Pellegrini press conference
Manuel Pellegrini gave a press conference prior to tomorrow’s 20:00 CET match against Valladolid at the Bernabeu.
How fit are Kaka and Higuain?
They both arrived this morning and they are naturally tired. They’ve both made the squad list, which means they will be ready to play tomorrow.
Why did Cristiano try to play for Portugal if he was injured?
People have talked too much about Cristiano’s injury. He was called-up by his national team and he felt ready to play following medical examinations. He felt pain in his ankle and now he is recovering. I think it’s only natural for him to want to play when his team risked not being in the World Cup. He did what he had to do and we hope he recovers soon.
How does he feel now?
He feels better, but we want him to recover completely in order to avoid future problems. We’ll see how much progress he makes every week.
Do you think people made too much of the team’s defeat in Seville?
I’ve been living in Spain for six years and I know how important Real Madrid is. I haven’t had a single meeting with the Club since the match. Many things that were said weren’t true. We faced a great opponent and we lost. These things happen.
Doesn’t the Club put too much pressure on the team?
We always want to improve and we all want the team to win and play as best as it possibly can. I don’t think we are far from what we are hoping to achieve because we’ve won many games by scoring plenty of goals. Our opponents are good and always do their best against us. I’m happy with our work. We want to minimise our bad moments. I don’t think there’s any pressure coming from the Club. We know what we’re doing. The players are completely devoted to the team.
Will you use any academy players this weekend?
Eiighteen first teamers have been called-up.
How happy are you with Sergio Ramos’ performances so far?
I don’t like to make individual assessments. I am very happy with the entire squad. I think Sergio is very much involved with the team. We have much responsibility and the entire squad is working hard to help the team achieve its goals.
Granero to Realmadrid.com
Always one of the most promising academy players, Esteban Granero has gotten off to a hot start this season and is right in the thick of things as he tries to earn his spot in Manuel Pellegrini’s starting eleven.
A victory against Valladolid is paramount.
Winning is always a must if we want to accomplish our goals. Our goal is to win every match and Valladolid is next.
Valladolid have conceded nine goals on their last two visits to the Bernabeu.
Past results mean nothing. This is a new match and we don’t know what we will find. We must be focused so that we aren’t caught off-guard. Any team nowadays can be dangerous and Valladolid play in the top flight and have some great players. We cannot be overly confident.
Can this Real Madrid squad be consistent enough to win La Liga?
Yes, of course. To be consistent we need a solid foundation, clear-cut ideas, and complete squad and top-notch players in every position. We have all of that, which is why we can go far in La Liga.
Are there really only two teams in the running for La Liga?
No. We can be easily stunned if we start discarding teams. Every opponent is a threat, especially on the road. Thinking only about Barcelona would be a mistake. We must take one match at a time.
How does the Champions League look this year?
It is Europe’s competition and it designates the top team on the continent. Real Madrid has always led the ranking, which is where I think it belongs. That, coupled with the fact that this year’s final is in our stadium and the fact that we haven’t enjoyed success in recent years, is motivation enought for us to do our best.
Because the team hasn’t gotten past the Last 16 in recent years, would doing so be considered a success?
We shouldn’t think about the past, but rather only about our group. We will not accept anything except for winning. We are Real Madrid and must therefore play to win everything.
FIFA World Cup 2010 | Qualification | Madridistas round-up
Uruguay 0-1 Argentina
Diego Maradona’s Argentina booked their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ finals as substitute Mario Bolatti hit a later winner to end Uruguay’s hopes of snatching automatic qualification. Huracan midfielder Bolatti, winning just his third cap, fired home with six minutes remaining after the home defence failed.
The hosts ended the night with ten men after Martin Caceres picked up a second yellow card in the build up to Argentina’s winner. Maradona has come in for fierce criticism for his disjointed handling of Argentina’s qualification campaign, which has seen him field over 70 players, but victory in Montevideo tonight should silence his critics, until next summer at least.
Uruguay, meanwhile, now need to prevail in a play-off against Honduras or Costa Rica if they are to join Argentina in the finals.
Uruguay were quickly out of the blocks and looked to harry the opposition in the early exchanges. Argentina appeared nervy and their backline was soon exposed when Jorge Rodriguez broke through in the fourth minute, but was beaten to the ball by the advancing Sergio Romero.
The visiting goalkeeper crashed his attempted clearance against the legs of Rodriguez, however, and was fortunate that the ball spun harmlessly out of play rather than into the unguarded net. Gabriel Heinze underlined the tension in the Argentinian ranks when he picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Maxi Pereira after nine minutes.
The hosts threatened from the resulting free-kick, but Andres Scotti had his header sail wide of the target. Uruguay continued to make all the running as the half wore on and after 23 minutes Alvaro Pereira fizzed a well-struck shot wide of the target from the left edge of the area that had Romero scrambling. Argentina had a penalty shout turned down after 28 minutes as referee Carlos Amarilla waved away the appeals.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-5 Spain
Spain joined a select group of teams to record a perfect 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying record tonight, making it ten wins out of ten in European Zone, Group 5 with a 5-2 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica.
La Roja followed in the footsteps of countries such as West Germany in 1982 and the Netherlands this campaign by winning all their preliminary matches, sweeping aside the second-best team in their pool thanks to early goals from Gerard Pique and David Silva, and two in the second half from Alvaro Negredo on his first start for his country. Juan Mata then added a late fifth with his third goal in successive internationals before Bosnia-Herzegovina, who were already assured of a spot in the play-offs before this match, pulled two goals back in injury time from Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic to add a touch of respectability to the scoreline.
Tonight’s victory will further establish Spain’s credentials as one of the main favourites to win next year’s FIFA World Cup – especially because they were missing the likes of Xavi, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Carles Puyol and Cesc Fabregas. But Vicente del Bosque’s side will know it could have been a completely different story if Bosnia-Herzegovina had made the most of their early chances.
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, playing his 99th match for his country, was in inspired form to keep the home side at bay. The Real Madrid custodian was first called into action in the seventh minute to parry Dzeko’s effort, and moments later he did even better to push away Sejad Salihovic’s shot as it arrowed towards the top corner.
The Spain goal should have been breached in the tenth minute, though, when Vedad Ibisevic latched on to a clever through-ball and rounded Casillas. But with an open net to aim for, the Hoffenheim striker sliced his shot wide of the near post.
That miss took on extra significance within three minutes, Spain netting twice in that time through Pique and Silva. The former broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, when he beat Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Nemanja Supic to Xabi Alonso’s curling free-kick to glance home a header, and then seconds later Silva coolly slotted home from the edge of the box after Negredo’s pin-point through-ball had bisected the home centre-backs.
Florentino Perez to CNN
Florentino Perez has brought excitement back to Madridismo with his return at the helm of the Club. The President talked about his new project on CNN.
Tell us about your project and the reasons that made you come back.
I decided to come back because I believed Real Madrid was distancing itself from the model it should follow, initially established by Santiago Bernabeu by signing Alfredo di Stefano. This made Real Madrid the best club in history. I decided it was necessary for us to embrace our roots again when I saw the Club was straying off course. I decided to become a candidate when the June election was announced.
Real Madrid haven’t won the Champions League in seven and a half years. Is it the primary goal for the season? How much pressure is on the coach and his men to win the title?
The European Cup is the competition in which Real Madrid feels comfortable. But the Club hasn’t just failed to win the title in many years; it has also failed to reach far in it. That’s why we had to say we would sign star players and try to win the title again. The final will take place at the Bernabeu on 22 May 2010 and we are excited about trying to win the title here.
How hard is it to sign players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka?
I don’t think it’s hard. You need two things to happen for the process to be simple: that Real Madrid wants to sign them and that the players want to come. That was the case with both Cristiano and Kaka. It is also basic to have good relations with their clubs in order to have loyal discussions when negotiating.
You won one Champions League in your previous six-year office. Many people believe you should have won more with the players the team had. You have the same model now. What are you going to change to win more Champions Leagues this time around?
Real Madrid have won nine European Cups throughout their history. They haven’t won one every year and in over fifty years, since the first was won in 1955, the team has taken nine titles. Winning isn’t all that counts. We must also recover the place we deserve to have in Europe, which the team has failed to do in recent years. We will work hard to recover that place and to win the title again.
Garay to Realmadrid.com
Ezequiler Garay told Realmadrid.com that the team has already forgotten about the defeat in Seville and that the squad is working hard to defeat Valladolid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
How was your birthday like?
It was a very special day because I turned 23. I spent the day with my family and had a very nice time.
This is a strange week at Valdebebas because the internationals aren’t on the team. How are the rest of you coping?
It truly is a rather strange week. Few of us remain to train, but I think this helps us work out more on a physical level. It does help.
The team can’t afford to relax because the next game in La Liga is round the corner…
Sure. We lost our previous match against Sevilla and our match on Saturday will also be complicated. We’ll have to do a good job.
You can’t make any concessions, especially at home…
The match against Valladolid will be difficult. We need to take three points. We can’t afford another defeat or to drop more points. We will play at home so we must try hard to earn a good result. We must be strong at the Bernabeu.
Valladolid have had an irregular start to the season, but every team tries to play its best game of the campaign at the Bernabeu…
It’s always been like that. It’s understandable that they all want to defeat us at our stadium, especially with the squad we have this year. Teams are extra motivated when they face us in Madrid and give 100%. We know we have to concentrate equally hard in any game and at any stadium. We will try to take three very important points at home on Saturday.
The team has looked rather calm throughout the week. It seems you have forgotten about the defeat in Seville and that morale is high.
I think so. Morale must always be high and confidence even more so. We are training hard and focusing on winning on Saturday.
Letters and Ankles
The Letter:
Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message to his team-mates before the crucial match against Malta.
I wished with all my heart to fight for Portugal with you all, but as you know an untimely injury prevents me from doing so.
Your great challenge for this evening is to play a great game to take us to the South Africa World Cup; mine is to recover as soon as possible to help my team, Real Madrid, and our national team to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. I have to fight to recover because I believe that’s the best thing I can do to help the national team whenever it needs me. I want you to know that my heart will be with you in every minute of tonight’s game and that I will be proud of your efforts, just like everyone else in Portugal will be.
I wish you all the best.
The Ankles:
- Jose Maria Gutierrez ‘Guti’ missed Tuesday’s session and had to work out in the gym because of a sprain on his left ankle.
- Christoph Metzelder had to leave training early on Tuesday. He went to Santias-La Moraleja Hospital, where the Medical Staff determined he was injured with a sprain on his right ankle.
We don’t know how much football these two are going to miss though. But apparently Metz’s injury is a little serious and he too will miss the Milan matches.
It is important to note that Guti is left footed and Metzelder is right footed. Ripping Guti off his right foot and Metz off his left and making an android out of it would still be useless.
Another ankle that we’ve got to worry about is Cristiano Ronaldo’s.
Damn it! When was the last time I made the post without Cristiano Ronaldo on it?!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Xabi Alonso to Marca
Xabi Alonso is currently with the Spanish national team, but found time to comment on Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury in an interview with Marca.
Those of us at Real Madrid know how to distance ourselves from criticism. We knew reviews would be positive when we won games and that they would be different when we didn’t. We have to be self-critical and improve on what we do wrong.
Pellegrini has paved the way for this team to achieve important things. We naturally want to play a beautiful game, but we have to take things slowly. I hope we showcase spectacle against Valladolid! But you can’t calculate when this will happen. We’ve just started and I’m sure there will be many surprises in the championship.
Cristiano Ronaldo is performing at a very high level and supplies solutions in attack to the team. His injury, like all others, is untimely.
Granero to Marca
Esteban Granero told Marca he is delighted about playing for the first team and that he would love to win the Champions League this season.
Real Madrid demands more discipline and I’m delighted about beng here every day. I’ve played less in the last few games, but I think it will help me try even harder and realise that you have to be 120% ready to play when at Real Madrid.
Pellegrini has very clear ideas. He looks confident in everything he does. Rotations are essential both on a physical and psychological level. It’s important for every player to feel like an active party within the group. Rotations liven up the squad.
Cristiano is a player that you miss because he always makes a difference, but that doesn’t mean Real Madrid depend on just one player. There are great footballers on this team besides Cristiano. He is a world-class player and he was having a great run, but there is a big difference between that and being indispensable. We must and we can win without him. We have players that can do a considerable job for the team.
Kaka is a very important player who has earned his prestige throughout many years. He can help you win a match at any given time. He is always smiling and in good spirits.
Its still about CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Madrid on Sunday because he felt pain on his right ankle during the Portugal-Hungary clash on Saturday. The player was examined by Real Madrid’s Medical Staff, who determined he suffers from a Grade I-II sprain on the internal lateral ligament with inflammation and bone marrow edema on the talus bone of the right ankle. The player will miss between three and four weeks.
Cristiano Ronaldo told AS he will work very hard to recover from the sprain on his right ankle as soon as possible.
I’m sad about being injured again because I was in good form, but I know that my drive combined with the work of Real Madrid’s physiotherapists will help me recover soon. What’s important is that my recovery is perfect in order to avoid future complications. I will work very hard to cut my recovery short, but it’s important to recover well in order to avoid problems in the future. This injury has nothing to do with the one I had last year.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is not good news. It’s a serious injury and it will be better to recover him well and not to force him. We hope he gets well and returns to us as soon as possible.
The league is far from over, but we’ll have to avoid Barcelona from distancing themsleves any more. We have to remain calm to take three points at a time.
Spain can’t afford to lose. We have to keep up our winning streak. Our pride is at stake. We represent our country and we will try to win the match from the start.
Benzema meets Ronaldo
The Club wished to surprise Benzema by arranging a surprise meeting with his idol Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The French striker has always revered the Brazilian star. Both men praised each other.
Benzema:
I’ve dreamt about meeting him ever since I was 12 years old. I still can’t believe it. He is an amazing player, the best there’s ever been.
Ronaldo:
This means I must have done a good job throughout my career and that important players like Benzema enjoy my football style. Friends of mine have told me he does things in a similar way to me. They say he does step-overs, that he shoots with both feet… Being able to do the latter is a plus for any striker becausde defenders don’t know what you are going to do. He is doing a great job and I’m having a lot of fun watching him play. I wish him all the best. I’ve never liked comparisons. They aren’t good. I follow him from Brazil and I can tell he is doing a great job. It is wonderful to play at this stadium and I wish him all the luck in the world.
Benzema:
I don’t play like Ronaldo does and I don’t know how to do everything he is able to do. I don’t know if I’ll be able to be as successful as he was here; he won many titles. I wish I can do the same.
Ronaldo:
Dont’ say anything. Just score many goals. Raul, Kaka and Cristiano will serve you many balls so that you can net many strikes to thrill everyone. Everything my eternal boss Florentino Perez does is very exciting. His passion is such that people go on the same ride with him. People are passionate for Real Madrid, but Florentino is capable of reaching out to their excitement. That’s brilliant because excitement is what moves people. I wish Real Madrid reach the Champions league final. This team has an incredible presence. If you get there I will be here, so you better do a good job!
Benzema:
I hope we reach the final and win the title. It would be an honour to have a player like you watching from the stands.
FIFA World Cup 2010 | Qualification | Madridistas round-up
Portugal 3-0 Hungary
Portugal overcame the early loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to move into pole position for a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying play-off. Two goals from Simao Sabrosa and a header from Liedson earned the hosts their first home win in the qualifying campaign. That, coupled with Sweden’s 1-0 defeat away to group winners Denmark, enabled Carlos Queiroz’s side to move into second place in Group 1, a position they can hold if they beat Malta in Guimaraes on Wednesday.
Ronaldo had made an impact before his departure as his shot in the 18th minute was fumbled by goalkeeper Gabor Babos and Atletico Madrid winger Simao reacted quickest to tuck away the loose ball and set his side on their way to victory. The Real Madrid talent then had an ankle injury end his participation before the half-hour mark, as he was replaced by former Manchester United team-mate Nani.
Hungary had two chances to equalise before the interval, with Balazs Dzsudzsak the first to threaten when his effort was blocked by midfielder Duda. Defender Roland Juhasz went even closer in first-half stoppage time as his header rattled the hosts’ crossbar.
Portugal’s defence held their opponents at arm’s length in the early stages of the second half and eased the pressure on them when, in the 74th minute, Sporting’s Liedson scored the second goal, his second in just three caps since gaining Portuguese citizenship.
Bruno Alves delivered his side’s 12th corner of the game and the Brazilian-born forward headed powerfully past Nijmegen captain Babos. Five minutes later, Simao capped a man-of-the-match performance as he met Duda’s left-wing cross and headed his second and Portugal’s third to put the result absolutely beyond doubt.
Victory over group basement side Malta, who are yet to score in nine games that have yielded just a solitary point and who were beaten 4-0 in their previous meeting with Queiroz’s side, would leave Portugal on 19 points.
That would take them out of range of Sweden in the battle for the runner-up spot behind the Danes, regardless of what Lars Lagerback’s men achieve against Albania in midweek.
Armenia 1-2 Spain
Spain remained on course to complete a perfect record in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying as they made it nine wins from nine with victory over Armenia in a rain-drenched Yerevan today.
In a clash between a Spanish side who had already secured their spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup finals and an Armenia team whose outside hopes of going to South Africa had vanished long ago, it was the European champions who came out on top thanks to Juan Mata’s second-half penalty. Mata coolly slotted home what would prove to be the winning goal from the spot in the 64th minute, just six minutes after Armenia had stunned their visitors by equalising through Robert Arzumanyan.
Spain had earlier taken the lead with a brilliant goal from Cesc Fabregas midway through the first half. The Spanish were clear favourites heading into the match having won all eight of their qualifiers and facing a side who had taken just one point from their opening seven matches in Group 5.
However, Vardan Minasyan’s side had claimed a shock 2-1 victory over Belgium in their previous match in Yerevan and they would have been eager to have added an even bigger scalp today in the form of UEFA EURO 2008 winners Spain. However, it was not to be for the underdogs, as even though at times they made life difficult for the Spanish, Vicente del Bosque’s troops did enough to notch up yet another victory.
In the absence of the injured David Villa, Del Bosque opted to use Fernando Torres as his lone striker with the Liverpool man having recovered from the groin problem that forced him to limp out of training earlier this week. It was Villarreal playmaker Santi Cazorla who came closest early on though, with an effort from inside the area that just cleared the crossbar, while his fellow midfielder Xavi was denied by Roman Berezovsky in the 17th minute.
Cazorla came even closer in the 31st minute with another effort, but Spain were not to be kept out for much longer as two minutes later Fabregas broke the deadlock. Xavi played his part with a fantastic pass over the defence and Arsenal captain Fabregas ensured the opportunity was not to be wasted as he lofted a first-time shot past Armenia goalkeeper Berezovsky and into the far corner of the net.
Puertollano 1-1 Real Madrid Castilla
Although they were the better side on Sunday, Real Madrid Castilla were unable to return home with a victory in tow. The youth side managed to overcome a one goal deficit with a shot by Vazquez shortly after the second half began, but despite several more attempts on goal were unable to notch a victory.
MATCH SUMMARY
U.D. Puertollano: Calleja, German, Raul, Eloy, Valdes, Addison (Ortiz 74′), Honorio, Hernandez, Acoran (Mendi 68′), Brenes(Casabella 46′), Pelegrina.
Real Madrid Castilla: Adan, Luis Hernandez, Marcos Alonso, D. Mateos, Gary (Juan Antonio 62′), Cordero, Vazquez, Raul Ruiz (Moreno 71′), Acuña, Mosquera, Szalai (Samuel 83′).
Goals:
1-0, min. 24 - Pelegrina
1-1, min. 49- Vazquez
Notes: Week 8 of Segunda Division B Group II
Played at: Francisco Sanchez Menor stadium.
Its all about CRISTIANO RONALDO.
Everyone including the man himself is talking about CRISTIANO RONALDO. I cannot say anything more. I’ll just do my duty and post it here. Man! He’s getting to me!
Cristiano Ronaldo:
I’m nearly 100% fit. I want to help Portugal with goals, passes and free-kicks. I am living a fairy tale. Those who don’t know Real Madrid can’t possibly imagine what it’s like. I want to stay here my whole life.
All the employees at the Club welcomed me affectionately. I get along very well with the physiotherapists, the equipment managers.
Real Madrid are a great family. Veterans like Raul, Guti and Casillas have helped me adapt as fast as possible. They are fantastic. I have an excellent relationship with Kaka, Marcelo and Pepe. We speak the same language, which helps a lot.
Expresso, newspaper:
The national team believes Ronaldo will recover in time for the game.
O Jogo, newspaper:
Ronaldo touches the ball and is ready to face Hungary.
A Bola, newspaper:
Ronaldo works with Portugal.
Ricardo Carvalho, team-mate:
Cristiano is a necessary player. He is very important to the team.
Nuno Gomes, team-mate:
Cristiano always tries to do what’s best. Players sometimes don’t have enough time to adapt to the national team. We need Cristiano.
Miguel Pardeza, sporting director, Real Madrid:
Cristiano is great player who can decide a game, open up a game, but a club like Real Madrid cannot afford to depend on only one player. It should be above individuals. It has taken Barca almost 20 years to achieve their success, their style. The demands and expectations are one thing, but the reality is something else.
However much you push a team, it needs time. We have made our choice and the logical thing is to back it. Pellegrini is capabale of driving this Ferrari. He doesn’t lose his cool easily and this is positive. In a club as difficult as this it is good to have steady nerves.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
P.S: Gonzalo Higuain may be a starter in the Argentina-Peru clash to be held in Buenos Aires on Saturday. Argentina are currently fifth in their World Cup qualifying group. They are just one point short of the fourth place, which would allow them to play in the championship. Coach Diego Armando Maradona said he needs the Madridista “as a striker” on his team.
I need him as a striker on my team. Higuain easily shakes off defenders. He has integrated in the groyp and is very humble. He will help Messi and Aimar considerably. He is very motivated for being on the team.
Garay to Realmadrid.com
Exequiel Garay turns 23 today. The defender told Realmadrid.com that he is very happy for having his first birthday as a Madridista.
Happy birthday!
Thank you very much. I’m very happy because I always get excited about birthdays and this one is a little bit more special. I turn 23 today and I am gradually becoming a man. Time flies by and we must be happy with what happens every day of our lives. I try to enjoy every instant of life with the people that are with me and I thank God for the good things in my life.
What’s the best thing about this birthday?
The best thing about it is that I can be with my family and that I play for Real Madrid, the greatest club in the world. This is a dream come true and I will never forget this birthday because it is the first I spend at the club for which I wanted to play as a child.
Which would be the best present with which to celebrate these 23 years?
The best present on a personal level is to be healthy and to see my family is well; they are the ones who make me happy. Professionally I’d like to play many games with the Real Madrid shirt and win many titles for the Club.
How are you going to celebrate?
With my parents, my two little brothers and with two friends.
What is your wish?
I want to climb on Cibeles to celebrate as many titles as I can with Real Madrid. My team-mates have already won trophies with this team and they’ve told it is impressive to celebrate a triumph at Cibeles. I can’t wait. We’ll have to work hard and do our best in every competition.
What do you think of Alcorcon, your first opponents in the Copa del Rey?
They are a great rival we must deeply respect because they will face Real Madrid in a beautiful championship. That will motivate them. They come from a nearby town and I’m sure it will be a nice clash for everyone in the city.
We hope you are very happy this year.
Thank you. I hope it is a very happy year both for myself and for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid to face Alcorcon
Real Madrid were paired with Alcorcon in the Last 16 of the Copa del Rey. The Madridistas will play at Santa Domingo Stadium on 28 October. The return leg will take place at the Bernabeu on 10 November.
Alcorcon currently play in Group II of the Second Division B (the same as Real Madrid Castilla). The team came close to being promoted to the Second Division last season. Sporting Director Miguel Pardeza attended the draw in Las Rozas Football City. He said:
Real Madrid’s duty is to fight to win the Copa del rey. We are very excited about this and we will take this knock-out stage very seriously.
Other draws include: Cultural Leonesa – Barcelona; Marbella – Atletico Madrid; Puertollano – Villareal; At. Ciudad – Sevilla; Alcoyano – Valencia.
What are you doing there, alone?
Morning all,
It is always good to start anything that you want to say with a joke. So here goes…
“What are you doing there, alone?,” asks Casillas of Guti, who stood isolated at the front post, before stating, “There is nothing there. There is nobody there.”
“There are four [Sevilla players] there,” responded the midfielder, pointing behind himself, then asking “what?” on several occasions before saying to his team-mate: “shut your mouth”.
The incident dissolved after Pepe cleared the resulting corner from Jesus Navas.
Moving on to more serious stuff… Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Portuguese national team on Sunday. He missed the clash against Sevilla because of an injury on his right ankle, but the player believes he will be ready to perform on Saturday against Hungary.
I’ve recovered well. It’s all been normal. We’ll see what progress I make, but I think I will be able to play on Saturday. These are decisive games we must win. Spirits are always high on the national team because this is an excellent squad. We are all happy on the team.
Kaka shared his views on La Liga and expressed his pride for being part of Real Madrid before leaving to join the Selecao ahead of the clash at La Paz against Bolivia.
I am proud to be part of Real Madrid. The expectation the team generates is amazing. It motivates me even more. We still have to play much more to improve. We always talk about winning, but take things slowly, focusing on one game at a time. We have to win as a team. The important thing is to make history with victories, titles, conquests…
The league is a competition based on regularity. We will earn good results if we manage to consistently do a good job. Our fans will be happy to see us win throughout the year.
Fernando Gago to Realmadrid.com
Fernando Gago is a strong asset on a squad that aspires to win every title.
Real Madrid have to give spectacle and it’s normal for the crowd to be demanding. We are working hard to do this in order to thrill the fans, but things don’t always turn out as expected. The team is still looking for a specific style. It is important to win games as they sometimes help you play better because they give you confidence and more freedom.
I don’t think the fans are picking on me. I was whistled at in a couple of plays, but it’s normal. I was very happy after the clash with Marseille because people appreciated the work I did. I always do the same; nobody will ever be able to criticise me for not stepping up. I know what the coach wants me to do and I will always try to do it. I will always ask for the ball, even if the fans whistle at me.
Our goal is to fight for every title, but we must prepare for one game at a time. The best way to win every title is to think about your immediarte opponent as opposed to the one you’ll face in a few days or weeks.
For a moment we were the only team that won every match, which proves our potential. We should be able to lead in every competition with the players we have on this squad.
Marcelo on Cadena SER
Marcelo Vieira was a guest on Cadena SER. The Brazilian left back analysed the team’s current situation.
We had a hard time because we failed to take three very important points against Sevilla. We’ve forgotten about that match. We only think about our next clash.
I normally don’t read the press, but I did after the match in Seville and noticed my performance was criticised. I think that’s normal and I know it isn’t personal; it happens with all players. The press has also highlighted good performances of mine. The match was different to those we had played until then. We didn’t play like we wanted and they performed very well. It was a complicated fixture. I suffered quite a bit because I saw myself in several 2-on-1 situations.
We have to focus on continuing to perform well. I think it’s normal that we sometimes lose a game. Every team will lose and our match against Sevilla happened to be very difficult. We have to concentrate on winning. It will be even better for us and our fans to do so by giving spectacle, but our priority will always be to take three points.
Competition on the squad is understandable because the team always has the best players around. I’m used to it. The important thing is to be a proper team and that we all try to help Real Madrid.
Praise for Casillas
Iker Casillas’ colossal performance against Sevilla has garnered the keeper praise throughout the world. Of particular interest is that from Sir Gordon Banks, who made what many regard as being the best save in history against Pele in the 1970 World Cup. More praise has come from Ochotorena, Contreras, Eizaguirre, Molina and Palop.
Sir Gordon Banks
Casillas’ reflexes are incredible. If he continues to play this well he will become one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the game.
Ochotorena
There have been many good saves made in many games. The one Gordon Banks made is impossible to pull off and Iker’s was also great.
Pedro Contreras
I wouldn’t be able to tell you which the best save in history is, but the one Casillas made at the Sanchez Pizjuan was spectacular.
Eizaguirre
There are so many great saves that it is hard to choose just one. I guess I would pick Iker Casillas’ because he is Spanish and I like him. I think he is currently the best goalkeeper in the world.
Molina
The save Iker made was great because he resolved a situation thanks to his agility and relentless drive. He never gave up.
Palop
We would all love to make a save like the one Iker made. I think it will be regarded as the best save of the year and that it will be remembered for a long time because it showcased power, strength, great reaction and resolution.
Raul on CNN
Raul told CNN he is very happy with the team’s excellent results, but he added it will play better in time.
We’ve had a very positive start. Many people have joined the team in this new project and they have to integrate. We have a new coach with new ideas, so I don’t think you can ask more of us at this stage.
We can still do much more. We can improve on our performances, but there is nothing better than earning good results at the start of the season. We will play well in time. We just need to know each other better and play together more.
We have to keep our chances to win titles alive in March, April and May.
The Champions League is the most important competition. It has the best clubs in the continent participating in it. It has traditionally been our competition because we’ve won more European Cups than any other team. We want to recover that.
Football has different eras. We’ve gone through a very bad one in recent years. We weren’t in the fight for the title. This new project has brought hope and excitement back. This is a great squad, both on a technical and personal level. We want to recover our prestige. We will do our best, especially because the final will take place at the Bernabeu.
Granero on La Sexta
Esteban Granero said on La Sexta that rumours of him leaving the stadium before the match against Tenerife was over due to being replaced by Kaka on the 47-minute mark are utterly false.
I’m seeing how my childhood dream is coming true; I always wanted to play for the fiirst team. I feel fortunate for achieving this because many of us wanted to make it. Real Madrid has taught me who I am and has always taken great care of me. I owe it to the Club to be the player I am today.
We have to be concentrated throughout a match against sides like Sevilla. We played well at times and failed to score from several chances. They made better use of theirs and deserved to win. We’ve always regarded Sevilla as strong contenders. I hope they make things hard for every other team in order to make this a tight championship.
I’m sure any First Division coach would rather have to come up with a starting lineup with this squad than with any other. It’s easy to come up with one, but not with 70 because we can’t all play in every game.
I left the Bernabeu when the match against Tenerife was already over. I was in the dressing room, I finished watching the game, I said goodbye to my team-mates and then left. I don’t understand why people talk about this. I have no problems with neither my team-mates nor the Club.
Just another Madridista
De la Red and Granero on Onda Deportiva
Ruben de la Red, who hasn’t set foot on the pitch since fainting almost a year ago, joined Esteban Granero to Onda Cero’s radio show Onda Deportiva.
De la Red:
Granero:
De la Red:
Granero:
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October 16, 2009 | Categories: Comments | Tags: Esteban Granero, Rubén de la Red | Leave A Comment »