Much to learn from Madrid masterclass
Please tell me that some of you had the pleasure of watching the second half of the Madrid derby on Saturday night.
If not, you missed out on what I thought was just about the most amazing 45 minutes I have ever witnessed in football.
The style of play from both sides was quite incredible, especially from Atletico, who played the counter attack almost perfectly.
I have always been a fan of and, for me, it is certainly the most exciting league in .
After seeing snippets of Atletico versus Barcelona the previous week, I made sure that I parked myself in front of the TV this weekend in the hope of being served up another cracker.
It's fair to say I wasn't disappointed.
For me, this was how football should be played and I would gladly have paid more than my monthly subscription fee to have witnessed this match in person.
The co-commentator, Terry Gibson, said near the end of the game that he felt there had been a chance for either side every 30 seconds.
While the ex-man was slightly exaggerating, I'll tell you what he wasn't too far from the truth.
This game was as end to end as you're ever likely to see and it was played with such pace and quality that, if I hadn't been on my own, I would have been told to pick my chin up from the floor.
As I said, Atletico were almost perfect. Real were very fortunate that Diego Forlan and, especially, left their shooting boots in the changing-room at half time.
Similarly to Real Madrid, were also fortunate that .
Or perhaps they were the pink ones he was wearing during the warm up!
Wright is a really good player and plays on the shoulder of defenders and every chance seemed to fall at his feet on Saturday, but fortunately for us it wasn't his day.
could quite easily have been two goals up before we took the lead against the run of play and had further chances before half time.
I was standing only a few feet from the manager and could tell he wasn't happy about certain aspects of our play.
After speaking with the boys, I'm glad I stayed away from the changing-room at half time and that was with us 3-0 ahead.
Things were going so well in the second half that I even managed a 20-minute appearance myself and it was great to be back on the pitch with the first-team again.
I have to thank both Derek Townsley and Aaron Muirhead for my cameo at the weekend, however.
First of all, big Degsy has finally got his suspension through and misses the game this weekend. That's not bad considering he has been booked in every game this season!
With this weekend's game in mind, I was brought on in place of Degsy, with me going into midfield and Aaron dropping back into the back three.
It may seem a bit strange that I'm giving thanks to young Aaron, but all will be revealed.
The Marouane Fellaini lookalike is off to Canada on Wednesday morning and he misses this weekend's game also.
Luckily for me, he decided not to tell Harry until after the game or there's the possibility that he would have been hooked as well and I might never have made an appearance!
I seem to be forever mentioning Degsy, but I'm doing it once again and this time it's to do with his choice of music.
There are usually several I-Pods doing the rounds in the battle for pre-match music and you can always hear the big man moaning and questioning the tunes.
Well, we finally gave up on Saturday and gave him the choice. It did the trick as it clearly got the boys up for the match as you will have seen from the scoreline.
I'm not too sure about it myself, but until things don't go our way it seems we will be getting ourselves pumped up to singing Forever in Blue Jeans!
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 11th Mar 2009, Clint wrote:Elgin are pretty poor though....
I reckon Deveronvale should replace them if they finish bottom this season. The mighty Vale are going to win the Highland League
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Comment number 2.
At 11th Mar 2009, gerstoo wrote:Great blog as usual Chris, always a pleasure reading them. Great to hear one of you bloggers talking about Spanish football, just a wee comment...
I was lucky enough to be working in a pub when the Atletico - Barcelona game was on and I was truly in awe at the quality of attacking football on display (you missed one hell of a game Chris). La Liga really doesn't get the credit it deserves for entertaining the fans (especially in the UK) and I would quite happily go ahead and say that I'd much rather watch an important game in Spain than in England. The main difference is that the players get so much more time on the ball and don't get that much pressure put on them when they have the ball. This allows for much more free flowing football to be played and it really does improve the spectacle.
One problem i would attribute with Spanish football though is that the defences, especially in the big teams, really are nowhere near as good as the attacking players in the team (just look at the Liverpool - Real Madrid game last night). They really dont know how to handle the technically gifted players like Aguero, David Villa and Messi. If the two Madrid teams could get themselves some big strong defenders in then there is no reason why they wouldn't be pushing "The Big Four" for the Champions League trophy.
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Comment number 3.
At 11th Mar 2009, Boshorange wrote:For me the Spanish League is third in Europe's elite, following the premier league and Seria A. Having said that, i didnt see the game in question so dont really have any right to judge that. I did watch the Milan derby which iquite enjoyed, probably because it wasnt quite as "italian" as it could have been (except for Inzaghi being offside about four times in 15mins). I do agree with gerstoo that some stronger defenders would make the teams better. Although you see the likes of Puyol and Cannavaro, but no-one like Vidic or Carragher. There's no way any Spanish team would be able to keep a long string of clean sheets, like Man Utd did for example. Plus, if Spanish teams were stronger it would get Platini and Blatter off Englands case!
Anyways....good to hear you're back on the pitch again.
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Comment number 4.
At 11th Mar 2009, Boshorange wrote:oh, pink boots = just wrong.
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Comment number 5.
At 11th Mar 2009, gerstoo wrote:Another league which is seriously overlooked is the Bundesliga. Especially this season, there is so much drama in the top end of the league and it really is a huge contrast to the likes of the SPL with your two teams battling it out for the title. Would love to hear your thoughts on this, if possible, Chris.
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Comment number 6.
At 11th Mar 2009, Zapulek wrote:I was lucky enough to watch the Madrid derby on TV and it was a fantastic game. I've got a lot of time for the Spanish league, I'd even say that it is not possible to say which league is the best in Europe because I see the Premier League and La Liga of equal quality. The Serie A definitely isn't up there with the top two anymore but is still better than the Bundesliga. The German league is exciting at the moment but the level of football is well below the other big 3, tactically and technically. And the Bundesliga a big problem: there is only one club and that is Bayern and I`ve got no doubt that they will win the title this year again despite they are currently 4 points behind leaders Hertha. The opponents simply are not good enough to land consecutive wins. Bayern have by far the most money and the best squad. So there is no serious challenger and that makes it very easy for Bayern to dominate. May be Hoffenheim can become one, it would be good for the Bundesliga. I like the different styles in the european leagues but in my eyes the Prem and La Liga still are the most attractive and the greatest to watch.
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Comment number 7.
At 11th Mar 2009, Spaced Invader wrote:For years I've read how the Spanish league is technically superior to England, but the Premiership was more exciting... now the Spanish league is more exciting too?
How so? Barcelona are cruising to the title, Real v Atletico was like watching schoolboy football - funny yes, but not impressive. Watching players like Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos earn millions for defensive displays that surpass shambolic is not exciting, its bizarre. Left me wondering if Barcelona have been that impressive this season after all, of perhaps they just have desperately little in the way of proper challenges...
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Comment number 8.
At 12th Mar 2009, myscarface wrote:I'd agree with Chris that Spanish football can be very enjoyable and is technically very good, but after the Champions league matches it showed that the two Madrid teams are not top quality, especially real.
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Comment number 9.
At 12th Mar 2009, Renzo1985 wrote:It's a common urban myth that the Premiership is the best league in the world. Outside the top six teams the rest of the league is complete guff. So bad that provincial clubs like Fulham and Wigan can somehow comfortably thrive in the league. Sure the top four are in a league of their own and I agree that at present they are certainly ahead of the Madrid teams (although maybe not Barcelona) however I believe the rest would seriously struggle against a decent la Liga side. The dire state of the Premiership has been emphasised this season by poor performances by British teams in the UEFA Cup.
The Premiership has become a league of fear and survival and watching teams like Middlesbrough, Bolton and Blackburn a akin to watching your local sunday league. The Spanish may not know how to defend but at least they know where the goal is.
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Comment number 10.
At 12th Mar 2009, Epstein wrote:I can understand a match being exciting because there are a huge amount of chances BUT to write this after Real got taken apart by Liverpool just seems a bit daft.
There are some really good Championship games where it can be end to end and chance after chance - and you can be sure that some of the defensive displays are probably stronger than in La Liga.
I just fail to see how La Liga can be the most exciting league. At the moment I'd say it is the Bundesliga simply because there are 5 teams within 4 points of each other at the top of the league. But, as commented before, the skill level is that much lower than the other top European leagues.
The schoolboy-esque defending of some Spanish teams just infuriates me rather than exiting me, it only serves to flatter some of the attacking players too.
Just my opinion mind and everyone is different!
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Comment number 11.
At 12th Mar 2009, Cropper wrote:Living in Spain for a year now, I love the Spanish football! The atmosphere is more of a carnival, the play is very, very open attacking football which is great to watch. The poor defensive displays only enhance the excitement as so many chances come and go.
Athletico certainly can turn on a display as evident against Barca and Madrid, and they were unlucky not to take all 6 points from those two games!
ATHLEeeeeeetttiiiiii!
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Comment number 12.
At 12th Mar 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Once again thanks for your comments. First of all please don't confuse more exciting for best.
The_Third_Ronaldo - you thought the Madrid derby was funny? I agree entirely that they are not the best defenders and that's why I didn't say I thought it was the best league in Europe.
Quite clearly, both teams played to their strengths which was attacking football. Although the game finished only 1-1 neither team played for a draw and the mentality seemed to be, "well if they score 2 we'll score 3"
gerstoo - I was actually in a pub too when the Barelona v Atletico game was on but unfortunately it wasn't shown! As I said I seen the first 3 goals and each one was incredible. As for the Bundesliga I need to be honest and say I don't see too much but it is great to see a team like Hoffenheim so high in the table. They have dropped a little of late but fingers crossed they can stay up there and might grab a Champions League place.
It's always nice to see the smaller teams get some attention!
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Comment number 13.
At 12th Mar 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Epstein - unfortunately I can't dictate when my column has to be completed so this weeks was done before the Liverpool v Madrid game was even played.
As I haven't yet seen the game in question I promise to try and swat up on this weeks games and let you know my thoughts on Liverpools great result from Tuesday night!
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Comment number 14.
At 12th Mar 2009, SR819 wrote:Fear has engulfed a lot of Premiership clubs (perhaps understandably) which has led to a lot of games where both sides, too scared to lose, are so reticent to commit bodies forward that the games are dull and uninteresting. Yes, the defending in La Liga can be poor, but also there is the fact that teams are very open in the way they play, so the defenders do not receive a great deal of protection from the midfield; this can partly explain why so many games are end-to-end, and a lot of chances are created.
La Liga is more interesting than the Premiership, in my opinion. Before, proponents of the Premier League being better than La Liga argued that the Premiership was more entertaining, and open. This season, I don't think this has been the case (indeed, you can argue last season was the same as well). The counter argument could be that the reason for such entertainment is undisciplined and wayward play. Again, in my opinion this is not the case. Although Premiership defenders are probably on the whole stronger than La Liga defenders, La Liga defenders area capable of being hard in the tackle when needed. Most teams even play 4-2-3-1 in La Liga, so it's not as if they use crazy formations that ignore the defensive side of the game altogether.
Like I said before, the main reason for the entertainment factor being so high is the way most teams play. The game is extremely open, with both teams concentrating on scoring and inventing attacking solutions, rather than looking to block the opposition, and look to score from set plays (not saying there is anything wrong with that tactic, btw)
I have heard arguments that the Premiership is tighter this season, which will lead to an exciting end to the season, and that explains why the gap between the teams below 7th position is so small. However, the same is true for La Liga. Only 6 points separate Villareal in 4th and Valencia in 8th. At the bottom end, also, only 6 points separate 10th place Almeria and 18th place Osasuna.
The Premiership is still one of the best leagues in the world, but I don't think we can still say it's the most exciting. Some people claim that naivety and unprofessional play is the main reason why the La Liga is so "exciting", and they would prefer solid football. Before, the same arguments were used in favour of the Premiership, with claims that the slightly gung ho nature of the Premiership was much more entertaining than the slow, considered continental approach.
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Comment number 15.
At 12th Mar 2009, Epstein wrote:13. Chris Jardine
Fair enough reply, I retract my previous 'daft' comment then.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the game. This is the first time I've read a blog by you and although I have different opinions from yourself I did really enjoy your article. It's well written and interesting.
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