Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster failed to show up to a voluntary training session called by the board after their dismal performance against Valladolid and this might lead to his exit from the Bernabeu soon.

A week ago, reader Cesar to a trip to the Bernabeu to take in the Malaga game. And what a cracker it was, Cesar got to see 4 goals from Higuain, 7 goals in total. He was kind enough to take some pictures of the stadium and the game and send them to me so [...]

With a rash of bad news hitting the Real Madrid camp in the past week, regular service is resumed this weekend with an away game at Real Valladolid. When we talk about struggling sides, it seems that the two teams are evenly matched, with Real loosing countless games in the past three weeks and Valladolid [...]

I woke up this morning to some very bad news, and amongst my screaming profanity, I woke my girlfriend up which she didnt like. But, this bad news is that Ruud may be out for the remainder of the season after doctors detemined his knee problem would require surgery. This is what the official website [...]

Barcelona are ready to use two of their brightest young players to secure a deal for Celta Vigo starlet Joselu.
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Hala Madrid! Alright Madridistas, we’re into the first of the return legs of the group stage in the Champions League and we’re hosting Juventus tonight at the Bernabeu. Tune in now to Match Choice 3 on Sky Sports Xtra if you’re in the UK, available through the red button. Check out Corey’s [...]

A revitalized Juventus faces an unsettled Real Madrid in a Champions League match on Wednesday likely to determine which side finishes top of Group D.

Juventus, which has won three straight games to get back into Serie A’s title race, leads the Champions League group with seven points from three matches. Madrid trails the Bianconeri by one point, while BATE Borisov has two and Zenit St. Petersburg one.

This is going to be very quick. So I have already dont a preview for this match, which can be found here. I have been pretty beat from blogging these past few days, as the rather strenous demands of a college student have caught up to me finally in the form of being very tired. [...]

Real Madrid VS Juventus | 05/11/2008 - 20:45 CET | The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

NOTE: This post is going to be updated daily with news, press comments and such.
This fixture is extremely important for Real Madrid. Not only because they are playing Juventus, but because they want to restore their pride and take revenge.
We lost to Juventus 2-1 in Turin a couple of weeks ago. Before that match, Juventus hadn’t won in a month or so but after that match, they have won all of their games. This means that it gave them a big boost and so this time around they’ll be coming to the Bernabeu with more enthusiasm, determination and strength.
Real Madrid
I criticized Schuster for playing with a 4-3-3 formation in the first leg because we simply didn’t have the ability to dominate the midfield and feed those three strikers. He played with Gago, Sneijder and Van Der Vaart in midfield while Higuain, Van Nistelrooy and Rau’l in attack.
Gago was overwhelmed and didn’t do his job properly. He couldn’t recover balls or even assist his teammates. On the other hand, Sneijder and Van Der Vaart were not able to do Gago’s job because they suck at it. Sneijder tried to do his job and he did some good things but it wasn’t enough.
Sisoko, Nedved and the other folks at Juventus simply dominated the game (especially in the first half).

Now, however, with the return of Guti and Diarra the midfield should improve. I wouldn’t play with the same formation but rather with something like this: 4-1-3-2 or the standard one 4-4-2.
I’d sit Heinze on the bench because with all due respect he will ruin our game. He has made a lot of mistakes recently and we can’t afford to make any this time. Marcelo should do a better job in the left-back position.
Pepe has picked up an injury last night but he is expected to recover in time. Ramos on the other hand, who has been receiving a lot of criticism recently especially from the fans will certainly be there (well, unless Schuster decides otherwise).
Fabio Cannavaro will also play.
With Diarra as a defensive midfielder, Van Der Vaart on the left, Robben on the right and Sneijder behind the strikers, our midfield should be able to build up games, recover balls and score.
Some might say that Guti should start. Well, I think he could be useful tomorrow but within my strategy and lineup - he couldn’t fit.
Upfront, Schuster will have a headache deciding whether he should go for his team’s top-goal scorer, Higuain, or Champions League’s top-goal scorer, Rau’l. I’m also confused here, but I can’t see Higuain starting tomorrow because as in recent weeks, Schuster will stick with Rau’l.
The captain, whom I enjoy and honored to criticize has scored five goals so far (right?) a number that I’m not satisfied with. If he was Saviola, Higuain or another average striker I’d be extremely happy, but Rau’l should be doing a better job, heck he is the Champions League’s top scorer and one of the best strikers the world has seen.
Van Nistelrooy will hopefully be ready to play. He trained out doors this morning but on his own.
Juventus
I know a saying that goes like this “Big teams suffer but never die” and Juventus suffered but didn’t die. Actually, since they beat Real, they have been on a winning streak and they are now four points behind the Seria A leaders - impressive, very impressive considering that they are still having many key players injured.
Non of these key players is likely to recover in time. However, Zenetti could beat the clock and get fit. If he doesn’t, it won’t much make of a difference to them.
Del Piero is going through a wonderful spell. He scored a fantastic goal in the first leg and has just recently scored from an awesome free kick against AS Roma. We should stay alert during set pieces.

He, in addition, to Amauri will be very dangerous as they were in the first leg. However, I’m confident that the defense will improve with the return of Diarra and Cannavaro and Pepe will be able to handle them properly.
Nedved and Sissoko are essential and effective in their midfield. The key is to stop them from sending the ball to the front line. Once again, Diarra with a little help from the other midfielders should do the job.
Raniari will probably keep using the same lineup. He will count on the effectiveness and greatness of the likes of Del Piero, Amauri and Nedved in attack. I think he will play defensively this time and counter attack whenever he can.
News:
As I said earlier, Guti & Diarra are back. Miguel Torres, on the other hand, will most likely miss the match. He trained today but he isn’t fully recovered yet.
De La Red is taking some time off until doctors find out what was the problem the other day. Hope it works out well for him.
Van Nistelrooy is putting the final touches on his recovery.
Lineup:
Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Diarra, Van Der Vaart, Robben, Sneijder, Rau’l and Van Nistelrooy.
Prediction:
For the second leg I’m gonna predict a 2-0 win. I think it is gonna be difficult but we will win. Van Nistelrooy scores both.
Well, whats your thoughts, prediction and lineup?
Hala Madrid!

Hala Madrid! What’s up folks? Ok, i need to keep this quick: basically, i have a dilemma about the liveblog tonight. I can do it, except it’s only on tape-delay here in the UK on Sky Sports 1, because they need to shown Bolton v Man City beforehand. That means I [...]