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.
Tenerife pre-preview
Happy Birthday Pepe,
Pepe turned 27 today. Woah! TWENTY SEVEN. I never knew he was that old. Anyhoo, the injured Portuguese was surprised at the Valdebebas today by his team-mates and he told us about it and a lot more. The lot more part doesn’t matter. But this is what he told us about the surprise:
Upon arriving today, my team-mates told me I had to come out for the coach’s team talk. I thought it was a bit strange because I never join them for that. I asked the coach about it and he told me I had to be there because I am part of the team. I started to talk to everyone and I didn’t notice Raul, Iker, Sergio and Guti were missing. They suddenly came up behind me singing Happy Birthday. It was a very moving surprise.
Spaniards love Spaniards. Ramos likes Navas and Cesc likes Canales. While Navas is being strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu this summer, Canales is already heading there. This is some real good news. Wooo. Ramos said that he would choose Navas over Ribery any day whereas Cesc had this to say about Canales:
It’s good to see a Spanish team spending money on Spanish guys. I’ve noticed that [Canales] has scored some nice goals, but I haven’t seen him enough to know him really well.
Sticking to Spaniards, Vicente Del Bosque announced his squad for Los Rojos’ midweek clash against France in France. Five Madridistas and one other Madridista on loan made the cut.
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Reina, Diego López
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Puyol, Marchena, Albiol, Capdevilla, Arbeloa
Midfielders: Senna, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Xavi, Cesc, Iniesta
Forwards: Mata, Silva, Navas, Villa, Torres, Güiza, Negredo
Pablo Hernandez, Fernando Llorente and Iraola are the key players missing from the squad. It is being rumored that this will be Del Bosque’s squad for South Africa but the coach says the door is still open for other players.
And now – tomorrow’s game.
New York Red Bullocks!
Happy Birthday Rafael van der Vaart!
Raul could be on his way out of Real Madrid as New York Red Bulls of the MLS are reportedly close to reaching an agreement with him.
According to Marca, those bloody Americans have made Raul an offer comparable to what the he is earning at Real at the moment. It is know to all that El Siete recently expressed his desire to play in America one day and it now looks like a move could now be on the horizon. El Capitan‘s current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2011, but reports suggest that Real could be tempted to let go of him in the near future in order to reward him for his achievements for the club.
New York Red Bulls are hoping to build a team containing several European superstars including Thierry Henry and Paolo Maldini. Though there is no official word yet regarding this issue I must tell you that it worries me. I had a similar feeling when Ruud left as well and it turned out to be true. I am having a very strange feeling that this too will materialize.
I love Raul. I have said this before – Raul was one of the reasons that I started supporting Real Madrid back in those days. And as much as I feel he must play somewhat a more passive role I want him here at the club. I want him to retire at Real Madrid. I want him to end his glorified career here that would put him right up there with Sanchis, Bernabeu, Chendo, Camacho and other famous one-club men. We are in his 16th year at Real Madrid and one more season would put him one behind Sanchis at second in the list of longest serving Real Madrid players.
Fingers crossed.
C’mon you Whites: Espanyol pre-preview
First and foremost a very happy birthday to Cristiano Ronaldo. May he live long and win more and more red cards… damn… I must have meant titles. Anyhoo, that’s all about Cristiano in today’s post. Perdone! Fans de Cristian!
Espanyol! I love Espanyol. They’re a very freaky side. One season they’ll topple us with a freaky Tamudo goal and in the other they’ll fall for a Raul brace or a Guti free-kick. They are entertaining as hell either ways. Moreover, they too hate Barca which makes them like us (Foe of a foe is a friend, isn’t it?). Moving on, Espanyol it is come tomorrow and we can have a jolly good time at the Bernabeu from 22:00 CET.
Manuel Pellegrini conducted his second to last training session on Thursday in preparation for this weekend’s match against Espanyol. Lass and Van der Vaart joined their teammates after jogging in solitary on Wednesday. Arbeloa, Guti, Metzelder and Garay, meanwhile, worked out in the gym. Pedro Mosquera, who has become a common sight around the first team’s training pitch, participated in yesterday’s session as well.
So basically, Sergio Ramos should partner Albiol in central defense again while Lass will drop in at right back and Marcelo on the left should Arbeloa stay in the gym until Monday. Van der Vaart or Gago most probably will replace Guti in central midfield and that will see Granero take up Guti’s role. But then again that is only if Guti is deemed unfit for the game. Higuain and Benzema to play upfront. You-know-who is suspended in case you didn’t know who was suspended.
Happy Birthday Maria Gonzalez Redondo!
‘El Capitan’ Raul became a fifth-time father on Friday morning when Maria Gonzalez Redondo was born. She weighs 2.9 kg, is 48 cm tall and is in perfect health under the watch of Dr.Carmen Casquet at Monteprincipe Hospital in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid.
Happy Birthday Maria!
And congratulations to the captain.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Xabi Alonso to Realmadrid.com
Xabi Alonso will turn 28 on Wednesday. Real Madrid are set to face FC Zurich at the Bernabeu and the player believes a victory against them would be a great birthday present.
Your birthday is on Wednesday. There couldn’t be a more perfect present than a victory against FC Zurich, right?
A victory against FC Zurich is vital. We want to win the match and I hope it gets us a ticket to the Last 16. It would be a nice birthday present.
They don’t have much standing in Europe, but they proved they can defeat any team when they played at San Siro.
Nowadays any team can defeat you if you don’t do your best. The Swiss surprised Milan by defeating them 1-0 in Italy. We will suffer if we fail to be in top form.
You defeated them 5-2 in Switzerland. I guess the match at the Bernabeu will be similar; Real Madrid will dominate from the start and Zurich will try to capitalise on counterattacks and set pieces.
We hope to control the game. Scoring an early goal will be key to prevent them from growing confident. We must take things slowly and be cautious.
What is the team’s goal in the group stage?
We want to reach the Last 16. It would be even better to do so as group leaders. We depend on Milan because they’ve won the goal average against us. We’ll have to wait and see.
What do you think will happen in the group’s other game?
Marseille are a very good team and I believe the match will be even. Marseille have improved considerably lately and I wouldn’t rule out a surprise on their part at San Siro.
What’s better for Real Madrid, Milan’s victory, a draw or Marseille’s victory?
I’d prefer to seal our pass to the next round, even if it means both Milan and ourselves win our home games. I want to have the peace of mind of being in the Last 16. We’ll play for the leadership in the last match.
Metzelder to Realmadrid.com
Christoph Metzelder, who today celebrates his 29th birthday, sat down with Realmadrid.com to comment on his special day and the team’s upcoming schedule of matches.
How do you feel on you birthday?
Good. I am healthy and training. My family is coming in today so I am very happy.
How are you going to celebrate?
I’m just going to relax with my mom, my brothers and my friends. I cannot wait to have my mom’s traditional German apple tart. I love Spanish food, but I also miss my mom’s cooking.
Was the point earned at San Siro a good early birthday present?
Yes. It was an important point that allowed us to hold on to the top spot and take a big step towards the Last 16.
Another good present would be a derby victory.
We have won the last four matches against Atleti and hope to extend the streak. It will be tough because teams with new coaches are usually very motivated, but let’s hope that isn’t the case on Saturday. I would love to play in the Vicente Calderon because it’s a stadium I have yet to add to my list.
And the best would be a turnaround against Alcorcon on Tuesday.
We played poorly in the first leg and want to turn it around in the Bernabeu. A lot depends on the first few minutes and whether or not we score an early goal.
Fans will be out in full force. In four hours on Wednesday 15,000 tickets were sold.
Madridistas always support us. We all want to turn this tie around, and anything is possible in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Garay to Realmadrid.com
Exequiel Garay turns 23 today. The defender told Realmadrid.com that he is very happy for having his first birthday as a Madridista.
Happy birthday!
Thank you very much. I’m very happy because I always get excited about birthdays and this one is a little bit more special. I turn 23 today and I am gradually becoming a man. Time flies by and we must be happy with what happens every day of our lives. I try to enjoy every instant of life with the people that are with me and I thank God for the good things in my life.
What’s the best thing about this birthday?
The best thing about it is that I can be with my family and that I play for Real Madrid, the greatest club in the world. This is a dream come true and I will never forget this birthday because it is the first I spend at the club for which I wanted to play as a child.
Which would be the best present with which to celebrate these 23 years?
The best present on a personal level is to be healthy and to see my family is well; they are the ones who make me happy. Professionally I’d like to play many games with the Real Madrid shirt and win many titles for the Club.
How are you going to celebrate?
With my parents, my two little brothers and with two friends.
What is your wish?
I want to climb on Cibeles to celebrate as many titles as I can with Real Madrid. My team-mates have already won trophies with this team and they’ve told it is impressive to celebrate a triumph at Cibeles. I can’t wait. We’ll have to work hard and do our best in every competition.
What do you think of Alcorcon, your first opponents in the Copa del Rey?
They are a great rival we must deeply respect because they will face Real Madrid in a beautiful championship. That will motivate them. They come from a nearby town and I’m sure it will be a nice clash for everyone in the city.
We hope you are very happy this year.
Thank you. I hope it is a very happy year both for myself and for Real Madrid.
More comments as the Internatio-dull fixtures near
Comments galore. We have Cristiano, Xabi, Albiol, Guti and several more to come.
Before leaving for Sweden with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo told AS he is delighted at the Club.
Our goal is to win titles. This is Real Madrid. The Club’s history demands that we always think about winning. There’s no room for excuses at this great club. I am very demanding with myself. I am going to work very hard to reach the level I’m used to having. I felt the fans’ support against Deportivo and it helped.
I’m the same Cristiano. I still have the same drive and hunger for victory. This is just the start of the season, so it’s normal for me not to be 100% in form. It’s a matter of time and I’m working hard to reach my usual level of play. I’ll probably end up playing better than I’ve ever done before.
My goals from free-kicks will come soon. I hope I score one against Espanyol. I have faith in my chances.
I have a lot of fun at Real Madrid. This is a great team and the Club is incredible. We’ve played ten games together and we are gradually understanding each other better. Playing for Real Madrid is a dream come true.
Xabi Alonso gave a press conference after training with Spain. The midfielder had a bandage on his right leg due to suffering a harsh tackle from Arbeloa during the session. Damn!
These things happen. This bruise will amount to nothing. There is a lot of competition on the national team. That’s good because it adds intensity to our training sessions.
I must respect the opinion people have about my role on the national team, but we performed well in many of the games In which I shared midfield duties with Xavi. We’ve analysed what happened in the Confederations Cup and we’ve drawn positive conclusions from it. Tournaments like that allow no room for mistakes. The first goal we conceded against the US hurt us and we were nervous in the final stages of the match. I hope we’ve learned our lesson and that the experience helps us in the World Cup.
We need to train this much because we hardly have any time on the national team. It’s different at a club because you have more time to prepare and to try out different things. I’d rather work like theatre actors do; in the weekend you see the results they’ve been working for all week.
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