Real Madrid

[abadani69]

Real Madrid put their fine away record on the line on Saturday when they visit Sevilla's Sanchez Pizjuan, where the UEFA Cup holders have the league's only remaining 100 percent home record.

With five wins from six on the road Real are the league's best travellers but their cautious, counter-attacking approach has won few admirers.


Real leapfrogged Sevilla into second place last weekend with a laboured 2-1 home win over struggling Athletic Bilbao, but Sevilla coach Juande Ramos stopped short of joining those who criticise Real coach Fabio Capello's pragmatic methods.

"I prefer a different style of play to Real's but I don't want to say it is more effective. Playing this way they have caught up with Barcelona and gone past us. Although it isn't exciting they make the most of their chances," Ramos said.

Sevilla slipped a point behind Real into third after surprisingly losing 2-1 away to Espanyol last weekend, but might be able to count on the return of winger Jesus Navas for Saturday.

The pacy 21-year-old, one of their most effective players, has been out with a knee injury since early last month. Ramos is also awaiting news on injured defenders Aitor Ocio, Julien Escude and Ivica Dragutinovic.

An under-strength Real drew 2-2 against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday when Brazilian striker Ronaldo took his tally for the week to three. They have midfielder Mahamadou Diarra suspended, though playmaker Guti returns.

The last time the two sides met in May Sevilla came out on top in a 4-3 thriller.

DAUNTING TASK

Real Sociedad, the only side without a win in the Primera Liga, face the daunting task of looking to break that statistic in the Nou Camp on Saturday against a Barcelona in full flow.

The league leaders appear to have shrugged off their indifferent form of the previous month and proved with the 2-0 Champions League win over Werder Bremen on Tuesday they can turn on the style when they need to.

Frank Rijkaard's side were held to a 1-1 draw away to Levante last time out, which left them just a point ahead of arch-rivals Real, and have an injury doubt over one of their form players, midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Sociedad are without defender Adriano Rossato who was injured in a training ground brawl with a team mate during the week.

Injury-hit Valencia, languishing in ninth place, have the perfect chance to put a stop to their slide when Deportivo Coruna visit on Sunday.

Depor have yet to win on their travels while Quique Sanchez Flores's side are without a win in six league games.

[Rasputin]

Recovery training for last night's starters and practise match for the rest; Bravo, H

Even though Real Madrid landed in Madrid at 5 am this morning, the team had a training session scheduled for 2 pm CET at Valdebebas. Starters and reserves alike from last night's match in Kyiv, as well as those who did not make the trip, took part in the first of two sessions coach Fabio Capello will hold prior to Saturday's clash against Sevilla.


Real Madrid have returned from Ukraine, where last night they played Game 6 of the group stage of the Champions League against Dynamo Kyiv. With the draw for the Last 16 still over one week away, the Whites now have to focus on the Primera Liga. On Saturday, coach Fabio Capello and his men will be in Andalusia, where at 10 pm CET the Madridistas play a Sevilla squad who sit third in the League table.

The Italian boss had all his players available for today's training with the exception of Raúl Bravo, still recovering from severe gastroenteritis and who spent the workout doing sit ups in solitary, Helguera, with a deep bruise on his right quadriceps, and Diarra, who stayed in the gymnasium. Meanwhile, those who did rejoin training were Raúl, Reyes, Pavón, Cannavaro, Guti and Emerson, who, despite being listed on last Monday's medical report, all worked out at the same pace as their teammates.
The day began with the squad splitting into two groups. Massimo Neri took charge of last night's starters -Diego López, Salgado, Mejía, Torres, Nieto, De la Red, Ronaldo, Cassano, Beckham, Roberto Carlos- who were joined by Ramos and Raúl. They spent half an hour jogging and stretching, with four players finishing on their own. In pairs, Ramos and Diego López, and Raúl and Emerson carried out sprints and side-stepping exercises while supervised by recovery expert San Martín and Santiago Lozano.

On another area of the pitch, Borja Valero, Adrián González, Javi García, Mata, Sergio, Marcelo, Robinho, Cannavaro, Pavón, Miñambres, Guti, Van Nistelrooy and Reyes also kicked off the day by alternating between jogging and stretching before finishing off with a half-pitch practise match. Everything, of course, under the watchful eye of Fabio Capello, who never hesitated to give orders and instructions to his men. Goalkeepers Casillas and Adán trained with keeper coach Franco Tancredo.

The bad news stemming from today's session involved Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian centre back was unintentionally tackled by Ruud Van Nistelrooy during the practise match and was forced to abandon in the closing minutes after being looked at by the medical staff. The 2006 Golden Ball winner suffered a sprained left ankle and is questionable for Saturday's match in Seville.

Friday's closed door training session is scheduled for 11 am CET.


MEDICAL REPORT

Cicinho: Torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee. Surgery (26/09/06).

Guti: Mild fibrilar tear on the right adductor muscle. Has returned to training.

Cannavaro: Sprained left ankle. Medical treatment and physiotherapy.

Francisco Pavon: Strained right triceps surae. Has returned to training.

Raúl Bravo: Severe gastroenteritis. Has returned to training.

Reyes: Sprained ligament of the right adductor muscle. Has returned to training.

Emerson: Anterior tibial compartment syndrome of left. Has returned to training.

Raúl: Contracted left quadriceps. Has returned to training.

Helguera: Bruised right quadriceps. Medical treatment and physiotherapy. Gym and pool work.

[Rasputin]

Cannavaro and Guti will travel to Sevilla, along with youth teamers Adán, De la Red a

Fabio Capello has called up 20 men for tomorrow's match against Sevilla. Included on the list are Fabio Cannavaro and Guti, who makes his return after missing several matches. Raúl Bravo has been scratched due to a coaching decision.





Squad list:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López and Adán
Defenders: Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pavón, Mejía and Sergio
Midfielders: Emerson, Robinho, Guti, Reyes, Beckham and De la Red
Forwards: Raúl, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy and Cassano

The next training session will be on Tueday 12 December @ 11 am at Valdebebas.

[nedamm]

[nedamm]

[abadani69]

Ernesto Chevanton's second-half scissor-kick saw Sevilla overtake opponents Real Madrid in second place as it secured a 2-1 win to keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona in the Primera Liga.

Chevanton claimed the headlines with a well-executed finish after first-half strikes from recalled Real midfielder David Beckham and Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute had cancelled each other out, but Capello will be unhappy with his side's inability to mount a comeback in the closing stages.

Beckham, a fringe player in Real's domestic campaign to date, kept his place in the side following an eye-catching performance in the Champions League draw against Dynamo Kyiv and made an immediate impact.

He opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he scored direct from a free kick for his second league goal of the year.

It was not one to add to the former England captain's impressive scrapbook, as he swung the ball in from the flank hoping to find a teammate in the Sevilla box. But nobody met the ball as it curled into the area and with home keeper Andres Palop standing off his line Beckham's cross nestled in the top corner.

But Real's joy did not last for long as Mali international Fredi Kanoute, who scored from the penalty spot in his side's 2-1 reverse against Espanyol last time out, found a swift equalizer.

Just four minutes separated Beckham's opener and Kanoute's equalizer but it was a deserved goal for a Sevilla side which had taken the game to the visitors with some sprightly early play.

Luis Fabiano claimed the assist, striking the ball fiercely from 20 yards and hitting the woodwork before the former West Ham and Tottenham striker converted the rebound, giving Iker Casillas no chance.

Roberto Carlos tried to put his side back in the lead almost immediately but he failed to trouble Palop with a pair of speculative efforts from outside the box.

Fellow Brazilian Ronaldo, also retained after a two-goal showing against Kiev, showed flashes of his old flair but hesitated with his best chance of the game, trying to round the keeper instead of taking an early shot.

Alvaro Mejia replaced Michel Salgado at the start of the second half as Capello shuffled his pack but Sevilla began to assert themselves as the game progressed.

Jesus Navas, fit to start after a late fitness test, threatened to put the hosts in front in the opening stages of the second period but his shot lacked accuracy and went harmlessly past Casillas' right-hand post.

Kanoute also went close as he continued to cause problems for Madrid but when he stole in behind Roberto Carlos, his volleyed effort flew high over the crossbar.

Madrid, who looked lightweight in midfield, could not hang on to a point and Chevanton was the man who finally grabbed the winner.

When a deep cross came into the Real box, he was played onside by a static Sergio Ramos who failed to pick up the Sevilla substitute. Chevanton leapt high into the air before stabbing the ball into the ground and past Casillas.

An injury to Enzo Maresca ensured plenty of injury time for a possible equalizer but Real was short of inspiration and allowed their rivals to replace them in second place.

[Rasputin]

Capello thinks "A draw would have been the most fair result"

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello spoke to the press to analyse his team's third defeat of the season. The difference in the match, according to the Italian, is that Sevilla took advantage of their opportunities. “Scoring is what counts, and we didn't," stated Capello.



Your thoughts on the match.
We could have won after taking the lead, but Sevilla scored twice. Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo had our best chances. We could have scored our second, but we didn't.
How do you think your team looked?
I am happy with their performance. We're going to stay on course without any problems. This is football for you. I am convinced that we'll continue on top.

What do Real Madrid play?
Football.

Your thoughts on Sevilla.
I think they did well. Their players are fast. They didn't have many chances because Iker made a lot of saves. Sevilla are Super Cup champions, so they must be a good team.

Why did you take Míchel Salgado out?
Because he had been booked and I didn't want him to get sent off.

And Ronaldo?
Ronaldo was tired and a bit niggled, as was Guti. It's Ronaldo's second match and he's still not in top physical form.

How do you think Ronaldo played?
He had the chance to score, but didn't. Ronaldo is always a threat when he has the ball. He fought hard.

Do you think Salgado deserved to be sent off?
Míchel didn't do anything that would make the fans demand that he be sent off.

Is it a fair result for Sevilla or an unfair result for Real Madrid?
A draw would have been the most fair result. Scoring goals is what counts.

[Rasputin]

"The outcome would have been different had Ronaldo scored"

Real Madrid players were satisfied with their performance at the Sánchez Pizjuán, especially “in the first half,” but they were disappointed with all their missed opportunities. “Ronaldo's would have been the nail in the coffin,” stated Emerson.




CANNAVARO
“It's a shame that we lost. We played a good first half but couldn't score more goals. You could tell fatigue set in in the second half.”

“Sevilla are a good team, but we played well. They had three good chances and score twice. The outcome would have been different had Ronaldo scored”.

“It's a long season and we can only think about our next match. We have to stay calm and work hard this week.”

EMERSON
“We're pretty upset with the loss because we thinking a draw would have been more fair. We played a good first half and had several chances to score after Sevilla leveled. The game would have unfolded so much differently had we score again.”

“The pace slowed in the second half, but we still had our chances, like Ronaldo's, which would have been the nail in the coffin. We were unlucky and we have to go home with a loss, when a draw would have been more fair.”

[Rasputin]

The President of Real Madrid and several former Madridistas who played with Ferenc Puskas will leave Madrid's Torrejón Airport on Saturday at 9:15 am CET. An official lunch will be held at 1:30 pm, and the burial service will take place between 4 and 5 pm. Once the ceremony has ended, President Ramón Calderón will return to Spain, where he is expected to attend Real Madrid's League match against Sevilla.
The body of Ferenc Puskas has been laid out at St. Stephen's Basilica since last Thursday, where mourners have paid their last respects and left floral bouquets and wreaths.

Farewell to a Hungarian great at the Puskas Stadium
Tomorrow will be a National Day of Mourning in Hungary. The flag of the Republic will be hoisted in Kossuth Square at 9 am and then lowered to half mast. The National Farewell will begin at 4 pm in the Ferenc Puskas Stadium, where fans will be able to say a final goodbye to the greatest footballer of all time. Once the ceremony has ended at 5 pm, Puskas' remains will be taken to the Basilica through Heroes' Square, where the army will hold a military funeral honour. Puskas was posthumously promoted to Brigadier General.

Farewell mass in the Basilica
The funeral procession will travel along Andrássy Street – József Attila – Hercegprímás – Zrínyi – St. Stephen's Square. The Roman Catholic mass will begin at 7 pm. All the events during the Day of Mourning will be broadcast live on state television (MTV, m2, Duna Televízi&#243 and Radio Petőfi.

[Rasputin]

The Club demands a public apology from the French periodical

To the attention of the Chief Editor.
Dear Sir, in reference to the article published in the Internet edition of your newspaper on 7 December, authored by Mr. Stéphane Mandard, regarding Real Madrid and other clubs, we would like to report that the information relayed, insofar as it concerns Real Madrid, is completely false.

1.- The title of the article is untrue as Real Madrid has never had any relationship with Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.

2.- It is absolutely false that the Club has ever contracted the services of said doctor.

3.- Any document that Le Monde might have had access to in relation to the purported and imaginary training plans of Real Madrid is also false.

4.- No unauthorised product or substance has ever been used within our Club.

5.- Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes is not and has never been linked with the medical staff of Real Madrid. Any reported relationship between said doctor and the Club is categorically false.

It is, therefore, also false that the aforementioned doctor ever gave our medical staff instructions regarding medical treatments and their application.

Equally false is the notion that any of our players ever scheduled appointments with said doctor.

Thus, all reports and data published are emphatically false.

Taking into account the falsehood of the information published by your journal, we invite you -actually, demand- to rectify all these false reports and that this rectification and subsequent apology be published in the same manner and layout format as the above mentioned original article with its false allegations.

In any event, we wish to inform you that Real Madrid (notwithstanding the legal actions that other incriminated parties may incur) will file the appropriate lawsuit against your newspaper and the person or persons directly or indirectly responsible for the fabrication and publication of said false and untrue reports.

We eagerly await your urgent response regarding the rectification and apologies that we demand.

[Rasputin]

The best young forward in the world

The most promising young forward in international football will soon be playing at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. “Pipita” Higuaín, unquetionable starting centre forward for River Plate, is Real Madrid's second signing during the winter transfer window after the Brazilian, Marcelo, who joined the Club in November.

Huguaín was born on 10 December 1987 in Brest, France, where his father played after making the leap to Europe following stints with Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina. His father is Pipa Jorge Nicolás Higuaín and his brother Federico also plays football for River. Hence, his nickname Pipita. Because he is French, he does not take up a spot as a foreigner on the team.

The recently-turned 19-year old footballer was honoured as the ‘Sports Revelation of the Year’ because of his scoring capacity for River Plate in the Apertura 2006 tournament, "for his freshness on the pitch, and because of his undying humility." He also made an important career move this year when he turned down the chance to play for Doménech and the French national team.



Higuaín debuted in Argentina's First Division on 30 May 2005 in a 2-1 River loss to Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, coached by Leonardo Astrada. He took the pitch in the second half and played alongside his brother Federico. With the arrival of Daniel Pasarella in 2006, Higuaín was given many opportunities to play and used them to confirm his talent. Most notable was his two-goal performance against Corinthians in the 2006 Copa Libertadores, which punched River's ticket for the quarterfinals.

"Pipita" is known for his speed in the last third of the pitch, his great striking ablity, and his passing precision. Quick, elegant, and his nack for decision-making make Higuaín the type of forward that is in fashion in international football. Being just 19-years old, he has a lot of room for improvement. On a team comprised of players like Ronaldo, Raúl and Van Nistelrooy, the Argentinian will learn everything he needs to know to become a first class superstar.

[Rasputin]

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have faced each other 16 times, each team winning half

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will hold yet another rerun of their age-old meetings in February and March, making this tie a true classic of European football. In total, both teams have faced each other on 8 ties/16 games, always in the top European torunament, whether it was the European Cup or the Champions League: Real Madrid went through on 4 occasions, same as Bayern, although one of them was during the group stage.





The Spanish and the German teams are two of the most time-honoured European teams. Real Madrid has a total of nine European Cups (6+3), while Munich is fourth in this top-seeded ranking with four triumphs. In total, both sides have played each other on sixteen occasions in Europe and it has always been in the top European tournament, whether it was the extinct European Cup or the current Champions League. The match record favours the German team, with five wins for the Whites, two draws and nine victories for the Teutons. The scoring department is also partial to the Bavarian team, with 26 goals scored and 19 allowed. All in all, both teams have paired up eight times in eight different ties, although, to be more exact, one of the German victories was during the 1999/2000 group stage, but it was Real Madrid who ended pulling off their eighth top European win that season. The last match-ups have proved auspicious for Madrid, who have won three of the last four ties.

1975/76. European Cup, semifinals. The first leg at the Bernabéu was a one all draw, with the Germans winning 2-0 in the return leg and gong through to the final.

1986/87. New bavarian victory, once again in the semis of the European Cup. Bayern Munich won 4-1 in the first leg and Real Madrid were unable to make a comeback at home: 1-0.



1987/88. Real Madrid got their revenge served on a cold platter just one year later. It was in the quarterfinal stage of the European Cup: 3-2 loss in Munich but 2-0 comeback in Madrid.

1999/2000. Two ties. In the Last 16 group stage, Bayern Munich were far superior, winning 4-2 at the Bernabeu in a true exhibition of football, and 4-1 in Munich's Olympiastadion. Both teams managed to go through to the quarterfinal stage and paired up anew during the semifinal of the Champions League: Madrid snatched a two zero victory in a perfect game by the Merengues at the Santiago Bernabéu and lost 2-1 in Germany. The Whites ended up winning their eighth European Cup in the final against another Spanish side, Valencia, whom they beat 3-0.

2000/01. New German-Spanish meeting in the Champions League semifinals. Bayern Munich managed a 1-0 upset at Madrid's home turf. The return leg saw the Whites capsize once more, this time losing 2-1. The Germans eliminated the reigning champions and went on to conquer the title themselves.

2001/02. Once more, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid held a face off and once again, the Germans proved a good-luck charm for the likes of the team from the Spanish capital, who went on to celebrate their ninth and last European Cup. Real Madrid defeated the Germans in the quarterfinals losing 2-1 in Munich, but making a memorable comeback in Madrid, winning 2-0 ina match that is sure to go down in the annals of memorable football games.

2003/04. Last tie to date, which also saw the Whites go through to the quarterfinals. Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Munich's Olympic Stadium and won 1-0 at home, in the Bernabéu. Los blancos pasaron a cuartos de final.

[abadani69]

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello spelt out in no uncertain terms that he is expecting Boca Juniors' highly-rated midfielder Fernando Gago to sign with the Spanish giants.

"We need Gago but when he's signed I'll talk more about him," said Capello at a press conference, pointedly using the word 'when' rather than 'if'.

"They (including Real target Gonzalo Higuain in his comments) are young players with a future. They move a lot, get there and are good quality," added the Italian coach.

Spanish media reports said that Boca president Mauricio Macri was expected in Madrid later on Saturday to start negotiations for the transfer of his 20 year-old player.

Gago, one of the stars of Argentina's team that won the Under 20 World Cup last year, has drawn comparisons with the Argentine and Real Madrid icon Fernando Redondo for his abundant talent and also his long, lank hairstyle.

He is expected to sign a six-year deal, although the transfer fee is the main sticking point with Boca apparently wanting 20 million euros for their man compared to Real's reported upper limit of 15 million euros.

Real are also openly after River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain, who holds both French and Argentine passports and recently turned down a call-up to the France squad.

However, it is believed that River Plate coach Daniel Passarella wants to hold on to Higuain for the Copa Libertadores which begins in January.

Real Madrid travel to Espanyol on Sunday but will do so without former England capatin David Beckham, who is suspended.

[Rasputin]

"Espanyol are a good team with quality players"

Talk concerning Gago and Higuaín dominated the Italian coach's press conference. "Higuaín is a quality player and we need Gago, but we'll talk about the latter when he's signed," said Capello. He also wanted to talk about Espanyol who he considers to be "a good team" as "they haven't lost since Matchday 4."





Will Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy play together?
I'll have to think about it. Ronaldo has been training since Thursday. He doesn't have any physical problems anymore, but I nevertheless have to think about it.
What's your opinion on the Champions League draw?
Every Last 16 game is complicated. Bayern Munich are a good team and they will be more rested and fresher than us when the time comes because their Christmas break is much longer than ours. It's always hard to play against them.

Don't you think your players are being too optimistic?
One always has to be optimistic. In order to get to the final you have to defeat everyone. I didn't want to be paired with Chelsea or Arsenal and I didn't really mind who else we faced.

What will Higuaín bring to the team?
We are signing young players with a bright future ahead of them. He is a very fast player that moves around a lot. He is good in the attack and has a lot of quality overall. We'll talk about Gago when we sign him.



What does Higuaín have that Mata doesn't?
Mata is a quality player, but he needs to build up more. He has a goal scoring instinct. All in all, he is different to Higuaín.

Will Higuaín join the first team in January?
Let's wait until we make all the signings to decide, shall we?

Does Cassano still count for you?
He is as important as every other player. Come January, we will play every Sunday and every Wednesday, so I will definitely have a use for him.

Do you prefer Barcelona to lose the World Club Championship?
I don't care what they do.

Is the centre back position something to work on?
We know exactly what to do, but I'm not going to share that with you. We'll do something about that position.

Are you thinking about bringing Woodgate back?
Not until the end of the season.



What do you think of Espanyol?
Well, they stand undefeated since Matchday 4. They are a good team with quality players. They are convinced they can defeat anybody.

Their attacking front, formed by De la Peña and Tamudo, is something to seriously think about.
They know each other very well and the move fast. We'll try to stop them.

How come you're thinking of signing another centre back when there are so many on the squad?
We are trying to sign Gago, who is a midfielder. We know we need him. We think we can improve on that position.

You really think the team needs Gago?
Yes, I do, if not we wouldn't sign him. We have good players but we can always improve and we have to sign new ones in order to do so. He is a good player.

How are Guti and Helguera doing?
Guti is fine and Helguera is still recovering. I think the latter will rejoin the team next week.

[Rasputin]

"I hit the ball with my face, not my hand"

Fabio Cannavaro was unjustly sent of in minute 53. Replay footage clearly shows he hit the ball with his head, not his hand, which explains the player's anger at the end of the game.





"I didn't like being sent off and it's hard to accept. The ball didn't hit my hand. Thank God we won the match in the end, because we needed the points after the defeat in Seville. Espanyol are a good team that, until today, stood undefeated here for a very long time. We will surely be champions if we win every game. We don't think about how other teams are performing. I hope I can play on Wednesday if my red card is rescinded."
"I don't know if I'm FIFA World Player or not. My teammates told me in the dressing room. I'm traveling to Geneva tomorrow, but I have no idea who has won. I did know about the Ballon d'Or beforehand, but I don't know about this one yet. It would be amazing to win it. This has been a spectacular year for me, as I won the World Cup, the Italian League, I joined Real Madrid..."