Derby Loss

So, Real Madrid lost to Atletico Madrid at home, courtesy of Diego Costa's 11th minute goal. I wasn't surprised at this loss, but disappointed. There wasn't any surprise because what has happened over the last few games with Real Madrid, happened even in this game. So, there was nothing to be surprised about. And Atletico played just like the way anyone thought they would play.

The first thing that wasn't a surprise is what everybody knew - how Atletico would approach the game, their style of play, their man attacking threat. Carlo Ancelotti knows, Zidane knows, the players know, I know and the whole world knows. I will tell you their style of play. They played physically - attacked every ball in their own half, tackled hard, quickly closed down the player without giving him any space or time and ran tirelessly. Even I know this because I happened to watch both legs of Super Copa Espana between Atletico and Barcelona. First leg at Atletico, both the teams scored a goal, meaning Barcelona has one away goal. At Camp nou, Atletico played very rough, Barcelona with all it's tiki-taka style couldn't penetrate Atleti's defence. There were  many fouls by Atleti's players, but nevertheless, not a single goal for Barcelona's side. So, there was clear knowledge as to how Atletico would approach the game. And then, coming into this match, Diego Costa was in super form, joint top scorer in La Liga alongside Messi. You would assume that he would be tightly marked and not given any time on the ball. But no, that's not the case. When Di Maria looses the ball in midfield and Koke passed the ball to Diego Costa, there was no one marking him, very poor positioning by Pepe and Arbeloa. He would be Atletico's release man, and boy, what a game did he have. I've read that he was some how involved in entire Real's back four getting yellow cards and now that I think of it, I realise it's true.

Elche 1 - 2 Real Madrid

So, Match day 6 was over and Real was very fortunate to win that game against Elche. Sergio Ramos could've been sent off for his second bookable offence, but he stayed on till the end. Then late in injury time, Elche equalised. As far as I remember, it took them 3 passes for scoring, first was a long ball from Elche goal keeper to some one in the left wing, second pass was by that player on the left wing who played the ball to the one who assisted the goal scorer and the third pass was the assist itself. I don't know where Carvajal, Arbeloa, Pepe and our central defensive midfielders were and no matter how quickly Elche came forward, our defenders should have been able to deal with them. But it wasn't so and they equalised. From 80th minute I was sitting tight and was afraid that Elche might equalise and we might end up loosing 2 points. And that commentator kept on saying that Boakye scored a goal in injury time in last game and might fancy his chances in this game. And his words came true, that Boakye guy did score the goal in injury time. I wonder what homework did Real Madrid do regarding this guy, when they knew that he was known for scoring last minute goals. After Elche's equaliser, the game's almost over, but just then Real won a corner and I guess Illarra took it and it seemed to me that Pepe was fouled in the box. But he wasn't, the replays showed that it wasn't a foul and not a penalty. Anyway, the penalty was converted by Ronaldo.

Monthly Update

I know I wrote a post this month, but it feels like long back. I don't know why. May be because a lot of things happened so fast this month. So, lets see what's interested me this month.

First, I am  very sad that Real didn't play well against Villarreal. It was promoted to top division this season and played very well, but I expected Real to win this match. Now, we are 2 points behind Barcelona and Athletico, although I am sure that we would overtake Athletico at some point, no matter how well they have been playing. Second, the moment of the UCL match day 1 is Ronaldo's third goal, a spectacular one. To be honest, I never thought Ronaldo could dance past three defenders all alone and put one in the goal post, but I was proved wrong and I am happy to be. Third, I am really glad to see Ozil shine at Arsenal. Whether they can win the league or not, is too early to tell, but I hope they win at least one silverware this year, be it Capital Cup or FA Cup.

Ozil to Arsenal, Kaka To Milan

Hello there...

Kaka left for Milan. I feel sad, even though I have never seen him play. When he was playing at his peaks, I didn't even start watching football. But, it feels sad, that a Ballon d'Or player is humbled because of injuries and loss of form. To be match fit and be in form for next year FIFA WC at home, he needs to play regularly and hence he moved to Milan. It's understandable and I wish him all the best.

So, the sensational news is Mesut Ozil moving to Arsenal. I am very disappointed at this unfortunate turn of events. Because after CR7, it is Ozil, whom I like most. It is surprising because, just weeks before he said, he was happy at Madrid and would like to stay at Madrid for a long time to come. Many fans are disappointed at Ozil leaving the club. Lets see why he had to leave...

Monthly update

So, let's talk about football. Actually I didn't think of writing any new post this week, but changed my mind after seeing the Super cup match between Bayern and Chelsea. Boy, What A Match. The time is 03.15AM, 31/08/2013.

First, let's see the background. The last time these two teams met, Bayern lost on their home ground to Chelsea. And this is not in just any other match. It's the Champions League FINAL. Bayern completely dominated the match, with 20+ shots on target, 20+ corner kicks, 70% possession but they managed to get only one past Cech. But Drogba with just 2 minutes left in the match equalized for Chelsea. Then in extra time, Bayern missed a penalty, blame Robben for his poor effort. And then the humiliating defeat at their own backyard to under par, bus-parking Chelsea was completed when Schweini missed from the spot-kick in the shoot-out. So, Bayern desperately want to avenge their defeat and claim the only major trophy that's missing from their trophy cabinet.

Real bt Chelsea

Yes, Real Madrid CF has beaten ex-Real manager Jose's Chelsea by three goals to one in the ICC Final. There was a lot of tension before the match. Mourinho said that Real was at this competetion because of his professionalism. Don't know if there was any pun intended or he was really mocking Real. Then he attacked Ronaldo, by claiming that he coached the original Ronaldo (R9), implication being CR7 isn't as good as R9. And lot of issues between Real's Spanish players and Mourinho. There was this one more thing, Carlo Ancelotti, the current Real manager was ex-Chelsea manager during their 2009 campaign. And with all this past history, it is not a coincidence that of all the players, the ones attacked by Mourinho put in a great performance. Ronaldo with 2 spectacular goals, Casillas with 2 fine saves, Pepe literally owning Lukaku and Ramos with a decent display.

CSP 2013 Results Out

Hello there,

So, finally UPSC released the prelims result. And Yes, I have cleared this first stage. Now, preparation for Mains in December. But first let me tell you that I was very tensed these last 2 months. After the results are out, I checked the key for the first time. I am getting around 244 marks, 86 in GS I and 158 in CSAT. Most institutions tell that the cut off may have been around 220. Any way I am very very happy clearing this first hurdle. It is some thing like an upper. I was very down these last two months, not knowing what to do, tensely waiting for results and most importantly not preparing much. So, this is kind of a relief and a morale booster and now I am full of energy and enthu to continue my preparation.

"At Bernabeu, against Real Madrid, you can never say it's over, until the final whistle". These are the words of Pep Guardiola, the famous manager of FC Barcelona under whom the club won 14 titles in 4yrs. What he was trying to tell is that at their home ground, Real can turn the tables even with just 1 minute left. Same goes for me :) Just like my favourite team, I will fight (read prepare) till the end. Even though I've wasted 2 precious months, I've got 4 more months. I am not giving up yet, and with this boost from the prelims result, I will give my best effort for Mains.

The 4 questions, I had mentioned in my earlier posts, I got all of them right. Pretty Good, isn't it? Actually, the last three days of the prelims exam I wasn't really sure I would clear the prelims and sort of gave up preparing. But then, I recalled to myself that we shouldn't give up till the final whistle and decided to prepare. Because, I felt bored of studying anything new, I thought I'll revise my notes. So, these 4 questions are from some of the stuff I happened to read those last 3 days and I am really sure that I wouldn't have gotten all of them right, had I not revised them in the last minute. So, it's proved, not that last minute preparation matters, but don't give up till the final whistle. It's all about character.

Anyway, I've to tell you that I stopped reading Argumentative Indian some days back. I wanted to have some break from this prelims tension and this book with it's discursive nature is certainly not helping. That's when I started reading 'Yes, Minister'. Oh my God, I can't tell you how good this book is. I am not that good at English, but even I find it funny. I meant to say that I understand the sarcasm, humour, witty remarks everything. Anyway, the book is about a minister and his secretary, a civil servant and how they cope with govt administration. I have downloaded the sitcom also, but I am just reading the novel from this ebook thing. I prefer to read this book than to watch the serial. All civil service aspirants out there, must surely read this book. Its funny and informative.

I know I've said, I would write some sort of suggestions list and all, but I feel like it's already out there. Many institutes, experts, seniors have said it all. I feel like I don't have anything new to say. May be, if I find something important, I'll mention. But one thing that I already know, and personally experienced is 'It's not over until the final whistle'. Really, I believe those 4 questions I've revised at the last minute helped me. Later...