In the off-season, despite the wave of cash and new signings, I had one serious concern: could Manuel Pellgrini balance the all-star egos in the locker room? And could he impose the Villareal short-passing approach on Madrid?
He has done neither. And he has succeeded with fantastic aplomb.
The Alcocorn hiccup aside, Madrid trails Barcelona by [...]
Just when you think the debt crisis and stupid national associations and horrific terrorist attacks can ruin the sport you love, a game, a performance, a single act can part the gray clouds hovering over your little plot of land. This game had every season to suck – Madrid had lost at Riazor since before [...]
When I first saw the starting eleven for Madrid, one thought crossed my mind: “Well, I didn’t really care to beat Almeria at home…hmmpf!” But deep down, in between an assortment of bruised ribs, my sternum, and the esophagus, I knew that I wanted to win.
So when Sergio Ramos scored an early goal, my [...]
The Clasico of Spain ended in a 1-0 Catalan victory thanks to an Ibrahimovic medical textbook finish (Anatomy 101). Still, weeks after losing 4-0 to Acorn State, Madrid put forth a productive if not polished performance. The blanquillos played with incredible self-belief, making Thomas the train engine appear a manic depressed truck driver attending [...]
