ADMIRE RONALDO MASTERY BUT IGNORE TALK OF COMPLETENESS

Former Spain international Marcelino is the latest to heap praise on the magnificent Portuguese by calling him "the most complete player in the history of football". Amazing as Ronaldo is, this praise does not offer a true reflection of what he brings to the ballpark.

D. Ray Morton, 6th October 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the amazing seem routine again last night with yet another Liga trifecta, this time against Basque side Athletic

Cristiano Ronaldo was on fire again last night as Real Madrid thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu with their main man netting another hat-trick to make it a remarkable 13 goals in 6 Liga appearances this season so far. Former Newcastle United and Spain centre-half, Marcelino, was the latest to heap admiration on CR7 stating that he is the most complete player in the history of football.

Ronaldo is indeed incredible. As an attacking force, there are few things he does not do perfectly. His athleticism is unquestionable and he has one of the strongest mentalities in the modern game in terms of always seeking perfection and bettering himself. There is, however, a pitfall when you refer to Ronaldo as being "complete" and it actually takes away from realising what he does best.

There is an old tale about Ronaldo's time at Manchester United. Showing off his latest trick to the lads in training, a wily Paul Scholes watched on in amusement. Ronaldo had, perhaps, just demonstrated a flashy step-over or an incredible juggling act to Scholes and co. and the old, red-headed midfield conductor decided to teach the young pup a lesson. Spotting a set of long distance targets at least forty yards away, Scholes proceeded to plant three lofted passes precisely onto each. Ronaldo's jaw dropped in amazement as it was something he could not replicate and probably still could not to this day.

Paul Scholes, a former teammate of Ronaldo's, could dictate the midfield tempo and pick a pass the way the Portuguese can not
 

This is no criticism of Ronaldo as his position on the pitch these days usually does not require such an attribute but it does indicate that there are players who can do things he simply does not and can not do. This is the beauty of football. If you are to argue that a player is complete, should that not mean he can play in every outfield position on the pitch à la ex-Barcelona (now manager) and Spain's Luis Enrique? Should it mean that they have every attribute a footballer needs at an on-average higher level than everyone else? And yes, that does include tackling.

Ronaldo, more accurately, could be described as the most complete attacking player of all-time though there are those who might argue that legendary Dutchman Marco van Basten or Brazil's Ronaldo, El Fenómino, deserve that recognition. There are attackers with better positioning than CR7 and there are definitely players with much higher work-rate, aggression and the ability to sacrifice themselves for their team-mates. A player like Luis Suárez, who joined Liga rivals Barcelona this season, demonstrates that level of ruthless doggishness which Cristiano does not. Can he weave through those tiny spaces like Lionel Messi? Does Ronaldo have the characteristics, for example, to really improve the players around him in the Portuguese national team? Recent World Cup evidence suggests not so much though his overloaded schedule last season is worth considering when making that judgement.

So let us drop these silly remarks about who is the most complete in the history of football because the point does not make a whole lot of sense. Admire this incredible player for what he brings and do not dwell on the idea of "completeness" because as fallible humans, no-one is complete.

REAL MADRID IMPRESSIVE IN SUPER CUP VICTORY

The defending European champions were commanding in their UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla in Cardiff last night with most of their big names impressing and sending out a message to all their rivals for the coming season.

D. Ray Morton, 13th August 2014.

Another two goals but a new medal for Cristiano Ronaldo to collect as he had never won the UEFA Super Cup before last night

Real Madrid sank Sevilla by two goals to nil in UEFA's bonus competition yesterday evening thanks to a routine brace from their star Cristiano Ronaldo despite fears that the Portuguese may not have been at 100% after a World Cup summer and a niggling knee injury. The FIFA Balon d'Or winner appeared to be in fine form though not yet at his very peak. He combined well with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) front three retained from last season. Bale's assist for the first goal was a thing a of beauty. A deep, swirling cross that got away from Sevilla's goalkeeper Beto and fell neatly onto the boot of Ronaldo after an explosive run from deep. Ronaldo may have been on the score-sheet but Bale's speed and all-round energy was the stand-out talking point, the Welshman looking fresh having not been at the World Cup.

James Rodríguez also made his competitive début last night. The €80m Colombian had a relatively quiet game in all honesty and did not set the Cardiff City stadium alight. He found himself forced out wide on occasions and did not function in the 4-2-3-1 shape Ancelotti had gone with. Last season, Real usually went with a 4-3-3 without a number 10 involved. Karim Benzema, who was the spearhead of the attack, looked busy but Real could easily open their chequebook again this summer, sign the likes of Monaco's Falcao and become a genuinely unstoppable force.

The deeper midfield two of Luka Modric and other newcomer Toni Kroos worked very well. It will take a while for the pair to understand each other but had an easy night pinging the ball between each other against a side that did not have a midfield capable of competing. Modric and Kroos prefer to be on the ball and Ancelotti has options within his squad when he needs his team to play with a bit more defensive-minded grit. Although they will enter the Champions League as favourites, this is still not possession-hogging machine like Guardiola's Barcelona which defended by not having to defend but by suffocating the opposition in not letting them have the ball.

Toni Kroos with an impressive début and could be the player to take this Madrid midfield to an even higher level


Iker Casillas and the back four of Daniel Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Fábio Coentrão remain as the potential weakness but apart from some bouts of indiscipline, it is hardly a back-line to be sniffed at. The unused squad is also brimming with talent although some of the players' futures are up in the air at the moment. The club are still looking to sell Ángel di María in order to recoup some funds to cover their other signings. Only at Real could such a great player, arguably their man of the match in the Champions League final, be offloaded just to balance the books. Keylor Navas, one of the new signings and Costa Rican World Cup hero, may eventually take Casillas' place between the sticks and then there is Raphaël Varane who can develop to be a better player than Ramos or Pepe. Xabi Alonso and Isco will stick around though they are not expected to start many games and then there is Sami Khedira whose future has not been decided. His contract is out at the end of the season but he may yet stick around and leave on a Bosman. José Mourinho at Chelsea is an admirer and is rumoured to have advised the German international against a move to cross-city rivals Arsenal.

Many things to ponder but what a luxury of resources Los Blancos have going into 2014/15. La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will know that they will have to be at their very best in order to make any attempt at a title challenge against such a multimillion Euro powerhouse. Barça are hardly being frugal themselves but must still look on with awe at Real's potential best XI. Teams with hopes of Champions League glory must also stare upwards at the Bernabéu club, their wealth of riches and individual talents unmatched anywhere in world football right now.

THE GREAT MYTH OF GERMANY

THE GREAT MYTH OF GERMANY

D. Ray Morton, 27th March 2014.

Our poll here at Soccer Stash shows Germany as the majority favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. The home side themselves are the bookmakers' favourites so the inclination that Germany might triumph next summer displays the diverse opinions of this site's readers. Whether they're "football hipsters" or pragmatists, Germany seem to be the team in this little pocket of the internet anyway.

This is puzzling to me to say the least. Now don't get me wrong, Germany have a fine side packed full of quality players but there's very little they've done that can convince me they stand a chance of winning the World Cup outright. The main thing to examine here is their record in recent tournaments. Naturally, Germany always qualify comfortably. Due to the UEFA seedings system in qualification groups, the Germans will rarely have to face top opposition before the main tournaments begin. For this World Cup, they qualified easily out of a weak group that only contained Sweden and the Republic of Ireland as possible banana skins.

Once qualified for their last major competition, Euro 2012, they were impressive in the group stage beating Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark by a single goal on each occasion to get through quite easily. They swept aside Greece 4-2 in the quarter-finals which set up their semi-final clash against Italy. Though many people had tipped the Germans to defeat the azzurri, they failed on the big occasion and got walloped 2-1 thanks to a magnificent performance from Mario Balotelli. This continued Germany's awful record against Italy in major competitions where they have never successfully defeated them. Not once. Indeed, Italy are Germany's bogey team.

Two years previously, at World Cup 2010, Germany failed at the penultimate hurdle again. As usual, they got through their group but did lose to Serbia in the process. They thumped a typically inadequate English team 4-1 in the second round and hammered the most disorganised of Argentinas in the quarters. But yet again, as soon as they faced sturdy opposition with a real game plan, they were found wanting. Eventual winners Spain passed them off the pitch to defeat them 1-0 in the semi-final. This was a repeat of the Euro 2008 final where, again, Spain were just too good for die Mannschaft.

Turning attention to the German domestic league, don't let last season's all-German Champions League final fool you. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund may have locked horns over Europe's elite club competition but the German game is nowhere near as advanced as the game in Spain, England and even Italy. Though the Bundesliga has totted up some impressive UEFA co-efficient points to make it Europe's third-ranked league behind the Premier League and La Liga, most of the teams competing in that league are very average.

Bayern Munich have already won the German league this season and it's not even April. Last season, they won the league so easily they decided to refund their season ticket holders. This season, Dortmund never challenged them. Bland teams like Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen pretended to but never even got a sniff in either. German clubs are balancing their books well which is admirable and average attendances are impressive but the league still lacks quality when compared to other European top flights.

There are at least four other leagues that are arguably superior than the Bundesliga. No other league matches the pace, intensity and investment of the English Premier League. Technically, Spanish football is miles ahead of anyone else. In terms of tactics and rigid defensive systems, Serie A is still highly competitive. Many professional players believe the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would never score as many goals as they do if they had to face defences like that week-in, week-out. I could imagine them both scoring significantly more in Germany especially if either played for Bayern. And then there's the French league which has Paris St. Germain and Monaco, two nouveau riche potential super-clubs.

The one thing German football has going for it this season is Bayern and no doubt, they're an awesome team. They have Manchester United in the Champions League next which, based on the Old Trafford club's form this season, should be a formality. Whether Bayern can complete back-to-back Champions League wins is anyone's guess but bookies are currently placing them as favourites. Dortmund are still in there too but not many are giving them a chance.

Switching focus back to the national team, which was the point of this article, there are some key problem areas in Germany's best starting XI. Most worrying is the decline in form of Mesut Özil which I have previously discussed. First-choice striker is another conundrum with Miroslav Klose showing his age and Mario Gómez still having not found top form after missing a lot of the season through injury. Also, Per Mertesacker is their first-choice centre back as Mats Hummels hasn't developed into the world beater everybody expected he'd be. Mertesacker is good positionally but surely his mobility will be tested by pacey strikers in the searing heat of Brazil next summer.

So, expect Germany to do well at the World Cup but don't expect them to win it. They have good players, depth and an attractive playing style but when it comes to the crunch matches against the top teams, their record is still questionable. Can they break they hex? We shall see.

REAL MADRID LOSE AT SEVILLA WHILST BARCELONA LOSE VALDÉS

REAL MADRID LOSE AT SEVILLA WHILST BARCELONA LOSE VALDÉS

D. Ray Morton, 27th March 2014.

Last night marked a crucial turning point in the race for the Liga BBVA crown with title hopefuls Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona all in action. Atléti and Barça played at home against Granada and Celta Vigo respectively and both secured three points each as Real fell to a 2-1 away defeat to Sevilla. The Sevilla fixture always looked like it might be a spanner in the works for Carlo Ancelotti's men. Despite taking an early lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, Sevilla got the visitors on the back foot and managed two goals from Carlos Bacca to send the side from the capital packing. Three crucial points dropped and confusion all-round.

Atlético struggled against Granada but managed to win ugly thanks to another goal from their profilic Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa. Barcelona picked up a routine win against Celta Vigo at Camp Nou but their 3-0 rout had the gloss taken off it when goalkeeper Victor Valdés was stretchered off in the first half with a serious knee injury brought about whilst saving a free kick. It is thought to be a cruciate knee ligament injury which will keep him out for at least six months meaning that last night, as he will leave the club in the summer, was his last ever match for Barça. Set to miss the World Cup also, it has been the cruelest of injuries for a keeper that has found his very best form this season. José Manuel Pinto came on to deputise for Valdés but one wonders whether the 38 year-old back-up goalie will be good enough to get los culés past tougher challenges as the season reaches its climax. A brace from Neymar and another from Lionel Messi ensured the Catalans at least got the three points to keep their title charge going.

Each of the three challenging teams have their concerns. Atléti managed to win last night but the struggle in which they dispatched Granada might indicate that Diego Simeone's side are burning out. Barça lost Valdés which could be a huge psychological blow and Real simply bottled it against Sevilla in a game that prospective league champions ought to win.

Atléti have a one-point lead over Barça and have to play them at Camp Nou on the final day of match fixtures. Should both teams finish on level points, it will come down to head-to-head record. When both sides faced each other in Madrid in November, it finished 0-0. Real have left themselves in a bad situation in that they now have to finish a clear point ahead of the other two in order to clinch the title. Atléti and Barça have superior head-to-head records against Real.

Bookmakers are giving Barcelona the edge and still give Real Madrid a better chance than Atlético despite their loss last night. The clubs' run-in fixtures are as follows:

Atlético Madrid: vs. Atheltic Bilbao (away), Villarreal (home), Getafe (away), Elche (home), Valencia (away), Levante (away), Malaga (home), Barcelona (away).

Barcelona: vs. Espanyol (away), Real Betis (home), Granada (away), Athletic Bilbao (home), Villarreal (away), Getafe (home), Elche (away), Atlético Madrid (home).

Real Madrid: vs. Rayo Vallecano (home), Real Sociedad (away), Almeria (home), Valladolid (away), Osasuna (home), Valencia (home), Celta Vigo (away), Espanyol (home).

Barcelona's run-in looks like the easiest of the three but the way this title race has jumped back and forth, there can be no guarantees. Valdés' injury is a huge loss but Real Madrid may already have blown it with their most recent brace of defeats. Let's not count out Atlético. Despite showing signs of fatigue, they still lead the table and very much have everything in their own hands. It's as simple as win every game and you've won the league.

BARÇA EDGE SENSATIONAL CLÁSICO

BARÇA EDGE SENSATIONAL CLÁSICO

D. Ray Morton, 24th March 2014.

Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 4-3 at the Santiago Bernabéu last night in a remarkable match that keeps the Liga BBVA title race running with only one point separating the top three teams. Atlético Madrid did their part earlier on in the evening by dispatching Real Betis with a 2-0 away win thanks to goals from Gabi and Diego Costa. That set the stage for a mouth-watering clásico with Barcelona desperately needing a win to keep their title challenge going. Depending on how you see it, it was either the game of the season or a game of tactical warfare involving several incidents where both sides did their best to deceive the referee, Alberto Undiano.

Barcelona opted to field the same team that brushed aside Manchester City in the Champions League with Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas all starting as Neymar got the nod ahead of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro.

The idea was to dominate possession, as the Catalans did, by fielding as many of their creative midfield talents as possible rather than the speedy wingers which could be used as impact substitutions later on in the match. Real Madrid also fielded a very strong eleven with Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Angel Di Maria playing as Carlo Ancelotti's midfield three behind the dynamic front trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

Many tipped Real to dominate proceedings before kick-off pointing to their impressive record of 15 wins, 3 draws and no defeats in the league since losing to Barca at Camp Nou early on in the season. The Catalans were keeping shtum about a record of their own, however, and that was Lionel Messi having outscored and outperformed Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo so far in 2014.

The first half was a cracker. Neymar and Benzema exchanged early efforts with Ronaldo attempting to buy a penalty kick from Dani Alves several minutes later. Iniesta drew first blood in the 7th minute finishing beautifully with his left foot after being played in with an incisive Messi through ball to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Neymar, Messi and Benzema had several chances for their respective teams but it was the work of Madrid's Di Maria that really caught the eye. Despite collapsing in an unnerving manner after creating Benzema's headed equaliser to make it 1-1, the Argentine winger was everywhere and tormented los culés down the left flank. He continuously took advantage of the space left by Alves and was a real nuisance to deal with. He assisted a second for Benzema within four minutes, the French striker with a neat nods 'n' vols style finish to give the home side a 2-1 lead.

The first half refused to relent as Real continued to storm forward hoping to extend their lead and put the game beyond doubt. Di Maria continued to run his socks off and if Benzema's finishing had been more consistent throughout, they may well have put daylight between them and their rival visitors. They didn't take their opportunities and were punished just before half-time when Messi pounced upon Real's hesitance in the penalty area and fired home a neat, bottom corner finish to undo what should have been a very good first half for Real. 2-2 HT and Di Maria having the game of his life.

Messi's first half strike meant that he had overtaken Alfredo Di Stéfano's 18 clásico goals but it was Real who struck next thanks to some poor officiating. In the 55th minute, Ronaldo was fouled by Alves outside the box when referee Undianco believed the contact had happened inside. The Portuguese stepped up to the spot and fired his side ahead with ease to give Real a 3-2 lead as things looked ominous in the title race.

Barcelona refused to die however and they fought back ten minutes later. Messi played another superb through-ball into the path of Neymar's sprint as Sergio Ramos came in with the clumsiest of challenges to earn his 19th career red card and a penalty for the Catalans. Messi copied Ronaldo's effort down the other end. 3-3.

With Real reduced to ten men, the complection of the game changed vastly. Real were no longer as much of a threat on the counter attack and Barca, already dominant in possession, now suffocated Ancelotti's side by continuously moving the ball left to right and exhausting the men in white shirts. Pedro replaced Neymar and Alves hit the post and eventually, Tata Martino's side won their second penalty of the game as Alonso bundled into Iniesta as he tussled with Daniel Carvajal inside the area. Messi made no mistake. 4-3 to Barcelona and what a climax to the game.

So 4-3 to Barcelona and the title race has been blown wide open. The Madrid sides are a point above them but Atlético must visit Camp Nou on the final day and Real must hope to maintain that one point lead over Barca as their head-to-head record is now inferior should they finish on level points. It should be a fantastic run-in no matter how you look at it. Each of the last nine remaining league matches are vital and any dropped points could spell disaster for each of the three teams.

Player Ratings:

Real Madrid:

López 6.5; Carvajal 6.0, Pepe 6.5, Ramos 5.0, Marcelo 6.0; Xabi Alonso 6.0, Modric 6.5, Di Maria 9.0; Ronaldo 6.5, Benzema 8.0, Bale 6.5. Subs: Varane 6.0, Isco -.

Barcelona:

Valdes 7.0; Dani Alves 6.5, Pique 6.0, Mascherano 6.5, Jordi Alba 6.0; Busquets 6.5, Xavi 7.0, Iniesta 8.5; Fabregas 7.0, Messi* 9.5, Neymar 7.5 Subs: Pedro 6.5, Alexis -.

* = man of the match

ALEX SONG HAS BEEN A DISASTER SIGNING FOR BARCELONA

ALEX SONG HAS BEEN A DISASTER SIGNING FOR BARCELONA

D. Ray Morton, 24th February 2014.

How statistics can be deceptive. This weekend, after 31 straight unbeaten games, Alex Song was involved in his very first Liga BBVA loss as Barcelona fell to a 3-1 away defeat at the Anoeta against Real Sociedad. It makes it sound as though their lucky charm finally expired. This is not the case, however. Since signing for the Catalan giants in the summer of 2012 from Arsenal, Song has been used as a squad player despite his €19m price tag. In signing him, Barca felt they could fill up to three squad positions from central midfielder to the anchor man position and also as a makeshift centre back in the manner which Javier Mascherano can occupy such roles.

In his year and a half at the club, Song has mainly only been rotated into seemingly easier league matches. He has never been first choice in any of his supposed roles. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas usually contend for the two central midfield positions and Sergi Busquets has owned the defensive midfield pivot since he was promoted into the first team by former manager Pep Guardiola. Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, when both are available, have been their first-choice centre halves and the aforementioned Mascherano had also provided cover and is now probably a fixture in their strongest XI.

This doesn't leave Song with much to do. Barca have looked sluggish whenever he has had to fill a midfield role and they have looked out-and-out shaky when he has been asked to fill in at the back. The club have made bad defensive signings in recent years, €25m flop Dmytro Chygrynskiy being a prime example, but he was promptly offloaded back to Shaktar Donetsk. It is something a puzzler that Song did not meet the same end as Arsene Wenger could well have been open to taking him back at the Emirates.

His performance on Saturday night was abject. Fielded in one of the more advanced midfield positions beside Iniesta, Song was still at fault for Barca's first conceded goal on 32 mins. Gorka Elustundo managed to rise for a header which took a heavy deflection off the badly-positioned Song to register what went down as an own goal to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Barca's talisman, Lionel Messi, managed to equalise soon afterwards with a beautifully struck left-foot shot from just outside the box but the Catalans laboured in the second half after their trip to Manchester in mid-week and conceded two just before the hour to the impressive Antoine Griezmann and the other from Zurutuza. With that, Song was hauled off for Fabregas to try and save the game.

But to no avail. Barca dropped three points and now Real Madrid lead the Liga BBVA table thanks to a 3-0 home win against Elche as cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid collapsed to a 3-0 away defeat at Osasuna. The title race is extremely close this season in Spain. Many people are predicting it to come down to the final set of fixtures where Barcelona will have to face Atletico Madrid. It is expected to come right down to the wire and one wonders whether Barca will live to regret the three points dropped against Sociedad when such a fate could well have been avoided had they fielded a smarter starting line-up. The finger of blame doesn't lie squarely on Alex Song but he has certainly made himself a fine nomination for being the end of season scapegoat.

5 POINT EUROPEAN FOOTBALL WEEKEND ROUND-UP

1) ARSENAL ARE NOT TITLE CONTENDERS

Saturday's lunchtime game provided us with the best evidence yet that Arsenal are not quite up to scratch when it comes to being Premier League contenders. They were demolished by Liverpool at Anfield with two headed goals from Martin Skrtel, Raheem Sterling with a brace of his own and Daniel Strurridge with another in a heavy 5-1 defeat. Liverpool absolutely swamped a shellshocked Arsenal who were, incredibly, 4-0 down after only twenty minutes. Many expected for the Gunners not to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City and this was all the evidence required. Liverpool can only be delighted with the result as it stengthens their push to cement one of those top four spots. And speaking of the top four...

2) EVERTON'S RUN MAY BE OVER

Tottenham were able to brush aside Everton with a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane on Sunday in a game generally dominated by the Merseysiders until Emmanuel Adebayor's strike half-way through the second half. From there on in, Everton seemed to switch off and had no reply to offer despite Spurs never really having to play very well. The North London club don't exactly look like Champions League material either. A good result no doubt but the performance was poor at times and the team's shape was all over the place. Aaron Lennon was fielded as a right winger with no real equivalent on the left. It was very much a case of just lumping together a starting XI and hoping for the best. Their prayers were answered in the shape of an unextaordinary victory. Whatever about Tottenham's failings this season season however, just have a look at...

3) POOR LITTLE MANCHESTER UNITED

It's genuinely hard to analyse such a mess at this point. Watching Sunday's game between Manchester United and Fulham was something of a circus. Fulham went to Old Trafford to defend and defend they did as centre halves John Heitinga and youngster Brad Burn rejected cross after cross after cross, more than seventy in total! United's "Hail Mary" repetition of the same thing over and over again seems comical in hindsight but it very nearly got them the win...at home against the worst team in the Premier League!

Steve Sidwell gave the away side the lead in the first half, against the run of play, thanks to a fine assist from loanee Lewis Holtby. Fulham proceeded to batten down the hatches and defend incredibly deep. Late in the second half, United managed to overturn the deficit with a flurry of two goals from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick only 82 seconds apart. Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen appeared defeated afterwards until United somehow conspired to concede a ridiculous counter attack with practically the last action of the match. Kieron Richardson broke down the left and tested David de Gea only for substitute Darren Bent to nod home the rebound from close range. David Moyes pleaded that his side really deserved to win the game afterwards but was anyone even listening anymore? What will it actually take for him to be shown the door this season? Is he completely immune from the sack? If so, the United board have lost their marbles.

4) HAZARD SHOWS BALO HE'S THE BEST YOUNG PLAYER AROUND

As Chelsea brushed aside Newcastle United 3-0 thanks to a superb hat-trick from Eden Hazard, over in Italy, AC Milan and Mario Balotelli were preparing for an away trip to Rafa Benitez' Napoli. As the Rossoneri slumped to a miserable 3-1 defeat despite Adel Taraabt's debut goal, Balotelli was substituted and cried his eyes out whilst sitting on the bench. Balo has all the attributes to be a great player. Technically and physically, he has no flaws to speak of. His mentality, however, is preventing him from excelling the way a young player of his talents should. There is such a gulf in maturity between Balotelli and someone like Hazard. The Belgian, under Jose Mourinho, is growing up quickly and dominating the Premier League. Meanwhile, Balotelli sulks, picks up yellow cards, fails to cover ground for his teammates and cries when things go badly. After EURO 2012, Balotelli was the name of everyone's lips but his progress has stalled and the improvement in the likes of Hazard only illustrate his failings furthermore. I would contend that Hazard is the world's best player under the age of 24 right now.

5) BARCA TAKE THE REINS IN SPAIN AGAIN

In Spain's three horse title race, Barcelona and Real Madrid both picked up wins against Sevilla and Villarreal respectively whilst Atletico Madrid fell to a 2-0 away defeat at lowly Almeria. Diego Simeone's men were frustrated by the Andalucians and conceded two late on after laying siege to the home side's goal for the majority of the game. Perhaps their high intensity style is now taking its toll as the large squads of Barca and Real can hoover up wins despite not being at their very best. Barcelona were especially erratic on Sunday night in Seville. Known for being the hottest city in Europe, last night it was not as the heavens opened up meaning the game was played in a swimming pool of sorts. Barca started badly with go-to guys Xavi and Lionel Messi both looking unusually sloppy.

Alberto Moreno gave Sevilla a deserved lead only for the Catalans to equalise through Alexis Sanchez off a set-piece that clearly should've been given as offside once the replays were shown. Just before half-time, Messi fired home a sumptuous left-footer as the visitors lead despite the deluge. The second half became more of a cruise with Messi and Andres Iniesta in particular, really finding their feet and playing some great stuff. Messi scored the third and substitute Cesc Fabregas added a fourth late on to give Barca the lead at the top of La Liga for now. They're still not entirely convincing but with Atletico falling away and Real still not looking entirely complete either, I would not bet against Los Cules from retaining their title.

D. Ray Morton, 10th Ferbruary 2014.

MESSI LOSING HIS PASSION AND HOW TO FIX IT

This week it was suggested by ex-Barcelona assistant manager, Angel Cappa, that Lionel Messi may be losing his passion for the game after a decade as a senior player at an elite level. Cappa's ominous words may be based on the Messi's last few months of injury struggles and a lack of goals in recent weeks since his recovery. Having dropped the Ballon d'Or to arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo must also hurt. Realistically however, Messi is just 26 so he should be entering the very peak of his career.

Some changes have occured at Barcelona which explain Messi's turbulent 2013. Tito Vilanova had been appointed as Pep Guardiola's successor in the managerial hotseat and his forced resignation due to his battle with cancer certainly left a painful scar with the entire squad. They managed to secure the La Liga title last term but some serious psychological damage was done in their 7-0 aggregate defeat to eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich in the semi-final. An injured Messi featured in the second leg, a desperate move for a player with a damaged hamstring who should not have been on the pitch that night.

That aside, 2014 is a fresh start for Leo. Regaining his fitness and form, Barcelona have a big few months ahead with a three-way title race domestically against Real and Atletico Madrid and a mouth-watering clash against Manchester City in the Champions League ahead. Messi could dispell Cappa's comments by helping the Catalans beat City with authority but if not, big doubts will start to creep into his mind in this World Cup year. Argentina have some incredible attacking players and are generously placed as second favourites to win in Brazil next summer by many bookmakers but they have a terrible tendency to underachieve at World Cups and should they flatter to deceive again, Messi will take the bulk of the blame. Since the appointment of Alejandro Sabella as Argentine head coach, Messi's international form has improved vastly and hopes are being pinned on him to lead them to glory like Diego Maradona did in 1986. 2014 could map out the rest of Messi's career.

So how do Barcelona improve Messi for now? Getting Xavi and Andres Iniesta back to their best could help. With the recent form of Thiago Alcantara at Bayern Munich, Barca must be ripping their hair out in frustration at letting such a midfield talent go. Although Messi can win games on his own, having a midfield pass master in behind him can be of huge benefit. Barca don't manipulate possession as effectively under Tata Martino's management. Their style is more direct this season and perhaps it is to Messi's goalscoring detriment. Getting Neymar fit and back in the team should also boost La Pulga Atomica. His youthful enthusiasm and creativity can only benefit their front line. Their next game is this Sunday in the league, a tricky away trip to Sevilla. Messi needs to get on the scoresheet and help his side to a win there or else speculation about his status as the greatest player of his generation will continue to increase. Messi always rises to the challenge. This is just the latest one.

D. Ray Morton, 7th February 2014.

@D_Ray_Morton