Real Madrid Face Atletico Madrid in Copa del Rey Finals

I think until now some are still talking (including this post) and can’t still believe how Barca were dumped out of Copa del Rey (1-3) in a stunning fashion. Much more that it came from their arch rivals Real Madrid knowing that they (Barcelona) are at the top of La Liga standings with a massive 16 points lead from Real. It was the first time since 2008 that the Catalans have been well beaten with such gap in a very important match and that ended their hope for another treble title this season.

Adding to their agonizing defeat is the fact that they’re going to dig deeper in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan on 12 March after their stunning 2-0 loss at San Siro. Barcelona should score at least three goals and blank the Rossoneri in order for them to go through the last eight. 

With a very organized counterattacking tactics and disciplined defensive walls, Real Madrid have neutralized Barca’s “Tiki-taka” style of play and have closed down the passing lane that leads to Messi’s uneventful night. After scoring two goals, Ruin-naldo has become a nemesis for the Catalans as his goals have directly contributed in losing titles in the past three seasons. And it is now official and confirmed that Real Madrid will face city rivals Atletico Madrid in the finals on 18 May.

NB: Image from cristianoronaldofan.net.

The Roller Coaster Ride of the Season

It is undeniable that I am a die-hard fan of Real Madrid and it is one of the motivations that prompted me to watch “The Battle of the Champions” between Spain and Uruguay at the Khalifa International Stadium. But unfortunate events happened days before it was staged and some of Real Madrid’s Spanish players did not made in the line-up due to injuries they sustained during one of their La Liga matches. Most notably is the number 1 player and captain, Iker Casillas, hand injury from accidental kick by Arbeloa during their match against Valencia. 

But that’s not what this post is all about; I just don’t seem to understand what’s happening now for the reining La Liga champions this season with their see-saw games starting from the opening match. They won today with tough opponents and lose tomorrow with lowly and struggling clubs. They seem can’t gather themselves to get into the winnings ways that made them Spanish champions last season. Many have said that Real Madrid is mathematically cannot defend the La Liga title anymore as they lie third in the table and a whooping 16 points behind leaders Barca. 

So they are now focusing their view in winning the Copa del Rey and the Champions league instead but that won’t come very handy as they face not just tough but arduous opponents. In the former, they’re against arch rival Barca in the semi-finals, drawing 1-1 in the first leg at the Bernabeu and the return leg is later this month on 26 February at Camp Nou. While their Champions League quest in round of 16 will start on Wednesday at the Bernabeu against Premier League giants Manchester United. 

And of course you know then what I’d love to have from the results of the match yet have mixed feelings as they lost to Granada last weekend then dismantled Sevilla yesterday. With that alone, you can now imagine Real Madrid’s roller coaster ride of the season.

NB: Image from wikimedia commons.

Copa del Rey - Real Madrid beat Barcelona

Iker, the successor of Paul (I'm sure you know who Paul is) proved that his first prediction in last Saturday's match between fierce rival Real Madrid and Barcelona is not a fluke and not just a onetime success. The other day, he predicted Real Madrid to emerge as winners in the finals of the Copa del Rey at the Mestalla and it proved to be right. And at the moment he is already two out of two correct predictions when Real Madrid beat Barcelona to win Copa del Rey.

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Iker was named after Real Madrid's goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Spain's captain during the World Cup in Africa. Paul on the other hand became so famous when he predicted correctly all eight important games, in as many match, in the 2010 World Cup in Africa, including Spain's first World Cup trophy.

The match did not produce any winner, not until in the added extra-time when Ronaldo superbly executed a perfect header following a pinpoint cross from Di Maria and beat Barca’s keeper in the net. It was all enough to give Mourinho his first silverware since joining Real Madrid and it is also Real’s first Spanish Cup in 18 years. And as usual, the Los Blancos finished the game again with 10 men after Di Maria brings down Messi and once again failed to finish a game in 11 men.

Nonetheless, the dramatic finale of Copa del Rey brought glory to the Merengues again and is more special considering that it was their archrivals Barcelona that they have defeated. But it’s not the end of it as they still have remaining two matches to fight in the Champions League semifinals which will start of 27 April. It is again another interesting match to watch and if Iker will continue his prefect predictions.

Copa del Rey - Second El Clasico

Tomorrow is another special and important day for Real Madrid and Barcelona football history and it is also the second El Clasico of four games in less than a month. It is much important to Real than with Barcelona since it would be their first silverware since 2007. With the 1-1 draw result of their La Liga game last Saturday, it is more evident that Barca will go on and win the championship trophy unless they will falter in as many games left in the season.

Both teams will see action at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia for the Copa del Rey finals for the first time in 21 years although they have met each other five times already before and Barca has the upper hand, winning three. The result of the game last Saturday could affect the strategies that both Pep and Jose will design whether to have an attacking and defensive tactics.

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The Copa del Rey finals in another game to watch and hope it will produce a spectacular results. So, don't ever miss to watch the game for it is not the result that I am interested but the prediction of Iker the Octopus.

Iker, by the way, is the successor of the well known Paul who correctly predicted all the results in the World Cup Africa last year. While Iker correctly predicted the 1-1 draw result in last Saturday's La Liga game at the Bernabeu and now he is going to prove that his first prediction is not a fluke.

Quatro El Clasico Had Just Started

With the first of the four Clasico between bitter rival Barcelona and Real Madrid ended in 1-1 draw, it would still be difficult to gauge who will emerge winners in the next three important games in two different competitions. Both teams will see action again at mid-week in the finals of the Copa del Rey and the remaining two games, for the Champions League semifinals.  Although Barca had an upper hand in last Saturday’s game but Real fought back relentlessly in the second half with just only 10 men and salvage a draw.

The draw put Barca closer in winning a third straight La Liga title and preserved their 8 points lead with only 6 games remained. Although, mathematically, there are still 18 points for grab but the remaining 4 games of Barcelona are against those from the lower half of the table. While Real Madrid has 3 games against top five teams and on top of it, the Blaugrana’s has been defeated only once this season and have drawn 4 times. So, the Los Blancos should win all of their remaining games and hoping Barca will slip up and at least get a draw in five games. Which I believe is less likely to happen.

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I believe at the moment Jose Mourinho is concentrating on winning his first silverware with Madrid in the upcoming Copa del Rey finals on Wednesday and also in their Champions League semifinals showdown in the next two weeks. Perhaps, Real Madrid had boosted their confidence with their 1-1 draw in the second Clasico despite playing with only 10 men in the second half. And Barca was unable to capitalized and beat 10-man Real Madrid. But the next three games were in a different level of competition and I believe, of greater magnitude as well.

See you on 20 April (Copa del Rey) and 27 April / 3 May (Champions League semifinals).

Second El Clasico - The Classic Derby

Tomorrow's second Clasico is not just an ordinary El Clasico for there are so many at stake whoever emerges victorious in the derby. More so for Real Madrid who has been demolished by Barcelona in their first Clasico last 20 Nov 2010 at Camp Nou. The second Clasico will be a barometer in their next three encounters and El Clasico will no longer be just a local engagement but was brought to a higher level in the European competition.

Real Madrid will not just seek revenge from their 0-5 demolition, they will also have a psychological edge going to the Copa del Rey finals four days later. Then there are more things to prepare for another classic matchup in the Champions League semifinals. The pride of the Merengues is at stake in the four El Clasico. If ever Real Madrid won on 16 April, they will cut the lead of Barcelona in the Primera Liga in 5 points and there are 6 more games left to go. If Barcelona won the second Clasico, it will further bury Real Madrid and extend the gap for 11 more points. And if that’s the case may be then the Los Blancos and Jose Mourinho are less likely to achieve the treble that they are much longing to have.

Whoever is your bet for tomorrow’s second Clasico, I want to see the Los Blancos in the finals of the Champions League. But what hampers on their way is the hard fact that Real Madrid haven’t won the El Clasico for 2 years now.

16 April 2011 : Not Just Second Clasico

For the El Clasico fans and followers, mark your calendar as 16 April 2011 is the date that everyone should not miss. It is not just the second Clasico but it could be the deciding factor if Real can still catch up the chase with Barca in the championship race. If Real wins, statistically, the race is still on but judging with the way Barcelona have been playing and the 8 points gap is doubtful and near impossible to overcome.

What’s more interesting is that four days later they will face each other again in the finals of the Copa del Rey. So, who ever get the three points on 16 April will have a psychological edge going into the next big games.

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And you think the thrill and excitement just ends right there?

With both teams thrashing their respective opponents in the Champions League first leg quarters by a considerable big margin then there’s a big possibility that both teams will face each other again for the third time in just one month. It could be the fourth Clasico then. It will be decided and wrap up midweek next week whether they will meet each other again in the semis.

If Madrid lost again this weekend’s second Clasico, it is virtually impossible for the Los Blancos to overtake the Blaugrana even if they are going to fight for it until the end. There are only six more games left and the road for the treble is not in Real Madrid’s side for they still have games against top five teams.

Triple Barca - Real Derby Imminent

With Barca's thrashing over Shakhtar Donetsk in their own Champions League quarterfinals first leg, it is now imminent that the Blaugranas and Los Blancos will be meeting each other for at least three times this month. They will face separate opponents first later this week on Saturday (9 April) before the second El Clasico will happen at the Bernabeu. Real was demolished by Barca when they have visited them at Nou Camp for the first Clasico. At the moment, Real is trailing Barca by 8 points after an upset at their own turf by a lowly team Sporting while there are already 8 more games left.

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The result of the second Clasico will have a possible impact in the coming games that they're going to have. Four days after the second Clasico, they will meet again for the Copa del Rey finals. Who will win on 16 April will have a psychological edge in bringing home The King's Cup silverware. Then on 26-27 April is the Champions League semifinals game and possibly both teams will meet again based on the recent results by demolishing their own opponents. Real hammered Tottenham with a 4-0 score while Barca had demolished Shakhtar by a 5-1 score.

I cannot wait to see all those games happened and I am already excited in this situation. And the triple Barca - Real derby can no longer be stopped anymore.

El Clasico Derby Extended...

Later tonight Barcelona will see action against Shakhtar Donetsk at Camp Nou in their first leg Champions League quarterfinals. A win by the Blaugranas will give them a boost for a possible semifinal showdown with the Los Blancos. If that would be the case then their 2010 rivalry will let them face each other for at least three times in the weeks to come.

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Two of them will happen in the next two weeks. The first one will be the on 17 April for the second El Clasico and this time will be held at the Bernabeu and you know what happened in the first Clasico. Next encounter will be 4 days later for the final of the Copa del Rey (The King's Cup). And late this month for the first leg of their (possible) Champions League semi-final clash.