Seville on horseback
First place “Seville” - the expected surprise. The team of Juande Ramos is gaining height steadily - he does not jump over the steps, he does not climb into the Champions League ahead of time. Since the beginning of the season, “Seville” has shown that it is ready to talk with the leaders on an equal footing: in the match for the European Super Cup, the “white-red” has exponentially dealt with “Barcelona”.
However, the cup character of the Sevilians was remarkably manifested in the last season. And now the team shows itself already at a long distance - after the 16th round, it leads in the championship. And he does it without anguish and inspiration - calmly, busily, with dignity. Today, “Seville” has the most balanced composition in the highest Spanish division - there are practically no irreplaceable players here.
Someone will notice that the team does not possess stars of a "galactic" scale either. But this is a matter of time. It’s not such a tricky thing to buy a world celebrity. It is much more difficult to grow it on your own. Brazilian defender Daniel Alves is already considered one of the best players in Europe in his role. Forward Frederick Canute leads the dispute in the scorers of the championship. His partner in the attack, Luis Fabiano, is also becoming brighter.
Of course, “Seville” may not have enough experience. But now it is a real candidate for the champion. Especially given the problems of “Barcelona” and “Real”.
Barca in search of motivation
Mikhail Bulgakov wrote that one cannot live in Russian literature after Tolstoy, as if there was no Tolstoy at all. Players of “Barcelona”, who won everything possible last season, are also not able to pretend that there were no victories. The problem of motivation is the most important today for Frank Rykard.
The injuries of leaders such as Messi and Eto'O are, of course, extremely unpleasant. But the significance of these losses in explaining the Barcelona difficulties is clearly exaggerated. Eto'o broke - Ronaldinho played in a completely different way. Messi flew out - it was wonderful replaced by Julie, less gifted, but by no means less useful.
To show the best game, “Barca” must be in a difficult position. Like, for example, in the last match of the Champions League group stage against the “Bremen”. Such a team is difficult to play without a mood - it will never engage in stamping victories like Chelsea, the pre-crisis Juventus or Bayern Hitzfeld. Of course, the highest class allows the Catalans to go on a par with the same “Seville”. But for some reason it seems that “Barca” would be useful to let the opponent go by five points. Then the fans will be able to see the team again in all its glory.
Real Madrid waiting for the game
Each season, “Real” begins with a new coach, new players, new plans. However, for the first time in a long time, the coach has a clear plan for the development of the team. Fabio Capello always knows exactly what he wants to achieve. And the royal club for half a year already managed to find the features of the team of don Fabio. The new “Real” is not always like the fans. But Capello’s sentiment never stopped. He works for the result. So, according to the result, it is necessary to evaluate its work.
It is hardly fair to demand from Capello that he win the championship in the first year. Too much lost in three seasons. The process is going on, but is it only in the right direction? There is no certainty. Can Juventus be made from Real Madrid? It is clear that Capello will not stupidly copy the Turin developments in Madrid. But in many matches of “Real” on white T-shirts, longitudinal black stripes are clearly visible.
Strong (in the project) defense, discipline in the middle of the field, quick, even instantaneous transition of their defense to attack and weak positional attacks - all this is very reminiscent of Italy. However, it is not a fact that such football will bring success in Spain. There are no answers to such questions yet. Capello and his team are given time.
The horrors of “Deportivo” and “Villarreal”One of the main disappointments is Villarreal. The Champions League semifinalist can show absolutely nothing - as if Manuel Pellegrini has a different team. Zakis Riquelme, and the "submarine" is always very sensitive to the mood of the leader. However, it may not all depend on one player. At “Villarreal” the sting disappeared. It seems that Pellegrini no longer knows where to lead the ship.
The situation at Deportivo is even worse. President Lendoiro, with his terrible stinginess, made it impossible to understand what “Deportivo” was playing in, on what principles it was completed and how it would develop. In Spain, not a single team shows such a terrible game - even Gimnastic and Real Sociedad look prettier. Without playing himself, “Depor” successfully prevented others from playing for some time. But then his methods became familiar, and the Galicians began to be beaten. Honestly, rightly so - from the “football” performed by the team of Joaquin Kaparros fit to cry.
Kirill DEMENTYEV