Tag Archives: real madrid

Champions League Chuntering: There’s Always Next Year…

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Robert Lewandowski learned what it was like to have the personal attention of Real Madrid’s record red card earner last night. Image: DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images.

In the end, of course, it all came down to Sergio Ramos. Jose Mourinho’s musing on the fact that Robert Lewandowski scored four goals in the first leg and yet was not fouled once was obviously taken to heart by the Real Madrid central defender, whose constant clattering, elbowing and bullying of the Polish international was sufficient for him to lose his composure in front of goal.

It’s a testament to Lewandowski’s focus and professionalism that he accepted the majority of the attention without complaint, despite ample opportunity to bitch to referee Howard Webb, and, amid rumours of his departure, it’s difficult not to feel like the Champions League trophy is his idea of a perfect parting gift to the club that gave him his breakthrough.

Dortmund’s necessarily stoic, functional performance last night in the Bernabeu makes it hard to argue.

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Champions League Chuntering: Conquerors With Combovers

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Image: PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images.

Love him or hate him, the bloated, whacked out world of elite football needs Jose Mourinho. The Real Madrid manager, still reeling from Borussia Dortmund’s captivating demolition of his team, stated in a press conference last night that he was certain his players could overturn the 4-1 deficit, claiming “Of course we can do it. On a crazy night where everyone performs at a high level and you score every chance, you can do it. What you cannot do is get knocked out without dying on the pitch.”

Like the replay wasn’t going to be entertaining enough without the likes of Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso overdosing on tanning oil if they fail to reach the final.

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The Weekend In Football: Hair Today…

Arsenal v Manchester City - Premier League

City vs. Arsenal. Upsetting scenes. Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images.

This isn’t the first time we’ve been left tramatised and jonesing for cheese by events on Super Sunday.

But it’s without doubt the most visually arresting.

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The Weekend In Football: The False False Number Nine & Other Stories

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Even neutrals are embarassed by how much United need this man… and how much his former club miss him. Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images.

Robin van Persie is a striker. So is Carlton Cole, on occasion. Fernando Torres used to be one, while Luis Suarez is a really good one when he’s not banned/rolling about on his back with his legs in the air.

Del Bosque has a hell of a lot to answer for, y’know.

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The Weekend In Football: Blowing Hot & Cold

Bastian Schweinsteiger. Tights at the top of the Bundesliga. Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images.

With those long winter evenings closing in, what better way to pass the time than to snuggle up warm and entertain yourself with irrelevant facts from the weekend’s European football fixtures?

Actually, don’t think about that too much that. Just read the post. Ta.

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Real Madrid: Audi Doodly!

Original Image: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Europe.

We wonder if the rich boys of Real Madrid would be so enthusiastic about receiving free cars as  part of the club’s partnership with Audi if they were more relevant to the their sartorial preferences?

It would certainly make the rest of us feel a bit better about our shite cars.

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Mesut Özil: Boot Ban Buffoonery

adidas. Image via botasdejugadores.

A few months ago, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesult Ozil committed an act of flagrant adultery. In public. On a football pitch. He’s just been called out on it.

What do you mean, you didn’t know?

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