Real Madrid vs Liga Universitaria de Quito | Peace Cup 2009 | Group Stages | Preview
Real Madrid host Liga de Quito on Tuesday with a berth in the Peace Cup semifinals on the line. Pepe is likely to return to action for the Whites, who are in a must-win situation if they are to move on in the competition.
The top spot in Group C is up for grabs as Real welcome Liga Universidad de Quito for the second match of the Peace Cup. Tonight’s visitors currently lead the group after defeating Al-Ittihad last Friday. The Whites find themselves in a must-win situation if they are to move on to the next round, which will be played on Friday in Seville, while the Ecuadorian side only needs a draw to punch its ticket.
Manuel Pellegrini is counting on a similar lineup to that used against Al-Ittihad on Sunday. He has twenty players to choose from, including Pepe who has recovered from a knock received against Shamrock Rovers and was unable to participate over the weekend. Diarra and Van Nistelrooy were not called up as both continue recovering from their respective knee injuries and Heinze, Garay, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar were left off the list due to a coaching decision.
The Chilean coach welcomed back four imporant players on Monday. Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol and Kaka returned from vacation after enjoying a month off but will not see action in tonight’s match.
Pellegrini up against his origins
The second match of the Peace Cup against Liga Deportiva Universitaria Quito may be more than just a friendly for Manuel Pellegrini, whose first coaching job outside his native country of Chile just happened to be Monday’s opponent.
After coaching jobs at Universidad Catolica, Palestino and O’Higgins, Manuel Pellegrini decided to try his luck outside Chile and in 1999/00 crossed the border to take over the reins at Liga Universitaria Quito.
Pellegrini guided the Ecuadorian side to the league title and the quarterfinal round of the Copa Libertadores, where they were eliminated by River Plate.
Pepe called up
The Peace Cup will see Real Madrid host Liga Universitaria de Quito on Tuesday in what will be the Whites’ second and last match of the group stage. Manuel Pellegrini has called up twenty men for the game, including Pepe who steps in for Garay.
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Dudek, Adan
Defenders: Marcelo, Salgado, Pepe, Metzelder, Agus, Torres, Drenthe
Midfielders: Gago, Lass, Sneijder, Robben, Guti, Granero, Cristiano Ronaldo
Forwards: Raul, Higuain, Benzema, Negredo
Arbeloa is almost a Madridista again
Alvaro Arbeloa is almost a Madridista again. Yep. The player claims he is close to finalizing his anticipated move to Real Madrid. Arbeloa has been linked with a move to Real throughout the summer with his chances at Liverpool likely to be more limited this season following the signing of Glen Johnson. It is a known fact that Real are also chasing Arbeloa’s team-mate Xabi Alonso.
A £4.5million fee for Arbeloa has been mooted and the Spain international believes talks over a move to Real are making positive progress. He told Spanish Marca:
At the moment I am focused on Liverpool, but it is true that the deal is close to being completed. We’ll see what happens in the next few days, if we can all make an effort so the the negotiations come to a good end, and we all come out having benefited, which is what everyone wants. I insist that everything is going forwards and everyone is in agreement – I am the one who has the most desire to sign for Madrid. I don’t know what the likelihood is in percentages, it’s a question more for the clubs. But, as I understand, it seems everything is going well and there is little left to resolve. It could all be sealed this week.
Arbeloa has made almost 100 appearances for Liverpool since joining the Premier League club from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007. He signed for Deportivo from Real, having failed to make an impact in his first spell at the Bernabeu after playing in the youth team for current Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
The arrival of Arbeloa will give me joy on two fronts. One, that it would make the exit of Gabriel Heinze imminent and two, it would mean more Spaniards in our first team squad. Last season it was four in Dani Parejo, Ruben de la Red, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. Now we have Albiol, Granero, Negredo and if what Arbeloa claims is true then Arbeloa.
Though Arbeloa’s arrival makes me happy its Xabi’s arrival that I’m looking forward to. Florentino Perez insists he will not pay over the odds for players, amid reports from Spain which suggest Rafa Benitez has put a 48-hour deadline on their pursuit of Xabi Alonso. Perez told the Daily Telegraph:
Some people obviously thought that because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don’t correspond to reality. A year ago, certain players we’ve asked about would have cost less than half the price we’re being quoted now. If necessary, we’ll find the Spanish players we would like for the squad in our youth system.
I couldn’t agree with him more. Liverpool thinks we mint money. We’ve got our own debts you red morons!
Anyhoo, a crunch Peace Cup game tonight. The preview to follow.
Till then,
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Gago press conference
Fernando Gago held his first press conference of the preseason on Monday.
How did you feel in this season’s Santiago Bernabeu debut?
Good. It is hard to assess the team because of all the physical work we have been doing. The first few matches are hard to pull out but it is pretty clear what Pellegrini wants… Possession of the ball.
We didn’t see the best version of Real Madrid last night.
That is football for you. It is hard to evaluate preseason matches. All that matters is being in good form heading into the first match of the season. We must all contribute our share.
What are your thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema?
They are great players. They are very talented and I am sure we will enjoy watching them play.
Today was the first day with Kaka.
He just returned from holiday, but we all know how important he is to this team. He is a great player.
How do you think Liga Universitaria de Quito will play tomorrow?
We need to focus on finding our rhythm, but we know they will do their best to put up a good fight.
Pellegrini spoke highly of the pressure the team put on in the first half of last night’s match.
We need to get used to the concepts the new coach wants to implement. We applied pressure until we felt the wear and tear in our legs. We lacked accuracy in the final third, but that it expected at this point in the season.
How do you find the team this preseason?
Getting La Liga off to a good start is all that counts. We must remain calm and understand that we are a good team.
Might the possible arrival of Xabi Alonso affect you in any way?
Real Madrid needs to have the best players and his arrival would be another reason to fight for a spot.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak