Forza Futbol

This is my last post on RMA and their pre-season in LA. It has been one of the best 10 days of my life. Following your team is just one of the best experiences ever. I got a sense for the trials and tribulations of being associated with this great club and how down to earth the players really are. They are just normal people. I want to thank Peggy van Huizen and Leo Gutierrez for the great coverage and for being part of the Forza Futbol dream team. Hopefully we can do it again next year! Look out España for Forza Futbol La Liga Tour March 2012!

Match Report

Chivas is starting their new season this weekend and have a lot more games under their belt. The crowd was 60% Chivas fans and 40% Real Madrid.

Players missing from the game for Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos (back spasms), Khedira (toe), Sahin (knee), Alonso (back pains)

First half thoughts: Chivas playing a very defensive game. They defended in packs and gave RM very little space in the midfield. They produced continuous tactical fouls, which impeded Los Blancos from playing their game. Chivas stole a lot of balls, and provided several long balls over the top, catching RM unawares. RM was not able to capitalize on their chances. Carvalho looked a bit slow at the back. Kaka appeared to be out of sorts and rather tired. RM passing was a poor. Chivas began the first half at a frentic pace and then slowed the game down, and controlled the tempo of the game.

That said, Adan played done well in goal. Cristiano was his effervescent self and Varane impressed with his speed and ability to make key interventions in front of goal. The 18 year old defender read the game well, had a few close scoring opportunities from set pieces, and performed admirably overall. Still, Coach Jose Luis Real was very happy that his team kept the game at 0-0 at halftime.

Second half thoughts: Wholesale substitutions were made by Real Madrid after halftime. No problem, because they have a solid bench. Some key entries were Pepe, Callejon, Albiol and Casillas. As previously mentioned, Chivas starts the Mexican league this weekend against Atlante, so coach Real made two critical substitutions to preserve his backline from injury. Those two substitutions also allowed Real Madrid to win the game.

Gold cup winner Hector Reynoso was taken off at the 54’. Cristiano scored his first goal, assisted by Benzema, in the 72’. Miguel Ponce, another defender, was substituted in the 74’. A minute later, Pepe was taken down in the penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot and Cristiano converted it easily in the 75’. Steam roller Real Madrid carry on, in their devil may care way, in the 81’. This time Ozil provided an exquisite pass to Cristiano who closed the game with a beautiful finish. Hat trick. Full time RMA 3-0 Chivas.

Kudos to Cristiano: I have really been impressed with Cris’ performances and willingness to please the crowd and put on a stellar display. Some notables:

The versatility of Cristiano Ronaldo. The first goal was scored a la Llorente from Athletic Bilbao. Cris moved into a center forward (no 9) position, between two Chivas defenders and physically muscled his way through to score. His penalty was pure power and his last goal was a work of art.

For Cristiano, there are no friendlies. The Portuguese International put on his A game in San Diego and in LA. He picked up the team by the scruff of their necks in the second half and claimed a hat trick in the process. No surprise, Cristiano was voted hands down the man of the match.

Food for thought: Back to the game, the bottom line, is that Chivas came to play a complete game, not an open game on the counter like the LA Galaxy, but a full on tactical game, and if not for their defensive substitutions in the second half, the scoreline might have been different. Real Madrid without Xabi Alonso, Khedira, and Sergio Ramos is just not at the same caliber or world class level. This was only a friendly and a pre-season game. However, the first half performance is definitely something for Mourinho and staff to take note as food for thought.

Chivas Guadalajara: Luis Michel, Esparza, Reynoso (Magallón, 54 '), Medina (Gallardo, 67'), De Luna, Araujo, Mejia, Fabian (Jesus Sanchez, 78 '), Ponce (Ledesma, 74'), Medina ( Nava, 83 ') and Arellano (Antonio Salazar, 78').

Real Madrid: Adan (Casillas, 46 '), Arbeloa (Nacho, 46'), Varane (Albiol, 46'), Carvalho (Pepe, 46'), Marcelo (Casado 82'); Coentrao, Granero, Kaka (Callejon, 46'), Özil (Joselu, 82'), Benzema (Jese, 78) and Cristiano.

Goals: 0-1 (72') Cristiano. 0-2 (75'): Cristiano, penalty. 0-3 (81') Cristiano.

Referee: Ricardo Salazar. Booked Mejia (35 '), Arellano (42') and De Luna (55 ') for Chivas and Coentrao (40') and Cristiano (55 ') for Real Madrid.

Stadium: Qualcomm Stadium. 38,211 spectators.

Post Game Press Conference: Jose Mourinho

Asked about Coentrao: “ We brought him here because he can play a lot of positions and not just to be competition for Marcelo. Coentrao had never played as a holding midfielder, that position is different for him. Alonso, Khedira and Granero are midfield players, positional, fixed pivots, whereas Coentrao, is accustomed to playing in more lateral positions, deeper, dynamic, something different from what I have in the team. I did not want to play 90 minutes, but 45, because he had already played the whole game against the Galaxy, but the problem of Xabi Alonso has pains in back. The third game against Philadelphia, Fabio will be rested as he has already played too many minutes. "

With the midfield injuries of Sahin, Khedira, and Alonso, do you need another midfield or will you call back up Lass or Gago? "What Sahin has is an injury. We hope that he can play in China or at the start of the season. But Xabi is not an injury, he has back pain, and Khedira is a small thing. The majority are not real injuries. Today we were missing all of them and were able to play with Coentrao and Granero. If necessary, we can play Pepe in the midfield. Varane also told me he has played enough games player in midfield and is available. We have the players we need. There is time until August 31, to obtain one more striker. I don’t want to even think about asking for anyone else, because the club has made great strides in this area. " (So Pepe, Coentrao, Varane and of course Granero are options in midfield to play a holding role.

On Pedro Leon and other players that Mou does not counted on this year. “I do not like to call them "dropped." "That's not a good name, just the coach has a way of working with a small squad, each day I work 10 v 10 drills. I like to have a squad of 21, open to the youth team, when an injury, I want to have a Castilla player step in to play. " He continues: "These footballers have to decided if they want to play at a team, where they will not have a lot of chances to play, I don’t like to call them “dropped” or say they are not good.... The first thing is to be professional, they themselves must be smart and think that if they will not play and do not like this situation, Real Madrid is working to find solutions. Garay understands that playing alongside Pepe, Carvalho, Albiol and Nino, we have enough in that role. If he gets an opportunity to go to another great club or country (Benfica), where there are more options to play, then he will look for a new life or career. For me this is good for him. Because staying in Madrid, to train every week and when you don’t play and go home, this is not good for a professional. The players have until the end of August, to accept one of the many options to go to a great club. But calling them “dropped”, no that is not the right word, the correct word is players who will not get playing time. " (So Mou is encouraging the “lost boys” to accept one of the transfer or loan options to go abroad or to another team in La Liga. Very interesting indeed and well said by Mou.)

Asked about his thoughts on the Chivas game and performances: “It was a great game, fabulous fitness training. For many years I have come to the US with Chelsea, Inter, and RM, every year we play against MLS and Mexican teams, against both Chivas and Club America. These teams play well and with a lot of fouls and this is what we need. We don’t need easy games or boring games. We need to play against teams that give us a difficult time and Chivas was very successful in giving us a difficult time.”

About Kaka: "He had six years without a proper preseason between World Cups, Copa America, injuries, his move to Madrid ... Now he is with us from day one, without missing a beat. He participated in all 12 training sessions completely. He played 45 minutes against Galaxy and 45 against Chivas and I hope he will play 45 against Philadelphia. He has a proper preseason and that is what he needs. His body needs that."

About CR7: "Cristiano is Cristiano, always with ambition, with motivation, with a joy of playing, and pride of playing well, whether in China, Japan or the United States. He always wants to play well and score. He knows how to win and get three goals to score as many points, as the rules of the tournament with 3 points for every goal. He has played with this mission. It's great to have. "

On comparisons to Phil Jackson, coach of the LA Lakers and the fact that Mou has coached many years with big teams and personalities. Should we call him the European zen master? “Noooooo. Basketball is Basketball. Soccer is Soccer. NBA has special rules in the basketball world. Impossible to compare. Of course I have read a few things and I know that he is such a big coach. Basketball coach is a basketball coach…”

For more youtube videos of Mourninho’s press conference, go to Forza Futbol’s youtube page.

As always you can find numerous more photos from the San Diego game day at Forza Futbol’s facebook page.

By the way the mixed zone, where the players come out was great with easy access to the players. I was able to ask both Iker and Chori about Xabi's injury. It made my day.

ADDED BONUS: FORZA FUTBOL ON REALMADRID.COM

Forza Futbol gets quoted in English and Spanish on realmadrid.com. Check this out! Our very own Peggy is a reference for the club!! Incredible!