Real Madrid 1 x 0 Barcelona: Could this have been Ronaldinho's farwell game?

Sunday, 23 December 07, 09:42 PM

On my pre-game game post I got the line-up for Barcelona without Ronaldinho or Deco in it. That's cause coach Frank Rijkaard kept the mistery until moments before the match today.

I was happy to see that he had chosen to start with the brazilian. I also thought Ronaldinho would do everything possible to win this game and prove how valuable he still is for the team.

Well, that didn't quite happen.

The first half was quite balanced in numbers and also in goal opportunities but since the beginning I could see a more organized Real Madrid.  Los Merengues dictated the rythm of the game with a good passing line and a well controled pace.

At the 7th minute Ruud van Nistelrooy could have scored the opening goal with a shot from the rtop right side of the box that went just wide of the goal.

Only after 28 minutes played in the first half was Barcelona able to really balance things up when Ronaldinho decided to wake up. The brazilian was reaponsible for at least 2 brilliant moments in less than 5 minutes. It was good to see his footwork and amazing skills to take on defenders entertain the crowd and get Barça close to the equalizer. No enough though.

 

It was another brazilian who stole the spotlight on the first half.  A great passing play ended up with van Nistelrooy serving Julio Baptista on the left side of the box. On a perfect strike, "The Beast" scored the winning goal at minute 35.

Baptista proved once again that skills alone can only take a team so far. There's gotta be efficiency if a team wants to win titles.

 

The second half was, what I would call, the reason why this is the greatest sport on earth: NO GOALS but a lot of AMAZING, STUNNING moments. Barecelona kept on searching for the equalizer but Ronaldinho's inspiration was gone. The team bravely - but also too desperately - attacked with shots from outside the box and attempts of through balls, but they almost always hit a wall called Pepe. Real Madrid's defense played extremely well.

Los Merengues on the other hand used the counter attack as their main weapon. Robinho always giving Barça's defense a hard time.

 

Another great game that made very happy for waking up early this sunday.

 

And now some questions for you guys:

Should Barcelona keep Ronaldinho?

Is Messi more important for the team?

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Posted by ManoGil | Comments (10)

Super Sunday: GAME 2 - Barcelona vs. Real Madrid (Does Ronaldinho deserve to be benched?)

Saturday, 22 December 07, 03:43 PM

This is the game I've been waiting for. And even though Real Madrid cannot be reached at the first position (the difference is 4 points) a Barcelona win would mean a very tough and close championship after the winter break.

I honestly find it very hard to make a prediction because a lot on this match will depend on some individual performances. Robinho, Van Nilsterooy, Messi, Eto'o ... will have this responsibility.

Wait a minute, I didn't mention Ronaldinho?

Well, coach Frank Rijkaard is still keeping it a secret Ronaldinho's presence on the starting eleven. I understand that Barcelona has a great team with many players thast can be replaced by others and still keep the team playing beautiful football but in such an important match I'd take the experience of Ronaldinho over Giovani dos Santos any time.

In my opinion if Ronaldinho plays Barcelona wins 3 x 1 if he doesn't I predict the same score but in favor of "Los merengues"

The debate is open.

Ronaldinho or Giovani? What's your choice?

And who will win this match?

Here are the possible line-ups:

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Posted by ManoGil | Comments (1)