Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain talked to the media about reaching the 100-game mark in the match against Getafe (Thursday, 20:00 CET). The only other players on the squad to have reached such an iconic number are captains Raul, Guti, Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
"I am proud for playing 100 games with Real Madrid"
Getafe:
I will try to enjoy the match. It will be very important for us. We have to take three points.
Title hopes:
There are two months left in La Liga. We have to concentrate hard because we have a great squad capable of winning the title. There is a great atmosphere on the team; it shows on the pitch.
Real/Barca:
We can’t really talk of who’s favourite to win the title yet, but we do feel confident. That’s important. The fact that we’ll play our most complicated games at home is crucial because our fans will help us win.
Dudek to Realmadrid.com
Jerzy Dudek turned 37 today and talked to Realmadrid.com about the team’s objectives and his personal wish to visit Cibeles at the end of the season.
"We want to win La Liga"
Are you enjoying your birthday?
It’s been a really nice day so far. All my team-mates wished me a happy birthday when I entered the dressing room this morning and they brought a cake. I will never forget it.
You are still as excited as ever about football despite being 37 years old.
Goalkeepers are like good wine; the more experienced the better (laughs). I look for things to motivate me on a daily basis, but I’m like a diesel motor. I need to do more warm-up exercises than the rest, but once I’m ready I work to perfection. I have to train hard every day to be ready for whenever I may be needed.
What have you taught Casillas and what have you learned from him?
I like his winning mentality. He is very intelligent and extremely motivated for each game. His reflexes are fantastic and he moves very fast on the goal-line. I try to help him with my experience, but he’s nevertheless got more than enough.
A goalkeeper must feel safe with defenders like Albiol, Arbeola, Ramos, Garay, Metzelder, Marcelo…
We are more solid in defence this year. A goalkeeper benefits from defensive quality. We are proving a team can score many goals while being efficient in the back line.
There are eleven finals left on the road to winning La Liga.
The Clasico will take place on 11 April, but we can’t afford to fail before or after that crucial game.
You’ll face Getafe on Thursday…
Getafe are always a complicated opponent. They also have many players that came from our academy. They will be motivated. It is crucial for us to win games like this. Getafe have good touch on ball and are very patient. We’ll have to concentrate hard.
Interview with The Offside Madridistas – Corey and Bassam
Hey all,
This is a new initiative that I’ve taken to make Hala Madrid more interesting than before, or should I say to make it interesting. And this is something that I have dreamed of – conducting my own interview. So where better to start with than the Blogosphere, I thought. And ergo I chose to interview a handful of the famous and the best Real Madrid bloggers around with reference to Real Madrid.
Today I have for you guys Corey and Bassam from The Real Madrid Offside team who gladly obliged to answer the questions that I had for them despite their busy schedule. So without further adieu, let the show hit the road.
Hi guys, I am sure all Madridistas know you well enough, but for others sake, please introduce yourselves.
Corey: My name is Corey and I am the Real Madrid and Spain editor/blogger on the Offside, as well as being a contributing author to sites like La Liga Weekly.
Bassam: Hey! I’m Bassam. Die hard Real Madrid fan, obviously. Of middle-eastern origin, Lebanon to be exact, but moved to California a year ago. Regretting the decision due to football coverage. Watching games on the TV is so under-rated.
Like we all know, you are the writers at The Real Madrid Offside. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Corey: The Offside is a football blog dedicated to both national and club teams, which got started a couple of years back and has won several blogging awards since then. I took over the Real Madrid page a little under three years ago, and have since had tremendous success due to a very passionate fan base.
Bassam: Well I’ve been helping Corey out in the Real Madrid offside. I’ve been providing review of games regularly for the past couple of months. I also provide some midweek posts on random Real Madrid related subjects whenever I can, and whenever Corey needs the help. The Real Madrid Offside is really an amazing place, with really regular and knowledgeable posters.
Next question, quite a simple one so to speak and something that I’ve asked all Madridistas. Why Real Madrid? And can you tell us about your life as a Real Madrid fan, as in for how long you’ve been supporting Real and why etc.?
Corey: The simple truth is that it was the first European club I ever stumbled upon, as they had won the Champions League in 1998 and there was mention of it here in the US on ESPN, as well as on the internet. They were also the team I played as in FIFA 2002 and on, which further endeared them to me. Even though I was introduced to Real Madrid through various forms of media, what really got me hooked were the all white kits, the amazing players who wanted to play for the club, the culture of winning at the club and the determination to play beautiful football while winning. As an impressionable young man, it was pretty easy to get swept up in the mystique of Real Madrid.
Bassam: Why not? I started watching football (soccer) when I was around 9 years old. First game I ever watched was a Classico. Real Madrid beat Barcelona and it started there. I’ve been a fan for around 11 years now, and I’ve barely missed a game since 2003. I’ve been through the slump of no trophies for three years, and I still supported this team and got pissed after every bad pass. I’m hooked. Let’s not forget that Madrid used to play Champagne football, so you can’t not love them.
When it comes to Real Madrid, it’s mostly about the players we’ve possessed. Anyone whom you idolized in particular?
Corey: The team that I remember most fondly was the team of the Galacticos in 2002. I have always though of Zinedine Zidane as being one of the most gifted players to ever play the game, and to see hip stropping around the field as a Real player was a real gift. But my favorite player has and always will be Raul. The first Madrid kit I ever bought (which cost me an arm and a leg as they were for sale in the US at the time) had Raul’s name on it, and when I scored goals I use to kiss the ring just like Raul. Raul, Guti, Hierro, Casillas, Salgado etc were all great servants to the club in that era and I really idolized that team.
Bassam: Definitely Iker Casillas! He hardly has a bad game, and even when he does have one, his game is at a standard so high it puts him over 99% of goal keepers. His passion to help the team is amazing. He held the team on his shoulders for many years. If you want an outfield player, then I would have to go with De Stafino. You have to admire someone who has been there for around 50 years and more.
Which would you cite as your most memorable Real Madrid moment?
Corey: There have been a lot of ups and downs the past decade, but I would say the Capello title win on the last day was great. The Champions League in 2000 and 2002 were exciting, as were several other titles, but the Capello title of 2007 will live long in the memory, as it demonstrated the great spirit of the team and the magical power of the Bernabeu. Del Bosque’s title in 2003 was exciting too because Sociedad really put up a fight.
There were also some great nights when canteranos played their first games, like Roberto Soldado, Ruben de la Red, Javi Garica, Borja and Balboa, which I will never forget because I kind of projected myself on to those players as I wished I could wear the shirt like they were.
Hopefully La Decima will be my most cherished moment some day…
Bassam: Can you really choose? If I had to pick, it will go down to the comeback win in the 2006/2007 season or the Guard of honor made by Barcelona in the second Clasico of 2007/2008 for the team since they had already sealed the league title. I will go with the latter because of your second question.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak