5 things we learnt from El Clasico

It was the 7th of 2011 but we can still learn a lot from 90 breath-taking minutes.

1. Messi is better than Cristiano

Once again Messi proved he is on course for a hat-trick of Ballon d’Or’s this January. Real gave him an inch and he took a mile slid a perfect pass to Alexis (who still had a lot to do) to score a stunning equaliser. Messi didn’t have his most spectacular game, Iniesta was probably the best player on the pitch, but, Messi’s influence in big games is unwavering. Cristiano on the other-hand had a bit of a disaster, no matter how hard he puffed his chest out he couldn’t make a positive impact on the game. He missed two crucial chances one, a skewed shot when a simple pass to Di Maria was a much better option when it was 1-0. The second was even more uncharacteristic; a free header that went harmlessly wide from an inch perfect ball from Alonso when Madrid were trailing 2-1. Catalan dialy Sport declared that “We’ll have to expand the dictionary to find new adjectives for him, because majestic, lethal, magic, incomparable and divine have all been used up”. Messi was far from his best against Real but he was far better than Cristiano.

Goals, Racism and umbrellas

A look at the last weeks action; goals, racism and umbrellas.

Valencia vs Real Madrid delivered in everything aspect of football. Goals, bookings, Mourinho celebrating inanely and controversy. There were 5 goals the pick of the lot being the first from Karim Benzema, so many fouls 10 bookings, Mourinho jumped on Callejons back to celebrate Madrid’s goal to take a 3-1 lead and big penalty appeal by Valencia in the last minute of the game.

Mourinho being...well Mourinho

A look at the weekends fixtures.

Eleven games in and the league is really starting to take shape the top two are no surprise but the order might be. Real Madrid since losing to Levente have become unstoppable, after the defeat. Jose Mourinho dropped Sergio Ramos (read a great article by Football Ramble about his recnt form http://www.thefootballramble.com/blog/entry/ramos-enjoying-life-in-the-centre). Interestingly Marca TV before the match against Osasuna were comparing Sergio Ramos to the great Hierro, Mourinho has brought Ramos into the centre of defence and looked like a natural, it’s difficult to see if Carvalho will get back into the starting XI. Upfront Higuain has scored 7 in 7 matches, Kaka is back to his counter-attacking best and CR7 and Benzama are looking electric. Barcelona on the other-hand have yet to get out of the early gears and looked flat away from home. It’s difficult to criticise Pep because he’s effortlessly cool, won nearly everything and a cracking player. However, I think he tried to tinker with his squad too much, obviously in football the saying ‘If it aint broke, don’t fix it’ doesn’t apply you always need to add and improve otherwise teams can get found out, but I think he has just tried to tinker a bit too much trying to perfect things. Football clubs don’t need perfection they need results and Barca have dropped more points than expected. This is the first time Real Madrid under Mourinho are 3 points ahead of Barcelona, Jose has never given up a 3 point lead in a league before. EVER!! This is exciting Real Madrid are going to win the league then surely?