4 Factors Have Contributed To Real's La Liga Revival
Wednesday, 04 March 09, 05:18 AM · Comments (35)
During the last couple of months, things have changed dramatically at La Casa Blanca. A new president, a new manager, three new players and most importantly, a tremendous and consistent performances from the team have reduced the gap with Barcelona from 12 points to just 4 in a matter of three weeks.
In this post, I'm going to highlight four factors that I think have helped Real regain strength and form in La Liga.
1) The sacking of Bernd Schuster
The German had been brought to bring sexy football or that's at least was Calderon's justification of sacking Capello.It was rare that Schuster's Real played that sexy football. He only did his job by winning (which is more important), but the German's job was easier than Capello's as he found a team that had gotten its spirit and winning mentality back.
What I'm trying to say is that, Schuster didn't fulfill his promise and delivered the attractive footballing style. He won the league and the Spanish Supercup but there was nothing extraordinary. Real's good results combined with Barcelona's awful form and inconsistency in the league were simply the two reasons that Los Blancos won their second consecutive league title. In the Champions League, Real where humiliated and eliminated by AS Roma and so the last 16 jinx continued.
Schuster's stubbornness and negative relationship with the press were also two factors that had a bad influence on the squad.
The fact that he had surrendered before we played Barcelona at the Camp Nou also suggests that Schuster didn't have a winning mentality and was easy to be conditioned by crisis.
2) The Appointment of Juande Ramos
This is no brainier. Juande Ramos has dramatically turned things around at the Bernabeu. He possess superb tactical and analytical skills that differentiate him from other coaches. He knows how to analyze games well and how to “respond” by making smart substitutions and changing the way his teams play.
He is also pragmatic, that is realistic. He doesn't differentiate between his players and he knows how to get the best out of them.
His decision to let players such as Robben, Rau'l and Higuain to play freely has had a positive effect on the team's results. This should have been done before, but it was only under Ramos that we saw the real Robben, the world-class winger that is a source of constant danger to most defenders.
3) The resignation of Ramon Calderon
I personally think that Calderon did many good things at Real. He helped get the team out of that coma and helped us sign some of the world's greatest players (Cannavaro, Van Nistelrooy, Diarra..etc), but the way he pursued Cristiano Ronaldo, treated Robinho and most importantly rigged the Club's Generally Assembly was absolutely unacceptable.These were not directly related to the team's performances, but they were distractions to the team. Every morning you'd find him on Marca's or AS' cover being accused of using club's credit cards to pay his bills or for trying to contract with players without the permission of their respective clubs.
4) The Signing of Lassna Diarra
Lass adapted to the team immediately, from Day 1. Since his debut, he has started in eleven matches and has been impressive. His strong physical form, excellent passing skills, anticipation and vision are what set him apart.Many people say he is a reject, because neither Arsenal nor Chelsea wanted him in their squads. I find it normal, it is natural for footballers to move from a club to another and if they do, it doesn't mean they are rejects. They may adapt to a club but not to another. They may get a chance or may not, and the later is the real reason Lass couldn't stay in England.
His partnership and understanding with Fernando Gago is one of the key reasons to Real's impressive results. Other midfielders such as Javi Garcia & Van der vaart are finding it hard to get a first team role because Juande can't bench Lass; he is his best defensive midfielder.
These were the four factors that I think have helped us close on Barcelona. I might have missed something, or might have highlighted the wrong factors, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Hala Madrid!
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35 Madridistas have commented on "4 Factors Have Contributed To Real's La Liga Revival" · Add yours
Wooooh! Hey Adam i think you pretty much highlighted the main points although Raul returning to form has also, in my opinion, been a crucial factor. His goals have helped us immensely.
I think we now have a decent chance of winning the league again. That said we still have potentially difficult away trips to Seville, Valencia and Villarreal to negotiate.
Despite our improved league performances however, the Champions League remains a problem. Last week we didn't create one really good chance against Liverpool and looked predestrian at times. I realize Liverpool we're packing the defence with about 9 or 10 players(and this sort of anti-football is killing the game) but REAL MADRID should have the ability get past these cynical opponents. Here's hoping we turn the tie next week.
Overall though, no doubt MADRID are looking a lot better than just three months ago when our league campaign looked all but over. And even with a poor result against Liverpool there is now hope. It might not be a bad season after all.
HALA MADRID!!!
Very good post and I agree with all of them.
Does anyone think that the absence of Van Nistelrooy also contributed big big time?? If he was playing, will Higuain be there in the starting eleven?
Reply to HishMaj:
Yes we missed Van Nistelrooy, but Higuain did help. I think that had Nistelrooy been fit, Higuain wouldn't have been a starter.
I agree with all except the ting about the resgination of Calderon.I was VERY disappointed by Boluda saying we'd win against Liverpool 3-0 and also recently he said that Barca's lead is 1point because we will win at the bernabeu. I thinkthose two comments are both disrespectfull and unprofessional.
keep it up
A factor which wasn't mentioned is that so far we have only had to play a game each week so the players had more rest and also had less injuries...it's interesting what will happen should we win in Anfield...
...great post Adam (as usual)
Amazing post Adam i like the data some big news came out today in MARCA saying that Juande Ramos has decided who to start in the defense on Saturday in the derby.. to replace Pepe will be Sergio Ramos in the middle and Salgado as the right back so the defense will be Salgado,Sergio Ramos,Cannavaro, and Heinze.. I like this lineup because we need fast centre backs in this game.. here is the link Madridistas.. LINK
Reply to Daniel:
Boluda should get shot for saying that, his cursing has lead us right OUT of the CL. I think we can have a new start for CL next season, fresh coach and players. The league is only our hope for now!!
Well said Adam. Juande has done a fantastic job with the squad. He is a tactician through and through first building a strong defense and holding down the midfield. Now the are that needs work is the creativity and engine of the team. Juande is working on it and with the return of Guti I see more creativity in our future. Lassana has been a complete jem for us. I think he can be the next Makelele I just hope we dont let him go. This leads me to my only worry and that is the over dependence of Gago and Lass in the middle. Eventually one will either get injured (I seriously hope not) or suspended and we will have to play some one else or play a Attacking Midfielder like Sneijder or Van Der Vaart. I want to see more flexibility but that is difficult to ask when the formula has produced so many wins. Also why is VDV not playing? I don't want him to leave but I think he will if he does not play regularly.
well done adam!
n id hate if they sack Juande ramos for wenger!
i dont think wenger is impressive at all, he plays sexy football but rarely gets cups and championships!
i mean juande needs a chance next season to prove himself
Impressive Adam!
yeah i think we missed Van Goal,he is crucial,i heared that an Ecuadorian player signed for Madrid here's the LINK
I totally agree with wut u said. CL is a tool for us to measure what level our team is at. I am trying to bury the efforts of players throughout the year, but it's very fraustrating for us to see our team gets eliminated in the 1st knocked out round in these years. we still have chance to turn back but god knows how hard it is gonna be. it's the time to bring in some galacticos to further strengthen our squad. Our team is in a excellent form now but still lacks of consistency. We getta keep it up.
A very good post!Agree!...Only about s.Calderon...the things will be really visible after some time!
Yes that is the truth.
But most impact on the game was made by Lass.
He is like Makelele in the old days.
As convincing as this period of wins is, I don't think the 'revival' is complete. To be ourselves again, we'd have to beat Liverpool and that would surely earn Juande another year too. Right now, we're only slightly above the Real Madrid of last season and we need to win in the CL to be back at the top of the ladder. Juande surely deserves to stay though, hands down. Hala Madrid!
we can only hope that the heiarchy keeps juande, he is brilliant, and has been superb.. one thing though, why play guti when we have VDV, who can do everything guti can, but better, and he can do waay more.. he is quick, a leader (former hamburg captain) he can dribble (like aimar) and he can create something out of nothing! HALA MADRID, HALA VDV AND HIGUAIN!!
Great post Adam!!
//helmer 09
Ill tell u why VdV aint playing, he just aint good enough. Sure he scored some nice goals at the start of the season but thats much easier when the team was "clicking"..
This might sound harsh and kind of drastic but i say sell Drenthe, VdV and sneijer this summer and get å world class central mid - I want X. Alonso!! Gago would see less time on the pitch but he could step right in and sub Alonso or Lass.. Rotate them with DlR and we have a superb CM!
Then get a world Class winger. Rotate robben, new signing and Marcelo on the flanks.. U could even use Pipita sometimes on the right..
The 4 forwards we have dont need changing.. Throw in some cantera in there from time to time and i will be happy!!
And last but not least get us a new LB - maybe Maxwell?! Hope Canavaro can stay 1 more year.
And ofc I hope tthat Juande gets a new contract..
Hala Madrid
All 25 players trained today without any problems Gago and Faubert both recovered from their injuries and trained with everyone else normally so this means Juande has a who squad to choose from for the derby except Pepe, and Sneijder who are suspnded for this match.. also on Marca they are reporting that the back four will be Salgado,Ramos,Cannavaro,Heinze saying that Juande Ramos wants fast centre backs for this game..HALA MADRID
Reply to Grande Pepe:
dude, u serious? WESLEY SNEIJDER AND RAFAEL VAN DER VAART arent world class? if they're not, then who is?!!? what other players do you consider not world class? ramos? casillas? both S and VDV rocked at the EUROS, were unstoppable at times last season, and were part of one of the greatest ajax teams.. madrid must keep them BOTH, especially VDV.. he is our best midfielder, next to lass and robben..
Reply to madridtrini4:
Yes im totaly serious about VdV!! Not Real Madrid material if you ask me! sneijer is good but cant see a spot for him in Juandes 442. He aint good enough to give him a Zidane-role on the left.. The only ACM who Can take that position right now in the world is Kaka. If we cant get him we simply need a world class winger on the left hand side. That makes Sneijer surplus, and i would hate to see such a quality player rott on the bench..
If u could sell Sneijder and get X.alonso would u swap?
And please dont insult me with your Ramos & Casillas questions.. Im here to share an opinion, not pick a fight
Hala Madrid
Reply to Grande Pepe:
lol, sorry, i get a little bit carried away, and it wasn't an insult, is just that where I'm from, we talk like that on a normal basis when it comes to football..
sneijder and alonso are not similar players to swap.. alonso is a player in between lass and gago.. sneijder just needs to stop being inconsistant,he would be great.. and along with VDV.. i would agree with some in that young players get exposed to big clubs to early.. had VDN not been injured, what would happen to higuain? higuain isn't world class either, yet he is a guaranteed starter now because everyone saw he was a real gem after he came out RVN shadow..
lets face it, guti has to retire, he has done great, a superb player, but he isn't world class anymore.. who now will take his place? madrid was a bit naive when they thought he could have done a similar role to zidane.. the only possible people who could do this now are kaka, diego, aimar, and maybe nasri.. ribery is a right winger,so he can't..
Reply to Grande Pepe:
I have to disagree. Kaka, VDV and Sneijder are essentially the same type of player. Although Kaka is by far in the top two best players in the world, these play the same role. I think Kaka may find it difficult to play with us just like VDV and Sneijder because they are attacking mifielders. Juande wants a creative playmaker who can supply balls to the strikers. And speaking thruthfully VDV and Sneijder are world class but VDV has not had a chance to prove himself. Sneijder has started far more games so he has little to no excuse for not producing, but VDV has not gotten a chance and I mean two to three full 90 minute games.
Reply to madridtrini4:
Ok then, no offence taken
First off you are not getting my point. My point is that RM needs a world class CM to slot in at Gagos position..A CM who plays deep, is creative AND have good defensive skills (Alonso).. Sneijer and VdV basicly plays as second strikers with very few defensive skills.. Sneidjer and VdV might shine in Schusters chaotic 433 but never in Juandes organized 442!
And BTW, u cant be seriuos when u put players like Diego and Aimar in the same sentance as Kaka!!! For me Aimar is past his prime and Diego=VdV - great in the bundesliga; mediocre in La Liga or the Prem.. I honestly feel Madrid should aim higher.
Hala Madrid
Reply to Grande Pepe:
i dont think alonso will leave until benitez does.. gago is 4 years younger than xabi, almost 5.. he has a lot to grow until he fills redondo's boots. i think he will, he has alot of potential, fighting spirit, and determintation.. (although that's basically the same thing in this context).. we need a back-up for him.. someone from castilla maybe.. although xabi alonso will be a great buy.. i think he's fantastic.
sniejder is our only ambidextrous player on the team, if we sell him now, you guys will have to wait about 7 years until i come and play.. :-D ill be 23 be then.. :-D lol..
HALA MADRID
Adam Bader you want to make a preview for the derby tommorow the squad list has been announced here it is.
Porteros
Casillas, Dudek
Defensas
Salgado, Ramos, Cannavaro,Heinze,Marcelo, Metzelder
Centrocampistas
Lass, Gago, Robben, Guti, Drenthe, Faubert, Van der Vaart
Delanteros
Raúl, Huntelaar, Higuaín
i think our formation though effective is very defense minded... we need to play 4-1-2-1-2 at least against liverpool if we want to win... Lass can be our one central defender with robben and marcelo on wings and sneider/vdv as CAM with the usual two strikers... i think this formation should produce effective and attractive football.... it will surely allow us to create more goal scoring opportunities.... both sneijder and vdv are world class players who have just been played in wrong positions lately... we should keep both of them as Guti is getting a bit too old.... plus we don't need Xabi Alonso...why would anyone want four CDMs? we already have three good players in that position in Diarra, Lass and Gago.... i agree gago is young and all but he is very good.... what we need is creativity which will come if we play the above suggested system, at least thats the idea.... HaLA Madrid!
Reply to madridtrini4:
Why does everyone keep forgetting Parejo?
And if he's fit again...maybe also De La Red.Both are awesome players who can play instead of Gago 
Reply to Daniel:
Parejo is not forgotten. He is a good player but he is young and we have more experienced players that are playing far better. As for De la Red, he is out for the rest of the season. I think he is a fantastic player and he was one of the key players that almost got Getafe a UEFA cup spot. I see De la Red as Guti's natural replacement when he retires. De la Red is good defending, excellent attacker and a good free kick taker.
Reply to helmet_09:
But it is being said...what if Gago gets injured...i think parejo should replace him.(Even right now) He is a direct replacement and he would be playing in his preferred position if he starts instead of Gago
Reply to helmet_09:
Kaka's rule is definitely not a playmaker, he's more like a second striker. His position is vague in both ac milan and brazil and he is one of the best player who can give the coach so much flexibility to adjust!! for a playmaker, i personally prefer Diego, he is a world-class one and the way he plays really suits RM more. if we can get Diego and Ribery !! we'll become the best team in the world again. signing Kaka or C.Ron looks more impractical and unrealistic!!
Diego is not world class for me, and it is ludicrous to compare him to Kaka, who may well be past his best. Diego, like Van Der Vaart, does not have the consistency to be a world class player. They have their moments, but can they come up wiith theh goods when we really need them to?
Gago has also failed to demonstrate that he is world class. The way he was bossed out of both matches against Liverpool was very telling. I am inclined to give him more chances, but with each passing week I grow more pessimistic about his chances of becoming the midfield general we truly need. It's like Liverpool depositing all their faith in the ability of Lucas to carry their team. Aint gonna happen.
Revival..the right word!And very good opinion Adam!
Agree!Calderon made some crucial moves before leaving!
Reply to HishMaj:
if ruud was there, he would have scored more goals though, wit raul and higuan switching places from time to time.
I have nothing to say except barcelona trash real madrid!!
VIVA BARCELONA
i love real madrid and i hate barcelona
gooooooooooooooooooool del madrid