Penal Madrid

[raskolnikov]

Real Madrid and Barca are so far ahead of everyone on talent that 'away' games have no meaning (unless maybe Athletico Madrid).
When Real or Barca lose away games, its because they have seriously underperformed.
Your statement would have been accurate if they were playing in the English League.

Copa Del Rey is hardly a tournament of interest to anyone in Barca or Madrid.
For the amount invested, the expectations will always be one of CL or La Liga.
Being out of Copa could help our Liga expectations.
Not the correct attitude to have but it is realistic.

Where has Rafa clashed with anybody?
James was clearly unfit and had traveled all the way back from South America. He hasn't performed well since then and I think he may be less than 100% fit.
Ronaldo is a prima donna who can't even sacrifice himself by temporarily playing center forward while we are in the midst of an injury crisis. How is that Rafa's fault?

I agree on Ronaldo's age catching up with him but what about individual player responsibility?
Bale, James, etc. all should be able to score at least 2 goals a game.

I disagree, those away games matter, Bilbao, Villarreal,Malaga, Sociedad, Celta, Valencia, Atletico, Espanyol, Sevilla, depor.
Tough away games where Barca/Real will almost always be favoured but could just as easily drop points.
You got to give those teams credit when its due, la liga teams have improved a lot compared to a few years ago.

In recent years copa del rey has been a price of interest, sure way less than la liga or the cl but its still a nice trophy to win and potentially complete a double/treble.
Madridista's definitely cared back when Bale outpaced Bartra and won them the trophy, or back in 2011 with cr7's header.

Rafa clashes with the team, they went al out for Ancelotti and dont care to run and ook disinterested and unmotivated.
Big flaw in them of course but in the end he will be held accountable for failing. Team giving 100% is oen of the tasks of the manager. You need to get that respect/motivation.
Players can score 2+ goals against the likes of Malmo or getafe but cant do it in the tougher fixtures.

Reals best chance is to not look ahead of themselves, just makes sure Benitez and the players click, play with a plan and passion. stay as close to Barca and Atetico as possible and review it late march to see if its still possible to make a title winning run or if the gap is too big.
By then just go all out on the cl.

 

[Horatio]

So what happened regarding the TAS? Wasn't there supposed to be a something coming out today?

 

[Aryagorn]

so planning to replace James with Hazard? I think I would like it. I guess they want to continue the Messi X CR7 war with Neymar X Hazard!

 

[Vlom]

So what happened regarding the TAS? Wasn't there supposed to be a something coming out today?

It should be decided this week, not sure if there's a specific day.

 

[Luftstalag14]

It should be decided this week, not sure if there's a specific day.

But the CdR game against Cadiz was supposed to be on tomorrow, I am pretty sure there is no time to reinstate it? Unless of course they postpone it.

 

[ricknattery]

I believe Madrid out of the copa is already decided. I think I've even read somewhere an official statement from RM accepting that

 

[ThwiX]

I believe Madrid out of the copa is already decided. I think I've even read somewhere an official statement from RM accepting that

They are. Already refunded the tickets too.

 

[Vlom]

No guys, the TAS still have to give the official decision, but they did refuse the cautionary suspension to allow the game to be played tomorrow.

So, as unlikely as it is, there is still a remooooooote possibility the TAS will change his decision and then it will be chaos to figure out when to play that 2nd leg etc..

Though at this point it's really close to the 1% probability, they're virtually out.

 

[Richard.H]

They nearly ALWAYS get a very easy round of 16 draw. It's absolutely irritating...

 

[khaled_a_d]

No guys, the TAS still have to give the official decision, but they did refuse the cautionary suspension to allow the game to be played tomorrow.

So, as unlikely as it is, there is still a remooooooote possibility the TAS will change his decision and then it will be chaos to figure out when to play that 2nd leg etc..

Though at this point it's really close to the 1% probability, they're virtually out.

It is TAD (spanish court) not TAS (European) iirc

 

[RMU ReBorn]

Roma won't be a Walk over . De Rossi ,Salah,Gervinho will be back.De Rosseli is a fighter, one of my favorite Dm's ...!! captain's band will only motivate him more.. Hope they kick out Rm..!!

 

[Horatio]

It is TAD (spanish court) not TAS (European) iirc

Someone said they are one and the same. Tribunal Arbitrage du Sport/Tribunal Arbitraje Deportivo. Just the spanish translation for it.

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribunal_de_Arbitraje_Deportivo

 

[pattegrisen]

They nearly ALWAYS get a very easy round of 16 draw. It's absolutely irritating...

Yep and barca almost always get one of the 2-3 good teams =) Like last year english,french,german and italian champions

 

[Flavia]

It is TAD (spanish court) not TAS (European) iirc

Someone said they are one and the same. Tribunal Arbitrage du Sport/Tribunal Arbitraje Deportivo. Just the spanish translation for it.

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribunal_de_Arbitraje_Deportivo

They are not the same, not even related to one another. 2 different institutions. The wiki link is for tas, it's just in castellano. The tad in question(Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte) have their head office in madrid, formed by 7 judges, and is the last resort to solve conflits within spain, for all sports, not only football.

 

[zidaneisgod]

I disagree, those away games matter, Bilbao, Villarreal,Malaga, Sociedad, Celta, Valencia, Atletico, Espanyol, Sevilla, depor.
Tough away games where Barca/Real will almost always be favoured but could just as easily drop points.
You got to give those teams credit when its due, la liga teams have improved a lot compared to a few years ago.

In recent years copa del rey has been a price of interest, sure way less than la liga or the cl but its still a nice trophy to win and potentially complete a double/treble.
Madridista's definitely cared back when Bale outpaced Bartra and won them the trophy, or back in 2011 with cr7's header.

Rafa clashes with the team, they went al out for Ancelotti and dont care to run and ook disinterested and unmotivated.
Big flaw in them of course but in the end he will be held accountable for failing. Team giving 100% is oen of the tasks of the manager. You need to get that respect/motivation.
Players can score 2+ goals against the likes of Malmo or getafe but cant do it in the tougher fixtures.

Reals best chance is to not look ahead of themselves, just makes sure Benitez and the players click, play with a plan and passion. stay as close to Barca and Atetico as possible and review it late march to see if its still possible to make a title winning run or if the gap is too big.
By then just go all out on the cl.

La Liga has improved but man for man if each of those teams you mentioned played to their maximum capacity against Real/Barca also playing to their maximum capacity then who would win?
Obviously Barca / Real.
That's why there is a strong element of underperformance when Barca/Real lose to any of these teams.

Madradistas cared only because it was against Barca.
In terms of priority CL and La Liga are way more important than the Copa.
Look at the number of B Team players who make up the Copa match day squads.

Again, I am not absolving Rafa of his inability to motivate them.
However, what about the players? If they believe that by throwing a tantrum they can get the coach fired with absolutely no sense of accountability then there is a structural problem at Madrid.
Look at Chelsea-Mourinho, Van Gaal-Man U, Juventus-Allegri this season?
Look at Dortmund-Klopp last season?
Are these poor coaches or are players to blame too?
Players must take responsibility.

Agreed with the last paragraph. 5 points difference can be overcome. Its not over just yet.
Maybe if it remains the same in the last 5 games I will concede La Liga has gone.