Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain said he will never stop fighting for Real Madrid.
Support:
I’m glad people want me as a starter. You miss opportunities by relaxing and I don’t ever want to fall back. I’m playing again and scoring goals. That’s what’s important to me.
Goals:
I never give up. I always try to improve. You have to be stronger in the face of adversity. That’s what’s helped me become a better player and a better person. It was hard for me to reach far both here and on the national team. I’ve done well. I’m happy and I want to continue this way.
Current season:
This year was always going to be more complicated because great signings were made. I regard myself as a hard worker. These new players strengthen the Club and the rest of us because they give us strength to compete harder.
Kaka press conference
Kaka denied all rumors that he is still suffering from a sports hernia and insisted he is returning to his true form during Monday’s press conference.
Sports Hernia:
I feel good. The sports hernia does not bother me any more. It has disappeared, but I still need to do specific recovery work like any injured player does. Last week it was rumored that it is a chronic problem which isn’t true.”
What I was a little bothered by is that I wasn’t improving physically which prevented me from doing things I like doing on the pitch. The doctors told me to be patient, so I was and now I am improving day by day.
Current form:
It isn’t just in Spain where there has been talk about me not being able to return to my old form. It also happened in Brazil and Italy, but it simply isn’t true.
Scoring on Saturday was very special, but what matters most is playing a good game. I was able to play a lot looser and with much more freedom, which is how I like to play. Before then I wasn’t fit enough, which made it much harder.
Real Madrid:
We are playing well, creating a lot of scoring chances and suffering very little on defense. We now have an identity which we need to keep intact with all the players we have. That identity continues to evolve. Real Madrid’s chances of playing a very good game are now very high.
We have improved tactically and technically. What we work on throughout the week is showing in matches.
Esteban Granero and more
A lot is being spoken about Esteban Granero these days. El Pirata has always been in and out of the line up ever since his return home from Getafe. And he has been starting the last few league games that we have played and has performed so well that the whole of Madrid is talking about him. So it is safe to say that Granero is finally fulfilling one of the reasons why he was brought in. Anyhoo, the player has been in spectacular form of late and does deserve most of the credit he is getting. But then the question is whether he gets picked ahead of Ronaldo and Higuain who will make the cut come Matchday 22.
According to data from a survey conducted on MARCA.com, users are clear that El Pirata must continue. More than 90 percent of readers (20,000 votes) believe that the Canterano must continue to enjoy the trust of Pellegrini.
But RealMadrid.com was not satisfied with the 90-10 ratio for the midfielder. They wanted to lure in the remanining 10 per cent by putting up a few meaningless statistics like Esteban Granero is the Madridista with the most crosses into the box, the second-best assist (which here does not mean he has made the final pass in a goal scoring move, but just the final pass in a move) man after Kaka and the team’s top-scoring midfielder in La Liga (which is much better than the other two feats). The midfielder though has only three goals to his name this season, two of which were scored in 2010 (Espanyol (Week 2), Mallorca (Week 17) and Deportivo (Week 21). They do offer a consolation saying that if we include the Champions League action as well, Granero is the second highest scoring midfielder behind Kaka, who has scored a total of four goals this season.
Firstly let me make this clear. I am NOT AT ALL against Esteban Granero. In fact I am totally for him. I have always wanted him in just like I want Negredo, Mata, Miguel Torres, Parejo etc back into the team. But then again all these rubbish statistics make no sense to me. He has been in wonderful form and that has to be appreciated. These words would have done much more good than the absolutely meaningless numbers they have used to imply the same.
Phenomenal Real fells Espanyol + Sunday round up
Hola,
It was a fantastic performance wasn’t it? A neat 3-0 win over a mediocre Espanyol side that sees us maintain the five point deficit behind Barca, who might just slip up next week, considering the injury and suspension crisis they are in. Cules won 2-1 against Getafe and went down to 9 men towards the end.
Real have thus won every single one of their home games in La Liga this season, conceding goals in just three out of the eleven played. The team is one victory shy of tallying 53 points in just 22 league games, which would be a new Club record altogether. Also, Los Blancos have netted 50 so far in La Liga.
Cooing about last night’s performance, Marca read: “Ramos gave a stellar performance, Raul gave a striker masterclass inside the box and Higuain netted an impressive goal in his comeback. This Real Madrid is giving out great signs of quality.”
It was a very good, confidence boosting performance, the second in a row. We were solid at the back and lethal up front that too without Cristiano Ronaldo. Granero and Sergio Ramos played very well in particular. Kaka looked like he was trying really hard to prove himself, something he needn’t do. Playing his natural game would probably do more good. He got himself a much needed goal. Marcelo is proving that he can defend but then again Espanyol weren’t fully equipped. If Marcelo can do it in bigger games against better players then that would be proving his capability. St.Iker, Guti and Raul were key. Guti though was taken off after 70 mintues as a precautionary measure considering the niggle he was down with. Raul was better than how he was at the Riazor. He looked sharper – a clear sign of hardwork in the training field. Pipita and Van der Vaart came on and showed how they can change games. The latter’s long ball and the former’s finish were laudable. Act of brilliance we can say. In all I am a happy man.
Sporting B 3-0 Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla clashed with Sporting Gijon’s second team at a classic academy venue, Mareo. The locals proved their positioning on the table is not a fair reflection of their quality and dominated in the opening 20 minutes, scoring three goals. Castilla played a solid game, but were unable to recover from such a harsh blow early in the match.
MATCH REPORT
SPORTING B: Laviana; Pedro, Javier Garcia, Jonathan Lopez, Carracedo; Guillermo Perez, Landeira, Ignacio Cases, Juan Muñiz; Carlos Menendez (Pablo Acebal, 68′), Alvarez (Luis Lazaro, 70).
REAL MADRID CASTILLA: Adan; Nacho, Gary, Mateos, Marcos Alonso; Sarabia (Raul Ruiz, 68′), Cordero (Fran Rico, 68′), Mosquera, Juan Carlos; Samu (Vazquez, 52′), Cristian.
GOALS:
2-0 (10′): Carlos Menendez
3-0 (14′): Carlos Menendez
Referee: GOMEZ RIOS.
Booked: Carlos Menendez (12′), Pablo Acebal (70′), Nacho (60′), Marcos Alonso (61′) & Gary (68′).
Post-match comments
Director General Jorge Valdano described Real Madrid’s performance against Espanyol as “solid and serious.” Manuel Pellegrini was happy with the victory against Espanyol. Kaka scored the team’s second strike against Espanyol. The Brazilian was happy with the victory and said he feels better on the pitch. Higuain, Granero and Marcelo were very satisfied with the team’s performance against Espanyol. Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol gave excellent performances in defence, helping Real Madrid to concede no goals against Espanyol. The former even scored the opening goal.
Valdano:
We dominated from start to finish and played a solid and serious game, especially during the first half. We made brilliant and not so brilliant passes, but we were always better.
We did well both in defence and in attack. We also performed well in aerial plays, as evidenced by Sergio Ramos’ goal. The strike sealed a brilliant performance by the defender.
Kaka enhances the team’s presence in the attacking front. It’s obvious he feels more comfortable now that he’s recovered. I’m sure he will help us a lot during the rest of the season.
Higuain scored following a great effort and a brilliant control of the ball. He dribbled past the keeper with ease. It is very important for a striker to score again.
The team waits for Ronaldo’s return with victories, which proves just how solid it is. Nevertheless, we seem to be even more powerful when he plays.
Barcelona don’t fail. They are playing at a very high level, but the season is far from over. We’ve improved a lot since all this started and we must wait for them to drop points.
Pellegrini:
We played very well in the first half and we had many chances to score, but Kameni did three or four saves. Espanyol never give up or fall apart. We generated less ball movement in the second half, but we still had a couple of chances on goal and we managed to score.
Higuain has never left the starting lineup. He left it only because of an injury and he’s made his comeback this week. Guti has had some physical problems and we decided he shouldn’t play the entire match.
The team has responded well to everything we’ve tried since the season started. We won 6-0 against Zaragoza with a different midfield. Lass also played well and so did Granero, who is having a good run. We want as many players as possible to be in top form in the crucial months of March and April.
This is my sixth season in Spain and I have never complained about referees. Neither has Real Madrid. We’ve all said Barcelona are leaders because they deserve to be. We just concentrate on playing.
Kaka had a difficult month and a half and tonight he made important passes and assists. He will gradually reach optimum form again. He is still a very important player. I’m sure we’ll soon see him at his best.
We don’t look at what Barcelona do. The only thing that matters to us is what we do and that we keep up the good work.
Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
Real Madrid were forced to earn a victory tonight to keep their distance with Barcelona intact and to remain undefeated at the Bernabeu in La Liga. Ramos, Kaka and Higuain scored the evening’s goals, while Casillas was undefeated for yet another game.
The starting lineup was the same as in last week’s match against Deportivo. Four minutes into the game, Granero took a free-kick from one of the sides and Ramos notched in a header.
Espanyol were well positioned and tried to fight back by keeping possession, but Real Madrid soon took over. Kaka forced Kameni to make a save with his fists on the 26-minute mark with a powerful shot from outside the box. One minute later saw Sergio come close to scoring from an identical play to that which resulted in the team’s first strike. Raul had a header on the goal-line and Kameni managed to miraculously clear it, but the ball landed at Kaka’s feet and the Brazilian netted the second goal for the Whites in a near-acrobatic way (29’).
Granero took another free-kick in the 35th minute. Albiol tried to finish it off but was off target. The midfielder tried to score from yet another set piece, but Kameni saved the day for Espanyol (41’). The goalkeeper was spectacular tonight despite his team’s defeat. One minute later he saved another header from Raul (42′). Benzema sent the ball over the crossbar and the captain had another shot that grazed one of the posts before the end of the first half. Coro and Marquez also tried to surprise Casillas right before half-time.
Real Madrid were the same in the second half and Espanyol improved. Roncaglia crossed the ball into Casillas’ box, but Verdu was too late to finish it off (50’). Marcelo responded with a crossed shot from outside the box (55′) and Kaka hit the crossbar after Benzema passed the ball back to him (59’). It was Espanyol’s turn to try to score through Osvaldo, who overtook Arbeloa and would have netted a strike if Casillas hadn’t been in his way (61’). Soon after Lass came on for Guti, Arbeloa failed to score from a brilliant pass by Granero (71’).
Benzema was replaced by Higuain, who netted the third strike following a magnificent control of a long pass and dribbling past Kameni’s right and then turning left before flicking the ball into the back of the net.
Real Madrid vs Espanyol | Spanish Primera Division | Round 21 | Preview
Real Madrid want to remain undefeated at home in La Liga and to cut Barcelona’s lead short. The Whites’ fight for leadership continues tonight against Espanyol at the Bernabeu (22:00 CET).
Several important Madridistas will miss tonights clash. Pepe, Metzelder and Garay are still injured, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension still stands. Nevertheless, Lass, Higuain, Diarra, Van der Vaart and Gago have made the coach’s squad list and may play against Espanyol.
Real Madrid have been victorious in their 10 home league games this season, scoring 32 goals and conceding just six.
Espanyol are in the middle of the league table. They’ve earned six victories, five draws and nine defeats. They have failed to win their last seven games away from home, but they are sure to be extra motivated at the Bernabeu, where they haven’t won since the 1995/96 season. Important players such as Callejon, Chica and Ivan de la Peña (who will be operated on one of his tibias next week) will miss the clash. Coach Pochettino has called up academy players to complete his 19-man squad list.
ESPANYOL SQUAD LIST: Kameni, Cristian Alvarez, Pillud, Pareja, Baena, Marques, Sahar, Victor Ruiz, Marquez, Luis Garcia, Osvaldo, Didac, Ivan Alonso, Verdu, Roncaglia, David Garcia, Coro, Amat, Molina.
Both teams have clashed 151 times in La Liga, resulting in 86 victories for Real Madrid, 31 draws and 34 victories for Espanyol.
Referee: Mr. Turienzo Alvarez
Sergio Canales Madrazo!
As rumored, Real Madrid and Racing Santander have come to a verbal agreement regarding the signing of Sergio Canales. According to Marca, the meeting between Jorge Valdano and Francisco Pernia was a success and that the two clubs in the absence of writing and signing the contract have agreed to the transfer of Sergio Canales to Real Madrid.
As reported here yesterday, the player will remain in Racing till the end of the current season. He will come to Real for pre-season next season when the coach will decide whether to let him stay on loan at Racing or to keep him here at Real. The deal which will cost Real €5.5 million will see the player earn €9 million per year.
A great deal considering his potential and how he has sky rocketed himself into center stage from absolutely nowhere.
A prospect to look forward to indeed! Yipee!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Four players return – Squad list announced
Hola,
The squad list for Espanyol has finally been announced and we have some good news there. Garay and Metzelder are the only ones who are out with injuries with the former just suffering from flu that requires some rest. All is well otherwise. That means Higuain, Diarra, Lass, Van der Vaart and Gago have recovered from their injuries and will be able to play against Espanyol. And of course Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspension still stands.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Ramos, Arbeloa, Albiol, Marcelo, Drenthe
Midfielders: Lass, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Guti, Granero, Diarra, Van der Vaart, Gago
Forwards: Higuain, Raul, Benzema
AS says that Real will use the same line up as the one it used in Deportivo and that El Siete will start, something he hasn’t done since the Valladolid game in October when he grabbed a brace. This probably is a good move. Pellegrini wouldn’t want to rush in Pipita considering the fact that it has only been a few days since he has started training. Also, Guti and Arbeloa are set to undergo a late fitness test to see whether they can feature in the eleven or not. All that we will know only at kick off.
Espanyol haven’t won in the Santiago Bernabeu since 1995/96. De la Peña, Callejon, Moises Hurtado, Shunsuke Nakamura, Forlin and Tamudo are all I know.out injured. Chica is suspended. So that takes out five of the ten Espanyol players. Juan Tapiador though feels Real Madrid need to pay close attention to Coro, Luis Garcia and Osvaldo.
Marcelo, Kaka, Sergio Canales and Crisitiano Ronaldo – Ze Newsmakers
Buenos dias,
Friday was one helluva day. There was so much Real Madrid related stuff happening out there that I, being the proficient follower that I am, couldn’t believe what was happening. No, the Barcelona team wasn’t arrested for man slaughter and NO, we did not sign Lionel Messi, hell there is nothing that I have about that brings any Cule(s) into the picture. What I have is pure White stuff. No jimmy, not Cocaine. News! Without further adieu let me kick-off today’s post.
Firstly, its little Marcel. Marcelo signed a 3-year contract extension with the club that sees him with us till June 2015. The club’s official statement read:
Real Madrid C.F. and Marcelo Vieira today signed a contract extension that will link the player and club through June 2015.
This is good news. Marcelo came here as an 18-year old from Fluminese and has grown into a formidable left sided player. His defensive credibilities, however questionable, is improving by the day and I am sure this extension will do more good than bad.
Pellegrini press conference
Manuel Pellegrini, who has decided to announce his squad list on Saturday, discussed how he feels about the team’s performance of late and what the keys are to winning La Liga during today’s press conference.
Squad list:
I will announce the squad list on Saturday after our warmup. Some players are recovering from injuries of different severity, but there is no reason to be worried. It’s just bad luck.Hoepfully we have fewer injuries down the final stretch of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
We are waiting to see what the Committee has to say. He is a very important player but we have to wait. Cristiano Ronaldo is an essential player, but without him we also managed to move top in La Liga and to win important matches. We have a great squad comprised of great players. I am pleased with the way we are playing, the number of points we have earned as well as the number of goals we have scored and conceded.
League aspirations:
It is important to earn as many points as possible because each point that we lose makes accomplishing out goals that much more difficult. Our goal now is to win the next match at home and then travel to Xerez without any doubts. We cannot predict the future of other teams. We need to prove why we are where we are in ninety minutes of play.
We play based on the obligation of winning our matches. We are not concerned about Barcelona. Every point counts. We don’t feel any pressure from Barcelona and it isn’t true that we treat each match as if it was a final.
No one can predict the future. Football can change in mere seconds. An athlete presses on as long as there are possibilities. We need to earn points, continue playing well and protect our football.
C’mon you Whites: Espanyol pre-preview
First and foremost a very happy birthday to Cristiano Ronaldo. May he live long and win more and more red cards… damn… I must have meant titles. Anyhoo, that’s all about Cristiano in today’s post. Perdone! Fans de Cristian!
Espanyol! I love Espanyol. They’re a very freaky side. One season they’ll topple us with a freaky Tamudo goal and in the other they’ll fall for a Raul brace or a Guti free-kick. They are entertaining as hell either ways. Moreover, they too hate Barca which makes them like us (Foe of a foe is a friend, isn’t it?). Moving on, Espanyol it is come tomorrow and we can have a jolly good time at the Bernabeu from 22:00 CET.
Manuel Pellegrini conducted his second to last training session on Thursday in preparation for this weekend’s match against Espanyol. Lass and Van der Vaart joined their teammates after jogging in solitary on Wednesday. Arbeloa, Guti, Metzelder and Garay, meanwhile, worked out in the gym. Pedro Mosquera, who has become a common sight around the first team’s training pitch, participated in yesterday’s session as well.
So basically, Sergio Ramos should partner Albiol in central defense again while Lass will drop in at right back and Marcelo on the left should Arbeloa stay in the gym until Monday. Van der Vaart or Gago most probably will replace Guti in central midfield and that will see Granero take up Guti’s role. But then again that is only if Guti is deemed unfit for the game. Higuain and Benzema to play upfront. You-know-who is suspended in case you didn’t know who was suspended.
Albiol press conference
Raul Albiol’s work in defence has helped the team concede goals only in 11 of its 20 league games this season. The defender has great faith in the squad’s quality.
Ronaldo:
A team can’t depend on just one player. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best footballers in the world, but we are a proper team. There are many players on this squad and we’ve managed to perform at a high level regardless of which of us play. The team is capable of winning with or without Ronaldo.
Midfield options:
We controlled the game against Deportivo by keeping possession. Our midfielders are quality players. Our style depends on the coach. We will sometimes play like that and others we won’t. What matters is that we can use a variety of alternatives in midfield.
Bonus:
I don’t think about the bonus we will get if we win both titles. The captains negotiated that with the President yesterday. The only thing that matters is that the team achieves its goals and thrills the fans.
A bit of everything
Buenos dias all,
Today we seem to have a bit of everything. Good news, Bad news, news that you might not give two hoots about, news that might make Roger Federer cry, news that might make Carles Puyol look like Brad Pitt (impossible), news that might make Guti’s back-heel as good as chocolate and sex – everything in bits and pieces.
I’ll start with Espanyol though – the team that we are scheduled to play this Saturday in the Bernabeu at 20:00 CET. They seem to have an injury crisis of their own. The season’s wear and tear has put Shunsuke Nakamura, John Forlín and Moises Hurtado in doubt for the clash whereas striker Jose Callejon cannot play this Saturday because of a clause that was included in the deal between the two clubs. Callejon is a Madridista FYI. He is interestingly the only Espanyol player to have played in all the league games this season.
The absence of the Andalusian will be a major setback for Mauricio Pochettino, as he will be forced to change his starting lineup with Fernando Marqués or Ferran Corominas as possible replacements. Moises Hurtado and Juan Forlin, both haven’t been training with their team-mates for days now because of the muscle injuries they are suffering. They too have very little chance of featuring for the Catalans. Forlín has injured his rectus femoris of his right leg and the wound is still somewhat tender. In a similar situation is Moises Hurtado is still having some discomfort in the hamstring of his right leg. Also, Shunsuke Nakamura has not trained because of gastritis. The Japanese player had also had discomfort in the hamstring of his right leg and is set to start physiotherapy in the coming days. John Pantsil, meanwhile, will be available. Pochettino too, like Pellegrini, has filled his training ground with youth team members Javi Lopez, Mahamat Azrack, Jordi Amat, Manu Molina and Alvaro Vasquez.
Wednesday round-up
Fernando Gago and Christoph Metzelder are both Madridistas. Both have spent almost the same amount of time in Madrid with the Argentine being here half a season longer than the German. Gago came to Real as an under-developed but temperamental youngster whereas the German came in at the peak of his club and country career knowing the opportunities that he would have at Real would be limited. Gago cost us cash and Metzelder came in for free. And both were brought in during the Calderon reign. OK. Now whats your fuckin’ point, you might ask? You should. My answer is simple. I just thought before I went on about the news these two were making I should introduce the two of them to you. They haven’t been playing all that regularly and any new Madridista lured in by the signings of Ronaldo-Kaka-Benzema might not know them at all. Anyhoo, let me get to the point.
First, Metzelder. Christoph Metzelder believes that joining Real Madrid was a huge mistake as he feels that he has wasted three seasons of his career. The 29-year-old defender came to Real from Borussia Dortmund and was revered as one of the best centre-backs in the Bundesliga. But the move quickly was not as successful as people thought it would be. He has made only 22 appearances for Real which lost him his place in the German national team. Metzelder now admits he is counting the days until his contract runs out in the summer. He told Kicker:
I do not think that the club will extend my contract. But even if things suddenly changed then I would look to end my adventure at Real Madrid. I dreamed of playing alongside such players, but in all honesty, they have been three lost years.
Granero press conference
Esteban Granero talked about training with Castilla players and his current situation on the squad.
Recent form:
I work hard every day to become an important player on the team. Being given the chance to play and managing to perform well makes me confident.
Training with Castilla:
Today wasn’t the first time we trained with several youth teamers. The coach has always counted on them. Many of them have trained with us this season. It’s good for them to see how we work. They could get promoted any day, so it’s good that they adapt soon.
Giving Castilla players a chance:
Every player’s case is different. It isn’t easy to leap from Castilla to the first team. You have to be very good to play on this team. I think I did well to play for Getafe because it allowed me to grow as a footballer.
Oh you beauty! ft. Alvaro Negredo
It was a weekend full of Madridista magic. First Guti’s backheel at the Riazor and on Sunday night the one below from Alvaro Negredo against Valencia at the Pizjuan. Get the bloke back I say!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
The backheel of Riazor
Everybody’s talking about it. Guti’s astonishing heel pass against Deportivo is what everybody in the football world is discussing. The midfielder shares his views on what he pulled off on Saturday with El Mundo.
It’s amazing how people are talking about it. I didn’t score a single goal at Riazor. Benzema scored. I always knew what to do. I didn’t hesiitate. I knew Benzema was coming up behind me. I could see him from the corner of my eye. I did what I thought was the most useful option for the team to score.
I don’t do heel passes out of the blue. I will always do it as long as I’m convinced it’s the best option for us. If I hadn’t had it clear in my mind I would have shot on target.
Many of my team-mates said I should have tried to score. Albiol said I was crazy. But that’s my style. It comes naturally to me. It makes me happier to give a pass like that than to score a goal.
I’m glad people liked what I did. It’s nice to hear that it could eventually become an historical play. I never thought it was such a big deal.
I want the team to take centre stage. We played after Barcelona did and we felt a lot of pressure. I think this victory will do us a lot of good because it seemed we were cursed at that stadium. The league is far from over and Barcelona don’t seem to drop any points. We can’t afford to make any mistakes.
Raul press conference
Raul talked to the press about his situation on the team and about Real Madrid in general.
Situation:
My situation isn’t ideal for any player. I’ve played in practically every game during the past 15 years and I’ve begun to play less in the past three months. This moment had to arrive sooner or later. You have to accept the situation as it is. I must be humble and realise my team-mates are also in great form. I just want to help them. I still feel privileged and important at the Club. I’m at the coach’s disposal for whenever he may need me and I will always try to do my best. I am proud of the work I’m doing. I know there are many players on the team who also want to play and their behaviour couldn’t be better.
Future:
Real Madrid is currently my present. I want to focus on the team and on the two competitions we are playing in. There will be enough time later on to think about my future.
Current form:
We are fighting hard. Everyone is playing well. We can’t afford to make mistakes in the final months of the season.
Casillas to uefa.com
In the latest edition of Champions, the official magazine of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid CF’s Iker Casillas discusses his goalkeeping heroes. Here are his top ten in his own words.
Peter Schmeichel
This list is not in any particular order, but if I were to choose my number-one all-time No1, then it would be Peter Schmeichel. Simply the best. I first saw him on television when I was just a kid and thought, ‘Wow … this lad is invincible!’ I was eleven at the time and Schmeichel was playing for Denmark in the 1992 [UEFA] European Championship. He was just fantastic. The impression he left was of sheer perfection. From then on I knew I wanted to be just like him: he became my football hero. I followed him closely after that, watching him on the telly at every opportunity. I wanted to learn from him.
Gianluigi Buffon
It is hard to know where to begin when it comes to pinpointing his outstanding qualities, he has so many. And it’s impossible to pick out a weakness. One of the most important qualities in a goalkeeper is calmness – an ability to stay cool under pressure is very important – and if he can transmit that quality to the defence and to his team-mates, it has a very positive effect on the way the team play. Buffon’s presence reassures his colleagues. He is the contemporary keeper everyone playing in goal looks up to and aspires to emulate.
Oliver Kahn
King Kahn or the Titan, they called him – which says it all. He is certainly a very different character to me, and it’s fair to say he was quite eccentric. I don’t know if that helps a goalkeeper, but it certainly worked for Kahn. I’ve always said your mental approach to the game and state of mind is more important than physical preparation – and for me, the ideal presence in goal is one of stability and calm. Kahn was nothing like that, but at the end of the day he has won more trophies than any other keeper in history.
Real Madrid Castilla 2-1 Cacereño
Real Madrid took care of business at home on Sunday by winning their fourth straight at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium with a 2-1 victory. Samuel and Juan Carlos netted two of the many scoring chances the Whites had. Cacereño woke from their slumber in the second half but with little success. The Madridistas continue their climb in the table and will travel to Sporting B next week.
MATCH SUMMARY
Real Madrid Castilla: Adáan, Nacho, Marcos Alonso, Gary, Juanan (Fran Rico, min. 63), Mateos, Juan Carlos (Vazquez, min, 85), Luis Hernandez, Rodrigo (Cristian, min. 48), Mosquera, Samuel.
Cacereño: Vargas, Julio, Tito, Cazorla, Rocha, Estevez (Leandro, min. 67), Rai (Ito, min. 78), Tomas, Dieguito, Lolo, Yannick (Salva, min. 52).
Goals:
1-0, min. 23: Samuel.
2-0, min. 44: Juan Carlos.
2-1, min. 45: Rai.
Notes: Week 23 of Segunda Division B Group II played at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
Referee: Mr. Manuel Vidal Araujo.
Just another Madridista
Drat! Benzema to miss Lyon trip
LOUSY. That is what I would call this day. Unequivocally lousy. Even if I ignore the fact that both M.Vijay and Badrinath failed to utilise the chance that they had to impress today, it was so bloody lousy. The only good part was the work out. Phew! Am I tired or not? Not. So for today’s post.
Karim Benzema will almost certainly miss out on a return to Lyon, after medical tests revealed he will be sidelined for at least a week. The France international has definitely been ruled out of this weekend’s La Liga action and is unlikely to recover in time for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash next Tuesday.
Remember what I was talking about yesterday? The fact that Granero might be pushed to the bench if Ronaldo and Higuain returned to full fitness? The answer to that question is that it isn’t Granero who will be dropped, rather it is Karim Benzema who is being dropped. The Frenchman had earlier revealed his concern that the return of Cristiano and Higuain could spoil a return to his old stomping ground next week. Speaking to L’Equipe ahead of next week’s round of 16 clash against his former club Lyon, he said:
But he also said that he is perfectly fit and that his performances against Deportivo and Espanyol has really helped him a lot.
But it was then that the injury was identified. The official site released the medical report that read:
It is a very smart way to drop a star from your team in football. In cricket they call it rest. In football they just fake an injury. I am just being extremely frank here. I am not too sure about this injury of his though I am not a medical student. This is just a gut feeling.
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February 9, 2010 | Categories: Comments, News | Tags: Emilio Butragueño, Ezequiel Garay, Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuaín, Josep "Pep" Guardiola i Sala, Karim Benzema, Marcelo Vieira, Raúl González Blanco | 1 Comment »