Alonso press conference
Xabi Alonso addressed the media during a publicity act. The midfielder analysed the team’s performances of late, adding the team wants to defeat Deportivo to thirll their home crowd.
Xabi Alonso: "We are ambitious so as to improve on a daily basis"
Season so far:
I think we are trying to do our best, but we can still improve. We can do a better job collectively speaking. The more games we play, the more we get to know each other and the better we grasp the coach’s intentions, the more we will become stronger and competitive side. We are currently under construction and the team is working well. We are happy with our performances and we are ambitious so as to improve on a daily basis.
Squad:
The balance we have between defence and attack is good. We don’t concede goals, so I hope we keep this up. We’ve had many chances to score, especially against Ajax, although we only won 2-0. We could have won against Mallorca and Levante. The scores we earn shouldn’t tarnish the work we do. I hope our aim improves, but I’m not worried about it. We will start scoring many strikes again one of these days. Goal scorers have streaks and ours will soon get their’s.
Mourinho:
Our relationship with Mourinho is very honest. Everything he tells the media he’s told us beforehand. We have a clear idea of what we must do and the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good. Our coach has a very strong personality and a clear way of working both on and off the pitch. He tries to motivate us both on an individual and a collective level. He wants each of us to do our best.
Deportivo:
We want to win against Deportivo by performing well. We did very well against Auxerre. We controlled the match and created good ball movement. We lacked more chances on goal because they were fierce in defence, but we did a good job nonetheless. We try to speak out on the pitch so that our fans enjoy watching us play both at home and away. I’m sure the Bernabeu crowd will respond positively to our game.
Responsibility:
I always try to be as reliable as I possibly can and to help my coach and team-mates. I tend to think you are neither phenomenal when you have a great game nor a disaster when you don’t. You have to find a middle ground and remain calm. All of us in this project accept the responsibility and the pressure that come with playing for Real Madrid.
Arbeloa to Realmadrid.com
Alvaro Arbeloa talked shop and spoke about the upcoming match against Deportivo.
"We usually have many chances on goal at the Bernabeu and I hope we net many strikes against Deportivo"
What does the team need to finish coming together?
We still have many things to improve on. A team always has to keep improving and there are always many things to work on. We are still on that path.
Real Madrid remain undefeated in Spain and Europe.
That is very important. It is vital for us to continue being a tough, hard team that doesn’t sell victory cheap. We want to get better and victories allow us to remain calm in the process.
Is the team worried about failing to capitalise on the many chances it gets to score?
We are excessively worried about our forwards having a rough patch. The most important thing is to improve in defence and assimilate the coach’s ideas. The team has great forwards and I am sure that, by the end of the season, they will have scored many times.
Do you think the team will score against Deportivo on Sunday?
I hope so. We usually have many chances to score when we play at the Santiago Bernabeu. Hopefully goals will come.
Is it special for you to play against Deportivo given that you played with them in the past?
It’s always nice. I was there for six months and they treated me very well. I still have many good friends on the team and, obviously, it is going to be very nice to play against them again.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho addressed the media in Auxerre the day prior to Real Madrid’s second game in this season’s Champions League.
"Benzema will be a starter because this is the time to build his confidence"
Auxerre:
It is a pleasure for me to play at Auxerre’s stadium. They qualified after a fantastic season. I wish to congratulate Jean Fernandez and the whole team. We currently have three points and we want to continue with the positive start we had against Ajax. Real Madrid are in a very difficult group. Other teams are in groups more typical of the UEFA Cup than the Champions League, but we haven’t had that luck.
Three points:
Real Madrid, Ajax and Milan have won 20 European Cup titles between them. Auxerre represent French football, which has always been very strong. We want points. It will be better if we take three, that’s why we’re here. Every point taken is positive in this competition.
Playing at Auxerre:
I’m very happy to play here. It seems this is a great event for teams who don’t have a tradition in the Champions League. It is a beautiful time for the stadium and the people here. I hope people from Auxerre enjoy the match. I obviously want to win, but I hope they enjoy having Real Madrid here.
Benzema press conference
Karim Benzema will play a special game tomorrow. The French striker will face Auxerre in his home country and hopes to help Real Madrid take three points.
"I feel fit and ready to score goals to help the team"
Starting the game:
The coach decides. I feel fit and I am very excited about playing this game, which is very important to us.
Auxerre:
Auxerre are having a good run in their league, but the Champions League is a different competition and they will be looking to play a good game tomorrow. They are in this championship because they are a good team.
Scoring:
This is only the start to the season, so it’s natural for us to lack some things. But we are working very hard and we hope to give a great performance against Auxerre.
Mourinho:
Mourinho is helping me to make progress. He is especially helping me in what regards my mentality. I’m sure I will improve considerably with him.
Mourinho press conference
During post-game comments, Jose Mourinho expressed his concern with the team’s inability to score after creating so many chances.
Mourinho: "Only one team played to win tonight, but we need to score to win"
The match:
We created a lot of chances tonight, some of them being really good, so I am obviously concerned becase we need to score. We are a solid team on defense. We have only allowed one goal in six official games; five in La Liga and one in the Champions League. Our tactics aren’t the problem, but we aren’t scoring. It’s not because of our players because we all know just how capable they are of scoring, but we aren’t right now. That is my only worry.
Not scoring:
Only one team played to win tonight. It’s not a critique. Every team plays with the weapons it has. But we didn’t score, and whoever doesn’t score doesn’t win. Every point earned is one more in the books, but we want to win every match we play. So these are two less points that we have. We are not happy about earning only one point. We must win every match. Had we drawn against Real Sociedad I would have said it was a fair result, but the two games that we have drawn were precisely the two that we dominated offensively and had complete control of. Creating chances isn’t enough. We need to score.
Strategy:
We knew exactly how Levante would play. If we want to play our game and are prevented from doing so by the opponent, it’s obviously going to be frustrating. I am happy that no Levante player ended up going to the hospital because it looked like one or two might.
Rotation:
If we change the team around we might not create as many chances, but perhaps we create two and score two goals. We have the balance and we have the ability to create chances, but we you have talented players who can’t finish you have trouble. I don’t have that problem. We have very skilled forwards. It’s a matter of streaks. It isn’t normal that our players need to many chances to score; or not to like happened tonight.
Positives:
My team played with a positive attitude and fought until the very last second. I am not a coach that will get upset with a player for missing a goal. I prefer to provide confidence and calmness.
Arbeloa press conference
Alvaro Arbeloa discussed Saturday’s draw against Levante and the team’s upcoming Champions League game at Auxerre during Sunday’s post-training press conference.
Arbeloa: "We are all performing well on defensive duties, but we will continue to improve"
Not scoring:
We weren’t able to hit the target, but I doubt it’s a problem this team is going to have often. We have a lot of talent in attack. Levante fell back to defend at the very beginning, and attacking that kind of defense is very difficult. I am convinced we will score a lot of goals.
Defense:
We are all performing well on defensive duties. We have a new coach, which requires going through an adjustment period. Playing for Real Madrid is one of the most demanding jobs there is, but we are doing everything we can to improve.
Dropping points:
Losing points is never pleasant because we know we might miss them once the season ends. What is done is done, so all we can do is analyze what took place and improve.
Champions League:
Tuesday’s match is going to be very difficult. Auxerre aren’t doing that well in the Ligue 1 right now, but the fact that they are playing Real Madrid will motivate them. We are very focused and we hope to earn the three points in play.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho said leading the table is being in a “privileged situation.” The coach also said he is happy with Benzema’s work of late.
"I have a very good relationship with my players"
League leaders:
To be group leaders is not fundamental at the moment, but I would rather prefer it. It isn’t dramatic not being at the top, but the margin of error is smaller. Our situation is privileged, but meaningless now. The team is coming together with victories, which gives us confidence.
Replacing the turf at the Bernabeu:
The staff who replaced the pitch has done a fantastic job. I have never seen something quite like it in terms of quality, dedication and professionalism. A fungal disease is to blame for what has happened on the pitch and that was uncontrollable. Last year most of the pitches in Italy also suffered this. The people dealing with this problem both at the Santiago Bernabeu and at Valdebebas work very hard to maintain the pitches in perfect conditions. The Chief Groundskeeper is doing a fantastic job. Real Madrid signed him because he is very good at what he does and we have a lot of faith in him.
Benzema:
I like Benzema’s game and the way he is working with the team much more now. He is not playing entire games, but it is worth it. He knows what he has to give to the squad. I trust him more than I did two months ago. He is on the right path and now it is my turn to give him more opportunities because he deserves them.
Carvalho press conference
Ricardo Carvalho is an essential piece in Real Madrid’s defence. The defender addressed the media following this morning’s training session.
"Our strength in defence is the result of team-work"
Mourinho’s motive:
The most important thing for Mourinho is to have a competitive team. In order to have that, we must be solid in defence, but he also likes his teams to be offensive. Our fans want us to play well and score many goals. We’ve been defending well so far and we also want to be good up front.
Fans:
We know our supporters aren’t very happy because we haven’t been playing very well. We admit we can do better. What matters is we’ve earned victories, but we want to earn them by playing well. We are ready to do that.
Auxerre:
Auxerre aren’t having a great run in the French league this season, but the championship has only just started.
Training:
Mourinho is the boss and we must respect that. We would like to spend more time at home, but we are professionals. We’ll do whatever he believes is best for us. The squad is happy.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho was satisfied with the victory against Espanyol.
"We played better when we were both down to ten men"
The match:
We took three points and grabbed the first position on the table. We’ll see if we are still at the top tomorrow night after Valencia’s game. We had more chances to score in the second half and grew calmer. This team still needs to improve, but above all it needs to rest.
Satisfaction:
I am satisfied given the circumstances because it isn’t easy to play on a potato field, it isn’t easy to play a third game having had only two days to recover, and it isn’t easy to face an opponent that had nothing to lose. My team played a great game. These are the easiest games for teams who are between the fifth and tenth position of the table: they feel no pressure, they are motivated, and they are quality sides. It’s great for them if they win, but if they lose by playing well their morale is boosted nonetheless.
The second half:
We played well with Khedira and Arbeloa because the team was tighter. Our three central midfielders made us solid and we began to put more pressure, to make easier steals and to keep more possession in attack while our forwards had their backs covered. Balance comes from playing and thinking at the same time. We found balance right at the end, when the pitch grew larger because the game lacked two players but it was really smaller because our side was tighter. I hesitated at first to make two substitutions after Espanyol were left with ten men, but I had already made my mind up and my team needed to be tighter. We controlled the game better from then on.
Decisions:
Real Madrid only have one coach who can make decisions, and he always makes them after thinking carefully about them. He sometimes uses intuition, but most of his decisions are carefully thought through. My team was tired and it wasn’t tight; we were beginning to lose control for the first time in the game. Khedira, Xabi and Lass made the lines come closer together.
Fatigue:
The team is tired because it still isn’t a proper team and the coach doesn’t use rotations. I usually rotate four or five players successfully once my teams are constructed after years of work. I will do this with Real Madrid whenever I feel the team is in a different stage of construction. We will be at a different level in February if we reach the next round in the Champions League. I will use rotations then. I prefer not to use them for now.
Referee:
I prefer to talk about referees when they do a good job. I talked about the ref in San Sebastian because it was a pleasure to see such a good performance. I’d rather not comment on the ref today. He wasn’t fortunate and we were left with ten men. Espanyol were innocent enough to earn a red card just after this happened. I was too far to see Higuain being elbowed. I haven’t seen the penalty on a TV yet, so I cannot comment.
The hand-ball incident:
I work with my players to improve on defending from free-kicks. You have to protect your face when in doubt. You must jump or stay still when defending a free-kick depending on what the coach tells you, but you should never use your arms. These are negative doubts, but the referee didn’t do a good job tonight. His decision didn’t really influence the score, which is what matters and what we all ultimately want.
Khedira press conference
Sami Khedira said the team deserved its victory against Espanyol yesterday and that the squad currently only thinks about facing Levante.
Khedira: "We work hard every day to find our own style"
Finding it hard:
I think it is understandable for players to find it hard to come to grips with a style when there is a new coach on a team. We work hard every day to find our own style. It’s difficult to win every game. We try to play well; we are still under construction. We played well against Ajax and we want to do even better than that in the future.
Fans:
Our supporters want to see us play fast and offensive football, but the truth is we’ve played a game every two or three days in the last few weeks. We have to spread our efforts throughout 90 minutes. We deserved to win against Espanyol. We played an especially fast game in the second half. It wasn’t a great performance on our part, but we deserved to win. We have great players.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
Cristiano Ronaldo is an excellent individualist player, but he is also an excellent team player. He plays with the team. He will help us take many points.
Mourinho:
Mourinho’s style is clearly identifiable. He has a specific style, well-defined tactics and he is very disciplinary with his men. He uses a solid defence and a very offensive attacking front. He gives opponents few chances to score. I am very happy with the role I play on this team.
Champions League:
We currently only think about Levante. We’ll have time to think about the Champions League after the game.
Mourinho press conference
According to Jose Mourinho, “the goal is to make this team as stable and consistent as possible” while Real Madrid also “continue winning.”
Mourinho: "From a prestige standpoint, becoming coach of Real Madrid is like reaching the moon"
Ajax-game:
What I liked most about Saturday’s match is that we didn’t need 35 shots to score two goals like we did against Ajax.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
Cristiano Ronaldo has made it this far thanks to both his skills and his shortcomings. That is how he won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, titles, prestige… He works hard every day and on the pitch. He provides a lot of help to his teammates. He is a fantastic player.
Canales’ injury:
Sergio Canales is very talented but he has a lot to learn. He’s on the right track and he works very hard. The kid has it all to be very good. It’s a shame he is injured and will be out some time, but he will return.
Granero press conference
Esteban Granero addressed the media following the training session held at Valdebebas this morning.
"We believe we can and must be on top of Barcelona this year"
Sociedad:
We found it hard to get the feel of yesterday’s game and Real Sociedad were also strong. We reacted well in the second half. They scored the equaliser when they least deserved it. We reacted to that and earned a victory. We are excited about defeating Espanyol at our stadium. We’ve had a good start to the league and we must keep it up. We believe we can and must be on top of Barcelona this year.
Heavy Fixtures:
We play many games in a short amount of time, but this squad is solid enough to pull through.
Players Mentality:
Ozil and Khedira have adapted well despite the language barrier. Their performances are helping them. It makes it look easier. They will surely bring much to the team and the squad has given them a warm welcome. I don’t believe Cristiano Ronaldo is anxious. He just has a lot of responsibility. I believe he is playing at a good level, better than last year. He is more relaxed and we are all convinced this will be a great year for him.
Atleti-Barca:
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will be important opponents this year. Whatever happens tonight with Barcelona, we will still be ahead on the table. This is good, so we must keep it up, even if it doesn’t mean much at this stage.
Mourinho-Portugal:
I understand everything that’s being said about the possibility of Mourinho coaching the Portuguese national team, but it doesn’t concern me. The things he’s said don’t bother me and I don’t believe they could bother anyone.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho discussed Saturday’s match against Real Socieded as well as Portugal’s interest in signing the Madridista coach to manage the national team during Friday’s post-training news conference.
Mourinho: "This will be our toughest match to date"
Saturday’s game:
This will be our toughest match to date, and I don’t say it because it’s our next game, but because I believe they are the toughest opponent that we will have played against so far. Teams that are promoted from Segunda Division have the attitude and morale and confidence soaring through the roof after winning their league last year, which makes playing against them harder than playing against a team that has more Primera Division experience but sits in the middle of the table. These are championship-winning teams with winning attitudes. I have watched their two previous games and I can say that they are very organized and defend well. They are a compact group that waits to counterattack. Their attack can be devastating.
Real Sociedad:
Real Sociedad have had a full week to prepare, while we haven’t had that privilege. It’s hard for me to accept the fact that we play on Saturday after having played a Champions League match on Wednesday. That said, we are professionals. There was a lot of wear and tear from the Ajax game and it hasn’t been easy to recover in only two days. We respect the decisions made and must be in top form if we are to win.
Managing Portugal:
The Portuguese Football Federation did not contact Real Madrid. The club was made aware of the situation by me. I owe myself to this club and therefore cannot say ‘yes’ to the national team. Neither can I easily say ‘no’ because I am Portuguese and I have strong feelings towards the team. But the fact remains that we will not win only because I am coaching the team. Real Madrid has every right to keep me here and I cannot go against their word.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho didn’t hold back his satisfaction with his team’s performance during Wednesday’s post-match press conference.
Mourinho: "The goals will come; I am very optimistic"
The match:
We played well. We pressured a lot and in a very advanced position. We didn’t allow Ajax to play, and they are used to controlling the ball on an open pitch. The team’s physical and mental strength increases by playing. They need time to adapt to the new playing method. They need time to adapt because we play with a lot of intensity.
Style:
It isn’t easy playing the way we do; we are focused for 90 minutes and are ambitious. Tomorrow we will have a recovery workout, we will train on Friday before traveling to San Sebastian and then we will recover again for Espanyol. That is why I draw all my conclusions from matches. We can improve little by little. I need time, but I am very optimistic.
Less work for Casillas:
I would be worried had we only had two shots on goal or if Casillas was our player of the match. For many years Casillas was the best Real Madrid player. In the last three matches he has barely touched the ball. Perhaps my forwards weren’t so successful on goal because they pressured so much. We lost some efficiency on goal, but we gained a lot in the sense that we completely dominated the match.
Alonso press conference
Xabi Alonso will face Real Sociedad, the team where he began his career, on Saturday.
"There will be three points at stake against Real Sociedad, so we will be opponents for 90 minutes"
Sociedad:
There will be three points at stake against Real Sociedad, so we will be opponents for 90 minutes, although I’ve always been and always will be a Real Sociedad supporter. It’s always nice to go back home. They’ve always greeted me well over there.
Key players:
Ozil is a very good footballer. He has good timing, works from the back and has great vision. His work on the team is fantastic and I believe he may become an important player in the future. Cristiano Ronaldo is not anxious. He just wants to help the team and I’m sure he will score again. Karim Benzema is a quality striker. He may be introverted, but his devotion to the team is solid.
Mourinho:
Mourinho isn’t a defensive coach. His Chelsea was demolishing. We want to win our games with authority and to become a competitive team. I hope we keep up the tendency we showcased yesterday. The coach focuses on small details when he analyses our opponents and every player he has ever coached speaks highly of him. Everything he says in the press has been previously said to us.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho addressed the media the day prior to the team’s match against Ajax at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Mourinho: "Real Madrid have a great history in the Champions League and so do I"
The current Real Madrid:
This team is under construction. Our goal is to continue to grow and to reach the next round in the championship. We will be a tighter side in the Last 16 and in the most decisive moments of the competition. We have yet to play six games in a tough group.
Special one?:
I don’t feel anything special. I just have faith in my work, in that of those who work with me and in my players. Real Madrid have a great history in the Champions League and so do I, so it is natural for us to have a special feeling and to think something positive will happen. Real Madrid want to win their tenth European Cup title as much as I want to win my third, but it will be difficult.
Contenders:
There are between six and eight teams that could win the championship. We will be much stronger than we are now if we reach the next round.
Champions League:
The Champions League is the competition everyone wants to win. You can’t compare it to other championships, not even to a World Cup because these teams are different to national sides. It is the greatest title a club can aspire to win and it is also a championship in which small details are very important. The best team doesn’t win. On the other hand, the league isn’t decided by details. You can come back from a mistake. The best always wins, despite the fact that there is less prestige in it than in winning the Champions League. Winning a league is good to boost a team’s self-esteem. Neither championship is more important than the other. Today, the Champions League is more important to us, but this weekend it will be La Liga.
Ajax:
Ajax are a great club with great tradition. Both they and Real Madrid are giants in this championship.
Osasuna:
It’s up to the press to debate about or game on Saturday, not to us. I clearly said after the game I had no problems. I don’t feel more pressure. I am calm. No one can teach me about negative reactions in a stadium. I know what true boos and whistles are and they have nothing to do with what was heard for ten seconds on Saturday. When you score in the opening minute of the second half, you leave the stadium calm because you won the match. I don’t care. Those who pay may do what they want and those of us who work at Real Madrid have to accept that.
Cristiano:
Cristiano Ronaldo did not criticise the fans. He always risks injuries and his future as a player when he’s on the pitch, even when he is in delicate shape. He wants players and fans to share the same goals. That’s it. He knows he can make a difference and he is aware of what the team needs. He always tries to do better. That’s a good thing.
Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain is very motivated for the Champions League match against Ajax tomorrow.
Higuain: "Mourinho is a great coach and his experience will be key in this competition"
Mourinho:
Mourinho is a winner; he’s always proved this. That’s why he was signed and we hope to take Real Madrid where it deserves together with him.
Champions League:
The Champions League is an important competition and we hope to take the Club to the very top in Europe, to the Wembley final. We’ve been eliminated in the Last 16 for some years now, something inadmissable at a club like Real Madrid.
Taking chances:
We shouldn’t worry about not scoring more form the many chances on goal we had on Saturday. What matters is that we continue to improve as a team. I hope we capitalise more on our chances against Ajax.
Playing with two other forwards:
We forwards feel comfortable when the three of us play together, but what’s important is that those who make the starting lineup do their best.
Cristiano Ronaldo press conference
Cristiano Ronaldo is confident things will improve and has a feeling the team will win a title this season.
"We have all the necessary ingredients to win the competition, but we have to take one step at a time and avoid putting pressure on ourselves"
Champions League:
This club, as always, has the ambition to win the Champions League. I have a special feeling about this season. We can win, but we cannot put pressure on ourselves. We have all the necessary ingredients to win the competition, but we have to take one step at a time.
Osasuna:
We are happy with our game on Saturday. Our goal was to win the match and take three points. We can play better and score more strikes. I’m sure we’ll do better, we’ll grow more confident and we’ll win. We are going to win this year. I have a feeling we will. I am abitious and I want to win. Mourinho is the best coach in the world and I’m sure we will win and create spectacle.
Style:
At times it isn’t possible to play well and be spectacular. It’s better for the fans to help us and motivate us to play well. Our supporters have fun when the team plays well and scores goals, but we can’t thrill them with brilliance all the time. It is on occasion convenient for fans to thrill players as well. All of us at the stadium want what’s best for Rreal Madrid and, together, we can make this a feared team at home.
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho discussed his thoughts on his first official win as head coach of Real Madrid.
Mourinho: "We didn't have any trouble on defense and we haven't conceded a goal in two games"
The match:
I don’t think it was a very complicated match. Winning was quite easy. Casillas didn’t have to make any saves and we didn’t find ourselves in trouble. We lacked some clarity and calmness when it came time to building plays, but it will all come in due time. We could have played at a different level had we scored a second goal.
The formation:
Playing with three forwards was a bit of a risk because I didn’t have another one on the bench. The fact that Benzema got the start is a vote of confidence for him. He knows that he can play alongside Cristiano and Higuain. He looked motivated and did a good job. Playing with three attackers is possible, but those three players also have to defend and pressure like we did in the second half.
Not scoring:
I cannot be worried about any of my forwards because they are all talented and have had successful careers. I am not upset with them in any way. They cannot feel the pressure I put on them and I am sure they will answer with three goals one day. They helped out by recovering the ball, running back to defend and by sprinting towards the opponent’s goal. This is a team. I liked how Pipita performed.
Casillas press conference
Twelve years to the day after making his top flight debut in Spanish football, Iker Casillas took the hot seat at Valdebebas following Sunday’s training.
Casillas: "Ajax are a great team, so we cannot lose these points at home"
Champions League:
We are excited about the Champions League. This is a complicated group and we don’t want to lose any points at home. Ajax’s Luis Suarez is a great player, so we have to take advantage of the fact that he is unable to play.
Osasuna:
We barely let Osasuna put together any scoring opportunities. This team is always on due to the fact that every line is working at all times. We are solid and strong and hope to continue. The fact that we haven’t conceded a goal in the first two games is big news. The best player in the two games we have played has been the opposing goalkeeper.
Key Players:
Players like Ricardo Carvalho are necessary for any team. It is always good to have experienced players. He brings players together, which is important for us.
Real Madrid vs CA Osasuna | Preview
He's back!
After yet another irritating international break La Liga action returns and Real Madrid will play their first home league game against Jose Antonio Camacho’s Osasuna side. The match will witness the comeback of Pepe back to competitive First Team action since December last year. The other big news would obviously be the announcement made by Mourinho last evening that Cristiano Ronaldo will start tonight despite being ruled out of this and the next fixture against Ajax two weeks back. Jose Mourinho’s eight-year-undefeated-at-home streak will also be at stake.
After an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Mallorca on Matchday One, the fans are hoping for a much improved performance from the players as Barcelona have already taken an early lead over us. As we witnessed last season, it is games like these that decide the title race and winning thus becomes mandatory. The Cules play newly promoted Hercules to whom they lost both home and away during the Alicante based club’s previous stint in La Liga.
Mourinho has all his players fit except for Kaka, Garay, Gago and Albiol. Diarra though has been left out of the squad for tomorrow. The Special One, in his pre-match press conference, revealed nine out of the eleven players who would start tomorrow. The back four would have Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho and Marcelo. Joining them in the team would Khedira and Alonso as central midfielders. Ronaldo will start despite just recovering from an ankle injury. Higuain will play up front ahead of Benzema. The other two slots remain a mystery with Di Maria and Ozil most likely to fill it up.
Another good news would be the fact that Lass also has been called up having made a full recovery from the injury he sustained against Mallroca.
Osasuna, on the other hand, are without their two center-backs, Sergio and Josetxo, and goalkeeper Riesgo, all of whom will stay in Pamplona.
SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek, Adan
Defenders: Carvalho, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Mateos
Midfielders: Khedira, Lass, Granero, Xabi Alonso, Canales, Pedro Leon, Di Maria, Ozil
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuain
On the agenda are three points and a much better performance from the team overall. Let’s hope we achieve it.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Mourinho press-conference
Jose Mourinho addressed the media the day before making his league debut at the Bernabeu.
Mourinho: "I know what team I will use; all my men are important"
Osasuna:
It will be a difficult match, but I am accustomed to playing before audiences who want their team to play well. It also happened at San Siro and Stamford Bridge. These are great clubs, accustomed to success, so it isn’t a problem.
Home Record:
Right now, we are focusing on taking risks to win. Our goal is to win every game. It is more important to win three games and lose two than to draw five. I don’t want to achieve records; I want points. If we have only managed to draw the score tomorrow with ten minutes left in the game, I will take a risk to win come what may. Records are nice, but points are nicer.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
Cristiano Ronaldo will be a starter. I am afraid of the possibility he may get injured again. I am afraid someone may hit him, but that’s normal in football. He has been training at least five hours a day at Valdebebas. The Medical Staff and the player say he’s 100% fit to play, so he has the same risk of getting injured as the rest of his team-mates. He will play because he is fit and because it will be a difficult game.
Pepe to Realmadrid.com
Pepe is ready to appear at the Bernabeu again after a long absence. Now that he has recovered, the defender is anxious to help the team this season.
"I can't wait to play at the Bernabeu again"
You recovered from your injury and rejoined the team last week. Are you ready to face Osasuna?
I feel fine and anxious to step onto the pitch and help the team. I can’t wait to play at the Bernabeu again. It is very important to me.
What would you like to say to the fans, who have always supported you?
I can’t express my gratitude with words. I think the best I can do to correspond them is to do my job on the pitch and help Real Madrid. By helping the Club I help each and every one of them. I can show them I feel fine and that I’m capable of doing my job. I wish to thank them for all their support.
The team will fight for the first three points at stake at the stadium…
We always try to win, but it isn’t possible all the time. It is our duty to do a good job and fight to the end to take three points. That’s what we’ll do.
What will you have to do to defend against Osasuna’s Pandiani and Aranda?
They are strong strikers. They like to fight hard. Osasuna have a good squad and a strong coach. They’ve been doing a good job. We have to try to control the pace to our games from the start.
What would you highlight about Mourinho’s Real Madrid?
Mourinho is different. He stands out in many things. He is a very good coach, like the rest who have been on this team, but this is a new era both for him and for us. This is a good experience for all. Being able to coach Real Madrid is like a reward for his career. We all want the best for the Club and we will prove we can win our games.
The Champions League kicks-off on Wednesday. What can you tell us about your first three opponents, Milan, Ajax and Auxerre?
We are in a complicated group, but we are all equals. We have good enough players to confront these teams. We will do a great job and we will thrill our fans.
Just another Madridista
Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho offered his thoughts on Real Madrid’s victory at Auxerre following the match.
Mourinho: "My team came through in what was a tough game"
The match:
Difficulty:
Ozil:
Chances:
The Dubious Foul:
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September 29, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Press Conference | Tags: José Mourinho | Leave A Comment »