"Maldini" On The Money / Julio Maldonado / 16 December 2008 / Leave a comment

The man they call "Maldini" - Julio Maldonado - gives us his take on the big news stories in Spanish football from the last few weeks... and the betting consequences of them.

Let's start with the big story of the last week or so. Schuster out, Ramos in at Real Madrid. What were the main reasons behind Schuster getting the boot?

Two main reasons. The first was to do with the way Real were playing. Not so much the poor results in La Liga, every team goes through a bad patch of results, more just the erratic defending and the sheer number of goals they were conceding. In the past Casillas has been "Superman" in goal and been bailing them out of tricky situations but he's had a slight dip in form and become just a "mere mortal" and that has led to Real conceding plenty.

They've conceded more goals than all of the bottom three in La Liga and for a team like Real that's just unacceptable. Secondly, there have been ongoing issues with Schuster's "profile". He always seemed to be in a bad mood with the Media, the supporters and everyone else and had endless run-ins with the club's Directors who have clearly just had enough.

Ramos may have done wonders at Sevilla but he certainly blotted his copybook at Spurs. A strange choice to take over one of the biggest jobs in football?

What maybe hasn't been highlighted outside Spain is that he only has a six-month contract so is clearly not a long-term choice at first glance, though he may of course stay longer if he does a good job.

The Directors have acknowledged that their League chances are over with Barcelona so far ahead in terms of points and playing the way they are. Ramos' record shows he's a Cup specialist and there's no reason why if Real concentrate solely on the Champions League they can't be serious contenders under him.

At least they've recruited Huntelaar who will offer them options in attack. Was that a panic buy or just what they needed?

Very much a panic buy. Van Nistelrooy is out till virtually the end of the season and Saviola just hasn't settled to the club and the system which just leaves Raul really in terms of striking options. Apparently he's (Huntelaar) a good guy to have around the dressing room and that's a big plus at the moment, in addition to the fact that he's not cup-tied because Ajax were in the UEFA Cup. But I've watched him since he was very young and good though he is, I've seen him go missing in the big games and be intimidated by certain defenders. Unsurprisingly, one of those was Materazzi of Inter Milan!

No such problems at the Noucamp where Guardiola's boys are still flying, even though they were somewhat fortunate to win El Clasico. Do they need to dip into the market during the January transfer window?

No. Aside from Daniel Alves, Samuel Eto'o was Guardiola's big summer signing. At one stage it was looking very likely that he might leave with Real (of all clubs) actually sitting down with him at one stage to talk about a possible move. But he's playing some of the best football of his career at the moment and I'd take anything resembling evens on Betfair that he'll finish as top-scorer. But no, I can't see anyone coming through the door in January.

Barca look to have the league sewn up but are also the favourites to win the Champions League. Of their possible opponents in the next round, who would they least like to face?

They can draw Chelsea, Lyon, Arsenal or Inter. They'll want to avoid Chelsea who are by far the most aggressive of those four and who can best stop Barca playing their passing game. They won't be having sleepless nights over drawing Lyon or Arsenal but a Mourinho-coached side is always very tough so they wouldn't mind dodging Inter either at this stage.

Former Valencia coach Quique Flores is doing a pretty solid job at Benfica. Is he due a return to a big Spanish club soon?

He's been criticised on occasion for being too defensive but he's certainly getting the results at Benfica, in the league at least. They have a real chance of winning the league this year and guys like Aimar and Reyes who he knew from his time in Spain have been very influential in them getting good results. I can see him managing Real in the not-so-distant future but I can't see him managing Barca.

Xabi Alonso has been linked with several clubs recently when the transfer window opens. Is he staying or going?

Staying. Benitez knows his experience will be vital in their league and CL campaigns. Real have made enquiries about him on numerous occasions but Benitez won't let him leave for the time being.