Lass press conference
Lass Diarra analysed the team’s current situation in a press conference following Sunday’s training session.
Have you ever experienced a streak like the one the team is having now?
I didn’t lose a home game for two and a half years when I was at Chelsea.
Real Madrid broke its own record of consecutive away victories.
I was told so at the end of the game. We want to continue winning games in order to win the title and keep this streak alive.
What has surprised you about Juande?
I didn’t know him at first, but I had heard his name. He is very disciplined and, thanks to him, Real Madrid are fighting for the league title. These victories are the result of his good work. I am very happy and he is being important to me.
Do you think about how the team may be next season?
I just focus on our current victories and on the present season; I want to win the league and I only think about that. I don’t think about the following year; I leave that to the Board. I want to win the games of this league.
Do you think your absence will be noticeable against Getafe?
The team will win with or without me. I’m only one player; it is the team as a whole who wins a game. This squad has many quality players and I’m sure they’ll win the match.
How does the team feel knowing Barcelona plays before?
We are focused on trying to win every game. We normally try to find out what’s happened when they play before us, but winning is what really counts, regardless of when Barcelona play.
What’s the difference between playing with Sneijder and Gago?
They are both excellent players. Sneijder is more offensive and plays up front. Gago stays closer to me. That’s the difference. I like to play with both of them; they are quality players.
How would you assess Real Madrid’s positive streak in defence?
We understand each other well, but the key to our success is the work we do in training.
What do you think of Marcelo’s excellent run?
He is in top form and goals are helping the team.
Juande’s Real Madrid equals the 1960/61 squad’s record
Real Madrid’s victory against Recreativo Huelva is their seventh straight win away from home, besides being their 15th victory in the last 16 games. Real Madrid had only achieved the former feat back in the 1960/61 season.
The Whites have defeated Mallorca, Numancia, Sporting Gijon, Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and Recreativo Huelva in their last seven games away from the Bernabeu. This impressive streak could increase against Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal and Osasuna.
The Madridistas have taken 45 of a total 48 points in the last 16 games, scoring 37 strikes and conceding only five. They will break the 1961 record by defeating Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Sunday.
Recreativo Huelva 0-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid won thanks to a great goal scored by Marcelo after receiving a phenomenal pass from Gago. There are eight finals left in the season for the Whites and they are still in pursuit of Barcelona. Juande’s boys equaled two records tonight: largest number of consecutive victories away from home and the best streak in 16 consecutive games.
Recreativo had the first chance of the night through former Real Madrid youth product Javi Camuñas, who sent the ball over the crossbar (1′). Real Madrid didn’t nwait to react and Arjen Robben came close to scoring after an amazing run from midfield. The Dutch forward dribbled past several players and shot on target, but keeper Risego cleared the ball (8′).
Robben had another chance on the 17-minute mark after receiving a pass backwards from Huntelaar, but his shot was again saved by Riesgo. Recreativo previously had a chance through Jesus Vazquez, whose shot Casillas failed to grab, forcing Pepe to clear the ball. Later, Higuain served a corner-kick to Marcelo, who waited on one of the outer corners of the box. The Brazilian crossed the ball into the box, where Raul finished the pass off, only to hit the leftt post. The ball fell at Sergio Ramos’ feet, but the defender didn’t reach it in time to make a shot and the ball went out the goal-line(32′).
As soon as the second half started, Gago served an impressive deep pass to Marcelo, who finished it off with an amamzing crossed shot from the left wing, defeating Riesgo (49′).
Robben later dribbled past two defenders and had a shot on goal, but Huelva’s keeper again cleared the ball (61′). The last clear chance of the match came when Sneijder made a great pass towards Robben, but Riesgo stepped up and stopped the ball before it reached the number ’11′ (72′). Recreativo made things hard for Real Madrid in the final minutes, especially through Camuñas’, whose last shot was cleared by Torres with his head(90′).
Record match
Besides still being undefeated in 2009, Real Madrid managed to equal their previous record of consecutive victories away from home and their best run after 16 consecutive games. Their victory in Huelva certified the excellent numbers Juande’s squad is earning. With eight more games to go, Real Madrid’s chances to win the title are still intact.
Sneijder injured
Sneijder came on for Huntelaar in the 62nd minute of the match in Huelva, but had to be replaced in the last minute of added time because he injured himself. The midfielder has torn his left hamstring muscles and will undergo medical examinations in the next few hours to determine the seriousness of the injury.
Lineups:
Recreativo de Huelva: Riesgo, Iago Bouzón, Morris, A. Lamas, Casado (Ersen Martin 60′), Barber, Aitor, Jesús Vázquez (Maidana 77′), Sisi (Akalé 60′), Camuñas, Adrián Colunga;
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Marcelo, Gago, Lass, Robben (M. Torres 85′), Higuaín, Raúl, Huntelaar (Sneijder 64′ (Van der Vaart 95′));
Goals:
0-1, min.50 – Marcelo
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes.
Booked: Casado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Lass;
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Juande Ramos was very pleased with his teamm’s game and with the final result. Both Marcelo and Pepe were very happy with the team’s latest victory.
Juande Ramos:
Marcelo:
Pepe:
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April 19, 2009 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Juande Ramos, Képler Pepe, Marcelo Vieira, Nuevo Colombino, Recreativo Huelva | Leave A Comment »