UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Salah is a Truly Living Pharaoh & Bayern vs. Real Preview

This year's Champions League is proving to be one of the most memorable football competitions ever. Yesterday's match between Liverpool and Roma, although almost completely one-sided in terms of score and performance, provided a nervy finale when Roma managed to score two consolation goals during the last ten minutes to unhinge Liverpool fans and players alike, as they were reminded of the "ROMAntada" that happened two weeks ago. In any case, the final result is still a very comfortable one for The Reds heading into the return leg next week. Salah was simply magnificent. He is now performing at a level where you just can't doubt his quality anymore. He is a savage running behind and at defenders, and when he is facing the goal, his calmness and efficiency are just top class. His Messi-esque goal was just the beginning yesterday, as he went on to score another great goal by slightly chipping the ball over the towering Alisson, as well as providing two additional assists to Mane and Firmino. A complete game that will surely enhance his chances in the Balon D'Or race come next January.

Mo Salah is the Man of the Moment in World Football

Tonight, another epic battle awaits in Bavaria. Bayern are raring to have another opportunity to face us to avenge the last two times we knocked them out. Despite the refereeing controversies of last year, no one can doubt that we deserved the qualification. We were the better team for most of the 180 minutes in both matches and that's why we went through and continued all the way up to secure the much coveted back-to-back title. With Heynkes as a manager, the Bavarians are more balanced and stabilized at the back. Although they miss one of the best goalkeepers ever in Neuer, their organization in defense and midfield, as well as the surprisingly good form of their stand-in keeper, make up for Neuer's absence. Up front, they are hauntingly dangerous to say the least, with names like veterans Robben and Ribery on the wings, James as a number 10 with Thiago or Muller beside him and Lewandowski as the striker. That's why the key today for Madrid is to be at their best defensively to try not to concede more than two goals.

 

Real's defense this season has been shambolic. Navas is having his worst season between the sticks and his performances were very inconsistent along the whole campaign. He should be at his best tonight for us to keep the tie alive for the second leg. Carvajal's season is also not his best; a weird heart injury at the start of the season came at a time where he was being culpable for many goals we were conceding. He did improve after that though, but he never reached last season's form. Marcelo on the other hand has completely shaken away his bad form at the turn of the year. He still is somewhat of a liability defensively, but when he goes forward, he causes his opposite number a lot of trouble. Ramos has also been responsible for many conceded goals this season; I have noticed that his speed has dropped a few levels and this is letting forwards, and especially wingers cutting inside, to leave him watching when they pass him by. His character is still as essential as ever on the pitch though, and it is in games like tonight's that the true leader in Ramos comes forward. Meanwhile, Varane has only been at his best for a few games, and luckily these games were the crucial Champions League knockout ties. He was so good against both PSG and Juventus, but this is definitely his toughest test yet. As for Casemiro, who is also an integral part of the defensive setup, he is also a few levels below his usual best this season. Zidane has given him a bit more freedom to roam forward when the team has possession of the ball, and this has rewarded him with a few more goals, particularly in La Liga, where oddly enough he has a goal more than Benzema, but when opponents cut the ball and burst forward quickly on the counter, his initial position is left in void and this has led to many chances and goals against us. So tonight, Casemiro should only operate in his primitive role: a destroyer, a pure number 5 in front of the back four, and leave the rest of the offensive work for those responsible.

Ramos's Magical Allianz Arena Night is Now 4 Years Old

Moving forward across the center of the pitch, both Kroos and Modric are definite starters. Kroos is one of the most consistent players not only in Real, but in all of Europe. He is immensely important for the team whatever the system being deployed. No one knows Bayern and the Allianz Arena better. Modric too remains as vital as ever, but his age is starting to show, even though Zidane tries his best to rest him of all players as much as possible. He clearly struggled physically against Juventus two weeks ago, so he should definitely up his game tonight, because Bayern's midfield is even more advanced on all levels.

 

Ronaldo is the the only certain starter in attack. What an incredible year he is having so far, scoring seamlessly in both La Liga and the Champions League and bringing the best out of his teammates in times of struggle. Unfortunately, he is the only reliable goalscorer in the team currently, and so if Bayern manage to handle him well, we will struggle to find the net. His record of 9 goals in 6 games against Bayern speaks volumes.

Ronaldo is Mr. Champions

This leaves two spots to be filled, and there are three options for Zidane:

1. Isco and Benzema:

If Zidane opts for Isco as the fourth midfielder, then it will be very important to deploy Benzema beside Ronaldo in attack. Benzema is having a dry season in front of goal, but in this 4-4-2 diamond system, his link-up play is integral to make the team tick. His absence against Juventus showed why he is particularly important in such a line-up. Isco gives the team more ball control and individual brilliance. The only drawback is that he is not quick enough on the wings, where Bayern are very reliant in their attack game plan.

2. Asensio and Lucas

It is being speculated that the duo will probably start the match, mainly to provide enough defensive width, as well as to use their speed on the counter. Personally, I do really hope Zidane starts with both of them in a 4-1-4-1 system. They did a lot of damage to PSG across both legs, and Asensio's introduction last year in the second half at the Allianz turned the game around in our favor. The drawback? Maybe they still lack a bit of experience and character to play such difficult games from the beginning, and Zidane will only have Bale as a winger on the bench.

Asensio and Lucas have Outshone Benzema and Bale

3. The BBC

This is the least possible option. It's been ages since the BBC were untouchable. Bale is probably on his way out in the summer after a hugely disappointing season. You can see that he still has plenty to offer, but mentally and psychologically he is off. I don't even remember when was the last time that Bale has scored an important goal in an equally important game. Having him on the bench is surely a better choice. Benzema is also continuing to baffle fans and critics alike week in week out. He plays just well enough, but he just doesn't score. His only positive contribution is his link-up play in the 4-4-2 system and nothing else.

 

So it should be a mighty task tonight. If all the players were at 100%, just like the games against PSG and the first leg against Juve, then a good result is guaranteed, and I'm not necessarily referring here to a huge victory reminiscent of the unforgettable 4-0 in the Decima season; scoring at least one goal and conceding two goals at most would be just good enough.

The Duodécima and Beyond: Cardiff's Final from Real Madrid's Perspective

Both teams have been crowned champions of their domestic leagues with a record 33 titles. Both had to face European giants in the knockout stages on route to the final. To play a third Champions League final in the space of four years is a mighty achievement for Real Madrid; winning the competition for the sixth time in its new format and for twelve times in total would be nothing short of eternal football glory for the competition's most successful club ever. In the way, stands a fantastic Juventus team, looking to end the curse of failure in European finals and to crown almost six years of Italian football domination with deserved continental success. It really has been a very long time since a final match has been this equivalent and balanced.

Below, the major talking points from the perspective of Real Madrid concerning their quest for the Duodécima in the Cardiff showpiece are detailed.

1. Ignore the Politics: Isco Should Start Ahead of Bale

In any other club, and under the current circumstances, the question of whether Gareth Bale or Isco should be in Zidane's starting XI would not be even up to debate. 

Isco is probably Real's most in-form player alongside Ronaldo. Since securing his place in the first team, the collective performance has improved significantly. While Casemiro provides the essential defensive balance as an anchorman in midfield, Isco has complemented this with a noticeable offensive balance up forward. In his preferred number 10 position, Isco performs admirably well tactically, helping out the midfield trio of Casemiro, Kroos and Modric with their defensive duties, as well as linking up perfectly with the forward line of Ronaldo and Benzema when the team is in possession of the ball. In this season, Isco has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in a total of 41 matches across all competitions. He has been a key player in winning the league title, as he was clearly the leader of the "B-team" when Zidane heavily rotated his squad in the final weeks of the season.

As for Bale, this is without doubt his worst season in Madrid. Despite being the team's best player in the first weeks, a series of long-term injuries has turned that bright start into a nightmare. Since returning from his injury in Spring, Bale has been a shadow of his former self. The final straw came when he pulled a muscle only 18 minutes of starting time against Barcelona, in a game that could have cost Real the league title. He left the pitch amid clear disapproval from the Santiago Bernabeu stands. His stats are a clear indication of his form: 9 goals and 5 assists in only 26 games is a very poor return for the club's most expensive signing ever. 

It is clear then that Isco is the sensible choice as a starter. Of course it is a very emotional game for Bale; playing a Champions League final in his native Cardiff has always been a dream for him, but simply and unfortunately, he is not ready for it. Having him on the bench would be a great solution for Zidane in the latter stages of the match, especially that Bale would realistically be able to perform at his best for no more than 30 minutes. So, will Zidane obey the orders from above and repeat the Clasico mistake? Or will he turn on the deaf ear and go with undeniable logic?

Man of the Hour: Isco has been Splendidly Magical

2. Navas vs. De Gea: Vol. 2

The fax communication error between Real Madrid and Manchester United in the summer of 2015 turned to be a blessing in disguise for Keylor Navas. In the subsequent 2015/2016 season, the Costa Rican rose high and defied all doubters by proving his worth as Real's number one. His 10 cleansheets in 13 Champions League games were essential for securing the Undécima. 

A surgery followed in the summer, then a late return at the start of the current season meant a clear degradation between the sticks. It was normal then that the De Gea rumors surfaced heavily again in the local and international press, which affected the humble goalkeeper even more. However, and just as most of his teammates, Navas has escalated his performance towards the business end of the season. Back were the miraculous close-range saves and full-stretch dives that made the Costa Rican one of the most solid keepers in world football.

Despite all of this, Real will probably attempt to sign De Gea this summer to finally fulfill their target of landing the Spain number one. It is up for Navas then to make them think twice again about this prospect; is De Gea really that better than Navas for the club to pay nearly 70 million euros to bring him back to the Spanish capital?

De Gea's Shadow Looms Large Again for Navas

3. The Final Curtain Call for Senior Players

The final against Juventus may truly be the last game in a Real Madrid shirt for many players, and this means that Real will have a busy summer transfer window ahead. 

James Rodriguez has clearly said goodbye to the Bernabeu faithful in a standing ovation when he was substituted against Sevilla in the last home game of the current campaign. The Colombian has raised his standards this season and remained highly efficient in terms of goals and assists input, but it wasn't enough for him to earn a place in the regular starting team with the tried and tested 4-3-3 system. He was always behind Isco, Asensio and Vazquez in the squad pecking order.  A move to Manchester United is most likely.

Morata is the team's second highest goalscorer this term behind Cristiano, but again these numbers were not enough. He frequently showed his disappointment for the lack of deserved first-team playing time and seems determined to leave his boyhood club for good this time around. It is speculated that if Manchester United came calling, then De Gea would be a sure part of the deal.

Pepe's contract extension predicament with the board also seems to have been unsolved. The Portuguese defender would probably play for free for Madrid, but Florentino doesn't want to give him more than one year. It is another case of shameful treatment by the club to one of the most passionate and committed players in the team's history. Pepe will never have the chance of an absolutely earned farewell on the pitch.

James Clearly Dejected on Bernabeu Farewell

4. Zidane's Future

A few weeks ago, Marca confirmed that the club will extend Zidane's contract until 2020 regardless of the results and achievements at the end of this season. 

The French legend has already won all titles possible in his first year and a half in charge. He proved all doubters wrong this season by winning La Liga after leading it almost from start to finish, and by reaching the Champions League final for the second time in a row. 

Zidane has done extremely well in the most difficult aspect of managing Real Madrid: keeping the players, the board, the fans and the press all satisfied. But what if he really goes on and wins the Duodécima? We all know how things go in Madrid, such that any single failure in the upcoming seasons would be magnified and Zidane might find himself in a sticky situation if major trophies don't keep coming in. 

It is no doubt an issue that a man of Zidane's genius and composure will be thinking of meticulously if he actually lifts the cup on Saturday. Was all of this possible even in his wildest dreams?

"What's Going on in that Beautiful Mind?"

Back to the Drawing Board: Zidane and Madrid Risk Losing Out on a Season that Looked Entirely Theirs Just Weeks Ago

Real Madrid are suffering and on the verge of a crisis. They are not playing well at all, and they are working overly hard - with slices of luck - to earn points in their league games, whether playing at home or away.

The latest setback came against Las Palmas; a team well known for its possession-based style of play. They frustrated Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium despite conceding an early goal, and put on a fantastic performance to prove that, despite their recent poor form and deteriorating position in the table, they truly are one of the best teams in Spain. What was disappointing most about Madrid though was that they looked as if it were the first time they face the Canari Islanders. Zidane shuffled his pack and rested both Modric and Casemiro, the team's most capable defensive players in midfield, and ordered the midfield trio of Kovacic, Kroos and Isco to push forward and press the Las Palmas lines high. The outcome was all too predictable. Las Palmas thrived in moving the ball well and coming out of their areas, and hit Madrid where it hurts them most: the wide areas in which Carvajal and Marcelo were also too prone defensively, as they heavily focused on their attacking game. Jese had a great game and showed his qualities, and Ramos and Nacho were left brutally exposed time and again. Then, in the second half, to make matters even worse, Bale lost his temper after chasing Jonathan Perreira without being able to cut the ball. The Las Palmas player provoked Bale and the referee didn't hesitate in giving the Welsh his marching orders.

Bale sees Red for the First Time in a Madrid Shirt

Two goals followed from Las Palmas and so it was practically game over. The comeback against Villarreal in the weekend seemed a minor task now that the team was playing with 10 men and facing immense pressure from the stands. But this is why Real Madrid are so special. Even with all this mess of a performance and result, they kept going and managed to score two goals in the final minutes to salvage a point, when in fact the reality was that they dropped two priceless points.

So back to ground zero. Ever since all players returned from injury and Zidane fielded his preferred 4-3-3 starting XI, the team seemed to face the same old tactical issues. Ronaldo is no longer filling the left-wing position, forcing Marcelo to do all the hard work by himself, and taking into consideration Kroos's (or whoever is playing in his position) slow pace and inability to cover the areas well defensively, opposition teams are purposely exposing this weakness and hurting Madrid. The same story on the right side, although to a less extent, because Bale does occasionally track back and help out Modric and Carvajal with their defensive duties. This is why Ramos and Varane's mistakes are increasing more and more, and this is why Casemiro's presence is essential; no one in the team can do what he does defensively. This in turn puts another problem under the focus, which is Casemiro's immobility when the team has the ball. Almost all opposition teams now tend to disconnect Modric and Kroos from each other and limit their offensive and creative influence on the front three, obliging them to always look for Marcelo or Carvajal to show up on the flank and then have no option but to cross the ball into the area (an increasingly frustrating issue over the past few games), or return it back and thus killing the attack off. And when that happens, the team becomes in need of another driving force from midfield, and that is what Casemiro lacks. This case was exactly demonstrated against Villarreal, when Isco replaced the Brazilian and everything ticked in midfield again. Therefore, despite his indispensable defensive contribution, Casemiro can unfortunately turn out to be an attacking liability for Real.

Alternative Trio: James, Isco and Kovacic are Key Midfield Solutions

The solution is in Zidane's hands. As long as there were injuries and absences, he was able (or rather forced) to tinker with the formation in order to achieve the ultimate balance. But now that everyone is on board again, it is his responsibility to proactively modify his tactics for the team's best interests. No longer should he continue to ignore Morata just to stand beside Benzema, nor should he stick so stubbornly to the 4-3-3 formation. The upcoming league games are extremely difficult and important. The team's reaction to the previous results should be strong enough to beat Eibar, Betis and Bilbao, and of course to prevent Napoli from a very possible comeback. Zidane, more than anyone, knows that he will solely be judged by major trophies at the end of the season.

Rough Patch: Zidane's Coaching Methods under the Test

Over to you then, Zizou.

 

Movie Review: Suicide Squad (2016)

Someday in the future, if I would be asked to list the movies that I have regretted watching in a movie theater, I'll make sure of mentioning Suicide Squad among them. The regret isn't because the movie is boring - it is for some spells though - but rather because as its events advance, you come to realize that you have been somehow tricked into spending two worthless hours of cartoonish chaos and ineptitude.

Honestly, I expected to at least enjoy the movie, even when I was already sure that it won't ever match the heights of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy (the best comic-book movies ever produced), but the film was so utterly ridiculous, particularly in its second half, that I felt self-embarrassed for even daring to expect entertainment.

Many elements in the story written by David Ayer, who previously penned the popular Training Day (2001) and Fury (2014) are irrational. First of all, with all due respect, and with definitely no racism intended, it is almost impossible for a black woman to persuade the U.S. government into unleashing the most violent and mentally disturbed criminals to defend the country (and the whole world) against any potential higher-power future threats. Viola Davis looks completely out of her skin in the role of Amanda Waller, an officer who controls the villains she assembled together through a silly mobile application that blows off their heads in case they thought of running away. The second major issue that defies logic, is the filmmakers' tried-and-failed attempt for the viewers to sympathize with the bad guys: Will Smith's generally good acting is not enough to convince us that Deadshot's sole weakness is his daughter from his divorced wife, the romance between Harley Quinn and the Joker is just as freakish and odd as the two famous characters are, and the Diablo's repent after accidentally setting his house and family on fire is too cliche.  

The whole process of assembling the squad members and trying to fit them all in the storyline is nothing short of foolish. The video-games-like graphical bio of each character (depicted in countless movies before) is followed by a flashback to the incident during which they got captured (usually by Batman), the presence of the likes of Boomerang and Killer Croc is just there to add to the sum, and the super-power monster threatening humanity is a disgustingly annoying cave-witch that speaks gibberish and transforms people into unidentifiable killing zombies. 

The return of the Joker was certainly the most anticipated subject during the production of the film. Personally, I consider Jared Leto to be among the best supporting actors in Hollywood lately, but his portrayal of Gotham's most wicked culprit is by all means disappointing. I can't blame Leto completely for this messy and pointless performance though; the character was badly written in the first place and barely affects the movie's proceedings. The efforts of both Christopher Nolan and Heath Ledger to create a haunting and adorable freak of a criminal will probably remain untouchable forever.

Leto's Joker may Attract the Eyes but Surely not the Minds nor the Hearts

But perhaps the only light that shines throughout all of this gloominess is the stunning Margot Robbie. Aside from her character's frivolous relationship with the Joker, Harley Quinn is undoubtedly the most charming badass in the whole film. Whenever she's on screen, a smile is guaranteed. This performance further enhances the Australian actress's reputation as one of the best rising stars in the business at just 26 years of age.

Daddy's Lil Monster: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is Irresistibly Charming

So, with two dissatisfying installments so far, DC Comics is currently on the losing side in the battle with Marvel for producing highly-entertaining yet plausible comic-book-based motion pictures. All the witty one-liners, the catchy soundtracks, the class-A actors/actresses and the action-packed, slow-motion fighting sequences in the world can't save Suicide Squad from being another Hollywood blockbuster failure. You've been warned.

My Rating: 4/10