The Matador vs the Ball

By Bagga Wilks

There have been historic match-ups in the world of sports and the Barcelona vs Real Madrid struggle for soccer supremacy in La Liga, Spain, can rival any of the past epics.

In the world of boxing, we have had the epics between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. In baseball, there was the fierce rivalry of the New York Yankees vs the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the world of football, there is the fierce rivalry between Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots. The mushrooming rivalry between Guardiola’s Matadors and Mourinho’s Bulls will do a lot for expanding the base of world soccer on cable stations.

The return leg of the Super-Cup was played in Barcelona on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 and it will go down in history as one of the greatest club soccer games in history. The first leg played in Madrid ended in a 2-2 draw. The finale ended Barcelona edging Real Madrid 3-2 and winning the Super-Cup. They also retained their place as the best soccer club in the world of soccer.



In a Barcelona-Real Madrid match-up, there are macro plots and there are micro plots. Throughout the night, Danni Alves, the Barcelona right full back was determined to keep Real Madrid’s Ronaldo in check. Although Ronaldo scored one of the Madrid’s goals and was outstanding, Danni Alves tackles against the Portuguese winger were superb. Alves played miserably in the Copa America tournament and below par in the friendly against Germany but against Real Madrid and Ronaldo, the Brazilian full back rose to the occasion.

Who had better goals? Ronaldo or Messi?

The biggest question in modern soccer is "Who is a better Player? Messi or Ronaldo?" Take a look at there goals for the season and let me know in the comment section who scored better goals?

Midweek Superlatives

By Bagga Wilks

Real Madrid vs Barcelona
There is a legendary Robert Nesta Marley song “Dem a Go Tired to See Mi Face” (They will be tired to see my face). Last week, Real Madrid and Barcelona played to a 1-1 draw, both goals were scored through penalty kicks, Messi for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid. Last week’s game was spectacular and today’s (Wednesday 4/20/11) was incredibly enthralling and they are not done yet. They will meet twice in the semi-final of the Champions League to decide who will be in the final that will be played at Wembley. Schalke of Germany and Manchester United of England comprise the semi-finalist in the other bracket.

Playing in the Cup final on a neutral ground, it took more than 90 minutes of ball for the breakthrough goal. Di Maria made a superb cross in extra time and Ronaldo showed his greatness with a superior header that gave the goalkeeper no chance but to retrieve the ball from the back of the net.

Who is the Top Futbolr in the World?

• Messi
• Ronaldo

Created on Apr 18, 2011

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poll by twiigs.com

Big Games, Big Players

By Bagga Wilks

What differentiated Pele and Maradona from ordinary players was that in the big games, they unmistakably stepped up to the plate. Pele won a few World Cups for Brazil and Maradona did the same for Argentina. Both Pele and Maradona were successful not only at the international level but at the club level.

This week football enthusiasts had a feast of big games which gave top flight players an opportunity to display their greatness. The Real Madrid vs Barcelona game brought together not only tow of the top teams in the world but two of the scintillating offensive players in the world, Ronaldo and Messi. Pepe did smother Messi at times but not sufficient for the fans not to see glimpses of Messi’s greatness.

Arsenal and the Mountain Top

By Bagga Wilks



Arsenal entered the game against Sunderland with their three scoring machines, Fabregas, Van Persie and Walcott, out of commission. Bendtner and Rosicky were expected to provide some punch in the offense and Arshavin in recent games is back to being an explosive player.
Unsurprisingly, without their three guns, Arsenal outplayed Sunderland as the team on the pitch adhered to the ball possession system that Wenger has instilled but for most of the game, no one had the creativity to step out of the system and unleash the unexpected.

The Sunderland game highlights that Wenger is an exceptional coach and an unexceptional tactician. Since Fabregas is hurt, it means someone has to step into the role as the playmaker. Wenger keeps hoping that Rosicky will rise to the occasion but Rosicky in the last two years has been a goal-less wonder and a non-playmaker.

Why wouldn’t the Arsenal coach give that responsibility to the creative and in-form Nasri? Nasri has been scoring goals, beating defenders in the last third and providing numerous assists. That responsibility was not given to Nasri until the second half when Nasri was brought in from the right wing position. He immediately began to work his magic and were it not for bad refereeing his through ball to Arshavin would have meant victory for Arsenal. Arshavin and Nasri combined well and if Nasri had a ninety-minutes crack as the playmaker, the outcome would have been different.

Arsenal faces Barcelona devoid of their scoring machine and if Arsenal is going to go forward in the UEFA Cup, Nasri has to start as the offensive mid-field playmaker.

The danger Arsenal faces, as was obvious in the Sunderland game, is that the two Polish players, Szczesny and Koscielny, seem to have a language problem. That failure to communicate cost Arsenal the Carling Cup. The persistence of that failure to communicate could result in Arsenal making an early exit from the UEFA Cup.



MANCHESTER UNITED FALL FROM GRACE

Sir Alex Ferguson went with his old reliable senior citizens in the match against Liverpool. He started Scholes, Giggs, and the younger crowd of Berbatov and Rooney. In the absence of the suspended Vidic, he brought back Wes Brown to anchor the defense with young Smalling.

As the season enters the final months, Scholes and Giggs are looking like heavyweight pugilists who have discovered that the punch and the reflexes are no longer what they used to be. Rooney, despite scoring a spectacular bicycle kick a few games back, was missing in action against archrivals, Liverpool.

Suarez was the impact player even though Kuyt was the Liverpool player who scored all three goals. Torres is yet to find himself since transferring to Chelsea while Suarez and Carroll have bolstered the Liverpool team offensive capabilities. Dalglish, the new Liverpool coach, who took over from Hodgson, has really made a difference. But if Liverpool is to re-emerge as a powerhouse in the English Premier League, at the end of the season, management has to go shopping for some central defenders and a creative mid-field player.




A.C. MILAN AND INTER MILAN

The race in Serie A is virtually over. Both Milan teams are rolling along like unstoppable juggernauts. Leonardo has managed to turn around Inter Milan’s season and Allegri has done a fine job with A.C. Milan. A.C. Milan squeezed a 1-0 victory over the lackluster Juventus and got a goal from of all persons, Gattuso.

Leonardo and Allegri have different coaching styles. Leonardo emphasizes finesse whereas Allegri places great emphasis on hard non-stop running. Pato had a slight injury and did not play against Juventus but if they are going to have a chance to turn around their 1-0 deficit playing against Tottenham at home in the UEFA league, Pato, Ibrahimovic and Robinho will have to convert and not squander opportunities. Tottenham showed on Sunday against Wolves that they can score spectacular goals but also give up a lot of goals.

The Serie A and the EPL have come down to a two-horse race respectively. In the Serie A, it is Milan and Milan. In the EPL, it is Manchester United and Arsenal. Dortmund seems a runaway in the Bundesliga as Bayern Munich lost again. With Ronaldo out with a hamstring for at least a fortnight, Barcelona is on track to win La Liga. Real Madrid trails and by the time Ronaldo returns to the starting line-up, Barcelona may very well be unreachable. Yet it is only March and spring could be replete with surprises.

NICE: OchoCinco Trains w/ Real Madrid?

The Cincinatti Bengals NFL player and friend of Cristiano Ronaldo Chad Johnson aka Ochocinco attended training and met Mourinho and the squad.
On Twitter Chad says"#random I've a trial with Real Madrid after my [ankle] surgery, would they really sign me with no professional experience? I'm just fast as hell." LMAO
Do You think Chad could pull it off?

Barcelona routes Real Madrid, 5-0.

In the summer, they were friends. But come winter, the seven Barcelona players who won the World Cup with Spain have dealt ruthlessly with the three Real Madrid teammates with whom they shared that triumph.
Read more at NY TIMES article on the El Clasico.

Coaches and Superstars

By
Bagga Wilks

The Brazilian, Robinho, was transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester City with a great deal of money and even greater fanfare. Robinho never found his footing under Mark Hughes or his successor, Roberto Mancini. Robinho played fairly well his first season in the English Premier League. In his second season, he got injured playing for his country and after his recovery never really got back his ‘samba” rhythm. He lost confidence in his game and the Manchester City coaches lost confidence in him.
Robinho was in a hostile work environment and went back on loan to play for his old club in Brazil, Santos. He recovered his form and confidence and played decently for his country in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under Dunga.

Ronaldo compares playing for Real Madrid to having a new Girlfriend

Ronaldo in an interview with Portuguese publication A Bola discussed his nation’s upcoming play-off clash to qualify for World Cup 2010, and also talked about his feelings four months after joining Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo has compared his summer transfer to the Real Madrid from Manchester United to ‘having a new girlfriend.’

On joining the Spanish giants, Ronaldo remarked, “When you have a new girlfriend, you have motivation to show her what you can do, and the amount that you want to please is higher.

“I feel good, and very motivated, when I am playing for Real Madrid.”

The World record signing has been out of action for the past few weeks after sustaining an ankle injury, and his participation in Portugal’s match with Bosnia next weekend has sparked a club versus country row, with national boss Carlos Quieroz desperate to include Ronaldo in his squad for the match.

The player chose not to comment on his injury, instead focusing on Portugal’s chances of participating in next summer’s tournament in South Africa, and also on the joint bid with Spain to host the 2018 tournament.

“I would not imagine a World Cup without our presence. We will be there. For Spain and Portugal to host in 2018 would be a great idea, because the two countries have good relations.”

SOCCER ON TV This Weekend

Friday, September 18
2:30pm Schalke 04 vs VfL Wolfsburg, GolTv, Germany
2:45pm Sheffield U vs Sheffield Wednesday, Setanta, England Championship
7:30pm NY Red Bulls vs NE Revolution, Direct Kick, MSG, MLS
8:00pm Boston U vs Boston College, FSC, Men's College Soccer
9:00pm Estudiantes Tecos vs Morelia, Galavision, Mexico
11:00pm San Jose Earthquakes vs Colorado Rapids, ESPN2, ESPN360.com, ESPND, OmniSportTV, MLS
11:00pm Vancouver Whitecaps vs Cleveland City Stars, FSC, USA United Soccer League

Saturday, September 19
7:45am Burnley vs Sunderland, ESPN2, England
9:30am Hannover 96 vs Dortmund, GolTv, Germany
9:45am Arsenal vs Wigan, Setanta, England
10:00am Aston Villa vs Portsmouth, FSE, England
12:15pm West Ham vs Liverpool, FSC, England
12:55pm Nice vs Monaco, Setanta, France
2:00pm Osasuna vs Sevilla, ESPN360.com, ESPND, Spain
3:00pm Marseille vs Montpellier, Setanta, France
3:00pm Seattle Sounders FC vs Chivas USA, FSC, MLS
4:00pm Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid, GolTv, Spain
6:45pm Hull vs Birmingham, Setanta, Delayed England
7:30pm Juventus vs AS Livorno, FSC, Delayed, Italy
8:00pm Guadalajara vs Jaguares, Telemundo, Mexico
8:00pm Pachuca CF vs Monterrey, Telefutura, Mexico
8:30pm Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake, Direct Kick, MLS
8:30pm Kansas City Wizards vs FC Dallas, Direct Kick, MLS
10:00pm Atlante vs Santos, Telemundo, Mexico
10:30pm Los Angeles Galaxy vs Toronto FC, Direct Kick, MLS

Sunday, September 20
6:00am CSKA vs Dinamo Moskva, Setanta, Russia
8:30am Manchester U vs Manchester City Setanta, England
9:00am AC Milan vs Bologna, FSC, Italy Serie A
11:00am Lens vs Lille, Setanta, France
11:00am Chelsea vs Tottenham, FSC, England
1:00pm Real Madrid vs Deportivo Xerez, ESPND, Spain
1:00pm CD Toluca vs Atlas, Telemundo, Mexico
2:30pm Roma vs Fiorentina, FSC, Italy Serie A
3:00pm PSG vs Olympique Lyon, Setanta, France
3:00pm Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew, Telefutura, MLS
3:00pm Santo André vs São Paulo, GolTv, Brazil
5:00pm Boston U vs Harvard, FSC, Womens College Soccer
5:00pm Queretaro vs America, Univision, Mexico

Monday, September 21

Tuesday, September 22
8:00pm Puerto Rico Islanders vs Saprissa, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League
10:00pm Houston Dynamo vs Arabe Unido, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

Wednesday, September 23
2:45pm Manchester U vs Wolverhampton, Setanta, England Football League Cup
8:00pm Columbus Crew vs Cruz Azul, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League
9:30pm Colorado Rapids vs San Jose Earthquakes, Direct Kick, MLS

Thursday, September 24
8:00pm DC United vs CD Marathón, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

WWW.FUTBOLR.COM

GOAL OF THE WEEK!

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro aka Cristiano Ronaldo
AMAZING!