Monday, October 8, 2012

Real Murcia 1 Racing Santander 0

A great goal decided this one – although it should have been more comfortable. Racing can out to “park the bus” and displayed little or no attacking desire. As usually happens with that style, they lost. They did have some moments, mostly after Murcia went down to 10 men (another shocking referee).

Real Murcia:
Javi Jiménez – Molinero - Jorge García – Catalá - Óscar Sánchez – Nafti - Emilio Sánchez (Albiol 78’) – Matilla - Nico Martínez (Saúl 65’) - Jonatan Gómez (Acciari 81’) – Ruso Garcia

Racing de Santander:
Sotres – Francis – Bocanegra – Goikoetxea – Docal - Óscar Pérez - Jorge Alonso (Héctor Yuste 66’) – Jairo – Gullón - Bouzza (Gai 66’) - Kaludjerovic (Koné 63’)

Referee: Mr. Dámaso Arcediano Monescillo.
Fairly typical in that he sent a Real Murcia player off. It seems there is an unwritten rule in football; Any Real Murcia tackle between minutes 60 and 90 is an automatic yellow card. It’s becoming a joke.
Goal:
1-0  Molinero 59’
Att. 7.596 at the New Condomina
Updated table :

POS TEAM PLD W D L F A PTS
1 ELCHE 8 7 1 0 17 6 22
2 ALMERÍA 8 5 2 1 16 11 17
3 VILLARREAL 8 5 2 1 10 6 17
4 GIRONA 8 4 2 2 15 6 14
5 REAL MURCIA 8 4 2 2 13 9 14
6 SABADELL 8 4 2 2 12 8 14
7 NUMANCIA 8 3 4 1 8 4 13
8 ALCORCÓN 8 4 1 3 11 11 13
9 RECREATIVO 8 4 1 3 11 12 13
10 CORDOBA 8 3 2 3 8 7 11
11 HUESCA 8 2 4 2 8 7 10
12 PONFERRADINA 8 3 1 4 12 12 10
13 RACING 8 2 3 3 6 6 9
14 LUGO 8 2 3 3 8 13 9
15 SPORTING 8 2 2 4 9 12 8
16 XEREZ 8 2 1 5 8 16 7
17 LAS PALMAS 8 1 3 4 8 17 6
18 MIRANDÉS 8 1 2 5 7 9 5
19 HERCULES 8 1 1 6 5 12 4
20 GUADALAJARA 8 0 2 6 8 20 2

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Xerez 0 Real Murcia 3

XEREZ CD:
Chema – Cámara - Iago Bouzón – Silva – Mendoza – Rueda – Bruno - Israel (Adrián Ruiz 60) - Maldonado (Marquitos 77) - José Vega (Tato 56) – Íñigo

REAL MURCIA:
Javi Jiménez – Molinero – Catalá – Jorge - Óscar Sánchez – Eddy - Nafti (Albiol 88) - Matilla (Acciari 81) - Emilio Sánchez - Nico Martínez (Jonathan Gómez 64) - Ruso García

Goals:
0-1           Ruso García 36’

0-2           Óscar Sánchez 41’

0-3           Emilio Sánchez 87’
Referee: Mr. Bikandi Garrido. A follower of fashion (sent Eddy of with 2 soft yellows). We have only finished one game with 11 men. You would think we were a dirty side – we ain’t.

 Just 5.505 at the Chapín stadium. Shocking.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Gemelos


"Podríamos intentar cirugía para separaros, pero es muy dudoso que cualquiera de los dos podría sobrevivir solo"

En ocasiones parece que el FC Barcelona esta siendo utilizado como vehículo de promoción para la independencia Catalana, abiertamente permitiendo en su estadio eslóganes tipo “Cataluña no es España” y otros símbolos de movimiento para la independencia de Cataluña. Extraño esto, ya que muchísimos seguidores y varios jugadores, son españoles. Los directivos del club parecen alentar esto, probablemente parte de la rivalidad con el centralismo de Madrid.

La cuestión de la independencia catalana está en todas las portadas estos últimos días. Cientos de miles de catalanes dejaron muy claro sus sentimientos la semana pasada durante la “Diada Nacional de Catalunya”. Los políticos, claro, echan leña la fuego a su gusto, creo que en parte por que les conviene desviar atención de su nefasto manejo de la economía y sinfín de casos de corrupción (que no hay partido libre de culpa, por muchos que les gusta apuntar a sus rivales políticos). Después de la Diada, el presidente de la Generalitat Catalana, Artur Mas, declaró (en inglés) que si España no pasaba a Cataluña el control total fiscal, que (y en inglés sonó como amenaza) “todas las opciones están abiertas”. Ayer Mas se reunió con Mariano Rajoy en Madrid. Rajoy le dejó claro su negativa a la petición de hacienda propia, al que Mas reaccionó diciendo que “Cataluña no puede colmar con eso sus aspiraciones como país y como pueblo”, y de nuevo dijo la amenaza encubierta de que “todas las opciones están abiertas”. Su partido, CiU esta claramente fijado en su gol final de la independencia Catalana. Pero España y Cataluña….¿pueden ganar algo con una supuesta separación? O como Real Madrid y FC Barcelona, ¿Son tan dependientes del otro que una separación sería extremadamente traumática? Ambos club, como gemelos unidos, comparten órganos vitales.

Claro, las demandas de independencia ponen al presidente del FCB, Sandro Rosell, en una posición incomoda. Su declaración de que el club haría lo que quieren los socios, es quedarse en terreno de nadie. ¿Donde esta la bravuconería anti-Madrid? ¿Tiene miedo?

La posición Catalana parece que es que quieren independencia, pero solo en lo que ellos digan, y en el caso de la independencia, el FCB seguirá jugando en La Liga. Esto sería ideal para el Real Madrid, ya que se mantendría el status quo, los dos seguirían aprovechando la rivalidad, que puede incluso volverse mas intenso aún. ¿Y si la LFP decide que independencia significa exactamente eso, y que el FCB tiene que competir en una liga Catalana, y no en la Liga Española? Seguramente partidos contra Sabadell, Girona y Figueras no son tan atractivos como otros contra Real Madrid, Valencia o Sevilla. ¿Se quedarían Messi Y Mascherano? ¿El FCB podía económicamente, pagarles? ¿Qué haría el Real Madrid sin su alter-ego?

También podía ser la oportunidad perfecta para que La Liga se convirtiera por fin en una liga verdaderamente competitiva con un reparto del dinero de la TV mas equilibrada. Sé que es un simplismo pensar que la liga sería tan atractiva como ahora sin el FCB. Hoy en día parece que la gente le gusta mas ver al Madrid o Barcelona ganar destrozando el rival por 4, 5 o 6 goles en lugar de disfrutar de un partido competitivo. ¿Y si hubiera una liga con 4 o 5 aspirante serios? ¿Puede que la diferencia masiva entre Real Madrid, FCB y el resto (últimas temporadas por encima de los 30 puntos) sea un factor contribuyente negativo en los acuerdos pobres que logra La Liga en el extranjero (comparado con, por ejemplo, la Premier League) ya que se ve la competición como sin emoción y decidida antes de empezar? Si los €140m que recibe el FCB se reparte entre los demás (salvo Real Madrid), ¿tendríamos una liga más competitiva? ¿O solo significaría más dominio aplastante del real Madrid?

Sospecho, en el caso de que Cataluña logre la independencia. Que la LFP tomaría la ruta más fácil, y los dos gigante seguirían repartiendo todo (trofeos y dinero TV) a largo plazo, ya que su poder consume todo lo demás. Simplemente, Real Madrid y FCB (como gemelos unidos, unidos por la cabeza) no pueden vivir el uno sin el otro, por lo que me parece una imposibilidad que lo vayan a hacer de aquí a poco. Diría que la rotura más probable esta entre España y Cataluña.

Twins


It often seems that FC Barcelona are used as a vehicle for the promotion of Catalan independence, openly permitting the display of slogans like “Catalonia is not Spain” and other symbols of the movement for Catalan independence. Strange this, as so many  of their fans and players are Spanish. The directors of the club seem to encourage this, probably as part of the overall rivalry with “centralist” Madrid.

The question of Catalan independence is front page news these last few days. Hundreds of thousands of Catalans made their sentiments clear last weekend during the “Diada Nacional de Catalunya” (Catalonia National Day). The politicians fan the flames as it suits them. I expect that in part this is to divert attention from their inept handling of the economy and never-ending list of corruption cases (no party is free of blame, however much they like to point their finger at the other side). After the “Diada” Catalan  president Artur Mas declared (in English) that unless Spain gave them full control over revenue, that (and in English is sounded like a threat) “all options will be open to us”. Yesterday Mas met with Spanish president Mariano Rajoy in Madrid. Rajoy gave a clear “no” the demand for fiscal sovereignty, to which Mas reacted that “with this Catalonia cannot achieve its aspirations as a country and as a people”, and again utter the veiled threat that “all options are open”. His party, CiU are clearly set on Catalan independence as the final goal. But can Catalonia and Spain gain anything from separation? Or like Real Madrid and Barcelona are they so reliant on each other that a separation would be extremely traumatic? Both football clubs, like conjoined twins, share vital organs.

Of course the independence demands put FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell in an uncomfortable position. His talk of “doing whatever the socios want” is really sitting on the fence big time. What happened to all the anti-Madrid bluster? Is he scared?

The Catalan stance seems to be “we want independence, but only on what we say”, and that if there is Catalan independence then FCB would continue to play in la Liga. So they want their cake and to eat it too. This would suit Real Madrid, as the status quo would be maintained, the two would continue to feed off the rivalry, that may even become more intense. But what if the LFP decided that independence really means that, and that FCB would have to compete in a Catalan, not Spanish, league? Surely matches against Sabadell, Girona and Figueras are nowhere near as attractive as against Real Madrid, Valencia or Seville? Would Messi and Mascherano stay? Could FCB afford to keep them? How would Real Madrid live without their alter-ego?

It could also be the perfect opportunity for “La Liga” to become a really competitive league and to divide TV money up more fairly. I know it is very simplistic to think that La Liga would be as attractive without FCB. Nowadays it seems people prefer to see Real Madrid or Barcelona destroy a rival by 4, 5 or 6 goals rather than a competitive game. But what if there was a Liga where 4 or 5 teams were in the shake up? Could the massive gap between Madrid – FCB and the rest (recently above 30 points) be in fact a contributing factor to the poor TV deals abroad (compared to the Premier league) as the Liga is seen as a foregone conclusion?  If Barcelona’s 140 million euro TV money was split up amongst the rest (excluding Real Madrid) would we have a more competitive league? Or would it just mean Real Madrid winning year after year after year?

I suspect, in case of Catalan independence, the LFP would take the easy route and let FCB play in La Liga, and the two giants would continue to share the spoils (trophies and TV money) way into the future, as their power here is all consuming. Real Madrid and FCB (like conjoined twins, joined at the head) just can’t live without each other, so I don’t think they’ll have to do so any time soon. I’d say the more likely split is Spain and Catalonia.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Real Murcia 2 Mirandés 2

Real managed to get a point after letting a decent Mirandés side take a 2 goal lead before half time. Many reasons for optimism, and once we get the injured Kike back and sort out the central defensive partnership we should be a match for anyone in the division – if we avoid the dozy starts. We have conceded early in 3 of the 5 starts so far.

In the end we had chances to have won, Matilla thumped the inside of the post with a free-kick and Mirandés managed to scramble a succession of chances away.

Real Murcia:
Javi Jiménez – Molinero – Carrasco – Jorge – Tagliafico - Nafti (Higinio 88') - Emilio Sánchez (Jonatan 63') – Matilla – Saúl - Nico Martínez (Sutil 69') – Ruso

Mirandés:
Goitia – Garmendia – Corral – Caneda – Koikili - Martins (Rúper 70') – Soria – Alain – Muneta - Mujika  - Goiria (Cases 81)

Goals:

0-1            Alain (5')
0-2 Muneta (44')
1-2 Ruso (49')
2-2 Matilla (88')

Referee: Mr. Vázquez Figueroa. Spanish refereeing is in a deep deep crisis. Every week it’s the same. Mr. Vázquez Figueroa was truly awful – how can it be that the person who should know most about the rules just doesn’t get it? For example…..a Real forward goes in for a 50-50 ball with the Mirandés keeper, manages to get there first and make a shot, the keeper (coming out) clatters into him….yet the forward gets a yellow card. Are forwards allowed to challenge? This referee also gave out cards to Mirandés defenders depending if they already had a yellow. I was so obvious it was ridiculous. Also over fussy about placement of midfield free-kicks. Annoying.


Att. Just 6.883 bothered to turn up. Pathetic. You can hear the echoes around the 32,000 capacity stadium. The team is doing OK….we are improving……this showing means that even over a thousand season ticket holders didn’t go. WHY?

Thursday, September 13, 2012

KIngs Cup : Almeria 2 Real Murcia 0


UD Almería:


Diego - Gunino - Mejía - Trujillo - Christian - Verza - Soriano - Casquero - Aaron Níguez (Carlos Calvo 84’) - Abel Molinero (Vidal 66’) - Charles (Ulloa 56’)

Real Murcia:


Alberto - Mario Marín - Jorge - Carrasco - Tagliafico - Acciari - Eddy (Matilla 81’) - Albiol - Saúl Berjón (Nico Martínez 67’) - Sutil - Chando (Cristian Ruso 45’)

Goals:

1-0 Ulloa 77’
2-0 Aaron Ñíguez 84’

Referee: Mr. José Luis Lesma López


Att: Just 4,000 at Almeria's Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.

 
Not a bad performance from a team with many non-regulars, new signings and a reserve centre half. I would say that up to the moment when we gifted Almeria the lead (Acciari’s touch too soft to reach keeper Alberto) we were the better side. Their second was a result of our chasing the game.
Positives: Tagliafico looks a committed player, and Eddy……Eddy looks like a rough diamond……a young Patrick Vieira….tall, strong, athletic, skillful…….and at just 20 can only improve.
Negatives: In 5 games this season, only once have we finished with 10 men. On each occasion you can make a case for the defence. Be it mistaken identity, outrageous dives, or just a very tough call, we aren’t getting a fair deal. Acciari received a straight red for a hand in the face while protecting the ball……hardly the same as Almeria’s Soriano blatantly elbowing a Real player in the face during the same game, only punished with a yellow. I know I sound like a broken record…….but when are the club going to do something?

Monday, September 10, 2012

Table after 4

So nice to see Real nearer the top after last seasons flirtation with relegation. Fingers crossed for a continuation.

POS TEAM PLD W D L F A PTS
1 ELCHE 4 4 0 0 10 4 12
2 VILLARREAL 4 3 1 0 5 2 10
3 ALMERÍA 4 3 0 1 8 8 9
4 GIRONA 4 2 1 1 7 3 7
5 REAL MURCIA 4 2 1 1 7 6 7
6 ALCORCÓN 4 2 1 1 5 4 7
7 RECREATIVO 4 2 1 1 4 4 7
8 NUMANCIA 4 1 3 0 3 1 6
9 BB 4 2 0 2 9 8 6
10 LUGO 4 1 3 0 4 3 6
11 MB 4 2 0 2 7 7 6
12 SABADELL 4 1 2 1 3 2 5
13 CÓRDOBA 4 1 2 1 3 2 5
14 HUESCA 4 1 2 1 4 4 5
15 MIRANDÉS 4 1 1 2 4 2 4
16 LAS PALMAS 4 1 1 2 4 7 4
17 PONFERRADINA 4 1 0 3 4 6 3
18 HÉRCULES 4 1 0 3 3 5 3
19 XEREZ 4 1 0 3 5 9 3
20 SPORTING 4 0 2 2 3 6 2
21 RACING 4 0 2 2 1 4 2
22 GUADALAJARA 4 0 1 3 3 9 1


next up :

Away against Almería on Tuesday 11th at 9.30 p.m. (on Marca TV so in the UK you should be able to find a feed via Rojadirecta or similar)

Home against Mirandés on Saturday 15th at 8.00 p.m.