Diarra press conference
Following in his teammates’ footsteps, Mahamadou Diarra praised Jose Mourinho’s work ethic and discussed his personal motivation during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference.
Mahamadou Diarra: "I will work hard and fight for my spot on this squad"
Mourinho:
Jose Mourinho is a winner. He always wants his teams to be the best physically-speaking and to play the prettiest football. He is a great tactician and knows what to do with the ball.
Training:
We are training twice a day and the ball has come into play in almost every session. I think it’s great for the team.
Real Madrid career:
I will work hard and fight for my spot on this squad.
Marcos Tebar to Realmadrid.com
After joining the Real Madrid academy at the age of 12 and spending another 12 years playing for its youth teams, Marcos Tebar is ready to push for the final move to the first team. The Castilla midfielder has been a mainstay in first team training this preseason and he hopes that it leads to a permanent role on the squad.
Tebar: "I feel prepared to help the team"
How do you feel participating in the first team’s preseason?
I am very excited just as I was last year. Every preseason is different. Last year we had a different coach, but I am just as excited.
How have the first few days been?
They have been very intense and there has been a lot of hard work. We are doing a lot of ball drills in a very dynamic setting. We work on playing fast and in small areas.
How do you feel on a personal level?
Very good. I have the typical soreness and blisters that you get every preseason, but I feel great and am training well.
What is your take on the new coach, Jose Mourinho?
He is great. We are all happy with him. We are working at an intense pace and the coach pays close attention to what we do. He doesn’t lose sight of one small detail. Everyone is pleased with him and excited about the preseason.
He has also taken notice of the academy.
That is correct. He is treating us as if we were first teamers, which boosts our confidence when it comes time to training. He makes us feel excited to be here and to help the team.
What has Mourinho told you during these first few days?
We haven’t spoken one-on-one, but he has expressed his confidence in us. He has told us to remain calm and to play the way we know how to.
La Liga fixtures out; Real to play at Mallorca on Matchday 1
Fixtures for the 2010/11 season of La Liga are now official. Real Madrid will play their league opener against Mallorca at Ono Estadi on the weekend of 28/29 August. There will be three rounds of midweek matches played on 22 September, 2 March and 11 May. The first half of the season will conclude on 16 January, while the full season comes to an end on 22 May.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
It looks like Khedira will come here
Khedira for Real
According to Stuttgart’s sporting director Jochen Schneider, Real Madrid have confirmed their interest in Sami Khedira. After quashing rumors that Khedira is set to join Real, last week, Stuttgart have now officially changed their position. With Khedira now in the final year of his contract Schneider has hinted a deal could be brokered rather than losing him for free next summer. Schneider told kicker-Sportmagazin:
Months ago we have tried to thrash out a contract extension with (Khedira), we did not succeed. And now Real Madrid has officially indicated their interest in him.
The player though insists that nothing has been finalised with Real, although he has admitted that he is hugely flattered to be link with the Santiago Bernabeu. He said:
There is no agreement and there is also no decision on my future. I am delighted about such a club being interested in my services, but first of all I need to think things over.
I was having a very fairly and square chat with (manager) Christian Gross and Schneider. The manager was very firm on telling me how he would like to carry on working with me in the future. This was impressive. For now I am going on holiday and afterwards I am going to get back on the table discussing the future.
Heh, you just can’t say no to Real, can you?
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
Junta speak