Manuel Pellegrini Follows Adam Bader's RealmadridTalk
Wednesday, 04 November 09, 01:02 PM · Comments (42)
Casillas: Shhhh, we owned you, you bastards!
..... maybe because he stumbled across one of OleOle's ads in the stadium or he has heard of me. Either way, Pellegrini did everything I wanted him to do last night; he started with Benzema and Higuain, played Arbeloa as a left-back and most importantly, played his game. Read my preview and you'll see that my thoughts were exactly his. I'm not surprised, it is obvious and common sense, but I'm very happy to see him experiment and the reward was a great improvement in our collective performance.
We had over 13 shots on goal. We raped AC Milan in the first half, we totally owned them. Hadn't they had Pato on the team, they wouldn't have been able to be as dangerous as they where yesterday especially in the second half.
Kaka was everywhere. He had a lot of freedom and motivation to play well, and for that he was literally raped by the Milan defenders. I'm not trying to criticize the referee here but I thought there were some unnecessary and harsh tackles on Kaka. Some might say this is the price of being a dangerous player and I agree, but what's the referee doing there?
For the first time in three years, captain Raul sat on the bench for the SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME. this is a WOW. This gives you an idea of how much preference Capello, Schuster, Ramos and Pellegrini have given to him. Many complain that he slows and limits our game, and I sort of agree, because he is a unique player that you need to build the lineup around him. He doesn't have pace, he can't dribble nor make create something out of nothing -- he just scores smart goals exactly like Inzaghi.
With Benzema and Higuain upfront, however, we were able to play in a different way. It was a different team. Kaka seemed compatible with those three too. This is why I was asking for Raul to be benched -- just to experiment with different strategies and see what works best for the team. What do we have to lose? Raul is always there, so If this experiment fails (which it didn't) we can always have Raul back.
So what can we take away from last night's fantastic game? Here are the positives first
- Arbeloa is a better left-back than Drenthe or Marcelo and he can still improve. He managed to contain (with difficulty) one of the most dangerous strikers in the world, Alexander Pato.
- Lass is class and I dare to say he is one of the best players in the world. He has been incredibly consistent since his debut (touch wood) and this one is the untouchable - not Raul or someone else.
- We owned AC Milan at the San Siro. Critics complain that Real have failed against big teams. Well, we have showed an improvement. We were able to own AC Milan last night and we could have won deservedly.
- We are slowly showing quality, spirit and style. The Alcorcon defeat was harsh, but the victory over Getafe and the fantastic performance against Milan last night shows that we are capable of reaching our top form.
Now it is time for some criticism...
- Alonso hasn't adapted/not in form yet. He is actually effecting the team negatively. The only game he shined in was the Valladolid clash. I still expect a lot from him, but If he continues to perform poorly, I would demand that Granero be given a chance.
- Marcelo is a good winger, but not as good as someone as Robben or Ronaldo. This is no brainer, but I wouldn't consider him our primary option. I know Pellegrini doesn't think so as well, however, I thought he should have been taken off in the second half as he was out of breath and most importantly IDEAS.
- Pepe and Albiol need to play more with each other, or to put this in another way, we need to pick two center backs and let them get used to each other. It is important to have a strong defense which its defenders understand each other and can communicate clearly.
In a nutshell....
It was a great display. We played well and we should have won. I hope Pellegrini sticks with this formation for a while, but he has to drop any under-performing players and give some of the bench guys a little playing time.
Hala Madrid!
RANDOM NEWS - FACTs
- Albiol's appeal for his red card was not accepted and so he'll miss the derby.
- Although Ronaldo has been unofficially declared as fit to play, the club made a statement to say he is still injured, possibly as a way to keep him away from playing with Portugal.
- Benzema's goal against Milan was the team's first since Joseito's in 1956.
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glayzer said:To be honest Drenthe and Raul can't be compared. Drenthe may be fast but he has...
42 Madridistas have commented on "Manuel Pellegrini Follows Adam Bader's RealmadridTalk" · Add yours
As you pointed out adam, scoring in San Siro after 50 year is itself an achievement.. Look what happens after one Match day, Barca have now gone to 3 position and they have a tie with Mourinho and tricky one to Ukraine..
The only unfortunate news is Ronaldo not playing. I think they want him to rest till international friendlies are done, so that he will be fit for el clasico..
We will win the derby , but will Pelle go for 3 in 3 .. ( No Raul and Guti in starting line up )..
they are saying ronaldo injury is not improved!..bad news man i hope he gets back for the barca game
Read this in the end
LINK
If Rubin win at home ( which is possible considering two draws with Inter and Barca) and Special One wins in Camp Nou, Barc are out to Europa league .. Another candidate at Europa league is liverpool
Reply to anayth:
i wish RM won't go to Europa league as well..
We r not in comfort zone yet.. not there AT ALL
Reply to SaramiR:
Yes, friend we have not yet qualified, but we have already faced the Pot 1 team twice. If we win against Zurich at Santiago bernabau , then we just need a draw at Marsalie.
Totally agree with you Adam. Notice how the game change went Raul in? He was dispossess twice if I'm not mistaken which the counter attacking from Milan gave me a scare. Fortunately, Raul did show his killer instinct once...a shot on goal.
What I can't understand is why when Raul and Kaka in, it seems that Kaka was not like himself..a bit dull in the game? Maybe its true that they are not compatible in each other but surely a pro should play like a pro with whoever they play with.
Alonso was not at his form yet and I say bench him and try Grenero in his position. Let Drenthe play in Marcelo position too. The rest stick with the players.
Lets look at the positive side about Cr9's injury.
We did rely on him a bit too much before. This will give time for the team to gel; and as soon as CR9 comes back we'll just be plain unstoppable.
Kaka in the last 2 games showed his qualities. If he keeps this up I can see Madrid reaching very far this season.
Terrible news just in.
Cristiano Ronaldo has shown no signs of improvement and the Real Madrid Medical Team went to Holland to consult his previous doctor who after checking him up said he need another month to several weeks.
And if he doesn't get better a surgery would have to take place leaving him sidelined for 2-3 months.
We need C Ronaldo back for El Clasico no matter what. That's 24 days away.
If we can just keep that lineup healthy and have Ronaldo return....
Reply to Madrid4Life:
in other words we lost the league>>>ronaldo case aint much different to that of robben
LINK
nice words from the captain
Reply to trooper:
LMAO how did we lose the league?
1 pt behind Barcelona c'mon now....
Reply to Madridista09:
without Cristiano we lost 3 drew 2 and won 2 !!!!and if he doesn't recover before El Clasico we r done...
Guys, we have a new home on Facebook. Please become a fan of the new page
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Adam,
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Reply to trooper:
Judging from some of the comments Real Madrid is just a one man team now? -__-
That's one point, one point behind Barcelona with a lot of games yet to be played. Please give the team some credit. They're slowly finding their feet and what do we see from some "fans"?
Oh DOOM and GLOOM moaning.
Please. There are a lot of things to criticize about the current team, but geezus take in the positives as well.
GOOD NEWS: Dr. Van Dijk examined Ronaldo said he doesn't need a surgery and should be fit in 10 days (could face Barca)
LINK
Reply to Adambader:
it is 24 days left so i am sure he will recover faster than that and he will be fine against barca because he has got plenty of time to recover i think they only say that to stop him from playing for portugal as they(portugal) thoght they were sure he would be included in the squad
Reply to Adambader:
thank YOU!!! some good news
Reply to madridista 4life:
it says he will be in recovery period for another 15 days after Dr. Van will evaluate the situation . portugal has 2 play off on 14th n 18 th november. n ronaldo will be fit on 20 th november . i guess everyone understand that
Reply to melbournemadridista:
Got it . He will be raring for some action after Nov 20..
Reply to Adambader:
hey man i heard that he will be out for another month from Marca, as, and all those media outlets.
Reply to Madridista09:
And you believed them, it's Marca and AS mate
Honestly, i'm not too worried about the Ronaldo injury because I saw a very mature Real Madrid against Milan and that's very encouraging. Don't get me wrong, we step up a gear with Ronaldo but while he's out, I feel it will be easier for the team to gel. When he's on the field, everyone's like, "Oh, Ronaldo's there, he'll work some magic and win us the game." While he's injured, the rest of the players will have to step-up. We're too dependent on Ronaldo so his injury will only mske us more of a team, even if we have to face some average results along the way.
Reply to trooper:
Wow, someone's optimistic.
Squad list for Atletico game announced:
Goalkeepers: Casillas and Dudek.
Defenders: Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Garay, Metzelder, Marcelo, and Albiol.
Midfielders: Gago, Kaka, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart and Granero.
Forwards: Raul, Benzema, Higuain, Van Nistelrooy.
Oh yeah btw I officially love and support Manuel Pellegrini.
In his press confrence today he was asked "Is their speculation whether the starting Eleven will feature Raul or not in the Calderon?
He answered:
"The Starting eleven will be decided tomorrow. Raul has played a lot and his performance speaks for itself. At certain times, the team did a good job without it. But for me he is always an important player in the squad."
Pellegrini I support you till death. HALA MADRID.
Albiol in the squad. I thought he was going to be suspended for this game
Albiol is in the squad but his decision is still pending whether or not he will be suspended. but maybe Metzelder will start
Reply to Madridista4:
honestly, if the opponent is not Alt madrid, i would like to see the backline as: arbeloa, pepe, ramos, drenthe. but since we are missing a proper LB except arbeloa....i don't think that will be a good idea to start metzelder against aguero and forlan.
i want to see the lineup against milan again since the team is formation is gelling well but it rarely happens under pelle's rotating rule. i would like to see RVN to have more min.
Reply to DynastyofRealMadrid:
i gotta attach that we must play marcelo with arbeloa as the LB cuz our left wing would be dead otherwise.
Reply to DynastyofRealMadrid:
Mate the rotating rule is over I think; Pellegrini said so after Milan. That we have to find the best 11 to Gel.
i fink albiol will play otherwise he wouldnt ve been included i hope so cuz i dont think we can rely on metzelder against kun and forlan
Reply to Madrid4Life:
and u know what is the most amazing thing!!!!guess what guti is agian left out
...i am with you bro on this one 
lets support pellegrini
Albiol has been suspended the appeal has been denied so he will miss the game tomorrow meaning either Metzelder or Garay will start . most likely Metzelder .. Albiol gets a rest which is important as well he has been playing a lot of games
I am hearing Raul will be a starter
About Albiols red card
LINK
They have made a second appeal and are waiting for an answer.
That's why he's in the squad.
Reply to BIM-56:
I thought the second appeal was also rejected?
Reply to Madrid4Life:
that would be fantastic then!! i has 20+days to gel b4 the el classico and we seem to be on track. we are very likely to have everything all set b4 the classico too as long as there is no more injury(im praying for this)!!
Reply to Madridista4:
RVN should be in the starting lineup instead of raul!! i have no problem seeing raul playing against the weak backline of Alt madrid but i dont understand why RVN wouldn't be even a chance while raul can constantly start. and i def think higuain is gonna play much better against weak defense(although he struggle agsin Milan's italian style man-on-man marking).
The podcast is back
LINK