Real Madrid visit Ono Estadi on Wednesday with the 98-point mark in their sights, while Mallorca have gone from the Cinderella of the season to a solid candidate for a berth in next season’s Champions League.
The Whites can break records for the most wins on the road in a season and the most consecutive victories as visitors.
The light can be seen at the end of the tunnel. Only three wins and nine points separate Real Madrid from the historic 98-point mark. A milestone that the team is committed to reaching according to Sergio Ramos:
Our goal is the 98 points, so it will have been well worth it if we reach that mark and finish as champions.
The primary change to the Madridista squad list was the inclusion of Drenthe, who has fully recovered from a sprained/torn left thigh muscle. Meanwhile, Marcelo must serve a one-match suspension and did not make the trip. Raul, Van der Vaart, Lass and Pepe also stayed in the Spanish capital due to injury. After making his first team debut with Real Madrid last weekened, Castilla’s Juanfran found his way onto the roster.
Real Madrid don’t have an easy task at hand. Mallorca have only lost two matches at home this season –Sevilla (1-3) & Barcelona (0-1)-. According to former Madridista youth teamer and current Bermellon midfielder Borja Valero:
We’re going to fight to the death and play with an intensity. If we come out strong in the first 20 minutes I am sure they will begin to panic.
Not only will a Madridista victory be another step towards the 98-point mark. It will also set two new records for the most wins on the road in one season (31) and the most consecutive wins as visitors (9). The Ono Estadi hosts the first of three remaining finals… The next step towards 98 points.
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May 5, 2010 | Categories: Match Preview, Spanish Primera División | Tags: ONO Estadi, RCD Mallorca | Leave A Comment »
No time for Siestas.
It is not going to be easy. I am not talking about tonight’s game of course. I am talking about the post I am about to make here. Today I have Mallorca (D’oh!), Stats, History, the squad lists, Joan Laporta, Esteban Granero, Karim Benzema, Manchester United, Angel Di Maria and Dani Parejo before I round off this pre-preview with my prediction.
Lots at stake for both teams
Real Madrid face off against Real Club Deportivo Mallorca at the ONO Estadi in the final game of the midweek matches tonight in the 22:00 CET kick-off. Mallorca has been the surprise team of the current season as it sits in fourth place in the table with three matches to play. The Bermellones need to win to retain their hold on the final Champions League berth even though they only need two points to clinch European action while Real have to do so in order to stay in contention for the title as Barça breezed past Tenerife last night with a comfortable 4-1 win.
Terrific home form
Their current position in the league table can be attributed to their home form. ONO Estadi has been a key factor to the team’s success. Mallorca are the best home team in La Liga after Real Madrid and Barcelona having won 14 games, drawn one and lost two on their own turf. Only Sevilla and Barcelona have returned home with three points in tow.
History favors Bermellones
Gregorio Manzano’s men haven’t lost in six straight matches and most recently defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-3 at San Mames. Real too are on a good run considering the fact that they haven’t lost since the dreadful night against Barcelona at home. But playing at home, history is in favor of Mallorca against Real Madrid. The teams have met on 24 occasions where the hosts have won 12 times, drawn seven and lost five. Last season, however, Real earned a victory.
Drenthe makes the cut; nothing to worry for Manzano though
The eighteen players named by Manuel Pellegrini for tonight’s match has only one change from the one that was named against Osasuna. The Dutchman Royston Drenthe has recovered from a strained/torn left thigh muscle and has been given the green light to play and he replaces Marcelo who is unavailable after seeing his fifth yellow card on Sunday. Castilla’s Juanfran, who made his first team debut over the weekend, made the cut once again. Raul, Van der Vaart, Lass and Pepe are still unfit and will stay in Madrid.
Pellegrini should play the same side that he fielded against Osasuna at the weekend despite the poor performance. Garay will replace the suspended Marcelo. Granero must retain his place but what about Kaka? Isn’t he better coming off the bench? Nah! He will start.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek.
Defenders: Arbeloa, Garay, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Metzelder.
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Gago, Drenthe, Granero, Guti, Kaka, Diarra, Juanfran.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema.
Probable Starting XI: Real Madrid
Manzano doesn’t have any injury problems to cope with ahead of the game. He will be without Tuni and Ivan Ramis who are sidelined by injury.
MALLORCA SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Dudú Aouate, Lux
DEFENDERS: Mattioni, Josemi, Nunes, Rubén, Ramis, Ayoze, Corrales
MIDFIELDERS: Varela, Julio, Martí, Mario, Borja, Pezzolano, Bruno China, Castro
FORWARDS: Aduriz, Keita, Víctor, Webó
Probable Starting XI: Mallorca
Winning is mandatory
Joan ‘Cunt’ Laporta feels that his Cules have done their job and it is now up to Mallorca to do theirs against us tonight. He wants Mallorca to give him more joy so that it would ease some pressure off them as they prepare to meet Sevilla away at the weekend.
Our team has done a good job and has put pressure on Madrid so that the Mallorca game is now a decisive match. I think the Sevilla game will be crucial. Hopefully Mallorca can give us a wonderful joy, they are having a season worthy of the Champions League and if they are as good as we saw in San Mames then Madrid will be under a lot of pressure.
Esteban Granero spoke to Marca about what is left of the season and his contribution to the team to date. He had the same thing about we having to win the rest of our games and that we have to make Barcelona feel the pressure. But more importantly he spoke about his position in the team. He said:
I know there is a lot of competition on this team and earning a spot in the starting eleven is very difficult. I think that every time I have played I have earned that right. The same goes for when I haven’t. I control whatever good or bad things happen to me.
Exactly the point that I made in a post a couple of weeks back. If he is the best in training he has the right to replace anyone in the side. Prove your worth Pirata! We love you!
Karim Benzema while speaking to bwin prior to the game, stressed on the importance of winning not only this game but the other two as well. That is true especially considering the fact that Barça won last night meaning that they are now ahead of us by four points. The Frenchman also said that his confidence is returning slowly now that he is seeing some action again. The former Lyon man is also confident that Barcelona will slip up sooner rather than later. Either ways it has to be in either of the next two games. Even if they don’t all we must aim for is to lose the title by a single point just to emphasize the fact that they gap between us and them isn’t that much at all. Considering the fact that we’re a fairly new team that shouldn’t be a bad feat at all at least not a failure.
No regrets
Likewise feels Benzema with regard to his first season with Real Madrid. He to L’Equipe:
I can’t see my first season at Real as a failure. Of course, I would have preferred it to go more smoothly, but I played. And when you see a man like Raul on the bench you learn a lot. I didn’t come for one season. I signed for six years and everyone at the club trusts me.
He also added that he has no regrets about turning down Manchester United in favor of us. He said that he is here to prove a point which is really good to hear. The guy is young and wants to stay and prove his worth at a club which he has dreamed about all his life. Give him some space I’ll say. He said:
Do I regret not signing for Manchester United? No. I dreamt about Real, that’s all. It was a first season to learn. I didn’t know what a season abroad was. Now I know, and next term, from the very first day, I will be at my very best. I don’t want to leave. I don’t think the club wants to see me leave. I want to make a name for myself.
Shut your TV Andres!
Responding to Andres Iniesta’s comments that Madrid play unattractive football, Sergio Ramos decided to give Casper a piece of his mind.
Madrid do not play poorly. I am very happy with our style of play and someone who does not like it can very easily turn off the television.
And finally, when asked about his imminent contract extension, Ramos said what all Madridistas would have loved to hear.
My principal objective is to play well. I am very happy at Madrid and if they call me to renew my contract, I would do it with my eyes closed.
Di Maria is already a Madridista and Parejo to return?
Absolute rubbish. At least the first one about SL Benfica’s Argentine winger Angel Di Maria already signing with Real Madrid goes. Not even Marca or AS are aware of such a deal and they generally are the first to report such stuff. It comes from a Portuguese news daily called Ole. The news either was lost in translation or is just another way of making more money from the sale of a player. Man City and other similar teams are after him but I doubt if he will fit into our side. We need a left sided player. No doubt. But Di Maria doesn’t fit the bill if you ask me. But even if we are to sign him I think we should wait till the World Cup. His worth will be proven then.
And as far as the news about Dani Parejo returning is concerned it is a possibility definitely simply because we have a clause that enables us to re-buy the player whenever we want for the next couple of years. He is in fine form but I think one more year there will really help him. But with the likes of Diarra and probably even Lass getting ready to leave in the summer I wouldn’t be surprised if we resign Parejo as a squad player.
Prediction: Mallorca 1-3 Real Madrid
The game will be a good contest between a team that is doing above its capability and another team which is managing to win even when under performing. But Real’s quality should see them through.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
13.007491
80.252158
May 5, 2010 | Categories: Comments, News, Pre-preview, Transfer Rumours | Tags: Ángel di María, Daniel Parejo, Esteban Granero, Joan Laporta, Karim Benzema, Manchester United FC, RCD Mallorca | Leave A Comment »
Just another Madridista
It isn’t easy – Mallorca pre-preview
No time for Siestas.
It is not going to be easy. I am not talking about tonight’s game of course. I am talking about the post I am about to make here. Today I have Mallorca (D’oh!), Stats, History, the squad lists, Joan Laporta, Esteban Granero, Karim Benzema, Manchester United, Angel Di Maria and Dani Parejo before I round off this pre-preview with my prediction.
Lots at stake for both teams
Real Madrid face off against Real Club Deportivo Mallorca at the ONO Estadi in the final game of the midweek matches tonight in the 22:00 CET kick-off. Mallorca has been the surprise team of the current season as it sits in fourth place in the table with three matches to play. The Bermellones need to win to retain their hold on the final Champions League berth even though they only need two points to clinch European action while Real have to do so in order to stay in contention for the title as Barça breezed past Tenerife last night with a comfortable 4-1 win.
Terrific home form
Their current position in the league table can be attributed to their home form. ONO Estadi has been a key factor to the team’s success. Mallorca are the best home team in La Liga after Real Madrid and Barcelona having won 14 games, drawn one and lost two on their own turf. Only Sevilla and Barcelona have returned home with three points in tow.
History favors Bermellones
Gregorio Manzano’s men haven’t lost in six straight matches and most recently defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-3 at San Mames. Real too are on a good run considering the fact that they haven’t lost since the dreadful night against Barcelona at home. But playing at home, history is in favor of Mallorca against Real Madrid. The teams have met on 24 occasions where the hosts have won 12 times, drawn seven and lost five. Last season, however, Real earned a victory.
Drenthe makes the cut; nothing to worry for Manzano though
The eighteen players named by Manuel Pellegrini for tonight’s match has only one change from the one that was named against Osasuna. The Dutchman Royston Drenthe has recovered from a strained/torn left thigh muscle and has been given the green light to play and he replaces Marcelo who is unavailable after seeing his fifth yellow card on Sunday. Castilla’s Juanfran, who made his first team debut over the weekend, made the cut once again. Raul, Van der Vaart, Lass and Pepe are still unfit and will stay in Madrid.
Pellegrini should play the same side that he fielded against Osasuna at the weekend despite the poor performance. Garay will replace the suspended Marcelo. Granero must retain his place but what about Kaka? Isn’t he better coming off the bench? Nah! He will start.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek.
Defenders: Arbeloa, Garay, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Metzelder.
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Gago, Drenthe, Granero, Guti, Kaka, Diarra, Juanfran.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain, Benzema.
Probable Starting XI: Real Madrid
Manzano doesn’t have any injury problems to cope with ahead of the game. He will be without Tuni and Ivan Ramis who are sidelined by injury.
MALLORCA SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Dudú Aouate, Lux
DEFENDERS: Mattioni, Josemi, Nunes, Rubén, Ramis, Ayoze, Corrales
MIDFIELDERS: Varela, Julio, Martí, Mario, Borja, Pezzolano, Bruno China, Castro
FORWARDS: Aduriz, Keita, Víctor, Webó
Probable Starting XI: Mallorca
Winning is mandatory
Joan ‘Cunt’ Laporta feels that his Cules have done their job and it is now up to Mallorca to do theirs against us tonight. He wants Mallorca to give him more joy so that it would ease some pressure off them as they prepare to meet Sevilla away at the weekend.
Esteban Granero spoke to Marca about what is left of the season and his contribution to the team to date. He had the same thing about we having to win the rest of our games and that we have to make Barcelona feel the pressure. But more importantly he spoke about his position in the team. He said:
Exactly the point that I made in a post a couple of weeks back. If he is the best in training he has the right to replace anyone in the side. Prove your worth Pirata! We love you!
Karim Benzema while speaking to bwin prior to the game, stressed on the importance of winning not only this game but the other two as well. That is true especially considering the fact that Barça won last night meaning that they are now ahead of us by four points. The Frenchman also said that his confidence is returning slowly now that he is seeing some action again. The former Lyon man is also confident that Barcelona will slip up sooner rather than later. Either ways it has to be in either of the next two games. Even if they don’t all we must aim for is to lose the title by a single point just to emphasize the fact that they gap between us and them isn’t that much at all. Considering the fact that we’re a fairly new team that shouldn’t be a bad feat at all at least not a failure.
No regrets
Likewise feels Benzema with regard to his first season with Real Madrid. He to L’Equipe:
He also added that he has no regrets about turning down Manchester United in favor of us. He said that he is here to prove a point which is really good to hear. The guy is young and wants to stay and prove his worth at a club which he has dreamed about all his life. Give him some space I’ll say. He said:
Shut your TV Andres!
Responding to Andres Iniesta’s comments that Madrid play unattractive football, Sergio Ramos decided to give Casper a piece of his mind.
And finally, when asked about his imminent contract extension, Ramos said what all Madridistas would have loved to hear.
Di Maria is already a Madridista and Parejo to return?
Absolute rubbish. At least the first one about SL Benfica’s Argentine winger Angel Di Maria already signing with Real Madrid goes. Not even Marca or AS are aware of such a deal and they generally are the first to report such stuff. It comes from a Portuguese news daily called Ole. The news either was lost in translation or is just another way of making more money from the sale of a player. Man City and other similar teams are after him but I doubt if he will fit into our side. We need a left sided player. No doubt. But Di Maria doesn’t fit the bill if you ask me. But even if we are to sign him I think we should wait till the World Cup. His worth will be proven then.
And as far as the news about Dani Parejo returning is concerned it is a possibility definitely simply because we have a clause that enables us to re-buy the player whenever we want for the next couple of years. He is in fine form but I think one more year there will really help him. But with the likes of Diarra and probably even Lass getting ready to leave in the summer I wouldn’t be surprised if we resign Parejo as a squad player.
Prediction: Mallorca 1-3 Real Madrid
The game will be a good contest between a team that is doing above its capability and another team which is managing to win even when under performing. But Real’s quality should see them through.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
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May 5, 2010 | Categories: Comments, News, Pre-preview, Transfer Rumours | Tags: Ángel di María, Daniel Parejo, Esteban Granero, Joan Laporta, Karim Benzema, Manchester United FC, RCD Mallorca | Leave A Comment »