La Liga Review

Marcelo: I didn't mean to disrespect Real Madrid fans

By Guest writer Thomas Rooney

There is always something going on at Real Madrid and it isn’t always to do with matters on the pitch. Whether it be transfer speculation, players falling out, the coach being under pressure, there is never a dull moment at the Bernabeu.

The latest dispute at the club is centred around under pressure left back Marcelo. The Brazilian came on as a substitute in last weekend’s 3-1 victory Osasuna and it is fair to say that he wasn’t given the best of receptions by the Real Madrid fans.

He was whistled as he made his way onto the pitch and it was made very clear that he is far from a popular figure as far as the crowd are concerned. Then, after the game, he hinted that he didn’t care whether the fans jeered him or not.

This led to some suggesting that he was disrespectful to the fans and didn’t understand the significance of their opinions. Overall, it didn’t do many favours to his rapidly decreasing popularity.

However, Marcelo has come out again and revealed that he meant no disrespect to the fans whatsoever and that he actually has ‘great respect’ for every Real Madrid fan that supports the team.

The full-back then went on to say that he wants to ‘grow as a player’ in the coming months by not allowing the negative reaction from fans affect his performance. Finally, he said that the people of Madrid are normally ‘very affectionate’ to him and that he hopes he can win over his doubters with some decent performances in the coming weeks.

In all fairness to Marcelo, I would say that the Madrid fans are being far too impatient with him. He is only 20-years-old and still has a lot to learn as a player. There is no doubt that he is talented and has the ability to have a very, very successful career with both Madrid and Brazil.

Speaking of his national team, it seems as though Brazil coach Dunga is very keen to get Marcelo involved as much as possible. In fact, the way things are going, Marcelo will be starting in the Brazil team next year and will get some World Cup football under his belt.

By this stage, hopefully he would have improved a lot as a player and started to show the Real Madrid fans what he can do. He seems a determined individual, so I would back him to win the crowd over. Perhaps Real Madrid fans are after a scapegoat given their current predicament and Marcelo is the player they have chosen.

Something that could help the situation is that Juande Ramos is considering Marcelo as a left winger as opposed to defender. Maybe this is where his future lies? He certainly gives Madrid another attacking option! Good luck to him I say.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting

 

Messi on form as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid

By Guest writer Thomas Rooney

Lionel Messi showed his class for Barcelona once more as he scored a hat-trick to help his team to a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey match at the Vicente Calderon.

The result puts Barcelona firmly in command of their last-16 tie as Atletico Madrid would now need a sensational performance in the second leg at the Nou Camp to prevent the Spanish giants progressing to the quarter-finals.

So, let’s go through Messi’s goals. First up was a low shot past Gregory Coupet after brilliant work between the Argentinean and Dani Alves with just 11 minutes gone in the match. I imagine that the Atletico fans feared the worst at this stage!

Barcelona had to wait until the 56th minute to double their lead though, which they did from the penalty spot. John Heitinga saw red for bringing down Messi in the penalty area, but the youngster picked himself up to slot home his second of the game.

Atletico then surprisingly pulled a goal back, but the football odds never expected them to get back on level terms. This notion was confirmed when Messi sealed his hat-trick in the 79th minute.

After being unlucky to see his shot come bouncing off the cross bar at the end of a mazy run, Messi managed to fire the ball into the net later in the same attack to cap a fine individual performance.

The Argentina international was so fantastic, that the Atletico fans were standing for him and singing his name after his shot that hit the bar and then again after his third goal. They appreciated what a fantastic player he was and how amazing his performance had been on the night.

Not often does that happen in football nowadays and I suppose it can only be a credit to the talent of the player. Many now believe that he is the best there is right now and based on this performance, who is going to argue?

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting