Real Madrid CF [CM2006] (Real Madrid 1:0 Chelsea)

[MWaugh]

Real Madrid CF vs Nice at Stade Municipal du Ray

July 26, 2005

1st Half



32 min: Zinidane Zidane fills his boots with a breath taking long range volley from a David Beckham free kick. Beckham crossing the ball in from the left flank for Zidane to rocket home past Gregorini in the Nice goal. Zidane scoring his first goal of the season to put the visitors up just past the 30 minute point.



45 min: During stoppage time in the first half, Zidane puts Real firmly in control with a looping header after a cross from debuton Bastian Schweinsteiger from the left wing. Zidane netting for the 2nd time in the match from 15 yards out to beat Gregorini again.

64 min:


Baptista, Ivan Helguera
Beckham, Gerrard

David Beckham makes way after another solid performance as Baptista and Ivan Helguera take to the field. Steven Gerrard is also brought off after showing signs of fatigue, the new signing turning out a cautious display under his new manager but showed promising sings.

Guus Hiddink makes full use of Basitan Schweinsteiger's versatility as the German switches to the right while Zidane drops into the left midfield role, allowing Baptista to play an attacking role.

84 min:


Ronaldo, Pablo Garcia
Cassano, Graverson

Hiddink makes his final changes of the match, Bringing the hard working Tomas Graverson off along with the out of sorts Antonio Cassano. This allows Pablo Garcia to have a short run in the defensive midfield role, while Ronaldo gets a short period of time next to Raul up front.

90 min: The full time whistle is blown and Real finish their French campaign with a 2-0 victory. Their 3-1 record in France proving a successful adventure.

 

[MWaugh]

Les Murray Talks Football

July 26, 2005



Nice will probably count themselves lucky that they werent further punished after allowing Real 18 shots on goal to their own 4. Again Real dominated on the pitch and thanks to two magical strikes from Zidane were able to walk away with a comfortable victory. Manager Hiddink will still look for a 30% improvement from his players ahead of the season, with Real still looking cautious going forward.



Zidane showed a return to form with two blistering strikes to guide his team to a 2-0 victory. The return to form will be of great satisfaction for Hiddink with his star player finally finding some touch. Real debuton Fabio Cannavaro also performed pefectly in his first match for the club, while fellow signings Steven Gerrard and Bastian Schweinsteiger were solid on debut.

(Zinedine Zidane showed a return to form with 2 goals against Nice)

 

[m_vaughan]

Good debuts for Schweinsteiger, Gerrard and Cannavaro. Zizou's return to form is great news for the Madrista!

 

[MWaugh]

July 27, 2005

The team travelled to the French capital of Paris for some promotional tours before spending the night in the glamour city. The squad has been relieved of training duties for the next 3 days after a grueling off season that has seen the fitness of the players rise dramatically.

July 28, 2005

The squad returned to Madrid after being away from family and loved ones for over 3 weeks. The squad has been given until the 1st of August to settle back in Spain ahead of training in the next month. The toughest challenge to date, Chelsea at home, will occur on Tuesday the 9th of August, with the season proper starting on Saturday August 28.

 

[shravi]

Great presentation! But you have too many stars in your team, it could cause rifts between the manager and the player/s. After all, even the players on the bench deserve a place in the Playing 11.

 

[MWaugh]

Training Resumes - The French Analysis

August 1, 2005

The squad met at the club training facilities today ahead of a new month of training and a new month of challenges. Fresh from the tour of France, which included matches with FC Metz, Lyon, Lille and Nice, the players were addressed by coach Guus Hiddink on how he viewed their performance along with the matches that will be coming up.

Hiddink was reported to be pleased with the overall progress of his side throughout the tour to France.

"Guus appeared very pleased with the way that we have progressed as a unit and was happy that we came away with 3 wins out of 4 matches during our time in France. Although we would have liked to have performed stronger against Lyon, the coaching staff believe that we are capable of achieving whatever we want to achieve this year"

Real Madrid right midfielder David Beckham said during an interview with Realmadrid.com.

"Guus basically told us that we now have to work hard for the Chelsea game (which is in 9 days), and that this game will prove our best yard stick in terms of our progress. We know we still have alot of room for improvement but we feel confident that we are moving in the right direction"
Beckham added.

(Brazilian striker Ronaldo is facing increasing pressure from both inside and outside of the club after a less than impressive tour of France)



Barcelona Sign Pires

August 2, 2005

Barcelona have made their biggest signing of the current transfer window with the purchase of French midfielder Robert Pires. Pires joins the club from English Premier League outfit Arsenal for a reported ?4.6 million.

"Im absolutly delighted to have been given the opportunity to join a club with such a rich heritage as Barcelona. To be given the opportunity to play among some of the biggest names in world soccer, such as Ronaldinho and Eto, its a really exciting time for me.

There has been alot of hype this season about the Spanish Primera Liga and the movements of Real Madrid this year. However looking through the players at Barcelona, I would definatly be thinking that we can repeat the performances of the club last year."

Pires said on his arrival in Spain

(Robert Pires has joined Spanish champions Barcelona from Arsenal on a ?4.6 million deal)

 

[Bala]

Great buy for Barca. Bobby would make a great addition to an already impressive squad. And Ronaldo IMHO can be chucked out! The old hasbeen!~

 

[m_vaughan]

Barcelona havent spent anywhere near as Madrid, but still have a squad that is strong enough.

 

[MWaugh]

The Week That Was

August 2-8, 2005

With the squad fully assembled the focus was primarily on the up coming clash with Chelsea FC, the clubs first match at home of the 2005/06 season. Chelsea now boast the attacking power of Brazilian striker Adriano, and will provide Madrid with their toughest competition to date.

News out of the camp during the week is that the out of form Ronaldo has been demoted to the 2nd team in a bid to find form and fitness. The absense of form for Ronaldo has been a major concern for coach Hiddink that the striker, once considered the best in the world, has been unable to find the net.

(Ronaldo trains with the B Team in Madrid)

 

[MWaugh]

Real Madrid CF vs Chelsea FC at Santiago Bernabau

August 9, 2005

The Teams:


Real Madrid: Guus Hiddink again opts to go with an attacking 3-5-2 formation using the experience of Woodgate, Cannavaro and Roberto Carlos in the back line. The team remains the same as the side that beat Nice 2-0 over a week ago with Robinho suprisingly again starting from the bench.

Chelsea: Coach Jose Mourinho employs a counter attacking 4-5-1 formation. Chelsea have at their disposal one of the strongest midfields in world football, with Lampard, Essien, Makelele, Wright-Phillips and Damien Duff all looking to assist Adriano up front.

 

[m_vaughan]

Battle of the midfield. Both look awesome. Chelsea have more hardworking players, while Real have the edge when it comes to flair. Real's back three, even with Cannavaro in there might struggle against Adriano I feel, although in Casillas, Real have one of the best goalkeepers in the business.

 

[Bala]

The fire power of Real should be too hot for Carvalho and Ferreira. I would back Real to win this 1 - 0. Surprizing Robben and Joe Cole are not starting!

 

[Azza!]

Hmmm we're in for a cracker here! I'd love to see Real take Chelski to the cleaners here You'd think Real have the stronger wings with Beckham and Schweini. I think the 3-5-2 looks like a decent choice of formation, especially if you can charge through the centre of Chelsea.

 

[MWaugh]

Real Madrid CF vs Chelsea FC at Santiago Bernabau

August 9, 2005

1st Half:



9 min: Antonio Cassano sets the Bernabau alight with a spectacular strike after only 9 minutes to put Real Madrid 1-0 up. Latching onto a Zidane free kick, Cassano attempts a miraculous over the head bicycle kick which some how finds its way past Petr Cech in goal.

21 min:


Fabio Cannavaro sends worries through the Real camp after going down injured. Cicinho is the prefered replacement on the right hand side of defence while Woodgate pushes to the centre of defence.

Cicinho
Cannavaro (Inj)

54 min:


Guus Hiddink looks to defend his sides 1-0 lead. David Beckham makes way for defender Michel Salgado, who pushes to right defender, leaving Woodgate and Cicinho in the middle of defence. Schweinsteiger moves to the right hand side of midfield while Zidane drops back to the left midfield role.

Michel Salgado
Beckham

81 min:


With less than 10 minutes remaining, Hiddink looks to ensure victory by installing Ivan Helguera at the expense of Raul while Schweinsteiger makes way for Guti. Guti plays on the right hand side of midfield while Helguera drops back behind Gerrard and Graverson in a defensive midfield role.

Ivan Helguera, Guti
Raul, Schweinsteiger

90 min: Real Madrid clinch a 1-0 victory thanks to a magical strike from Cassano. The spanish giants season looking far more attractive to fans after victory over one of the best teams in the world.

 

[Bala]

Cassano's was indeed magical. Good that Real defeated Chelski. Ronaldo! Who is he?