Para siempre blanco!

Archive for May 6, 2010

Granero press conference

Esteban Granero said this weekend could be decisive in the outcome of the league.

"We will have options to win the title if we win our next two games"

Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo is a natural leader and has great personality. He feels superior because he is and he tries to show this on the pitch. He knows how to pull of the team.

Title race:

It’s incredible not to be leaders with so many points, but Barcelona have a one-point lead over us. We will have options to win the title if we win our next two games.

Barcelona’s game:

It would be a mistake not to focus solely on our match. Barcelona’s result will be meaningless if we don’t win. We’ll keep an eye on Sevilla because this weekend may be decisive.

His season so far:

I’ve had a satisfactory season. The first year on a team is always difficult because you have to earn a spot and I play with the best footballers in the world. I’ve played several games, so I guess I haven’t done things wrong. I nevertheless think I can perform better. I’m sure I will improve.

May 6, 2010 | Categories: General, Press Conference | Tags: | Leave A Comment »

Post-match comments

Director General Jorge Valdano praised his team for earning a crucial victory in Mallorca tonight. Manuel Pellegrini was very satisfied with his team’s victory. The coach pointed out his men performed better in the second half. Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano declared that the difference between Real Madrid, Barcelona and the rest of the Primera Liga is “astronomical.” Afterwards, Manzano acknowledged the superiority of Los Merengues and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo. Delighted with the victory and his hat-trick, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on the match with the media. The Real Madrid squad was delighted with the victory.

"We improved considerably in the second half and won a difficult game"

Valdano:

We were somewhat uneven in the first half, but we showcased our dominating skills in the last 45 minutes. We concentrate on the job at hand and we always show our professional character and excitement to win this title.

Cristiano Ronaldo showcases the Club’s trademark winning spirit. He is an extraordinary player, but I don’t think it’s fair to say the team depends on him.

We will have to win our match this weekend regardless of what happens between Barcelona and Sevilla. We must play a serious game, like we did during tonight’s second half, and wait for our chance.

Pellegrini:

I think there was a considerable difference between our performances in the first and second halves. We suffered a lot in the first against Mallorca’s counterattacks. We were better organised in the second part and managed to tip the scales towards us.

We knew we were going to have a rough time. We all know what Mallorca are capable of, especially as locals. We luckily managed to win the match and to do so decisively.

We all know Cristiano is an extremely important player. This team plays in regard to the quality of its men and Cristiano is one of them. He plays a crucial role. Nevertheless, the team responded well when he missed two months because of an injury.

We need to defeat Athletic Bilbao and Malaga to reach the 98-point mark. There’s much at stake for both sides. We feel strong and confident both on and off the pitch, but we still don’t depend on ourselves, so we have to avoid mistakes and wait for Barcelona to make some.

Manzano:

For 60 minutes we played a very good game. We kept the order, nullified Madrid and we created chances but the second goal affected us in terms of mindset. Then, we opened up looking for an equalizer and Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in individual actions. He is very dangerous with the ball at his feet.

It is very difficult to take the ball off Madrid, despite the enormous physical effort we made. The difference between Madrid and Barcelona with the rest of the teams is astronomical.

(more…)

May 6, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

Mallorca 1-4 Real Madrid

Real Madrid earned their 30th league victory tonight, reaching the 92-point mark. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Mallorca, who had previously only conceded 11 strikes at their stadium. The Madridistas continue to head towards the 98-point mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo showers Mallorca with goals

Mallorca had a strong start and scored the opener 15 minutes into the game through Aduriz, forcing Real Madrid to make another comeback.

Ten minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo magically controlled the ball, sprinted towards the goal, leaving his marker behind and defeating the goalie with a lobbed shot (25′).

The striker gave Real Madrid confidence and they began to dominate the encounter despite occasional dangerous counterattacks from Mallorca that put Casillas’ reflexes to the test. Gago responded to this with a long pass that Higuain tried to head in to no avail.

The Whites pressurised more in attack after half-time. Within five minutes, Ronaldo assisted Higuain, but the Argentine missed the target. Both men pulled off a similar effort two minutes later, but this time the keeper intercepted Cristiano’s pass. Several minutes later, Sergio Ramos served a great ball for Ronaldo, who controlled it with his chest in the box and defeated the keeper again with a subtle and elegant shot (56′).

Pellegrini wanted his team to dominate more in midfield and decided to bring on Guti and Kaka. It worked and Mallorca, who still hadn’t recovered from the blow of conceding a second strike, deflated.

Ronaldo was clearly still hungry and soon scored his third goal after controlling a divided ball and defeating Aouate in a one-on-one. This was his 25th strike in La Liga this season.

Gonzalo Higuain clearly wanted his share in the glory and netted an amazing goal on the 81-minute mark, sealing the victory and also tallying his 25th league strike in the campaign.

Lineups:

Mallorca: Aouate, Josemi, Nunes, Rubén, Ayoze, Julio Álvarez, Borja Valero, Martí (M. Suárez 61′), Castro, Aduriz (Webó 79′), Víctor (A. Keita 61′);

Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Garay, Arbeloa, Gago, Xabi Alonso, Granero (Diarra 76′), Kaká (Guti H. 60′), Higuaín, Cristiano Ronaldo (Benzema 84′);

Goals:

1-0, 16′: Aduriz;

1-1, 26′: Cristiano Ronaldo;

1-2, 58′: Cristiano Ronaldo;

1-3, 76′: Cristiano Ronaldo;

1-4, 83′: Higuain;

Referee: Mr. Clos Gomez

Booked: Josemi, Nunes, Valero, Aduriz, Arbeloa, Granero

Notes: Matchday 35 of La Liga

Venue: ONO Estadi

May 6, 2010 | Categories: Match Reports, Spanish Primera División | Tags: , , , | Leave A Comment »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.