tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18782493632292694242024-03-13T12:49:00.077-07:00Around the WorldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-87829947634522731942022-03-12T10:35:00.009-08:002022-03-12T14:24:52.831-08:002020-21 Champions League Rewind: Revisiting What Happened Against Chelsea<p><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Real Madrid were uncharacteristically and surprisingly dominated in the semi-final tie against Chelsea last season. Zidane’s men did not have any fruitful answers for the London team’s pace, sharpness and physicality. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe4KzLQUMxtbD8OfWqu4vEF14qrep1vw9fVUr535SO210rzSG6KIEYmyKSmrcuLCESa26nfQy7YphsBBfEjLeWEwrjnro87h6k-eR-FdzHHw388_1AlpxiZxtOTLxohiiQ2k6wWs0Wq0eqMw4_7NBSPWDsuosyodGmi8SHaH64wDtvmpvuSASAHpaP=s541" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Caley Graphics Twitter" border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="541" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe4KzLQUMxtbD8OfWqu4vEF14qrep1vw9fVUr535SO210rzSG6KIEYmyKSmrcuLCESa26nfQy7YphsBBfEjLeWEwrjnro87h6k-eR-FdzHHw388_1AlpxiZxtOTLxohiiQ2k6wWs0Wq0eqMw4_7NBSPWDsuosyodGmi8SHaH64wDtvmpvuSASAHpaP=w400-h268" title="Caley Graphics Twitter" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/Caley_graphics/status/1390049143947677697" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2aa6a2; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: none; max-width: none; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Caley Graphics Twitter</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking a second look at how Los Blancos were decimated by Chelsea on the latter’s way to the trophy makes for an interesting sombre review of a dark spot in the season. Despite other losses in recent years, it is rare for Real Madrid to be as significantly outplayed and outmatched on the field as reflected by the monstrous xG scoreline.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; padding: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><a name='more'></a></span>Lack of Horizontal Compactness and Disoriented Shape</h2><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Real Madrid’s implementation of the 3-5-2 formation in the tie was central to one of the key vulnerabilities exploited by Tuchel’s men. The lack of horizontal compactness in both the first leg of the tie and especially at Stamford Bridge allowed Chelsea to vigorously penetrate half spaces - particularly in transition and in response to Real Madrid’s broken press which </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/2021/5/24/22383776/eight-observations-to-close-the-season-featuring-the-last-of-marcelo-fedes-growth-and-more" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0057b3; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Kiyan Sobhani covered</a><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in his Managing Madrid column. This tactical dynamic created a midfield vacuum which exposed Casemiro as the wingbacks were often stretched out too wide and his midfield partners were caught up field.</span></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"Chelsea did a terrific job of stretching Madrid’s defence over the course of the game. One way which they managed to do this was by creating an overload on Casemiro before then drawing the centre-backs out of the back line, and exploiting the space either behind them or either side of them." -</i> </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://totalfootballanalysis.com/match-analysis/uefa-champions-league-202021-chelsea-real-madrid-tactical-analysis-tactics" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0057b3; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">David Seymour, Total Football Analysis</em></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second half of the first leg in Madrid was likely the best evidence of how much of a difference being horizontally compact could be. Real Madrid adjusted their shape and positioning to a more conservative set-up which enabled them to counteract Chelsea’s deadly pace and combat their midfield overloads. </span></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfIp76iGjFaWbLdJTlAMm9jFgqrGxnBA6tMrjE28T-VDVZ5sWcH_pVQAhasYd6ERYF52Tz3dpoNOc1QH0j0iELomAdQYGqMNKAu46y746aOaVYKaYqtvz_U0xbDANt73Atpzra4z1MLAvkzR3EfEyu-ZMeiqnS6ZBUEnQa8Vz0ez4lAOEI5M6l1Vnm=s504" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="492" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfIp76iGjFaWbLdJTlAMm9jFgqrGxnBA6tMrjE28T-VDVZ5sWcH_pVQAhasYd6ERYF52Tz3dpoNOc1QH0j0iELomAdQYGqMNKAu46y746aOaVYKaYqtvz_U0xbDANt73Atpzra4z1MLAvkzR3EfEyu-ZMeiqnS6ZBUEnQa8Vz0ez4lAOEI5M6l1Vnm=w390-h400" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #737373; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tactical Line-up: </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2029495%E2%80%94real-madrid-vs-chelsea/matchinfo/?iv=true" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2aa6a2; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: none; max-width: none; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto;" target="_blank">UEFA Match Info</a><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #737373; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | Expected Goals Map: </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.infogol.net/en/matches/result/champions-league/real-madrid-vs-chelsea-2021-04-27/91230" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2aa6a2; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: none; max-width: none; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto;" target="_blank">Infogoal website</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 id="o2hHLQ" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16px;">"<i>Saliently, Zidane asked his tenured midfield to sit in front of the back five and restore shape, essentially stifling Chelsea [...] Casemiro especially was a lot more useful when sitting in front of the defence in taking more control and balance of the midfield, this was more in line with the tactics we thought we would see from Madrid with the midfield positioned a lot deeper.</i>" - </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://breakingthelines.com/tactical-analysis/tactical-analysis-real-madrid-vs-chelsea-first-leg/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0057b3; cursor: pointer; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dharnish Siziak, Breaking The Lines</em></a></h3><h3 id="o2hHLQ" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This proved to be Los Blancos’ most secure period over both legs as they limited Chelsea to their lowest xG total of the four halves. The team’s failure to learn from this model (despite its attacking deficiencies) was costly.</span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; padding: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chelsea’s Vibrancy and Real Madrid’s Depleted Squad</h2><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another factor that was clear during the tie was Chelsea’s athleticism and pace. The Blues attacked with fervor and seemed a step ahead of their opponents physically. There were countless scenes — of a number of Chelsea players including Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kanté bursting down the field — likely burned into the minds of Madridistats. </span></div><div><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4b4b4b; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOQBTjKxWbbxc8l_m46EaoX3ee_qPUv0zQKOTRQQmuTyffdEhGgz_62ittwj3yVvfzWbxv8Sh2CePWcMIP0bAKbJw7RaCbW1GrXRgfqmkGmgJqf8NGAouGIftcwLJ_Modt42B-4HunR9D3OYpiAsfjbGkxW_iiM3D-E2zlG40lTyN-hhMO3JXfpg4S=s567" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="567" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOQBTjKxWbbxc8l_m46EaoX3ee_qPUv0zQKOTRQQmuTyffdEhGgz_62ittwj3yVvfzWbxv8Sh2CePWcMIP0bAKbJw7RaCbW1GrXRgfqmkGmgJqf8NGAouGIftcwLJ_Modt42B-4HunR9D3OYpiAsfjbGkxW_iiM3D-E2zlG40lTyN-hhMO3JXfpg4S=s16000" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #737373; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Minutes accumulation of key players in the lead-up to Champions League semi-final.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p id="eSo10e" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">While part of this was a systemic issue, there was an element of Chelsea’s pure energy outmatching Real Madrid’s. The latter’s injuries (including the fullbacks’ gamechanging absences) and heavy reliance on the old guard meant that there was a notable gap in intensity. </p><p id="eSo10e" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">The average age of Real Madrid’s starting midfield (including wingbacks) and forwards across both legs was approximately 30 compared to Chelsea’s 26. This along with the aforementioned injuries which caused Zidane to completely adapt his standard approach (four defenders) were influential factors in the outcome of the tie<span style="font-weight: inherit;">.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.25; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kante and co were really, really good </h2><p id="eSo10e" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hardest (or easiest with the benefit of hindsight) pill to swallow may be to simply admit that Tuchel’s version of the 2020-21 Chelsea team was an incredible team; driven by the prodigous Kante who was named man of the match in the final. While their semi-final triumph over Real Madrid was perhaps their most pronounced show of dominance, it wasn’t necessarily an anomaly or out of line with their performances in Europe last season.</p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKb4fOsji80j1UbH56-ftXyUytOYl_JYEFNYxAh7GyV8KwHEdKmngbEEnovQzNWmozlT7gFolihXjY4HE0u_FcJZNAR61niY1sGWUboocYwKNsjlZRIZ3ivryi57yhfBsiQCWDB_T8ZDdYbOZIL_U8RrE83N-hi5DB7TrWCQeo1exhJ8siBurAmwXY=s543" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKb4fOsji80j1UbH56-ftXyUytOYl_JYEFNYxAh7GyV8KwHEdKmngbEEnovQzNWmozlT7gFolihXjY4HE0u_FcJZNAR61niY1sGWUboocYwKNsjlZRIZ3ivryi57yhfBsiQCWDB_T8ZDdYbOZIL_U8RrE83N-hi5DB7TrWCQeo1exhJ8siBurAmwXY=s16000" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/xGPhilosophy/status/1398955802283622400" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2aa6a2; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: none; max-width: none; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto;" target="_blank">The xG Philosophy Twitter</a><span face="graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #737373; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> | </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1398995917303332868" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2aa6a2; cursor: pointer; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: none; max-width: none; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto;" target="_blank">FootballJOE Twitter</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p id="W1fWkd" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: inherit; color: #4b4b4b; font-family: graphik, system, -apple-system, ".SFNSText-Regular", "San Francisco", Roboto, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Lucida Grande", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; list-style: inherit; margin: 0px auto 16px; max-width: 43rem; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span color="inherit" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Chelsea set a number of impressive records including the lowest number of goals conceded for a Champions League winner. In addition, they were only behind for five minutes (!) across their entire campaign. They also held perhaps one of the most offensive renditions of one of the most offensive teams in Machester City</span><span color="inherit" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> to their </span><a class="ql-link" href="https://theathletic.com/2622179/2021/05/30/long-balls-targeting-the-left-and-a-back-five-how-chelsea-won-the-champions-league-final/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0057b3; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">lowest xG of the season</a><span color="inherit" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">, and</span><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-champions-league/story/4397973/uefa-champions-league-final-stats-ngolo-kante-0-chelsea-2-manchester-city-059" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0057b3; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank"> second lowest of the Pep Guardiola era</a><span color="inherit" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> in England. While Chelsea’s seemingly unstoppable train provides little consolation for Real Madrid’s elimination, it adds valuable context to one of the most one-sided defeats the club has faced in the Champions League in recent times.</span></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-28624241262552092042014-12-13T22:14:00.000-08:002014-12-15T18:42:10.894-08:00Football's Court of Public Opinion: A Brief Case Study<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Typecasts and
Perception<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reputation is a powerful thing. Once a person becomes
associated with certain character traits or attributes in a public platform, it
becomes an innate factor in how they are judged by the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a way of saying that Ronaldo and diving will be
forever linked in the domain of football media regardless of reality.
Confirmation bias develops – as a result of what was (perhaps) at a time a true
characterization of the player – and influences the way we interpret certain moments.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In law, this would be similar to the use of character
evidence to build a case for or against the accused. The evidence is not in any
way a legitimate objective detail of the contested act in question but rather
perceptions of behavior patterns being used to validate assumptions
(essentially).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jumping the Gun<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It happens all the time. A big play triggers immediate
reactions. In the midst of the commotion, we acquire firm ideas about exactly
what occurred. We develop opinions based on these first impressions which are
often not completely founded on a profound understanding of all the evidence
available. And many times, these first impressions (already limited in scope)
are confused by the adrenaline of the occasion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a way of saying that different camera angles matter.
Looking at the same action from different perspectives can lead to new
insights. “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” A conscious
awareness of the differing possibilities (however unlikely they might appear) is
necessary to ensure that “what seems” is not accepted as “what is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Alternative View<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The transcript of the BeIN Sports commentators, Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen, provided a good example of how we perceive things and how this changes
over time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote>
<b>PS</b>: Here he gets taken down running on the heels…<br />
<br />
<b>RH</b>: Got it! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>PS</b>: …and they will give the penalty! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>RH</b>: It’s a wonderful intended ball to find him from Marcelo
again. Heckle and Jeckle they are in the locker room (?) and they bring it on
to the footballing pitch. And they (in reference to Celta de Vigo players) are
going absolutely crazy spinning the verbals at Undiano Mallenco like… really,
it won’t feel as if there was any contact made.<br />
<br />
We’ll see in replay it was definitely contact on him, he’s
lost his defender, peels away from his defender like tissue on a toilet roll. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
(Replays being shown) </blockquote>
<blockquote>
He goes down very easily. There’s hands on Cristiano though,
take a look. There’s no contact on him downstairs but the hands come up…
there’s nothing there… and then he’s going down. It seems to me, take a look
from this angle, if his ankle gets clipped. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>PS</b>: Hard to tell if it was just the hand on the back but
again, that’s why you tell them not to use their hands.<br />
<br />
Mentioned the fact Undiano Mallenco had not called a penalty
till this point this… </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>RH</b>: Yeah </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>PS</b>: …season and 10 minutes from the half, a chance for Real
Madrid, it’s Ronaldo for his 21<sup>st</sup> and he’s got it! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>RH</b>: Well they played some pretty football and they’ve been
really rattling away at the back but you can see why Celta Vigo are up in arms.
You can understand that they’ve got an axe to grind. We’ve seen it 6 different
times in replay and for my money, he goes down very easily.<br />
<br />
There’s a touch, there’s a brush on him. Take a look at the
feet, that’s where Cristiano… he goes down a step later. There’s the pull, he’s
going through, the ball gets away from him and he goes down. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>PS</b>: I don’t see it. Not saying it wasn’t there but from
these angles we’ve seen, might have been fishing for one and caught it.<br />
<br />
Nine minutes left to go in the half- </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<b>RH</b>: I don’t think that the free-, that the penalty kick has
been given for the pull on him. I really don’t. It’s the clip downstairs in the
referee’s opinion and from all of the angles that we’ve seen, it’s very
difficult to tell if there was any contact on him at all but then… last(?)
stumble….</blockquote>
The commentators propose several theories to explain what happened prior to the penalty call. However, news and social media commentary on this matter did not touch on as many scenarios and almost unanimously adjudged the situation a dive.<br />
<br />
<b>The Trailing Left Leg</b><br />
<br />
There is no all-knowing arbitrator of truth. We must rely wholly on our interpretations. It is possible (perhaps even reasonable) to reach the conclusion that it was a dive. It is also possible (and also perhaps even reasonable) to reach the conclusion that it wasn't. To deny or fail to consider why the other point of view exists is however perhaps unreasonable.<br />
<br />
And so we arrive at the trailing left leg. Ronaldo's to be specific. If watched closely, the video of the TV broadcast reveals apparent contact with the Portuguese as he ran clear of the defender. The movement of his foot after the collision is "unnatural" and clearly suggestive of an impediment. While a lot of the focus on any potential illegal play by Jonathon Castro Otto remained on the the pull back on Ronaldo's shoulder, the seeming intentional or inadvertent trip was the most likely foul play.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-89600906036105485822013-10-27T15:11:00.000-07:002017-09-28T20:08:17.878-07:00LOOK BACK: Analysis of 2012-13 Camp Nou El Clásico Post-Match Reaction<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1878249363229269424" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<b style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">Blue and Red Accusations</b><br />
<br />
Some segments of the non-Madrid fan base are expressing their dismay and contempt for Real's alleged aggressiveness (fouling) in the recent spectacularly calm and even tempered contest between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, that finished with a goal apiece for each side, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. These allegations confound the general sporting expectation for a passionate and rigorous effort-intensive display. Quite simply, professional football should ensure the sport does not turn into an elaborate improvised ballet show – give us physicality; grit and toughness are critical elements of football at its most exciting state.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Also, many are highlighting the prevalent trend concerning any FC Barcelona match for the better part of the past half-decade. The Catalonian team always (yet to be formally confirmed but fairly certain) have more possession than their opponents [1]. This trend together with their numerous and unprecedented successes during that time period inspired a media-fuelled promotion of the beauty of the game: a constant and almost propaganda-like campaign to establish a proper brand of football. A profound perpetuation - with football luminaries, past and present, seizing any and every opportunity to exclaim their marvel and admiration for the 'correctness' and 'heavenly qualities' of Barcelona's football team[2].<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Killing it Softly: Timewasting</span></h3>
<br />
The integral point of attraction for any competitive art is the facet of interaction. The exchange between participants provides substance and definition to the fight. The entertainment value is derived from the modularized contrast of multiple parties tied in a refined engagement; accentuated by the thrust and drive towards the absolute end of adopted principles.<br />
<br />
<i>Competition is a war and despite semblances of honor and respect in combat, the battleground is devoid of scruples and evaded by rules. </i><br />
<br />
Football is a debate, a negotiation, an argument, a trade – what all these have in common is the necessity of concession for the activity to be meaningful. The practice revolves around the concept of give-and-take. To fulfill a desire or need requires the involvement of external properties – the attainment of an objective relies heavily on the clear establishment of a concrete prize; a ‘contested tangible.’<br />
<br />
<i>Competition is the natural exploration of strength within specified contexts: the simpler the specifications, the more telling the findings.</i><br />
<br />
Imagine a possession-oriented football team as a boxer and what their fighting style (symbolized by evasion of contact) would resemble. The analogical mirror would display a thinking implying that the opponent wouldn't be able to inflict damage if they couldn't reach the fighter. Now imagine that team as a tennis player or Olympic track and field athlete: immediately, it is apparent that the comparison doesn't hold much weight. It is impossible in these sports to forego the 'competitive' factor. In a sprinting event - one cannot stall the deliberation, a matter of full force from the onset. In a high jump contest, there is no opportunity to delay or suppress battle; one bar and three jumps for each - make or break.<br />
<br />
The spirit of football is not isolated to our cherished pass time but to all sports and competitions – the very idea is embedded in a foundation, a constitution of interfacing units. There must be a level of balance in opportunity – a yin to every yang. See the introduction of the back pass rule in 1992 implemented to prevent defenders from passing the ball back to their keepers who would then pick it up in an attempt to steal some minutes from the clock. Possession football, in its extreme form, undermines this policy, it is a workaround the rule. Consider this, what if after scoring a goal to take a lead, a group of players from the leading side – once they regain possession – form a pile over the ball: what current law of the game would call such action into question? None. However, the spirit of the game would be intensely diminished.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Inferiority Complex </span></h3>
<br />
A predominant human resource management arbitration theory suggests that low assertiveness closely correlates to low confidence. The supposition lies in observations of business interactions, the shy and insecure tend to favor conflict avoidance: evidenced by actions punctuated by a distinctive knack for passive aggressiveness.<br />
<br />
FC Barcelona play to minimize the direct involvement of opposition teams. To do this requires a degree of patience as the tactic’s value lies in the adopter’s ability to capitalize on momentary opposition concentration lapses. Although it is true that all goals are a result of defensive mistakes, possession football awaits the mistake as opposed to precipitate its occurrence as with real attacking football. In essence, consider possession football victory by submission and attacking football victory by knockout to the extent that the former is a slow suffocation process and the latter a quick dismissal.<br />
<br />
<i>Constant retreat is never a sign of weakness or self-doubt but carefully measured steps of a well thought-out strategy rooted in defensive ideals.</i><br />
<br />
FC Barcelona are a side at the pinnacle of the footballing world having amassed trophies, fans and the adulation of the globe over the last five years. There is every indication that they are definitely <i>winning</i>. However, an argument about the systematic bias favoring their affairs, which precedes all other things as cause for their most prestigious awards, can be made.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Purpose of these words</span></h3>
This is not an attack on the ideologies of FC Barcelona but a <strike>rather disguised</strike> defense of the grace and serenity of the beautiful game which encompasses much more. Real Madrid are a great team and possibly the deadliest offensive squadron in Europe and have played some of their greatest games under our current coach against the ‘almighty’ Blaugrana. However, that is neither here nor there. The whole point is that ethical attributes shouldn’t be cast over styles and choices.<br />
<br />
<u>Note(s)</u>:<br />
<br />
<b>[1] </b>The measurement of possession is a complex subject that requires more thorough discussion. The possession statistic varies depending on the method of calculation that is utilized (see the following WAGNH article: <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2012/4/22/2966747/possession-analysis-football-statistics" target="_blank">When Possession Isn't</a>). However, the conclusion made above assumes the same for any statistical analytics measurement tool currently in use. Barcelona have had the edge in that regard.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1878249363229269424" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>[2]</b> While it remains quite true that the majority of the world is not obsessed or entirely accepting of this philosophy – many still see possession as a masterful (almost ideal) take on this great game as evidenced by the condescending and demeaning coverage of Chelsea FC’s 2011/12 victorious run, by media and fans alike. See the following ATW Football article for more on the topic: <a href="http://atwfootball.blogspot.ca/2012/05/context-2012-champions-league-final.html" target="_blank">Coliseum Decay</a>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #783f04;">Key Events in the Aftermath:</span></h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Real Madrid C.F. would go undefeated against FC Barcelona for the remainder of the season in three more contests between both teams using an optimized tactical blueprint (a template of sorts) with early traces in Inter Milan and Chelsea's recent Champions League clashes with Barcelona.</li>
<li>FC Barcelona's record loss (7 - 0) to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals led to questions over the sustainability and long-term viability of the 'one-dimensional' possession game.</li>
<li>Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid parted ways at the end of the season with Italian Carlo Ancelotti selected as his replacement.</li>
<li>Ancelotti's arrival still showed media bias for possession football equating the tactic to beautiful football and creating a false contrast against a skewed view of the departing manager's counterattacking style.</li>
<li>Barcelona recruited Gerardo Martino in the summer of 2013 due to Tito Vilanova's illness.</li>
<li>The new Blaugrana coach acknowledged that the team had become predictable due to its adherence to possession and said they would look to mix up its play.</li>
<li>On September 21, 2013, FC Barcelona for the first time in over five years had less possession in a match. Rayo Vallecano had the ball for 53.4% of the time at home in La Liga in a game that ended 4 - 0 in FC Barcelona's favor.</li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: #3d85c6;">This article was originally composed in the days following the October 7th, 2012 La Liga encounter between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid C.F. at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-79263719809768261362012-11-03T09:49:00.000-07:002015-01-03T23:49:24.577-08:00House of Thoughts: Two Lights<h2>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Thougths on Interpretative Viewing</span></h2>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Statistics</i>: active participation or keen observation of the game furthers the understanding of the irrelevance and marginal significance of numbers. They are raw and innately objective but by no measure of imagination representative of an even environment. They derive their value from true actions -- acts that deserve attention and examination.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><i>True actions</i>: moments and instances -- tangible expressions -- that generate source(s) (complete) of observations and interpretations. Beyond “collectives” – (dribbles, shots, passes), these are single isolated incidents that comprise the greater attribute or event: hardly definable but clearly evidential. True actions are perpetual, virtual considerations of our senses (nearly subconsciously). A true action involves body positioning, mental decisiveness, circumstance appreciation, physical movement and real-time awareness in one solidly combined situation at a particularly (cosmically; within an experience context) specific individual point in History.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Events:</i> basis of argument for current intelligence and inspirations for contemporary emotions. Events are compilations of progressive true actions; a sequential consolidation of activities/tasks. Timing and work (planning and execution) comprise the essential characteristics of events. Technology facilitates the cultivation and analysis (or rather deeper/prolonged observation) of performance [actionable factors] elements. There is a clear disregard for attitude/personality (and its presentation) that must be established – it is an undeniable contribution to merit but not excellence or due(s).<br />
<br />
Side note: an event remains its definition regardless of achieved goal/success. A goal and a shot are equally classified as events.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Refined (Pointed) Statistical Achievements</span></span></h2>
<h3>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Messi: first player to score five goals in a Champions League match appearance.</span></b></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: xx-small;">--</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_UAp0eZ1lIng_wvFt2jyX7hTMZU_SZH3-PkGi9tdUm7c9990DG2V-KGdRuESV6uJDZYVKs649QHEiVqSGUPnO-dZI3HveCGOZ5RcDb2Sogv4b5eWnnr7xy61BOol-j4T-ReoC73qhQ/s1600/Untitled1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQg_UAp0eZ1lIng_wvFt2jyX7hTMZU_SZH3-PkGi9tdUm7c9990DG2V-KGdRuESV6uJDZYVKs649QHEiVqSGUPnO-dZI3HveCGOZ5RcDb2Sogv4b5eWnnr7xy61BOol-j4T-ReoC73qhQ/s320/Untitled1.jpg" height="152" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(whoscored)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This feat is special for the extraordinary unlikeliness of the performance. It is widely unexpected that a footballer can manage five successful shooting events in one playing period. However, it is not greatly surprising that Messi should achieve such a feat. Particularly against a weak Bayer Leverkusen; quality/talent are not translation agents of a team's skill architecture. This suggests there is no guarantee of staying power in all actualities. There exists a counter-mechanism for every force a team possesses. On the night, Bayer Leverkusen failed to show spirit in either attack or defense - there was an extreme failure to push towards victory. The team painted a picture of severe deflation. No passion/determination allowed a Messi (who was not spectacular - or randomly so) to attain a new height. A height that didn't pose any exceedingly difficult challenges to reach.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><b>Ronaldo: first player to complete a Champions League match appearance with perfect passing accuracy.</b></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">--</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuBeT14oN87MCkxzIIwBeU1IdvPD2FuTvc1dmmOy7QW2gmFfWVeBzmDc7SqEYxYyP1WnKTTc4yJOQBZkFgFcSQAgNhUi4HFGdfxB5hGwcHeX2A4TtSPr2fn72coDW9IVmXFbTDV6yCA4/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuBeT14oN87MCkxzIIwBeU1IdvPD2FuTvc1dmmOy7QW2gmFfWVeBzmDc7SqEYxYyP1WnKTTc4yJOQBZkFgFcSQAgNhUi4HFGdfxB5hGwcHeX2A4TtSPr2fn72coDW9IVmXFbTDV6yCA4/s320/Untitled.jpg" height="150" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(whoscored)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This feat is special not for the extraordinary unlikeliness of the performance. It is plausibly expected that a footballer can manage 100% successful passing events in one playing period - an expectation rooted a distance from historically-based prediction. However, it is wholly outside of contemplation that Cristiano Ronaldo could achieve this feat - for a sole reason, no adventure ends without scrapes. A majority of events involving Ronaldo are "wild"(uncontested territory, new, strange, abnormal, risky) and display an absence of caution. It is to reason to believe that he could not achieve such a record. Even more so against Manchester City - Champions. Whilst Real Madrid were in an ultimate zone during the match - immersed in a feeling of invincibility and superiority, Ronaldo's events were an illustration of impeccable (untainted) finesse. A momentous performance capped with a virtuoso "situational element." The goal was testament to his magnificence. It shined with a charm encapsulated in its difference and effectiveness(result).<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Closing Remarks</span></h2>
It is impratical to categorize all these events (Ronaldo's passes and Messi's goals) in uniform evelopment. It is imperative to distinguish these events and mark the unique input(s) and output(s) which could only be optimally comprehended through visual study.<br />
<br />
You cannot win a war that cannot be fought. But you can lose a battle you never entered. Player comparisons is financing for fanatic souls. An eternal debate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-36386259529566351602012-05-21T22:56:00.000-07:002014-12-13T22:33:51.165-08:00Coliseum Decay: A Poet's Defense of Blue Football<h2>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Context: 2012 Champions League Final</span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built majestically with spirit of intent and around a core of channeled creativity; the football display available for viewing on a weekly basis -- often more frequently -- in the town of Catalunya has received as high and loud and sincere and pervasive praise as merit could be due; beyond all bounds of objectivity and decency.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Intricate, overwhelming, breathtaking, understated, special and boundary-pushing: purpose of use pursues meaning to fullest contemporary relevance and significance. No longer cliché, just classic.<br />
<br />
Beauty is a term without standard battered with continuous attempts of uniformity in application. A term often associated with Barca’s prescribed playing brand with emphasis on ball possession. A concept inherently etched into the playing gene of Catalan representatives - an unnatural desire to protect the sphere. <br />
<br />
Attack and defense are but thematic schemes engaged and activated by operating entities in the broader paradigm supporting their existence: football. Each theme is a definite partial representation of an overall balance. Nonetheless, there is no ground to breach the sanctity of sustained and innovative growth with conclusive attribution of value and meaning to each half. However, for sake of debate; submission to generally accepted perceptions is necessary. <br />
<br />
Attacking: progression with intent on scoring<br />
<br />
Defending: preventing concession<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1878249363229269424" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Masses have proclaimed the correlation between beauty and attacking to be true and real. It is implied with strength beyond faith; the underlying objective of a match is goal creation - even before victory. In fullness of constitution, beauty and footballing play interlock where senses and experience meet precisely and greatly: in excellent fashion. Sparks with electrical intensity emancipate from combination to independent matter roaming free - for however long - together with perspective(s) in moment. And indiscriminately so.<br />
<br />
All in life, and football, is neutral before the intervention of thought as was theorized by Shakespeare. Neutrality describes situations that do not impede on the nature and order of the environment and participants within internally and extrinsically established doctrines. No addition, no subtraction; simply numbers. Football is an abstract masterpiece open to interpretations that remain solely so. Elements drive organizational identity for forefront reach and focal point presence. Appease with endothermic touch: forget the cold entirely and bear warmest exclamations (survive within hottest affection).<br />
<br />
Corrode the irons composing tradition’s grasp. Feed liberation and entice exploration with sights and visions evoked with - in its mightiest charm - intentional eye for evolution; in change and progression. No foundational support lasts. No matters can be sustained within. All fabric evaporates. Completely extinguished, suffocated and exterminated: watch folks, there goes the Pep in its step.<br />
<br />
<i>In close -- purpose does not age but must be found and in other circumstances identified.</i><br />
<br />
The soul is the hardest; entirely difficult and true. What starts as rock to metamorphose into pun embellishes in debris and surroundings to become mass and not weight; the rolling down a snow hill experience. <br />
<br />
Quests for identity and victory should be perfectly perpendicular. A merging of visions. The winning way realization. <br />
<br style="color: #f3f3f3;" /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1878249363229269424.post-23144526083115611622011-05-23T21:50:00.000-07:002014-12-13T22:31:16.006-08:00Vamos Past, Hala Future - Stand up Galacticos!<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #cccccc; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</div>
<br />
Another football affair come and gone faster than mid-summer snow. Retrospectively, there is much too much to remember; new coach, new wingmen, new trophy and new enemies. It is in deep solace and calmness that I offer unsuppressed praise and genuine thoughts of commendations to the Great Whites.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1878249363229269424" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">It began as do most football seasons in the Spanish capital; combustion of tension, speculation and jubilation, murmurs over confirmed buys and sales, managerial changes, pre-season rifts among coaching and technical staff. Though, one thing common and certain among all madridistas was a most confidently wide smile of anticipatory joy. <br />
<br />
Come to the end of the season and the same emotion and mood remains. A German arrival in form of most admired Sahin prompts quick thoughts about spatial issues. The uncertainty of Kaka’s name among the Madrid line-up for reasons other than injury grows exponentially. </span><span style="font-size: small;">What lies ahead the rollercoaster that is Mourinho and Valdano’s relationship?</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Is Diarra part of Perez’s long-term picture? Is Adebayor to be sent back to England right into the waiting hands of treacherous Manchester City? What of Higuain? And Benzema?<br />
<br />
As contentious whispers are fed greater by dubious creditors and begin to ripen: it is harvest season for gossip magazines all over the football world of Madrid. <br />
<br />
Enough with idle issues: I highlight a supple 1-2 play between Marcelo and Di Maria leading to a luscious cross from the left foot of the Argentinean man met boldly and strongly by Mr. Pichichi himself for what was magic; electrical moment to revive a fallen heart.<br />
<br />
That was los Merengues 2010-2011! <br />
<br />
Despite, my assessment remains bare and little stretched (as of May 23 2011): <br />
Madrid Barca<br />
Trophies 1 1<br />
Goals(la liga) 102 95<br />
<br />
Bravo! A sense of a turning tide… <br />
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My conclusion, this: a beast of will and belief has risen within the gates of Madridismo futbol, no more aches from mention of the blue and red stripes to the far east but rather great relish.<br />
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I want battle - and wage war upon you Catalonian critics -, I- no, WE seek to prove as well I imagine with many other admirers of our cherished passion that football derives its beauty intrinsically from its conceptual make up significantly complemented by the feeling of championship; the victorious emotion. <br />
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So I beg you Red Devils to inflict upon our self-righteous brother just enough (I mean win it!) pain that he should feel the need to come back next year in full strength. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lest hope solely that faith's hand not be twisted beyond none by Ouepha! UEFA, you stay out of it as well! </span></div>
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