Van Nistelrooy press conference
Ruud van Nistelrooy had an unforgettable night. The fans at the Bernabeu bid him farewell with a standing ovation before the Real Madrid-Malaga match, after which the player addressed the media in his last press conference in Madrid.
I will never be able to forget this. It was very emotional. I can only thank everybody for this. Real Madrid will always be with me wherever I go.
I will now tackle a new footballing and personal experience. I remember fondly the second half of my first season at Real Madrid, during which we made a comeback and won the league title. I know the team will soon win its tenth European Cup and I will celebrate when it does.
The Club has always treated me magnificently well and made me feel comfortable. I am very grateful to the Club for allowing me to leave in such a wonderful manner.
I feel fine and I’m anxious to start this new stage in my career. I hope to play in South Africa this summer and achieve great things. I will work hard in the next few months to earn a spot on the national team.
Real Madrid 2-0 Malaga
Real Madrid defeated Malaga 2-0 tonight, thus earning their tenth home victory in La Liga this season. The Whites have won all their games at the Bernabeu in the first leg. Cristiano Ronaldo scored both strikes. Ruud van Nistelrooy said farewell to the fans before the match.
Within six minutes of playing time, Kaka and Ronaldo managed to step into Malaga’s box, but it was the visiting side who had the first chance to score in the game with a cross from Duda that Xabi Alonso dangerously headed towards Casillas’ crossbar as he was trying to clear the ball, but the goalkeeper saved the day with a prodigious stretch (7’).
Kaka responded with a cross into Malaga’s area. Benzema passed the ball back to Guti, who shot on target from outside the box, forcing keeper Munua to make a spectacular save (14’). Malaga had dangerous bouts in attack close to the 30-minute mark. They had two shots that Casillas managed to clear with his head outside the box (27’). Fernando then came close to scoring from two headers, but he was off target. Malaga started falling back and focused more on defending from then on.
Real Madrid gradually began to dominate the game. They pulled off a magnificent effort that started with an exceptional pass from Guti to Benzema, who in turn served the ball to Kaka. The Brazilian controlled it and passed it to Cristiano Ronaldo, who then scored the evening’s opening strike (35’). Real Madrid wanted more, and Guti served an incredible ball to Ronaldo, who scored again from outside the box (38′).
Garay strained himself in the first half and was replaced by Marcelo after half-time. The substitution moved Ramos to the centre of the defence and positioned Arbeloa as a right back. Malaga’s Forestieri and Juanmi came on for Javi Lopez and Caicedo. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso nearly scored from a header (49’) and Lass pulled off a dangerous shot from a distance (64’). Pellegrini made Granero come on and, shortly after the substitution, Cristiano Ronaldo saw a red card for hitting Mtiliga in a scrum (70’).
The few chances left in the match were all Real Madrid’s. Xabi Alonso sent the ball past the goal after receiving a great pass backwards from Arbeloa (72’) and Albiol misplaced a header following a cross by Granero (84’), who had the team’s last chance with a shot from outside the box (89’).
Real Madrid vs Malaga | Spanish Primera Division | Round 19 | Preview
Real Madrid will look to earn their tenth home victory in La Liga this season against Malaga (21:00 CET). A win tonight would make the Whites the best home team of the first leg.
At home, Real Madrid have scored 30 goals so far in the league this season (3.33 per game), and they have conceded only 6 (0.66 pg).
Malaga are currently 16th on the table, just one point shy of the relegation zone. Their 1-0 victory against Getafe last week allowed to leave the relegation zone twelve weeks after entering for the first time. Malaga have never defeated Real Madrid at the Bernabeu; since 1994 (year of Malaga CF’s foundation), the Whites have won seven games against them and drawn one.
Manuel Pellegrini won’t be able to count on the injured Higuain, Van der Vaart, Diarra, Pepe and Gago. The latter’s absence will be covered by Castilla’s Pedro Mosquera, who may get a chance to make his first team debut.
In Malaga’s camp, midfielders Juanito (suspended) and Apoño (injured) will miss the match, forcing coach Muñiz to improvise. Striker Nabil Baha is also suspended. Xavi Torres, Edu Ramos, Portillo and Duda missed last week’s game but will be at the Bernabeu tonight.
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Ramos, Metzelder, Arbeloa, Albiol, Garay, Marcelo
Misfielders: Lass, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Drenthe, Guti, Granero, Mosquera
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Benzema
Just another Madridista
Post-match comments
Manuel Pellegrini is happy with the victory against Malaga but believes the team could have played better. Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals against Malaga, but he was sent off later in the game with a red card. Ezequiel Garay could only play 45 minutes against Malaga due to a strain on his left hamstring muscles. Nevertheless, the defender was delighted with the victory. Sergio Ramos showed just how versatile he can be on Sunday after starting at right back and later taking over center back duties for Garay.
Pellegrini:
Ronaldo:
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January 25, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Ezequiel Garay, Manuel Pellegrini, Málaga CF, Sergio Ramos | Leave A Comment »