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

Novel Review: And the Mountains Echoed (Khaled Hosseini, 2013)

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." ~ Rumi

For me, Khaled Hosseini is not, and will never be, just like any other author out there. The first novels I have ever read were his own "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and through them, Hosseini reached deep inside of me - and of millions of other readers - with his extremely touching writing and powerful imagery. It was normal then that I would have great expectations for his third novel, especially that it had been almost three years since reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and boy it was just as sweet as returning home after an exhausting spell away.

Just as with the previous two books, the main events of "And the Mountains Echoed" take place in Afghanistan. There is an instant and deep familiarity with the setting and the characters, despite their relatively big number and the complexities that gradually grow in their intertwining relationships over a period of almost 60 years. 

The general story, which is subdivided into several parts and told from the perspectives of the main characters at different points in time, is not as dark as Hosseini's previous works, but it is just as - if not more - emotional and effective. 

The heartbreaking separation of two very close young siblings, Abdullah and Pari, and how the harsh circumstances of their old-school father's life have deprived them from each other's bond and love is the major tale around which the book revolves. Hosseini's depiction of how this premature parting have altered their lives and those around them forever is devastatingly authentic.

"The finger cut, to save the hand."

Hosseini has an unparalleled understanding of struggling women. He proved this again here through the outstanding female character, Naila, who defied all social, cultural and religious barriers to seek the life she has long desired since her troublesome childhood. She is the perfect example of an eastern woman struggling to chase her liberty in a tremendously oppressing environment. Whether or not you justify her extreme actions and behavior to achieve her purpose, one thing is certain: Naila's persona will fascinate you.

"It's a funny thing...but people mostly have it backward. They think they live by what they want. But really, what guides them is what they're afraid of. What they don't want."   

French writer and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre has once written that "When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die." There seems to be no better place than Afghanistan to actually feel the validity of these words. Until this very day, the people of Afghanistan are far from being safe, even after tens of years of unrest. Every single Afghan family has tragically suffered in one way or another because of this ongoing war, but it is those who have been hurt by their own countrymen who will most probably never heal for generations to come. Hosseini zooms in on this issue from Adel's point of view, the young son of a hugely popular and loved religious man, who has incurred great damage on those around him while pretending that he is unconditionally serving them in the name of God and Islam. When Adel uncovers the truth on his own, you cannot help but wonder how he, and those like him, can resume their lives normally with such unbearable doubts in their minds and souls.

"I now know that some people feel unhappiness the way others love: privately, intensely, and without recourse."

Hosseini also reveals the enormous effect a parent's care  - especially that of a mother - can have on one's life through the story of Greek surgeon Markos Varvaris. Markos has literally escaped his hometown to pursue his dreams and step away from his mother's shadows, and despite ultimately succeeding in that regard, he has always lacked her essential support (she is his only parent) during his highs and lows. Thankfully though, Markos eventually comes to recognize that his mother never wanted but the best for him, even when it has appeared to be otherwise. And by the time Hosseini strikes this highly-emotional recognition, Markos finally reaches a satisfaction he has never felt before during his wildly illustrious life.

"What good is regret? It brings back nothing. What we have lost is irretrievable."

These are only a few affairs and characters that Hosseini has greatly succeeded in dealing with in his latest stunning work. "And the Mountains Echoed" is yet another masterpiece from a writer who never fails to turn the reading process of his books into experiences that shake up the very core of the human soul. Now that you all know this, try it out for yourselves and you'll never ever regret it.

My  Rating: 9/10

Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament

Tomorrow night we will say goodbye to Euro 2016 with the final game between hosts France and Portugal. Personally, I see that this edition of the European Championship has been generally disappointing  in terms of team and individual performances alike, probably because of the expansion to the 24-team format and thus the inclusion of historically less experienced teams in this kind of international competitions. 

50 matches have been played (excluding the final), with a 2.14 goals per match average, which is a low ratio taking into consideration that some of the world's most lethal goalscorers and most creative playmakers participated in the tournament. Most of the matches were tactical and closed ones, during which teams aimed to avoid conceding goals rather than trying to score and take advantage over the opposition. Despite that, I have picked an attacking 4-3-3 formation (oddly managed by a defensive-minded coach) to accommodate my personal best 11 players in the cup. Note that I will include other worthy players in each position to credit their efforts despite not being included in the line-up. 

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

At 38 years of age, Gigi Buffon is not only proving to still be among today's best keepers in the world (I think he truly is), but he is also making sure everyone remembers him as the best of all time. The captain of his team and the leader of the rock-solid Italian defense, Gigi is showing no signs of slowing down just yet. He conceded only one goal during the competition (against Germany) and was so unlucky in the penalty shootouts in the quarter finals.

Honorable mentions at Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Germany) and Hugo Lloris (France)

Central Defender 1: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Among the Italian BBC defensive line (Bonucci - Barzagli - Chiellini), Leonardo was clearly outstanding. His performances justified why Conte wants to build his Chelsea defense next season around him, and why Pep Guardiola needs him so bad in his new Manchester City project. One of the finest defenders in world football today.

Central Defender 2: Mats Hummels (Germany)

Hummels was back in form this season for Borussia Dortmund and did just the same with his national team, even if he didn't play in the opening match. He has shaken off a huge pressure from his transfer to arch rivals Bayern Munich and showed that he is head and shoulders above the rest of the German defenders. His absence in the semi final defeat against France due to suspension was largely felt; Germany are not the same without him.

Honorable mentions at Center Back: Pepe (Portugal) and Ashley Williams (Wales)

Right Back: Bacary Sagna (France)

Sagna barely put a foot wrong on the right side of the French defense throughout the tournament thus far. He hasn't given his substitute a chance whatsoever to step in for him. A clear message to Guardiola that he can blindly count on him next season at Manchester City.

Honorable mentions at Right Back: Darijo Srna (Croatia)

Left Back: Patrice Evra (France)

Evra is 35 years old and is playing his sixth major tournament for his country. It is true that Lloris is holding the captain's armband, but it is Evra who is leading the French team on and off the pitch. He is an expert on the left side of defense and continued his excellent form this season for Juventus. His successor will have a lot to live up to when he hangs his boots.

Honorable mentions at Left Back: Jonas Hector (Germany) and Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal)

Central Midfielder: Toni Kroos (Germany)

Kroos was absolutely Germany's best player not only this summer, but over the last couple of years as well. He is the competition's best passer with a remarkable 93% completion rate and again displayed unparalleled versatility with both his offensive and defensive games. Real Madrid would be beyond foolish if they even consider the notion of letting him go to accommodate a place for Pogba or any other Galactico, and if they do, then congratulations for those who acquire his services.

Attacking Midfielder 1: Aaron Ramsey (Wales)

Ramsey was mocked all over the world when he dyed his hair blonde just days ahead of the finals. He just seemed to not even give a damn about it with his distinguished displays for Wales. Alongside Bale, he was one of the major contributors to Wales's surprising title charge, with 4 goal assists under his belt: the highest number so far in the competition. His suspension against Portugal in the semi finals was fatal for his nation's hopes.

Attacking Midfielder 2: Dimitri Payet (France)

Payet headed into the tournament with huge expectations following his heroics with West Ham United in this season's Premier League. He did just the same for his nation in the Euros. He literally carried France almost single-handedly up in the group stage and will be a major threat for the Portuguese in the final. West Ham will endure a long transfer window to keep him in London this summer.

Honorable mentions in Midfield: Axel Witsel (Belgium), Luka Modric (Croatia) and Bjarnason (Iceland)

Left Wing: Cristano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Ronaldo has clearly not been at his 100% best in this tournament, but if Portugal were considered lucky to find themselves in the final, it was mainly due to his efforts. Cristiano still suffers from mental and psychological problems when dealing with huge pressure, specifically when he plays for Portugal, given that he is his country's all time top scorer, most capped player and probably most decorated and talented player ever. Three goals in six matches is not what one would expect of his exceptional goal scoring abilities, but his strikes were crucial for this humble Portugal side to reach the final. He should be at his best tomorrow night if Portugal fancy any chance to finally be European champions for the first time in history.

Right Wing: Gareth Bale (Wales)

Bale has made sure his name is written in the Euro's history books for all the right reasons, as one of the few superstars to have lived up to the expectations at Euro 2016. His two amazing free kicks in the group stage were the start of the dream journey for the nation of Wales. He coped exceptionally well with pressure and terrified his opponents with his electrifying pace and long-range rockets. He literally ran his socks off in the semi finals against Portugal, but found it a bit harder in the absence of Ramsey. Any doubt that Real Madrid fans still have regarding his price tag and footballing value should now be well and truly dismissed. Gareth is surely Wales's red dragon and the country's finest ever footballer.

Center Forward: Antoine Griezmann (France)

In the first two matches, Griezmann played as a right winger. He was okay, scoring two goals and performing well alongside Payet and Giroud up front. But the turning point was when Deschamps moved him to his favorite position: just behind the main striker. It is in this position that Griezmann proved to be one of the most prolific strikers in Europe this year with Atletico Madrid and he did just the same in the knockout stages in the Euros. With six goals to his name already, he is the top scorer and it will take a miracle from Ronaldo to overtake him in the standings. His brace against the Germans in the semi finals will long live in the memories of France supporters and again Atletico will find it very hard to keep him on board in the ongoing transfer window. Whether France win the final or lose it, Griezmann will definitely be crowned as the cup's best player.

Honorable mentions in Attack: Alvaro Morata (Spain) and Arkadiusz Milik (Poland)

Manager: Antonio Conte (Italy)

What Antonio Conte did with this average Italy squad was beyond imagination. Despite all of the injuries, and despite the squad being one of the most technically-moderate in Italy's entire history, Conte showed again why it is ridiculous to write the Italians off at major tournaments. His tactical masterpieces against Belgium and Spain are football and life lessons alike, and will give Chelsea supporters much to hope for next season. It is so unfortunate that a manager of his caliber has left the cup at the quarter finals.

Honorable mentions: Didier Deschamps (France) and Chris Coleman (Wales)


Finally, this is how the players line up: