So, we’re heading into the Christmas holidays on a high with a victory in the Copa Del Rey. Yes, the Barcelona loss hurt, but we’re League leaders so that’s definitely one important reason to cheer about. Now, that football has taken a backseat for a while, let’s have a look at the hottest moments of the year (this season) gone by.
Best Save – Iker vs. Sevilla
“All built on the Rock of Gibraltar that is Iker Casillas." – Ray Hudson
In football, there have been great saves and then there have been Iker’s saves. In the game vs. Sevilla, Iker proved once again to the doubters (read: Barca fans) who’s the best in the business. Let’s not take away any of the credit from him because that one wasn’t a miss, it was a save. Easily the best save of the season so far and definitely one of the best saves you’ll ever get to see in the game.
Best Upcoming Talent – Jose Maria Callejon
Boy, he’s on fire! Finishing. Awesome. Scoring Rate. Impeccable. Confidence. Truckloads of it. And the best part is that the former Espanyol man is giving Mou more options on the bench rather than selection headaches. If given the right opportunities, he’s got the potential to be a real contributor to the team for the second half of this season. As for now, Jose Maria Callejon is definitely riding the wave!
Best Dialogue – Mou, after Clasico defeat
It hurts, yes, every single Clasico defeat hurts. And Mou knew that. The perfectionist that he is, I’d not be surprised if he already had a ready list of excuses to choose from, if we happened to lose against our eternal rival. So, El Clasico came and El Clasico went and Mou parried it all away to luck! Cause at that moment, any other excuse would have tremendously irked the fans. Save your best (and safest) excuse for the worst!
Best Goal – Counter attack against Ajax
Some slick passing, brilliant off the ball movement and crazy one touch football, easily made the goal against Ajax one of the best goals in Madrid’s recent past. Ozil- Ronaldo- Kaka- Ronaldo- Ozil- Benzema – Ronaldo- GOAL!!!!!!! The best teams score the best goals and this one bears testimony to that. Definitely our best goal of the season so far.
Best Performer – Di Maria
The nimble Argentinian isn’t banging in a lot of goals but he’s raking up some exquisite assists alongwith some brilliant hard work in defending and tracking back. If in the mood, he’s got the capability to play on any part of the midfield, as shown against Sevilla where he played more of a CAM role initially. He’s the top assist man in the league and he’s doing it in style. Definitely one of my best performers this season.
So, that wraps up the half season awards for now. Who was your winner and in what category?
mou is a special and he needs to be supported..Hala madrid
Callejón and Di María are definitely the winners for me and maybe Casillas. No one else has been as consistently good, aside from Cristiano with his usual insane goal tally that only Messi can match, or come close.
Mou is also a winner. Like I commented in the other post, the Bernabeu roars its full support when he's announced, so he must be doing something right. Great post!
Here are my awards! I tried to keep the movie/theater metaphor in mind... :-)
Best player: Iker Casillas for his countless decisive saves in critical moments and his role as captain of the team.
Best supporting player: Ángel di María for his numerous assists and overall his constant effort to win back the ball.
Best director: José Mouriho for building a cohesive group, providing us with a "B-team" that's almost just as fluid as the A-team and making some players shine in unconventional positions.
Best rising star: Raphaël Varane for his surprising maturity and display of abilities in a key posiition despite his young age.
Best underrated player who should star(t) more often: José María Callejón for his conversion rate and overall positive influence on the team's attack and finishing.
Best understudy who dethroned the lead player: Sergio Ramos who earned critical and professional acclaim as a solid and trustworthy center back.
Best play building captain: Xabi Alonso for his indispensable vision and perfect passes which enable so many plays and assists.
Awesome :D I'd agree with you on that!
