http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/ Guillem Balague Trinity Mirror Trinity Mirror http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Why-Real-Madrid-s-Champions-League-exit-means-Rafa-Benitez-should-expect-a-call-from-Spain-Guillem-Balague-column-article351737.html So who would take charge of a club where the President thinks the manager is of secondary importance to a team full of stars? Before the Lyon game, Perez reminded everybody that the Champions League is a part of the club's DNA.The humiliation of a Bernabeu final at which Real Madrid are mere spectators ensures Manuel Pellegrini will not be there next season. Despite talking to him last summer, Perez admits that Mourinho is not his kind of manager; Wenger has turned them down three times alrea... So who would take charge of a club where the President thinks the manager is of secondary importance to a team full of stars? Before the Lyon game, Perez reminded everybody that the Champions League is a part of the club's DNA.The humiliation of a Bernabeu final at which Real Madrid are mere spectators ensures Manuel Pellegrini will not be there next season. Despite talking to him last summer, Perez admits that Mourinho is not his kind of manager; Wenger has turned them down three times alrea... Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:00:52 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Why-Real-Madrid-s-Champions-League-exit-means-Rafa-Benitez-should-expect-a-call-from-Spain-Guillem-Balague-column-article351737.html 2010-03-12T06:00:52Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Why-the-cracks-are-starting-to-appear-in-Real-Madrid-s-make-up-Guillem-Balague-column-article351769.html As Real Madrid discovered this week, money can't buy you love or success. Brought down to earth with a bump, their explanation for the fall is that these are the growing pains of a project in its infancy. But this Champions League KO is more than that, stripping this team bare and exposing their flaws for all the world to see. We'd heard previously about Higuain's complaints that he was being denied service by the Ronaldo-Kaka double act; heard senior players warn that the forwards were too i... As Real Madrid discovered this week, money can't buy you love or success. Brought down to earth with a bump, their explanation for the fall is that these are the growing pains of a project in its infancy. But this Champions League KO is more than that, stripping this team bare and exposing their flaws for all the world to see. We'd heard previously about Higuain's complaints that he was being denied service by the Ronaldo-Kaka double act; heard senior players warn that the forwards were too i... Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:00:04 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Why-the-cracks-are-starting-to-appear-in-Real-Madrid-s-make-up-Guillem-Balague-column-article351769.html 2010-03-12T06:00:04Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/The-Guilem-Balague-Column-Forget-Franck-Ribery-Spanish-secret-weapon-Jesus-Navas-is-the-player-all-the-big-clubs-will-want-this-summer-article344137.html The battle for Franck Ribery’s signature has been portrayed as a four-way tussle between Chelsea, Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.However, there is another winger’s name I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the coming months: Jesus Navas.The 24 year old Spaniard could turn out to be Spain’s secret weapon at the World Cup and after bringing Navas off the bench for the win over France this week, the Spanish national coach is ready to unleash the player his club manager calls the be... The battle for Franck Ribery’s signature has been portrayed as a four-way tussle between Chelsea, Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.However, there is another winger’s name I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the coming months: Jesus Navas.The 24 year old Spaniard could turn out to be Spain’s secret weapon at the World Cup and after bringing Navas off the bench for the win over France this week, the Spanish national coach is ready to unleash the player his club manager calls the be... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:01:45 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/The-Guilem-Balague-Column-Forget-Franck-Ribery-Spanish-secret-weapon-Jesus-Navas-is-the-player-all-the-big-clubs-will-want-this-summer-article344137.html 2010-03-05T05:01:45Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/The-Guilem-Balague-Column-If-Shawcross-had-been-called-Santa-Cruz-or-Aldo-Duschler-and-Ramsey-Wayne-Rooney-would-the-reaction-to-that-tackle-in-England-have-been-different-article344131.html In defence of Ryan Shawcross, it’s said that his tackle on Aaron Ramsey was late but not malicious. After all, it’s part of the English game and, being English, he’s therefore honest and committed.But I wonder; if Shawcross was called Santa Cruz and Ramsey were Rooney, just how different the reaction would have been. And with a World Cup on the horizon?The persecution of Deportivo La Coruña 's Argentinian midfielder Aldo Duscher after he had injured David Beckham ahead of the 2002 tournament ... In defence of Ryan Shawcross, it’s said that his tackle on Aaron Ramsey was late but not malicious. After all, it’s part of the English game and, being English, he’s therefore honest and committed.But I wonder; if Shawcross was called Santa Cruz and Ramsey were Rooney, just how different the reaction would have been. And with a World Cup on the horizon?The persecution of Deportivo La Coruña 's Argentinian midfielder Aldo Duscher after he had injured David Beckham ahead of the 2002 tournament ... Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:47 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/The-Guilem-Balague-Column-If-Shawcross-had-been-called-Santa-Cruz-or-Aldo-Duschler-and-Ramsey-Wayne-Rooney-would-the-reaction-to-that-tackle-in-England-have-been-different-article344131.html 2010-03-05T05:00:47Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Top-players-will-be-driven-out-of-the-Premier-League-goldfish-bowl-if-they-never-get-any-privacy-Guillem-Balague-column-article335901.html All these revelations about the private lives of English players has created an interesting debate in Spain.The Spanish media can't really get their heads around the reasons for publishing the gory details of player adultery and the kiss and tell accounts of the girls involved.The view in Spain is that these players have a right to privacy and that their professional life is completely separate from the personal.Footballers don't make the best role models when it comes to showing the rest of ... All these revelations about the private lives of English players has created an interesting debate in Spain.The Spanish media can't really get their heads around the reasons for publishing the gory details of player adultery and the kiss and tell accounts of the girls involved.The view in Spain is that these players have a right to privacy and that their professional life is completely separate from the personal.Footballers don't make the best role models when it comes to showing the rest of ... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:02:53 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Top-players-will-be-driven-out-of-the-Premier-League-goldfish-bowl-if-they-never-get-any-privacy-Guillem-Balague-column-article335901.html 2010-02-26T06:02:53Z true http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Revealed-Chelsea-s-next-goalkeeper-Guillem-Balague-column-article335887.html We have a saying in Spain: 'God presses down but does not drown.'It suggests that when that when things go wrong, there can always be a way out.The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is having a nightmare after being the La Liga side's most expensive signing of the summer.  The responsibility has proven way too much for the 20-year-old Spanish stopper. He's had a shambolic defence in front of him at times, he's made mistakes and two of the three managers Atletico have had this season ha... We have a saying in Spain: 'God presses down but does not drown.'It suggests that when that when things go wrong, there can always be a way out.The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is having a nightmare after being the La Liga side's most expensive signing of the summer.  The responsibility has proven way too much for the 20-year-old Spanish stopper. He's had a shambolic defence in front of him at times, he's made mistakes and two of the three managers Atletico have had this season ha... Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:00:03 GMT http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/guillem-balague/Revealed-Chelsea-s-next-goalkeeper-Guillem-Balague-column-article335887.html 2010-02-26T06:00:03Z true