After
my lengthy tweets and discussion with Kaizer Chiefs, Manchester United and Real
Madrid fan Makonde Godfrey Sandani, I decided to write this article. Our
discussion always had the direct effect of Real Madrid and indirect effect of Jose
Mourinho in the EURO 2012.
I’m
neither a fan of Jose Mourinho nor Real Madrid but after an explicit scrutiny
of EURO 2012 performance, my verdict revealed that the winning mentality of Madrid
players is paying dividends to their respectively nations. The tactical and
technical knowledge imparted to the players by Mourinho has produces positive
results to this end. Indeed they don't just him call him "the special
one" for nothing. He is indeed a rare and genius coach.
"The
Special One" is regarded by some players, coaches, and critics as one of
the best football coaches of all time. No one can doubt his coaching ability.
He became the third manager in football history to win the UEFA Champions
League with two different teams, after Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld. He won
the first ever FIFA Ballon d'Or Best Coach Award in 2010.
He
is the fourth coach to won the league titles in at least four different
countries: Portugal, England, Italy, and Spain, after Tomislav Ivić, Ernst
Happel, and Giovanni Trapattoni. He is also the first manager to win the
traditional top three European league championships.
The
Real Madrid players were the best performers at the quarter-final of Euro 2012.
The man of the match between Czech Republic and Portugal CR7 sent Portugal through
after scoring a nice header. The German anchorman Sami Khedira also scored an
important goal for Germany against Greece whilst Man of Match between France
and Spain Xabi Alonso also scored the brace that sent Spain through for dream
semi final against Portugal.
The
following players from Real Madrid team have already stood head and shoulders
above most of the players by producing magnificent performance in the EURO
2012.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
(Real Madrid and Portugal)
The
world’s most expensive player and Portugal captain is the main attractions at
the EURO 2012 with his tricky runs, array of skills couples with his famous
step over (which is known as the pedalada or the Denilson scissors in Brazil)
and clinical finishing. Ronaldo is at the peak of his career and his terrific
combination of enormous pace and quick step-overs makes his the best player of
the tournament up to so far. Ronaldo found his rhythm after a disappointing
start. He produced man of the match performance against Nederlands and Czech.
His determination, hunger for success, tenacity, dedication and tactical
disciple already made the huge difference to Portugal. He banged three goals in
the tournament and sent Portugal to the last four of EURO 2012.
2. Fabio Coentrao
(Real Madrid and Portugal)
Originally
a left winger who also plays at the left back - Fabio is also one of the
outstanding Portuguese players in the tournament. He is balance both offensive
and defensive. He is very effective in creating goal scoring chances for
Portugal. Most of his passes are always directed towards CR7. Talking about
sufficient service delivery.
3. Pepe (Real Madrid
and Portugal)
The
intense and battle-hardened defender who can also play as a holding midfielder
- He is quick, tall and workmanlike player who already covered a lot of ground
in the EURO 2012. He is the rock of gibrolter at the back for Portugal.
4. Sami Khedira (Real
Madrid and Germany)
He
already created a superb holding midfield partnership with Bastian
Schweinsteiger for Germany. The duo formed a solid combination controlling
centre of the park. He is one of the outstanding German players who is
controlling the midfield with ease. He is the general of the team. He Combines
well with Schweinsteiger and has assumed more responsibility since exit of
Michael Ballack.
4. Mesut Ozil (Real
Madrid and German)
He
is the German Midfield maestro with array of mouthwatering, breathtaking and
eye-pleasing skills. Mesut Ozil is a big household name in Germany. Germany has
come to rely on his creative spark. He is by far the most skillful player in
the team. His clever defence split passes already left defenders scratching
their heads. He is the brain behind orchestrating the offensive moves for the
team. He is Talented, skilled and creative. He has high pass completion rate of
above 85% in this tournament.
Others
players from Real Madrid who are doing well for Spain are:
1. Iker Casillas
(Real Madrid and Spain)
He
is the Spain’s most-capped player and undisputed first choice goalkeeper,
inspirational captain Casillas is considered one of the world’s best.
Occasionally suspect dealing with aerial threats in the EURO 2012 but he is a
brilliant shot-stopper after saving a lot of balls. He has done well for Spain
to this end.
2. Alvaro Arbeloa
(Real Madrid and Spain)
A
steady full back who is comfortable on both flanks but mainly used on the right
by Real and Spain. He has not put his foot wrong in the tournament. He is a
reliable defender who is very intelligent dealing with big strikers. He turned
big players like Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery into small boys against
France.
3. Sergio Ramos (Real
Madrid and Spain)
Athletic
and tough-tackling, Ramos has switched to central defence from right back for
club and country this season. Can be tactically suspected but is a potent goal
threat from set pieces with his powerful headers. He formed a solid combination
at the back with Gerald Pique.
4. Xabi Alonso (Real
Madrid and Spain)
The
hard-tackling Alonso has stamped his authority on the Spanish side in the EURO
2012. Xabi present in the middle of park always give Xavi the space to perform.
He has a commanding presence on the ball and a threat from anywhere around the
box. He already set new standards for a central playmaker role. His passing,
vision and composure on the ball are unrivalled. His brace demolished France to
sent Spain to the Semi. If Spain won this Euro, he will be voted player of the
tournament.
Bayern
Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter-Milan, Manchester United, Borussia
Dortmund, Olympique Marseille, Barcelona and Manchester City are also presented
by their players in the tournament for different Nations who are also doing
well but the impact of Real Madrid players is visible in the tournament.
Real
Madrid players have managed to translate their winning mentality into their
respective national teams in the EURO 2012. Real Madrid players are stealing
the lime light of the EURO 2012.
By Owen Mundalamo
Executive President:
Football Food for Thought
