 |
| |
|
 |
 |
Who can challenge Real Madrid? Posted: Tuesday October 08, 2002 11:48 AMUpdated: Tuesday October 08, 2002 3:52 PM
My most recent article talked about the man who has made Real Madrid's constellation of stars shine: Vicente Del Bosque. Some of you agreed with my views that the Merengues are the club that plays the best football in the world right now; others didn't. Don't you think that the form Arsenal is showing puts them into the frame as one of the teams who could stop Real Madrid? Arsenal are arguably playing the best football in the world right now.
Arsenal is definitely in stunning form right now. Thirty straight matches without defeat in the Premiership and 48 consecutive league games scoring at least a goal are two records the club has already set. For me, they are in the top five sides in the world, but I don't rate the English league as highly as the Spanish or Italian, therefore I still think Real, Milan and Valencia rank higher at the moment. I'll wait to see how they do against Manchester United and Liverpool before putting them ahead of some of the other giants. What do you think of the strength of the Dutch clubs and the way they play, especially the "big three"? And why is it that Feyenoord is not in the Top 10 as they have beaten clubs who are at present in the Top 10 and are still unbeaten in Europe (and also in the league), even Ajax is in the Top 10 while in Holland they are currently (also last year) seen as No. 3 after Feyenoord and PSV? My question is then, what are the criteria to be in the Top 10?
Ralph, I think Ajax are better than PSV and Feyenoord right now. Under Ronald Koeman they have been stellar both at home and in Europe. Feyenoord put together a fantastic run in last season's UEFA Cup, but have yet to find their best form in the present campaign. As far as the Top 10 voting is concerned, people on our staff and from World Soccer magazine pick clubs who they think are in the best form throughout the season. Why don't you think that Manchester United is the best football club in the world? I certainly think so.
Manchester United was the best football club in the world three years ago, but not any longer. I think it has to do with the fact that many of their players are not as motivated as they used to be -- especially when playing Premiership matches. The Red Devils won seven titles in 10 years and therefore got spoiled with their success. Sir Alex Ferguson must now convince his players that the league title is as important as the Champions League for them to become No. 1 again. I really find it hard to believe that a respected publication such as Sports Illustrated allows you to preach your pro-Madrid and anti-Barcelona views so openly. It is one thing for you to commend a team, and entirely another to brainwash the semi-knowledgeable American soccer fans with the glory of Real Madrid. I have no doubts that had Figo not been a traitor and stayed at Barcelona, and hence not suffered the backlash at Camp Nou on his return as a Real player, you would not be kissing up to the team of the Spanish government (Real). I understand that you may have your own preferences about a team, but that does not justify the constant anti-Van Gaal/anti-Barcelona/pro-Madrid rhetoric that you feed SI's readers. Then again, it is not entirely unexpected to see this trait in other Real fans who want their 15 minutes of fame.
Akshat, I think you are being a bit harsh. I actually grew up disliking Real Madrid and supporting Barcelona, as far as Spanish football was concerned. I had a problem with the attitude of some of the Real players in the '80s like Gordillo, Camacho and Hugo Sanchez and rather preferred the flowing futbol exhibited by Barca and stars like Maradona, Schuster, Laudrup. It so happens that nowadays, it is Real who is flourishing and playing the kind of football I appreciate. It doesn't mean I have anything against Barcelona. I just think Barca has made a few mistakes over recent seasons both on and off the pitch, and I still believe the club will struggle to win anything this year. About Luis Van Gaal, I have a right to have the opinion that he is arrogant and condescending toward his players and the media. I believe no human being deserves to act like he is better than others, even if he has been a successful manager. I agree completely with you about Del Bosque. It takes a special man to manage a team of stars and strong personalities such as he has at Real. But don't you also think that Milan, and perhaps even Arsenal, could give them problems? Bayern, on the other hand, will have to get out of the funk they seem to be in pretty quickly if they are to give problems to anyone this year.
Milan has been on fire. Pippo Inzaghi, when is he going to stop scoring? Fifteen goals in seven games is just silly! I have enjoyed watching them play and I think they rank right up there with Real and Arsenal right now as far as the quality of football played. Bayern? I still think they will win the Bundesliga and make it into the next round of the Champions League. As far as the latter competition is concerned, they are on the ropes, but they have the experience required to bounce back. Hi Pedro, When I think of Real and the first Champions league they won that I can remember (the one against Valencia) I can't help but think about the return they played in the semis at old Trafford. One player of Real was really not of this planet that day: Argentine midfielder Redondo. After that season he went to AC Milan to be injured a couple of months later and he hasn't played a match since. The last thing I heard of him was that he refused his wages cause he couldn't play for the club and therefore didn't deserve it, so he thought (unlike another star at another club from Milan around that time). I just wonder what he is doing now. Has he been transferred? Has he finished his career? Will he ever play again? Hope you know a little bit more. Thanks.
Fernando Redondo has been very unfortunate over the past couple of seasons. After a couple of knee operations, his future looks bleak -- especially considering the fact he is 33 years old. The last I heard about the Argentine midfielder was that he tried to make a comeback in a friendly played in Croatia in the last week. He came through alright and doctors are positive about a recovery. Hopefully we will see him in the Milan uniform this season, because he is a true talent. Dear Pedro, from reading your column in the past it is pretty apparent that you ain't a fan of Italian football. However, after seeing the performances of AC, Inter and Juve in Serie A and in the Champions League, would you say that they are playing good attacking football? Further, do you think Italian football has come out of its slump and is on the road to repeat the glory days of the early 90s, or is it too early to tell?
Avinash, I have always respected the Serie A, I just think that sometimes managers in Italy are a bit too defensive. It looks like that mentality may be changing with more goals scored in the league so far this season. Italian teams have also done well in the Champions League, with Milan and Juve playing impressive attacking football. I expect for at least one team from Italy to be in the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season, snapping a so-called slump in the competition. Pedro Pinto is an anchor for World Sport, the international sports show that airs on CNN International.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
