Xerez vs Real Madrid | Spanish Primera Division | Round 22 | Preview
With Ezequiel Garay and Cristiano Ronaldo back on the roster, Real Madrid make their first visit to Chapin Municipal Stadium for a league match. Not only will a win put pressure on Barcelona, who on Sunday visit Atletico Madrid, but it would also serve as a huge morale booster heading into Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Olympique Lyonnais.
Real Madrid cruise into Saturday’s match against Xerez riding a three-game winning streak and show no signs of slowing down, especially with the return of Garay and Cristiano Ronaldo, who bolster and already strong squad list that this week includes Real Madrid Castilla’s Mosquera and Adan. Metzelder, Benzema, Guti, Dudek and Pepe meanwhile have stayed in Madrid to recover from their respective injuries.
Not only will a victory build the Madridistas’ confidence with their Champions League showdown against Olympique Lyonnais scheduled for Tuesday, it will also tie the club record of 52 points over the course of 22 matches that was set back in 2007/08, the same season that ended with the Whites winning their last league title.
Not only will Saturday’s match mark Real Madrid’s first official visit to Chapin Municipal Stadium, but Iker Casillas will also play his 500th game as a Madridista, Marcelo his 100th and Higuain may score his 50th goal since landing in the Spanish capital.
Abel’s return to the squad list is the headline coming out of the Xerez camp. Despite being the league bottom-dwellers, the Azulinos will be no pushover. They have surged back to life in recent weeks with a win against Mallorca and a solid outing in San Mames against Athletic. “We need to play like we mean it and stun Real Madrid,” said goalkeeper Renan earlier in the week.” Pellegrini meanwhile warned that Xerez will be a “complicated opponent who has gained a lot of ground since the arrival of Gorosito.”
Profile: Sergio Canales
Vision, precision, versatility and a stellar shot with his left foot are some of Sergio Canales’ skills. The 18 year-old is one of the most promising players in Spain. He usually plays as a midfielder, but he also gives brilliant performances as a striker and attacking midfielder. Canales is Racing Santander’s top scorer in the present season with five goals and has been an international in practically every category of the Spanish national team.
Born on 16 February 1991, Canales joined Racing’s academy at a very early age. He soon stood out thanks to his vision and great quality. First team coach Juan Ramon Lopez Muñiz promoted him at the start of last season, allowing him to make his debut against FC Honka in the UEFA Cup.
His debut in La Liga was against Osasuna in Pamplona on 5 October 2008 in a game Racing won 1-0. Canales played 105 minutes throughout the campaign.
Coach Miguel Angel Portugal has used him in 15 games in La Liga and the Copa del Rey this season. He scored two splendid goals against Sevilla, which caught the eye of the press and several European clubs.
The latest Real Madrid signing won the Under-17 Euro with Spain in 2008 and took the Atlantic Trophy the following year with the Under-18 side, scoring one of the four strikes Spain netted against Germany. He also earned Best Player honours in the tournament.
Coach Luis Milla called him up to join the Under-19 side for the Euro. His excellent performances with Spain and Racing indicate he will most surely join the country’s Under-21 team and maybe even the first team.
Sergio Canales becomes a Madridista!
Real Madrid have officially agreed a deal to sign Sergio Canales from Racing Santander.
The official statement read:
Real Madrid C.F. and Racing de Santander have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Sergio Canales Madrazo. The contract, which will link the player to Real Madrid CF over the next six seasons, will enter into force from 1 July 2010.
Canales, 18, has announced himself as a major talent for the future since coming through Racing’s ranks, scoring five goals in 11 appearances for the first team this season. That form saw him linked with several of Europe’s top clubs in January, but while he stayed put last month, he will be moving on in the summer.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were all rumoured to be keen to bring the 18-year-old to the Premier League, while Barcelona were also credited with an interest. However, Canales’ father revealed last month that the midfielder wanted to join Real as he believed his career would be best served by a move to the Bernabeu.
No fee was announced by either club.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
RIP Luis Molowny
I regret to inform all you Madridistas that former Real Madrid player, coach and legend Luis Molowny is no longer with us after passing away on Friday night at the age of 84.
Luis Molowny (1925-2010)
Molowny represented Real from 1946 to 1957 and helped us to two league titles, a European Cup and a Copa del Rey. Then, during spells as coach between 1974 and 1986, he won three more league titles, two European Cups and two Copa del Reys. The players will wear black armbands during the game against Xerez in memory of Molowny, who also held the post of sporting director at the Bernabeu from 1986 to 1990.
On behalf of Real Madrid Club de Futbol, President Florentino Perez expressed his condolences to the Madridista family and that of Luis Molowny.
RIP Luis Molowny
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February 13, 2010 | Categories: Comments, News | Tags: Florentino Perez, Luis Molowny Arbelo | Leave A Comment »