Real Madrid

[Rasputin]

"I want to thank everyone for the support they've given me these past seven months"

Cicinho was grateful and happy after the game in Bilbao. The Brazilian went through a very hard time for seven months and he is now finally smiling again. He has returned to help his teammates win the League.





CICINHO
"This has been a very important game for us, especially for me. We are confident of winning the League. We always earn good results away from home, but we are now doing well in Madrid also. Let's hope this continues next week against Sevilla."
"I want to thank those who stood by me these past seven months; doctors, fans, family members, teammates... I feel fine and I am very happy with the team. I hope we achieve the goal of winning the League."

"We've believed we can win the League since way back when we were five or six points behind Barcelona. We never lost hope and we aren't going to do so now that we are only two points away from leadership. We are sure we can win."

[Rasputin]

"We only think about ourselves and what we can do to win the League"

Van Nistelrooy scored two of Real Madrid's four goals tonight and Emerson was in the starting eleven. They both anaylsed the fixture after it was over.

VAN NISTELROOY
"I think about the team, not about myself. This squad is very strong and calm enough to think about one game at a time. Fixtures in this stadium are always tough and it isn't easy to score four goals against any team in this League."
"I think Cicinho played an excellent game, especially after being injured for so many months. We all congratulated him for his performance. We all work very hard during training sessions. That's the mentality we have."



"We must remain calm because we still have to play six more games and that's quite a lot. We are in good form and having a great momentum, but we must remain calm if we want to continue this way."

"We are in a good spot to try to win the title and we must continue this way. Today for us was like a final and playing in Bilbao is always hard. The next six games will be the most important fixtures for us this season. The game at home against Sevilla will be great."

EMERSON
"We played an excellent game in a complicated stadium. Tonight's was a very important clash for us and we did great. We used the chances we had on goal very well. We were united as a team and helped each other at all times."

"We had some problems in the first fifteen minutes, but we got over them and managed to take the three points. Sergio's goal was very important and it put us somewhat at ease."

"The game against Sevilla will also be like a final. We must win every match we have left. It won't be easy because they will all be tough. We only think about ourselves and what we can do to win. It will be possible for us to win the League if we do our part."

[Rasputin]

"We played a quality game"

Fabio Capello gave a press conference after the game and was satisfied with his team's work. The coach gave the media the keys to their victory and congratulated his players for their good performance.





"It was a tough match because Athletic fought for every ball in the first half. They played well, but so did we. We were concentrated and we showcased our quality. Our personality shined through and that's the most important thing."
"Cicinho did very well. A week ago I said he was training well and that he was fully recovered. He's done a good job all week and he was ready to play a complicated match like tonight's. We hope not to drop points in the forthcoming games because they will be very important."

[Rasputin]

Crucial victory that keeps the Whites alive and well in the fight for the title

Real Madrid did well to defeat a feisty and needy Athletic Bilbao. The new faces on Fabio Capello's starting eleven payed off, but it was Sergio Ramos, a usual suspect in the Italian's initial lineups, who scored the opening goal. Later, an excellent play by Emerson and Cicinho ended with a goal by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who went on to net yet another strike later on in the evening. Finally, Guti also wanted to join in the goal scoring feast and netted the team's fourth after a phenomenal individual counterattack. Despite the final score, the Whites had to fight hard for a victory, but they won none the less and continue being the best visiting side in the League this season.


Things looked difficult for Real Madrid at first as both Sevilla and Barcelona won their respective games against Espanyol and Levante, forcing the Whites to take make an extra effort at San Mamés Stadium. Fabio Capello's starting eleven was somewhat surprising. Helguera, Gago and Higuaín were dropped while David Beckham and Cicinho started. The latter rejoined the team for the first time in seven months after recovering from the serious injury on his knee and the Englishman had earned a spot in the Italian's initial lineup after the great performance he gave against Valencia. The midfield was taken by Emerson and Diarra. The great performances given by every single one of them tonight proved Fabio Capello's choice of men to be spot-on.




Captain Joseba Exteberria led the Lions' pack onto the pitch of San Mamés Stadium to the sound of the roars of their fans, who made it seem the stadium was packed, when it wasn't. Despite the locals' necessity and drive to distance themselves from the drop zone, a childish error on the 13-minute mark gave way to Real Madrid's opening goal. A free-kick was awarded to the Whites and three defenders were onto Ruud van Nistelrooy inside the box, making the mistake of leaving Sergio Ramos, a great threat, by himself. Beckham gave a pitch-perfect delivery once again, finding Ramos positioned on the back post and the ball was headed in by the defender, who tallied his fourth goal of the season. The Sevillian's performance tonight was superb, showcasing his great quality both in the defence and in the attack.

Lions in the attack, cats in the defence
The Basques couldn't afford giving up and, after the Whites' goal, they pulled off a good run of attacks, reaching Casillas' goal several times, but without much danger. Iraola kicked the ball over the crossbar in the 15th minute, missing his team's best chance of the encounter. Athletic attacked like lions but defended like cats and every attack by Real Madrid nervously raised the crowd in The Cathedral -as San Mamés is popularly known in Spain. David Beckham had a colossal game. He first stole the ball in an individual counterattack, after which, he shifted the attack with a 30 metre-long cross. Soon after, he faced the keeper one-on-one and was served an excellent ball, but he failed to head it in.



Cicinho and Emerson also proved to be right choices for the starting lineup and devised an excellent play from which the team's top scorer -aka Ruud van Nistelrooy- tallied yet another goal in his impressive goal count. Emerson got rid of Murillo with a brilliant nutmeg that led to an excellent one-two with Cicinho. The latter finished it off with a terrific cross into Ruud van NIstelrooy's head and the Dutchman impressively headed it into the back of the net, tallying his 25th goal of the season... But number 26 was yet to come.

Killer Van Nistelrooy
Real Madrid were somewhat calmer and more at ease after half-time and 'Van the Man' managed to score his third goal -eighteenth in the League- as early as the 49th minute. Beckham served him a perfect corner and the Dutch striker, despite having three defenders on him, managed to control it, look up and drill it into the goal. It was simply perfect.


Athletic were powerless and could do nothing to stop Real Madrid, despite bringing on all their main attacking players -Urzaiz, Yeste and Llorente-, who were nevertheless decisive in the improvement of their team's game. Llorente managed to score the goal that saved his team from utter shame, heading in an excellent free-kick by Yeste on the 80-minute mark. Prior to the goal, Bilbao had several chances through Murillo (58'), Iraola (64'), Urzaiz (71') and Adaruiz (72'), but they were all in vain because Iker Casillas was always there to save the day. Gonzalo Higuaín, who had replaced Van Nistelrooy, came close to scoring the Whites' fourth from an individual counterattack, but luck still avoids the Argentine and his shot ricoched off the post.

It was Guti who scored the Madridistas' fourth goal in the 83rd minute, beating keeper Aranzubia by flicking the ball over him after an excellent individual run. This way, Real Madrid sentenced the game and earned yet another victory that keeps them alive and well in the fight for the League title. With this victory as visitors, the Whites have equalled the records they established in the 1960/61 and 1987/88 seasons by snatching ten victories away from the Bernabéu. Tonight's game at San Mamés was therefore a new stepping stone in Real Madrid history.


MATCH REPORT
Athletic Bilbao: Aranzubia; Javi González, Expósito, Sarriegi, Amorebieta; Iraola (Llorente), Murillo; Gabilondo (Yeste, 50'), Exteberria (Urzaiz, 50'), Javi Martínez; Aduriz
Real Madrid: Casillas; Cicinho, Ramos, Cannavaro, Torres; Emerson, Diarra, Beckham, Robinho (Guti, 75'); Raúl (Reyes, 85'); Van Nistelrooy (Higuaín, 61').

Referee: Muñiz Fernández. Booked Cannavaro, Murillo, Urzaiz and Beckham.

Goals:
0-1 (13'): Sergio Ramos heads in a free-kick by Beckham to the far post.
0-2 (34'): One-two by Cicinho and Emerson that ends with a goal by Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
0-3 (49'): Van Nistelrooy drills in a corner kick by Beckham on the penalty spot.
1-3 (80'): Llorente heads in a free-kick by Yeste
1-4 (83': Guti scores after an individual counterattack.

Highlights: Matchday 32 of La Liga. Venue: San Mamés Stadium. The President of Real Madrid, Ramón Calderón, sat with the Vicepresident of Panamá, Samuel Lewis, in the Presidential Balcony.

[abadani69]

Real Madrid is two points behind leaders Barcelona after beating title rivals Sevilla, 3-2, at the Bernabeu.

Madrid was down, 1-0, at halftime after Enzo Maresca gave Sevilla the lead with a fine strike after 42 minutes.

Ruud van Nistelrooy equalized for Madrid after 62 minutes and Brazilian Robinho put them in front with 12 minutes left, but was sent off for his wild celebrations.

Minutes later, Sevilla's Aitor Ocio was also dismissed for an incident in the penalty area, before Van Nistelrooy scored his second goal after 85 minutes.

Ernesto Chevanton made it 3-2 with a free kick late on, but Madrid held on to keep the pressure on Barcelona, who beat struggling Real Sociedad, 2-0, on Saturday.

Goals from Andres Iniesta and Samuel Eto'o gave Barcelona the win, which left Real Sociedad six points adrift of safety.

In the other game on Saturday, Valencia won, 2-1, away at Deportivo to keep alive their faint title hopes.

Hugo Viana gave Valencia the lead after 38 minutes, before Sebastian Taborda equalized after 69 minutes. David Silva's goal four minutes later gave Valencia a win that keeps it in touch with the Primera Liga's top three.

Real Zaragoza stayed in fifth after a 0-0 draw with Racing Santander, while Recreativo missed the chance to move into the UEFA Cup spots by drawing, 0-0, with Athletic Bilbao.

Guillermo Franco scored for for Villareal after 68 minutes for a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, who stay in the relegation zone, three points adrift of Athletic Bilbao.

Gimnastic is rock bottom after a Cesar Navas own goal after 28 minutes and Mustapha Riga's 48th-minute strike gave Levante a 2-0 win.

Atletico Madrid is in the UEFA Cup spots, despite a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol.

Goals from Moha after 10 minutes and Walter Pandiani after 75 minutes put Espanyol up, 2-0, before Martin Petrov scored for Atletico Madrid in injury time.

Getafe is now only two points behind Atletico in the chase for a UEFA Cup spot, after it won 2-0 at Real Betis.

Daniel Guiza put Getafe ahead after 16 minutes and Francisco Casquero made the points safe in the 34th minute.

Osasuna is still not safe from relegation after losing, 3-1, to Real Mallorca.

Fernando Varela put Real Mallorca up, 1-0, after 37 minutes, only for Raul Garcia to equalize after 60 minutes. Gutierrez Jonas put Mallorca back in front six minutes later and Bosko Jankovic put the game beyond Osasuna nine minutes from time.

[Rasputin]

The Whites humble Sevilla, grab second spot, and are morale leaders

This victory is worth more than three points. It is a triumph against a direct rival which also surrenders the second table position in favour of the Madridistas. A success cemented on the Santiago Bernabéu of the great evenings, on the physical form of the local team and on the impetus, vigour, and union of a squad that clings on to its La Liga hopes. This conquest underpins the morale of a side who are on solid ground at home and League leaders on the road. A clash which makes it all too clear that the quality of players like Guti –simply impressive-, Ramos –who celebrated his 100th League match with Real Madrid against his former team-mates in style-, and Van Nistelrooy –new Pichichi with 20 strikes- is beyond doubt. A hard-fought battle which could well enable the Madridistas to win the war.





Amazing encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu which began with the fans at the stands putting up a white banner mosaic, the kind that makes one's hairs stand on end. With or without mosaic, however, this is the type of game that has all the ingredients to have every football fan stop on his or her tracks, take a bow, and thank the 22 players inside the pitch for the footballing feast. Two teams who have managed to find their feet and are currently in a state of grace. Two direct rivals coming up against each other in a face off, both knowing that the leader had not bowed down at Real Sociedad's Anoeta and that there was more than just a mere three points in play tonight.
Fabio Capello lined up the same starting lineup as in San Mamés (4-1 for the Whites), while the doubt that lay heavy on Juande Ramos' head -who already knew that Navarro, Navas, and Adriano would not feature- was whether optimism would vanquish over fatigue… Seeing the starting run of the Sevillians, it was quite evident that winning tires no one.



The men of Juande stood up to Capello's side from the initial whistle, pressing, maintaining ball possession, and going for Casillas' goal. But the Madridistas are thankful when their adversaries are courageous, the kind that offer playing space to the hosts.

As the minutes passed, it was evident that Madrid were enjoying a better opening, but the scales were not tipping to either side. The Merengues were steadfast and began to stage the first dangerous runs on the opposing goal: first up, it was Diarra, who shot wide, but the play made it all too clear why Madrid lead the League's set piece charts; following him, it was the captain, Raúl, -tonight, he became Real Madrid's fourth top featuring player ever, with 602 matches- whose shot deflection made its way to Emerson's feet, but the visiting keeper did well to deny the Brazilian holding midfielder; and third time, yet not lucky, a powerful range shot by David Beckham. It is a well-known rule of football that the team that doesn't materialise their chances... pays for it dearly.

It was precisely when the Bernabéu most lauded the stock and effort of their players that came the big blow. With their colossal record as proof, Sevilla is truly one of those teams who don't forgive the slightest of blunders, who never give up, and who believe and display a quality that lead it to be a side that never flail. Five minutes from halftime, Aitor Ocio took a distant free kick, Kanouté headed it back and, from the edge of the box, Maresca caught a left-footed volley, boasting unbelievable technique. The amazing first goal of the night was for Sevilla. That's football for ya!



Poulsen and Emerson maintained the balance in both their teams; Alves and Robinho quarreled it out in the sideshow of the evening; Kanouté and Raúl dropped deep to gain momentum; Puerta and Robinho took command of the attacking flare of their sides; Miguel Torres was once more up against the Bernabéu test, and the youth player did well by his team with overlaps and good passes; Cannavaro was a defensive giant; Beckham contributed from set pieces; Ramos outperformed himself in his 100th Primera Liga appearance with the Whites; Cicinho emphasised that he was back with a vengeance; and Van Nistelrooy is just always there and never disappoints... And the list goes on in a Madridista squad that today served up a lesson in performance and attitude, especially in the second half.

From penalty snatched... to turnaround!
The show was not lacking in thrills and intensity. Pérez Burrull decided to overlook a clear penalty on Sergio Ramos, whose shoulder was hard done by Kanouté as he went for the header. Again from a free kick, the Beckham-Ramos society wanted to write down their third personal hat-trick, but the Malian striker hindered the attempt.

It wasn't high time for moaning. Rather, it was time to keep working and to take advantage of the foreseeable second half, sharp drop of form by Sevilla. The first and inspired move came from the bench: Guti came in for Raúl and Helguera for Torres, dropping Ramos to the right flank. The entry of Real Madrid's number “14” was stellar and, again, decisive. José Mª Gutiérrez “Guti” makes hard things easy. With over 60 minutes on the clock, the Madridista received the ball with his back against the opposing goal, swung past Poulsen and made a perfect assist in between the centre backs for the run of the Real Madrid target man -now, La Liga's top striker with twenty goals after tonight's brace, surpassing Kanouté and Diego Milito. Ruud Van Nistelrooy dribbled past Palop and scored his nineteenth of the season.


Guti, Guti, and Guti

Brazilian wingback Alves struck out in front of Madrid's goal: first, all alone in the far post following a perfect counter by the Sevillian team, and second, with a hard shot that Casillas retaliated to in style. But Madrid has a real gem in Guti. Once again, the playmaker staged a deluxe through ball, this time for Robinho (min.7. The Brazilian made a great finish, booting a sharp ground ball to the back of the net. Time just seems to stop around Guti and it is sure that Sevilla's defenders will be having nightmares with him tonight. The comeback was a reality as the Bernabéu became a pressure cooker, a collection of thrills and emotions running high and vibrating to the sound of Madrid's beat.

The end of the match still had many things in store for the football lovers and the adrenaline junkies. In a question of minutes, both sides dropped a man: Robinho saw his second yellow card, followed by a direct red for the punchy Aitor Ocio. There was also time to see two more goals. Guess who invented, yet again, the opener for Real Madrid's thrid of the evening? Guti, Guti, and Guti: three classy assists tonight for a player who sees the game like very few others in the world of football. Sergio Ramos came in strong through the right flank, received a lovely pass from the Man and, with his characteristic energy, wallopped a ball that rival keeper Palop miraculously saved. But Van Nistelrooy picked up the defelction and made it game, set, and match with a header in the far post (min.86). The only thing that tarnished the fiesta of the Whites was Chevanton's closing free kick goal in the 90th minute. This way, Real Madrid let the goal average slip from their hands to favour Sevilla.

The match disappointed no one. Propelled by their home camp, Real Madrid made a comeback and climbed a spot in the table, giving the League another week of excitement. The Whites are game on. Next up is another European contender: Espanyol.

MATCH REPORT

3 - Real Madrid: Casillas; Cicinho, Ramos, Cannavaro, Torres (Helguera, min.5; Diarra, Emerson, Beckham, Robinho; Raúl (Guti, min.5 and Van Nistelrooy.
2 - Sevilla: Palop; Dani Alves, Ocio, Escudé, Drago; Poulsen, Maresca, Renato (Níkel, min.63), Puerta; Kerzhakov (Chevanton, min. 72) and Kanouté.

Referee: Alfonso Pérez Burrull, Cantabrian refereeing Assocviation. Booked Miguel Torres (39'), Sergio Ramos (55'), and David Beckham (83') of Real Madrid, and Hinkel (66') and Chevanton (83') for Sevilla. Red carded Luis Fabiano on the sideline while he was warming up. He also sent Robinho, off after showing him the second yellow card for hugging the fans after scoring the 2-1 goal. Aitor Ocio was also sent off with a direct red card.

Goals:
0-1 (min.41): Maresca buries a volley in the back of the net.
1-1: (min.61) Amazing play by Guti and Van Nistelrooy puts it away.
2-1: (min.77) Once again, master assist of Guti for Robinho.
3-1: (min.86) Van Nistelrooy.
3-2: (min.90) Chevanton, from a free kick.

Highlights: Matchday 33 of La Liga hosted at a capacity Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Attendance: 80.000.

[Rasputin]

"We were convinced we were going to win"

Van Nistelrooy's face looked radiant and overjoyed after his second consecutive brace tonight, two goals which see him climb to top position on the League's top striker classification. Happy for that, but happier even for the victory of the team because, in his words, “We had to play a great game to win against a very strong team in every line.”





The Dutchman underlined “the great game by our team. We were one goal down, but we achieved the turnaround. A phenomenal Guti and the support of the fans did the trick.” He wasn't susprised at the sensational service by the youth system player. “I train with him day in and day out; I saw his move and I knew he coud put a through ball where he did. He has extraordinary quality. He places the ball wherever he wants.”
Van Nistelrooy also revealed “the uprising” of the team during the halftime break to turn the scoreboard around. “We talked during the break and we were all convinced that we were going to win the match, but we had to do it rationally, with order. We had to pressure more because they played on Thursday and they could show signs of fatigue.”




Guti: “The loser would almost surely say goodbye to their League chances”

He came out and he revolutionised the meeting with a footballing intelligence that is within reach of very few players. His magical passes sparked off the final victory. Guti rated the victory very highly because “...whoever lost was sure to say au revoir to their chances. I think the second half was especially good, with high intensity. We pocketed three crucial points.” On his assists, he mentioned, “In the pitch, I saw the space and I made two passes that were perfectly put away by my teammates. The 2-1 proved key for the team's morale.”

“We are convinced that we are going to win the League. We just have to keep on winning games and wait for our opponents to drop points. We will do it thanks to the unity that we have established with the fans. This allows us added vigour, which then enables us to win games,” said Guti.

[abadani69]

David Beckham admits he will miss nights of high drama at Real Madrid when he leaves to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer this summer.

In a pulsating match that produced three red cards in addition to plenty of offense and near misses, Madrid emerged with a 3-2 victory rival Sevilla on Sunday at the Bernabeu.

The 32-year-old former England national team captain, who is expected to make his Galaxy debut in July after signing a five-year contract worth around $250 million, enjoyed the battle against Sevilla.

"You are always going to miss nights like this because they are special, the way the atmosphere is, the way the people are, the way the team played," Beckham said.

Beckham, who has spent four years at Madrid, also wanted to look toward the future.

"You are always going to miss something like this, but everybody moves on," he said.

One sour note for Beckham against Sevilla was the booking he received in the second half, meaning he is set to be suspended for next weekend's home match against Espanyol.

With only five games remaining this season - three at home, two away - Beckham will not have many more nights like Sunday's for the Spanish giants, but he is determined to make the most of it.

"I`m going to cherish these next five games, a few at home and then a few away," he said.

Madrid's win over Sevilla was its sixth in the last seven league matches and saw it climb above the Andalusian side into second place.

Beckham's team is only two points behind first-place Barcelona and he believes the win over Sevilla could be crucial in the quest for the title.

"(This) win was a big step toward that," said Beckham, who has yet to win a major trophy since joining Madrid in 2003. "We needed to win and every game is crucial now."

Beckham also hailed the spirit in the Madrid camp.

"We are together as a team. Even when we are losing we are coming back and winning the game," he said.

"There are no individuals (in the team). It is good, we've still got a great team. We've obviously let great players go, but we are performing and that is the way it should be."

[Rasputin]

"We're going after the title; Barça aren't the same team they were and we're over the

The Real Madrid squad is very optimistic with five more games to play this season. Knowing there's no room for mistakes, the players seem strong and with a burning desire to win.





“We're die hard Betis fans this weekend. They're a good team and they need the points to get out of the relegation zone. I've jumped on the ‘Viva er Beti, manque empate’ bandwagon. That would be enough to help us take the top spot.”
”We're going after the title. Barcelona are strong, but not the same team as last year. We're in good form and we've gotten over the hump. Everything is going right for us. We're confident, our team spirit has improved, and we think we are capable of playing well and winning. We are in great shape due to all the hard work since last preseason, meaning it must have been a well-thought plan.”

[abadani69]

Real Madrid snatched a last-gasp 4-3 victory over Espanyol on Saturday to go top of the Primera Liga for the first time since September.

The nine-times European champions trailed 3-1 at the interval after a 19-minute hat-trick from Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani.

But Real fought back when captain Raul netted four minutes after the restart and substitute Jose Antonio Reyes equalised eight minutes later.

Espanyol, who face fellow Spaniards Sevilla in Wednesday's UEFA Cup final in Glasgow, looked to have done enough to earn a draw until an 89th-minute strike from Gonzalo Higuain gave the hosts victory.

The Argentine striker sent the Bernabeu crowd wild when he squeezed a low shot past keeper Carlos Kameni after exchanging a sharp one-two with Reyes.

Real (66 points) lead the table by one point from Barcelona, who play their game in hand at home to struggling Real Betis on Sunday.

Sevilla, a point further back in third spot, warmed up for their UEFA Cup defence with a 2-1 win at home to Recreativo Huelva.

Italian midfielder Enzo Maresca put Sevilla in front in the 13th minute when he fired low past keeper Bertrand Laquait from the edge of the area.

Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano made it 2-0 with a well-taken penalty before midfielder Jesus Vazquez pulled one back for Recreativo with another spot kick two minutes from time.

Fabio Capello's side made the early running at the Bernabeu, pinning a largely second-string Espanyol back in their area and giving the visitors several scares.

Real though fell victim to the first of Espanyol's rapier-like counter-attacks in the 15th minute.

GUTI ROBBED

Jonatas robbed Guti in midfield, slipped the ball to Francisco Rufete on the right flank and the winger curled a superb pass behind the defence for Pandiani to defeat a helpless Iker Casillas in goal.

Real were hit by an almost identical strike 11 minutes later, the same two players carving their way through the midfield before Pandiani volleyed in at the far post.

Capello's men pulled one back through Ruud van Nistelrooy's 21st goal of the season as he fired home from close range after Roberto Carlos had flicked on a neat cross by Raul.

Pandiani struck again in the 34th minute, this time stroking the ball in from the edge of the area after Moha had bamboozled the home defence.

Real threw everything at Espanyol after the break and made it 3-2 when Raul drilled the ball under Kameni following a clever backheel from Van Nistelrooy.

Reyes then slotted into an open goal after Kameni collided with one of his defenders as he failed to claim the ball.

[abadani69]

Fabio Cannavaro praised David Beckham for his role in putting Real Madrid back into title contention.

Cannavaro admires Beckham's never-say-die attitude and believes it has been a positive influence on the rest of the Madrid team, which has won six of its last seven league matches.

"Beckham is a player I like very much both for his technique and the way he thinks," the Italian World Cup winner said. "He is a man who always wants to win, and he has transmitted that mentality to the squad."

Beckham's Madrid career looked to be over in January when coach Fabio Capello said the midfielder would not play for the club again after announcing he had agreed to join the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

But the former England captain refused to concede his career at Madrid was finished and his determination during training camp eventually led to Capello reversing his decision and recalling Beckham to his playing squad after an absence of six matches.

Although he has missed a number of games through injury and suspension since returning to the fold, Beckham has still played an influential role in helping Madrid up to second place in the Primera Liga standings, just two points behind Barcelona.

"I think we are all much better now, not only David," Cannavaro said on his club's website. "We are all making a greater effort to win the league. We have five games left and we must win them all.

"We are in good spirits because we are having good results. This happens to every team. We must continue along the same path because it is important for us to have a good atmosphere - it makes us work better."

[Rasputin]

Capello: "It was amazing"

The Madridista coach stressed his team's character

“I am happy because the team displayed indomitable faith in the victory. I liked the character they demonstrated and their enthusiasm to turn the game around. Today was amazing because we were up against a team that had spectacular counterattacks," said Fabio Capello in his post-match press conference.

When asked whether the team's spirit or the changes were the key to victory, Fabio Capello affirmed that “both were. Guti had a niggled hamstring during the week and needed to come out.” He pointed out that there was some confusion about Espanyol's goals, “although I was told that the first and third were offsides. They didn't take many shots, four shots and three goals, but we let them counterattack with relative ease.”
He assured that this great patch is due to all the hard work. “Luck plays an important part, but winning isn't possible without hard work. This isn't a casino where the ball turns. This is about the work of the team, the coaches, and the doctors. Sometimes the ball hits the post and doesn't go in, sometimes it hits and does go in. That's why luck is important.”



“It's times like these that we are convinced that we can win every match. That's our task. We're treating each match like a final and we can't let any points slip through our fingers. Today we got them back.”

“Euforia has always been a good thing, but euforia without work isn't good.” Capello concluded by talking about his players' fortitude: “Turning around a game like today's isn't easy. The fans really helped, and for that I thank them.”

[Rasputin]

"This victory allows us to dream of winning the title"

Raúl and Reyes had unfinished business with their Stadium. The captain wanted to make sure he got a piece of the action of the amazing comeback and, as always, come through when the team needed him most. Reyes, meanwhile, found his old self and a place in the fans' hearts.

“This was an important victory that allows us to dream of winning the title. We are capable of winning the last four matches, but we have to remind ourselves that they won't be easy. Especially the Huelva match, where we have to win,” said the Madridista captain.
“We discussed our mistakes during the break, but we also knew what their strong points were, especially the counterattack, which they executed to perfection.”

Raúl didn't forget to mention Higuaín, who “deserved to score because he's been working so hard for it.”

Reyes was thrilled with the chance to spend the night as leaders, but he was also grateful for the fans' support. “Today the fans proved that they're sticking by our side until the very last minute. We aren't going to throw in the towel. Every match is a final.”

“We realised that winning was the only option and we did what everyone hoped for. The fans deserve it.”

[Rasputin]

"Today we proved we're a real team"

When Madrid were losing 1-3 at the end of the first half, few believed the team could turn the match around. But that's when the stuff that champions are made of shined through, and three goals spelled the end of a comeback that situate the Whites on the top of the League table. Two crucial cogs of the resurgence were Huguaín and Emerson, who gave us their impressions of the match.



Two Argentines signed for Real Madrid in the winter transfer window. Their young ages would make them signings for the future who would have to slowly develop into footballers that can play in a League as tough as the Primera Liga. However, both Gago and Higuaín have proved that they are already players of today.
In fact, the Argentine forward's two League goals have resulted in six points for the team. Today's put the exclamation point on an epic match, and that's why he was ecstatic after the game. “I don't have words to describe how happy I am. We got off to a rocky start, but we ended up turning things around, and that's what matters. We came out really enthused in the second half and proved that this team won't give up. But we can't just settle with this. We have to keep moving forward.”

All the criticism about his lack of goals were brushed away tonight, and that's why Higuaín is “a lot calmer and confident in my possibilities.”

“All players dream of scoring such an important goal. We celebrated it so much because we were all so happy. I would like to dedicate it to the whole team, the coaching staff, and the fans. It was a huge pleasure being able to celebrate it with the Madridistas.”





Emerson also had unfinished business with the Bernabéu. Once the match was over, the Brazilian stated, “We suffered a lot. It's a very special day for us because we turned around a match that had become an almost impossible uphill battle.”

He admitted that Madrid have trouble with teams like Espanyol, who appear to be an easy opponent on the outside. “We have to be more careful because these are hard matches. When you think a team will be an easy rival, a team that has nothing to lose, like Espanyol, can make things very difficult. We can now start thinking about our next match. We need to be more focused,” explained the Brazilian.

On a personal level, he feels “very good. I was well-balanced and I felt I was useful to the team. I say team because today we proved we have team spirit. Taking on a 1-3 deficit was tough, but we did it. We're a real team.”

[Rasputin]

Ruud Van Nistelrooy will win the award if he manages 26 goals in La Liga

If our calculations are right, he's just 5 goals off the mark. The Real Madrid striker could win the 2006-07 Golden Boot accolade if he maintains his scoring spell in the 4 remaining matchdays. Rudd Van Nistelrooy has tallied six goals in the last four matches. The Brazilian Afonso Alves, forward for Eredivise side SC Heerenveen, currently sits at the top of the table with 34 goals in the Dutch league, which finished just recently. Alves has a total of 51 points as goals in the less powerful European leagues are worth 1.5 points each versus the 2-point goals of the championships of Spain, Italy, England, and Germany.





Totti is also in the race for the golden shoe award and presently has one more goal -22- or two more points -44- than the Dutch striker, who is closing in on him. That said, the Roman star only has two more games ahead of him to improve his record. Other aspiring players are Gekas (Bochum) and Drogba (Chelsea), each with 40 points, or Spain's Kanouté (Sevilla) and Diego Milito (Zaragoza), with 38 points a piece.
Were Van Nistelrooy to win this award, he would be the second Real Madrid player ever to get it, after the Mexican Hugo Sánchez, who was European top scorer in the 1989-90 campaign with 36 goals. For the Madridista number '17', it would be yet another recognition in his professional career and quite the perfect ending to his first year donning the white jersey. What a signing!


RANKING BY POINTS

1. Afonso Alves (BRA/Heerenveen) 51
2. Francesco Totti (ITA/Roma) 44
3. Ruud van Nistelrooy (NED/R. Madrid) 42
4. Didier Drogba (CIV/Chelsea) 40
5. Theofanis Gekas (GRE/Bochum) 40
6. Diego Milito (ARG/R.Zaragoza) 38
7. Frédéric Kanouté (MLI/Sevilla) 38
8. Rolando Bianchi (ITA/Reggina) 36
+. Cristiano Lucarelli (ITA/Livorno) 36
+. Benni McCarthy (RSA/Blackburn) 36
+. Ronaldinho (BRA/Barcelona) 36
12. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR/Manchester United) 34