Gago on Realmadrid Radio
Fernando Gago is optimistic about the team’s chances to win the league title this year. The Argentine also talked about his beginnings as a player.
The number ’5′ position is classic in Argentina.
It’s always stood out. Many great players, such as Redondo, have worn that number. It’s great that Argentineans regard the number ’5′ position with such importance.
Does it bother you when people compare you with Fernando Redondo?
No, but you can’t really compare. Redondo had an amazing career and I was very young when I arrived at Real Madrid. I was confident, but adapting to a new country is the hardest thing to do.
You had no toruble adapting on the pitch.
I’m never afraid on the pitch because that’s where I feel safer. I always try to do my best.
Ramón Madoni, who’s in charge of the academy at Boca Juniors, has always said that you are different to all the other players.
He is an incredible person. I thought of quitting football when I was 14 years old. He asked me where I prefered to play, if in the Ninth or in the First Division. I answered I’d prefer the latter and he said, “Then you must work to reach the First Division and play for Argentina.” He told me to wait, that one day I’d get my chance.
Real Madrid’s had a perfect run in January.
We should work to win every week. We have to try to cut distances short with Barcelona. We are anxious to play in the Champions League and many of us want to win many titles.
The Champions League is an important title for Real Madrid.
Our next two games in the competition will be like finals. we have to win both, either playing well or badly. It would be better to win by playing well. A victory would make us confident.
Has Lass Diarra surprised you?
He has. I hardly knew him save for a few Premiership games I’d seen. He is a very good player and he and I hit it off from day one. We know what we have to do and we understand each other very well on the pitch.
What about Raúl?
His track record is incredible… He’s been here for 15 years and it is very hard to play at such a high level for that long.
What do you feel when you see a Real Madrid shirt?
I feel great joy because coming here was one of my dreams. It was tough at first because it was difficult for me to be away from my mom, my brothers and my friends… I was only 20 years old. I want to stay here many years and do my best for the Club. I thought of my dad when I signed and of the things I’ve been able to enjoy that he couldn’t. I’ve won 10 titles despite my young age. I am a privileged person.
Do you think Messi is the best player in the world right now?
He is the best by far. I thank God for making him an Argentine. I’ve known him since I was 18 years old and he is a great guy. We are great friends. He is in a different club right now and we are rivals of sorts, but our friendship is greater and much stronger.
What do you feel when you play for Argentina?
I feel many things. The greatest thing that can happen to an Argentine is to play for his country. You can’t describe what that feels like. It stirs great passion.
Maradona is the team’s new coach.
Having him as a coach motivates us even more. It’s amazing to see him sitting on the bench… He is the greatest idol Argentina has and I believe he is the greatest football icon in the world.
Is the team’s goal to win the 2010 World Cup?
We wish. I can’t possibly imagine what a World Cup final must be like, let alone what it must be to win it.
When will Higuain play for Argentina?
That’s up to Maradona. Gonzalo is doing very well; he is a very good player, but there are many Argentinean strikers out there. Messi, Aguero, Julio Cruz… There are too many for such a crucial position. He has to wait for his chance.
Both of you seem to be great friends.
We are friends off the pitch. He helped me out in everything at first; when we travelled, in training sessions… I lived with the barest of necessities in Argentina. I will never forget what he did for me.
How do you remember your beginnings as a player?
It is very hard to come up from the very bottom. My parents had to make great sacrifices. My dad worked and my mom came with me everywhere. My dad used to get up at 4 am and get back at 9 pm. I will always enjoy playing football and I will never stop, not even when I retire, but it is very hard not to have any money and to train with broken boots… I think such odds help make you a greater player and a better person. The kids in the Real Madrid youth system are lucky to train in such great facilities…
You seem to be one of the team’s strongest believers in making a comeback this season. That’s maybe due to the fact that you lived through the ‘Together we can’ campaign…
The league is very long and we still have chances to win. Barcelona have a large lead over us and they are playing very well, but we are in great form right now. We have to keep on winning games and wait for Barcelona to drop points. I wouldn’t look forward to playing every weekend if I didn’t believe we could win the title.
Sneijder press conference
Wesley Sneijder is very demanding with himself. The Dutch midfielder said he feels he can do much more for the team.
People say you aren’t playing too well lately. Is it because of your new position?
I feel fit, but it’s true I’m not playing as well as I would like to, especially in the last 45 minutes. I’m playing down the left wing now and that isn’t my natural position. I am more used to playing as an attacking midfielder.
The official list of players for the Champions League is out. How does Huntelaar feel for being left out?
It’s a shame, but he has to move on. It doesn’t matter. He has to concentrate on La Liga. He’s a bit sad, but I think that’s normal.
What did you think of Faubert during his first training session?
He is very strong and fast, and he is a quality player. He will do a lot of good for the team down the right wing. I think we need players like him.
Do you think it’s possible for Barcelona to drop their performance level?
It’s difficult for that to happen, but we are getting excellent results in our games. Barcelona are doing great, but we still have chances of winning the title.
The injury you sustained this summer seems to have affected your performances this year. Has it been tough on you?
I didn’t play for nearly three months and that’s never easy. It is very important for me to play as many games as I can. I am currently a starter, I train well and I feel fit.
Does not being able to play as well as you’d like annoy you?
No. I’m fine and I can play in the position I currently have. I am happy and I don’t mind where to play. I know I can do more and I hope to do so.
On your website you say Barcelona will drop points. Do you really think so?
It may happen. They’ve been slightly lucky in their latest games and they could make mistakes in four or five weeks if we continue to be this strong. The league is very long.
Does Messi remind you of Maradona?
Yes.
Robben is impressive this year. Are you surprised by this or did you expect it?
He’s like Messi. He is currently in great form and he is very important to the team. They are similar players.
Lmao!
I just read about the “cupping” incident that involved José Miguel González Martín del Campo, also known as Míchel to Madridistas and Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio aka Carlos Valderrama in a Madrid-Valladolid match in the 1991-92 season. For the benefit of those who don’t know about it I decided to post it here.
Michel and Valderrama were waiting for a corner kick when Michel “cupped” his hand around Valderrama’s testicles as a way of distracting him.
A little later he was sanctioned by UEFA for using an unorthodox method of disrupting the concentration of Carlos Valderrama. The presiding judge in the case noted that “manipulating in public that of your neighbour which is a gift given exclusively to males by nature” violated a federation rule protecting a player’s dignity.
Lmao!
Para siempre blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Lass makes the cut
As many of you would have already expected Lassana Diarrà has been opted over Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to play in the knock-out stages of the Champions League. Thanks to Don Mijatovic’s stupidity and lack of presence of mind we signed two players who have already participated in UEFA competition thinking that we could some how talk UEFA out of making one of them sit out of our Champions League fixtures. UEFA ruled our appeal out and when we threatened to file a case in the CAS we were the ones who were talked out of by none other than UEFA themselves. We also recalled Dani Parejo back from his loan spell in England and more recently bought Julien ‘I was shocked’ Faubert on loan from West Ham United. The Hungarian Ádám Szalai would be one among Juande’s striker options along with The Little Rabbit who though rumored to leave us was still named in the squad. Several other Castilla players too have been included in the Player list B.
Real Madrid CF
As far as the selection of Lass is concerned it comes of no surprise to me. He has clearly been the better of the two. He has been used more, infact in every other game since he was permitted to play for Real. I really don’t understand the signing of Julien Faubert. I do not want to make assumptions. I just hope that he is good. I would have definitely been happier if we had signed someone about whom everyone knows and someone who isn’t shocked when spoken to about Real Madrid. I do understand that there weren’t too many options, but when someone like Luis Antonio Valencia rejects an offer to join the squad we have got no other option but to go for players like Faubert. Not that I don’t have any respect for the ex-Bordeaux man but it has really surprised me. Though he has no expectations to live up to I really hope he performs well just to make it a permanent shock, I mean, a permanent move for him.
The Team List:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Jordi Codina, Jerzy Dudek, Felipe Ramos*, Antonio Adán*;
Defenders: Míchel Salgado, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Marcelo, Royston Drenthe, Gabriel Heinze, Christoph Metzelder, Miguel Torres, David Mateos*, Javier Velayos*, José María Antón*;
Midfielders: Fernando Gago, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Guti, Rafael van der Vaart, Javi García, Pedro Mosquera*, Julien Faubert, Lassana Diarrà, Daniel Parejo*;
Forwards: Raúl González, Javier Saviola, Ádám Szalai, Gonzalo Higuaín, Alberto Bueno*, Juan Hernández*;
* – Player list B
Anyhoo, I think this squad is good enough to beat the Merseyside Reds.
Para siempre blanco!!
Hala Madrid!!
Faubert press conference
In his first press conference as a Real Madrid player, Julien Faubert said this club “represents everything” in the world of football and that he believes he personally responds to the type of player the coach needs.
Do you feel like a Real Madrid player already?
This hasn’t really come as much as a surprise. I had a chance to join either Real Madrid or Roma when I was at Girondins, but I chose to go to England instead. I had some physical problems, but they are over now. I am very happy about signing for Real Madrid.
How do you feel from your recent injury?
I was injured more than a year ago and I feel physically fit. I’ve played 18 games with West Ham since I recovered and I am ready to play here.
Some people thought the Club shouldn’t sign you. What did you thik about that?
When I heard about the signing at first I thought it was a joke because there were many rumours going around. I think my profile responds to the needs of the coach. I can play down the right wing. That’s why Real Madrid signed me.
What attracted you of Real Madrid before you got here?
Real Madrid represents everything to me. It is the best club in the world; a great institution with a very long history. Many great French footballers have played here and it makes me happy to join the Club.
Do you think you can do what the Club asks of you in just four months?
I wouldn’t have come if I thought otherwise. I believe I can do much for the team.
Faubert official presentation
Julien Faubert was officially presented as Real Madrid’s latest signing on Monday morning. The act took place in the Press Room of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, as opposed to the Presidential Balcony, due to the rain.
The player was greeted by President Vicente Boluda and Honorary President Alfredo di Stefano, who gave him his new team shirt -number ’18′-.
Vicente Boluda:
This Board has listened to the requests of the team’s coaching staff and has reached an agreement to have Faubert loaned out to the Club until 20 June. The Club may use its right to sign the player for three years after this date if its coaching staff deems it necessary. You now have the chance to show the quality you treasure and that the Club demands of you. This is the chance of a lifetime and you have to use it well. Real Madrid will be your home and we demand devotion, compromise, team spirit and titles. We hope you are very happy here.
Julien Faubert:
I am very happy for receiving this shirt from a leading football personality like Alfredo di Stefano I can’t wait to defend these colours.
Following his official presentation and his first press conference as a Real Madrid player, Julien Faubert visited the dressing room and stepped onto the pitch of the Santiago Barnabeu Stadium with his new team’s kit.
Faubert had his picture taken on the pitch on his own, as well as with his wife and other family members, to immortalize the moment.
Vamos Rafa!!
Rafael Nadal became the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open on Sunday after beating Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2. It’s the sixth Grand Slam title for the number 1 ranked player in the world.
Congratulations Rafa!
Faubert to RealMadrid.com
Julien Faubert couldn’t contain his joy after signing his contract to become an official member of Real Madrid. The Frenchman sat down with Realmadrid.com and RealmadridTV for his first interview to discuss his early impressions and goals.
Welcome to Madrid, Julien. You must be pretty happy.
Of course. I am very happy because this is a dream come true. Real Madrid is the best team in the world. I couldn’t be happier.
What went through your mind when you were told that you be playing for Real Madrid?
I thought it was all a joke at first to be honest. Then I realized it was all true and that Real Madrid were interested. I am very happy. Everything that has taken place still hasn’t set in. I’m sure I’ll know it’s all real once I start training.
Do you know any Real Madrid players?
I know Lassana Diarra well. We played for the French Under-21 side together, so I know what he is like and how he plays. Of course I know him the best, but I will try to meet the rest of the squad as soon as possible and learn a little more Spanish. I think I’ll be able to communicate with most of them in English for now.
What’s your main goal, La Liga or the Champions League?
Both. I want to play and perform my best in every match. I want to play as many matches possible and prove that I belong here. My goal is to win a title.
You’ve worn number ’10′ for the French national team after Zidane retired. And Real Madrid was his last club.
It’s an honor because Zidane was the greatest in my opinion. I don’t know what to say about him. Zidane is Zidane, so I think being compared to him is impossible. I am happy to be here, the same team that Zidane played for, but players like Ronaldo and Beckham as well. The best players have all wound up here and won many titles. It’s the best team in the world.
Is there anything you’d like to say to fans?
I hope they are pleased with me and that they enjoy the way I play. I will try to satisfy them at all times and do the best I can.
Real Murcia B 2-1 Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla were unable to keep their winning streak intact and lost 2-1 at Murcia. Dani Sanchez and Quinin provided the hosts with all the artillery, while Acuña scored his first goal as a Madridista. Both sides finished with ten men and the match was only decided in the waning moments of the second half.
Notes: Week 23 of Segunda Division B Group II
Played at: Sanchez Canovas Stadium in Murcia.
Referee: Mr. González González
Numancia 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid notched their sixth straight victory on Saturday after starting the same eleven men who have taken the pitch in the last three matches. Raul scored his 307th goal to pull even with Alfredo Di Stefano as the club’s top scorer of all time, and Robben punched in the second to make it 0-2.
Raul scored his 307th goal
Numancia fired the first warning on 7′ when Boris found Barkero’s cross only to send it straight into Casillas’ hands. The Madridistas responded three minutes later, but Juan Pablo had little trouble trapping Higuain’s shot from 27 yards out.
The hosts continued putting pressure on Real Madrid. Their back line advanced to tighten the lines, giving the Whites little room to work with. Gago had a go from the top of the box on 18′ but struck the ball poorly and sent it wide of goal. Del Pino came closer to striking gold but could only watch in dismay as his shot hit Casillas’ far post (26’). Real Madrid took control in the closing minutes of the first half with Gago directing from the midfield and Pepe battening down the hatches on defense, and they could have gone into the break with the advantage had Dimas not cleared Heinze’s shot off the line.
The Whites dial it up a notch in the second, and 180 seconds into the half Robben found a lane on the left side of the box and found Higuain. The Argentinian’s shot was deflected by Juan Pablo, but Raul was there to knock in the go-ahead goal and his 307th for Real Madrid. The captain is now level with Di Stefano as Real Madrid’s top scorer of all time.
Eight minutes later Robben dribbled through three defenders and hammered home a tight shot to put Real Madrid up by two. The Dutchman ran to the bench to celebrate his fifth of the season with Codina. Kresic brought in Aranda and Quero hoping to find an answer, while Van der Vaart replaced Robben. Although the pace slowed, both sides had chances to put more goals on the board.
Huntelaar stepped in for Higuain on 77′ and Raul had a seat with ten minutes remaining. Numancia continued pestering Casillas but were unable to respond to a team that has now won six straight and continues believing a league title is possible.
Lineups
Numancia: Juan Pablo, Juanra, Sergio Ortega, Boris, Cisma, Nagore, Barkero, Dimas (Mario 81′), Goiria, Del Pino (Quero 64′), Brit (Aranda 55′);
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Lass, Sneijder, Robben (Van der Vaart 66′), Gago, Raúl (Javi García 84′), Higuaín (Huntelaar 77′);
Goals:
0-1, 48′ - Raúl
0-2, 56′ - Robben
Referee: Delgado Ferreiro.
Booked: Lass, Sergio Ramos, Gago, Goiria, Nagore;
Sent off: Gago.
Notes: Week 21 of La Liga.
Played at: Estadio Los Pajaritos.
Attendance: 5000.
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Real Madrid president, Vicente Boluda was pleased with the team’s performance against Numancia and hopes the streak continues. The Real Madrid coach pointed out the team’s commitment and excellent second half performance in statements made after the match. Raul scored what was the game winner against Numancia and in doing so pulled level with Alfredo di Stefano as Real Madrid’s leading goal-scorer of all time. Fernando Gago and Pepe discussed Real Madrid’s six straight win. Gonzalo Higuain and Arjen Robben had the following to say regarding their 0-2 victory against Numancia and Raul equalling Di Stefano as the team’s top scorer of all time.
Vicente Boluda:
Juande Ramos:
Raul:
Gago:
Pepe:
Higuain:
Robben:
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February 1, 2009 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Arjen Robben, CD Numancia, Estadio Los Pajaritos, Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuaín, Juande Ramos, Képler Pepe, Raúl González Blanco, Vicente Boluda | Leave A Comment »