to prepare for this game than Sevilla. Sevilla will try to press up high the midfield and try to counter more, like we have seen in their recent games. They will try to play more physical rather than wanting to keep the possession. Madrid should try to exploit large amount of gaps on the wings and the box to come on top this stubborn tie. Lets hope that the home side can salvage all three points and make the bernabeu loyal happy.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
-REAL MADRID:
Gareth Bale  

-SEVILLA
Kevin Gameiro

On January 21, 2015, Real Madrid signed Martin Odegaard, the wonder kid from Stromsgodset, for around 3 million euros. Los Blancos announced that he would train with both the club's first team and the reserves, then coached by Zinedine Zidane.

Just 17 years of age, Martin Odegaard has big shoes to fill in as the whole footballing world knows the quick paced football that this youngster is capable of. He was said to improve as time went on but his stats are that of any average youngster. Out of total 34 total appearance for Real Madrid Castilla, Odegaard has managed only one goal for the reserves and out of 26 appearances this season he has only managed 4 assists. Fringe stats right, but you will have to look beyond the stats to believe in his ability. He has been playing for the Norway national team since 2014 and his in game ability can be considered that of a matured attacking midfield player. His coaches have compared his ability to link up link up play to that of David Silva and Lionel Messi. On the contrary, Allen Halilovic, who signed for rivals FC Barcelona on March 2014, played for Barcelona B for a season and was loaned to Sporting de Gijon to build up experience for regular first team football.

Odegaard did become the youngest debutant for Los Merengues on May 23, the final fixture of the 2014-2015 season coming on as a 58th minute substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in an eventual 7-3 home win over Getafe CF. He showed some promising runs and link up plays with the players and left the Bernabeu asking for more of the youngster. Rafa Benitez included Odegaard for the pre-season games where he started a match against AS Roma.

The strategy that Real Madrid is using against prodigies such as Mayoral, Asenjo and Odegaard is somewhat unfit for their development. The whites had several loan offers for both Mayoral and Odegaard form around Europe but rejected all of them so that Real Madrid Castilla could be promoted to second tier of spanish football. Odegaard was a loan target of Southampton, Everton, Aston Villa, Borussia Monchengladbach and many more where he could have broken into the first team and gained some valuable experience that would ultimately be helpful for developing our squad depth even more. Due to the transfer ban imposed, I hope to see both Martin Odegaard and Borjita Mayoral to make it in the first team and with the potential they've got, I see no obstacle standing in their way.
       

It was the same old story in Laliga this evening. Las Palmas hosting the 32 time league winners at their home. It was a definite win for Real Madrid by just looking at the team sheets but on the other hand, the Canarians had some other intentions. Madrid scored their first goal against the run of play through a beautifully met header by the eternal Sergio Ramos. Willian Jose came back in the 87th minute to haunt his old club with a goal to tie things up. Just a minute later, Casemiro, the brazilian defensive mid gave Madrid the winning goal to keep the pressure on Atletico Madrid for the battle for the second spot in the table.

Apart from the 3 points everything was against Real Madrid's side in this evening fixture, I am pretty disappointed in how the team actually played with no vision and no intention of pressing against the opposition. It was as if a practice match or a friendly. But, more than that I was surprised that Zidane changed the team so much from the last tie. Sergio Ramos also got a second yellow resulting in a red card, which means that both our defenders Pepe and Ramos are to miss the next match against the stubborn Sevilla. Navas and Casemiro were great during the tie. Our team lacked cohesiveness and often relied on big names to produce what they have been doing.

Hopefully this match gives the players plenty to think about and the manager as well. If we are to do the similar against Sevilla at home then I would consider giving Odegaard his much awaited start. Let's face it guys if it wasn't for Navas saving our asses today, we would have been 3 points behind Atletico today. We need a good physio for the club, as injuries are getting more and more frequent for the club. Today was a rough day at the office for both the team and the manager and I hope the fans do understand that as well. Let's hope that we concentrate on the next tie as Sevilla will probably come to the Bernabau with intentions to shock the home crowd. All that matters form today's game is that we were able to get all the three points.
  

James Rodriguez, the Colombian superstar, a classic number 10 who can bang out those dribbles and the finesse in those long shots. A complete package with accuracy in passes, intelligent runs etc. 

As the woeful season continues, one name keeps coming up time and time again in matches. "Keylor Navas, the flying Costa Rican have beautifully saved Real Madrid again from being a goal down in this tie." Commentators have been obsessed with the swiftness and good reactions from the Costa Rican. His good run of form has saved our asses in multiple occasions so far now. The stats are really good for him this season as he has yet to concede a single goal in the champions league. He hasn't let a goal in for 540 minutes(6 matches) of game time with 13 total saves in the competition. Even in the Liga BBVA he has been in exceptional form. He has only conceded 23 goals in 26 games played with 9 clean sheets to his name so far. He has averaged 3 saves each game so far with 69 total saves in the league itself. Amazingly he has saved more form shots inside the box rather than outside the box.

With amazing stats like this, he is up there as one of our outstanding players this season. From that Manchester United controversy to the selling of Saint Iker, he hasn't let the madridistas down. His amazing performances and match saving saves have lighten up the world stage. Even though we are to buy DeGea this summer, I will be hoping that this amazing man between the sticks finds himself a good club or atleast stay and prove a point. HALA MADRID

It is of course a normal clash between 3rd in the league and 15th in the league. After winning the previous tie at home 3-1 against Las Palmas, we saw the royal whites 3 points clear of Barcelona having played a game more than them. Isco, Jese and Ronaldo were the scores in that tie but the previous stats may not matter now because the Canary Islands outfit have enjoyed good recent run of form. Having winning three of their league games in a row againt Eibar, Getafe and Villarreal(surprising) they are knocking at our door with some other intentions. They haven't won three league games in a row since 2000/2001 and the cherry on top for them is, they haven't conceded in these three games and also averaging two goals per game.

Let's be honest, by no means we are in a position to win the league and with the defensive problems we may have some problems in the champions league with the likes of Bayern, Barcelona, PSG etc.
We have won two of our last two league games with an average of 5 goals per game. With Ronaldo on fire and the midfield likes of Modric, Kroos and James, we should see this game to be relevant as the Celta game last weekend. The return of Bale in the team may be pivotal in putting this game off once and for all.

Every stat, every record goes away when you are away because the noisy away fans will do anything they possibly can to put the opposition off. So I suggest three things:

1. Should be a game similar to that of Celta Vigo. The dynamics of Las Palmas, the formation and the attacking sequence is similar to that of Celta.

2. We should play high pressing because we have been lacking that in our games from quite some time now. Kovacic and Casemiro provide us that but not the team as whole.

3. Be clinical. Our moves are great but we are not clinical enough this season. We need the likes of Ronaldo and Bale to truly step up and not hesitate to shoot from distance. Keylor will be fantastic which I am sure he will be.

PREDICTED SCORELINE:
Las Palmas 1-3 Real Madrid

PREDICTED LINEUP:

----------KEYLOR-----------
CARVAJAL---VARANE---RAMOS--MARCELO
MODRIC---KROOS--ISCO
BALE----RONALDO--JAMES