Espanyol vs Real Madrid | Spanish Primera Liga | Round 25 | Preview
Real Madrid will face Espanyol tonight at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium (22:00 CET). Juande Ramos’ men want their tenth straight victory in La Liga to put more pressure on leaders Barcelona, whom Espanyol defeated last week at Camp Nou.
Real Madrid and Espanyol share a common foe: Barcelona. This has brought them close together, but their friendship is set aside twice a year when they are forced to come face to face in La Liga.
Different situations
The Whites reduced their distance with Barcelona to seven points last week thanks to their victory over Betis and Barça’s defeat against Espanyol. The latter’s triumph seems to have made them stronger, but hey are still in the fight to avoid relegation. De la Peña scored his first goal in four years last week and could be lethal against the Madridistas with his renewed strength. Tamudo also seems to be getting stronger in each game since he recovered from his injury.
Guti or Sneijder
Pochettino will probably also line-up Lola, Chica and Rufete, who didn’t play last week. On the other hand, Real Madrid won’t be able to use Fernando Gago because he was injured with a sprained ankle against Liverpool. Guti will probably take his place, but Juande could also decide to line-up Sneijder with Lass. Robben, Higuain, Raul and Huntelaar will surely form the attacking front -the latter has scored three goals in the last two league games-.
Tonight’s will be the 150th clash between both sides. The Whites have defeated Espanyol 84 times and lost just 34 games. They have drawn on 31 occasions, the last time being earlier this season at the Bernabeu (2-2). The Madridistas haven’t won against them in Barcelona since the 2006/07 campaign (3-0) and they are forced to break this spell in order to continue putting pressure on Barcelona.
Gago and Faubert out due to injury
Juande Ramos will take 18 men with him to Barcelona to face Espanyol on Saturday at 22:00 CET. Fernando Gago and Julien Faubert will miss the clash due to injury, and Salgado has returned to the list. Codina, Drenthe, Parejo, Metzelder and Torres have been left out for coaching decisions.
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Heinze
Midfielders: Marcelo, Sneijder, Robben, Van der Vaart, Guti, Lass, Javi Garcia
Forwards: Huntelaar, Higuain, Raul, Saviola
Juande press conference
La Liga will be back this weekend and Juande Ramos has only had two days to prepare for Saturday’s clash with Espanyol after the match against Liverpool.
How does the team feel about the defeat against Liverpool?
I think it’s normal for everyone to be disappointed after something like that, but I think my men are already thinking about the match with Espanyol. We want to capitalise on our positive streak in La Liga.
Every game is crucial, put this weekend could also mark a turning point.
Every game is important. We can’t afford to drop points if we want to catch up with Barcelona. We have to take three points in every game. We’ve had a short recovery period, but I want excitement to overcome exhaustion.
A victory will leave the team just four points behind Barcelona. Will that add pressure to them?
We can’t afford to think about Barcelona. It doesn’t matter who plays first this weekend. We only care about winning the game.
What worries you the most about Espanyol?
Espanyol are good enough to be higher up on the table. Their previous result probably boosted their morale and we expect them to play tough. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t think about our opponent and just focus on taking more points.
Does it bother you to hear people say your system was too defensive against Liverpool?
Real Madrid did its best to win, but Liverpool was a solid opponent. We didn’t find room to score, but we’ll try again in the return leg.
Is something wrong with Faubert?
He’s been injured for ten days, that’s why he hasn’t trained as usual.
A week ago you said Real Madrid played better without Robben.
That’s subject to interpretation. Robben is a magnificent and unbalancing player, but he is more individualistic. We play more collectively without him, but we can work well both ways. Last week I simply meant to say we don’t depend on him. From a collective point of view, we played better without him.
You coached Espanyol in the past. Will tomorrow’s match be extra special for you?
I will be proud to return to that stadium. I have good friends there and I will be delighted to see them again.
Do you think Espanyol have changed much since you coached them?
Every team changes a lot in time.
Van der Vaart complained about his situation on the team in an interview to a German newspaper.
I listen to what players say, not to what is printed in the press.
Sneijder seems to have been relegated. What’s wrong with him?
I seem to recall he’s been a starter in many of the games I’ve coached. I chose Guti instead of him because I wanted to find room between the lines. You would’ve asked me about Guti if I had played Sneijder.
You say Espanyol must be confident, but they seem weary about their performance against Real Madrid.
Espanyol need to avoid relegation and they have to snatch points any way they can. Something very important is a stake for them.
Has it surprised you that just one match has been enough for people to question your position at the Club?
This is normal in football. I have a sixth-month contract and I don’t want to know anything about it until the season is over. Results give way to speculation.
Guti announces quit date + Figo’s advice to Cristiano Ronaldo
José María Gutiérrez ‘Guti’ has revealed he plans to quit the club in 2011. Guti plans to follow the lead of Raul, who suggested earlier this week, he is considering leaving Santiago Bernabeu in two years.
Guti has apparently told La Sexta TV station:
I have already enjoyed many years at the club and I hope to enjoy the remaining three that I have left. My target is to continue playing at Madrid until 2011. After that, I hope to be able to go to an exotic country like the USA, Qatar or Dubai and play there. It would be a great way to end my career. And after that, I will try to take on the role of a coach. At some point, I would love to be on the bench in the dugout.
Now, Barcelona are seven points ahead of us, but I believe that when they see us approaching even closer, they will raise their game. Before, they had a sufficient enough an advantage to be calm and relaxed, but now, they know that in each and every game, three vital points are at stake.
I’m shocked! One more Madridista to the MLS ?! This is not supposed to be happening. These guys are supposed to end their careers with us!! I’m seriously shocked.
Luis Figo meanwhile has advised fellow Portuguese and Real Madrid long term target Cristiano Ronaldo that joining Real Madrid now would be the wiser option. Figo, who is now at Inter Milan, told Marca:
Real Madrid is the most important club in the world, the best club in the world. I think Ronaldo has already wrapped up a stage at United. He has won everything he can with the English club, which is another great club, but he should have other goals now, other ambitions, and Real Madrid would allow him to achieve more importance, more relevancy. That is what I have told him. I don’t know what he thinks now.
Its not just a field, its just Anfield!
It was a disastrous result wasn’t it last night? Whats more irritating is that it was sheer luck that they got the all important away goal right at the end despite both teams playing equally abject football. What this means is that we travel to Anfield in two weeks’ time a goal behind on aggregate with the slightest hopes of overhauling the daunting task that lies ahead of us. It is intimidating.
Liverpool minus Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres is as harmful as a Butterfly. If we are capable of losing to them at home just imagine how bad we really were. Arjen Robben was no where close to living to the tag line of ‘Real Madrid’s answer to Lio Messi’ despite many declaring him as our M.O.M. Guti and Heinze were pathetic and I mean pathetic. I cannot believe I am saying such a thing about Guti of all people. Raul and Higuain posed no serious threats. Lass was as usual hard working and he along with Sergio Ramos, according to me, would be the only two players who turned up to play a serious champions league game last night. Marcelo was good but he clearly didn’t have the experience required to play such a crunch encounter.
Caught by the Benayoun sucker punch
I don’t know what got into Juande’s head. I don’t know why he did not even bother to bring on Van der Vaart and Sneijder if not start them. If its form that he is looking at, then he must learnt by half time that we had left our form from the Betis game in the dressing room itself for we looked really bad. Nothing was working. Why did he try to be defensive? Why was he saving up Sneijder and Van der Vaart two of our best players?! He could’ve taken off Higuain or Raul or even Robben for that matter just to shake things up a bit couldn’t he? There are so many more questions that we can raise at this moment but one thing is for sure, its an uphill task now for us to travel to England and turn the tie in favor of us. Only one team in UEFA Champions League history – AFC Ajax in the 1995/96 semi-finals – have recovered from losing the first leg at home to progress. But then again we have had more than one setback this season. And every time we have come back stronger than ever before. All that I hope is for this to be yet another situation in which we’ve shown to the world the grit and the determination that we have.
But on the other hand, our players would be traveling to not some field. Its Anfield. One of the toughtest grounds to play football not because of the field but simply because of the crowd, The Kop so on and so forth. Do we have the players on whom we can rely on to go out and do the job for us? Chelsea couldn’t do it for sometime until last year (thanks to John Arne Riise), Barcelona too had a go but failed miserably*. Arsenal failed despite trying their best to overcome. Do we have the match winners on our side which those giants to complete the Liverpool job? We are bigger than any of the above clubs aren’t we? We are second to none when it comes to the best club in the world. We are Real Madrid and I am a madridista. I am not going to lose hope just because some short Israeli came home and snatched an away goal. We have Raul Gonzalez, the player with the most number of goals in Champions League history. We have the best keeper in the world in St.Iker. We have one of the best defenders of all time in Fabio Cannavaro. We can do this can’t we? Raul needs just two more goals to equal Gerd Mueller’s record number of European goals. We need just two goals with conceding a maximum of one or for that matter even without conceding to go through. Does El Capitan still have it in him for yet another memorable European night? He does doesn’t he? Not that I doubt his capabilities, I’d be a fool to do that for he has proven to everyone in this world as to how good he still really is. On the other hand Fabio Cannavaro’s last European goal came against Liverpool only – for Juve though. None of us would mind a repeat of the same feat come the return leg of the fixture.
But what also needs to be thought about here is the return of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Both are world class players. Given a chance they know how to make their presence felt. And they would definitely play key roles inn deciding which way the tie goes. Also, Albert Riera will be suspended and that means Little Yossi should start barring any injuries he sustains in between now and Anfield. We have Gago out injured. He’s missing the Espanyol clash and Lluís Companys – which would be our last clash against them at the Olympic style stadium – but I doubt if he would be out for so long. We do not have any other injuries (of course barring Ruud’s, Diarra’s and Ruben’s). It all doesn’t depend on our form in the league. It only depends on how much our players want to achieve. Its human to lose hope but its insane to not try and get something out of nothing. All I want is an repeat of what we saw at the Camp Nou earlier this season. We might have lost but certainly did put up a very good fight that too despite fielding a second string side. If we can bring the mighty ‘in-form’ Barca to the edge we sure can knock the stuffing out of the Merseysiders. If Everton can beat Liverpool we can. If Man United can beat Liverpool we can. If John O’Shea can score against Liverpool, hell even Gabriel Heinze can! All we need to have now is hope. And I am hoping for the best to happen.
Irrespective of what the result of the return leg is,
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
*There is only one compliment that I can think of from the stat, Barca gave away two away goals though they got themselves one goal at the Camp Nou. We gave away only one goal despite scoring none. Goals given is in the ratio 2:1 in favor of Barca.
Julien Faubert on Skysports
Julien Faubert has admitted that despite enduring a frustrating start to his Bernabeu career he is determined to prove his worth.
It is difficult. I don’t know why, I have been told nothing. However it goes off better and better during training sessions. The other players start to know the way I am playing, preferring the gaps. I believe I have already improved on technical and physical levels. I have lost two kilograms. Anyway I won’t give up, even if I don’t know what I have to change. I never experienced such a moment in my career. I don’t have a lot of time, my loan will be over on May 31st. I have to play and prove my value.
Marcelo press conference
Marcelo is confident that the team can win in Anfield and reach the Champions League quarterfinals.
How has today been like?
I don’t think the team is thinking about yesterday’s match. We didn’t like to lose, but we must now think about La Liga. We have to rest and prepare for our next match.
Do you think the optimism of late played against the team last night?
No. We are still optimistic. We are working hard and we’ll start preparations for the second leg when it draws nearer. We are sure we can turn the score around.
Is the coach optimistic?
There are 90 minutes left in the tie and we’ll have to work hard to make a comeback.
The team didn’t play too well yesterday and Robben was a starter. Did you miss Huntelaar?
Huntelaar and Robben are different players. They are both good and they help us a lot.
Do you think Robben was too individualistic yesterday?
That’s his tyle. He didn’t score, but we don’t believe he is individualistic because he helps out a lot. That’s just how he happens to play.
You played well down the left wing. Has Juande told you why he replaced you with Guti?
He told me it was a tactical substitution because Guti makes more passes.
What has Mijatovic told the team?
Pedja is with us whenever he can. He has given us his support and told us nothing is lost yet.
The team may be eliminated in the Last 16 a fifth straight time. Do you think the squad is strong to play in La Liga, but that it still needs to be better for the Champions League?
I think La Liga and the Champions League are very different competitions. Both are excellent. We believe we can make a comeback; we wouldn’t play if we didn’t. We are strong and united to win the return leg.
What’s easier, to catch up with Barcelona or to win in Anfield?
We’ll think about La Liga first; we have to win all our games. We’ll think about the Champions League when it returns.
Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool won the match thanks to a goal by Benayoun despite Real Madrid dominace. Strategy took center stage in the first match of a tie that will be decided in Anfield.
Steven Gerrard was not a starter and Benayoun took his place in an unusual 4-4-2 system for a team that usually uses a 4-2-3-1 scheme. Real Madrid also used a 4-4-2 and had the first chance when Raul controlled the ball inside the box after receiving a pass from Robben down the right wing. The captain’s shot was saved by Reina.
The Whites kept possession and looked for room to create chances on goal, but this proved difficult against Liverpool’s impeccable organisation. Benitez’s pupils never faltered and stayed for the most part in their half of the pitch. It was hard to have a shot on target, but Marcelo managed to pull one off when Raul gave him the bal on the 15-minute mark; Reina saved the day again, but not without some problems.
Liverpool waited in defence for the chance to counterattack quickly with long passes to midfield hoping to make good use of the speed of their forwards. Torres and Benayoun had two good chances on target, but their shots were met by Casillas. Real Madrid had the reins of the game and were proving to be dangerous down the right wing, where Robben -who was fiercely shadowed- and Ramos thrilled the crowd with their dribbling and crosses. The only way out Liverpool found was a precise shot on goal by Xabi Alonso from his half of the pitch that Casillas managed to clear.
Guti came on in the second half for Marcelo in order to try to unlock Liverpool’s defence. The game looked more open, but Liverpool still based their game in counterattacks and Madrid theirs in speed down both wings. Robben played down both looking to surprise his opponent, while all of the Reds’ chances were thwarted by a brilliant defensive line led by an amazing Pepe.
Real Madrid’s possession increased and their chances on goal happened more frequently. Robben had a shot off target after an incredible run and a pass to himself, and he came close to scoring with a shot on goal moments later (70′). Fernando Torres had left the pitch four minutes before because he felt some pain on his right ankle and was replaced by Ryan Babel.
Liverpool’s goal came just when the game looked better for the Whites; Fabio Aurelio served a free-kick and Yossi Benayoun sent the ball to the back of the net (81′). Liverpool didn’t do much to win the game, but for some teams only a little is enough. Real Madrid tried hard to score an equaliser, but in the end the Reds won the day. The tie will be decided in Anfield.
Fernando Gago sprained his left ankle. He will be monitored in the next few days to see if he can face Espanyol on Saturday.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo (Guti 46′), Lass, Gago, Robben, Higuaín, Raúl;
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Fabio Aurelio, Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Riera (Gerrard 88′), Benayoun, Kuijt (Lucas Leiva 92′), Torres (Babel 62′);
Goal:
0-1, 82′ – Benayoun
Real Madrid vs Liverpool | UEFA Champions League | Knock-out Phase | Last 16 | First Leg | Preview
Real Madrid and Liverpool will clash at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium before a crowd of 80,000 tonight at 20:45 CET. Two champion coaches will come face to face in a match that will bring some of the best players in the world together on the Madrid pitch.
Both sides will clash for the first time in a knock-out stage. They previously came face to face in the 1981 European Cup final, which Liverpool won.
Juande Ramos had to choose 18 men from his fit squad to face the Reds. The only change in his list has been the inclusion of Rafael van der Vaart instead of Huntelaar. It is uncertain if Guti and Robben will be starters, but besides that it seems clear who will make the initial line-up, staring with Raul and HIguain in attack -together they have scored 30 strikes in La Liga and the Champions League-.
The key to the match will be to concede no goals and to stay united. Real Madrid want to end tonight’s clash with one foot in the quarterfinals, a round they haven’t reached since 2004. The Whites have come a long way since the draw and are now just seven points behind Barcelona in the Spanish league. The Reds are also second and seven points behind the current leaders in the Premiership, but their spirits aren’t as sky high as Madrid’s.
Steven Gerrard trained at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, but according to Benitez, his participation in the clash “will depend on how he feels and on what the doctors say.”
Five Spanish internationals and -four of them Euro 2008 champions- are in Liverpool’s ranks: Reina, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Riera and Torres, who has never scored at the Bernabeu. These men will do their best to win the clash between two European titans that together have won 14 European Cups.
Van der Vaart makes the cut
Every player on the squad was available to the coach, as no injuries are sustained and no-one is suspended for the match. The only exception is Huntelaar, who isn’t inscribed to play in the Champions League. Codina, Salgado, Drenthe, Javi Garcia, Faubert and Parejo have been left out due to coaching decisions. On the other hand, Rafael van der Vaart has made the list.
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Pepe, Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Heinze, Metzelder, Torres
Midfielders: Gago, Sneijder, Robben, Guti, Lass, Van der Vaart
Forwards: Raul, Higuain, Saviola
Benitez press conference
Rafa Benitez gave a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Liverpool coach said they are still thinking about what to do with Gerrard tomorrow.
Will Gerrard play?
We’ll decide that after training. He didn’t play against Manchester City because he wasn’t well. We’ll see what happens. We have our doubts; he would have been benched against City if we didn’t. We aren’t hiding anything; we are simply assessing the risks we could take.
Would it be a risk to use him tomorrow?
That depends on what the doctors say. What I may think is irrelevant. What’s important is how he feels and what the doctors think.
Should you keep the Premiership in mind when making the decision?
What’s important is the game and to establish if he is fit or not. We should think about this game first.
Are you as certain of Real Madrid’s victory as President Boluda seems to be?
We’ll try to do our best.
Does your Madridista past motivate you more?
I’m motivated because this is a Champions League game. This is a magnificent competition. I can’t think about the past, only about the future. I have memories of my time here. Agustin Herrerin was the delegate when I worked here and many of the press agents that were friends of mine are still here. I hope we remain friends after tomorrow.
Are you worried about Raul’s excellent form?
He is playing well because he has a lot of character. Great players shine in great occasions. I hope only ours shine tomorrow.
Do you think Torres will be anxious to score at the Bernabeu?
There’s always a first time for everything.
Ferguson doesn’t seem to think Real Madrid can win the Champions League. Is that due to hate for the Whites or love for Liverpool?
We’ll play against Real Madrid, so I’m more concerned about the tie than about what others have to say.
What do you think about Juande’s job on the team? Will tomorrow’s game be a tactical clash?
I think he is doing a great job and I believe the team is improving considerably. They’ve improved in defence and they are much stronger. I firmly believe results mainly depend on the work of players. Coaching a big team isn’t the same to coaching a small side. Whatever happened last year has nothing to do with it. We will face a very important team and we’ll all try to do our best.
How will the match unfold now that Real Madrid are in such good form?
I don’t know. You grow confident when you win and you also happen to be better prepared.
Juande says the tie will be decided by small details. What is it that worries you of Real Madrid?
I agree with Juande. Games between great teams are usually decided by small details, especially in the Champions League. I think Anfield will play a key role.
Do you think you have something to prove to Real Madrid’s fans?
I must win for my team. I coached Valencia and Extremadura for games at the Bernabeu. I want to focus on football; I’d rather not talk about things that have nothing to do with sport. A coach should be judged by his career, not by how well he performed in a knock-out stage.
Why is this match so appealing?
Because both sides have won many European Cups and they both have great players.
Robben press conference
Arjen Robben said the team is confident about tomorrow’s game, which he believes will be difficult to win.
Do you prefer to play down the left wing or down the right wing?
I am a left winger and that’s where I play with Juande. I feel confident down both sides. We used to play with two attaking wingers, but we only use one now. Our defensive system is clearer now and we are more organised in attack. I may have played more down the right wing in the past, but I feel comfortable on both. The coach allows me to move freely and I feel confident. I feel ready for tomorrow’s game.
Do you feel pressure from Madridismo for being the team’s strongest asset aganist Liverpool?
I don’t think I am. We scored ten goals in the last two games and I hardly played. The team has quality players and I know we’ll be able to score against Liverpool. I played a little in the second half of our previous clash to get the feel of things again and I now feel ready to play tomorrow.
Why do you think the team has scored more goals in the previous two games?
I don’t know; it’s hard to explain. We are playing very well and our opponents may have had a bad day. Betis had played very well in their previous two games and they probably lacked confidence against us.
The President said you’ll win 3-0 tomorrow. What do you think?
I hope we do, but that’s easy to say when you’re not on the pitch. He will be in the Balcony and we’ll be down there (laughs). That would be a great result, but Liverpool are a very good team and they are strong in the Champions League. It will be difficult.
How do you expect them to play?
I expect them to be strong. They have a very good coach that prepares their tactics very well. We’ll have to focus on playing our own game.
You’ve been eliminated from the semis twice by Liverpool.
That’s football for you. I’m no longer at Chelsea and I hope that changes tomorrow. It’s tough to lose two semifinals, but you have to move on. Toorrow’s game will be different and we feel confident about it.
You all say it will be very important to avoid conceding any goals. Does that mean the team will be cautious, or will you on the other hand play hard in attack?
We will do our best to win. We are strong in defence and we always try to attack. We play to win.
You know Gerrard well. How important will it be for the team to have him as a starter?
He is obviously one of the best players in the world and he is very important for Liverpool, but the team as a whole is what’s truly dangerous. They will try their best to win. The whole team is important.
What’s more realistic, catching up with Barcelona in La Liga or winning the Champions League?
You can’t choose which title to win at a club like Real Madrid. We try to win them all. We want the two titles we are fighting for. It will be important to win our next league clash, but Liverpool come first. We will try to win every game because we are Real Madrid.
You lost two semifinals and are therefore the most motivated player on the squad. Was it hard to get over those defeats?
It’s always difficult to accept defeat, but that’s football for you. Chelsea lost a final in the penalty shootout and that was tough on their players, but you learn from that. You have to look to the future.
Do you still think about it?
No. There’s always happy and sad moments in life. You have to look ahead and our next game is against Liverpool.
Juande press conference
Juande Ramos is not nervous about tomorrow’s clash with Liverpool and his priority is to reach the next round of the Champions League.
Has something happened during training?
No. Everything was normal. All my men are ready to play.
What’s better, to score many goals or to concede none?
We’ll have to get the best result in order to be in the best possible situation in Anfield.
What do you think of the President’s optimism and his assertion that you will “soak” Liverpool?
I respond to what I say. Everyone else may say as they please. I can’t comment on that.
Do you think the team may be hurt by this state of euphoria?
I think there is more optimism than euphoria. We are calm and happy about how things have been for us in La Liga. Fans may feel euphoria, but the squad is controlling itself and I am satisfied with the state the team is in. This will be a tough and very difficult tie and we’ll have to work very hard to pull through.
Benitez is thinking about benching Gerrard. What do you think of that?
I don’t know what Rafa wants to do, how he’s been training the team or how fit the player is, so I can’t comment on that.
You’ve used the same line-up in recent games, but you can’t use Huntelaar tomorrow. Does that change your plans much?
Not at all. All my men are available now except for one and they all want to play. It will be easy to come up with a line-up; I can’t go wrong thanks to their excitement and drive to perform well.
Ferguson has criticised Real Madrid again. Don’t you think it’s too daring to have such a low opinion of the Club?
You asked me about the President before and I made no comment. I don’t care about what Ferguson said. I only talk about my team. I am not a controversial coach.
How well do you think Guti did against Betis? Could he be a starter tomorrow?
His performance in the last 45 minutes was acceptable considering how long he’d been without playing. The game did him a lot of good because it was well in our favour when he came on. He is reaching optimum form and he will be important tomorrow; I hope he plays a decisive role.
Do you think your future at the Club depends on the tie?
I am just interested in winning the knock-out stage because that’s what’s good for Real Madrid. It will be a beautiful tie against an excellent team. Real Madrid haven’t reached farther then the Last 16 for many years and that’s our only incentive. My personal situation is not important; I only want to reach the next round.
Can Real Madrid “soak” Liverpool?
The tie will be very tight. Both teams play at a similar level and the final result will most probably be decided by small details. I think everything will de decided in the last stages of the game. It is never easy to defeat a team, and even less to defeat an historic side.
Dudek said few goals will be scored. What do you think?
I think it will be a very tight tie. I don’t know how many, if any, goals will be scored, but I do think it will be a very tight affair.
Huntelaar has paid off handsomely in your system. Is there another player on the squad similar to him?
Of course there is. Saviola and Higuain can do that job. That’s their position and we know what we’ll do.
Robben is a left winger, but you use him down the right. Why?
He can play down both wings.
What do you expect from the Bernabeu crowd tomorrow?
Games like this thrill people and the Bernabeu will surely be packed. Our fans will try to help us win. I think the atmosphere at the Bernabeu is nothing short of that at Anfield. People want to experience a magical evening and we wish they help us pull through. We need our fans now that the score is 0-0 and I know they’ll be there for us.
Are you nervous or anxious about the match?
Honestly, no. I’m expectant, not nervous. It will be a very important game for us. This team has experienced important matches and finals before, so I am calm while I prepare for tomorrow’s clash. I want my men to be calm too.
What worries you about Liverpool?
They are a solid and competitive team with good players.
You’ve won 9 out of 10 games since 9 December. Tottenham have only won 2. Has this vindicated you as a coach?
I don’t have to prove my reputation as a coach. I’ve been at it for years and everyone knows me well. I’m happy because this streak has been good for Real Madrid. I have nothing to say about Tottenham.
Is Gerrard as inluential on Liverpool’s game as Raul is on Real Madrid’s?
I honestly just want to talk about Real Madrid. I want to get the best out of my men and showcase our best skills on the pitch. I hardly talk to them about Liverpool because I don’t even know who’s going to play or how they’re going to perform. I want us to play as best as we possibly can. The one thing I know is that Liverpool will have eleven men on the pitch.
Gerrard won’t be in top form if he plays. Isn’t it better to use a player in optimum form?
I don’t know about his situation, but I guess he’s fit to play if he is lined up eventually. I can’t imagine him playing if he isn’t fully recovered. I wouldn’t use him if that were the case and I guess Rafa wouldn’t either.
Are you surprised by Marcelo’s good performances? Has he earned a spot on the starting 11?
I haven’t been surprised because I’ve always used him in midfield. He is young and very skillful. I spoke to him and he understood that, in order to play, he would have to become a midfielder. He’s done what I asked of him extremely well. Some men don’t play although they deserve to; it depends on what we need for each particular match.
Torres The Mersyless
Fernando Torres has warned Real Madrid and everyone related to Real Madrid that he would celebrate if he socred against them at The Bernabeu, a stadia in which he has never scored despite his 12 years at Atletico. He went on to say that he has no feelings for Real Madrid unlike for Atletico (with whom he admitted he wouldn’t have celebrated scoring a goal) and that to make ‘some’ Atletico fans happy he would be more than glad to celebrate if he scores tonight. Is that why he chickened out of the group phase ties against Atletico not once but twice?
He said:
I have no feelings for Real Madrid. I played for Atletico so know that if Liverpool beat Real, it will make lots of Atletico fans happy as well. I couldn’t celebrate if I had scored against Atletico. I would have shown respect for my former club where I spent 12 years, the club that helped me become the person I am today. But if I score against Real Madrid, I will celebrate for sure. It would be great for me to get my first goals in Europe this season against Madrid.
I feel confidence is coming back at the right time and I am sure that goals will follow. I’m looking forward to going back to Madrid, playing in a stadium where I’ve never won and against a great team. And because we’re sure we are going to get through. I really don’t know why I struggled so many times to score against Real. Maybe I tried too hard because I wanted it so much.
Every striker has a club he finds it easy to score against and for some reason mine seemed to be Barcelona. I think I got more against them than any other team in La Liga. ‘If you don’t play for Barca or Real in Spain, then people just don’t rate you as highly but moving to Liverpool has given me that chance to show I’ve arrived.
I have all the respect in this world for El Nino. I really think he is definitely better than almost all the strikers playing right now in this galaxy. But all this talk seems to be rubbish and moreover kiddish. I have heard of living up to names but he doesn’t need to do it time and again. He is no Benjamin Button and is definitely growing older by the day like anyone else. He’s one of the few threats which Liverpool pose and him fired up would not help us. But I call this over confidence and that certainly should favour us or atleast I hope.
As far as my prediction for the game itself goes, I’m not planning to get into any sort of predicting. We will win for sure. But I hope we do it without conceding. With Stevie G out or atleast not listed to start, we must capitalize and our current form should help us.
Looking forward to a great evening of football,
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Juande Ramos on Revista De La Liga
Juande Ramos has hit back at criticism that his tactics with the Spanish giants are ultra-conservative. Ramos has gotten Real’s season back on track with 10 wins from his 11 games in charge, yet despite this has come in for flak regarding their style of play. However he insists that the current squad has forced him to take a more cautious approach.
I think that as a coach I must adapt a certain style of play to suit the type of players I have at my disposal.
When I arrived we had to separate purely footballing matters from the rest of what was going on and focus on them. One thing that both coaching and playing staff are aware of in a club like Real Madrid is that there are many things to try and balance.
The first priority was to solve the defensive problems we had. We sorted things out at the back and then started winning games. Now, bit by bit we have to improve other aspects of our play.
Things were well and truly up in the air. I think that whenever there is a change in coach lots of things tend to happen in a short space of time. We had to get things sorted quickly however, as we had a Champions League game followed by a league match against Barcelona three days later.
My first priority was that we approached those games in the best possible manner, aiming high. Since those two games the administrative set-up at the club has changed dramatically. Of course my primary concern is the sporting side of things, and in that regard, not only have things changed, but I think they’ve improved.
What we had to try and do was get the club back on track and that a good run of results would get us out of the situation we were in. We were fifth or sixth when I took over so we had to push on. Once things started to improve the team got into a groove and started gathering both confidence and momentum, which makes everything more straightforward.
Pepe to The Sun
Pepe has issued a warning to Liverpool’s Fernando Torres ahead of his trip to the Bernabeu on Wednesday, claiming he loves the physical side of the game.
I love going face-to-face with a big powerful striker like Torres because I’m made to go clattering into challenges and there’s nothing I enjoy better than massive physical battles.
We are both strong but I have a big advantage in that he’s got to play with the ball and I don’t. The bigger, stronger and better my opponent the more I like the clash.
‘Football’s a contact sport and strikers often give defenders like me a right good kicking off the ball and nobody says anything because we centre-halves are tough. But as long as I go for the ball and not the man, then there’s nothing better than using all the time I’ve spent in the gym to crash into bodies.
I’ve always had fame for being sent off and at the beginning of my career I’d be red-carded about every three games.
Now there are so many cameras covering ever inch of every Real game you’ve got to be smart about when you dive in. What’s more, I’ve got big long legs and can slide into the tackle and haul back any advantage he’s gained.
Raul to Marca
Raul talked to Marca about the match with Liverpool and the great moment the team is going through.
GREAT MOMENT
The team is having a great moment and all of us players are performing at a very high level. We dominate our matches and have many chances on goal. We feel more comfortable on the pitch. We are confident at this key stage of the campaign. The moment of truth has arrived.
Juande’s work has improved gradually with every game. He has calmed us down. We score more goals now and hardly concede any. Our morale, confidence and excitement are sky high.
LIVERPOOL
I think it will be a tight tie. We are in much better form than when the draw happened and Liverpool have somewhat gone down a bit… We will play 180 tense minutes and I think the tie will be decided by small details. Liverpool are a very strong team. It will be good for us to win without conceding any goals. A 0-0 score in Madrid would be good for us, just as it was against Manchester United years ago. A draw in Anfield would be enough to go through to the next round.
LA LIGA
We have chances of winning the league title, but we also had them three weeks ago. I think we can win if we stay close to Barcelona the last seven or eight games. It’s all up to Barcelona now. We’ll try to make good use of their mistakes. We have to fight to the end.
RAUL 100%
I’ve always tried to work hard and make sacrifices for the team throughout my career, and I’ve always tried to do well on an individual level too. I think the fact that I’ve been here for 14 years is enough success.
I am very proud of being Real Madrid’s all-time top-scorer. It’s been very special for me to achieve this, especially because Don Alfredo has always been a great example for me to follow. I can’t stop at that. The only thing that counts at Real Madrid and in football is what you do on a daily basis.
FUTURE
It’s difficult because you always want to go when you are playing at the highest level. At the moment, I have pencilled in 2011. Six months before that, in December or January, it will be the moment to analyse the situation and see if it’s of benefit for the club and for me to carry on.
As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it’s clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).
PROBABILITY OF COACHING
Yes, sure, it could be one of the possibilities. But my future will in any case be linked 90 per cent to football and to Real Madrid.
Robben to AS
Arjen Robben told AS that he wants defeat Liverpool and win the Champions League with Real Madrid.
The team does not depend on me. I haven’t played much in our lats couple of games and the team has scored ten goals.
I want to defeat Liverpool. We are currently playing very well and we are having our best run this year, but we must stay calm because everyone’s talking about the game a lot.
I want to win and that’s exactly what we are going to do in both games of the tie. I’ve never won the Champions League and I want to win the title with this team.
We’ll see what happens in La Liga. We must focus on ourselves and forget about Barcelona. We’ve won nine straight games, which is great. Their lead over us is still large, but we’ll see what happens in the end. Being at Real Madrid implies belonging to the greatest club in the world and that you should fight for every title.
Dudek press conference
Jerzey Dudek talked about the forthcoming game against his previous side and pointed out his return to Anfield will surely be emotional.
Are Real Madrid favourites to win the match?
There is no favourite. Both teams are very good, strong and have powerful players. These games have no favourites. Both Liverpool and Real Madrid are ambitous sides and want to win the Champions League.
How do you think Liverpool are doing?
I don’t know. The Premiership is very strong. Engalnd has many competitons and it gets very tough in December. Liverpool fans prefer to win the Premiership because they haven’t won the title in years. I hope we help them out by eliminating them from the Champions League.
Will it be easy for Real Madrid to go through if they win 1-0 on Wednesday?
Liverpool always try to concede few goals when they play away from home. We can’t expect to score many strikes against them in the next couple of games. Rafa Benitez is very good at tactics and always works with a lot of information on his opponents. We’ll see what happens.
Are Real Madrid in their best moment of the season?
I don’t know. We’ve been very strong in the last couple of months. We are playing better and we haven’t conceded many goals. We can always do better, but we are very happy with our recent results. I think we’ll have strong chances of winning both championships if we continue to play this well.
Some people say Benitez is more important than his men. They say he alone can win a game.
I think Liverpool are a very good team. I don’t know if Benitez is more important than his men or if the players are more important than the coach. I think Liverpool have a well balanced squad with a coach similar to ours in that he likes to work on the training pitch.
What should you fear most, the players or Anfield?
I played for Liverpool for many years and I love Anfield and its crowd. They get very excited for the sort of game we’ll play there. I wouldn’t like our fans to miss Gerrard. He always helps the team out when it’s having a rough time. He’s a nice player to watch and it would be a real shame if our fans missed the chance of seeing him in Madrid.
Do you think Barcelona feel more pressure now?
I don’t know. We just focus on ourselves. It’s better for us the closer we get to them, but we have to keep on playing this way. Everything’s possible if we keep this up. Everything can change in just one game. I guess they’ll feel more pressure the closer we get. The match with Loverpool is more important now. This weekend we’ll face Espanyol and we’ll have to start thinking about La Liga again.
Whom do you prefer, Casillas or Reina?
It depends, on or off the pitch? Jokes aside, I had a very good relationship with Pepe at Liverpool; we connected the very first minute we met. Both of them are very good friends of mine and they have very different styles. Pepe is stronger and likes to play in the Premiership; he is not afraid of leaving his goal if need be. Casillas is great in one-on-ones and on the goal-line. I’ve been playing for many years, but I learn from both of them.
How can the team defeat Liverpool?
We need to be concentrated. Liverpool aren’t very fast, but they are currently playing very well in the last 15 to 20 minutes, like against Manchester City last weeked. They are very dangerous when they take set pieces; all English teams are, but they are even more dangerous. The way to win is to score more than them.
Will your return to Anfield be emotional?
I had great experiences there both on and off the pitch. It will be very emotional because I have many friends there. My heart is a bit shaky… It is never easy to face your previous club, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.
Are you enjoying your stay at Real Madrid?
I knew it would be tough when I signed on and that I would be the second keeper. I wanted to know the country and its football. The coaches I had in Holland told me I should sign for a Spanish team before I went to England because it suited my style better. I am enjoying myself, but I also work very hard because being the team’s second keeper implies being ready to play all the time in case something happens. I also wanted to know how the Club was from the inside and it’s been an amazing experience.
Do you think Liverpool would be making a mistake if they didn’t extend Benitez’s contract?
He is doing a great job. I hope he stays on because he is an important coach for the club, for the players and for the fans. He brings hope to the latter and makes them believe the team can win the Premiership. I think the sooner the situation is resolved, the better it will be for Liverpool.
Is there a chance you may play on Wednesday?
Casillas had some niggles before our previous match, but he is ready to play on Wednesday. I’m ready for when the time comes. I would enjoy it, but I think Iker won’t have any problems to play.
Casillas to Realmadrid.com
Iker Casillas gave us his view on Wednesday’s match against Liverpool at the Bernabeu.
The support of our fans will be very important. They were fantastic against Betis on Saturday. We need their strength in the tie with Liverpool.
It will be crucial for us not to concede a single goal and have that advantage in Anfield. The team is doing a good job in every position and that’s made us stronger in defence. We hope to keep that strength up on Wednesday.
I like Liverpool. They are a worthy opponent and I’m sure the game will be great. We hope to go through to the next round and continue our climb in the Champions League.
The Next Zidane v197.0
After tagging 196 other humans as The Next Zidane, the world of football has now decided that the 197th version of The Next Zidane would be the 6-year old Algerian named Madin Mohammad. With 1,972,464 views on YouTube already and ranked #3 – Most Responded (This Week) – Sports – United Kingdom and #9 for this month alone for Sports videos in YouTube in the United Kingdom this kid has now become the transfer target for Chelsea and of course Real Madrid.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Steven Lichensteiner to Adam Johnson to Madin Mohammad everything happens only to Real Madrid.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Dudek to Realmadrid.com
Jerzy Dudek was the star of the show in Liverpool’s come-from-behind Champions League title against Milan. More familiar with the English side than any of his fellow Madridistas, the keeper met with realmadrid.com to analyze his former team.
Fans should see two very intense matches between two strong teams who really work the defense. I would be surprised to see a lot of goals scored. The two coaches have everything under control, especially in defense.
Remaining focused is very important, especially during set-pieces. They score a lot of goals via corner kicks and set-pieces, so we have to pay close attention at all times. Liverpool are a strong side and each of its lines knows what its duties are. It will be important to defend the last plays of the match.
They maintain their momentum throughout the entire match and never give up. They have turned many matches aroudn in the closing minutes. We cannot relax because they won’t either.
Naming one player as Liverpool’s most dangerous would be a mistake. They have at least one star on every line. Reina is an incredible keeper. Jamie Carragher is a very talented defender with great aerial skills. In the midfield Gerrard and Xabi Alonso dictate the pace, join in attack and always help on defense. And in attack Torres can prove to be the difference-maker with his speed. That’s their backbone, and we should have the upper hand if we are able to stop it.
Cannavaro press conference
Fabio Cannavaro commented on last night’s thrashing of Betis and this week’s upcoming match against Liverpool.
Yesterday was perfect.
It was a good day for us, especially because the fans got to see a good match. We must continue playing like we are if we’re to win something.
Have you thought about rewarding Espanyol with anything?
We owe them a lot. It also happened in the first season. Strange things can happen in derbies. Espanyol played well, but I only want to think about Real Madrid. There is still a lot of work to be done and many matches to be played. We’re in good form and must stay on track.
Barcelona visit the Bernabeu in week 34. Has there been any speculating yet?
No. It’s too far away. We must only think about Wednesday and then Saturday. We cannot think about that match because there are many before it.
How is your new deal coming along?
Club matters are tough to talk about right now. It’s not the right time to discuss contract extensions. We have to wait. I just want to continue working as always. I am happy in Madrid and I play for the most important club in the world.
How would you feel right now if you played for Barcelona?
A little pressure I am sure. Once you get used to winning you think that you are not allowed to lose. The tension can sometimes mess with your head.
Did you think Espanyol would beat Barcelona?
Not after the way Barcelona has been playing this year, but that’s football for you.
What has Juande done for the defense?
The coach is doing a good job, but we’ve gone back to being a team. We made many mistakes during the first half of the season because we thought we could win just by wearing this shirt. We need to play as a team. The defense, the forwards… That’s what Juande has done.
Could you be in any better form heading into the Liverpool match?
We’re in good form. This year we were hit with bad luck earlier than last season in terms of injuries, a coaching chnage… The team is doing well and it has the fans’ support. We’re up against an historic team that is used to winning the Champions League. We must play smart, score and not concede any goals.
You will have to stop Fernando Torres.
He’s a striker who I admire very much. He’s gained a lot of confidence playing outside of Spain. He also won the Euro last summer with Spain. He’s one of Europe’s best strikers this season.
Real Madrid Castilla 0-1 Alcorcon
Real Madrid Castilla gave up a late goal to Alcorcon on Sunday to fall at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium. Despite not playing their best football, Lopetegui’s boys deserved a better outcome. Castilla weren’t able to capitalize on several golden opportunities and were without the services of several key players.
MATCH SUMMARY:
Real Madrid Castilla: Felipe, Velayos, M. Alonso, Agus, Gary, Mateos (Zamora, min. 74), Mosquera, Vazquez (Tebar, min. 64), Palanca (Alipio, min. 45), Bueno, Szalai.
AD Alcorcon: Reguero, Tito, Barral, Alberdi, Ruben Sanz, Susaeta (Llorente, min. 90), Nacho Calvillo (Víctor Perez, min.67), David Sanz, Mauri (Nevado, min. 60), Hugo, Gomez.
Goals:
0-1: David Sanz
Gracias Little Buddha!
Espanyol beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Camp Nou last night thanks to two goals from Iván De la Peña. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the bald genius in Iván De la Peña for doing so. Not that I like him or anything. Just a token of gratitude.
Iván De la Peña: Little Buddha
Sadly it wouldn’t be as easy as it was when we play them next week.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Juande Ramos believes a 1-0 defeat is a bad result, but also that the team can win in Anfield. Pedja Mijatovic shared his views on the match when it was over. Arjen Robben was very active against Liverpool. The Dutch forward believes the team can make a comeback in Anfield.
JUANDE RAMOS:
MIJATOVIC:
ROBBEN:
Share this:
February 26, 2009 | Categories: Post-match Comments, UEFA Champions League | Tags: Arjen Robben, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Juande Ramos, Liverpool FC, Pedja Mijatovic | Leave A Comment »