Hugo Sanchez to Realmadrid.com
Beginning in 1985 Hugo Sanchez led an offense that won five consecutive league titles. The Mexican star’s aerial acrobatics were a frequent sight during his seven seasons with Real Madrid and his 207 goals earned him four Pichichi trophies. Seventeen years after leaving the club, Sanchez returns to the Bernabeu as head coach of Almeria.
Hugo Sanchez returns to the Bernabeu.
I am very excited. I am returning home, but now it’s official. The last time was for an exhibition match with Pumas in 2004. It definitely makes me happy. The last time is a great memory because it was the first time a team beat Real Madrid for the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy.
How will you feel when you walk up the tunnel towards the pitch?
I’m overwhelmed with emotion, but the feeling will have to take a back seat for a while. Work comes first. Winning the three points is important for us. But if we don’t win, a draw would be good, especially under the circumstances. We’re playing at the Bernabeu agains Real Madrid.
You already won once in the Bernabeu.
That is correct. I would like to make history with Almeria and win in the Santiago Bernabeu for the first time. It would be a second historic milestone. The first, like I said, was winning with Pumas to become the first American team to win here. The challenge now is to win here with Almeria for the first time.
You also have players with Madridista pasts.
Yes. We have Negredo, Corona and Nieto. All three are products of Real Madird. Negredo cannot play, and without him we lose an important component of our offense. He is a player who continues to improve. He’s a great goal-scorer. He always creates danger. I am sorry he cannot play.
How do you find Real Madrid?
I would have loved to see Real Madrid defeat Liverpool. There was a lot of expectation that the team would reach the final. Now all that is left is La Liga, and I think it is just as difficult to win as the Champions League. But Real Madrid are capable of anything. Being eliminated must have been devastating, but Madrid will recover. I am sure of it.
Raul recently surpassed Di Stefano’s record of goals. What’s your opinion on Raul?
Raul is a symbol of Madridismo. His career speaks for itself, but he is also a reference for new generations of Madridistas and football around the world. Players like him are needed for football to grow
Metzelder to Realmadrid TV
In an interview with Realmadrid TV and Realmadrid.com, Christoph Metzelder commented on the team’s confidence heading down the home stretch of the season and the forthcoming match against Almeria.
Almeria are coached by a former Madridista who is very familiar with Real Madrid and the stadium. How might this influence them match?
All teams at this level know each other pretty well. So because we have players with the talent that they have, everyone knows how we play. We must take the initiative. Almeria will defend and look for chances on the counterattack. We must take the initiative.
Is it good for Real Madrid that Alvaro Negredo cannot play?
He’s the best forward the team has. He also scored many goals last year. He is a dangerous player, which is why it’s an advantage for us. However, we must focus on out game, our style and our plays. That’s how we will win.
Real Madrid have discovered the winning formula since Juande Ramos arrived. Why is that so?
This team has a lot of talent. We have players with tremendous individual capabilities, which is why this team found its way to play well and win. I think the job Juande Ramos has done also played a role, but this team is very talented.
Six points separate Real Madrid and Barcelona, who still have to visit the Bernabeu. Are they the most crucial points that remain?
Yes, but I think we need to win every match we have left in order to maintain the pressure on Barcelona. We have some tough road matches still to play, which is why every match is crucial. We have eleven finals.
What realistic chance does Real Madrid have of retaining the league title?
Six points isn’t a lot, and Barcelona are still in three competitions. They have a lot of matches to play and we only have La Liga to focus on. We know how good they are. They’ve done very well in the league, so it will be difficult. We will however fight until the very end.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak