Schuster does need to improve on things and Admits somethings too
Posted on 01. Oct, 2008 by Borris Becker in General
Schuster does need to improve on things and Admits somethings too
I have been talking about the idea of installing a fair and effective rotation system that would keep the players fresh and the team in top form for sometime now. Mijatovic has made a statement that he likes this policy of Schuster and will, in future benefit the team so that Real Madrid can push for titles at the end of the season.
Relying on players like Rau’l, Guti, Casillas..etc all the time is never good, because, although they are among the world’s best in their respective positions, they can’t always give their best.
What I have been discussing specifically is the Rau’l – Higuan/Saviola thing. Rau’l is undoubtedly a legend, a player that compares to the likes of Zidane, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. Not necessarily in talent, not in performance but in terms of what he means to the team. Raul is a symbol, players look up to him when in doubt during a match. He leads us in the Champions League and most of all, against Barcelona.
However, due to the fact he has been playing football for a long time and due to other factors, he can’t play 60 matches every season. He must be rotated with other strikers so he himself regain his form and always stay fresh.
That would also help the other strikers to shine and serve the team. There is no point in benching Higuain or Saviola when either could score goals. There is no point in putting a lot of pressure on Rau’l and exhausting him to the state that he even forgets how to kick the ball properly.
Playing for Real Madrid is not easy especially when you are playing like crap. You have to accept a lot of criticism from the fans and the media. And trust me, the Spanish press is not easy, they really do hurt you personally. One wrong foot and your in the firing line.
One thing that is different in Spain than in England is that, in Spain, to some extent, fans run the club. If fans don’t like somebody, he usually gets the axe. A player, a president, director, coach, you name it, Real Madrid has done it.
Spanish media has more practical power than English press. English press though has more media coverage but in terms of, something happening from what the press do, Spain leads the lot.
I remember Arrigo Sacchi, the Italian coach, once talking about Capello’s job at Madrid saying:
“Living in Madrid is like being in hell”
He tasted it and he knows what it is like – thats very true – especially during the dark ages (2003-2006) – our coaches were living in hell. Whenever the team lost, they would be pumped with a lot of harsh criticism from the media, and oh the fans, you don’t want to hear the swearing and the other stuff around you in the stadium like when they show white hankercheifs, that usually mean “Get out”.
Thankfully, Schuster, seemingly, understands this and I think this was the reason Calderon and Mijatovic went for him because Schuster likes to play attacking football, entertaining football whenver he can. Capello, though is the greatest coach in the world, his stule doesn’t neccessarily get you of your seat.
I never had a easy night watching Real Madrid matches whenever Capello was incharge, in the 90s and two years ago. Real Madrid matches werer always filled with lots and lots of tension. I didn’t blink till the match was over because Capello rarely went for the kill and put a lot of pressure on the players to close down and get behind the ball. There were rarely any easy wins.
With Schuster, I enjoy the matches, usually take a cup of cofee and watch the match in style, relaxing on my couch.Anyway, Schuster started implementing the rotation system a few weeks ago and that paid off yesterday. Both of Ruud and Higuan were fresh. Rau’l was benched so he should be more than ready for Espanyol’s match.
One thing I want to see happens is Saviola starting upfront. I do have faith in him and I’m sure, if he given the chance, he will take it – trust me. But I do think that Saviola should only and ONLY be used in the league matches, I don’t think he is ready for Champion League crucial games in the second half of the season.
I think Real Madrid should sign a striker in the summer which would add some juice in the attacking department because right now, if you take out Sniejder and Van Der Vaart, no one scores a wonder goal. All goals are neatly crafted and very well constructed which is essential.
But sometimes I think we do need some magic players like in the old days of Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane, Beckham and most of all Roberto Carlos. Marcelo ain’t nothing like him. He doesn’t have that rocket in his boots. Roberto Carlos was just a perfect left back.
Anyway, heard that Schuster said Real Madrid were lucky to win against Zenit. I told you so in the match report and I did think that Real Madrid just cannot play like that against a side like Juventus where players like Nedved and Del Piero would just kill you.
Drenthe also thinks that Zenit played very well and impressed him a lot (hah like anyone cares).
By the way, One other interesting fact I wanted you guys to know is that Last nights away victory was the first away victory for Real Madrid in the Champions League for over two years. Wow, that is some relief considering that Real Madrid was once considered as the Conquerors of Europe. Now Real Madrid is among the Elite but not really what you call, cut above the rest.
What do you think of what I’ve just said?
