Real Madrid 2014-15: Ronaldo and 10 other guys
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Zososoxfan said:
I know. I'm married to a Spaniard, so I think a lot about the Spanish culture and the difference between the US. There are similarities but there are differences. I'd love to talk to an expert.
I really can't believe Real Madrid seem poised to dump Ancelotti for Rafael Benitez. Sure, perhaps Real Madrid--read: Florentino Perez--is upset that Ancelotti has not won La Liga in two seasons. Maybe Florentino is mad that Atletico has equaled the playing field and has won many matches against Real Madrid over the last two campaigns. It could simply be that Real Madrid does not tolerate a year without any of the major three trophies (Copa del Rey, La Liga, Champions).
I'm borrowing this idea from Sid Lowe (I think it was Sid...) who wrote that perhaps the coach isn't the problem; it's who is building the team.
Sure, Real Madrid made some great moves: James > Di Maria and Kroos > Alonso. At the same time, the team has made some questionable decisions: Illaramendi, Khedira (not selling him), Navas (the whole keeper situation, really), Lucas Silva, and Morata (who scored the two decisive goals against his former club).
Plus, it's not like Ancelotti is going to stop playing Bale. And Benzema is generally better than Chicharito, despite Chicharito's heroics.
I'm borrowing this idea from Sid Lowe (I think it was Sid...) who wrote that perhaps the coach isn't the problem; it's who is building the team.
Sure, Real Madrid made some great moves: James > Di Maria and Kroos > Alonso. At the same time, the team has made some questionable decisions: Illaramendi, Khedira (not selling him), Navas (the whole keeper situation, really), Lucas Silva, and Morata (who scored the two decisive goals against his former club).
Plus, it's not like Ancelotti is going to stop playing Bale. And Benzema is generally better than Chicharito, despite Chicharito's heroics.
I still have no idea why they think Rafa Benitez, whose Napoli team failed to win a significant trophy or qualify for Champions League this season, is an upgrade over Ancelotti. His Napoli teams have done alright in a historically weak era for Serie A, but he only has one Coppa Italia to show for it.
Ancelotti has to be the first manager fired by two different clubs a season after winning the Champions League right?
Domer said:
The last time Benitez managed in Spain, he won La Liga (twice) and the UEFA Cup (once)...with Valencia. I suspect his reputation is still pretty high there.
He retired after the club announced his replacement 6 months prior to the end of the season. Everything worked, but that was really strange.Schnerres said:
Oddly enough, the last five Champions League-winning managers have all departed within a year. Mourinho and Guardiola left on their own accord, but Di Matteo, Heynckes, and Ancelotti were all at least nudged out of the picture.
Benitez is no slouch and is a fine tactician. More of an Xs and Os guy than Carlo, but then again, not sure that's what Real needs. I feel like Carlo was a perfect manager (in every sense of the word) for Real. With the talent that Real always has, the team will generally be fine. Anything other than a stubborn bastard (cough Mourinho cough) should be fine.
Zososoxfan said:
The Bale problem, I think, renders anyone's tactics to be secondary. Unless Real Madrid surprises everyone and dumps Bale or Benzema, I find it hard to envision the next coach not going with BBC (Bale-Benzema-Ronaldo) next year. In this formation, you have to play Kroos and Modric in the middle, with James most likely to be the other guy in the midfield. Isco becomes the 12th man.
Would the next coach--most likely Benitez--have the guts to bench Bale or Benzema? To me, that's the key to success.
Oh, and Ronaldo is aging. He'll be 31 half-way through the season in February. While he's in top shape, he's got a lot of miles on his body and he seems to be slowing down in some aspects of the game.
De Gea
Carvajal-Ramos-Varane-Marcelo
Isco-Modric-Kroos-James
Bale-Ronaldo
vs
De Gea
Carvajal-Ramos-Varane-Marcelo
James-Modric-Kroos
Bale-Benzema-Ronaldo
The only two players that I see as locks for the bench are Casemiro, who replaces Khedira, and Danilo, who will be a substitute or competition for Carvajal. I'm not sure they'll keep Illaramendi or Jese around -- nor am I sure why those guys will want to stay. Who knows what will happen with Lucas Silva.
The only issue with Ancellotti is that he's scheduled to have spinal surgery this summer to correct stenosis that's started affecting his limbs. He should be OK long-term, but he's announced that he won't be working anywhere next season.
Other than that, there's no reason Real should have a problem with him going forward. The players love him, play hard for him, and he's one of the top tacticians in the sport. Real's bigger issue is Florentino Perez, who is one small above George Steinbrenner and Massimo Cellino at their worst. The lack of continuity under him threatens to make the world's most talented squad on paper (or at least on a spreadsheet) underperform.
Other than that, there's no reason Real should have a problem with him going forward. The players love him, play hard for him, and he's one of the top tacticians in the sport. Real's bigger issue is Florentino Perez, who is one small above George Steinbrenner and Massimo Cellino at their worst. The lack of continuity under him threatens to make the world's most talented squad on paper (or at least on a spreadsheet) underperform.
bosox4283 said:
If Benitez is named the new manager, it will be interesting because he has almost always played 4-2-3-1 with the key offensive cogs being the CF and the CAM. At Valencia, Liverpool, and Napoli, his wingers have been functional players that did their jobs - providing width, a little trickery, and some defensive discipline on at least one side - while the CF/CAM combo (Mista/Aimar, Torres/Gerrard, Higuain/Hamsik) have been the guys that stirred the drink. Now he goes to Madrid with Ronaldo and Bale on the outside...
If they don't want to sell Bale, one possibility is that Ronaldo moves to CF and they play Isco-James-Bale behind him, with Benzema as supersub off the bench (or sold off, Ozil-style, as he is always linked to a move). People have been talking about that move for a while but I've never gotten a good read on whether Ronaldo actually supports the idea or not. I think James could really thrive in that kind of setup.
Although i didn´t always like Ancelotti´s moves (not that i have to or he would care..), he was a great manager and coach for Real. I wonder if the next to come in will be liked as much as he was and i doubt it a lot. There are many problems.
-Some decisive players (Ronaldo, Ramos,Iker) get old. I don´t know if you can maintain those play-every-match lineups, with (38Liga+12CL+6CdR=) 56 club matches and some national team matches throughout the year to play. For me, it would be smart if you rotate the team against the Granadas, Levantes, Getafes and play your Top11 vs. the top opponents. You cannot always play your top guys and occasionally give 1-2 guys a rest. That´s not enough. (And Ancelotti did that not good enough, i think.)
-Klopp said, he wants to have a break of at least half a season and Perez said he wants a spanish-speaking coach (=doesn´t fit), so i think Benitez will get the job. But i don´t think he will fit in as good as Ancelotti. I think he could be a great fit, but the players of todays generation have too much power and aren´t able to fight for smth. They are lazy and won´t be happy if Benitez will be doing things otherwise as Ancelotti (if he sits Ronaldo=he won´t be happy, as he wants to score the most goals in LaLiga, etc.), which are actually ridiculous problems.
-I don´t think this relationship will last long, same with others before at Real, as Perez doesn´t make a statement in front of the players to back his coach (not the bull*hit in front of the media).
-Some decisive players (Ronaldo, Ramos,
-Klopp said, he wants to have a break of at least half a season and Perez said he wants a spanish-speaking coach (=doesn´t fit), so i think Benitez will get the job. But i don´t think he will fit in as good as Ancelotti. I think he could be a great fit, but the players of todays generation have too much power and aren´t able to fight for smth. They are lazy and won´t be happy if Benitez will be doing things otherwise as Ancelotti (if he sits Ronaldo=he won´t be happy, as he wants to score the most goals in LaLiga, etc.), which are actually ridiculous problems.
-I don´t think this relationship will last long, same with others before at Real, as Perez doesn´t make a statement in front of the players to back his coach (not the bull*hit in front of the media).
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:
Ronaldo has consistently made it known that he has no interest in playing CF. I think it comes down to not wanting to match up vs big CBs vs taking on smaller RBs.
Vinho Tinto said:
Well, I guess that rules out that move. I can't see Benitez coming in and successfully forcing Ronaldo into a position change.
Sounds like Rafa will be looking for another job right when Liverpool finally get around to tossing Rodgers.
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