Metzelder press conference
With internationals on their way back to Madrid, Christoph Metzelder offered the Thursday press conference to discuss the upcoming match against Malaga, among other things.
How has the week been without all the internationals here?
It’s a difficult time to prepare for an important match. We only have one session with everyone here, but most of us are or have been internationals so we know what these weeks are like and that there is little time to train, which really isn’t much of an inconvenience.
Will the fact that you only have one session with everyone on hand be a factor?
We’ll find out on Saturday night, but we have experience in these kinds of situations and don’t think it will be a problem. Let’s hope no one comes back with an injury and that we can prepare for Saturday.
What must be done to win La Liga?
That’s easy… We need to win every match and Barcelona need to slip up. We’ll have our chance with them having to compete in the Champions League and Copa del Rey still, but we must first win our games.
Is the match against Malaga the first of ten finals?
Yes. We have ten finals before the season ends and we have to win each one.
Did you miss playing for Germany?
I haven’t thought much about the national team. I watched the match against Wales, but it’s not an important matter for me. I want to stay here and train hard.
Will the Clasico against Barcelona determine the outcome of La Liga?
With a six point deficit right now it won’t be a key match, which is why we must win all that come before it and wait and see.
Marcelo appears to have returned injured. Would his absence be significant against Malaga?
I watched the Brazil match and he looked good, but we have to see how he returns.
Who do you want to win the Barcelona-Bayern tie?
The Germans.
Where do you see yourself next year?
I have a year left on my contract and I tend to see my contracts through. It’s something to be discussed in the future, but right now I’m still in Madrid.
What is the key to defeating Malaga?
They have played well so far this year. Our first match in the Bernabeu was quite difficult, but we are prepared to battle it out. We have enough talent to win this match.
Barcelona demolished Malaga before the stoppage. Do you expect them to be upset?
Barcelona won in decisive fashion, but Saturday’s will be different. We hope we’re well enough prepared.
Rafael van der Vaart is apparently still with Real Madrid
He was our sole signing last summer. He had the greatest possible start for a midfielder. He played (if not started) every game till the second half of the season and has now been deserted. I think the last time he made an appearance on the field was at Anfield and that was after we had gone 3-0 down. God alone knows why he hasn’t been playing.
Rumors are now linking him with a move to Chelsea after several rumors had linked him with a return to Hamburg. With the World Cup in South Africa next year, the 26-year-old is eager to move for first-team football in order to remain part of the Holland squad, with London his preferred destination. He initially said:
Fortunately for me, Chelsea want me, so I have everything clear. If Guus Hiddink remains at the helm of Chelsea, I hope that the signing will be closed soon. I want to leave Real Madrid.
But then he later apparently has said only this and it was blown up by the British press as usual:
It’s flattering when someone like Guus Hiddink is interested as he is one of the best. If my World Cup selection is threatened I must think about a transfer.
I seriously don’t know why he hasn’t been laying. Maybe one more upset player on the squad?
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Turkey 1-2 Spain
Albert Riera broke Turkey hearts in Istanbul with his added-time goal leaving the European champions in command of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 5.
Comeback
Left-winger Riera struck two minutes past the 90 to secure a sixth successive victory in the group for La Furia Roja, putting them six points clear of second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, Spain had to dig deep for this win, having trailed at half-time to a Semih Şentürk tap-in. Xabi Alonso restored parity with a 63rd-minute penalty, enabling his Liverpool FC team-mate Riera to apply the perfect finish late on.
Del Bosque changes
Turkey coach Fatih Terim had opted for the same starting XI that suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu four days before while Vicente Del Bosque made three changes – David Villa, Santi Cazorla and Raúl Albiol making way for David Silva, Riera and Carlos Marchena. The UEFA EURO 2008™ winners began well but had to wait till the 13th minute for their first sight of goal, Riera’s volley from distance being kept out by the diving Volkan Demirel. Fernando Torres should have done better soon after but his weak shot was gathered easily by the Fenerbahçe SK custodian.
Turkey delight
The hosts settled as the half progressed and, to the delight of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, the men in red went ahead in the 26th minute. When Arda Turan’s right-foot cross from the left caught the Spain defence napping, Tuncay Şanlı evaded the attentions of Iker Casillas to pass the ball across the face of goal, where Semih Şentürk had the easy task of knocking into an empty net. Tuncay was centimetres away from latching on to Arda Turan’s deep centre moments later before Nihat spurned two chances to double the lead.
Late winner
Spain rallied and were awarded a second-half penalty when İbrahim Üzülmez handled Torres’s far-post effort. Alonso was handed the responsibility and the midfielder made no mistake with a calm finish. Ten minutes later, Volkan was again in action as he diverted a Torres attempt away from danger before Casillas did well to hold on to Tuncay’s shot. As the game ticked into stoppage time, however, substitute Daniel Güiza battled through down the right before picking out Riera who struck a low finish past Volkan for the clincher.
MATCH SUMMARY:
TURKEY: Volkan Demirel; Gokhan Gonul, Emre Asik, Balta, Ibrahim Uzulmez; Tuncay Sanli, Mehmet Aurelio, Emre Belozoglu, Arda Turan (Sahin, m.88); Nihat ( Karadeniz, m.77), Senturk (Sarioglu, m.80).
SPAIN: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Pique, Capdevila; Silva (Busquets, m.74), Senna (Cazorla, m.67), Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Riera; Fernando Torres (Güiza, m.85).
GOALS:
1-0, m.26: Senturk
1-1, m.63: Xabi Alonso
1-2, m.92: Riera
REFEREE: Michael Riley (ENG)
Just another Madridista
Junta speak