THE FINAL THIRD

The Mourinho era at Real Madrid began with a resounding thud against Mallorca and the look on the face of Cristiano Ronaldo says it all. As all Mourinho sides do, they did not concede but in the final third they had nothing despite all that expensive firepower.

Did you just feel like Michael Bradley was everywhere on the field. It seemed like he was starting counter attacks, scoring goals, breaking up opposition plays, and clearing balls out of the defensive third. Let’s take a look at the stats.

In the first 3 matches of the World Cup ( vs. England, Slovenia, and Algeria ) Michael Bradley has run 35.56 kilometers in the Americans’ three group-stage games, or just more than 22 miles; only three players at the tournament have covered more distance (Gerardo Torrado of Mexico at 35.86, Sami Khedira of Germany at 35.87 and An Yong-hak of North Korea at 36.22).

He’s 12th in the tournament in distance covered while his team is in possession (13.52 kilometers) — more, for example, than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

He’s tied for second in the tournament at tackles made to gain possession (four), and tied for fourth at “recovered balls” (six).

You can always debate styles of play or decision making but you just can’t argue with the stats. For anyone that follows the US team you know how serious Bradley is about the game and his career, this can only be good for the future of the US team. He is not only one of the best US players he ranks as one of the top box to box midfielder’s in the world.

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“Wayne came into the competition placed on the same podium as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and thought he could eclipse them. He believes the team should be built around him. And that’s what Capello has attempted to do, even though it’s meant Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard playing in a system that doesn’t suit them. But he’s done nothing to justify his billing. Instead, he’s been strutting around like a preening prima donna and having a go at the fans he’s letting down so badly.” – An England “source” to the News of the World.

Nike Heroes of Speed short featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.

He’s not scared by being always in the spotlight. He’s not worried by the weight of responsibilities. He’s not affected by the pressure. That’s because his daring and ambitious, right, but also because he deeply loves football: every Cristiano Ronaldo’s move is passionate a love letter for the game.

Confident as you would expect, Jose Mourinho was introduced in Madrid on Monday and had plenty to say.

A confident Jose Mourinho said he will need only two years to win the Champions League with Real Madrid after he was officially unveiled as the Spanish giants’ new coach on Monday.

Mourinho joined Real on a four-year deal in the wake of leading Inter Milan to an historic treble of successes in Italy’s Serie A championship, the Italian Cup and Champions League.

And after replacing Manuel Pellegrini, sacked last week after a barren season having spent €250 million on new players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso, Mourinho feels he can do far better than the 56-year-old Chilean.

“The second year is key, it is the year when you find the right balance. It was during my second year at Chelsea that we reached the Champions League final. It was during my second year that we won the Champions League at Inter Milan,” he said.

“I want to say that we don’t need much time to build a coherent team, to build a team that meets its objectives,” the 47-year-old Portuguese coach added.

Real have been crowned kings of Europe nine times but their last Champions League triumph came in 2002.

Under Pellegrini this season Real finished runners-up to arch rivals Barcelona in the league, exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage and spectacularly crashed out of the King’s Cup to third division Alcorcon.

Mourinho said little about what changes, if any, he would bring to the squad, placing his focus on the need to forge a winning identity throughout the club.

“It’s too early to speak about changes. I believe it is time to analyse the situation, to get to know my club, ask lots of questions and get answers. I need to realise the direction of my work,” he said.

“The most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club. We are too small compared to the dimension of the club.

If we work as a group, it’s not difficult to get results.”

Mourinho made his name when he led FC Porto to the Champions League title in 2004.

A hugely successful spell followed at Chelsea, and despite leaving the club before they went on to lose the 2008 final to Manchester United he resurrected his career with Inter.

His two-year spell at the Serie A side has left him as one of the most in-demand coaches in football.

“The promise I make to Real is that I am Jose Mourinho and Jose Mourinho works hard, works well, is very dedicated and aims to break limits,” the Portuguese coach said.

“I am a coach that has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and I don’t think about the possibility of being sacked,” he added.

“I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong team for the present and the future.

“I have a lot of confidence in my players, I have the hope that my new players have confidence in me.”

Mourinho becomes Real’s 10th coach in as many seasons, during a period when their great rivals Barcelona have had just two with better results and titles.

“I am a coach that has a lot of self-esteem and confidence and I don’t think about the possibility of being sacked,” he said.

“I think four years of contract is enough to win, to build a strong team for the present and the future.

“I have a lot of confidence in my players, I have the hope that my new players have confidence in me.”

photo: DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/Getty Image

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced he will take legal action against a Spanish television program, “categorically” denying accusations he held wild parties before and after the defeat to Primera Division rivals Barcelona.

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Reports suggested Ronaldo had thrown a party the night before Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona which left Madrid three points behind the defending champions at the top of the table.

The former World Player of the Year was also alleged to have thrown another party following the loss at the Bernabeu, while several of his team-mates were apparently present at both events which lasted well into the early hours of the morning.

In a statement Ronaldo said: “It has come to my attention that in the program “Salva-Me” on Spanish television channel Telecinco, there were references made to alleged parties held at my house, one on Friday, the eve of the game against Barcelona, which reportedly lasted until five in the morning, and one on Saturday night itself, interspersed with several comments which were intolerably depreciating to my dignity and my professionalism.

“I categorically refute such accusations, which are completely false and delusional: there is really not even one iota of truth in them.

“With a game the next day, it is more than obvious that I spent Friday night resting and, on Saturday night, my spirit was anything but festive.

“Considering the gravity of the charges, I have instructed my lawyers to, without any reflection, use all legal means to restore the truth of the matter and ensure that those responsible are punished to the fullest extent legally provided.”

Ahead of their crucial match against Barcelona, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo had a lot to say.

“We are good but we are not great,” he told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s “El Classico” at home against Barcelona, the reigning European and Spanish champions.

“We know how well they play and how difficult they are to beat, but we also have our artillery. We have a good chance of winning as long as we stay focused. I am sure we will play well,” the Portuguese winger added.

“That said, I wouldn’t mind losing on Saturday as long as we win the league. What difference is there if we beat Barcelona and then lose the next two matches?”.

Real are on top of the standings on goal difference from Barcelona with eight games remaining.

Barcelona are heading into their matched buoyed by their 4-1 win at home on Tuesday over Arsenal which sent them into the Champions League semi-finals with all four of their goals supplied by their Argentine winger Lionel Messi.

Real was eliminated from the competition at the last 16 stage for the sixth successive season.

Fans are eagerly awaiting Saturday’s match to see which of the two most recent winners of the prestigious Ballon D’Or award — Messi in 2009 and Ronaldo in 2008 — will perform better.

“I am taller and wider than Messi,” Ronaldo joked when asked who will be the better player.

“He is having a great season and will now and forever be among the best players ever. But the coach and entire team also deserve credit. Messi does not play alone. He has great players by his side.

“I am working very hard, I am happy and I hope to continue feeling good. I will also be one of the best players around while I play here.”

Messi is the top scorer in the Spanish league with 26 goals while 25-year-old Ronaldo is La Liga’s fourth most prolific scorer with 18 goals.

Ronaldo does a great job of down playing the moment to relieve some of the immense pressure attached to the fixture, especially this year with the race for the title coming down to wire.

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Check out the video of the Nike GS Polo photo shoot with Cristiano Ronaldo, Joe Cole and Patrice Evra. It looks like the fit of the shirt is ridiculous, I have to make a call and get one of these. Take a look.