Don't bet on it

Unfortunately Barça's lead is down to 6 points over the enemy and there's still everything to play for. Madrid beat the plucky Villareal 2-1; the latter leading 1-0 at half time. Madrid were pretty crap in the first half and I didn't see the second, but they obviously did something right, or had their fair share of unmeritd Madridista luck. Whatever, they won. Happily Barça saw off Malaga in fine style - 4-0, much to the disgust of Ronaldo who was boasting before the match that that he'd bet money on a draw - though he didn't say how much. The title's too early to call but with the curiously philosophical Luxemburgo - "We know that winning the championship is out of our hands" - one wonders where their animo is going to come from. Not from Ronaldo's wild card wagers I'll bet.

Paying the price

Had a charming lunch time chat with a Madridista yesterday, explaining the universal characteristics of all Gypsies - needless to say he wasn't a great fan of this particular ethnic grouping. Wasn't amused by being reminded that said group of people were on the same list for extermination as others in Nazi Germany - I think he thought I was being smart, whereas I was merely pointing out that I thought he was a neo-fascist racist. Funnily enough he had a similar attitude to the racist chanting in the Spain v England game that kicked this blog off all those weeks ago. I haven't bothered to ask him what he thought about the weekend's madridista antics - I mean what would be the point?
Throwing a flare at a goalkeeper is worth £132,000 in fines, apparently. A stadium chanting racist abuse at various black players is worth €600 (£420), on the other hand. Money isn't the answer; derisory sums make the problem seem laughable. Deduct points, make them play behind closed doors, and if that doesn't work kick them out - madridistas et al.

Not going anywhere

Actually we've been busy all week, not really depressed that Madrid gave Barça a bit of an upset - for that is what it was - last week (though we were not amused either). Not so much that Madrid were particularly good, rather that Barça were rather on the crap side, hence the goal fest. Even Princess Raul got in on the act, finally recovering that gift for being in the right place at the right time - which meant she was happy as Larry for about five minutes. That is until Owen made the much predicted move and sealed Barça's fate with the second best goal of the match (Ronaldinho's free kick taking pride of place). And where was her royal highness as the lad secured three points? - why nowhere to be seen of course, moving in the opposite direction at the speed of shite while bemoaning the increasing distance between him and this year's pichichi (see previous post). Anyway, Liverpool's progress to the semi-finals of the CL had the smile back on our faces in no time, and - again as previously predicted - the Pool becomes the "Spanish" team of choice left in the competition around here. Even madridistas agree, so that's alright then.

Unhappy campers

Here at a-m we have been aware the of the discomfort being suffered by Michael Owen. A simple, decent sort of individual from a good background, it comes as no surprise that he's having a hard time fitting in with the geriatricos. It's also been clear from the body-language of prancing prima donna Raul that the latter has been less than happy with the lad's presence. Just look at his reaction the next time Owen asks for the ball, or scores - normal response is to ignore him in both cases. One look at the statistics is enough to see why (though not to justify this kind of passive bullying): Owen's 12 league starts have generated 10 goals this season to Raul's 6 goals in a whopping 24 starts. Ronaldo has managed a more respectable 12 goals in his 24 starts. Raul used to regularly make pichichi (Spanish league's top goal scorer at the end of the season), though now he looks as though he might be past it. He also reacted particularly badly to English manager John Toshack's presence, who was not not one for massaging the ego of the likes of Princess Raul. For my money he is the embodiment of the spirit of Madridismo, and is thus particularly loathed here at a-m. So no great shock to hear that Owen wants out (he has been shouting this from the rooftops for some time), with Liverpool being his preferred destination. Here's hoping - imagine the 'Pool being drawn against Madrid in the Champions' League next year; Owen's experience and a certain acquired anti-Madridista appetite would be mesmerising stuff.
Counting down to the big one on Sunday (Madrid - Barça), we are well aware that Owen is the one most likely to cause the kind of upset we are definitely not seeking - and if he does it will be no thanks to Raul.