La Liga

From fancy flops to El Clasico competitors - how Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are closing the gap on Barcelona following the failures of the Galactico era


Ahead of Saturday's El Clasico, the latest exclusive extract from Graham Hunter's new book on Barcelona looks at how Real Madrid are gaining ground following a period of Catalan dominance

However irksome it has been for Real Madrid to stand with their nose to the windowpane of the world’s recent love-in with FC Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, it’s a million times more galling for Madridistas who bought into a strategy that was originally called ‘Zidanes and Pavones’. In part due to the failure of this policy, this era in Madrid's history would become known as that of 'Los Galacticos'.

BARCA: THE MAKING OF THE GREATEST TEAM IN THE WORLD
EBOOK AND HARD COPIES OUT IN JANUARY 2012, PUBLISHED BY BACKPAGE PRESS

Real Madrid started the millennium as the Daddy of La Liga. Barcelona were close to inept institutionally and football-wise. Florentino Perez had performed the astonishing feat of buying Luis Figo out of his Camp Nou contract - one of the most remarkable footballing ram-raids of all time. Immediately, we were sold a policy which then, and now, has an entrancing sound to it:‘Zidanes and Pavones’.

Real Madrid would annually buy whoever they judged to be the best and most marketable footballer in the world. After Luis Figo, it would be Zidane. This was to be complemented by their cantera, or youth system. Players developed by Madrid, who loved and understood the club, like Raul Gonzales, Guti and Iker Casillas, would stand alongside the superstars. Then, the outstanding canterano was Francisco ‘Paco’ Pavon and so Perez’s vision was christened ‘Zidanes and Pavones’. Powerful, targeted transfer market spending complemented by home-reared, Real Madrid-loyal talents – does it sound identical to another club in Spain which has recently won three Champions Leagues in the space of five years?(No clues).

Looking back across the 11 years since Luis Figo transfer, this plan has been a risible failure. The last player developed in the Madrid youth system to properly embed himself in the first team is Iker Casillas. His full Real Madrid debut was in September 1999. Since then, any Real Madrid canterano of merit has been relentlessly shipped out to succeed somewhere else. The excellent Alvaro Arbeloa was bought back from Liverpool (a parallel case to Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona), Jose Maria Callejon returned from Espanyol three years after being cut loose.

Meanwhile Barca, and Spain, flourished thanks to Camp Nou canteranos like Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Fabregas, Pique, Pedro, Bojan, Fernando Navarro, Sergio Busquets, Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Mikel Arteta, Thiago, Isaac Cuenca and others. Those who were sold, usually, had a queue of home-reared talent in front of them, rather than being edged out by expensive purchases.

In the same period,Real Madrid have developed, but failed to use properly, talents like Juan Mata, Alvaro Negredo, Borja Valero, Diego Lopez, Dani Parejo, Javi Portillo, Roberto Soldado, Javi Garcia and Jose Manuel Jurado. Set against Florentino Perez’s original electoral promise of matching the best signings in the world with canterano excellence, it’s a betrayal.

The last player developed in the Madrid youth system to properly embed himself in the first team is Iker Casillas. His full Madrid debut was in September 1999. Since then, any Real Madrid canterano has been relentlessly shipped out to succeed somewhere else

However, the apogee of Madrid’s failings came when they hosted the 2010 Champions League final – eventually won by their coach-elect, Jose Mourinho, and Inter. Beyond the potential embarrassment of Barcelona winning the Champions League at the Bernabeu, the other three teams in the tournament were driven by Madrid rejects.

Wesley Sneijder scored one goal and assisted one other for Mourinho’s Inter against Barcelona in the semi-final first leg. The Dutchman was a key figure in Madrid’s 2008 title win but was sold, at a loss, to Inter. He immediately became a dominant force in European football. Inter trampled all over Barça in that first leg at San Siro and did it with four players sold by Florentino Perez: Samuel Eto’o, Walter Samuel, Sneijder and Esteban Cambiasso.

Arjen Robben added to his tie-winning goals against both Fiorentina and Manchester United by thumping in another screamer to set Bayern Munich on the road to victory over Olympique Lyon (conquerors of Madrid) in the other semi-final. Arjen Robben had been inexplicably offloaded to Bayern Munich before he could form what would have been a terrifying wing combination with Cristiano Ronaldo under Manuel Pellegrini.

Not enough credit is being given to the Special One. The 'Zidanes' of this era are as powerful as the original 'Galacticos'; youth team players are regulary being introduced and, sweetest of all for Madridistas, there is now only a wafer-thin gap between Barca and Real Madrid

The more you investigate, the worse it looks. Since being rejected by Madrid, Eto’o has won 15 club trophies, Cambiasso 15, Samuel 14, Sneijder six. Robben won three trophies in his first two seasons after leaving Madrid while he and Sneijder were pivotal in Holland’s drive to the 2010 World Cup final.

Madrid reached the stage where they were neither capable of producing 'Pavones' nor good at keeping ‘Zidanes’ when they found them. However, given all the controversy surrounding the previous seven Clasicos since it became Guardiola v Mourinho - 21 goals, 52 bookings and nine red cards - perhaps not enough credit has gone to the Special One for the way in which he is ending that trend. The 'Zidanes' of this era are as powerful as the original 'Galacticos'; youth team players are regularly being introduced and, what is sweetest of all for Madridistas, there is now only a wafer-thin gap between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

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UEFA Champions League

Manchester City bow out despite Bayern win

Manchester City FC 2-0 FC Bayern München
David Silva and Yaya Touré ensured Roberto Mancini's side fulfilled their side of the bargain but SSC Napoli's victory meant it was in vain.

Manchester City FC got the win they had to deliver but it was not enough to save their inaugural UEFA Champions League campaign.

Although David Silva and Yaya Touré scored to earn the Premier League leaders a 2-0 success against Group A winners FC Bayern München, the celebratory mood turned flat when news filtered through in the second half that SSC Napoli, who started the night a point above City, had the goal they needed at Villarreal CF, which soon became two. So The Citizen were forced to settle for a place in the UEFA Europa League last 32 on a night when the UEFA Champions League lost both its Manchester clubs.

City went into the game knowing their fate was only partly in their own hands but the sight of an under-strength Bayern Munich team was an immediate boost. With Bayern Munich already assured top spot, coach Jupp Heynckes made seven changes from their weekend victory against SV Werder Bremen, with flu victims Mario Gomez and Thomas Müller among those dropping to the bench.

Roberto Mancini's side are scoring for fun in the Premier League but they threatened little in a nervy first half-hour. Sergio Agüero put a header over the bar from Samir Nasri's cross in the sixth minute while at the other end, Ivica Olić gave City a scare when he broke on to a headed flick by Nils Pietersen but the Croatian's near-post drive was pushed behind by Joe Hart.

The subdued home crowd burst into life when Silva put City in front with a spectacular strike after 37 minutes. Edin Džeko touched on Stefan Savić's infield pass and Silva still had plenty to do but, cutting across the edge of the box, he took one touch before lashing a fierce shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Silva's strike means Manchester City have scored against all 19 teams they have faced this season and they could have had a second before half-time. Sergio Agüero rounded Butt but was denied by Boateng's sliding clearance, then the 37-year-old keeper parried a David Silva drive, with Gareth Barry unable to keep his follow-up down.

No fear, the hosts had their second soon after the restart. A sweet flurry of passes meant Džeko's final pass left Yaya Touré free to roll the ball past Butt. Barry and Agüero kept Butt's hands warm but events in Spain ensured only the Munich fans up in the East Stand were singing with any real relish.

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UEFA Champions League

Amazing Basel hit heights to knock out United

FC Basel 1893 2-1 Manchester United FC
A goal in each half from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei secured a famous home victory and second place in Group C at their opponents' expense.

FC Basel 1893 reached the UEFA Champions League last 16 for only the second time as Marco Streller and Alexander Frei scored in each half to secure a famous victory over Manchester United FC to end last season's finalists' interest in the competition.

With SL Benfica already assured of progress, Basel and United met with Group C's second qualifying berth at stake. United needed only a point but Xherdan Shaqiri proved a thorn in their side; his cross led to Streller's thumping ninth-opener finish and, as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, the 20-year-old set up Alexander Frei to head a second six minutes from time.

Phil Jones halved the deficit, but Basel survived a tense finale to advance from the initial group stage for the first time since 2002/03. Manchester United, meanwhile, fail to progress from a group stage for only the third time and, though both teams will be involved in a draw on 16 December, the English club will be in the UEFA Europa League.

Although Manchester United started confidently, their early optimism was punctured after they failed to clear Markus Steinhöfer's delivery. Shaqiri collected on the left wing and whipped in a vicious cross that United goalkeeper David de Gea could only deflect into the path of Streller, who fired in convincingly.

That strike put the wind in Basel's sails and they continued to press forward as United struggled to contain Shaqiri. However, Luis Nani was becoming equally influential for the visitors and, just past the half-hour, delivered a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded Wayne Rooney and Park Ji Sung.

Nani's own effort was bravely smothered by Yann Sommer, and the Basel goalkeeper was also equal to Rooney's drive after the striker was put through by Ryan Giggs. The English side's mounting frustration was obvious, yet they started the second period positively. Rooney sent one effort wide, before the home goal had a fortunate escape when Steinhöfer's attempted volleyed clearance came back off his own crossbar.

Basel had chances of their own, Frei having one kick acrobatically saved as Heiko Vogel's charges looked to put daylight between them and United. On the break they managed to do just that; Shaqiri curled in from the right and Streller cleverly dummied for Frei to steal in at the far post and nod in.

Jones's header after Federico Macheda's shot had come back off the bar gave United hope, but Basel stood strong.

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Barclays Premier League

Liverpool - No big match winner in the match between Liverpool vs Manchester City in Anfield Stadium. Exclaimed walking along the 2 x 45 minutes, the match ending just as strong with less score 1-1.

Anfield, Manchester City advance to open the scoring through Vinceny Kompany in minutes through a header 31 which receives feedback from Silva through a corner kick, so the City winning 0-1 over host Liverpool. But less than two minutes the host managed to equalize through hard kick on the foot of Johnson and City defender Joleon Lescott to break through his own net.

The draw was not undermine the position of City at the top of the Premier League standings, with a value of 35 and five points clear of Manchester United in second place. This is the second time all season 2011/2012 English League City failed to maximum points after the fifth week ditaham Fulham 1-1.

In about six minutes of the match City were forced to play with 10 men after Mario Balotelli sent off out of the field. Super Mario can be considered a second yellow card for elbowing Martin Skrtel in the struggle for the ball.

Liverpool made an additional one point is enough to raise them one rung to sixth place standings. Points owned protégé Kenny Dalglish with proprietary Arsenal, 23, but 'The Red' still ahead in goal difference.

The game

The first chance to make goals when Samir Nasri City owned barely gets fed the ball to Jose Enrique backpass to Pepe Reina. Lucky for Liverpool, Pepe Reina was alert to catch the ball, threw himself and banish the skin round out the field.

City then had two opportunities through individual action Sergio Aguero, who then wasted because she failed to feed after passing through several Reds players in the penalty box. While well-organized cooperation between Aguero, Clichy and Nasri still Terhadang host defender in the middle of the penalty box.

In minute 31 goals finally created. Starting from a corner kick on the left side of the Liverpool defense, the ball bounced into the middle of the penalty box Kompany headlong into the far post and to produce a goal.

In less than two minutes Liverpool managed to equalize. Adam kicks distance veered direction after touching the feet Joleon Lescott. Joe Hart who is dead can not do a lot of steps and had to give up his goal conceded.

Liverpool almost reverse the situation on 36 minutes when Dirk Kuyt struck lures Adam, but the midfielder could still kick Joe Hart saved with his legs. On different sides can also muffle the kick Reina Aguero.

Eight minute second-half run Kuyt almost found the net City if he could just megarahkan ball passing in front of him by using his head. Not long ago Clichy remove dangerous cross, which flashed in front of goalkeeper Reina with no single player could be snatched City.

On the right side of the City's defense Downing penetration, he cooperating one-two with Suarez when going into the penalty box. That's where pererakan Downing stalled because Lescott carry out their duties properly.

Downing returned almost makes Liverpudlian volley cheer with joy when he let go in front of the penalty box can still be punched into the top goalkeeper Joe Hart. It is an important first rescue action because Hart's England international goalkeeper then made some scintillating action on the rest of the game.

Six minutes before the game after the City had to play with 10 men. Received a second yellow card for elbowing Marin Skrtel, Mari Balotelli sent off the field.

Excellence number of players make the Reds added incentive to build an attack. In the 88th minute Hart made another brilliant rescue when Suarez punched hard kick in the penalty box.

A minute later Liverpool goal by David Silva almost collapse. The Spain international midfielder faced with Reina in the penalty box. Despite his efforts to deceive the goalkeeper managed, Silva failed to kick a goal because Terhadang Liverpool player who has accumulated at the bottom of the goal.

Last chance to come home from Carroll powerful header in the middle of the penalty box. The ball seemed to be into the net because it is quite far from the reach of Hart. But the England goalkeeper's number one super rescue, he was flying through the air and dispel the skin bundatr who drifted into the net.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Kuyt (Carroll '84)

Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Barry, Milner, Silva ('90 Toure), Nasri ('65 Balotelli), Aguero ('82 Dzeko) (DTC / din)

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UEFA Champions League

Roberto Mancini: Manchester City Opportunity Pass 30 Percent

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini estimate the chances of The Citizen to qualify for the knock-out phase of the Champions League, leaving only 30 percent.

City of Napoli's 2-1 defeat on Matchday five. The Citizen behind 1-0 when Napoli striker "E. Cavani" City goalkeeper at minute 17, the City had equalized through goals from Mario Balotelli at minute 33. 1-1 score lasted until the first round was completed.

Early in the second half Napoli immediately launched an attack, consequently the first 4 minutes after kick-off the second half, exactly at minute 49 E. Cavani back goalkeeper City score was changed to 2-1 for the excellence of Naples.

The game was going pretty hard, proven four City players get a yellow card each accepted by M. Balotelli at minute 54 ', D. Silva at minute 61 ', V. Kompany at minute 77' and A. Kolar at minute 86 '. The result left Napoli collected eight points, one more than the City. Champions League Matchday one else left to live.

City of Naples camp hoping to slip when they met Villarreal, who have not collected any points wins. Therefore, the City will face Bayern Munich, who had secured their first away, at Etihad Stadium.

Mancini admitted Napoli is now favored to qualify for the next round. If the City ultimately failed, Mancini assess appearing in the Europa League besutannya not a disaster for the team.

"I consider 70 percent chance of Naples, and we are 30 percent," said Mancini told reporters.

"Now it does not depend on us again. If Villarreal play normal football, they will get results. If they play seriously, we can go to the next phase. "

"But Napoli is now a favorite, and life does not end if we failed to qualify. Our target is to enter the next phase in the Champions League. We started the season with four different targets. "

"Sometimes you lose. If we do not qualify, we will be playing in the Europa League. "

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