Real Madrid Showcases Brilliant Football in Yankee Stadium

Real Madrid faced European rivals AC Milan in the 2012 World Football Challenge competition at, of all places, Yankee Stadium.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Yankee Stadium as in Yankee Stadium, home of MLB powerhouse New York Yankees.  This would be the first time in 11 years that Real Madrid visited the fair city.  And what a way to celebrate their return!  Falling in suit of their previous matches, los Blancos claimed victory over their opponents, this time with an impressive 5-1 scoreline.

Ángel di María gave the Spanish side its lead at the 24' minute mark.  The Argentine took advantage of the ball Milan goalkeeper Abiatti cleared seconds earlier as it fell in front of goal.  Di María connected with a volley and Abiatti could do nothing to stop the ball from sinking into the back of net.  Madrid would not celebrate for long as Robinho scored Milan's equalizer some odd minutes later at the 33' minute mark.  Of course it would have been a set piece...

Real Madrid: Back to Work!

 

Real Madrid's 2012/13 preseason tour began yesterday in Oviedo, Spain up against Real Oviedo at Nuevo Tartiere Stadium.  The preseason began on July 16^th for the men in white – except for the Euro 2012 internationals and Marcelo (who will be playing in the Olympics) – when they returned to Valdebebas (Real Madrid City) to undergo medical examinations and begin training.  It's quite strange to be at this point of the preseason and not have any new signings, but nevertheless, the boys are back.

July 16 – Players who did not play the Eurocopa are due at Valdebebas.

July 23 – Benzema due back.

July 24 – Friendly against Real Oviedo in Oviedo.

The team will return to Madrid after the clash and remain there until the 27^th, when the men travel to Lisbon to face Benfica in the fifth edition of the Eusébio Cup.  Benfica won the Cup of Portugal and reached the UCL quarterfinals last season.

July 27 – Friendly against Benfica in Lisbon [Eusébio Cup].

The Eusebio Cup has gathered some of the best teams in the world in the last four years.  Some of those teams include AC Milan, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur.  Real Madrid poses to be the first Spanish club to participate in the tournament.

Real Madrid to come stateside to face LA Galaxy this August

Looks like los Blancos will be back on the Golden Coast to face the other galácticos, LA Galaxy.  The men will play the Los Angeles based team in a preseason friendly as part of the World Football Challenge.  The match will take place Thursday, August 2^nd, at the Home Depot Center.

This will be the fourth time Madrid faces LA Galaxy.  Perhaps the fourth time could be the charm for Galaxy?  The defending MLS Cup champions will face the recently crowned La Liga campeones.  The first time the two met was back in 2005 when current Galaxy man David Beckham wore RM's colors, the Spanish powerhouse winning 2-0.

LA Galaxy's Chief Operating Officer, Chris McGowan, had the following to say:

Champions League Draw

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The attention of world's football media zeroed in on Nyon, Switzerland this Friday, anticipating the Champions League quarter and semifinal draws.  Eight clubs from seven countries have made it through – some as familiar faces, others as Cinderella stories.

Cinderella story APOEL FC have proven to be formidable opponents this season, proving that Cypriot football can "play with the big boys" at such an elite level.  It is safe to say that not many fans would have predicted them making it this far to the last eight.  They topped Group F including UEFA Europa League holders FC Porto, Russian champions FC Zenit St. Petersburg, and last year's quarterfinalists FC Shakhtar Donetsk.  They will face La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, who have cruised through Group D, having won seven from eight games, at home in the first leg of quarterfinals.

Arsenal Dominate Against Milan but the Rossoneri Still Go Through

 

It was very nearly the comeback of the decade.

Trailing four goals to nil, the stage was set for Arsenal to regain their pride after the sorry showing at the San Siro. Few of the fans thought that it was possible to turn the tide against the Italian giants, but a lot of Gunners were hoping for something akin to a miracle. And short of one goal—just one—a miracle was almost what they got.

Injured players aside, it was apparent from the starting lineup that despite the “five percent chance of winning”, Arsene Wenger fielded a very attacking XI. The intent was clear; this was obviously not a white flag, the Gunners will come with their, er, guns a-blazing. From a corner delivered by Oxlade-Chamberlain, Koscielny’s header found the inside of Milan’s goal at the 7th minute.

Milan Power Through Arsenal in Champions League Clash

With a comeback win on Sunday against Sunderland, Arsenal seemed to have nothing left in the tank on Wednesday in San Siro, against A.C. Milan as they fell to the Italian club 4-0. The English club went into the match knowing it would be a tough game, but no one could have guessed they’d go down in the manner they did. With an injury stricken roster, Arsene Wenger’s club couldn’t find their rhythm this night and were dominated on both ends of the field.