Spain cranked up again at the weekend with its traditional late summer kick-off, taking to the stage after the rest of Europe had already started up, then complaining - in certain quarters (Madrid) that the true form of the players would not be seen until the effects of the recent World Cup had worn off. It must be bad in the other leagues then. Capello's signings have left little room for doubt as to his future vision, beefing up the defensive aspect of midfield with two strong but fairly unimaginative players in Emerson and Diarra, shoring up the back with the excellent Cannavaro, and putting faith in the different striking style of Van Nistlerooy to give back the club its competitive edge. With Beckham still not having signed the famous extension to the contract, Guti with a foot in Atlético Madrid all summer, Baptista halfway to White Hart Lane and Reyes looking more likely to move to the Calderón, the creative side of things was always likely to be the first victim.
It looks like Robinho will need to come of age this season (he started on the bench on Sunday), Raúl will need to do a bit of yoga and find the inner self again, and Ronaldo shed a few pounds and take things a tad more seriously. Unfortunately for Capello, the Brazilian is once again making contradictory noises, now saying that he's 'very happy' in Madrid, only five months after he claimed to be a miserable and misunderstood fellow, serially unloved by the bitchy Bernabéu. Maybe it's those legendary barbecues he doesn't want to have to forego, knowing, as he does, that Italians just don't party in the same way. Martini and a couple of olives sir? Do me a favore!
And speaking of things Italian, it was Cassano, last season's major disappointment, who came to the fore whilst all around were fumbling, turning in an excellent performance and earning a healthy round of applause from the yawning faithful as he made way for Guti in the 56th minute. But creativity is still not foremost in Capello's mind, as the latest gossip is that he's out to sign centre-back Ayala, who is currently in dispute with Valencia.
