Re-Posting: Barcelona, Udinese agree on fee for Alexis Sanchez

This was first reported a little over a month ago, but Barcelona has finally secured the services of Sanchez (the Chilean version of C. Ronaldo) for 26 million Euros + 11.5 million Euros if incentives kick-inn.

For more info check this site: Alexis Sanchez signs for Barcelona, Finally!

For more info about Alexis Sanchez, check this Wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_Sanchez

Transfer News: Jeffren and Jonathan dos Santos

It's been a slow transfer season FCB but here recent headlines:

Jeffren and Jon dos Sanots are set to leave FCB for greener pastures with bids tabled by Bolton Wanders (Euro 6 million for Jeffren) and Real Zaragoza (Euro 1 million for Jon), respectively.  This time however, FCB's lawyers have taken a page from Madrid's and inserted buy back clauses that allows FCB the opportunity the right to repurchase the youngsters services for a reasonable amount.

I personally would have preferred pushing them up the ladder and have them play with some of the senior players in the Copa del Rey to sharpen their skills within the organization.  But the buy back clause is goof enough for me.  Too bad, we didn't do the same with Nolito or Soriano (the Segunda Pichichi)...

On a separate matter, International Spanish Left-Back (ahm, ahm) Capdevilla is set to leave Villarreal on a free transfer.  With the problems we're having in Defense, I would think that this would be an excellent FREE opportunity?

Sometimes I wonder at the goings-on @ FCB...

Anyway, now that Argentina is out, at least our three Argentinian Ms (Messi, Mascherano, and Milito) are not injured, yet!  I was impressed by Caceres composure in heading the ball for the 1st goal assist and his penalty kick that eliminated Argentina

For more info click this page --> Bolton have bid for Jeffren accepted by Barcelona | tribalfootball.com
See also --> Real Zaragoza offer accepted for Jonathan dos Santos
For more info --> Capdevilla to leave for free

Thiago renews his contract

Wonderful news everyone,

Thiago has put the rumors of his impending transfer to rest by renewing his contract till 2015 raising his buyout clause from Euro 30 million to 90 million.  All the best!

For more info --> Thiago renews his contract until 2015 | FCBarcelona.cat

Roma secure Barcelona's Bojan Krkic for €10m

Bojan has secured a move to AS Roma under Luis Enrique's stewardship with a buyback clause.  All the best Bojan.

For more info click: Roma secure Barcelona's Bojan Krkic for €10m - report - Goal.com

Final thoughts for the season

I love the fact that people blame Barcelona for giving the Big Mouth (aka, Mourinho) a taste of his own anti-football medicine, not realizing that Madrid's Special Mistake (aka, Mourinho) was the one that tarnished the image of Spanish football overall and of Madrid in particular when he chose to counter Barcelona's style with aggressive tactics especially in light of the 5-0 humbling.  When Madrid snatched a draw and subsequently lifted the Copa del Rey, commentators were VERY quick to applaud his special ability to neutralize Barcelona's style of play.  It seems logical that coming to the CL, Pep knew that the only way to win was to get down and dirty with a mad genius obsessed with defeating Barcelona.  To prove my point, just look at the magnificent style of play in the final; no yellow cards for the first 2/3s of the match even though Valencia should have received a yellow.  Both teams played beautifully and both deserved to be in the final, the better team simply won, even SAF acknowledged Barcelona's performance.

One more thing, the team's spirit was displayed when Abidal who is not the second, third, or even fourth captain, was handed the captain's armband so that he may lift the CL cup in recognition of his ordeal with his liver cancer and his commitment to the club - Actions speak louder than words and on that day everybody knew what "mes que un club" meant.  What's your team's motto?  Now do you know why I and the rest of the world love Barcelona?  Think about.  Thank you.

We are the champions!

Congratulations to FCB, the best in Europe, once again in the new Wembley as they were in the old!!!

Good bye Mourinho

Good bye...

Abidal returns from liver surgery and CL formation

Hey hey! Foxsoccer reports that Abidal is back...

Based on this info: Pep will probably go for the following formation:

F:    Messi, Villa, Pedro
M:   Iniesta, Xavi,  Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

Reserves: Abidal, Afellay, Keita, and a Team B GK.

----------------

The Big Mouth's team is missing his key defensive components (Pepe and Ramos) and will have to rely on a more attack-minded formation as follows:

F:      Hinguin
W:    Di Maria & C. Ronaldo
M:     Alonso & Ozil/Kaka
DM:  Diarra
D:     Marcelo, Carhalvo, Albiola, Arbeloa

Reserves:  Benzema, Adebayor

This formation should be countered by our previous Clasico formation with Busquests and Keita, which this armchair manager would like to look like either 4-4-2 (Iniesta as a midfielder) or 4-3-3 (with Iniesta out on left to toy with the thin Madrid defense)

F:    Iniesta, Messi, Villa/Pedro/Afellay
M:   Xavi, Keita, Busquets
D:    Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

With Afellay and Pedro coming with 15-30 minutes left and Abidal in the 90th minute.

Visca Barcelona and enjoy the game!!!

See this link --> Barcelona's Abidal returns from liver surgery

Nothing but silence at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Had a great day? Me too.

Long story short, Real Madrid with its deeper bench played too defensively and were punished for it.  The tactics were wrong and the best team one.  Barcelona had the momentum with several forays at Iker’s goal long before Pepe’s red card.  Also, unlike in the previous games, C.R., Ramos, Ozil, and Di Maria failed to deliver.

Remember, Madrid were the favorites coming into the game…

As for the goals, the first was a world class team effort that saw a pin-point pass from Afellay find its intended mark at Messi's foot, while the second sublime goal was piece of pure individual genius spanning 30 meters and 5 Madrid defenders.

Visca Barcelona!

Messi's brace in Madrid

The latest video from the "All about FC Barcelona" blog highlights everything (see link below).

The first goal came from a wonderful Afellay assist that was orchestrated by Xavi. The second goal was pure Messi magic from the middle of the pitch through 5 Madrid defenders.

For more: See this link --> Messi Goals from Barca Victory at Bernebeu | All About FC Barcelona

Madrid players who are 1 yellow card away from suspension

Here's the list of players that are 1 card away from being suspended

1.  Cristiano Ronaldo
2.  Sergio Ramos
3.  Raul Albiol
4.  Angel Di Maria

Also, Carvalho is suspended and Khidiera is injured.  Barcelona can and must win this game to maintain momentum.

Visca Barcelona!

CL Line-up

Hello all,

Unless Pep decides to pull a Mourinho-style fast one about Iniesta's availability, the line-up will probably look like this:

F:  Pedro, Villa, and Messi
M: Afellay, Xavi, Busquets
D:  Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

Reserves:  Keita, Milito, Fontas, Thiago, and Afellay (if Iniesta actually plays).

Pep could also play a 4-4-2 formation to counter a defense-orientated midfield (see below) with this line-up:

F:   Villa and Pedro
M:  Afellay, Messi, Xavi, Busquets
D:   Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, Alves

Big Mouth's line-up should look be what I dub (unless someone else has already beaten me to it) the "Christmas tree" formation: 4-2-1-2-1.  Without Carvalho and Khideira, the line-up is:

F:                         Adebayor
W:           Di Maria                Ozil
AM:                       Alonso
DM:         Pepe                     Diarra
D:        Marcelo Albiol  Ramos Arbeloa



It will be a difficult game, visca Barcelona!

An open letter to Messrs. Rosell, Guardiola, & Zubizaretta

Dear gentlemen, 

It is now apparent from our current attrition rates that FCB should focus on reinforcing our defensive line and supplementing our low-center-of-gravity forwards with a more physical presence.  We also need to temporary halt our obsessive pursuit of Cesc. 

As such, I would like to make the following suggestions if FCB is to continue to play on 5 fronts (La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and both international qualifications and friendlies): 

First, our defense is our Achilles’ heel;  the irreplaceable Puyol is 33 years old and without a viable substitute.  We need to find an heir-apparent and also find a stop-gap with Champions League and/or EPL experience.  This defender should be a pure defender and prone to supporting the attack like our other defenders.  In a previous post, I had praised Christian Cheivo as a versatile defender who can play as LB, CB, and midfield.  At 33, he might be open to a free-transfer from Inter.  Furthermore, we should release Milito and Maxwell or play them as experience members of Team B in the Copa del Rey, as DFM and LB respectively, to guide the younger players.  

Second, our FCB is missing in the big physical forward department;  Larsson and Henry both brought leadership and were instrumental in pushing their way through tall and physical EPL/Champions League level defenders (i.e., a tactic currently being employed by FCB’s ex-interpreter at Real Madrid).  Both Larsson and Henry knew that their careers were waning but knew that they can still add value to the team as “team players” in different roles.  No one can ever forget how Larsson created two beautiful passes to his colleagues to help FCB win the Champions League title in 2006.  Ibrahimovic did not deliver because, like Cristiano Ronaldo, is immature, egoistic and not a team player.  Maybe he can return when he matures and is humbled.  Speaking of mature, what about bringing back Eto’o from exile?  Furthermore, adding a 5th forward will bring more depth to the overworked Messi, Villa, Pedro line on the above mentioned 5 fronts.  Lastly,  FCB does not equal Bojan!  FCB needs to either loan Bojan out to another team to gain experience and ultimately return or release him for his benefit – if we do, we will need to find a suitable replacement from Barcelona B.  We can’t throw money on expensive forwards who don't have a chance to play alongside a healthy Messi, Villa, & Pedro.

Third, the infatuation with Cesc must cease or at least be postponed a few years until it becomes economically feasible to approach Arsenal for their captain’s services or even on a free transfer when Xavi retires in a few years;  this way we can give Thiago a chance to mature with more play time as well as spend less money on hidden gems like Afellay and Ozil.  In addition, any large payments made to Arsenal would signal FCB’s condonation of Arsenal’s free-acquisition of Cesc when he was still a minor and thus welcoming of further Arsenal-like tactics by other clubs.            

In summary, FCB needs to be better prepared for a Barcelona-obsessed Mourinho.  He basically brought the German midfield (the 2nd best in the world after Spain) and incorporated an EPL level defense, knowing full well that the only way to defend against FCB is to play hard and physical (which he have seen when Mourinho was with Chelsea, Inter, and now Madrd).  Rumor is he now wants John Terry...

Thank you and Visca Barcelona!

Osasuna/CL

Hey folks,

In preparation for the CL game, both Xavi and Ineista need to be rested, so here is my formation:

F:   Afellay, Villa, Jefren
M:  Thiago, Dos Santos, Keita
D:  Maxwell, Pique, Fontas, Alves

Reserves: Messi, Pedro, Milito, Puyol, Mascherano

You know that the Big Mouth will rest his players for the CL.

Good luck!

Copa del Rey review

Hey all!

1.  This game was all about Iker Casillas; El Capitan had a fantastic game and saved Madrid on several occasions.  Madrid also had stand-out performances by Di Maria and Ozil but it was really about Iker's brave performance and why he is the best GK in the world. Period!

2.  This was a good and relatively fair game between the two teams and the refereeing was better.  The first half belonged to Madrid, whereas the second belonged to Barcelona when FCB finally broke down a stingy Madrid back four and tested the very reliable Iker.  With the extra time, it came down to who would score first... (frankly the then concurrent game between other bitter rivals Arsenal and Tottenham was more entertaining).

3.  I would have brought in two fresh legs in the extra-time first half when both teams were tired. But's that's just the Armchair Manager in me expressing my thoughts.

4.  Personally, as you may have read on my earlier posts regarding the Copa, I would have opted to play Team B and save the players for the CL matches, giving the Big Mouth a false victory because I really don't see the Copa as anything but a testing ground for younger players.  Unfortunately, FCB is now without Adriano which leaves us with a patchy back four.

5. There are no volcanic activity forecasts to help the Big Mouth, so I expect the game in Madrid to see the same attacking/counter attacking style of the Copa clasico with everything to play.  Should Madrid win, the Big Mouth will revert back to his anti-football tactics.

Personally, I'm OK with the loss of the Copa del Rey to Madrid.  The truth is the boys became complacent and this loss is a cold slap in the face to wake them up.  They now go back to the lion's den with a desire to redeem themselves.

Visca Barcelona!

What Can $90 million buy? Getafe CF

Hey folks,

Royal Emirates, owned by Sheikh Butti bin Suhail al-Maktoum from Dubai, is set to announce the 90 million Euro acquisition of Getafe CF, a mid-level Madrid-based team.  Getafe CF is also currently known as Real Burger King for their Burger King logo and will be re-branded to Getafe Team Dubai.

La Liga has recently witnessed an influx of foreign investors with a Qatari Sheikh acquiring Malaga, just last May for 36 million Euros.  Indian entrepreneur Ahsan Ali Syed acquired Racing Santander in January 2011 for $3 million.

Congrats Getafe, the next Manchester City...

Click here for more info: FT.com / Europe - Dubai sheikh set to buy Getafe

Madrid spent $300 million for nothing

I can't believe that Madrid spent $300 million to play defensively the way they did.  The crowds were jeering.  But that is the way the Big Mouth plays, especially because lacks any professional football experience.  Don't get me wrong he is a great tactician and manipulator, but he is anti-football...

Madrid of old vs. Big Mouth's Madrid

What has become of Madrid?

What a shame the new Madrid has become.  The Madrid of old had style, they had greats like Zidane, True Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos who represented a classier Madrid that demanded respect - this younger "punk" version has loud mouths like Anti-Ronaldo, Ramos, and Pepe who lack style or grace.  Frankly, I cannot but help show my discontent and bias against a team that uses dirty tactics against quality players in effort to send them off on stretchers.

An interesting thing happened when I watched a late-night program about the Mafia paralleling what's going on now with Madrid:  The program stated that the old mafia used "controlled" violence - it was good for "business" whereas new blood had no respect for the old ways and always walked in like a bunch of thugs with guns blaring - this was bad for "business".  This younger Madrid generation has no respect for the beautiful game that is embodied in Spanish football.  Hence, while some bloggers refer to Madrid as the Evil Empire, I refer to them as the "White Castle Gang" (because they don't deserve to be called Mafioso) and will continue to do so until they change their Modus Operandi.

It's a matter of respect!!!

What sayest thou?

A quick review of the Clasico - we were very (un)lucky!!!

Hidi-ho,

This is an exciting time for me as a new blogger as I am sure it is for you the reader as all get to see 4 Clasicos in 18 days;  The two coaches professed a desire to come out attacking, but the truth is one team played while the other team was content to watch.  FCB was striving to win while Madrid was striving for a draw.  The Big Mouth's true intent materialized when he experimented with a 3-man midfield formation composed of Pepe against Bilbao.  He knew that the only way to stop (not necessarily defeat) Barcelona was to set-up two lines of defenders, which I must admit worked to dampen the threat to Iker, who was having a marvelous day himself.  

Here are my thoughts:

Pepe:

Pepe did exactly what the Big Mouth wanted and was almost about to pull another "Getafe Gaffe" when he was manipulated by Messi - I could imagine him wanting to poke Messi with his two outstretched fingers and he probably would have had the referee not been there.  Pepe also did well to lunge his weight against the speedy Argentinian as did everybody else (very sportsman like when you are lacking skills)

Madrid playing with 10-men:

Truth be told a 10 Madrid is always more dangerous than a full squad.  It's like the slap that wakes up the crazy wounded lion within them.  Remember when we played 10-man Madrid when the original Ronaldo scored a goal against FCB many years ago...

Big Mouth's playing with 10 men:

I have noticed a pattern of Big-Mouth teams being forced to play with 10 men and this has happened with Chelsea, Inter, and now Madrid.  Could it be because the Big Mouth is a defensive orientated coach, as was evidenced in last night's game.  Compare Madrid 24% possession rate vs. FCB's 76%.  Did anyone notice that all Madrid players were playing in their half and would only use counter-attacks.  In fact, the only dangers came from set-pieces (recall fake Ronaldo's hitting the goal post) or from Corner Kicks (recall when the went to Ramos on the far side, only to have him head to Pepe, who's attempt was intercepted by Adriano).

The Game Itself:

The funny guys at Foxsports and ESPN all claim that it was a victory for Madrid.  I don't know what they were talking about???  Madrid were came in beaten psychologically before the game began.  The Big Mouth knew that he could not defeat FCB and knew he could not afford to lose, so rightly inserted Pepe in the mid-field to play a nullifying physical game.  The game only started to become interesting when Ozil came in.  The un-justified penalty awarded to Madrid came as a result of Ozil's work.  Speaking of penalties, bravo Marcelo!  Your Sith Lord has shown you "Sun Tzu's Art of War".

The Players:

1. It was good to have Captain Puyol back, even for a short time.
2. Adriano is now an integral component on the left side, both in attack and in defense (he stopped Pepe's certain goal at the line).
3. Villa performed his duties as was required.  Villa posed a constant credible threat and was the reason why we got the first penalty and was the same player behind the second penalty that was not rewarded.  People should recall, that Villa is not a high-goal scoring machine (his career average is 21 goals, which is where he is right now) but is a havoc-causing machine and appreciated by a team that has been on the receiving end of that havoc for many years when Villa was with Valencia.
4. Alves performed admirably, especially considering that he had to deal with both Marcelo and Di Maria and took out the ball (please look at the replays, he diverts the ball before touching Marcelo).
5. The defense performed well forcing Madrid to take corner kicks and/or set-pieces.
6. Pedro is still not up to full gear yet.
7. Albiol's red card was deserved, he had his hand firmly on Villa's neck!!!
8. Benzema was ineffective, reminiscent of his playing late last year (he'll be shown the door)
9. Adebayor was the biggest threat (he'll take Benzema's place) and improved with Ozil.
10. Iker showed why he is respected by everyone, including Valdez and this author.  He read the game!

Game summary:

We were (un)lucky in may ways; we got a penalty given, but were equally denied a correct penalty.  The referee gifted Madrid a free penalty kick.  We also lost our Captain, while they lost a player.  Like I said, we were very (un)lucky!

I would like to put things in perspective, Cruyff said this game was not as important for us as it was for a psychologically beaten Madrid and it showed.  This was but a prelude, a cold-served appetizer.  There was no pressure on FCB to perform and Madrid was content to let FCB have the ball (akin to Inter, last year).  The hot-dish appetizer will be the Copa del Rey, whereas the main course and desert will be the CL.  I say that we serve the Big-Mouth his hot-dish appetizer but serve it cold.  Let him experiment with another formation (or not) but this time against Team B.  Let Afellay, Jeffren, Dos Santos, Thiago, and Fontas get their first kills (Afellay came very close).  Let the Big Mouth field his best players thinking that we will field our best in this game of chess.

Speaking of the Copa, we should not treat it like La Liga or the CL but should treat it as a testing ground for young talent.  We cannot continue to wear down our players on three fronts especially when Madrid improves next year into a more formidable machine.  MADRID HAS A YOUNG SQUAD THAT WILL IMPROVE OVER TIME AND A BIG-MOUTH COACH WHO IS OBSESSED WITH BARCELONA!!!  (Did you see him cry for a red card? What a cry-baby). We have the best team in the world but are aging (think Puyol and Xavi) and stretched to our limits (think Villa, Pedro, and Messi)

All right, this post is getting too long.  I'm outta here, but before I go I want to leave you with this link for a great review of the game by these Blogging Masters --> A half-speed Barca draws in El Clasico

Enjoy!

1-1 at White Castle

A gifted PK for Madrid in the 82 minute coupled with the blatant but unrewarded penalty on Villa meant that Madrid saved their face in front of their own crowd.

On the Copa del Rey...