Some innocent humour out of the city of Barcelona going viral, precisely from their Sports paper "Mundo Deportivo", after the Liga slip yesterday by Real Madrid drawing 1 - 1 with Villarreal (also lovely called "The Yellow Submarine").
The cartoon says it all, the mentioned result allows FC Barcelona to close the points gap on the Liga table to just two points. The upcoming "clasico" - FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid - scheduled for the 22nd of March begins to heat up early. The winner of this clash may well have the Liga title almost in the bag. Meanwhile, lets appreciate the sense of humour. Tweet
Ex-Real Madrid Coach, now at Chelsea FC, Jose Mourinho commented to Esquire magazine that: "Lots of times at Real Madrid, the players would be queuing in front of the mirror before the game while the referee waited for them in the tunnel".
This was initially interpreted as a "dig in" towards some of his ex-players were the relationship between both ended tense in his last months at the Club.
However, far from a kick in the teeth from Mourinho, it is the truth. Many times we witnessed how the opposition team went onto the field, at the beginning or after halftime, first & waited for Real Madrid to come on. Many thought it was a Jose Mourinho "mind games" tactic but in fact it was a delay because some players were "freshening up" their appearance. In Spanish Football ( & I suppose UEFA ) there are strict rules about coming onto the field at the correct times ( I suppose due to TV contracts ) & getting on "late" leads to hefty fines for the Club. Real Madrid General Director Angel Sanchez has been said to have gone down to the dressing room to ask Mourinho to get the players onto the field earlier because the Club was receiving very heavy economical sanctions. Jose Mourinho replied I am waiting for the players to finish fixing themselves in front of the mirror.
The anecdote goes further. There is a "story" about a visiting International player after a Champions League match saying to his inner circle that he had never seen so much hair gel in one place at one Football Club.
This should all been seen & taken as normal & perhaps funny. Bear in mind that many Football players are young adults, many still single & many with huge multi-million image contracts. Perhaps the pioneer of all this was Englishman David Beckham who has supplemented his Football wage with millions & millions of dollars in image marketing. The retired Footballer still now continues to rack in the dollars with his "physical" attributes. So if your in a dressing room & a Real Madrid footballer happens to walk by, hide your hair gel, just in case. Finally, I sure that Real Madrid is not the only Club in World Football where their players have a "mirror check" before jumping onto the field.
The arrival of Brazilian Neymar to Spain & concretely to FC Barcelona has had its collateral damage, in this case unprecedented for Barça. The fall & disappearance of a Barça President, Sandro Rosell, & the formal accusation by the Spanish Anti-corruption Agency through Judge Ruz of possible tax evasion by Barça which the Club will have to appear in Court to prove its innocence. The storm forced Barça to reveal the previous "secret" contract & signing numbers of the Neymar transfer lifting the figure from around a said 57,1M€ to around 97M€ ( or 130M€ from other sources ). The Father of Neymar received around 44M€ plus other "incentives" in strange concepts that still no one really understands & puts it down to financial engineering.
Which leads to what is in my mind the quote of the week, if not the month & it is boarding onto the year. A wonderful piece that comes out coinciding with the "Autobiography" book about Neymar, & his relation with Real Madrid & their failed attempts to sign him. According to Neymar his reply to Real Madrid was: “Yo no me vendo por dinero” translated "I don´t sell myself for money" A wonderful piece that should get us all running to the books stores to by up a book that talks about the "full rich life with experience" of a 22 year old.
This is the apparent location & building of the Neymar Company. As you can see luxurious offices in prime city real estate. The truth is that it is empty (abandoned) with no one present & without a post box to receive mail. Perhaps Neymar is sincere about not selling his "soul" to money", however perhaps we should ask his Father if he thinks the same. Funny guy this Neymar. Must think we are all stupid. Tweet
Spanish League - Liga - kicked off with Round 31 yesterday night in the most intense way it could, with a city of Sevilla derby between its two Football Clubs that divides the city : Real Betis ( traditionally working class ) & Sevilla FC ( the well doers ).
The match did not let anyone down & was up to expectations with intensity & a near Sporting pitch battle that included controversial decisions , a red card & 6 goals. The final result was a 3 - 3 draw with Real Betis making a heroic comeback from being 0 - 3 down. Epic stuff.
THE BIRD
The front pages of Spanish Sports dailys today is Real Betis Coach Pepe Mel giving Sevilla FC the "THE BIRD" ( The Finger ) after Betis player Nosa ( also gave his Bird to the crowd ) scored the third goal in the 89th min to equalize. Pepe Mel is 99% of the time an example of education.
This is not exemplary behaviour at all. However, it highlights the intensity that is lived in this derby with withheld emotions that explode - being human - uncontrollably after being hammered by your Sporting rivals ( fans ) weeks before in a city where 50% is "the other team".
To Pepe Mel we dedicate this song & the TV series "Family Guy" piece...canny the likeness with the Betis Coach :O)
WARNING: Children do not practice this without supervision. Tweet
Spanish Sports & Barcelona based paper "Mundo Deportivo" add their humour today to yesterdays 2 - 1 defeat by FC BARCELONA at the "hands " of REAL MADRID in the SPANISH SUPER CUP.
Barça Coach Tito Vilanova
The cartoonist "KAP" elaborated this piece of satirical art to depict the whole game & night for Barça. With 10 men down /red card to Adriano) Barcelona was at a disadvantage from the 27th min. A referee decision that certainly had its impact however correct it was.
Last year it was Real Madrid Coach Mourinho who point in the finger, last night it was ... but behind this innocent sense of humour hides the first signs of lack of confidence in the new Barça Coach. Josep Guardiola, his titles & his four years at Barcelona has set a mark that is practically impossible to surpass, new Coach Vilanova will have to work with this & overcome the high expectations of the Barcelona fan base & public. Tweet
Slow day relativelty speaking for SPANISH FOOTBALL , although tomorrow things will certainly pick up as La Liga gets into action with both Barça & Real Madrid playing their respective games.
However, thought I let all the readers know what REAL MADRID Coach MOURINHO told - straight at his face - the Spanish Cup 2º leg quarter-final referee TEIXEIRA after the 2 - 2 result which knocked out Real from the Spanish Cup. The Madrid Club claimed 2 penalties, a wrongly disallowed goal, a harsh red card to Ramos, no cards to Barça Dani Alves after 4 "extreme" tackles...etc.
As the below image shows, Mourinho went to the carpark where the referees had their cars & waited for the referee Teixeira, their along with Mourinho, was Spanish Sports Barcelona based paper "Mundo Deportivo" to witness the following events:
Mourinho
Mourinho spoke out to the referee the following , making this the QUOTES OF THE WEEK in Spanish Football:
"¡Vaya artista! ¡Cómo te gusta joder a los profesionales!"
'Artista, jodes a los que trabajan. No respetas a los profesionales serios. Ahora te vas a fumar un puro y te reirás, sinvergüenza".
translated to English ( at times literal which may make it worst than it really is. In fact its very colloquial):
"What an Artist! You love f*cking up the professionals!"
"Artist, you f*ck around those who do their work. No respect for the serious professional. You're going to now smoke a cigar and you'll laugh, your a rascal. "
The man does not mix his words & obviously speaks his mind. Tweet
Moses departed solitary to the heights of Mt.Sinai after leading his "Children" away from the suffering. While scaling the mountain for 40 days - nights, God handed onto Moses his 10 commandments to take onto his people.
Spanish Sports paper "Marca" has either contacted directly with the "Football God" or Real Madrid Coach José Mourinho, neither I believe, but they publish today an article titled "Discover the 10 Commandments of Mourinho to win Barça" in reference to the upcoming "Clasico". The atmosphere is building as days get closer to Saturday for what many believe will be the Real Madrid - Fc Barcelona clash of the century. In fact, every Real - Barça derby is the "clash of the century", however this is very, very important. A win by Real Madrid over Barça will put the former on a direct course for the Spanish League Title, break the Barça dominance & sink spiritually Barça & its mystical aura. A victory by Barça will reinforce their supremacy & spirits, while breaking Real Madrid & implanting the seed of internal doubts. The stakes are extremely high, thus the extra excitement locally & around the World for this match
Mourinho
According to the mentioned Spanish paper theses are the 10 "Mou" Commandments:
1. Don´t concede a goal, or at least, the first of the game. 2. Turn the "Bernabeu" into hell via its public support. 3. Forget the referee. Beware of cards. 4. Optimize the aerial advantage over Barça in the set plays. 5. Do not lose sight of the ball for a second. 6. Seal up the spaces with strict markings. 7. Intensity, pressure, verticality and rhythm. 8. Extreme pressure & continiuos mobility to exhaust the opponent. 9. Concentration & movement in coordination. 10. Self-esteem. Do not play with anxiety.
Plenty of stuff for a player to keep in mind while at the same time figuring out how to stop Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Messi, Alexis, Villa...& company.
Stay tuned! Midnight Sunday ( straight after the match) we will see if the "Children" are dancing to the "Golden Barça Calf" or they are finally in the "Promised Land". Tweet
Hi guys!
Not much significant & "brain catching" happening around the Spanish Football scene today, except that the "medium-lower" LIGA Clubs under Sevilla FC President Del Nido has called a summit ( at Sevilla ) to create a pressure group against Real Madrid - FC Barcelona to re-negotiate TV rights contracts. Dont´t wish too get into this because behind it all is money, power & some personal marketing.
However, I do wish to take the chance to WARN all young Football players to not do this:
The player in question is Algerian player Amir Sayoud of Al-Ahly. The "YouTube" caption is "Worst Penalty attempt in the History of Football". I don´t know if it is true, but it certainly comes very close. Please do not attempt this at home! Tweet
The Real Madrid Waterpolo Squad? No, the Club hasn´t a water sports division, not yet at least. This picture was uploaded by REAL MADRID Spanish Football player ARBELOA to his Twiter account. Coach José Mourinho planned a relaxed afternoon of training at the UCLA pools for a Waterpolo game, that by the looks of things was more fun & a team building exercise.
Some of the known players visible are new signing Varane, Granero, Arbeloa, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso & Kaká.
Real Madrid has scheduled for later in the day ( 4.00 am Sp time - 7.00 pm local ) their first US Tour Friendly game against the Los Angeles Galaxy were most of the Real Madrid squad will get a run & see how they measure up to their new team-mates & their form. Tweet
Spanish Sports (Football) Barcelona based press, “Don Balon”, via its online edition has published an interesting article that one can interpret as strategically cunning or dangerous in its message with a “Machiavellian” design & intention. Thought appropriate to post seeing today is a "quiet" day in the Spanish League.
The crux of their story is that REAL MADRID, & more importantly its President Florentino Perez, has finally understood that if the Club is to win the Champions League it must smooth its relations with the “powers that be” at UEFA. This statement is according to a news source, given by a “Real Madrid Directive”, which implies that the José Mourinho “conspiracy theories” are actually believed at the Spanish Club. Thus Real Madrid (if it is correct that a Directive mentioned such ideas) & the news source jump into “dangerous currents” which for all intentions & purposes are still unproven speculations of favouritisms, deliberate umpiring manipulations & big business interests operating at UEFA, even if at a "street" level their exists inner - feeling sympathy.
However, just for the sake of continuing with the printed story by “Don Balon”, the article continues explaining how Real Madrid has elaborated a “Master Plan” to turn things around at UEFA & give them a more closer & better relationship with the “Top Brass”, namely President Michel Platini & Spanish Football Federation President Angel Villar also Chief of UEFA referees & known “supporter” of FC Barcelona.
Here is the Real Madrid strategy for next season. Current Director General Jorge Valdano is tipped to leave; Jose Mourinho has worked well in this area. To replace him it is hotly tipped that ex Real Madrid defender & Spanish National Football Team Director FERNANDO HIERRO will be the new man. The latter will work the “relationship” with Angel Villar as they shared strong loving hugs with the World Cup 2010 victory of the National Team. To mend & smooth relationships with UEFA President Platini, ex Real Madrid legend ZINEDINE ZIDANE will take on the extra responsibilities of Club spokesman on “European issues”.
Sounds logical at first read, but extremely dangerous if there is any truth behind it at all & if there is any basis that Real Madrid really has a plan of this calibre. I give the benefit of the doubt to "doubt", & would think this story over again seeing & reading the news source. The dangerous bit, apart from the obvious, is the total relegation of the game of Football as an issue.
If this is all true, we could see a flood of arguments & cross fire between Clubs that include issues as far flung as the influence of the “Bermuda Triangle”, the true reason behind the Kennedy assassination, the Roswell incident & if man really & actually landed on the Moon.
Warning: This post has elements of humour embedded.
Here is a light humour post to give you a true human story. Let me put you in the picture.
LIONEL MESSI returned to Barcelona today from Zurich where the night before he played for Argentina in a Friendly International against Portugal. All fine & normal up to this point.
At the Airport the famous World Nº1 Football player grabbed the attention of a fan, a zealous fan at that, who followed Messi through the Barcelona Airport asking for a quick photo with the mobile phone. Just when he nearly had the chance & the opportunity, the fan loses his pants ...Messi was totally bewildered & stumped!
Probably not much, I know, but I thought it was funny & worth sharing with Spanish Football Sports Blog readers. Tweet
News has filtered out that José Mourinho indeed has his mind leaving REAL MADRID at the end of this season. The “confirmation” comes out of the pre-match Atletico de Madrid SpanishCup players meeting held at the “concentration” hotel were Mourinho gave a 40 minute speech to his players.
Jose Mourinho
Insiders who have leaked to press the content of the meeting say that the players were surprised by the intensity of the José Mourinho talk, claiming undisputed loyalty from his players & that if anyone present was not 100% behind him to stand up & be noted (there are some players not 100% behind him, although they did not stand up). Mourinho commented that they were now alone in “the battle” & that they as a team would have to pull things together as the Club "suits" have n´t what it takes to go all the way. He also told his players what some media insiders had been suspecting, that he wishes to leave the Club at the end of the season if things do not work out &/or his intense “power battle” with Director General Jorge Valdano does not find a solution.
Some veteran players believe that José Mourinho is bluffing & is pressuring the Club to get his way. However, this is “dangerous” & it will best for these players to follow their Coaches policy.
As I see things, the only calming force to all this in-house fighting & power struggles are victories on the field. If José Mourinho can manage a title this year things will be less stormy than are at this moment. Having said this there is the other possibility, a title (e.g. Champions League/League) will be the motive enough to leave on a winning note & thus strengthen his reputation & prestige.
Stay tuned for developments. The next few months will be interesting & will give plenty of front page news.
Now some HUMOUR: Spanish Football Sports Blog special uncover reporters managed to filter a hidden camera into one of the REAL MADRID Top level weekly Directives meetings. All the Big players were present – President, Director General, Football Director, Coach & Team Captain. This is what our “uncover” camera managed to film:
NOTE: Any similarity with reality is purely due to unknown & unpredicted coincidence ;O)Tweet
There is a hilarious daily TV programme called “Crackovia” on Catalan TV which does Football (Sports) sketches of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, At Madrid & any other Spanish Football related issue of the week or day.
Found this on “Youtube” which takes the piss out of Mourinho, Ronaldo & Ozil. The sketch recreates in a humorous fashion the dressing moment straight after the Real Sociedad game. I remember you that in this match, Mourinho congratulated the referee straight after the match & Ronaldo scored a goal which came off the back of Pepe & thus did not break his dry goal spell. The forward was still "anxious".
It is in Spanish /Catalan & unfortunately translation is not available, but I think the visual is enough & you can pick things up easily. It’s a right laugh.
Source: Sp Football Sports Blog / The debate is on, who is better, LIONEL MESSI or DIEGO MARADONA? I think one should be prudent & wait until Messi finishes his career before pronouncing oneself catagorically. Said this, young Messi is definately on course towards being a "GREAT" & here is a VIDEO to show us why. Don´t miss the END!
Imagine walking into your favourite Sports store & having David Villa try to sell you the new Spanish Team shirt? Imagine Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso or David Silva working as a store salesperson trying to earn a commission with the typical "salesman" pitch?
Great marketing gimmick to profile the new Spanish Team kit & at the same time give the multinational sports company some free media space around the Web. We’ll let this one sneak in , but just this time, Ok :0)Tweet
Some Catalan humour from Barcelona Sports daily "Sports" & its cartoon section "Futbolitis". A very undermanned defensive FC BARCELONA visits tonight Atletico de Madrid in its Liga game & never has the local team such a good opportunity to defeat Barça.
Real Madrid is hoping that their city rival can do the job so to cut Barça´s lead just to 2 points on the classification table.
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez dressed in an Atletico outfit with Club scarf singing the "enemy" chant: "Atleti, Atleti, Atletico de Madrid... "
& adds
"After spending 300M€ its sad to end up singing this, but its the crude reality".
Surf into SFS around 23.00 tonight for all the match detailsTweet
Putting my grain of sand to help contribute in expanding Spanish Football - Soccer | Sports abroad. An ex-amateur Footballer long ago - alias Striker - is now a fan that has the game embedded in his Football - Soccer Sports heart.
