callegro-blog

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Kimi Raikkonen runs over a mechanic and abandoned race

There was an abrupt end to the Bahrain GP for Kimi Raikkonen after he ran over a mechanic in the pits and had to abandon the race.

He was third when making the second stop for supersoft tyres, which would've enabled him to chase down second-placed Bottas.

The driver received the OK from his team to leave the pit area, but the right rear tyre hadn't been changed.

He moved away with the mechanic still close to the wheel and hit him.

Immediately, his team stopped him on the radio, and that's where his race ended.

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Busquets misses training, but is included in squad list for Rome

Ernesto Valverde has announced his squad for Barcelona's trip to play Roma in their Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Even though injury prevented Sergio Busquets from training on Sunday morning, the Catalan midfielder has been included in the 20-man list.

The full squad list is as follows: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Denis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele, Jasper Cillessen, Paulinho, Paco Alcacer, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Aleix Vidal, Samuel Umtiti, Yerry Mina, Thomas Vermaelen, Adrian Ortola.

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Zidane: The goal is always the same, try to reach second place

After the Madrid derby ended 1-1, a result which mainly benefits Barcelona, Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane quickly turned attention to the midweek Champions League clash v Juventus, a tie that Zidane believes everyone thinks Real have won already.

With only one fit defender for Los Blancos, the tie is far from over if the Italians get an early goal.

"Everybody thinks we've won and that's what we don't want to think about," he said to reporters after the Madrid derby.

"Everybody is saying we are going to win, but we're going to suffer a lot.

"We have to do everything to qualify and be focused on what we have to do."

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a wonderful volley to open the scoring against Atletico, and suggestions from the media were that Real were dependent on the Portuguese in much the same way that Barcelona are on Lionel Messi.

"I don't think like that," Zidane continued.

"Cristiano is Cristiano, he's always been like that, there's no one else like him."

Real remain behind in the race for second place but Zidane isn't too worried.

"We want it and we will try to achieve it," he noted.

"Against Atleti we had many chances, we did many things to win but the goal is always the same, try to cut the deficit and reach second place."

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What have Messi and Neymar got up their sleeve?

Neymar has posted a promise that he and Lionel Messi and up to something on Instagram, along with a photo of the duo dressed up in the back of a car.

"When my friend Messi joins, great things happen! I told you! Stay tuned!"

Is it a new advert? Their own MLS franchise? Are they appearing on the cover of Vogue? As the Brazilian says, watch this space.

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Andre Gomes sees a future as the third pivot

Lionel Messi's hat-trick took all the headlines from Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Leganes, but it was Andre Gomes' performance which has given a hint that his future may well come as the third pivot.

Ernesto Valverde's switch to a 4-4-2 formation at the start of the season has seen the Catalan giants utilise a double pivot system in midfield, usually occupied by Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.

In Busquets' absence, Gomes was given a chance to play on Saturday and he impressed with some diligent work in the defensive phase.

He arrived at the Camp Nou as one of the club's marquee signings in 2016, but unfortunately for all involved the Portuguese international has never lived up to the hype.

One of the major problems has been fitting him into the team, and a place where the former Valencia star excels hasn't often been clear to see.

The 2017/18 campaign hasn't been a glittering success either, because he hasn't scored a single goal and has only started in 11 matches.

On Saturday, the key instruction was to keep things simple.

Gomes wasn't required to contribute to attacking moves, he was expected to work well with Rakitic and perform shuttle runs which protected the defence.

It's therefore notable that he completed 73 of 77 passes.

It wasn't the most challenging of matches, but it's important for Gomes to build his confidence, especially if he's required in an emergency in the later rounds of the Champions League.

Without the ball, he knew just where he was expected to be and he interpreted movements from Leganes' attackers; a vital form of protection for Los Cules' defence.

Busquets could return to face Roma on Tuesday and the Spanish midfielder will travel to the Italian capital, although it's likely Valverde will have to make a decision as to his availability on the day.

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Ivan Rakitic: Valverde's lungs

Last season, Ivan Rakitic was tempted to leave Barcelona after not having a good year, but his situation changed from the first day under Ernesto Valverde.

Luis Enrique withdrew the trust he had given the Croatian in previous campaigns and, also, without any explanation.

The new coach was very clear that Rakitic was going to be fundamental from the start of the season and because of this, he left no room for doubt and had him as a starter from the first day.

Until now, the midfielder has been one of the footballers who has participated the most for Valverde, and in fact, he is only surpassed by Lionel Messi.

That confidence has seen the Croatian respond in an outstanding manner.

"He is a very intelligent player," is the phrase that almost everyone points to when asked about the midfielder.

This is defined by Tente Sanchez, a former captain of Barcelona.

"He looks like Puyol because he has an enormous capacity to know what is going to happen in a play," he said.

"Rakitic is not a footballer with an imposing physique, nor is he the fastest, however, he knows how to position himself in the field in such a way that he can choose the right moment in which he has the advantage to steal the ball."

Intelligence is demonstrated in many ways of course, and one of them is also how he has accepted his role in the team.

He knows that in Barcelona he is just one more of the squad.

The star is Messi and he has others around him such as Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta or, last season, Neymar.

"If you have to run 10,000 metres for Leo and your back hurts, you run," Rakitic said when he arrived in Barcelona.

Not only did he say it, but he executes it because the he is the player who travels the most metres per game for the Catalans.

"Nobody should forget that he came from a Sevilla where he was the star of the team," Tente continued.

Rakitic adaptation to his new role has meant not getting forward so much, and therefore no goals as a result; but that is another characteristic that shows his intelligence.

"He has adapted to various positions and knows what he has to do at all times, not only that, but from the first months he was in Barcelona, he adapted very quickly to the style of play of his new team," Tente concluded.

Something that may seem simple, but clearly is not.

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Guardiola: Comparing me to a dog is wrong, you have to respect dogs more

On the eve of Manchester City's potentially crowning moment against fierce rivals Manchester United, Pep Guardiola has kick-started mind games of his own, suggesting that Mino Raiola is wrong to compare him to dogs and that the agent should show more respect to our canine friends.

This sensational outburst came following the Spaniard's admission that he was offered both Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the January transfer window, a statement that is guaranteed to rile those across the city at Carrington.

"Comparing me with a dog is wrong, he has to show more respect to the dogs," Guardiola explained in his pre-match press conference.

"He should be protecting his players from a guy like me.

"He has to know that he can't bring his players to me."

Jose Mourinho kept a strict line during his respective press conference on Friday, refusing to discuss any matters related to Manchester City, although you feel Guardiola's admission will not go without rebuttal in one form or another.

"I never speak with him [Raiola], so I don't know where he gets this opinion of me," Pep continued.

"Maybe Ibra explained many things about me?

"Yet, given his opinion about me, why does he then offer Mkhitaryan and Pogba to play with us two months ago?"

Victory over Manchester United on Saturday will mathematically secure the Premier League title for the Blues, yet despite their obvious financial advantage, the former Bayern Munich coach made clear that Pogba wasn't an attainable target.

"Pogba is an incredible player, a top, top player," he admitted.

"I said no, we don't have enough money to buy Pogba.

"He's so expensive."

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Real and their 'league season' in Europe

In the last three editions of the Champions League, Real Madrid have played almost a full league campaign, their tie in Turin being the 35th game in that epic run.

After the two consecutive titles (13 matches played in each of them) and their win over Juventus (nine matches in this edition), Los Blancos are just three more short of a full season of games, something they would reach if they get to the semi-finals, which seems likely.

Such a record serves to evaluate the trajectory of Zinedine Zidane's squad over the last three seasons.

After 35 matches in the Champions League since season 15/16, Real would hypothetically have 84 points (three points for a win and one for a draw), with a balance of 26 wins, six draws and only three defeats (Wolfsburg, Atletico and Tottenham).

Then come Bayern Munich on 68 points in 31 matches; 16 points behind Madrid with 22 wins, two draws and seven defeats.

Barcelona would complete the podium with 63 points in 29 matches.

Among the top 10 of the ranking would also be Atletico, and Sevilla, rubbing shoulders with Juventus, City and Paris Saint-Germain.

The authority of Madrid in Europe in recent seasons is absolute, and if the current iteration manage to 'three-peat,' they will go down in history at the club.

Cruise speed

This year the group stage meant more work than usual.

In fact, they were second best again Tottenham, whom they failed to beat in either of the two games.

However, the party began in the knockout rounds, and they have three wins in a row, two of them at home.

Their power is certainly reinforced when the competition enters its decisive phase.

Should they pass into the semi-finals again, it would be for the eighth consecutive time; a streak that started in 10/11 and looks set to continue.

It reflects the overwhelming dominance of the last three years, where Real have a win percentage of 74 percent.

And a lot of money

Apart from the sporting successes, Madrid have had a huge economic injection.

For the moment, they have almost assured another 7.5 million euros for a semi-final berth.

A leader on the pitch and a money factory off it.

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A Bernabeu homage for Cristiano Ronado

Derbies against Atletico are always special, but on this occasion, Cristiano Ronaldo will get his own tribute from Real Madrid's supporters who will pack the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to the rafters.

Last Tuesday night, at about 10pm CET, Ronaldo rose majestically in the Turin sky and nailed a historic goal.

"Possibly it was the best of my career," confessed the Portuguese, happy both for the goal and the warm recognition he received from the Juventina.

After a second of silence and amazement, the 40,000 spectators who filled the stands of Juventus Stadium gave a standing ovation to the Madrid star, who appreciated the gesture.

"I will keep it forever in my heart," he said.

The Bernabeu will rise

When Ronaldo comes out onto the pitch on Sunday, he will feel the love of his home support.

His relationship with the Bernabeu has had its ups and downs, but he will be honoured by the stadium whose walls have seen most of his 446 goals for Los Blancos; an amount that the Portuguese striker hopes to increase in the match against Atleti.

Once the decision was made not to rotate against the Rojiblancos, despite the closeness of the return match against Juve, one of Ronaldo's goals in the final stretch of the season became alive again; to challenge Leo Messi for the Pichichi.

The Blaugrana leads the Real Madrid star by four goals (26 to 22), but the form of the No.7 allows him to dream.

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The last league derby that Real won at the Bernabeu: Casillas as captain, an Ozil goal...

For more than four years (since 1/12/02), Real Madrid haven't beaten Atletico in domestic competition at home, Iker Casillas the captain the last time they did achieve a victory.

Three wins and a draw for Diego Simeone's men is the balance from their last four league visits to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Only three survivors

So much time has passed since Madrid's last victory in a derby at the Bernabeu that only three of the players from that 2012 win remain: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos.

The other eight starters have all left.

Di Maria, Ozil, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Coentrao, Pepe, Arbeloa and Casillas no longer ply their trade at the club.

Two of them have even retired.

Atletico had Gabi, Juanfran, Godin, Koke and Costa, of those who are in the current rojiblanco squad.

In addition, it was the debut of Diego Simeone at the Bernabeu as coach of Atleti.

He had already led a derby in the previous season, but it was at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

12 less titles

When Real Madrid last defeated Atletico in the league, they had 12 less titles!

Three Champions Leagues, one LaLiga, a Copa del Rey, three Club World Cups, three European Super Cups and a Spanish Super Cup were missing.

That season ended badly after losing the domestic cup final against Atleti at the Bernabeu, but then came the triumphant eras of Ancelotti (four titles) and Zidane (eight).

Madrid couldn't end the losing streak at home in the league against their local rivals, but in other competitions it was a different story.

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Real Madrid and Barcelona still have a Champions League duel on their hands

Barcelona beat Roma 4-1 thanks to two own goals by the Italians and a further two by Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez, the Catalan side almost certainly in the semi-finals of the Champions League, just like Real Madrid.

Both Madrid and Barcelona have been able to meet each other on multiple occasions, but the hype reached the maximum in 2010/11 where the Blaugrana were able to knock out Los Blancos and reach the final; against Manchester United at Wembley, and a game Barcelona would go on to win.

The chance of the two sides meeting is growing and fans on both sides are beginning to worry; each team is able to act as the opposition's kryptonite.

Sergio Busquets returned after his injury and Barcelona were a far more balanced and cohesive unit; apart from Messi, Busquets is now arguably the most indispensable player for Ernesto Valverde.

The head coach decided to take Busquets off after 67 minutes for Paulinho, with the Spaniard experiencing annoyances in his foot.

It's no surprise that Roma then scored 13 minutes later through Edin Dzeko.

Roma stalwart Daniele De Rossi gave Barcelona the lead after scoring an unfortunate own goal, yet it came after the high pressure that ultimately led to Ivan Rakitic intercepting Lorenzo Pellegrini's pass.

The Croatian is far better when Busquets is in the side, something that in turn makes Barcelona a far more dangerous team.

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Alba's other key connection

Much has been made of Jordi Alba's partnership with Lionel Messi over the course of the season but Andres Iniesta is another man the left-back is linking up with to good effect.

Wednesday's romp past Roma saw the Spanish duo involve eachother in the play at a very high rate, Iniesta playing the ball to Alba 18 times and receiving it on 21 occasions in return.

In total, the midfielder made 60 passes to demonstrate that he looked for Alba in a third of all his plays.

This is a trend that has emerged consistently in the Champions League, with 49 passes between the pairing against Juventus earlier in the season and 34 when Chelsea came to the Camp Nou for the last-16.

That tally versus the Blues reached such heights despite Iniesta coming off after 56 minutes, making their partnership the most prevalent of another key European win for Barcelona.

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Guardiola's €500 million dream team on verge of a knockout

When Manchester City made their last signing, their coach Pep Guardiola was keen to point out that they weren't paying the exorbitant sums that others were.

That came when they forked out 65 million euros to Athletic Club to recruit central defender Aymeric Laporte.

"We haven't paid more than 80 to 100m euros for a player and we can't pay that right now, that's the truth," he said at that time.

However, since Guardiola's arrival they have spent a total of 529 million euros but are set to exit the Champions League for the second successive season before the semi-final stage.

In the transfer market last season, they strengthened their squad with nine new players and spent 213m euros.

They have snapped up John Stones (55m euros), Leroy Sane (50m euros), Gabriel Jesus (32m euros), Ilkay Gundogan (27m euros), Nolito (18m euros), Claudio Bravo (18m euros), Marlos Moreno (5.5m euros), Rulli (4.7) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (2m euros).

Those players transformed the Citizens but they couldn't help them to the Premier League title in a season where mistakes in certain areas of defence impacted the team's overall performance.

To correct those mistakes of the past, Guardiola and City returned to the market to try to put things right.

Laporte (65m euros), Benjamin Mendy (57.5m euros), Kyle Walker (51m euros), Bernardo Silva (50m euros), Ederson (40m euros), Danilo (30m euros), Douglas Luis (12m euros), Jack Harrison (4m euros), Olarenwaju Kayode (3.8m euros), Ivan Ilic (2.5m euros) certainly strengthened them.

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Cristiano Ronaldo: 12 years of whistles... until the ovation in Turin

In the 64th minute in Turin, something changed for Cristiano Ronaldo; after 12 years of being incessantly booed and whistled by rival club's supporters, he was clapped by every Juventus fan in the stadium.

And with good reason.

His overhead kick goal will go down as one of the best ever scored in the Champions League.

It all started on July 1, 2006, at the World Cup in Germany, when Portugal knocked England out on penalties.

In that game, Ronaldo vehemently protested a Wayne Rooney tackle on Ricardo Carvalho which ended up getting the England striker sent off.

A campaign was suddenly created in the media that had supporters across England booing the player and his attitude.

Critics were so strong that Cristiano decided in the third and fourth place match he wouldn't return to England.

It was necessary for Sir Alex Ferguson to travel to Lisbon to convince him, and he ended up playing his best season at the club.

However, whenever he played away from home and every time he touched the ball, he received constant whistles and boos, something he later confessed caused him to be even more motivated.

Years passed, and by then he was considered the best in the world, which is when he changed club.

He remained as the best player in the Portuguese national team but was subjected to 'Messi, Messi' chants as well as booing and whistling wherever he went.

He has had to live and play with that pressure until April 3, 2018, minute 64.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked at the stands and something strange happened.

Applause.

The rival public gave him a tribute.

Late, but fair.

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Cristiano Ronaldo visits Sporting CP camp in Madrid

Always one to remember his roots, Cristiano Ronaldo dropped by the Sporting CP hotel ahead of his old club's Europa League meeting with Atletico Madrid.

Catching up with some old colleagues at the Portuguese outfit and chatting with coach Jorge Jesus, the Real Madrid star made the most of his former club's visit to the Spanish capital.

"Look who came to give us extra strength for the game tonight, Cristiano!" tweeted the club on Thursday afternoon.

Vejam só quem nos veio dar uma força extra para o jogo de logo... Leão @Cristiano! #FeitodeSportingpic.twitter.com/7geCTp9a1g

? Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) 5 de abril de 2018

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Bale hardly celebrated Real's first goal

Cristiano Ronaldo got Real Madrid off to a great start in their Champions League quarter-final tie with a goal after three minutes, after which Gareth Bale was pictured celebrating in a rather muted manner from the bench.

Zinedine Zidane left the former Tottenham Hotspur forward on the bench in Turin and then didn't bring him on at all, instead preferring to introduce both Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio and Mateo Kovacic.

The decision will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire of speculation that Bale may well leave the club in the summer, while it also came as a somewhat of a surprise given the fact he scored twice against Las Palmas.

Champions Total's cameras were focused on the Los Blancos bench and it pictured a rather cold looking Bale applauding without gusto as Ronaldo put the team ahead.

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Forget the rivalry, football should just appreciate Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi

Even Cristiano Ronaldo himself looked taken aback at what he had just done. There was no trademark celebration as he ran to the corner flag at the Allianz Stadium having lashed in a stunning overhead. Instead, a glazed look of disbelief as he showed his appreciation to the opposition fans applauding him.

What else could they do after witnessing such a moment of sheer brilliance?

Ronaldo has scored a few stunners in his time, but the sense around this one was somewhat different. This one came in the midst of a run which has seen the Portuguese forward score 23 times in his last 14 appearances for Real Madrid, a run which has once again pushed him towards being the top scorer in all of Europe's big five leagues.

He has scored in 10 Champions League matches in a row, becoming the first player to reach such a feat. This goal came with an air of acceptance for anyone watching - there's nothing that can be done to stop him.

For some, it was enough to secure Ronaldo's status as the greatest player of his generation, with full time in Turin met with the now time-honoured debate over who is better - the Real Madrid forward or his Barcelona adversary Lionel Messi? But is such a debate really necessary? Can't we just appreciate both?

This debate grew tedious a long time ago. It has become the footballing equivalent of Blur versus Oasis. Mention one on social media and almost immediately the other will be raised as a rebuttal. It has become impossible to mention Messi without Ronaldo, and vice versa. There are vociferous camps on either side whose primary purpose appears not to be the championing of their idol, but the cutting down of his rival.

Right now, we are witnessing two players at their peak. Messi and Ronaldo might be in their 30s, but they have never been more effective than they are at this moment. They are very different players, though. Messi is the ultimate playmaker, while Ronaldo is the ultimate goalscorer. There's very little point in comparing them. There's very little point in being so tribal.

This writer has been guilty of indulging such comparisons too, because to draw parallels between the two greatest players of our times is sometimes irresistible. But as Messi and Ronaldo enter the twilight of their careers, we should all try harder resist. These guys won't be around forever. We must cherish them while we have them, while we can bask in their brilliance on a weekly basis. We will never see an era like this ever again.

There's no doubt that the pair have been pushed forward in their careers by each other. In the right spirit, their rivalry is something to be enjoyed. Too frequently, though, it turns sour, not between the two players themselves, but those who attach themselves to Messi and Ronaldo as super fans. There exists a micro-culture around the pair that football could do without.

This season could still hold defining achievements for Messi and Ronaldo. On current form, the latter is leading Real Madrid to a third successive Champions League title, while the former faces a career litmus test in Russia this summer. In his homeland, Messi will never be considered on a par with the great Diego Maradona until he has won the World Cup. It may be that 2018 is a watershed year for both, so let's do our best to enjoy it.

The home fans present at the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday night could have made rude gestures and screamed abuse at Ronaldo after his goal. After all, the Portuguese forward is often greeted in this way upon scoring away from home. But instead they allowed themselves to enjoy what was an incredible footballing moment. We could all learn something from that.