Is Mourinho transforming Real Madrid into a mad dog?

August 19, 2011 //
2
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Mad Dog On Property Warning Sign

Looks like it after yesterday’s great game. I had already referred to Mourinho as being the first hacker coach in football’s history. The Special One is transforming the classy image that Real Madrid has patiently built up since 1902. Pepe and Marcelo are his preferred hound dogs in this image transformation of the Merengues. I wonder what the honorary president Alfredo Di Stéfano thinks about Mourinho’s doings.

Mourinho’s barking tactic can work but only if Real starts winning titles. The Real fans currently support their coach because they perceive that their team is edging closer to the arch-rival Barça. But like in politics, populism dies as quickly as it grows.

As long as Messi doesn’t get hurt and that Fabregas successfully integrates – he did so in the 10 minutes played yesterday – the new magic midfield with Iniesta and Xavi, I don’t think any howling dog will even get close to the ankles of the Blaugrana!

Maracanazos think that this Barça is the best club of all times!

Photo Credit: Vectorportal

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Categories Clubs, Coaches, Thumbs down

The Arsenal Mystery

August 17, 2011 //
2
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question-mark

I have always liked the Gunners. In the not so long existence of this blog, I have gone from unambiguous faith in the long-term vision of the club to the need to make some changes that would help in making this vision come true. Of the 4 points I had recommended, so far 2 have happened:

Buy a world class goal keeper. Lyon’s Lloris would be a perfect fit.
Instead of Lloris, Arsenal have found a world-class goalkeeper with Wojciech Szczesny.

Definitely position Van Persie as n°9.
Seems to be the case.

The other 2 are still open questions:

Arsenal lacks a player or 2 with the garra spirit. Jack Wilshere despite his young age is a player I would bet on to bring the fighting spirit that is needed to win titles. But apart from Wilshere, who else on the team has the b…. that it takes when times get rough?
Here I still think that Arsenal needs a player like Diego Lugano but Lazio seems to be ahead of the game…

If Fabregas leaves, buy Ribéry. I really don’t like his mentality but Wenger could be the coach to bring him back to the droit chemin. And I have a hunch that the English Premier League could just be the perfect kind of football and scene for Franck.
Fabregas has just been sold to Barça and Ribéry has decided to continue with Bayern. Nasri is about to leave (well I don’t really think that is a huge loss)…With the transfer market ending on August 31 at 23h59, time is short for Wenger. The problem is the lack of choice on the market right now for a player capable of conducting Arsenal’s game. Xavi, Muller? No. Perhaps Ganso?

Maracanazos won’t let go.

Photo credit: the.sprouts

 

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Categories Clubs

On the way to Maracanazo

August 3, 2011 //
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Fifa World Cup Trophy

The preliminary draw has finally marked the beginning of the long journey to the next World Cup. Some groups look very tough – like Ivory Coast and Morocco in African Group C or Spain and France in European Group I. 203 countries are competing for the 32 qualifying seats, a record so far in World Cup history. How many underdogs will make it this time?

Here are 3 of the less obvious reasons for which a team qualifies for a World Cup:

  • How well the national federation has negotiated the availability of  key players with the clubs. In these times where clubs have enormous bargaining power, this factor can become key in maximizing the chances of qualifying.
  • The backing of the press. Of course, media must play a critical role but do this constructively. When the press comes down on a team, the more so when its players are inexperienced, the damage can be tremendous.
  • The presence of a charismatic captain is extremely important. When things get tough, and they often do during the cut-throat qualifying matches, the role of the captain is key in cementing the team together and in the communication with the coach.
Maracanazos wish good luck to the 203 contenders!
Categories Maracanazo (the underdog), Teams, World Cup

Uruguay King of America!

July 25, 2011 //
1
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La Celeste has done it for the 15th time, smashing Paraguay 3 – 0 in a brilliant demonstration of team work and star individualities. What a game by Luis Suarez & Diego Forlan & Arevalo Rios! Uruguay played its best game during the final, it’s 15th win in 21 Copa America finals….talk about a successful track record in winning the games that count. The 3rd goal is absolutely fantastic with a triple combination between Cavani, Suarez and Forlan. If this team keeps its coach and most of the existing players, can we expect a Maracanazo III in 2014? What a better video of the highlights of the final than the one commented by the unique, the only, the real Victor Hugo Morales. Or do you prefer how Carlos Munoz shouts them?

Today there are 3.5 million Maracanazos!

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Categories Copa America, Teams, Thumbs up

Maracanazo II

July 19, 2011 //
1
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Now the press has been all over with the Maracanazo of Sante Fe! Imagine, 61 years after Maracanazo I, the Celeste writes another extraordinary episode of world football by wiping Argentina out of its beloved Copa America! Uruguay played 48 minutes at 10 against 11 and still did it. The recipe? Some brilliant players + the legendary garra + a coach who embodies la force tranquille.

Maracanazos well… just love Maracanazos!

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Categories Copa America, Maracanazo (the underdog), Teams, Thumbs up

Leaving a trace?

June 30, 2011 //
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Airplane traces

The summer season is one really I don’t appreciate in football. Agents are calling journalists left and right to distribute bs about how much club x wants to pay his player a sum of y which my sons would have a hard time believing in. How many of these players are really worth the sums that are being talked about? Take the case of Samir Nasri. He has played some good games at Arsenal. Some. Has he made an impact with the Gunners? No. While at Marseille? No. For the Bleus? Not yet. And now his agent seems to be clinching a £20m deal with Man City! Has Nasri left a trace anywhere? Not….yet. Have Viera and Henry left a trace? Yes!

Maracanazos are tired of agents’ rumours.

Photo credit : Christian Haugen

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Categories Clubs, Stars, Thumbs down

Apple’s new building: Inspired by Maracana stadium?

June 8, 2011 //
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Steve Job’s new plan for Apple’s spaceship building looks a lot like the 1950 Maracana stadium!!

Model for new Apple building Maracana stadium

Maracanazos always thought Steve Jobs was a cool guy!

 

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Categories Stadiums

Copa Libertadores update

May 27, 2011 //
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Penarol won the first semi-final leg against Velez Sarsfield 1 – 0 bringing back memories of the invincible Centenario! The success of the Celeste in the last World Cup has been contagious for Uruguayan clubs as well! The last time the Aurinegros won the Libertadores was in 1987. Now they must face the return match in Argentina on June 2. In the other semi-final, Santos FC also won 1-0 against Cerro Porteno. Will there be a remake of the famous 1962 Copa Libertadores won by Pele’s Santos – one of the best teams ever – against Penarol?

Maracanazos love the legendary Libertadores!

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Categories Clubs, Copa Libertadores

On my way to 2014

May 24, 2011 //
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Remember, I promised my children that we would be in the Maracana for the 2014 World Cup final. Here is a small tribute to Sergio Mendes, the 1966 album, a year which was not the most stellar performance of a Brazilian team in a World Cup though!

Maracanazos like Sergio Mendes!

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Categories World Cup

Més d’un entrenador?

May 3, 2011 //
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Barça has just tied Real Madrid in the Champions League return semi-final and will play the final most likely against Man United. After seeing the match and many other games, I was wondering if the Blaugrana actually need a coach. These players have learned to play as they do since they are 10 or so. It looks like they could play blindfolded. It’s engraved in them. It’s not only “Més que un club” but also “Més d’un entrenador”!

What do you think?

Maracanazos are learning Catalan tonight!

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Categories Clubs, Coaches
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