Albiol press conference
Raul Albiol participated in the post-training press conference today. Albiol revealed that he is indifferent to the outcome of the Arsenal-Barcelona match and that he chooses instead to focus on Racing Santander. The most worrisome aspect of Real’s play for him is that they have not managed to keep a clean sheet in their recent matches, an element the central defender believes will be integral in winning the La Liga.
David Silva:
He is a different player, magnificent, who is also a great person. He would be a great signing.
Valencia-Atletico:
It will be an attractive match to watch: two great teams with great offensive potential. I think there will be a lot of goals. It is a pity that they are the only two Spanish teams left, but at least one of the two will be in the semi-finals.
Get Silva for Silverware
An even shorter post today as I am totally swamped.
Raúl will leave the club at the end of the season if the club agree to pay out the last remaining year on his contract, according to AS. Why? His worst goals to games ratio in 16 years in the first team.
Its AS again. And Real Madrid have reportedly identified Valencia star David Silva as the prime transfer target for next season. They feel that it is our midfield that needs strengthening considering the possible departures of Guti, Lass, Diarra and Gago. They even went on to say that we almost signed him towards the end of last season.
Zinedine Zidane does not have any doubts about Kaká, thinks Franck Ribery was born to play at Real Madrid, feels Benzema has the talent, but he needs do what Madrid demands of him, thinks Raul is an example and that his attitude is phenomenal and finally even though does not know Pellegrini very well he would maintain him as the coach. Phew!
Milan want Sergio Ramos. Ramos is currently in talks with Real over a contract extension to his current 2013 deal, but the club have deferred a decision because he is asking for €6million per annum. Enough said. Give him what he wants.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Post-match comments
Director General Jorge Valdano expressed his pleasure with the team’s performance following the 3-2 derby win. Manuel Pellegrini offered his impression of the derby victory during the post-match press conference. Atletico Madrid coach Quique Flores was left to rue injuries to Juan Valera and Jose Antonio Reyes as they lost the city derby to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso scored Real Madrid’s first goal of the evening and provided the precision pass that Arbeloa fired home to give the Whites the lead. Higuin later added the third, which proved to be the game-winner. Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Gago, Sergio Ramos and Esteban Granero appeared in the mixed zone following Real Madrid’s victory on Sunday to discuss the significance of the match.
Valdano:
Derbies are always unique. We were a little antsy at first, but in the last ten minutes of the first half and the entire second half we were a whirlwind of energy. The final score doesn’t reflect all the chances we had. We scored three goals again. This team’s scoring streak is quite impressive.
We need to continue winning. We need to go to Santander with the same attitude and our players need to maintain their rhythm. Real Madrid have had an admirable season. We have scored 84 goals and have notched 74 points with nine games to play.
I am very pleased for Arbeloa. He scored a beautiful goal that gave us the lead at a very tough stage in the match.
Pellegrini:
It was important to play well after the restart. We scored three goals and had chances to score more. We had a clear idea of what we wanted and I think the penalty allowed Atletico to gain confidence.
We were somewhat static during the first half, but we controlled every action after the restart. Perhaps we didn’t have clear opportunities during the first twenty minutes, but we they were intense opportunities. The football we played was enough to beat Atletico, which is all that counts.
Atletico are a good team that are competing in three competitions. We had to work hard. What interests me more than the point difference is the way we played and earned a fair victory.
The fact that Cristiano Ronaldo is so aware of the shots that could have been scored is just part of his game. I believe in him and Higuain. They don’t think about being the top scorers, although I hope they finish like that.
We had to beat Atletico and now Racing and Barcelona await. I have complete faith in the squad and in whoever is on the pitch.
Quique Flores:
We have been affected by the departure of Valera and Reyes and especially by the fact they scored so early in the second half. From there, the game has been different.
The start of the second half has been the key. Time would have been our friend had we managed to maintain our concentration and our handling of the situation. But all the goals could have been averted. A stationary ball, an error and a cross. We made a decent effort and we were quite close to achieving something positive.
Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico Madrid
The home stretch of the season kicked off with nothing a derby against Atletico Madrid. Although a tough road block to overcome, winning was all that counted. The Colchoneros gained the upper hand thanks to Reyes, but second half goals by Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and Higuain handed Real Madrid the victory and, once again, the top spot in the table.
Real Madrid were patient in the early going and dictated the tempo with good touches and control of the midfield. But precisely when the Whites appeared to have a handle on the match, Tiago opened a lane for Aguero, who passed to Reyes along the right flank, where the winger curled a tight shot into the corner of Casillas’ net.
It was still early and Real Madrid pushed forward towards De Gea. Higuain and Van der Vaart sent to wayward shots into the stands following crosses by Marcelo. Cristiano Ronaldo later received the ball in the midfield, blew past four defenders and nearly struck gold by sent the ball just wide of the post.
Atletico looked at ease on the pitch, but Real Madrid had the majority of the scoring chances and during the last 15 minutes of the first half laid siege on the Colchonero box. Marcelo’s acrobatic strike was magically cleared by De Gea, Tiago cleared an Higuain shot off the line and Cristiano sent a header off target while all alone in front of goal.
Real Madrid continued their surge forward in the second half and Xabi Alonso scored the equalizer with a repeat performance on the match against Sporting. Albiol sent in the corner and the midfielder, who found himself alone on the far post, found the back of the net.
Seven minutes later, Xabi Alonso sent a long ball to the right flank where a galloping Arbeloa controlled with his chest, dribbled past Dominguez twice and beat De Gea. But there was still more. After Aguero’s header sailed straight into Casillas’ gloves, Higuain capitalized on a defensive mistake and knocked in his 23rd league goal.
Atletico crawled within one after Xabi Alonso was called for a hand ball in the box and Forlan successfully netted the ensuing penalty, but Real Madrid continued looking for more and held on for the 3-2 win. The first final was passed with flying colors and only nine remain.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Gago, Granero (Guti 84′), Van der Vaart (Raúl 78′), Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín (Diarra 91′);
Atlético Madrid: De Gea, Valera (Perea 42′), Ujfalusi, Álvaro Domínguez, Antonio López, Paulo Assunçao, Tiago, Reyes (Jurado 47′), Simao (Salvio 80′), Forlán, Agüero;
Goals:
Referee: Undiano Mallenco
Booked: Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa, Perea
Notes:
- Week 29 of La Liga
- Real Madrid are 10 for 10 in 2010 and have notched all 30 points possible. They have scored 37 goals so far and conceded just over one per match (1.20).
- Nine matches are left and Real Madrid have already set the record for points earned by this stage of the competition, but also on the horizon are the 107 goals scored in 1989/90, a mark the current squad can equal by scoring 26 more goals.
- Real Madrid have scored three or more goals in each of their last ten league games. The only precedent for this took place in the 1951/51 season, when the Whites scored so frequently in seven straight matches. With the three goals against Atletico, the Madridistas overtake the Rojiblanco record of nine matches with three or more goals scored set back in 1941.
- Real Madrid will hold a voluntary training session on Monday only 12 hours after their impressive derby win. Preparations for Racing are scheduled to commence at 10:30 CET.
Played at: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Gimnastica Torrelavega 2-2 Real Madrid Castilla
Real Madrid Castilla jumped out to a quick 0-1 lead when Juan Carlos scored in the first minute of the match. Babu and Collado turned the score around later in the first half, but Castilla surged back in the second and managed to equalize with a late penalty kick taken by Fran Rico. The youth team returns to action on Thursday to play Cerro Reyes.
MATCHSUMMARY:
Gimnastica Torrelavega: Melero; Larrea, Jacobo, Alberto, Mario; Cusi, Siro, Bubu, Nando (Perujo, min. 71); Dani Cobo (Lavin, min. 81), Collado (Jorge, min. 75).
Real Madrid Castilla: Adan; Luis Hernandez (Juanan, min. 67’), Nacho, Gary, Mateos; Cordero, Fran Rico, Sarabia (Juanfran, min. 67), Juan Carlos; Rodrigo, Cristian (Rubén Ramos, min. 77).
Goals:
0-1, min. 1: Juan Carlos
1-1, min. 19: Bubu
2-1, min. 25: Collado
2-2, min. 84: Fran Rico
Notes: Week 31 of Segunda Division B Group II
Played at: El Malecon Stadium.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid | Spanish Primera Division | Round 29 | Preview
Sunday’s derby is the beginning of the home stretch of the season. Only ten matches remain for La Liga to find a winner and Real Madrid have no intention of giving up the top spot in the table. Atletico Madrid haven’t won in the Bernabeu in ten years and the Whites hope to extend that skid as well as push their current home winning streak to 15 straight.
Manuel Pellegrini has called up 18 men to square off against their cross-town rival. Diarra will suit up now that he has recovered from an injured right ankle, but Garay, Kaka, Lass, Drenthe and Benzema are all out. Real Madrid Castilla’s Marcos Alonso and Pedro Mosquera will also be available.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Casillas, Dudek
DEFENDERS: Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos, Metzelder, Marcelo, Marcos Alonso
MIDFIELDERS: Gago, Diarra, Guti, Xabi Alonso, Mosquera, Van der Vaart, Granero
FORWARDS: Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Higuaín
Real Madrid’s primary objective is to earn another win and cross off another date on the calendar as the season begins to wind down, but they also hope to keep their perfect home record intact. The Whites are 14-14 at the Santiago Bernabeu and have yet to let a point leave the Spanish capital.
The Rojiblancos, meanwhile, are in search of three points that will contribute to their ascent in the table, where they are closing in on a spot in next year’s European action. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men have a tough task as they have won only two matches as visitors this year, the last dating back to 9 January against Valladolid.
Ten years after their last win on Madridista turf, Atletico hope to end the skid with the return of Tiago, who has missed the team’s last five matches.
ATLETICO SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Asenjo, De Gea.
Defenders: Valera, Antonio Lopez, Juanito, Ujfalusi, Dominguez, Perea.
Midfielders: Tiago, Camacho, Jurado, Assunçao, Salvio, Reyes, Simao, Ruben Perez.
Forwards: Forlan, Ageero, Ibrahima.
Of the 145 prior encounters between the two teams, Real Madrid have won 78 times, drawn 32 and lost 35 while scoring 258 goals and conceding 196.
Referee: Mr. Undiano Mallenco
Forcing the fifth booking – Atletico pre-preview
Ramos (foreground) to Xabi (background): "Do something like this and we'll be cleared for the Clasico!"
The whole world has already started up build up for the upcoming Él Clasíco at the Bernabéu. I say so because more than El Derbi Madrileño itself the fact that is bothering everyone is whether Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos would force a fifth booking that would see them suspended for the visit to Sergio Canales’ Racing Santander at the Sardinero next week instead of risking an appearance at the title deciding game on April 10/11.
What we must not forget is the fact that Atlético Madrid are the only Spanish team still alive in all three competitions even though they aren’t exactly in contention for the league title. They will play in the Copa del Rey final and they recently qualified to face Valencia in the quarterfinals of the Europa League. None of their players are suspended for the derby against Real Madrid and Tiago was the only one niggled but is now deemed fit to play.
ATLETICO MADRID SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Asenjo, De Gea
DEFENDERS: Valera, Antonio López, Juanito, Ujfalusi, Domínguez, Perea
MIDFIELDERS: Tiago, Camacho, Jurado, Assunçao, Salvio, Reyes, Simao, Rubén Perez
FORWARDS: Forlán, Agüero, Ibrahima
José Antonio Reyes and strikers Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán are in fine form despite Atlético’s current eighth position on the table. Their league form has been full of crests and troughs but Thursday’s victory against Bilbao can only indicate that they’re in fine nick. But what Real Madrid can rely on is the fact that Atlético have never performed in a weekend clash that has fallen after a midweek game. But they are only five points away from reaching Europa League qualifying position, which seems feasible given the fact that they are yet to host games against three relegation threatened sides and have to clash with direct opponents as well.
Their coach and former Madridista Quique Sanchez Flores took over in October and the changes in style he made are just beginning to pay off. The team is more creative in attack now and better on a tactical level. Youth teamers De Gea and Dominguez have become key players and Ibrahima has pulled rank in crucial moments for his team. Then again, the fact that they’ve only won two games (Valladolid, Xerez) and drawn three (Valencia, Tenerife, Racing) on the road favors us.
But St.Iker was spot on with his description of our local rivals. Speaking in a fair play event in the city recently, he said:
Atletico are unpredictable. They are capable of playing the best football around. They’ve pulled through in their decisive games this season. The three points at stake are vital to us to continue aspiring to win La Liga.
Casillas also accepted that Daniel Parejo did nothing wrong in a clash that led to Getafe’s first goal on Thursday night despite Pellegrini labelling him disloyal. He said:
When you dedicate yourself to this sport there are some heated moments and yesterday was one of them. I have nothing to complain about with regard to Parejo. He did what he had to do and he wasn’t at fault at all. He took the ball off me cleanly and the rules are clear. A player doesn’t have to kick the ball out if the referee is right there on the spot.
And frankly our players would’ve done the same thing as Parejo did in a similar situation. Fair play people.
After missing matches against Sporting and Getafe, Mahamadou Diarra has recovered from his injury and is available for action on Sunday. But Pellegrini and co. will be without Garay, Benzema, Drenthe, Kaká and Lass – all of whom remain in sick bay. Castilla’s Mosquera and Marcos Alonso have also been called up. Garay was injured during Thursday’s game and will miss up to 10 days.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:
GOALKEEPERS: Casillas, Dudek
DEFENDERS: Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos, Metzelder, Marcelo, Marcos Alonso
MIDFIELDERS: Gago, Diarra, Guti, Xabi Alonso, Mosquera, Van der Vaart, Granero
FORWARDS: Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, Higuaín
As far as my advice to the team is concerned, I don’t have much to add. The Madrid derby is as freaky as it can get but one thing is clear Atlético can never beat Real in the Bernabéu.
Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Arbeloa, Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Gago, Xabi Alonso, Granero, Van der Vaart, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín;
Prediction: Real Madrid 4-2 Atlético Madrid
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Pellegrini press conference
Manuel Pellgrini held his pre-match press conference on Saturday and the derby and what remains of the season.
"We want Atletico to go another year without winning in the Bernabeu"
Derby:
Atletico will be a tough opponent because they have so many talented players. They are doing well right now and are one of the better teams in La Liga.
The fact that they haven’t won in the Bernabeu since 1999 is just another statistic, but we hope they go another year without winning here.
We must play well. No match is ever the same, so we don’t know if this derby will be easier or harder than the first one we played this season. All that matters is that we need to maintain our form.
Higuain:
Higuain scored several important goals last year. He has shown improvement year after year. He is a strong player and he is hard to stop once he gets going. The fact he is doing so well is by no means a coincidence. He is a great player with a very promising future.
Forcing fifth booking:
Today I am worried about Atletico and then I will be concerned about Racing and then Barcelona. We have two important matches that we must win before hosting Barcelona. I am sure Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos will play the same way as always.
Sergio Ramos to Grada Blanca
In an interview to Grada Blanca, Sergio Ramos stressed the team’s determination to win the league title this season. The defender also praised next opponent Atletico Madrid.
"We'll need the support of our fans in the derby"
Are you having your best moment right now?
I’m having a great moment. I wanted to prove myself after last season and to be the Sergio Ramos of past years. I feel similar to how I felt in my first-ever Real Madrid games, both physically and emotionally. I am excited about helping the team at my best.
What about Real Madrid?
I think the team is having its best moment of the season. We’ve gradually come up with our own style and we now play good football and enjoy ourselves on the pitch. We are fighting for the title with Barcelona. The difference between us is minimal and I believe the best thing we can do is continue to play like we’ve done so far.
The team has only conceded 24 goals in 28 games, less than one per clash on average.
Pellegrini has obviously stressed the importance of tactics and concentration. The defence tries to concede no goals, which is a difficult thing to do. The entire squad is helping out, which helps when it comes down to making counterattacks. In past years, people criticised the team’s defending and now it is worthy of praise.
It must be good to know someone will cover your position when you venture in attack.
That’s essential. You learn about tactics with years. I am more relaxed when I attack now because I know I’m covered.
Albiol and you understand each other perfectly.
That’s good. I’ve known him for years, since we both played in Spanish youth national teams. Being that close helps to do a good job on the pitch. I always feel comfortable when I’m paired with him as centre back. We know what we’re thinking just by looking at each other, but that’s not to say I don’t play equally well next to Garay, Pepe or another team-mate.
The team has scored close to three goals per game on average. Is it more relaxing to see Cristiano and Higuain up front?
Of course it is. It guarantees at least a chance on goal against any team. And we know we’ll score from one in four chances because both of them are in tremendous form. Real Madrid have always had players that make a difference.
Interview with Madridista Mac
I’d like to apologize for the delay in publishing this interview. But here you go. Today on Hala Madrid is Madridista Mac, a fellow Asian Madridista.
Hey Mark. Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m 30 years old, getting married this May (to a Liverpool Fan so you call can imagine how much stick I got from her during our elimination last season in the Champions League). I’m a Filipino of Chinese Descent living in Singapore and an Architect by profession.
I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines – a Basketball-crazy nation: which makes my love for football and Real Madrid a sort of strange thing for someone of my nationality. I played a little bit of the sport (football) until I was about 12 then I stopped and became basketball-crazy like the rest of the country. With no natural athletic ability to speak of however, I eventually became more of an ‘armchair sports fan’: more keen to analyze tactics, strategy as an ‘outsider’.
Sometime late in my University years however, I began the odd habit of catching replays of La Liga Matches on TV (which mostly showed Real Madrid in their galactico days)… the interest in the sport sparked again. In 2004, I left Manila for Singapore to make my Master’s Degree, arriving here at the fever-pitch state of Euro 2004. In Singapore, I found a football-crazy country to start up a true love affair with the beautiful game.
Sadly in Singapore however, the interest on the sport has a blind obsession for English Football (EPL) and a disturbing ignorance for the things that happen beyond it. With Live La Liga games (nevermind the unGodly hours) on TV and being in the age of Internet Streaming matches however, my passing Interest with Real Madrid became true Love as well.
Madridista Mac has become a household name in the blogosphere as far as Madridistas are concerned. How long have you been blogging?
I wouldn’t call it a household name but I’m very flattered its considered by some as that. I’ve been blogging since about 2004-2005. It started out as just a personal thing. It didn’t take long for me to realize how stupid the idea was as I asked myself the question of who am I that people would be interested with what happens in my personal life? Why would you wanna publish a ‘censored diary’ on the net anyway? hahaha…
Madridista Mac started at about 2007 with the intention that it would only be my personal repository of youtube links to Real Madrid goals and highlights…. something for me to go back to if I wanted to recall how certain matches took place. Then every now and then I’d post a thought or 2. Sometimes people would comment and that basically served as motivation to take the blog further. I started following the blog of Corey Fiske of the Real Madrid Offside as well as the now-defunct-but-great The Real Liga. In Corey’s blog, I absolutely enjoyed the discussions and the forum: creating a much bigger buzz about Real Madrid in my head. That buzz turned into articles and commentaries which are now the posts on my blog. Not long after, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Real Madrid Talk podcast with Corey, Kevin Walker from the OwnGoalNetwork and Adam Bader of Real Madrid Talk in Ole Ole.. that just got me more motivated to keep at it.
I still struggle with consistency given that I work in a profession where working 12-16 hours a day is normal. But I still try…
Why did you choose Real Madrid?
There is a one word answer to that question: Zidane
As someone who followed the sport casually (only watching the big tournaments like the World Cup), I began following the sport more closely when Ronaldo was the game’s true phenomenon. You could imagine my shock then when I watched in horror as a bald Frenchman named Zidane destroyed Brazil in the ’98 Final. I hated him for that.
When my passing interest in Real Madrid started, I discovered that Ronaldo and Zidane were actually teammates! It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was watching a true God of the Sport at that point. It was because of Zidane that I learned that football was about more than scoring goals (an essential thing for a basketball fan used to see 100 points scored in a game to convert to the more low-scoring game of football).
Interestingly, I do not fit the Marketing Man’s profile of the asian football fan: they say that asian fans are loyal to the players and not the clubs. I remained loyal to Real Madrid ever since. I followed and supported Real Madrid from the last dark days of the galacticos, Calderon’s rise, his 2 La Liga titles, his fall… down to our now-annual Champions League Failures and onto today’s Florenteam.
Xabi Alonso press conference
Xabi Alonso addressed the media the morning following the team’s 4-2 victory in Getafe.
"We only think about defeating Atletico"
League title:
Every point at stake is vital and the slightest mistake on our part could be very costly. We have to focus on each game at a time and avoid losing perspective by thinking about our clash with Barcelona. We know it will be a decisive game, but more points will still be at stake after it takes place.
Atletico:
We only think about defeating Atletico. They are currently on a high, they have great players and they are perfoming well in the three championships they participate in. They will try to earn a good result at the Bernabeu, where they haven’t won in years. Derbies are always special.
Scoring goals:
Our intention is always to win by scoring as many goals as possible and conceding as few as we can. It’s even better to do so by breaking reacords. We are aware of the importance of the goal average.
Post-match comments
Manuel Pellegrini was satisfied with his team’s victory in Getafe. Getafe coach Michel said his team didn’t even try in the first half of their 4-2 defeat to Real Madrid and noted that the four goal deficit was “impossible” to turn around. Higuain scored two goals against Getafe, tallying a total of 22 this season, the same figure he reached at the end of La Liga last year. The Argentine and team-mate Granero were delighted with the victory.
Pellegrini:
There is no rivalry between Cristiano and Higuain. They are both great players. The team benefits every time our strikers score. They only think about netting strikes that can help the team win, which keeps our goalaverage up too.
The team always strives to play well. It doesn’t just want to win. We always respect our opponents.
Gago played very well. He has to respond whenever he gets a chance, just like the rest of his team-mates. Lass and Alonso each have their own style. They usually play side by side at the Bernabeu, where we’ve won 14 games. Every player is necessary here.
I think Parejo’s goal was rather disloyal. I hope none of my men are ever in a situation like that.
Casillas bruised his ankle. We hope it amounts to nothing and that he recovers as soon as popssible.
Míchel:
The disadvantage which came about was impossible to overcome. We failed with the ball, we only managed to retain possession in the second half when we pressed to lessen their capabilities. In the first half we did not even try.
I did not see it as unfair [Parejos tackle]. All I said [to the assistant referee] was: “If you were from Madrid you’d have protested it”. The linesman understood that I disrespected him and I was sent off but I have never spoken about referees or shown disrespect.
Getafe 2-4 Real Madrid
Real Madrid dominated the match from start to finish and scored four goals before half-time. The Whites’ tenth consecutive victory keeps them at the top of the table before the derby with Atletico Madrid.
The power of leadership
Real Madrid’s first goal came from Cristiano Ronaldo, who yet again scored from a poweful free-kick, sending the ball through one of the top corners of the goal. The strike sealed a perfect first quarter of an hour in which Xabi Alonso acted as playmaker with Granero opening up the team’s game by his side. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain up front Real Madrid were unstoppable.
The second goal came from a perfect effort started off by Gago and sealed by Higuain with a crossed shot (19’). And, as there is no rest for the wicked, the third came again from Higuain after he received the ball from Gago and dribbled past the goalkeeper, facing an empty goal alone.
The leaders wanted more and Ronaldo stepped up, scoring an extraordinary strike following two step-overs from one of the sides of Getafe’s box. The locals managed to net a strike before half-time in a controversial play – Parejo scored when Casillas was lying hurt on the ground.
Getafe had no choice but to give it their best to try to make a comeback. Celestini and Manu came on to help the team react. Miku had the first chance in the second half, but his shot from a cross by Manu was off target (59’). Pedro Leon hit one of the posts just one minute later.
Real Madrid had relaxed a little bit and Leon used that to score from inside the box on the 79-minute mark, but Getafe’s final efforts weren’t enough in the end and Real Madrid snatched a tenth consecutive win in La Liga that keeps them at the top of the table.
Getafe vs Real Madrid | Spanish Primera Division | Round 28 | Preview
Real Madrid’s first of two matches this week is also the first of eleven finals that the team has in play. Getafe will be no pushover, but Los Blancos have plenty going for them having won nine straight matches, the last eight of which by scoring three goals or more, and by setting a new club record for points by this stage of the competition. After Barcelona’s victory on Wednesday, Real Madrid must win to reclaim the top spot which they have held for the last two weeks.
Manuel Pellegrini has yet to announce the squad list for Thursday’s showdown. The Chilean coach will hold one last preparation session behind closed doors today to hash out any last minutes details, but even then Pellegrini has complete faith in a squad that has been “in great form in La Liga” and who has “shown total committmen” from. Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso must serve one-match suspensions and are not available.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS: Casillas, Dudek
DEFENDERS: Arbeloa, Ramos, Marcelo, Garay, Albiol, Metzelder
MIDFIELDERS: Guti, Gago, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, Granero, Mosquera, Juanfran.
FORWARDS: Raul, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain
Beating Getafe on their home turf is never an easy task. Geta have won eight of their 13 matches played at Alfonso Perez Coliseum including impressive victories over Valencia, Athletic, Atletico and Mallorca. According to head coach Michel, “We are very motivated and convinced we will see a positive outcome in our favor. However, I do believe Real Madrid will be the league champion.”
Michel isn’t the only former Madridista now working for Getafe. Seven Azulones once played in the Real Madrid ranks: Parejo, Torres, Adrian, Belenguer, Codina, Casquero and Soldado, the latter whom es expected to miss five weeks due to injury. Also unavailable is center-back Cata Diaz, who tore a thigh muscle in his right leg on Monday.
GETAFE SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS: Ustari, Codina
DEFENDERS: Mane, Berenguer, Mario, Rafa, Cortes
MIDFIELDERS: Celestini, Gavilan, Rios, Parejo, Boateng, Pedro Leon, Casquero, Adrian
FORWARDS: Albin, Manu del Moral, Miku
Referee: Mr. Fernandez Borbalan
Freaky injury worries galore – Getafe pre-preview
Kaka to Diarra: "Welcome to the lame-ass-injury league." Drenthe: "DUDE, Wait for me!" Benzema (to himself): "Where the hell are Guti and Lass?"
¡Hola!
In what one can call a Madridista’s nightmare, Real Madrid are going through a phase in which all its players are either falling injured or having “gastroentitis”.
On Monday and Tuesday Kaká, Diarra, Benzema and Drenthe worked out in the gym along with Pepe. Lass also trained indoors on Monday but on Tuesday was sent home with gastroenteritis. Marcelo has missed every session this week as he has traveled to Brazil to attend to personal matters. And when we thought things couldn’t get worse Guti suffered a blow to his left quadriceps and now has a contracture on the muscle. Yesterday, things got even worse when we heard that an MRI performed at Sanitas confirmed that Lass has left ankle synovitis, which will require medical treatment and physiotherapy until it has healed. So that just means no Lass, Kaká, Benzema, Guti, Marcelo, Drenthe, Pepe and Diarra for Getafe leaving us with a very few choices.
And that means, Chelsea’s £10m target Rafael van der Vaart will get yet another deserved start at the Coliseum. He discussed what is left of the season for Real Madrid with AS. After speaking about the title hopes and the game against Gijón, he said this:
I love hearing that people want me to continue playing here. I want to stay on and help this team win titles. I returned home on Saturday with the noise of all the applause still ringing in my ears. I can play well when I play frequently. I am playing often now, but I know I can improve.
Abel Hernandez (Palermo, ITA) and James Rodriguez (Banfield, ARG). Ever heard of them? They’re linked with Real.
And over to Getafe, our most dangerous Derby rivals, a team even more dangerous than Barça themselves at least according to Marca. A busy week of Derbies starts when Real Madrid face Getafe at El Coliseum on Thursday at 20:00 CET. The derby against Atletico will follow at the Bernabéu on Sunday at 21:00.
Generally when I write a preview for any Real Madrid-Getafe game it’d generally have a lot of “its the return of…” or “… will play against his former club” stuff. But this time I’ve chosen not to do so. Getafe will be without Miguel Torres, Roberto Soldado and Cata Diaz – three of their most important players.
GETAFE SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Óscar Ustari, Jordi Codina
Defenders: Mané, David Belenguer, Mario Álvarez, Fabio Celestini
Midfielders: Jaime Gavilán, Juan Albín, Manu del Moral, Rafa López, Pedro Ríos, Daniel Parejo, Derek Boateng, Miku, Pedro León
Forwards: David Cortés, Javier Casquero, Adrián González
Real like I mentioned earlier are set to miss out on Lass, Kaká, Benzema, Guti, Marcelo, Drenthe, Pepe and Diarra. So that means Lady Gago might make a start. AS reports that Lass is upset because he was substituted during the break on Saturday and which is why he hasn’t trained this week naming several lame injuries as the reason. Guti, who was almost as pathetic as he was against Alcorcon, too might miss the game through a lame ass injury. But I have a strange feeling he won’t. And we all know why Benzema and Kaká are not playing these days. Pepe is genuinely injured. Diarra, well, who gives a damn about Diarra anyways. And that leaves little Marcel. I wonder what has gone haphazard with his life. I just want him to settle everything and get back to training ASAP. We need him.
Manuel Pellegrini will name the squad list later in the day, but it is kind of obvious who will make the cut now. All I want to know is whether he will risk Marcos Alonso tonight.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST (Unofficial):
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Garay, Metzelder, Arbeloa, Marcos Alonso
Midfielders: Gago, Granero, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, Mosquera
Forwards: Raúl, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín
Barça won last night and Ibra scored, so strange things can happen in the league. And that means we are second and there is added pressure on us. We need to stay focused and have got to do the job against Getafe. The last time we played there it ended up being a nightmare. We lost 3-1. Schuster was fired. Sneijder, Pepe and Miguel Torres got injured. And Javier Saviola scored. By no means it is a happy hunting ground for us. We just have to go out there and win the game irrespective of all that has happened before. Its time to bury our past and look ahead. Three points is what we need.
As far as the line up is concerned, I would love to see Raúl start instead of Gago. But I don’t see that happening. Higuaín is in fine form. Ronaldo wasn’t all that good on Saturday but I don’t see that form continuing. Xabi has been pivotal and will continue to be. The defense has been good except for minor slip ups and more importantly luck has favored us. Lets hope the players utilize it and get us back to where we belong – the top of the table.
Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Garay, Arbeloa, Gago, Granero, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo
Prediction: Getafe 1-2 Real Madrid
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Pellegrini press conference
Manuel Pellegrini fielded questions from the media on Wednesday as is routine 24 hours prior to match day.
"We score and we please"
Current form:
We score and we please, and that is what counts. This team is in great form in La Liga.
Injury concern:
I hope Kaka and Benzema are able to rejoin the team next week. They are very important to us and their talent is unquestionable. I am still unsure as to who will start against Getafe. Gago has a chance, but so do the rest of his teammates.
Media:
I no longer have any sense of astonishment concerning anything that has been published in the media recently. This is a democracy and people are free to express what they think. I have the backing of the squad and the club. I have seen total committment from the team.
Interview with Siddharth from Los-Merengues.com
Like I promised yesterday, I have for you today Siddharth Kanjilal from Los-Merengues.com. Here is my interview with him…
Hey, Siddharth. Thanks for taking some time out to answer my questions. Let’s start with some introduction here. Tell us about yourself and Los-Merengues.com.
My pleasure. Well I am basically a 24-year old currently living in Dubai, UAE although I was born in Mumbai, India and spent about 18 years there. Professionally I work as project engineer for a consultancy here in Dubai and have been working for almost two years now. Los-Merengues.com is a Real Madrid blog that I started in November, 2009 basically just to rant about my football team. Its almost like an online diary I maintain but dedicated to Real of course.
Why Real Madrid?
I don’t think there is any specific reason for it, or at least I can’t remember. I did however start following Spain first from as early as 1994 when the World Cup was held in the USA. Over time I started watching club football and I think the emergence of Raul Gonzalez was something that caught my eye and led to me becoming a Madridista. With every game this affection just grew stronger. The FIFA games from EA Sports also had a big part to play in this.
How long have you been a fan of them?
12-13 years now.
In that period which would you call your most memorable and most forgettable Real Madrid moment?
Memorable – When Barcelona had to give us the guard of honor (pasillo) at the end of the 2007-08 season before the second Clasico which we went on to win 4-1.
Forgettable – Almost a season later, same venue, different situation, and the catalans hand us a painful 6-2 defeat. Football is so bittersweet.
If you were to pick a all time best Real Madrid XI, name the players who would make the cut.
Now this is a really tough task. I am going to have to pick a substitutes bench as well in order to accommodate all the great players to have worn our famous white jersey.
Iker Casillas (GK)
Sergio Ramos (RB), Fernando Hierro (CB), Jose Santamaria (CB), Roberto Carlos (LB)
Fernando Redondo (DM)
Luis Figo (RM) Zinedine Zidane (CM) Francisco Gento (LM)
Raul (FW)
Alfredo Di Stefano (ST)
Substitutes: Miguel Gonzalez (GK) , Manuel Sanchis (CB) , Michel Salgado (RB) , Claude Makelele (DM) , Miguel Munoz (CM) , Ferenc Puskas (FW) , Hugo Sanchez (FW)
I know there are so many names I have missed, but can’t help it.
Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain talked to the media about reaching the 100-game mark in the match against Getafe (Thursday, 20:00 CET). The only other players on the squad to have reached such an iconic number are captains Raul, Guti, Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
"I am proud for playing 100 games with Real Madrid"
Getafe:
I will try to enjoy the match. It will be very important for us. We have to take three points.
Title hopes:
There are two months left in La Liga. We have to concentrate hard because we have a great squad capable of winning the title. There is a great atmosphere on the team; it shows on the pitch.
Real/Barca:
We can’t really talk of who’s favourite to win the title yet, but we do feel confident. That’s important. The fact that we’ll play our most complicated games at home is crucial because our fans will help us win.
Dudek to Realmadrid.com
Jerzy Dudek turned 37 today and talked to Realmadrid.com about the team’s objectives and his personal wish to visit Cibeles at the end of the season.
"We want to win La Liga"
Are you enjoying your birthday?
It’s been a really nice day so far. All my team-mates wished me a happy birthday when I entered the dressing room this morning and they brought a cake. I will never forget it.
You are still as excited as ever about football despite being 37 years old.
Goalkeepers are like good wine; the more experienced the better (laughs). I look for things to motivate me on a daily basis, but I’m like a diesel motor. I need to do more warm-up exercises than the rest, but once I’m ready I work to perfection. I have to train hard every day to be ready for whenever I may be needed.
What have you taught Casillas and what have you learned from him?
I like his winning mentality. He is very intelligent and extremely motivated for each game. His reflexes are fantastic and he moves very fast on the goal-line. I try to help him with my experience, but he’s nevertheless got more than enough.
A goalkeeper must feel safe with defenders like Albiol, Arbeola, Ramos, Garay, Metzelder, Marcelo…
We are more solid in defence this year. A goalkeeper benefits from defensive quality. We are proving a team can score many goals while being efficient in the back line.
There are eleven finals left on the road to winning La Liga.
The Clasico will take place on 11 April, but we can’t afford to fail before or after that crucial game.
You’ll face Getafe on Thursday…
Getafe are always a complicated opponent. They also have many players that came from our academy. They will be motivated. It is crucial for us to win games like this. Getafe have good touch on ball and are very patient. We’ll have to concentrate hard.
Interview with The Offside Madridistas – Corey and Bassam
Hey all,
This is a new initiative that I’ve taken to make Hala Madrid more interesting than before, or should I say to make it interesting. And this is something that I have dreamed of – conducting my own interview. So where better to start with than the Blogosphere, I thought. And ergo I chose to interview a handful of the famous and the best Real Madrid bloggers around with reference to Real Madrid.
Today I have for you guys Corey and Bassam from The Real Madrid Offside team who gladly obliged to answer the questions that I had for them despite their busy schedule. So without further adieu, let the show hit the road.
Hi guys, I am sure all Madridistas know you well enough, but for others sake, please introduce yourselves.
Corey: My name is Corey and I am the Real Madrid and Spain editor/blogger on the Offside, as well as being a contributing author to sites like La Liga Weekly.
Bassam: Hey! I’m Bassam. Die hard Real Madrid fan, obviously. Of middle-eastern origin, Lebanon to be exact, but moved to California a year ago. Regretting the decision due to football coverage. Watching games on the TV is so under-rated.
Like we all know, you are the writers at The Real Madrid Offside. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Corey: The Offside is a football blog dedicated to both national and club teams, which got started a couple of years back and has won several blogging awards since then. I took over the Real Madrid page a little under three years ago, and have since had tremendous success due to a very passionate fan base.
Bassam: Well I’ve been helping Corey out in the Real Madrid offside. I’ve been providing review of games regularly for the past couple of months. I also provide some midweek posts on random Real Madrid related subjects whenever I can, and whenever Corey needs the help. The Real Madrid Offside is really an amazing place, with really regular and knowledgeable posters.
Next question, quite a simple one so to speak and something that I’ve asked all Madridistas. Why Real Madrid? And can you tell us about your life as a Real Madrid fan, as in for how long you’ve been supporting Real and why etc.?
Corey: The simple truth is that it was the first European club I ever stumbled upon, as they had won the Champions League in 1998 and there was mention of it here in the US on ESPN, as well as on the internet. They were also the team I played as in FIFA 2002 and on, which further endeared them to me. Even though I was introduced to Real Madrid through various forms of media, what really got me hooked were the all white kits, the amazing players who wanted to play for the club, the culture of winning at the club and the determination to play beautiful football while winning. As an impressionable young man, it was pretty easy to get swept up in the mystique of Real Madrid.
Bassam: Why not? I started watching football (soccer) when I was around 9 years old. First game I ever watched was a Classico. Real Madrid beat Barcelona and it started there. I’ve been a fan for around 11 years now, and I’ve barely missed a game since 2003. I’ve been through the slump of no trophies for three years, and I still supported this team and got pissed after every bad pass. I’m hooked. Let’s not forget that Madrid used to play Champagne football, so you can’t not love them.
When it comes to Real Madrid, it’s mostly about the players we’ve possessed. Anyone whom you idolized in particular?
Corey: The team that I remember most fondly was the team of the Galacticos in 2002. I have always though of Zinedine Zidane as being one of the most gifted players to ever play the game, and to see hip stropping around the field as a Real player was a real gift. But my favorite player has and always will be Raul. The first Madrid kit I ever bought (which cost me an arm and a leg as they were for sale in the US at the time) had Raul’s name on it, and when I scored goals I use to kiss the ring just like Raul. Raul, Guti, Hierro, Casillas, Salgado etc were all great servants to the club in that era and I really idolized that team.
Bassam: Definitely Iker Casillas! He hardly has a bad game, and even when he does have one, his game is at a standard so high it puts him over 99% of goal keepers. His passion to help the team is amazing. He held the team on his shoulders for many years. If you want an outfield player, then I would have to go with De Stafino. You have to admire someone who has been there for around 50 years and more.
Which would you cite as your most memorable Real Madrid moment?
Corey: There have been a lot of ups and downs the past decade, but I would say the Capello title win on the last day was great. The Champions League in 2000 and 2002 were exciting, as were several other titles, but the Capello title of 2007 will live long in the memory, as it demonstrated the great spirit of the team and the magical power of the Bernabeu. Del Bosque’s title in 2003 was exciting too because Sociedad really put up a fight.
There were also some great nights when canteranos played their first games, like Roberto Soldado, Ruben de la Red, Javi Garica, Borja and Balboa, which I will never forget because I kind of projected myself on to those players as I wished I could wear the shirt like they were.
Hopefully La Decima will be my most cherished moment some day…
Bassam: Can you really choose? If I had to pick, it will go down to the comeback win in the 2006/2007 season or the Guard of honor made by Barcelona in the second Clasico of 2007/2008 for the team since they had already sealed the league title. I will go with the latter because of your second question.
Real Madrid Castilla 2-3 Vecindario
Castilla had a strong start to the game. They dominated the entire match, having more chances on goal than Vecindario, but the latter were more effective in the end and snatched a victory at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
REAL MADRID CASTILLA: Adan; Luis Hernandez, Mateos, Juanan, Marcos Alonso; Sarabia (Juanfran, 62′), Fran Rico, Mosquera, Juan Carlos; Rodrigo, Cristian (Ruben Ramos, 73′).
VECINDARIO: Santi; Karin (Michel, 45′), Dorta, Ruiman, Fran; Ruben, Oscar, Poncho, Yeray Ortega; Yeray Lopez, Yoni (Ciani, 77′).
GOALS:
1-1 (26′): Yoni
2-1 (44′): Cristian
2-2 (48′): Ruben
2-3 (90′): Jorge
Referee: Mr. Torralba Jimenez.
Booked: Luis Hernandez (9′); Ruiman (20′); Michel (58′).
Notes: Segunda Division B, Group II, Matchday 30. Real Madrid Director General Jorge Valdano attended the match.
Venue: Alfredo di Stefano.
Granero press conference
Esteban Granero discussed Real Madrid’s midweek match against Getafe and the keys to victory during Monday’s player press conference.
"We are in the best form we have been in all season"
Run in:
On Saturday we learned a lot about what we need to do heading into the future. There was a lot of constructive criticism and plenty of notes that will help us improve. All we are doing now is thinking about our next match. We cannot lose or else we will fall off the track. We have learned that we cannot get ahead of ourselves. We will begin thinking about Atletico on Thursday night once the match concludes, and once the derby is over we will begin preparing for the Clasico.
La Liga:
This is a very competitive league between the top two teams. We have lost very few points and we would sit comfortably top any other league right now. We are the leaders and we control our own destiny. We will remain calm as long as we continue winning.
Real Madrid:
We continue improving and are in the best form we have been in all season. All this means is that we’re on an upward track.
Post-match comments
Manuel Pellegrini was satisfied with Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Sporting Gijon. Real Madrid’s equalizer against Sporting Gijon had a fair amount of controversy about it, and Manolo Preciado believes it was a pivotal moment. Van der Vaart, Alonso and Higuain scored Real Madrid’s three goals tonight, giving the team its ninth such straight victory this season. Esteban Granero believes that they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Pellegrini:
We didn’t play well in the first half. We were unable to bring Sporting’s defence down. What matters is we were able to react after conceding a goal and we improved considerably in the second half.
It isn’t normal for us to have to turn the score around at home. We normally net the opener and play differently. It is hard to defeat Sporting. They defend well away from home and they are dangerous in their counterattacks.
The team won. That’s what’s important. I think it is impossible to win every game by also playing well. We didn’t just win; we also scored three goals.
Preciado:
Juan Pablo said that he handled it. If he did, it had a little influence. We played a very good game. We came very close. I am not going to comment on the refereeing. They are humans, who can make mistakes sometimes. We didn’t get any points, but sometimes points are not the most important thing.
Just another Madridista
Hala Madrid 
Tuesday round up
Happy birthday Sergio Ramos,
It will be a shorty today. So let me get started straight away. And its Seydou Keita who has made the first cheap shot at Real ahead of El Clásico. The Malian midfielder while speaking to the press ahead of Barça’s game at Arsenal was asked about Real’s triumph at home against Atlético. Like the smug son-of-a-b*tch that he is, Keita’s reply was:
And when asked what his comments were based on he quoted Michel’s statements prior to the Getafe game when he said Madrid were going to win La Liga. How more lame can he get?
Retaliation was mandatory. And it was Raúl who did the honors. Not El Capitan but Raúl Garcia. And I must admit for a Rojiblanco it was a pretty smart one. He said:
It was indeed lack of respect but since the feelings are mutual I don’t think we need to bother.
Its official. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos got their fifth booking and thus will miss the Racing game via suspension. Real Madrid returned to training today to prepare for the weekend’s game at El Sardinero. Albiol was out with a niggle. While Benzema, Kaká, Garay, Drenthe and Pepe were still in the gym. The atmosphere in training was apparently celebratory as the team congratulated Sergio Ramos on his birthday and Xabi Alonso on becoming a father for the second time. Hala Madrid passes on its own congratulations.
And finally a Goal.com special to round off this post. Read this.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
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March 30, 2010 | Categories: Comments, Happy Birthday!, News, Transfer Rumours | Tags: Álvaro Arbeloa, Liverpool FC, Raúl Garcia, Raúl González Blanco, Seydou Keita | Leave a comment