The Euros are fast approaching, and football’s getting serious; though there’s still fun to be had. Real Madrid took on Manchester United in the Corazon Classic match, with club legends (and Dion Dublin) lining up for both sides. Keep an eye out for Zinedine Zidane, Fernando Morientes, Teddy Sheringham, Roberto Carlos, Andy Cole, Luis Figo, Dwight Yorke and Edwin van der Sar… it makes you dizzy just to think about it [posted by MG].
“It is not normal to sell an image of perfection, because at the end of the day nobody is perfect.” - José. May 6, 2012.
You won’t know why I said it. Lots of people think they know me - that they have the measure of me. None of them do, they say it is something in my character, the impulse that drives me - then two weeks later it will be that I’m such a devious planner and that it’s all mind games. You can’t get your stories straight because it really doesn’t have anything to do with me, this perception of yours. It has everything to do with what you want, and what you need.
Is it some sort of surprise that these things come out of me? You all want football to be a narrative, a story with all the component parts. You want characters: some to cheer and others to shout down. It was the television that did this - the same place you could watch The Lone Ranger became the same place your football lives. Therefore, all the plotlines have to be easy for you, so I make them easy: you’re either with me or against me.
Who said the FA Cup was losing its prestige? Before Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Granada, former Liverpool midfielder updated former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho with the result of the final.
“Dos a Uno. Carroll.” Alonso told his manager. Mourinho responded by asking how long was left before turning away. Despite showing no emotion or interest, it’s probable that ‘The Special One’ was delighted with Chelsea’s victory. [posted by DV]
![2 giants, 1 objective
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich - A classic. 90 minutes remain in Mourinho’s quest to ignite Madrid’s everlasting dream of winning a 10th Champions League title. It’s a trophy that Heynckes won for Los Blancos in 1998, ending a 32 year wait. The obsession destination is Munich, but only one will be there.
Tonight two historic clubs clash in their 5th European semi-final with Bayern possessing the upper hand as they knocked out Real Madrid on three occasions, where they went on to win twice. Here’s a brief look at their previous meetings:
31/03/1976, First Leg Semi-Final, Real 1 - 1 Bayern
22/04/1987, Second Leg Semi-Final, Real 1 - 0 Bayern
03/05/2000, First Leg Semi-Final, Real 2 - 0 Bayern
1/05/2001, First Leg Semi-Final, Real 0 -1 Bayern
However, when Bayern lose against Real Madrid, it’s always been at the Bernabeu, but history is irrelevant tonight. Despite the Bavarians winning 2-1 at home, it’s an open game. Mourinho, who conquered this competition during his second season at both Porto and Inter, must win. A team can’t take risks when playing at the Bernabeu, but for the love of football, may the visitors not replicate Chelsea’s performance and fight for that vital goal. Let this be another classic! Predictions? [posted by DV]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m31lhrpcNL1qaznnlo1_1280.jpg)
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich - A classic. 90 minutes remain in Mourinho’s quest to ignite Madrid’s everlasting dream of winning a 10th Champions League title. It’s a trophy that Heynckes won for Los Blancos in 1998, ending a 32 year wait. The obsession destination is Munich, but only one will be there.
Tonight two historic clubs clash in their 5th European semi-final with Bayern possessing the upper hand as they knocked out Real Madrid on three occasions, where they went on to win twice. Here’s a brief look at their previous meetings:
However, when Bayern lose against Real Madrid, it’s always been at the Bernabeu, but history is irrelevant tonight. Despite the Bavarians winning 2-1 at home, it’s an open game. Mourinho, who conquered this competition during his second season at both Porto and Inter, must win. A team can’t take risks when playing at the Bernabeu, but for the love of football, may the visitors not replicate Chelsea’s performance and fight for that vital goal. Let this be another classic! Predictions? [posted by DV]
By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lisbon
There’s no denying that the two best teams on the planet are about to go head to head in another exhilaratingly exciting El Clásico, managed by revolutionary men, armed with an elite selection of Spanish world champions, sponsored by the two leading sports brands with varying “sports betting vs. Qatar foundation” kit sponsors, featuring two electrifying forwards, the two best players in the world. 90 minutes of speechless, yet dramatic football will be played at the majestic Camp Nou, which could virtually conclude the 2011/12 La Liga season - this match is monumental!
The Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry is a constant feature in any newspaper published today. It’s an unforgettable discussion, stumble into any local café in Madrid or Barcelona and you’ll be entertained with an endless argument; nobody cares about the crisis or alarming unemployment figures in Spain today, or tomorrow. But the answer which neither side will agree on, is, who is better?
The beauty revolving around the rivalry is that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo compete and desire to be number one, both individually and with their clubs. Both players are hard workers and this rivalry is strictly competitive, where they’ve praised each other on numerous occasions, contrasting with the fiery Keane vs Vieira or a bitter Pele vs Maradona. Now the fact that they play for eternal rivals, simply intensifies a battle which has been endless since the day Ronaldo was presented in front of 80,000 roaring fans inside the Bernabeu.
And since transferring for a record to ‘Los Blancos’, he’s seen Messi consectively crowned king of the world by FIFA. Zlatan Ibrahimovic compared the two superstars perfectly during his interview, “Leo Messi is all talent, while Cristiano Ronaldo is the product of much training.” The Swede makes a point which many agree to and in order to be the best ‘o melhor’, a players needs talent and must work hard.
So why isn’t Ronaldo the best?
We didn’t forget. No, these past four months have felt like an El Clásico continuum that has taken over football. The media frenzy has spun entirely out of control, but nevertheless tomorrow is, once again, worth the hype.
If Barcelona doesn’t win another Clásico, then Real Madrid’s path to their first La Liga title since 2008 becomes ever-so-simple, like finishing a race in Mario Kart with Star Power. José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola both have one eye on the Champions League, but on Saturday night the spotlight shines entirely on the Camp Nou.
Here are some handpicked reading recommendations to help make your level of anticipation resemble geeks who sleep outside Apple stores waiting for the new iPhone:
Without further ado, what do you think will happen between the world’s greatest rivals? [Posted by EB, image via]
The Champions League always provides an immense backdrop, with an abundance of characters. These characters are usually met with excessive amounts of talent, yet this match at the Allianz Arena got ugly. In the end, Mario Gomez bagged the winner for Bayern in the game’s dying minutes, and they’ll take their 2-1 advantage to the Bernabeu for the second leg of the semifinal. Ryu enjoyed a 6 hour train ride to Munich to capture the 22+ men being watched by tens of millions.
(Interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede and check his Flickr)
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