Managing Madrid - Real Madrid Vs. Espanyol, La Liga 2012Dominating European football since March 6th 1902https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50831/mm-fav.png2012-12-17T18:23:51+01:00http://www.managingmadrid.com/rss/stream/35411032012-12-17T18:23:51+01:002012-12-17T18:23:51+01:00The View From the Press Seats
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<img alt="Managing Madrid's Press Pass" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1jGKzVSbPXNR6QjS8KQPX6yQKkw=/0x73:1100x806/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5160255/dsc03377.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Managing Madrid's Press Pass | Lucas Navarrete</figcaption>
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<p>It's always good to watch football live. TV broadcasts sometimes don't show interesting tactical movements such as Khedira and Modric playing in the same line ahead of Xabi Alonso or Özil tending to go to the center of the pitch even though he was supposed to play on the right wing.</p> <p align="justify">As you know, Managing Madrid enjoyed a neat opportunity to cover Real Madrid's match against Espanyol thanks to the club's press department. In this article, we'll go deep on how the team played, so this would be some sort of a recap taking profit of the opportunity to watch the game live in such good seats.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Dsc03372_medium" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1886887/DSC03372_medium.JPG"></p>
<p align="justify">The first thing I noted was Modric's positioning. Real Madrid played with a 4-1-2-2-1 throughout the whole first half. Instead of playing as an attacking midfielder, the Croatian player had Khedira to his side helping a lot offensively. Nobody trusted this movement by <span>Jose Mourinho</span>, but Khedira was the one that assisted Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid's first goal. Modric wasn't playing bad, but Mourinho wanted to play a little bit faster, so he changed him for Di María and moved Özil to the attacking midfielder position.</p>
<p align="justify">It's odd, but Özil almost played as Real Madrid's second striker, when he's a playmaker. Di María was Real Madrid's catalyst, so Mourinho's substitution was spot on. The bad thing is the team couldn't capitalize the good chances Espanyol conceded.</p>
<p align="justify">In the first half, Callejón was Real Madrid's forward. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110670/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo's</a> favorite position is on the left wing to then shot from the outside or run to the box, but he should've played in the middle instead of a Callejón who seems very sloppy when given the chance to start the game. He always tried to break down <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol's</a> defensive line with his runs, but Aguirre's team was well organized to prevent those runs with a 4-5-1 system in which only Sergio García didn't work defensively.</p>
<p align="justify">It's obvious that Mourinho would've liked to re-introduce Modric as soon as Real Madrid score the 2-1 goal (if possible). His slower tempo and control of the game could've been very effective when Mourinho's team was already ahead. One way or another, Real Madrid had the chance to score at least two more goals but ended up conceding off a set piece in the 88th minute.</p>
<p align="justify">The team will now have a tough challenge in Málaga before entering Christmas' break. It'll be hard for Real Madrid fans to be optimistic about that game consdering Madrid's struggles on the road, but the team's good streak has to come sooner rather than later. It can't always be this bad.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/17/3776714/real-madrid-vs-espanyol-liga-2012-press-seatsLucas Navarrete2012-12-17T15:33:51+01:002012-12-17T15:33:51+01:00Player reaction to Real's disapointing 2-2 draw
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Here's a sampling of the commentary uttered in the aftermath of Real Madrid's hugely disappointing 2-2 draw with relegation threatened Espanyol at the Bernabeu yesterday.</p> <p><span>Jose Mourinho</span>, in particular, spoke at length about the draw's impact on his team's quest to retain their La Liga crown, <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/jose-mourinho-downbeat-as-real-madrids-task-of-overhauling-barcelona-becomes-practically-impossible-8422010.html">saying</a> of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona's</a> lead (which did indeed grow to 13 points by the end of yesterday's fixtures):</p>
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<p>"It's practically impossible. It's 10 points which could become 13. Thirteen points in December are a lot. We had eight last year and despite drawing two matches we maintained that distance."</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/17/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-barcelona">Mourinho continued</a>, placing the adversity he's facing with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> this year in the wider context of his coaching career:</p>
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<p>"I have never seen a situation like this before, losing so many points, and having a team so far from its objectives. It's new for me, but I am not about to give up. I am not going to make a drama of it. We will seek to finish the season in the best way possible. We have titles within our reach and we have to fight for them, but the league is almost impossible now."</p>
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<p>Ever the master manipulator, it is difficult to tell whether this was raw candor by a somewhat humbled manager or last-ditch motivational psychology administered via the press. We can all have opinions as to which, but only the players can truly react and change the course of this narrative.</p>
<p>He then addressed the players directly, <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330131248606/noticia/Noticia/Mourinho:__The_effort_the_players_made_was_enough_to_deserve_to_win_.htm">saying</a>:</p>
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<p><b>"</b>I think that it has to come every man for himself. It is a matter of professional pride and of each individual’s ambition that each player has to think about. You're not happy, you do not enjoy what’s happening, you lose too many times and you are far from the aims you had but you still have others. Real Madrid, just for being Real Madrid, always have to fight for every match and I think that is what you need to get yourself ready for. Without any cheap philosophy or nonsense. This is about the individual pride of each person wanting the best for himself and his club<b>"</b></p>
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<p>Mourinho singled out <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110670/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo's</a> effort, <a href="http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11827/8338136/Jose-Mourinho-says-Real-Madrid-cannot-win-La-Liga-title">saying</a>:</p>
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<p><span class="lingo_region">"Cristiano played well but his team-mates didn't. The attitude has been good and what we need is a bit of calm and luck. For the effort of the players we deserved to win but we wasted clear cut chances."</span></p>
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<p>The boss then went on to single <span>Luka Modric</span> out for a different reason, telling reporters:</p>
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<p>"Modric is still having some small problems, especially when playing two consecutive matches in three days. Each time we pick him twice in a row his performance has not been the best."</p>
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<p>Mourinho <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1267729/jose-mourinho:-luka-modric-still-struggling-for-fitness?cc=5901">gave some insight</a> into his thinking regarding the decision to substitute Modric in favor of Angel di Maria at the end of the first half:</p>
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<p>"I was a bit sorry to bring him off because he was not playing badly nor did he deserve to be taken off. I took a strategic decision. I thought putting Di Maria on and opening up the flanks could help the team. And it did, because I think that in the second half the team produced more attacking football. So that is why I was sorry to take off Luka, but it was for strategic reasons."</p>
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<p>Di Maria did influence the match after his introduction, but he was also involved in a handful of missed opportunities that have become all-to-common features of his erratic performances this year.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110858/xabi-alonso">Xabi Alonso</a> <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330131255504/noticia/Noticia/Xabi_Alonso:_%E2%80%9CThese_things_can_happen_if_we_don%E2%80%99t_lock_down_the_match%E2%80%9D.htm">mentioned</a> the set-piece elephant in the room, something Mourinho would not, saying:</p>
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<p>"These things can happen if we don’t lock down the match. We controlled the game a lot but we didn’t sentence it. We ceded another goal in a set piece at the end of the game with hardly any time to react."</p>
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<p>Neither Xabi nor <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110857/sergio-ramos">Sergio Ramos</a> would concede the La Liga title to Barcelona, despite the yawning gap between the two sides, as <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330131255316/noticia/Noticia/Sergio_Ramos:_%E2%80%9CIt_would_be_a_mistake_to_throw_away_La_Liga_at_this_stage_of_the_season%E2%80%9D.htm">Ramos emphasized</a> to reporters:</p>
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<p>"It would be a mistake to throw away La Liga at this stage of the season. I wish this streak turns around and we have more luck. The only thing that changes are results, every player on the team still demands the same from himself. We shouldn’t throw the season away, it would be a mistake to dwell on this draw. It’s obvious that you’re not happy when you don’t win, but if we’re united when we win then we also have to be united now"</p>
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<p>Callejon <a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330131255731/noticia/Noticia/Callejon:_%E2%80%9CWe_dominated_but_they_defended_deep%E2%80%9D.htm">said</a> that Los Blancos "dominated," noting with frustration that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol</a> defended deep, another recurring pattern in this season, as teams are systematically defending deep and daring Madrid to unlock their defense with ingenuity and creativity--an ingenuity and creativity that this talent laden side is currently struggling to generate on a consistent basis.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on these comments and the state of the team today?</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/17/3775914/real-madrid-vs-espanyol-la-liga-2012-player-and-press-reactionDennis J. Seese2012-12-16T21:18:02+01:002012-12-16T21:18:02+01:00A Tactical Experiment Goes Awry
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Mourinho's tactical experiment falls short.</p> <p align="justify">After expressing disappointment with this starters against Celta Vigo in the midweek, José Mourinho made some expected changes to his line-up.</p>
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<p align="justify"><b>The First Half</b><br><br>Only Madrid's forwards were rotated for this game, initially. Karim Benzema, as expected, was dropped from the line-up, apparently with injury. Although various networks announced that Cristiano Ronaldo would be head of the attack it was quickly apparent that José Callejón had been placed there. Ronaldo played, as usual, on the wing. Modric was in the centre, and Özil on the right.<br><br>Angel di Maria, rumoured to be under pressure from Mourinho for showing a lack of interest in Madrid's mid-week Copa loss against Celta Vigo was also assigned to the bench.<br><br>An excellent team move involving all the forwards and some good work from Arbeloa resulted in Madrid's first excellent chance - not quite finished by Luka Modric - in the 4th minute. The same player would hit the post in the 26th minute. He would then lose the ball in the 30th minute. Espanyol broke and scored through Sergio García, in their second dangerous break of the half.<br><br>0-1 to Espanyol.<br><br>Madrid maintained 75% possession during the half and it paid off in extra time. Sami Khedira's cross found Cristiano Ronaldo in the 47th minute for a scrappy finish.<br><br>Real Madrid 1-1 Espanyol.<br><br>Other notes: Espanyol's Wakaso was removed by Coach Aguirre for Alfonso half-way through the first half. The player should have been sent off with a second yellow card, and the coach decided it was not worth the risk. Fabio Coentrao had an involved and energetic first half.<br><br><b>The Second Half</b><br><br>Mourinho removed Luka Modric at the half in favour of Angel di Maria, who is obviously more accustomed to playing with these players in this formation (and who would normally be expected to start). It wasn't exactly a surprise because although Modric had played quite well there was an obvious lack of chemistry among the attackers, with moves breaking down and Cristiano Ronaldo, in particular, crowded out by defenders. It paid off almost immediately. The not always popular Fabio Coentrao scored his first league goal for Real Madrid right in front of a delighted Fondo Sur within 2 minutes off a pass by Cristiano Ronaldo.<br><br>Özil, who had been quiet during the first half, became more involved - putting Angel di Maria through on goal twice in the space of a minute. The Argentinian was to hit the bar. In the 63rd minute, di Maria was to return the favour, putting the German through on goal.<br><br>Aguirre made his second substitution early, one left-back for another.<br><br>Morata, on for Callejón, was Madrid's final substitution.<br><br>Madrid were to concede in the final 5 minutes of regular time after shambolic defending in the box. Juan Ángel Albin was to strike to make it 2-2.<br><br><b>Tactical Notes</b><br><br>Espanyol played a tight, withdrawn game in the first half - leaving masses of space in front of the Madrid goal as the defence pressed forward. That they scored on the break in the first half was not really surprising. <br><br>In the second half, Khedira and Alonso (in particular) seemed to hold off, creating more space. Espanyol had better chances, but so did Madrid, in a much more open game. The removal of Modric also left portions of the attack (Özil, in particular, who had been quiet in the first half) and our defensive midfield (Alonso and Khedira) with clearer roles to play. Özil and di Maria are players who, of course, speed up the game. Again: Modric had played quite well, but the line-up was muddled. He seemed to be playing a hybrid role in the first half and it is to Mourinho's credit that he realized it wasn't working. <br><br>Was this line-up a risk worth taking? Probably not, in the final analysis. Madrid controlled the game in the final 20 minutes but couldn't hold on to their lead. A better first half might have made the difference.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/16/3773636/real-madrid-espanyol-liga-2012J A Marsano2012-12-16T11:43:51+01:002012-12-16T11:43:51+01:00Must-Win
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<img alt="Santiago Bernabéu" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I3zwwJhn9wyLs7Rsmm2xilb_gXA=/0x46:1100x779/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5087855/dsc03364.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Santiago Bernabéu | Lucas Navarrete</figcaption>
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<p>Without much time to recover from the loss against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid faces a must-win game against Espanyol in the Santiago Bernabéu (19:00 CET). Karim Benzema finally made the cut and will be available for José Mourinho, even though he left the game against Celta due to an injury in his ankle.</p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US">Every Liga game is tough. That was what Mourinho said in the pre-match press conference yesterday at the Santiago Bernabéu. And that's why he said Coentrao will play instead of reserving him for the match in Málaga. </span></p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol</a> is currently one of the worst teams in the Spanish competition, but Javier Aguirre's defensive style could complicate Real Madrid's gameplan. <span>Jose Mourinho's</span> team is having trouble against tight defensive lines that defend well the center of the pitch, and with Di María's current performances, Real Madrid doesn't have a good winger to break the defense.</span></p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US">If Espanyol is going to play a defensive match, it'd be interesting to place <span>Luka Modric</span> besides Alonso. That way, Real Madrid would have another playmaker that could find his teammates. Furthermore, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110267/sami-khedira">Sami Khedira</a> is not playing great lately. He was too soft against Beñat when Betis beat Madrid, and against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/valladolid">Valladolid</a>, he didn't help his teammates with the ball.</span></p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US">If Benzema is able to start, Madrid would have a very good playmaker upfront too. Benzema understands the game well, but he isn't playing at the level he was used to last season. It'd be essential for Real Madrid to recover Gonzalo Higuaín to have another option when Benzema isn't having a great day, but the Argentinian player won't comeback sooner than 2013.</span></p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US">Thanks to Coentrao' recovery, Mourinho will be able to line up his usual defensive line with Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos and the Portuguese left back. Real has been struggling lately in both wings, so maybe Coentrao's deep runs will open up space for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110670/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> and his teammates. </span></p>
<p align="justify"><span lang="EN-US">One way or another, Real Madrid needs a win. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> will play against Atlético Madrid right after the game against Espanyol. And with a complicated game in Málaga next week, Real Madrid can't afford any more mistakes.</span></p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/16/3772322/real-madrid-espanyol-liga-2012-analysisLucas Navarrete2012-12-15T18:20:52+01:002012-12-15T18:20:52+01:00Mourinho Answers Managing Madrid
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Managing Madrid had the chance to be in Jose Mourinho's press conference prior to Real Madrid's game against Espanyol. He said Fàbio Coentrao will be avalaible to play against Espanyol to answer our question. The Portuguese coach also said there's no such thing as an easy match in La Liga.</p> <p align="justify">First, Mourinho said he has many doubts about Benzema's status for tomorrow's game. The French striker left the match against Celta injured, so he shouldn't be avalaible to play tomorrow, according to Mourinho's words.</p>
<p align="justify">Then, when asked about Fàbio Coentrao's availability for tomorrow's match, Mourinho said the Portuguese left back will play if he's ready. Unless he injures himself in today's training session, Coentrao will be on Real Madrid's starting XI against Espanyol.</p>
<p align="justify">Mourinho expects a typical Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabéu. A balanced team that attacks and defends well. He didn't want to comment on Florentino Pérez's words (the President said Real Madrid had the best coach in the world) because he never responds to his bosses' comments.</p>
<p align="justify">Real Madrid's coach also said that in football, nobody can talk about the physical aspect of the game without considering tactics, mental preparation and so on, because this is a global spot.</p>
<p align="justify">Managing Madrid would like to thank once again Real Madrid's press department for this opportunity.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/15/3770210/mourinhos-press-conference-recapLucas Navarrete2012-12-14T16:07:31+01:002012-12-14T16:07:31+01:00Scouting Aguirre's Espanyol
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<figcaption>Jasper Juinen</figcaption>
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<p>Watch out, because Barcelona's big rival could be in the Liga Adelante next season. Mexican coach Javier Aguirre took over after the <em>periquitos </em> fired Mauricio Pochettino three weeks ago. The former player did a great job with the team last season, but Espanyol has not been able to keep that level after Vladimir Weiss and Philippe Coutinho went back to their teams.</p> <p align="justify">Aguirre has two draws in his pocket already. His defensive line wasn't great, so he decided to build a good defensive team first instead of trying to score many goals. Spanish midfielder Joan Verdú is arguably <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/espanyol">Espanyol's</a> best player, but Sergio García's creativity could also be dangerous.</p>
<p align="justify">Pochettino's favorite striker was Longo, but Aguirre seems to like Stuani better. Both of them are quite good with aerial balls, but neither one has the quality to score frequently. Former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.villarrealusa.com/">Villarreal</a> winger Wakaso runs a lot, but he also commits a lot of mistakes for his team. He could also play in Espanyol's midfield, but that's not his natural position.</p>
<p align="justify">Other than that and Mexican defender Héctor Moreno, Espanyol doesn't have tons of weapons. Christian Álvarez is a very decent goalkeeper, but Colotto, López and Álvarez aren't enough for his team to prevent the opposition from scoring many goals.</p>
<p align="justify">Javier Aguirre is known for his good defensive strategies, though, so Real Madrid could have troubles trying to break Espanyol's defensive line given how bad the team is performing with the possession of the ball. As always, it will be a midfield battle. If Espanyol's Forlín and Sánchez are capable of stopping <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> playmakers, it will all come down to Real Madrid's accuracy.</p>
<p align="justify">If former Atlético Madrid winger Simao Sabrosa plays, Espanyol would have a very dangerous threat in their set pieces. And Real Madrid's poor defending in these plays is something Aguirre's team should take benefit from.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2012/12/14/3766388/real-madrid-espanyol-liga-2012-scoutingLucas Navarrete