Real Madrid

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Real Madrid voted favourites to win the League by As.com and Marca.com users

Who will win the League? This is the question every football fan in Spain is asking himself. Real Madrid are favourites by a mile; the Whites lead the polls published on the websites of the two most important sports journals in the country.






On the tube, at the newsstand, in the bar, at the bust stop, in the bank... Everyone in Spain is talking about the League after the intense last minutes of the fixtures held on Saturday. Who will win? Who has more chances? Who deserves it more? The fans are already speculating and making their own analysis of the competition.
AS and Marca, the most important sports newspapers in Spain, have joined the debate and published polls on their websites hoping to learn about their readers' and users' thoughts. For the time being, Real Madrid are favourites by most to win the League and their supremacy in votes over Barcelona and Sevilla is overwhelming.





As.com's question was 'Who will win the League?', but users could only chose between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Out of a total of 3,691 votes, the Whites earned 3,137 (85&#37, while only 14% (516 votes) of the users chose Barcelona.

'Who do you think will win the League?' was Marca.com's question and 78.78% (47,622 votes) of its users chose Fabio Capello's team. Barcelona earned 8,970 votes (14.84%) and Sevilla 3,856 (6.38%).

[Rasputin]

"Good luck needs to go hand in hand with hard work"

One day after drawing against Zaragoza, Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello sat down with Spanish sports daily AS. Although the Whites are just one win away from being proclaimed champions of the League, the Italian boss doesn't want to hear one word about confidence. "You haven't won a title until you have it your hands," he said. All Capello is thinking about right now is keeping up the work that has brought the team to this point. "We have faith in ourselves and we're convinced we can turn things around when presented with that situation. That's what our team spirit is like."





How did you sleep after the Zaragoza match?
I had a hard time sleeping. I got home and sat down in the living room with a glass of water to relax. I slept very little that night.
Had you ever experienced such a situation with the back-to-back goals by Madrid and Espanyol; that instant turn in the table?
No, never. Something happened that usually doesn't take place.

You were pretty happy during the press conference at La Romareda.
I was happy for the team, the fans, and all those who work with me. All our work this year is bearing its fruit, and you push even harder when the goal is right in front of you (laughs). We are a team. Not just those who are on the pitch, but everyone around them, too.

How would you describe everything that took place on Saturday?
I can't comment on Barcelona because I didn't see the game. We were a little nervous in the first half. I know the team doesn't feel as close when so many internationals have just returned and the team hasn't been together. We were able to equalise in the first half with Van Nistelrooy's great header, but César stopped everthing in the second. He had three incredible saves. The draw really could have been a victory. The team's ability to react and the ethusiasm the players have when they are on the pitch are very important. We never give up until the end.



Let's talk about football. Why did you go with the Emerson-Diarra duo to start? You don't think Guti was needed to give depth to Madrid's attack?
Emerson and Diarra played well, but we needed a more attack-minded player, like Guti, in the second half. That's all.

It looks like you wanted to control Zaragoza's pressure from the get-go.
No, that's not the case. I study each match. Gago was on overload after returning from his national team and that's why I chose to go with the double pivot. Then I wanted the team to move up more in attack. I think about the 18 players on the bench, not the starting eleven. Guti performs very well whenever he is on the pitch. What I really like was seeing Emerson and Raúl on the bench supporting their team. That's what a team is all about.

Madrid had more depth with Guti and Higuaín.
Yes. I believe a coach always has to assess the work put forth each half. After halftime, our quality and speed were evident with Guti and Higuaín playing. It's a normal sight in football. Sometimes a player comes in in the second half and can't find any space.

Raúl and Robinho didn't find theirs.
Robinho had three shots on goal. César saved one and he didn't strike another very well. Raúl also came close to scoring, but it also depends on the opponent. Games are a lot like boxing matches sometimes.

What is obvious is that Raúl's position is that of second striker, isn't it?
All players are physically worn out at the end of the season. He would have a lot of trouble playing along the wing right now.

And why did you have him playing as a winger?
Because he was doing it well. I liked how he played the position. He is very savvy tactically. He knows where to position himself and is very good at moving around the pitch.

With those characteristics, wouldn't it be better to play him as an attacking midfielder or second forward?
That's where he or Higuaín play. Pipita moves differently. They have both done excellent jobs.



Do you take notice of the names of the players you substitute or leave on the bench, or does it not matter to you?
All the players are equal. The coach has to take a close look at everything and has to make the necessary changes. The player, whoever it may be, has to understand. I always say that everyone wins or loses and that whatever is done is for the good of the team.

What is your secret for this Madrid?
We are preparing a lot more physically unlike before. People in the sports world know it's hard to absorb all this physical work. We've also had new players join us, we've had to recover our team spirit, and I've had to find the ideal gameplan. People here think that a player signs on and that everything will turn out great with the touch of a magic wand. All materpieces take time and the players' conviction.

This Madrid is physically very strong.
Honestly, we are. We're playing very well at the ends of matches.

Many are saying that Madrid are where they are because of you character.
I'm happy to be the way I am... 33 waist size (laughs). Good luck needs to go hand in hand with hard work.

It's safe to say the team has been incredibly lucky.
What's going on is that we have faith in ourselves and we are convinced we can turn things around when in that situation. That's what our team spirit is like.

Do you think Zaragoza were offered bonuses to win?
No one should be paid anything for winning or losing. Everyone has told me it's illegal.

Has the League already been won?
No. We have to pay close attention and concentrate this week because the last games are the most dangerous. We have to be very careful. We can't be thinking about where we're going to celebrate or what we're going to do. The Mallorca match won't be easy.



Did you see the President celebrating the victory with the fans?
I was in the dressing room.

That image upset some Mallorca players.
You haven't won a title until you have it your hands.

So I won't mention Cibeles Fountain.
Please don't. I don't want to hear anything about Cibeles until we have won the League.

I'm assuming Calderón congratulated you for the draw.
Yes, he did. We were happy about obtaining this final result.

[Rasputin]

What's your relationship like with Calderón now?
It's normal. What matters is that we respect one another.

And what about when you hear about Schuster's pre-contract?
I'm not going to speak about it. I'm still working for Madrid.

Even though someone may not be a huge fan of yours, I would say to them that you should stay on as coach if Madrid win the League.
That's a question for the President. We've done great work to this point and have improved in many aspects.

Like what?
This team used to wait for a 'Galactico' to make a play but now we're more of a team. Everyone contributes his share.

Do you see yourself coaching Madrid next year?
It's up to the President, not me. I have a contract and have always said I want to see it through.

Have you already started planning next year's team?
I should be.



What a shame that Beckham is leaving.
It is a pity. He's another player that has regained his physical and psychological prowess after being really bothered about not being called by his national team. Playing for their national teams is very important to players, and even moreso for the English.

You were wrong about Beckham.
We were all wrong. We all made the decision in the sporting area, and it's mostly my fault. Truthfully, we made a mistake with him.

Not just that, but Beckham has responded incredibly.
Very well. He's a great player. He's playing now like he used to with Manchester.

What would you do to keep him?
He would be a very important player for Madrid. I would be happy if the Club told me Beckham was staying.

What Van Nistelrooy has done has been simply amazing.
Ruud is an extraordinary player. He was known for his scoring when he came here and he's met all expectations. He's got a unique sense for scoring.

Who brought Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid?
Pedja Mijatovic. We all wanted him, but it was Pedja's idea. He said we needed a forward and that Ruud was the man for the job.

It's good that you recognise it.
I like to recognise each player's worthiness. Then we share our ideas and reach an agreement. Mijatovic and Baldini have done a great job and the results have been pretty good, especially if things turn out well on Sunday.

On the good side, Van Nistelrooy, and on the bad, Cannavaro.
I've seen all the Italian players who participated in the World Cup and each and every one of them played the first half of their seasons at 60%. Only now are they recovering from the physical and psychological breakdown. Look at Milan. I know Cannavaro and he's a serious guy who has been playing pretty well lately.

But he's not the Cannavaro we saw during the World Cup.
No, but I'm sure he'll be great next year.



And what can you say about Tamudo? You'll have to take him to dinner for what he did.
(Laughs) Absolutely. He can eat and drink all he wants.

Is this week going to be focused more on pyschological work than tactical or physical?
We have to work on a bit of everything. We can't let our guards down.

But you're not much of a talker.
I talk, but some people take 20 minutes to explain something when it should only take one. Everyone knows that people lose interest after five minutes. After listening to someone speak for an hour, I ask "What did he say?"

I heard you speak kind words about Casillas after the Zaragoza match.
I've never spoken badly about him. I only talked about the difficulty of the saves. He's a great keeper.

Any comments about Messi's hand-ball?
He's copied Maradona in both ways now. He is so talented and crafty that I'm sure he'll come up with something else.

I don't know whether to wish you luck or not.
Wish me luck and hard work.

[Rasputin]

Real Madrid and Bwin sign sponsorship agreement

Bwin, the world leader in online gaming, will sponsor Real Madrid's football teams for the next three years according to the deal that was presented today in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The event was presided over by Real Madrid President, Ramón Calderón and Co-CEO of Bwin, Manfred Bodner. Raúl González, captain of the First Team, unveiled the new shirt that will carry the name of the new sponsor.

The deal presented today marked a strategic alliance between two leading companies in their respective industries and grants Bwin the rights to use the image of Real Madrid as an international communication platform. The primary motive for striking the deal is that both brands coincide in their dedication to maintaining and promoting sports, as well as the shared values of leadership, dynamism, and technological innovation, which will allow both entities to emotionally connect with millions of followers around the world.
The agreement stipulates that the brand Bwin will appear on the shirts of the football teams and that the logo of the brand will appear on means of advertising belonging to the Club, both inside the Stadium and out. First Team captain Raúl was responsible for unveiling the shirt embossed with the Austrian company's name. When handed the shirt, the President commented, "It's the shirt of the tenth [European Cup]."



Ramón Calderón: "It fits the philosophy of Real Madrid"
The President of Real Madrid expressed his pleasure with the deal reached with Bwin because “it's a leading company in its sector with tremendous potential for growth, it's young and dynamic with international activity that fits in well with Real Madrid's philosophy, and it carris out its business on six continents," said Calderón. He also stressed Bwin's sports marketing experience, as the company “has deals with several football clubs and other companies related to the sports world. Furthermore, it has one very important thing going for it: It fully understands the passion for football and it helps make sure that that passion is extended among all its fans.” Finally, the President congratulated everyone who “has worked to make sure this deal had a happy ending,” and he closed by saying that “this is an alliance that will help both parties develop their respective strategies.”

For Manfred Bodner, Bwin's global perspective and the ongoing brand development “require members who have the same vision. We have found one in Real Madrid, a true legend in the world of sports.” The Co-CEO affirmed that “we hope to work as a true team with Real Madrid and we aspire to jointly achieve our ambitious objectives.”

Market leader

Bwin is the world leader in online gaming. In comparison to its opponents, the investments made to consolidate the brand have produced greater brand recognition in its desired market. Investments in growth and brand consolidation -sponsoring sporting events, for example- were significantly lower in 2007. One of the primary factors in Bwin's recognition is the number of sponsorship deals it has with prestigious clubs around the world. Additionally, Bwin signed a sponsorship deal with the Portuguese Football League, which has operated under the name “bwinLIGA” since 2005.

In the first trimester of 2007, Bwin reached its goal established in 2004 to be the world leader in its sector for the first time, in both the number of active clientele as well as net and gross revenue generated. Bwin Interactive Entertainment AG is publically listed on the Vienna stock market. Bwin not only has the most diverse range of online gaming, but the most innovative as well. It has proven to be an leading edge company in the design of betting options and the various ways users may credit their accounts, thus guaranteeing clients online entertainment in the most secure manner possible.

[donsaeid]

بنا بر گزارش سايت گل:

ساويولا به رئال مادريد پيوست


مهاجم آرژانتيني تيم فوتبال بارسلونا با سران باشگاه رئال مادريد به توافق رسيده و از فصل بعد براي اين تيم بازي خواهد كرد.



به نقل از سايت گل، خاوير ساويولا در فصل جاري چندان در تركيب ثابت بارسلونا قرار نگرفت و به دليل مهاجم آرژانتيني تصميم به جدايي از نيوكمپ گرفت.

مذاكرات نهايي اين بازيكن با رئال انجام شده و از فصل آينده وي براي مردان سانتياگو برنابئو بازي خواهد كرد.

خوزه ماريا مينگويا، نماينده سابق براي رياست در باشگاه بارسلونا، به شرايط مهاجم آرژانتيني اشاره كرد و گفت: بايد
از مسئولان بارسا سؤال كنيم كه چرا در ديدار برابر اسپانيول، ساويولا روي نيمكت ذخيره بارسلونا حضور نداشت.
وي ادامه داد: به نظر مي رسد اين بازيكن با رئال به توافق رسيده و به مدت چهار روز در مادريد به سر مي برد و همان زمان با آنها به توافق رسيد.

پيش از اين ساويولا از مسئولان بارسلونا خواسته بود كه براي تمديد قراردادش پيشنهاد خوبي را به وي بدهند؛ اما به دليل بد رفتاري وي تصميم گرفت كه روي ساير پيشنهادها را مورد بررسي قرار داد.

[abadani69]

باشگاه لس*آنجلس گالسكي آمريكا با درخواست رئال مادريد اسپانيا براي لغو قرارداد با "ديويد بكام" و دادن اجازه فعاليت به او براي سال آينده در اين تيم اسپانيايي*مخالفت كرد.

بكام طبق قراردادي هنگفت قرار است از امسال به مدت پنج سال به تيم آمريكايي بپيوندد.

روزنامه ورزشي "آس" چاپ مادريد امروز سه*شنبه نوشت: "خوسه آنخل سانچز" يكي از مسوولان باشگاه رئال مادريد با نماينده بازيكن و يكي از مقامهاي باشگاه لس*آنجلس گالسكي براي تداوم حضور بكام در سال آينده در رئال صحبت كرده است، اما آنان با حالتي مودبانه به او پاسخي منفي دادند.

"رامون كالدرون" رييس باشگاه رئال مادريد روز يكشنبه در پاريس گفت كه تلاش خواهد كرد بكام براي سال آينده در رئال باقي بماند و در اين زمينه به تبصره*اي در قرارداد جديد بازيكن انگليسي با باشگاه گالكسي اشاره كرد كه اين اقدام را ميسر مي*سازد.

آس نوشت: چنين تبصره*اي وجود ندارد و در ماه آينده ورزشي، بكام پس از تعطيلات تابستاني خود فعاليتش را در باشگاه آمريكايي آغاز مي*كند.

به اين ترتيب، به نظر مي*رسد مقامهاي رئال مادريد دير به فكر ادامه فعاليت بكام و تمديد قرارداد وي افتاده*اند.

اطرافيان بكام نيز اعلام كرده*اند كه اگر با اين مساله جوري ديگر رفتار شده بود، اكنون تلويزيونهاي تمام جهان در حال انجام گزارش خروج بكام از رئال مادريد نبودند.

در اين زمينه گفته مي*شود شبكه تلويزيوني اسكاي نيوز در حال تهيه برنامه تماشايي وداع بكام با حضور شمار بسياري از همبازيكنان وي و افراد سرشناس جهان فوتبال است.

در ميان آنها مي*توان به"زين*الدين زيدان"،"روبرتو كارلوس" و "فلورنتينو پرز" رييس سابق باشگاه رئال مادريد اشاره كرد.

بكام در رقابت هفته گذشته تيم ملي كشورش از ناحيه مچ پا آسيب ديد و با تيم رئال مادريد در برابر تيم ساراگوسا با مچ پاي باندپيچي شده حضور پيدا كرد.

وي همچنين اعلام كرده است كه به هيچ قيمتي حاضر به از دست دادن حضور خود در برابر تيم مايوركا در آخرين هفته رقابتهاي لاليگا اسپانيا نيست.

[abadani69]

"بليت تمام شد". اين تابلويي است كه از امروز، پنج روز مانده به آخرين مسابقه رئال مادريد در فصل جاري جام باشگاههاي برتر اسپانيا (لاليگا) در مقابل باجه*هاي ورزشگاه سانتياگو برنابئو نصب شده است.

آخرين مسابقه رئال با تيم مايوركاست وهواداران رئال با اميد به شركت در جشن فتح جام پا به ورزشگاه سانتياگو برنابئو مي*نهند.

روزنامه ورزشي "آس" چاپ مادريد امروز سه*شنبه نوشت : اكنون براي هفتمين هفته مكرر، باشگاه رئال مادريد تمام بليتهاي ورودي خود را به فروش رسانده است.

اين رقابت همچون رقابتي نهايي براي رئال مادريد تلقي مي*شود وازاين رو، هواداران اين تيم نمي*خواهند چنين فرصت حساس و كم*نظيري را از دست بدهند.

كارشناسان پيش*بيني كرده*اند ورزشگاه سانتياگو برنابئو كه ظرفيت ۸۰هزار نفر را دارد و ۶۵هزار مكان را اعضاي ثابت آن اشغال مي*كنند، روز يكشنبه جايي براي سوزن انداختن نخواهد داشت.

طبق اين گزارش ۱۵هزار ورودي باقي مانده را به انجمن*هاي هوادار رئال مادريد در سرتاسر اسپانيا اختصاص داده*اند.

به*نوشته*آس،اين احتمال وجود دارد كه شماري ازاعضاي باشگاه كه*نمي توانند روز يكشنبه دراستاديوم حضور پيدا كنند وروديه*هاي خود را در اختيار باشگاه براي فروش بگذارند اما مقامهاي مسوول احتمال آن را كم مي*دانند.

رئال مادريد اكنون با ۷۳امتياز در راس جدول رده*بندي اسپانيا قرار دارد و پس از كسب نتيجه مساوي ۲بر ۲در هفته گذشته در خانه ساراگوسا بسياري از هواداران و حتي رييس باشگاه، تيم خود را برنده اين دوره لاليگا معرفي كرده*اند، امري كه براي "فابيو كاپلو" سرمربي تيم خوشايند نبود.

بسياري از ناظران ورزشي، پايكوبي زودهنگام مسوولان و هواداران رئال را نوعي بي*احترامي به تيم مايوركا و ديگر رقيبان رئال همچون بارسلونا و سوي يا مي*دانند كه هنوز توانايي پيروزي در لاليگا را دارند.

[Rasputin]

[Rasputin]

"Ruud helps me improve; he's always in the right place from which to score"

Gonzalo Higuaín has been in Spain for six months. He came from River Plate. Today, he is one of Real Madrid's most decisive attacking assets. His crucial goals for the team may well be worth the League title, but he says the best is yet to come.





You are close to becoming League champion and your brother Federico is currently on a scoring streak.
I'm very happy for him. I'm sure he'll be happy with our draw on Saturday, which kept us at the top of the table.
Is your dad going to be with you on Sunday?
Yes, he's going to come to Madrid this week. I would like to celebrate the title with him if we win.

It would be your first trophy.
That makes me very happy, but we still have a difficult game left.

You left River Plate for Real Madrid in January. The Club was in turmoil when you arrived. Soon after, Ronaldo left and you found a spot on Capello's lineups. So far you have played 17 games, eight of them from beginning to end -a total of 1,163 minutes- and you've scored two goals. Did you think this would happen when you arrived?
I always thought I would get my chance.



But you've only scored two goals so far...
I'm not too worried about that. I know more will come in time.

Zaragoza's keeper saved four clear chances you had on goal...
César is a great goalkeeper and it's not easy to score all the time. The draw allowed us to remain leaders in the competition. I have to focus on the team right now more than on myself.

The fans were listening to the radio during the game to know how Barcelona and Sevilla were doing. Were you also keeping track of these results?
I was only interested in our game because the outcome of the League depends on what we do. I was dying to play and was lucky to be taken out in the second half.

What have you learnt from Van Nistelrooy?
Spending every day with players like him halps you improve. He's always in the right place from which to score.



There was a great crisis at the Club when you arrived. Did you feel you made a mistake signing for Real Madrid?
No. When times got tough we all decided we could win the League and have proved it since. I have always believed we will celebrate the title at Cibeles Fountain.

[abadani69]

روزنامه ورزشي "ماركا" چاپ مادريد از آغاز جنگ ميان باشگاه*هاي رئال مادريد و آث ميلان ايتاليا بر سر"امرسون" بازيكن برزيلي رئال خبر داد.

اين روزنامه اسپانيايي امروز پنجشنبه نوشت: مقامات ميلان در حال بستن قراردادي با "جيلمار ولوز" نماينده امرسون هستند تا به اين صورت خواسته "كارلوس آنجلوتي" سرمربي تيم ميلان را عملي كنند.

اين حركت مقامات ميلان باعث دلخوري مسوولان باشگاه رئال مادريد شده است چون امرسون هنوز قرارداد با رئال مادريد دارد.

در چنين شرايطي، "گالياني" رييس باشگاه ميلان مي*خواهد پيش از آغاز مذاكرات با همتاي مادريدي خود از امرسون پاسخ مثبت بگيرد.

طبق اين گزارش، مسوولان رئال در اين مذاكرات راه ساده*اي براي ميلان نمي گذارند چون پيش از اين بر سر "كاكا" مهاجم برزيلي ميلان، مقامهاي ايتاليايي هيچگونه چاره*اي براي رئال مادريد نگذاشتند.

طبق اين گزارش، اكنون "رامون كالدرون" رييس باشگاه رئال مادريد در انتظار مقامهاي باشگاه ميلان براي مذاكره در مورد امرسون نشسته است و تصميم دارد مورد كاكا را در اين مذاكره وارد كند.

ماركا نوشت: تمايل كالدرون براي خريداري كاكا تنها موردي است كه مانع از شكايت باشگاه رئال از ميلان براي وارد مذاكره شدن با بازيكني كه قرارداد دارد شده است.

[Rasputin]