Real Madrid Blog

Robinho in White Grada
“Our work has put us where we are”

It is his third season at Real Madrid and increasingly sees closer its second league title. Robinho arrived at the club in search of titles and is getting. The Brazilian player cree que el conjunto white is in a privileged position thanks to “work and quality of the whole workforce.” In addition to want done with the title garter belts as soon as possible, Robinho hopes to continue to grow as a player next campaign, which already has two objectives: the League and the Champions.

This league can not escape …

We are on track, but have not yet achieved the goal of being champions. We are very close, we have an advantage very interesting and are working to achieve. Ojala celebrate the sooner the league title.

Some say that this league will not win the Madrid, but lost the other.

Esoy not agree on that. We are where we are because of our quality and our work. There will be people who think that, but Real Madrid has proved to be the best team throughout the season and we are on the verge of winning the league with all deserve.

What have been the keys for you this season?

The key lies in the regularity that we have managed to maintain throughout the season. In the largest parties, which we knew we could not fail, went ahead with victories. Matches such as the Racing have served to get as many points as possible. It has also been very important to our strength at home, where we have barely lost points. I think those are the two keys to explain our situation.

Do you have the feeling that this league is not being given the importance it has?

I think winning two consecutive league is very difficult, but Real Madrid is at a level so high that there will be people who say that the League is not a title so important. But we are aware that it is very difficult to win. The League is a competition with teams much level, and although there who think that a win last season is easy, we know that this is not the case.

More still have a team in which, in addition to new coach, had many new players.

It reached a new coach with an idea different from the previous game, and we have all tried to give what you’re looking team. Also new players arrived with a high level who have tried to adapt to the team as soon as possible. I think it’s important that we expect a league win as soon as possible and see if we can achieve next year and the third Champions.

What Schuster has given this team?

I think it represents very well what is Real Madrid. Here it is not enough to win, entries must be playing well. Schuster puts much emphasis on that, we have the ball, to play at short, etc. … And that is what we are trying to do on the pitch.

If you could choose, when, where and to what team would you like to win the league this year?

The most important thing is to be champions, we do not care who the opponent as opposed to what we achieve. Looking to the fans, I think there will be many who will want to get the title at the Santiago Bernabeu against Barcelona. But we’re professionals and we want to win and celebrate with our fans as soon as possible. But if he can be at the Bernabeu, with our people, it would be perfect.

Real Madrid is the most scorer of the championship team, but also the least goal, something that says a lot for the defence and Casillas, who is fighting for the Zamora.

For me the best goalkeeper Iker of the League and possibly the world, but the defense also is helping a lot with a good job. I think every great team that’s going to have a great goalkeeper. We have a very good defense, and that helps a lot to the team have also easier in attack.

Raul said that if Real Madrid wins the league will have closed a good season. Do you you have left the espinita of Champions for the next?

Yes, because the Champions is a very important competition. We know that the League is and also what we always win, but the Champions is a competition that gives much prestige throughout Europe. That is our main objective, winning the league and the Champions.

The Whites will fight for a ticket to the quarterfinals at a packed Bernabéu Stadium

Everyone is exited about tonight’s Champions League fixture between Real Madrid and Roma at the Bernabéu (20:45 CET). The stadium will be packed to help the Whites defeat the Italian side and qualify for the competition’s quarterfinals.

Those who have played in the Champions League say that it is a special competition, that you get the goosebumps when you hear the hymn being played prior to a game. Then, you look up, and all you see are thousands of people who will support you all the way throughout 90 minutes… Guti in, Van Nistelrooy out
Real Madrid’s only goal right now is to make it to the competition’s quarterfinals for the first time in four years. Both the team and the fans are optimistic and believe in their chances of winning the Club’s tenth European Cup at the end of the campaign.

Recovered from their niggles, Guti and Míchel Salgado return to the team to face Roma. The worst news for the Madridista camp is the injury of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Hopes were high for him to make it to the game, but in the end it has been deemed best to leave him out just in case this worsens the synovitis on his right ankle.

Sergio Ramos will miss the game too because he received his third booking in Rome. His position as right back will be covered by Miguel Torres. Cannavaro will pair-up with Pepe as centre back and Heinze will take on left back duties. Raúl will be the team’s striker, Gago and Guti will probably play in midfield, Drenthe will be positioned on the left wing, Robinho on the right, and Baptista will play as attacking midfielder. Diarra may be lined up too, but if he does, he will have to be careful not to be booked; he would miss the first leg of the quarterfinals if Real Madrid were to make it through.

A 1-0 victory will be enough for the Whites to qualify, but they will try to do their best to play a brilliant game for their fans tonight. Both sides have faced each other at the Bernabéu three times before, drawing one fixture and winning one each -Real Madrid won 4-2 in the 2004/05 campaign-. The Madridistas have won 19 of the 24 knock-out rounds they have played against Italian sides in Madrid.

Totti
Roma’s most dangerous man will be Totti. He is always sought out in their attacks, as was evidenced in the first leg. Their main strategy seems to be based on counterattacks that rely on the great speed of men like Mancini. A great pass from Totti to the latter in a fast countarattack gave Roma the victory at the Stadio Olimpico two weks ago. Casetti will be absent from defence due to injury. Juan and Pizarro have travelled to Madrid, but their participation in the game is uncertain, both being niggled with a muscle strain.

By Laura Navas
Photography by Alejandro González
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

“Referees? Schuster only likes to talk about football”

Gonzalo Higuaín offered Sunday’s press conference at Real Madrid City, less than 24 hours after the Whites extended their lead in the table with a victory over Recreativo Huelva.

Congratulations Gonzalo. Yesterday’s win reaffirmed Madrid’s spot atop the league.
I am very happy. It was an important victory, we’re now five points ahead of second place, and it served as a huge moral boost heading into Wednesday’s Champions League match. We achieved what we wanted, so now we’re only thinking about Roma. The only bad news is Robben’s injury.
It’s a shame. I didn’t see the play because I was warming up on the touchline. We have to give him all our support and help so that he can make a speedy recovery.

Can you say anything in regard to the referees?
That’s not a matter for me to discuss. I live and breath football. I’m not worried about the matter. We just think about playing. I don’t get involved with referees.

Was yesterday’s victory important heading into the next match against Roma?
Absolutely, very important. We have to think about Wednesday’s match and we only have two days to prepare for it. They will be looking to defend the first leg result, but we have to remain calm and try to score. You know the officials who refereed last night. What did you think about their performance?
I never have and never will talk about the referees.

Schuster left last night’s press conference when asked about the referees. Doesn’t that show a little lack of respect?
You have to ask him. He was a great player and he lives football day in and day out. He doesn’t have to discuss the referees. He loves talking about football.

Were the fans responsible for the 1-1 equaliser?
No (laughs). We scored it. The fans are extremely important, and they’ll play an important role on Wednesday because they push and we need their support.

Barça lost, so it was a great day overall.
Everything turned out well. We were losing and Barça were winning, but we turned it around and so did Atletico. We have to continue working hard because we’ve got important matches ahead. Those of us on the bench were getting updates from the Calderón.

You must have seen the highlights of the Atletico-Barcelona match. Your thoughts on Agüero? Is Kun better than Messi?
We all know how good Agüero is. There’s no need to talk about him. They are both young players with bright futures. I hope they keep playing as well as they are. I am happy that Agüero had the chance to play a great game. Did you see his goals?
He had a solid game. He scored and provided two assists. I am sure he’ll go very far if he keeps it up.

By Isabel Garzo
Photo by Realmadrid.com
Translation by Matthew Goltz

The round will be decided at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid started strong and scored an early goal -Raúl’s 60th in the Champions League-, but the game got complicated after the Italians’ second strike. Cannavaro played his 100th match in a European competition and Diarra his 50th in the Champions League. The round will be decided at the Bernabéu in a fortnight.

The return of the Champions League saw the fourth clash between Real Madrid and Roma in the history of both clubs, but the first to take place in a two-game knock-out stage. The return of Gabriel Heinze -after recovering from a tear in the femoral biceps that kept him off the pitch for over a month- allowed Ramos to assume right back duties while the former paired with Fabio Cannavaro in the centre of defence. Gago and Diarra covered midfield with Guti further on the right. Ruud van Nistelrooy also made his first starting line-up since his injury.

Raúl’s 60th Champions League goal
Roma gave the initial scare with a three-minute siege on Casillas’ goal from inside the box. A few minutes later, Robben controlled the ball down the left, passing the ball back to Guti from the goal-line. The second captain had a shot from outside the box that was flicked in by Raúl (8′).

Roma were forced to react and tried their luck with a weak shot by Cassetti easily grabbed by Casillas. This chance was followed by a disallowed off-side strike by Ruud van Nistelrooy. Both sides had several missed; De Rossi tried from the 3/4 line (20′) and Raúl failed to score from a cross into the box served by Robben.

Madrid were too merciful. The missed chance gave way to Roma’s first goal: the ball hit Gago -on the flour for receiving a foul- from a cross by Mancini into the small area, reaching Pizarro, who shot and scored after the ball once again ricocheted on Gago (23′).

The Whites stood their ground and looked comfortable on the pitch, reaching Roma’s box with ease thanks to the open spaces left by their defence. Raúl assisted Van Nistelrooy brilliantly, but the Dutchman wasn’t comfortably positioned to shot from the pass and sent the ball out (28’). This was followed by a corner-kick by Guti that Ramos’ failed to reach in time, a missed shot by Robben from the left of the box, and two free-kicks awarded to Real that didn’t go in… Both teams reached half-time still 1-1.

Roman justice
Five minutes into the second half, Van Nistelrooy tried to lob the ball over keeper Doni, who managed to grab it. Five later, Roma fiercely attacked the Whites. The locals’ defensive lined moved back and it was becoming clear that coach Spalletti’s strategy was to always look for Maldini when the team had possession. The captain passed the ball to Mancini inside the box, who defeated Casillas in a one-on-one and scored from a nice crossed shot (57’). Raúl came close to scoring the equaliser from yet another cross by Robben on the 66-minute mark, but the ball was cleared by the Italian defence. A magnificent Gago worked hard on recovering and serving the ball, while Robben fed the attack down both wings. Two missed shots from outside the area by the Argentine (72’) and Ramos (74’) soon followed. Drenthe came in for Diarra and gave a brilliant assist to Van Nistelrooy, but the Dutchman’s shot hit the post. Three minutes later, Ruud served a ball for Raúl inside the box. The captain left if for Baptista to ram in from outside, but his shot went over the crossbar (81’). In the end, the Whites were defeated, but there is still a chance for them to make it to the quarterfinals in the game at the Bernabéu in two weeks’ time.

Roma-Real Madrid preview

Heading towards the quarterfinals

Two classic sides will fight for a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. Recovered from his injury, Gabriel Heinze returns to help his team in its time of need. Van Nistelrooy may return to the starting eleven.

It’s been nearly two months since the first round of the Champions League came to an end, and now the competition returns with the great Roma-Real Madrid match. Currently plagued by injuries, the Whites will try to earn a positive result in order to seal their pass to the next round in Madrid. They have never lost at the Stadio Olimpico, home to tonight’s rivals and Lazio. Heinze returns; Van Goal back in form
Real Madrid have been somewhat unlucky with injuries during the last month, but they continue leading the table in the Spanish League despite the incresing number of men in their infirmary. Pepe, Metzelder, Sneijder, Robinho, Marcelo and Saviola may have stayed behind, but at least Gabriel Heinze recovered in time for the clash and has chances of making the starting line-up. Ruud van Nistelrooy played some minutes against Betis and may well be a starter tonight also.

Roma, an atypical Italian side
Luciano Spalletti’s Roma are the most offensive team in Italy, with a fast and lethal at counterattack. The entire team is dangerous. Roma recently lost against Juventus in the Italian League, but their best men will be waiting for the Whites tonight. Even Panucci has chances of facing his former side after missing several recent games.

De Rossi and Pizarro are a creative and destructive midfield couple. Giuly, Taddei or Perrotta, could play as attacking midfielders to aid striker Mancini, a quality and very threatening player. Raúl and Totti, unquestionable leaders
Both men represent the values of their teams, both being bred in their respective clubs’ youth systems. Francesco Totti, who recently scored his 200th goal for Roma, is capable of drastically changing the pace of a game with a single play, while Raúl’s intelligence inside the box and goal-scoring instincts have tallied him 198 strikes for the Whites.

The Roma-Real Madrid clash will no doubt be one of the most interesting encounters in the second stage of the Champions League. No team can afford to make any unexpected mistakes; winning is all that counts.

By Arancha Díaz
Photography: Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

The Whites fail to defeat a Betis side in need of a victory

Real Madrid scored the opener, but the need for a victory to leave the relegation zone behind allowed Betis to come back with two strikes. The Whites’ attack improved in the second half when Ruud van Nistelrooy took the pitch.

Real Madrid faced Betis with the same men who started in the 7-0 victory over Valladolid last week save for Robinho, who was replaced by Drenthe because of an injury. A victory was necessary to consolidate themselves in the lead, but Betis’ situation on the table, only one point away from the relegation zone, made them desperate for a victory. Good performances from Drenthe and Robben Bernd Schuster’s side attacked more in the opening minutes and had a good chance with a free-kick taken by Baptista. Drenthe and Robben were particularly anxious to prove themselves and posed a dangerous threat down the wings, crossing the ball, making assists, counterattacking and also defending. Six minutes into the game, Drenthe scored the opening strike.

Fernando Gago once again proved to be in excellent form. The Argentine gave a long pass for Robben to reach inside the box. The Dutch forward then passed it to Baptista inside the small box, but the Brazilian failed to reach it in time. Nevertheless, Drenthe reached the ball at the far post and scored with his left foot. Betis comeback
Real Madrid started to look comfortable on the pitch, but the locals were forced to react by the adverse result. Mark González and Edu took the reins of the team and orchestrated an incredible comeback just two minutes after the Whites’ goal. The equaliser came a few minutes later, when Pavone crossed the ball into the box for Edu to head into the back of the net past Real Madrid’s defence (33′).

Two minutes later, Betis scored again in exactly the same way, but this time it was Edu who crossed the ball for Mark González to head in. Elusive victory
Ruud van Nistelrooy was brought on the pitch soon after the start of the second half, while Betis kept making things hard for Real Madrid, particularly with a point-blank shot from Pavone that was saved by Iker Casillas’ incredible reflexes.

Sergio Ramos encouraged his teammates to keep trying and even joined the attack to assist Van Nistelrooy, who came close to scoring from a shot that ended up hitting the near post (66′). Guti asked the team to remain calm, Raúl encouraged them not to give up… All in all, the Madridistas tried hard to turn the score around by taking advantage of Betis physical exhaustion, but it was to no avail. There is no time to feel sorry about the defeat now; the team has to focus on its Tuesday Champions League match with Roma.

Casillas and Ramos in the Reds’ starting eleven

Luis Aragonés was “extremely happy” with Spain’s 1-0 win against fellow UEFA EURO 2008™ hopefuls France, with scorer Joan Capdevila determined to “make the most” of the success in Malaga.

Late chances
Capdevila scored ten minutes from time to hand Spain victory to the delight of coach Aragonés although he acknowledged that France duo Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema were both unlucky not to equalise late on. “France are a strong, dangerous team with extraordinary physical capacity,” Aragonés said. “I’m extremely happy to have won the game but I have to say we were lucky in the last five minutes.” Capdevila glad
Victory avenged a 3-1 loss against France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and Villarreal CF defender Capdevila was determined to enjoy the feeling of victory after registering his second international goal in 15 appearances. The 29-year-old said: “I have to make the most of these moments. Any win is always very welcome. It feels great to score against teams the standard of France.”

‘Under control’
Liverpool FC midfielder Xabi Alonso returned to the national team last night for the first time since September 2007 after recovering from injury and was pleased that his side had come out on top after a very competitive fixture. “Our opponents were very good but we managed to hang in there. We had the match under control and scored in the second half to ensure the victory.”

Domenech unruffled
France coach Raymond Domenech was his usual sanguine self afterwards, saying: “You always lose when your opponents score and you don’t, but I think the match was very even and in the end we could have equalised. I’m satisfied with my players’ attitude but the negative aspect is that in the second half we lost the ball several times and we didn’t manage the game as we did in the first period.”

He’s not getting as much playing time as a footballer would like, but rather than speaking negatively and creating any controversy, Jerzy Dudek is patiently waiting for another chance to help Real Madrid win the league.

Leo Beenhakker called up four goalkeepers and you weren’t one of them. Do you think you have a chance of participating in Euro 2008?
The national team coach doesn’t know how many keepers he will take to the Euro. There is a lot of talent in Poland. It’s hard right now because I’m not playing as often as I would like, but I am happy that I signed for Real Madrid. Of course, it’s only logical that I would like to play in the Euro. Were you bothered by the fact that the club didn’t want you to leave?
Playing more often would have been better for me, but I don’t have that opportunity now that we’re not in the Copa del Rey any more. I knew it would be hard for me to play before I even arrived, and not playing for three months bothered me, but I haven’t really given it any more thought and haven’t thought about changing teams. I hope we can win the league before the season is over so that I can play more. My job now is to continue training and working hard, and hopefully we’ll win the league.

Are you willing to continue in this situation year after year?
It’s too early for me to make a decision. It’s hard for any new player. I need more time to adapt. There’s a starting keeper and I play less frequently, but my contract is for two years and I intend to see it through. It’s too early to say. Has the national team coach called you to talk?
I have to wait for my opportunity. I’ve already been through a similar situation, so all I can do is work hard from here on out. Every player wants to participate in the Euro.

The Spanish national team was welcomed by Málaga with fans demanding Raúl’s return.
It’s a tough situation. Raúl is in great form right now, so it’s only natural that the press and fans want to see him return after so much time without playing. Both Guti and Raúl are in good enough form to play on any team.

Being eliminated from the Copa del Rey must have been hard for you.
I was very upset when we lost to Mallorca. We had a great chance to win the Copa, but I’m training hard and hoping to have another chance of playing.

If you were Schuster, who woud start, Casillas or Dudek?
Iker has been working very hard for many seasons and the fans love him. The coach has made a good decision. Casillas has been playing very well. I came here as the second keeper and without any intention of taking his place. We have to remain positive and think about the future.

In an interview to Marca the coach said he is satisfied with his team’s work and denied making any signings during the winter transfer window.

Did you ask for any players this Christmas?
No. I’m very happy with the squad I have and I think it is enough to finish the season in good conditions. It is nevertheless very hard to find a proper player for Real Madrid at this time of the year.

Which position has more need of reinforcements?

The right wing. It is a bit weak since Beckham left.

Capello won the League. Do you feel obliged to win a title too?
Yes, I feel I should at least win one, but I’m not worried about the fact that Capello won a championship. I thought it was wonderful for Real Madrid to win the League. It’s not that title which makes me feel pressure, but myself. Real Madrid should always aspire to win titles.

Is it possible to win the League, the Champions League and the King’s Cup?
It isn’t my priority to win the three because it is very hard to do. You have to focus on each competition at a time; they are all different from each other and must be prepared for in a different manner. For example, there is more room to recover from mistakes in the League than in Europe.

What do you think about people saying Roma will be easy to defeat?
They are not; I would have preferred any other side. Nevertheless, Roma will be good for us because they are a very good side, not allowing us to relax.

Who are favourites to win the Champions League?
I think they are Milan, Manchester United, Inter Milan and us.

Are Barcelona still the greatest rival in the League?
Yes, despite their defeat against us. There is still a long way to go in the League and we will fight with them for the title.

Is it good or bad for Casillas to be one of the stars of a game?
He has to be the star sometimes, but that doesn’t mean the rest have played poorly. We play in a very offensive style and we know he is back there to cover our backs. That’s why he is the best. A great team needs someone like him. Great sides have always had brilliant keepers throughout football history.

Is he the best in the world?
For me the three best keepers in the world are Bufon, Van der Sar and Iker.

Guti has fallen off the starting line-up in recent games. Is he punished for the red card he saw against Murcia?
No. I don’t believe in punishments. I’m not here for that. Guti saw a red card and missed a game for which we had to find a solution. Julio Baptista played very well. Players may lose their spot momentarily due to suspension or injury. No one can criticise me for Guti’s situation because I was the first to have faith in him. I still have faith in him and he hasn’t lost a spot on the starting eleven, but there is another player that has been working very well in every game that he’s played and the question is, ‘What do we do know?’ You always try to be fair with your players.

Will Guti return to a starting line-up?
Of course he will. He will be a starter again. It was logical for me to continue to count on Baptista because he is playing very well.

How much of Real Madrid’s success belongs to assistant coach Manolo Ruiz?
Manolo plays an important role, the same as physical coaches Valter di salvo and Jordi García, keeper coach Pedro Jaro… Everyone does his job in his particular area; the keepers, the forwards, the assistants to the coach… But in the end I’m the one everyone looks at if things go wrong. I appreciate their work immensely.

How many times a week do you talk to Mijatovic?
Several. We don’t talk on a daily basis, but we work very closely. We get what we want from each other quickly.

The team sings in the dressing room… That joy is important, isn’t it?
I’ve always said harmony is important, as well as there being less groups withing the squad, for the players not to sit always with the same guys during lunch or dinner… or even when they play piggy-in-the-middle. You must have fun on a football pitch; it doesn’t all come down to running and sweating. I like jokes. I love comedy and British humour…

Do you think Raúl is fit enough to play in the Euro 2008?
From a sporting point of view there is no doubt about it; he should play. On the other hand, there’s whatever Luís Aragonés thinks. We must respect his judgement.

What do you wish for in the new year?
This year has been very good to me: I played in the King’s Cup final with Getafe, I’ve had a successful start as coach at Real Madrid… I want my team to play well and make the fans have fun in 2008. I would also like to win a title. I want people to be in good health. This sounds like a typical wish, but it is actually the most important wish of them all.

Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

Real Madrid lead a hypothetical national ranking with 85 points

Real Madrid have had a magnificent year. They won their 30th League title in 2007 and currently lead the competition by seven points. Their victory over Barcelona on Sunday made them Winter Champions after only 17 fixtures. The Whites have won 26 of their 39 matches this year. It is the first time they take as many as 41 points in 17 games in their history.

After their defeat against Deportivo at Riazor Stadium in January, Real Madrid got great results that have allowed them to finish the year as the best team in Spain with 85 points. Barcelona follow with 75, Villarreal with 72 and Valencia with 65. The Whites have only lost six of their 39 matches, winning as many as 26 and drawing only seven. They have scored 70 goals and conceded only 40.

Best first part of the season in their history
Bernd Schuster’s side keeps breaking records; never before had Real Madrid taken as many as 41 points in only 17 fixtures in the League. Only Fabio Capello came close to this in the 1990s, taking 39, but he established a record with the 92 points the team had at the end of the campaign.

Only twice before have Real Madrid been leaders with a seven point difference over runners-up Barcelona, going on to win the title on both occasions.

Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

Real Madrid have taken more points in the First Division than any other side

With a spectacular end to the year Bernd Schuster’s men keep proving they truly deserve to be part of the Best Club of the 20th Century. No one has taken as many points, scored as many goals or won as many titles as Real Madrid.

This has been a good year for the Club. After winning their 30th League title in June, Real Madrid are currently leaders and Winter Champions in the Legaue.

Ever since the Club was founded in 1902, the football team has been earning spectacular and historcal figures, many of which were the reason FIFA decided to name Real Madrid the Best Club of the 20th Century a few years ago.

Real Madrid have taken more points in the Spanish First Division than any other side: 3,525 in official games, 131 more than Barcelona, who are second in the ranking. The Whites took their largest number of points in the 1996/97 campaign (92), losing only 4 games and winning their 27th League title. It seems they may even break this record this year, having already taken 41 points, seven more than Barcelona.

Real Madrid share the distinction of playing 2,398 First Division matches with Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona in 78 seasons, but the Whites have won a larger number of fixtures: 1.375, drawing 508 and losing only 515.

The Whites are the historical top scorers in the Spanish League with 4,950 goals -they are followed by Barcelona in the ranking with 4,891 strikes-. The Club’s top scorer is its current Honourary President Alfredo Di Stéfano with 216 goals, a record Raúl González seems determined to break, having scored 195 strikes in 14 years.

These impressive figures have naturally earned Real Madrid an amazing track record: 30 League titles -being runners-up 17 times-, 17 King’s Cups and 7 Spanish Super Cups. They have also won 9 European Cups, 3 Intercontinental Cups and 2 UEFA Cups.

But this surely won’t end here. After Christmas, Bernd Schuster’s men will do their best to have a great start to the new year and eventually go on to in more accolades for the Club.

By Patricia del Moral
Photography: Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

The last ordago of Ramon Calderon, according to the newspaper ahead MARK, has been providing staffing Real Madrid a new premium to win all three major titles this season, League, Champions League and Cup, and the captains move to the rest of the proposal staffing. It is not a inocentada, although the figure is still being mareante why. And it is that after the victory in the Camp Nou, the president has offered 900,000 euros per head towards the ‘triple crown’.

The players have been offering their homes to study in these Christmas holidays and the captains answered just around the president blank. Prior to and during the preseason friendly, particularly during the voyage across the expedition to La Coruna to dispute the Teresa Herrera, Calderon agreed with the captains Raul, Guti and Casillas a bonus of 600,000 euros if they won the League and the Champions Copa del Rey.

The offer has now risen to 50 percent, 300,000 euros more, so that each player would take about 150 million pesetas old, a record in the history of the club.

The newspaper El Mundo today plays a delightful conversation with Alfredo Di Stéfano, honorary president of the Real Madrid and pentacampeón of Europe (1956-1960). At the club in 1953, Di Stéfano forever changed the destiny of a team that does not go farther, had won their last League in 1933, in full Republic. Now, two years after suffering a heart disease that seems happily overtaken Di Stéfano talks about ‘their’ European Cup, Zidane, the Madrid today …

Di Stéfano begins taking a rapapolvo talk to journalists. “Champions, Champions! Are Champions of what? We will have to grab the dictionary. Journalists tendríais to know what that word means. ‘Champion’ is just one.” Not missing part of reason, as when approached the current value of the highest continental competition: “Maybe now it is more interesting, more equipment, more possibilities, but if by monetary issues should play more, to change the name. You can be fourth in League and be your champion! you can afford a bad afternoon and recovered in another. In my time this is not happening. ”

“Does it mean then that it was more difficult to be champion?” Asks Orpheus Suarez, his interlocutor. Categorical: “Of course it was more difficult. Forty thousand times. Was always eliminated. Paso five years without being eliminated. Care! We knew bringing the rivals to our ground, in our game.” Not even softens when he says that with the current format, perhaps the ‘Quinta del Buitre’ (which he opened the doors to the first team white), would have had more luck with the ‘orejuda’. “If we do not win it because there were better teams.”

Inevitables comparisons
Comparisons between eras are inevitable. Whenever there confirms Don Alfredo, also in yours: “Football is better than before and will be more. Improve care, food, travel, facilities … The players also said earlier to me that we had more means. passes the same in the year 2100 “. Di Stéfano reneging on the stage ‘galactic’ - ‘invention of the press that did much damage to Madrid because the players are not named Galactic alone; someone put him and was fatal “- but confesses that yearns to Zidane. “With the players we had … Let’s see now where we find another Zidane. If I was reflected in him? Hate comparisons. I was a footballer who played for the team, I was not bearer for nothing. No. I liked. It was what I could, but it was not Tarzan. If you want to know what I think Zidane, I will say that lately has been more class footballer of all, and team player. Afterwards, good person, companion, friend, extraordinary. We need to be a friend, because selfishness in football is not working. footballers scattered selfish play, do not form a team. And the coach?, Asked Suarez. “I do not know any coach who wins parties,” he says. He was also technical.

His final thought is for Madrid today. Go to the team on the right track. Not packed, but certainly better than last season, “when we had no sense of anything. This team is more consistent with the game last year, but needs coordination.” Word of a Large, capitalized.

Bernd Schuster (Augsburg, 1959) is not a man who is given to grant interviews, although in the short distances lose that image of seriousness that accompanies him and becomes a charming kind. In this exclusive interview granted to the technical German MAKE takes stock of its first four months at the helm of Real Madrid.

"This Real Madrid can mark a time," said Schuster Eduardo Inda and Juan Ignacio Gallardo, director and deputy director of MAKE.

About the constant comparisons of his style with Fabio Capello, his predecessor in the dock of the Santiago Bernabeu, the technician German was frank: "It bothers me that my style compare with that of Capello."

"I also had made himself Ronaldinho owner, I was not surprised or less what they needed Robinho was a monumental anger" are some of the ‘pearls’ that sprang Schuster in an interview in which the German was a complete balance of the year .

 Tags: real madrid, coach

The Santiago Bernabéu has become an impregnable stadium this season. Atletico Madrid, Almeria, Betis, Recreativo Huelva, Deportivo La Coruña, Mallorca, Racing Santander, Osasuna, Werder Bremen, Olimpiacos and Lazio have all been defeated there.

The Santiago Bernabéu stadium is playing a very important role in the interests Real Madrid have this season. Taking 24 points in eight games in the League, and 9 points in three matches in the Champions League is a feat hard to emulate. This amazing run started with their 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Matchday 1 of the national competition. Almeria and Betis were defeated in September 3-1 and 2-0, respectively. October saw the fall of Recreativo Huelva (2-0) and Deportivo (3-1). In recent months, Mallorca (4-3), Racing (3-1) and Osasuna (2-0) have also lost at the white Colosseum. Real Madrid scored a total of 21 goals in all these fixtures (2.6 per match) conceding only 7 (less then one per game).

Champions League

Real Madrid haven’t lost at home in the Champions League since Arsenal won in Madrid in 2006 thanks to a goal by Henry; they’ve stood undefeated in 26 encounters.

Lazio lost 3-1 recently; no Italian side has won at the Bernabéu since Roma’s victory in the 2002/03 campaign.

Let’s hope this great run continues in 2008!

Ruud van Nistelrooy has become the most efficient striker in the planet and has been chosen by prestigious French magazine L’Equipe for their ideal attacking front with Didier Drogba.

Ruud van Nitselrooy has had an amazing year. After winning the League with Real Madrid in June, the striker has now been included in L’Equipe’s ideal line-up, formed by the best footballers that play in Europe.

According to Spanish news agency EFE, the only other player on the line-up to play in Spain is Sevilla’s Daniel Alves. Arsenal’s William Gallas and Çesc; Chelsea’s Didier Drogba; Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard; ManU’s Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrice Evra; Juventus’ Gianluigi Buffon; and Milan’s Kaka -who recently won the Ballon d’Or- are the other players on the list.

Van Nistelrooy -aka Van Goal, for h¡s ease at scoring- is one of the top scorers in the Champions League this season with four strikes. He has been surpassed only by Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and ManU’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

He is also the second top scorer in the entire history of the competition, after teammate Raúl González. Van Nistelrooy has become the most efficient striker in the world and he expects to continue being so this year.

By Alberto Navarro
Photography: Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell

Pepe gave an interview to AS in Oporto, a city he loves. Humble, despite his amazing performance at Camp Nou, the player wants to make history at Real Madrid.

How was your lanidng in Oporto?
I couldn’t believe the reaction I got from people. I didn’t know I played so well on Sunday, but they opened my eyes. I arrived at 8 am on Monday.

How did you sepnd Christmas Eve? Are you very religious?
It was very quiet, with my girlfriend and her family. Yes, I am very religious, Catholic in fact, and I must admit I used to go to church every Sunday with my mother when I was a child. It’s different now… I guess I live religion like most people.

Why do you love Oporto so much?
I met my girlfriend here and she is still studying at the university. It is a magnificent city. I already have a home in Madrid and it is a perfect place. Everything’s amazing; I have a great view from my window… But I still miss the sea. I like quietness. I lived in the outskirts of Oporto for three years in order to enjoy silence and the sound of the birds singing. Most of the players on the team, such as Diego and Luis Fabiano, lived in the centre over there [points at a huge block of flats opposite the beach].

Were you really unaware of the amazing performance you gave against Barcelona?
Honestly. I knew I had done my job when the game was over. I knew Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Diarra and myself had been confident, but when my girlfriend greeted me at the airport she said, "I’ve bought the newspaper and they’ve given you four aces, their highest mark." I asked myself why.

Because your performance was outstanding. The only thing you lacked was scoring a goal… The odds for you to score the opener were 51 to 1…
I came close from a header when the game had just started! I think the ball touched Puyol’s shoulder and I used all the strength I had in my neck.

Do you think Real Madrid were overwhelming?
Not at all. On the contrary; the opening minutes were tighter than they looked because nobody wanted to make a mistake. To be honest, things were beginning to get complicated just before Baptista scored.

Was it difficult to stop Eto’o? Yes. He is an extremely fast man and he likes to play between the centre backs. I will always remember playing against him.

Was he the player that worried you the most?
I was more worried about Iniesta and Xavi because they have great touch on ball, but they didn’t have much space in which to play. I think they were the best players for Barcelona on Sunday.

Do you think that may have been the best game you’ve played in your life?
Maybe that’s a bit too much to say. It’s definitely been the best game I’ve had with Real Madrid, but I also liked my performance at San Mamés Stadium. I played very well with Oporto against Chelsea in the Champions League, and I also had a great fixture with my national team after a two-month injury.

What did Schuster do to motivate the team?
He told us we should be calm because we had a great point advantage over them, enough to become Winter Champions. He told us to simply enjoy the match because it was the best thing to do to win and he also told us to be concentrated.

Barcelona didn’t receive a single foul close to the box!
That was one of our goals. It was easier to focus on that after we scored. We found more spaces in which to attack in the second half because they attacked more, but we missed two or three clear chances to score.

Did you feel Barcelona weren’t comfortable?
The truth is their pace decreased throughout the fixture, but I don’t really like to talk about a team I know nothing about. I’m not part of that dressing room. I can tell you we all had the same goal. We are a very tight squad in which everyone defends. I don’t think I was the man of the match; look at how Van Nistelrooy played without the ball, looking for open spaces… Raúl ran for 90 minutes…

The secret to the team’s success is that unity…
When I look at Raúl I think, "How can I not run when this man, the heart and soul of the team, always does his best?"

What did Schuster and Calderón say to the players after the game?
They congratulated us for our spirit more than for the result. That motivated us.

Did anyone else phone you?
Luis Villarejo phoned me to congratulate me for how well the press was talking about me. I think that was the match I needed to gain confidence. I know a performance like that against Barcelona can change my life and I will continue to work humbly at Real Madrid to make history at this Club. I would love that. I know the team has had great centre backs in the past, such as Hierro, and that others haven’t been successful here.

You mean Samuel, Woodgate and Cannavaro…
I feel very comfortable with Fabio. I used to read the press before I joined the team and I couldn’t believe people were saying he wasn’t up to the challenge. He’s been one of my favourite players in recent years.

Some people also say that Cannavaro should give you half his salary…
Fabio and I talk a lot. We’ve had a very similar upbringing as players. He is Italian and I had an Italian coach, Del Neri, from whom I learned a lot. He liked to work with centre backs and I have talked about him many times with Fabio.

How did the team celebrate the victory?
We didn’t do anything special. We played some music, as we always do.

Won’t it be hard to do this well after the holidays being leaders by seven points?
We all know there is a long time still to go in the League and that we have to keep concentrated. Not doing that would be like throwing away everything we’ve achieved.

What’s your biggest wish for the new year?
(Thinks about it). I wouldn’t like to be injured and I wish my family and my girlfriend are well. We aspire to win three titles and I think the team is good enough to achieve this. We must take things slowly, but we have to be excited about it in order to win…

What do you wish for the distant future?
I would like make history at Real Madrid and to become a role model for children who are beginning to play football now. I remember meeting Santamaría when we were doing a special thing for AS at the Bernabéu… I’ve always followed his advice. I talk as much as I can with my teammates on the pitch. I try to lead, learn… I’m young, so there is still room for improvement.

Diario As/Realmadrid.com
Translation by Michael J. O’Donnell