Real Madrid

[Rasputin]

Hard-earned victory over Nastic move the Whites into the third spot of the League tab

Defeating Gimnastic inTarragona became an uphill battle for Real Madrid from the very moment the home side kicked off to begin Saturday's match. Nastic's constant pressure on both halves of the pitch combined with a penalty to give the home side the lead put the Whites in a dire situation. But Roberto Carlos netted the equaliser, and Helguera's header and Robinho' beautiful strike put Madrid up for good. Following Sunday's results, Real Madrid are now third in the League table.





Earlier today Robinho commented that Leagues are won on fields like that of Tarragona and against teams like Nastic. The Brazilian also stated the importance of tallying points in every road match if Real Madrid are going to make a run at the title. And that's precisely what the Whites did on Saturday night against a complicated rival that made it an uphill battle during most of the first half.
A nuisance but not a threat
The match didn't get off to the start Real Madrid had hoped for. In the very first minute, Juan's header off a Cuéllar center sailed wide of Casillas' goal. Two minutes later, it was Cuéllar's corner that Casillas had to punch clear, only to be followd by a hard Pinilla strike. The best scoring chance the home side had came in minute six, when Makukula's shot from the edge of the box was sent over the crossbar.



Madrid weren't able to maintain possession in the midfield, and Nastic proved to be the more physical team throughout the first half by continually getting clear of their markers and easily reaching the perimeter of Iker's box. Raúl and Robinho timidly attacked Rubén Pérez's net but without creating any sense of danger. Nastic grew stronger and created more and more problems around their rival's box as the minutes ticked off the clock. Gil and Abel continued trying their luck on goal, and it wouldn't take long for the Tarragona side to strike.

In the 27th minute, Cannavaro tripped Makukula in the box and referee Mejuto González called for the penalty. Abel took the shot and got to ball by Iker to give the home side the 1-0 lead. Real Madrid picked up the pace and Helguera nearly missed Guti's free kick crosses into Rubén Pérez's box. When it looked like the Madridistas would head to the dressing rooms down a goal, Mingo fouled Van Nistelrooy on the edge of the box. Roberto Carlos drew the match when his free kick found the back of the net thanks to a little help from Makukula, who moved his leg out of the way just as the ball passed by.


Until the very last minute
Hours prior to kick-off, the President asked the team to battle it out until the very last minute. And just four minutes into the second half, Helguera's header off a Guti corner put the Whites ahead at the Nou Estadi. Just as they had done after the Barcelona match, the team made their way to the center of the pitch to celebrate the defender's goal.

But Nastic didn't believe they deserved to lose and began besieging Casillas' goal. Pinilla, Llera and Gil were all thwarted by the Madridista keeper. The home side again took control of the match and risked everything in search of the equaliser. But Capello's men struck again in what was the Italian coach's 50th League match with the Whites. Madrid gathered in defense, allowed the Catalans to control the ball, and waited for the counterattack that would put the game away for good. And the stategy proved successful when Robinho scored the team's third goal. The Brazilian started the play on the left wing and passed the ball to Diarra at the front of the box. The Mali native opened the play to the right, where Sergio Ramos crossed to the far post for the Brazilian to strike across Rubén Pérez's goal and into the net.

After tonight's win and Valencia's loss, Real Madrid could claim sole possession of the second spot in the table depending on the result of tomorrow's Sevilla-Celta match. The victory is a huge morale boost heading into three straight home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu. The first takes place on Wednesday against Steaua Bucharest in Champions League play.

MATCH REPORT:
1- NÁSTIC: Rubén Pérez; Ruz, Cáceres, Llera, Mingo; Abel, Juan (Merino, 53’); Cuellar, Pinilla, Gil (Campano, 68’); Makukula (Ismael, 71’).
3- REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Raúl, Diarra, Emerson, Guti (Reyes, 72’), Robinho; Van Nistelrooy.
GOALS:
1-0, min.29: Abel penalty kick.
1-1, min.43: Roberto Carlos direct free kick.
1-2, min.49: Helguera header off Guti corner kick.
1-3, min.84: Robinho cross shot.
REFEREE: Mejuto González. Asturian Refereeing Association. Booked Cannavaro (27’), Ruz (31’), Juan (35’) and Mingo (38’)
NOTES: Matchday 8 of the Spanish League played at the Nou Estadi in Tarragona filled to capacity.

[Rasputin]

José Antonio Reyes interview in FIFA.com

José Antonio Reyes underlined how thrilled he feels to belong to the Real Madrid squad and, once recovered from his muscular injury, he hopes to make a prompt comeback to the starting eleven of a team that's "moving in the right direction."





Reyes spoke to FIFA.com to make it all too clear how hopeful he is for this season, in which he's convinced that the team will get back to their triumphant years. "We're full of confidence and absolutely convinced that this year the trophies will come," says Reyes, signaling out Barcelona and Valencia as "our two biggest rivals here in Spain."
The Sevillian has not lived the 3-year Madridista drought first hand, but he knows there's been a turnaround. "I wasn't here during the previous regime so I can't say exactly what's changed. But my team-mates have been saying that things are different now and that the changes have been very positive for dressing-room morale," destacó.

He wanted to point out the positive aspects of his prior stage at Arsenal, but he regrets never having been able to adapt to life in England. "I feel really at home in Madrid. Coming back to Spain and playing for Real Madrid means a great deal to me. Living in England just doesn't compare to living here."



"It wasn't easy leaving Sevilla. At the time I wasn't keen on a move because I was really happy at the only team I'd wanted to play for. That said, playing in England was a great experience and I don't regret a thing. I learned so much: a different work ethic, a sense of discipline. Football over there is more physical and there's a lot more contact. Here we favour a more skillful style of play; the quality of the football is higher," explains Real Madrid's number 19.

Despite his "outgoing personality," he was unable "to settle in London at all. It gets dark really early over there, the shops close really early. As the days went by I ended up feeling worse and worse. As a player, when you're feeling down it has a knock-on effect on your performances out on the pitch. When that happens a change of scenery is the best option."




Real Madrid have failed to win any titles lately, "but we've got a squad that is strong enough to win any competition. For me personally, they have always been the best team in Europe and I'm really happy to be here," added Reyes.

Concerning the Spanish national team riddle, Reyes says he ignores what the problem might be, but he's convinced the team will qualify for the Euro. "If we knew where we were going wrong then we'd be able to put it right, but we're going to qualify for the European Championship. Not only do we have the confidence to meet this qualifying group head on, we all know in our hearts that we're going to succeed," sentenced the Sevillian-born winger.

[Rasputin]

Beckham's back

Fabio Capello has called-up eighteen players for the Wednesday night Champions League meeting. Beckham is back on the squad list after his absence in Tarragona and Emerson will be able to feature having recovered from his ankle sprain. The team meets for pre-match preparation this evening at 8:30 pm CET.



No surprises in the squad list. Cicinho is now the only injured player. Salgado and Cassano will be absent for technical decisions. The rest of the squad has been called up by Capello. A total of eighteen players who will be responsible of attempting to win this match, something that would surely more than pave the way to qualify for the Last 16 stage fo the Champions League.
Salgado out of list
The coaching staff has decided that it is still too soon for the Galician fullback to make his comeback. He only trained last Friday for the first time since his almost 2-month absence following his injury in Day 2 of the League against Levante. He is doing better with every passing day and little by little he will definitely be in Capello's squad lists for the different competitions.



David Beckham is definitely back
The English winger has recovered from the knee niggle and groin strain that aborted his trip to Catalonia for the match against Nastic. And so... he will be able to feature against Steaua if the manager sees it fit.
Also back after injury is Emerson. The Brazilian international suffered a mild ankle sprain during the last League match in Tarragona and has been working with the Club's physios to make a prompt recovery and be able to rejoin group discipline. Mission accomplished: this mornig, he trained normally with the rest of the squad.

SQUAD LIST:


Goalkeepers: Casillas & Diego López.

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pavón, Mejía, Roberto Carlos, Raúl Bravo & Helguera.

Midfielders: Emerson, Diarra, Guti, Reyes, Beckham & Robinho.

Forwards: Raul, Van Nistelrooy & Ronaldo.

Not called up: Cicinho, Salgado & Cassano.

[Rasputin]

"Steaua are performing well away. There are no easy games"

On his 30th birthday, the team's playmaker gave a press conference before the Champions League match against Steaua, of whom he says, “They will not be an easy rival.” He also spoke of the Cassano affair, pointing out, “This type of things can't happen and we have to assume the Club's decision.”





At 30, is the best of you as a player just around the corner?
I hope so. For me and for the team. I'm really hoping to win something this year.
What do you most cherish of the fifteen years you have been at Real Madrid?
The good and the bad alike. I have grown personally and from a footballing perspective. I'm very happy with my fifteen years here.

What wears you down more, your age or all the responsibility you now have?
My age. I'm not a kid anymore. But I remember my debut at 19 and mentally I feel like not a day has gone by. I'm still as hungry for titles and winning in general.

What's it been like over the last few hours?
The past is long gone. This is another era at the Club and we can't let the past catch up with us. The Club has taken a decision and we all need to assume it. We would like to be training together, all of us. We spoke to Antonio and we tried to cheer him up. It's a situation that's hard to understand and we hope it never happens again.



Do you agree with the disciplinary action?
We agree that this type of things cant's happen. Respect has to be above all else here, for everyone alike, whether it's Cassano or anyone else. But I must confess that all this is new to me.

Did he say he was sorry?
He's sad. In the heat of the moment, he said things that he now regrets having said. He now has to train and wait for his chance to get back with the team.

Will this match be easier than the away leg?
There are no easy games. They're a good team. They're performing well away, with fast players ahead. We respect them, but we are going to come out real strong, out to get them and solve the game from the very beginning. It's an important encounter for both teams: we haven't qualified yet and they need to win here in order to aspire to do so.

Should Cassano's suspension be lifted if he says he's sorry.
I've already said my piece regarding this. As a friend, I would like him to be back ASAP. But that's me and it's not for me to make this decision, rightfully so.



Real Madrid suffer when the opponents mark you closely and stop you from deploying your game. What are the ways around this?
There's got to be because against Nastic I didn't play well and the team won. It's not enough with stopping Guti. There's great players like Raul, and others who are very strong and score goals and are very dangerous. One team is not a one-man affair.

What player would you highlight in Steaua?
Before they had players like Hagi and now they have players like Nicolita…They're very good.

Until Roberto Carlos scored in Tarragona, the team did not play well.
We didn't play well but we adapted to the small and narrow field of play. It is true that we didn't do well until they took a step down, but we won, and that was the most important thing. There will be games like this in the future and even if we play poorly, we need to win them.

[Rasputin]

Real Madrid qualify for the Last 16 stage of the Champions League

Good enough. The Whites go through to the next stage thanks to a hard fought victory over a feisty Steaua Bucharest and the victory of Olympique Lyonnais over Dynamo Kyiv. The Merengues has the best opportunities, although the match was tough and there was uncertainty until the very end. Nicolita scored an own goal, the only one of the night. Olympique await in two weeks for the final group outcome.





The atmosphere far surpassed any typical group stage encounter, spiced up by the thousands of Romanians in the stands who came to see their country's top team and who did not stop shouting and supporting one single minute. The match was Real Madrid's first chance to mathematically go through to the Last 16 stage. They had to win and wait for Olympique Lyonnais to do likewise in their home match against Dynamo. It wasn't going to be an easy chore, as Capello and Guti had already warned on the eve. It was plain to see that they were absolutely right, with the game completely tied up in midfield as the match unfolded.
From the initial whistle, the Romanians positioned themselves comfortably on the pitch, denoting their know-how and good tactical sense: they waited for their rival, with two very compact lines in front of their box... crouching down, waiting to break away quickly and kill their prey in counterattack. And so, they waited. They controlled in defense and did not renounce any attacking possibility. The first chance was theirs, in minute 10, with an incursion down the wing. But the cross found no strikers to kick the ball in.



Real Madrid lined up the same eleven that thrashed the Eastern European team two weeks ago. But the home team was thick tonight, finding it hard to bring their ideas to fruition. The battle was being fought in midfield, where Diarra, Emerson and Guti were unable to deploy the fast-paced and direct game that's so much to the liking of Capello. As has happened in the last games, only Robinho tried anything different down the left wing. He and Roberto Carlos were the first ones to shoot on goal. It was from outside the box, but none of the shots brought any danger for Steaua.

Raúl moved throughout the width and length of the field of play, trying to find free spaces and looking to surprise the defense, but the Romanians responded with solid defending and fast breaks. Eighteen minutes into the game, the referee had refrained from calling anything in two controversial plays, one in either box. The second immediately gave way to the first counterattack of the Madridistas. Raul quickly put the ball in play after a foul. Guti opened up the game to Robinho, near the sideline, but the winger was unable to connect with Van Nistelrooy, who was waiting all alone in front of the goal. This marked a turning point in the first half: the Romanian team shaped up, kept control of the ball, and denied Madrid any chance as they built up their opportunities. None of them were truly dangerous, until Badea forced Iker Casillas to perform a superb diving save after 38 minutes.

The best chances
The first half ended on a good note, with the best chance of the match for Real Madrid. Diarra crossed from the right and Van Nistelrooy headed the ball. The Romanian keeper saved the header with his hand and the subsequent kick of the Dutch striker with his foot. The third and final try was kicked out by Cannavaro. The Madrid-Steaua comparative stats were revealing at halftime: 7 for 8 shots, only 3 of which were on target for both sides.

The second half started just like the first. This time, it was Helguera who missed the clearest of chances. He shot wide a cross by Ramos with his whole body practically inside the opponent's goal. The Romanians were still alive and kicking, but their pace had decreased somewhat. The ball was now entirely in the feet of the Spanish side, with Guti in command.

The best was yet to come. The match was about to go crazy with the first goal, an unfortunate play by Nicolita who passed back to the keeper with the bad luck of scoring an own goal. What hadn't materialised in head-on opportunities came after a misfortune, with the ball tamely trotting its way into the back of the net. Things started looking up and Real Madrid suddenly got very ambitious, first with a header by Ramos after a free-kick by Beckham, who had come in for Diarra, followed by a penalty called on Van Nistelrooy. But, incredibly once again, the Dutchman sent his penalty shot wide, all the way to the second stand. Although it was already planned, Ronaldo came in for Ruud Van Nistelrooy right after the missed penalty. Madrid continued to dominate, with chances trickling down to the very last second, and with a very active Ronaldo on the left wing. Both the number '9' and Guti could have signed the second of the night already in injury time, but it was not to be and the match remained a single goal win.




MATCH REPORT:

1 – REAL MADRID Casillas; Ramos, Helguera, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Raúl, Emerson, Diarra (Beckham 58’), Robinho (Reyes 85’); Guti and Van Nistelrooy (Ronaldo 73’).
0 – STEAUA BUCHAREST: Cernea, Goian, Oprita (Coman 84’), Petre, Nicolita, Marin, Paraschiv (Lovin 80’), Ghionea (Thereau 80’), Stancu, Dica and Badea .
GOALS:
1-0, min. 69: Nicolita, own goal.

REFEREE: Konrad Plautz (Austrian). Booked Nicolita (36’) and Cernea (66’).
HIGHLIGHTS: Fourth match of the Champions League group stage played at the Santiago Bernabeu.

[Rasputin]

Guti and Casillas, aims set on being at the top of the group

Once the game had ended, both players showed their satisfaction for the qualification and they regretted the many chances they missed. The match against OL comes in two weeks, with the first position of the group up for grabs. Both teams want it.

Casillas:
“In their own goal, it's nobody's fault. The goalkeeper was fine but there was a lack of understanding. We didn't play badly, but we didn't put on the show that people were expecting. We won, we're qualified, and we're happy.”
“I think that their own goal is just bad luck, that's it. From that moment on, we created far more danger. Now, our aims are set on being first. But, we'll have to wait until the next group stage game against Lyon. Now we have to focus on the League and on the King's Cup.”



Guti:
“They came our strong, waiting to break away fast as we had suspected. They play better away. We had many chances to score more goals, but we're satisfied with the result and with having mathematically gone through. The match against Lyon is important because it's better to be first than second. As long as the team is winning, we have to line up the same starting eleven. Still, our game needs to improve and we need to maintain more ball possession.”

[Rasputin]

"I want to build on this"

"It was hit very badly," said Ruud van Nistelrooy when explaining his missed penalty kick in last night's Champions League match. However, the Dutch striker has only one thing in mind now: Real Madrid's next match against Celta Vigo. He has scored seven times in twelve matches so far this season, and while pleased with his scoring average, he wants to score more goals while wearing the White shirt.



It´s been two months since you joined Real Madrid. How have you settled in?
It´s been good. It’s been going quickly.Moving to a new country, changing houses. A lot changed with the baby of course. I’ve started a new career here. It’s a new step that I have really enjoyed so far. We’ve settled in well and things are returning to normal.
Seven goals in twelve games is a good record.
Yeah, it’s OK. We always look to improve, and that’s always important. I want to build on this and continue. Hopefully we can make it a good season.

Talk us through last night’s penalty.
I felt good taking it. I knew exactly where I wanted to put it, and looking back on it, I slipped a little bit. It obviously wasn’t hit well. It was hit very badly. When you see it missing the target, it’s a blow for the rest of the evening, but thank God we won the game in the end, which helps forget about it.

Will you still keep taking the penalty kicks?
Well, if the manager wants me to take them, I will.

Looking back at the game, it was a strange own goal. What was your take on it?
I was thinking ‘What’s happening here?’ I just saw it going in. It was a weird way to win a game. We could have scored a couple more, but it must have been a disaster for [Nicolita].

They say that the making of champions is that they can play badly but still win games. That can describe the game against Nastic, which wasn’t particularly pretty, nor was last night’s match. But it’s important to keep getting these victories, isn’t it?
That’s correct. I think it’s important when we’re not playing particularly well that we have something that will make us win games. And that’s what we’ve had over the last two games where we didn’t really play well but did enough to win it. We also defend a lot and don’t give a lot away, allowing us to win a game with one goal like yesterday. We’re always looking to improve and play well. That’s the ideal situation. Sometimes it has to go like it did yesterday, which is also positive.



Also positive is qualifying with two matches to play.
Yeah, it’s great. Now we can focus on winning the last two in order to finish first in the group and to continue our good run. We’ve now won four games in a row, and that’s great.

It’s Celta Vigo on Sunday. Will they be a tough opponent?
Yes, very tough. We have to play well to beat them and it’s going to be a very tough game. It’s a good challenge.

There’s a lot of talk about Ruud and Ronaldo playing together up front. Would you like to try?
Sure. Why not? I think whatever can help the team is most important. We’ll see what happens in that sense.

Do you think it can work?
Yeah, I don’t see why not. The thing is, we have so many great players and you can only play eleven. It’s amazing if you look at the bench. The quality trickles throughout the squad. We have to be at our best, but we’ll see what happens.

[Rasputin]

Ronaldo trains later with the Club's permission

The second-to-last training session before Real Madrid face Celta Vigo on Sunday lasted one hour. Roberto Carlos and Diarra took the pitch after recovering from tendinitis and a contusion, respectively, while Helguera is still suffering from a bruise. Ronaldo trained later than all his teammates after asking for the Club's permission. The last session of the week takes place on Saturday at 11 am CET.





With just over 48 hours left until kick-off, coach Fabio Capello designed a workout that began with 30 minutes of indoor stretching and sit-ups. Following the warmup, and with a heavy rainfall, the players made their way to the training field to carry out a mandatory exercise as well as an optional one.
The first consisted of a half-pitch practice match without goalkeepers. It was eight-on-eight and players were allowed just one touch on the football. The game lasted almost 30 minutes and saw a lot of player mobility. The only players missing were Helguera and Ronaldo. The defender missed yesterday's session with a deep calf bruise and spent today with the physiotherapists. However, it looks like Helguera won't have any problems playing against Celta on Sunday. Ronaldo did not train with the squad as he had asked the Club permission to workout by himself at a later time.



Once the practice match had ended, Casillas, Diego López and Adán took turns in goal as the players wanted to fine tune their aim. Raúl, Cannavaro, Raúl Bravo, Emerson, Robinho, Guti, Salgado, and Ramos made their way to the showers, while the rest of the squad accepted the goalkeepers' challenge. With crosses coming in from the wings, Reyes, Beckham, Pavón, Mejía and Javi García struck the balls from the front of the box, with more than one resulting in a spectacular goal.

It was the second and last exercise of the day. But as they did yesterday, Reyes and Beckham stayed outdoors to work on free kicks with metal walls substituting actual players. Capello has made a point that he wants his free kick specialists to be dead on when they really count.



Saturday's final preparation for the Celta Vigo match will take place behind closed doors. The Galician side are in the middle of the League table and seven points behind Real Madrid, but last year's precendent isn't good, being that Celta left the Santiago Bernabéu with three points in hand. On Thurday, the Madridistas host Ecija in the return leg of the King's Cup tie, followed by Osasuna in League play on Sunday. Three games considered ever so important by the entire squad.

NEXT TRAINING SESSION:
Saturday 4 November @ 11 am CET. Behind closed doors at Real Madrid City.

[Rasputin]

Míchel Salgado finally not in to play it safe

The Galician fullback trained with the rest of the group but was not included in the squad list for the match that will see Real Madrid face his former team because Capello considers that it's better to be safe than sorry; another blow at this point could mean another two months of injury. On the other hand, Iván Helguera seems to have recovered from his muscular problems and has finally made the eighteen-man list for the Bernabéu encounter.


Goalkeepers: Casillas & Diego López.
Defenders: Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Raúl Bravo, Helguera, Mejía & Pavón.
Midfielders: Diarra, Emerson, Robinho, Reyes, Guti & Beckham.
Forwards: Raúl, Ronaldo & Van Nistelrooy.

[Rasputin]

Capello thinks he's the squad's best player and that Cannavaro should get the Golden

The Italian manager of Real Madrid held his customary press conference the day before a match. The hot topic was Ronaldo, of whom the coach said that he is “the best player” he had ever seen in his footballing career. He also analysed their rival, Celta Vigo, whom he considers a dangerous team. To cap it all off, Fabio Capello stated that he believed that the Golden Ball should be given to Fabio Cannavaro.





Will Cassano say he's sorry?
We're not going totalk about Cassano.
Will Ronaldo play against Celta?
I'll decide tomorrow. His training pace is improving as the days go by and he's getting back in shape. He's not ready to play an entire. He still has to lose some weight, but I think he's doing fine. The idea, as I have stated before, is that there are 20 starters in the team right now. Everyone looks like a hundred dollars.

Is Ronaldo overweight?
He's lost a lot, but he still has to lose a little more to get back to his old self, the footballer we all admire. If he wasn't in good form, I would not play him. But losing weight is necessary for him; for every player, as a matter of fact, not just for him. We weight our players twice a week. When I see he's training well, I play him. Now, he looks like a football player; before, he had mobility problems because of the 5-month inactivity period. He hasn't been able to tone up playing friendlies. He's only been able to play the King's Cup game, so he needs time to adapt.



If Ronaldo plays, Van Nistelrooy doesn't?
I don't know. I'll decide tomorrow.

Do you feel pressured because of Ronaldo's current bench-warming?
No. Only people who don't really matter try to pressure me. The Club does not interfere in the technical and coaching decisions.

Is recovering Ronaldo a challenge for you?
It's exceptionally important to recover him and benefit from his quality. He can score many goals but he needs time. He will play but he needs to recover optimum form.

Is it easier to train someone like Diarra?
They are all athletes, but I have never seen a player as good as Ronaldo. He's got it all.

Your thoughts on Celta?
I have seen three of their games and I think they're very dangerous; good ball and passing skills. But they also defend with a lot of intensity, with at least two players behind the ball at all time. We will have problems when it's their turn to attack. Big teams, like us, always leave free spaces when they play. That is always harder to defend. It's easier to do it when you're playing away.

Are Helguera and Salgado fit to play?
Helguera has a bruised calf and another blow would be catastrophic. Míchel Salgado still has the last stretch to cover. If he gests injured again, we will lose him for another 40 days, so it's better to wait.

Are you afraid the players are going to end up exhausted?
We're not tired at this point in the season. Plus, I have a good bench breadth and many players ready to play at any moment.

What do you think of Oubiña?
Every coach defends his players and I understand that his does so with him. It's what I do with mine.



Does Cannavaro deserve the Golden Ball?
This year, the World Cup was the most important competition and if we grade players based on that tournament, Cannavaro was the number one. A World Cup is held every four years and the best players are there, so that's what needs to be taken into account. None of the forwards stod out. At least, I didn't see any.

Could being a Juventus player be detrimental?
The votes are what count.

After the Captains' lunch, Pedja said that the players have proposed an internal discipline regime.
I think it's intelligent. You have to change the rules sometimes and the squad has requested it directly. They share the same idea that I and my coaching staff have.

Could the team be reinforced during the Winter transfer window?
Well, it depends if the team of the player we want is willing to sell him and at what price. I always say yes to buying if players are good.

[Rasputin]

The ideal starting eleven chosen by 43,000 footballers; Zinedine Zidane also makes sq

Real Madrid centre fullback and captain of the Italian national team, Fabio Cannavaro was the only Madridista to make the ideal starting eleven team chosen by the 43,000 football players around the world that comprise the International Association of Football Players Unions (FIFPro). Zinedine Zidane was also selected into the lineup.





Fabio Cannavaro has made a big statement in his battle for the 2006 Golden Ball Award. After leading Italy to the 2006 German World Cup title, today the Madridista centre-back was selected as a member of the FIFPro ideal starting eleven.
The defender is the only player to represent Real Madrid in the lineup, although there is a footballer from Madrid's recent past who was also selected as one of the eleven: Zinedine Zidane. Thanks in large part to his brilliant performance in carrying France to the World Cup final, the French star was also chosen by the 43,000 football players who took part in the survey.

There are four other players from the Spanish League who made the FIFPro ideal eleven, all of whom play for Barcelona: Ronaldinho (who received more votes than any other player), Lilian Thuram, Gianluca Zambrotta and Samuel Eto'o. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), John Terry (Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Kaká (Milan), and Thierry Henry (Arsenal) comprise the rest of the ideal starting eleven.

[Rasputin]

The EX- TECHNICIAN Of The WHITE SET TOOK CARE OF MARK

Of The Forest: "I do not like how Real Madrid plays"


Makes an impression to enter the hall the house of Vicente of the Forest and to see the collection of titles that hoards. They preside over it and he serves you for darte tells that he is one of the great ones.

He has desire to return?

Yes If he can be, yes that I would like to return. I do not know if in Spain because there is a little fear when identified being very with Real Madrid. My idea is not to offer me to anybody. If it comes well and if no, because nothing, but is clear that I would outside like that in Spain. Clear that I miss the day to day.

What circumstances must occur for their return?

Some, because I have not seen the clear things. It is not question of meterte in an adventure whatever the cost and I do not speak of money. It must to me desire and feel to me to pleasure. I am 55 years old and I am not an excessively greater person like letting train.

And to return to Real Madrid, contemplates it?

That is more difficult. It is not possible to be absolute in your affirmations but it is necessary to be realistic. He is very complicated. In the last elections some candidates offered to me to enter. I believe that most beneficial for Real Madrid he is that he does not return.

He offered to him to return Ramon Calderón so and as he said?

No, no. I spoke with him to congratulate to him nothing else but. To his around there is people to whom I have esteem like Stream or Cariñena Colored person. Calderón has its equipment and its people and must walk single. I doubt that I had hollow there.

How it sees Real Madrid?

Real Madrid touched bottom in Getafe. To me I am not liking how she plays although I recognize that before Barcelona she made an excellent party. I do not like how she plays. Mediocampo of an equipment marks the rest of the equipment and by the characteristics of the players of his center of the field he is complicated that plays soccer well. Real Madrid is forced to play with certain an aesthetic one. I do not let appreciate that it is a competitive equipment, that has improved with Sergio Branches in the lateral one, with Helguera, with Robinho...

Him lack talent?

To me I do not like but, I repeat, who is competitive. It is the reflection of Capello. The trainers we are enslaved of the players who you have. To Real Madrid him lack something of game and this does not have to him to bother to anybody. To the madridismo it would like that it gambled of another form and that more soccer was seen.


It would not discard to the selection in a future

Weeks back and when worse it was the subject with the selection, their name it left like one the possible candidates to the bench. "Now there is a selector who has undergone many attacks and that have solved them with experience. I see potential but something fails. Now it is in a while of hardship but it will come out ahead ". With respect to the one of being selecting it says: "Clear that I have my hopes and I it would like. If work elsewhere before I will have more options to arrive ".


It defends to Guti and Raul

Of the Forest it defends Raul and Guti. "Raul has dragged the situation of the club. The lack of successes, the instability, but he has been of which has taken to the equipment arrives again. Guti has a privileged physicist, has soccer and when it is put in the equipment it assumes his responsibility ".


Valencia and Seville, superficially

The ex- madridista trainer thinks that Valencia and Seville are the alternatives. "Valencia and Seville have one more a more complete and ample group than the one of Real Madrid, although in the quarry it has very good players. Real Madrid must have taken advantage of plus the quarry, to the Castile of the last season ".


Think that the Barça undergoes a "fleeting influenza"

Of the Forest it thinks that badly the moment of the Barça is fleeting. "It has players with head who are going away to give account. The one of Barcelona is a fleeting influenza because it has a great potential to continue harvesting successes. If they are the galactic ones of now? To all those that we like normality and discretion we go against those scenes ". Also speech of Ronaldinho: "he has been key in the change of the Barcelona of the last years. It gave joy him. Now it is not well. Before the Chelsea and Madrid much has tightened him, they have not let occur the return to him and it has taken fear ".

[Rasputin]

"Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy will start against Ecija"

The Italian manager doesn't hint at the starting eleven before the match, but this time he did announce his two target men. However, he did not want to offer any clues regarding the possibility of featuring youth system players, plainly saying, “I am thinking about it.” He has warned that it will be a tough match because “Ecija are a fast team. I really liked them in the first leg.”





A German news agency says that Ronaldo is unhappy.
We have already gone through the Ronaldo topic in depth and it has been sufficiently reflected in the news. He's doing everything he can to be the player he once was. He wasn't here to do the pre-season wit the rest of the group and he hasn't played any friendlies to recover and get back in form.
Did you ever consider lining up Ronaldo with RM Castilla.
That is certainly a possibility in Italy, because before his comeback, Totti played two games with the second team. I thought it was possible here, but it isn't. What are we going to do with Cicinho when he recovers? I would do it if it were possible. Players like Van Basten and Gullit did it. I don't see why it can't be done here.



Did you tell the player?
The rules don't allow it, but if I could have, I would have done it.

How are things looking for the Ecija match?
We have to be serious about it. I liked how they played. We have to be aggressive because they are very fast. One thing is for sure, Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy will start.

Míchel Salgado is out again.
He had a small niggle today and he hasn't made the squad list.

The other day you said that one amongst the Raúl Bravo, Mejía and Pavón trio has lowered his standards. Who were you talking about?
I'm not going to say. But his form is one notch down and I'm saying it to his face.

Are Ramos and Roberto Carlos in the squad list in case any problem should arise?
We'll see. I'm shuffling a number of ideas.



What do you think of Ramón Calderón's statement calling those who take advantage of a defeat of Real Madrid to come to the fore and hit the headlines “vultures”?
It's one lot or another. The targets are either the President or me.

Do you think that Beckham's absence from his national team could have affected him in Real Madrid?
He's always played for his national team. This moment is unavoidable and his reaction is normal: if you don't play, you're unhappy. Plus, he was the captain.

The opposite has happened to Raúl.
He was the centre of attention of all the press and other media. Everyone wanted a piece of him and he had assumed it. It's been easier for him to deal with it.

[Rasputin]

Best man won; Ecija go away with a drubbing but their heads held up high

The first half of the King's Cup Last 32 stage match at the Santiago Bernabéu will always be remembered by the Ecija fans for the drive, sharpness and formation of the equivalent of a Second Division team who stood up to Capello's star-studded side. In the second half, however, Real Madrid asserted their authority, bringing in the quality and skill that allowed them to score five goals. First up was David Beckham, followed by a wonderful goal by Ronaldo, two consecutive ones for Ruud Van Nistelrooy and off to a perfect finish with the magnificent fifth by youth player De la Red. The prize for the visitors: celebrating a goal at the Santiago Bernabéu.


It had been 15 days since Real Madrid's first Cup game of the season in the muddy pitch of a Second division side. Capello's boys brought back home a scant booty: a 1-1 draw against a team, Ecija, who proved they had footballing nerve and praiseworthy athleticism. The question was… would the imposing grandiosity of the Bernabéu make the Andalusians bail out? The response was evident tonight: N-O. Although Madrid were off to a strong start, attempting to move the ball and do all they were unable to in Ecija, the opponents can feel proud to say that they put on an enxhibition of attitude, sharpness and audacity on the pitch against the almighty Real Madrid.
There were a few changes in the starting eleven of the Madridistas, namely Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy, who started out as the two target men for the first time in the season. The outset for the duo was not very optimistic, with a feeble attempt on goal by the Dutchman from the edge of the box 12 minutes into the game. Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos was again king down the right flank, becoming one of the offensive references of Real Madrid and creating danger incessantly.



The first clear opportunity of the locals was a Sevillian affair. Reyes put the cross in for the number “4” of Real Madrid, who took a point-blank shot (min.7) that should have been the first of the night, but Zigor did well to deflect it. Onwards, after the first few minutes of utter control of the Whites, chances started alternating between goals. Ecija even took command during certain phases of the first half. Beckham's effort came in the form of pot shots from medium range and Ronaldo asked for the ball incessantly, but never made it near the rival stopper.

Pepe Díaz was the Andalusian side's true beacon in offence. Requena pushed forward down the right wing, bringing intermittent danger on the goal of the Whites. Behind him, fullback Torres was unchallenged and allowed to drive the ball to try to dip it into the box of Real. With 19 minutes on the clock, the visiting team were denied the dream of getting ahead on the scoreboard at the Bernabéu: Pepe Díaz went into the box after cutting inside his man, an unfortunate Raúl Bravo, but inches away from a one on one with the keeper, he lost his balance just in front of tonight's captain, centre back Paco Pavón. No penalty was called, but Ecija's number “7” heard the loud roar of support coming from his team's fan base in the stands. The play continued, with Vega capitalising on the loose ball, but local keeper Diego López was well positioned and stopped the ball.


White thrashing
After a hard-battled first half, logic took over and Real Madrid counteracted the visitor's spirit with the individual quality of their players. In just three minutes, goals started pouring down. The first: Ronaldo brilliantly loses his man, clips it in for Van Nistelrooy –it was the first succcessful connection of the night for the attacking partnership- who tries to get past Zigor on his right, but the keeper slices a magical hand to steal the ball from the Dutch striker. To his dismay, Beckham kicks the loose ball with his left and scores the opening goal of the night.

Madrid were, of course, the big fish and the Sevillian team awoke from their dream with the second of the night, as a preamble of a grand total of five. David Beckham's first was followed by yet another perfect Van Nistelrooy-Ronaldo connection. The number “9” of the Whites put a halt to his sprint, seeing how his defenders just swished past him, turned, and with a subtle touch of his left foot, lodged a perfect ball in the bottom right corner of the opponent's net. The execution was just perfect. The third was Van Nistelorooy's from the penalty spot (min. 72), scoring his first penalty after having missed the prior two, one inthe League and the other in the Champions League just last week.

It was a real blow for the Ecija boys, who were probably showing some signs of fatigue from the overexertion of the first half. The match was split wide open and the Whites undeniably marshalled the field of play. Youth player Miguel Torres was given a chance with the locals while the visitors found their main man when Nolito, the goalscorer in Ecija, came in. It was him precisely who took a free kick and Mario headed the service 78 minutes into the match (3-1). Ecija celebrated their first goal ever at the Bernabeú in style.

The fourth was also signed off by Van Nistelrooy in the 78th minute of the encounter. It was a beautiful over-the-head shot inside the keeper's box. The perfect ending to the footballing evening was reserved to a youth player: impeccable goal by Rubén De la Red, who scored as he best knows: he whiplashed the ball from the edge of the box and put it right into the angle of Zigor's goal. Real Madrid is in the Last 16 stage of the King's Cup.





MATCH REPORT

REAL MADRID: Diego López; Ramos (Torres, min.80), Mejía, Pavón, Raúl Bravo; Diarra, Javi García (De la Red, min.55), Beckham, Reyes; Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy (Robinho, min.85)
ECIJA: Zigor; Torres (Nolito, min.60), min., Mario, Jaime, Pichardo; Pedro, Capa, Jorge Díaz (Argüello, min. 67), Requena (Luna, min. 72), José Vega; Pepe Díaz.
REFEREE: Alfonso Álvarez, Catalan Refereeing Association.
Booked Jorge Díaz (min.36), Torres (min.43), and Javi García (min.50)

GOALS:
1-0, m.49: Beckham.
2-0, m.67: Ronaldo.
3-0, m.73: Van Nistelrooy, penalty shot.
3-1, m.77: Mario.
4-1, m.79: Van Nistelrooy.
5-1, m.87: De la Red.
HIGHLIGHTS: Return leg of the Last 32 stage of the King's Cup played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium with an estimated attendance of 47,000 spectators.

[Rasputin]

Van Nistelrooy has scored in the three competitions

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is doing an exceptional season. The Dutch striker is responding to the confidence Real madrid is depositing in him in the best manner a striker can do it: scoring goals. With the brace against Ecija last night, the target man has scored a total of 9 strikes in 14 appearances, having put the ball in the back of the net in all the three competitions in which Real Madrid play this campaign.





When Real Madrid announced the signing of Ruud Van Nistelrooy this summer, many doubted if the extraordinary Ducth striker would perform at the same level as he had done whilst at Manchester United. The forward had ceased feeling at home in the English club due to his disagreements with the boss of the Red Devils, Sir Alex Ferguson. The season proved tought for the Dutch international, who in addition to being benched with ManU, saw how Van Basten also decided against him with the Dutch international team after having featured initially.
Nevertheless, Van Nistelrooy, who refused a bigger economic offer from Bayern Munich in favour of Madrid, is repaying the Club for their confidence and trust with flying colours. It is evident that the number "17" is happy again donning the white shirt. In Madrid, he has earned the trust of Fabio Capello, who has lined him up in every single match of the season except for the first leg of the King's Cup against Ecija.



Van the Man or Van Goal, a recent alias he has picked up in the Spanish capital has made the scoresheet on several games, netting 9 goals in 14 appearances with Real Madrid so far. Even more exceptional is the fact that he has scored in all competitions in play. His numbers reflect 4 goals in the League, 3 in the Champions League and 2 in the King's Cup, entitling him to the rightful honour of target man for the Whites. Moreover, the player is displaying an agility unusual of a man of his build, always playing to the advantage of the team and presently working on geling a partnership with Ronaldo that could pay high dividends for Real Madrid.

Van Nistelrooy is comfortable and at ease in Real Madrid, denoted by the cheerfulness in his demeanour and the lethal hue his game is acquiring. His capacity will definitely prove crucial this year if Real Madrid aspire to be successful on every front.