Lets get ready to rumble!
I… SHOULD… NOT… BE… NERVOUS…
…I am not sure about the players, but I am nervous. It is a must win game tonight which will be followed by yet another must win game. And that is just making my fears worst. It could be the best week ever or the worst one ever. A bit of both could also happen…
I… MUST… HOPE.. FOR… THE.. … …BEST…
…Hopefully there will be no injuries and we’ll go into the midweek game with loads of ketchup and squeeze more out of Lyonnais cunts. Then probably we’ll draw Man United and smack them around the park like we always do and then maybe we’ll draw Barcelona in the semi-finals and beat the livin’ crap out of them like last time and progress to the finals where we will have Bayern Munich and big mouth Van Gaal. A neat 6-0 win in the finals would just be the icing on the cake. By then we’ll be the kings of …
I… MUST… FOCUS… ON… SEVILLA… NOT… LYON…
…As far as the game tonight is concerned, Xabi Alonso has made himself available despite having some trouble in the abdominal region yesterday after training. Marca has said that the Spanish midfielder will feature tonight. He has to. He won’t be available for midweek…
Thursday round up
Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas: Future Madridistas?
¡Buenos dias!
After a good round of International friendlies which saw all the Madridistas return victorious and without any injuries whatsoever the focus returns to the Primera Division and the big game against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Kaka played in the 0-2 victory against Ireland for Brazil on Tuesday and returned to training yesterday. Former Madridista Robinho got the goals for the Brazilians. The Spaniards were victorious in France for the first time since 1968 and won by two goals to nil thanks to goals from David Villa and Sergio Ramos. Casillas, Albiol, Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso too were a part of the side. Lass had to end up on the losing side. Gonzalo Higuain got only his second goal in Argentina colors which turned out to be the winner in the eventual 1-0 win over Germany. Cristiano Ronaldo and Van der Vaart too were successful. Ronaldo made an assist to the first of two goals for his side against the People’s Republic of China. Hugo Almeida and Liedson sealed a 2-0 victory for the hosts. Van der Vaart was a second half substitute for the Dutch National side which defeated the United States of America 2-1 at the Amsterdam Arena. Kuyt and Huntelaar got the goals for the Oranje whereas Bocanegra got the consolation goal for USA.
We play Sevilla on Saturday in the 22:00 CET kick-off game at the Santiago Bernabeu. And considering the magnitude of the game and whatever is at stake there has been a lot of talking going on more about Real’s interest in the in-form Jesus Navas right in the middle of it that about the game itself. But we’ll get to Navas later in this post. Right now lets just concentrate on the game.
I’d rather die than apologize to him…
Buenos dias,
On a day that saw Real Madrid retain the top spot in the Deloitte Football Money League for the second consecutive year what I have for you is a whole lot of comments. And that means I do not have much to write here. But what I can assure you is that these comments are really interesting, so much that, I couldn’t pick out the best few lines for you to read. Trust me, you will like it.
El Pais asked Zinedine Zidane whether he regrets his actions in the 2006 WC final that saw him head-butt Marco ‘Son-of-a-bitch’ Materazzi to get himself expelled via a red card leading to France’s loss to Italy eventually through a penalty shoot-out. And this is what he had to say:
Of course I reproach myself. But, if I say ‘sorry’, I would also be admitting that what he himself did was normal. And for me it was not normal. Things happen on the pitch. It’s happened to me many times. But I could not stand it there. Because moreover…it is not an excuse. But my mother was ill. She was in hospital. This people did not know. But it was a bad time. More than once they insulted my mother and I never responded. But there…and it happened.
And to apologise for this…if it was Kaka, a regular guy, a good guy, of course I would have apologised. But to this one… If I ask him forgiveness, I lack respect to myself and to all those I hold dear with all my heart. I apologise to football, to the fans, to the team… After the game, I went into the dressing room and told them, ‘Forgive me. This doesn’t change anything. But sorry everyone’. But to him I cannot. Never, never…it would be to dishonour me…I’d rather die. There are evil people. And I don’t even want to hear those guys speak.
I don’t know why he should regret what he did. I think he should’ve gone on to beat that cunt up in front of the millions of people watching. Sledging is common these days. I agree. Zidane could’ve just moved on and not done anything about it. And thats what he did initially. But repeated provocation is something that no human with emotions can handle. And they will try and vent out that anger. Some might just laugh it off, some cry out and others beat the other person up. I am sure no Frenchman/Madridista regrets whatever he did. I bet half of the Italians were on Zizou’s side on the issue. Anyhoo, bygones are bygones. We have to move on.
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.
Oh you beauty! ft. Alvaro Negredo
It was a weekend full of Madridista magic. First Guti’s backheel at the Riazor and on Sunday night the one below from Alvaro Negredo against Valencia at the Pizjuan. Get the bloke back I say!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Loan Watch: Negredo scores the winner at Camp Nou
Substitute Alvaro Negredo made no mistake from the spot to put Sevilla in control ahead of next week’s second leg at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Sevilla stunned holders Barcelona with a 2-1 win at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Copa del Rey fifth round tie.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Álvaro Negredo shining
Since making his debut for Sevilla against Valencia, coming as a substitute in the 37th minute on a 0–2 away loss, Negredo has scored twice in the league. On his second appearance, he scored his first goal, against CA Osasuna, in an eventual 2-0 home success. And last week he opened the scoring against Xerez in a 2-0 win in Xerez.
He is yet to open his account in the Champions League though.
On October 6, Negredo received his first call to the Spanish senior team, for a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Armenia (on the 10th), following the injuries to David Villa and Daniel Güiza. He made his debut replacing Fernando Torres early in the second half, in an eventual 2-1 away win. Four days later, Negredo started and scored twice (also providing two assists) in another away fixture, against Bosnia and Herzegovina (5-2 triumph), as Spain eventually won all ten group matches.
Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-5 Spain
Spain joined a select group of teams to record a perfect 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying record tonight, making it ten wins out of ten in European Zone, Group 5 with a 5-2 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica.
La Roja followed in the footsteps of countries such as West Germany in 1982 and the Netherlands this campaign by winning all their preliminary matches, sweeping aside the second-best team in their pool thanks to early goals from Gerard Pique and David Silva, and two in the second half from Alvaro Negredo on his first start for his country. Juan Mata then added a late fifth with his third goal in successive internationals before Bosnia-Herzegovina, who were already assured of a spot in the play-offs before this match, pulled two goals back in injury time from Edin Dzeko and Zvjezdan Misimovic to add a touch of respectability to the scoreline.
Tonight’s victory will further establish Spain’s credentials as one of the main favourites to win next year’s FIFA World Cup – especially because they were missing the likes of Xavi, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Carles Puyol and Cesc Fabregas. But Vicente del Bosque’s side will know it could have been a completely different story if Bosnia-Herzegovina had made the most of their early chances.
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, playing his 99th match for his country, was in inspired form to keep the home side at bay. The Real Madrid custodian was first called into action in the seventh minute to parry Dzeko’s effort, and moments later he did even better to push away Sejad Salihovic’s shot as it arrowed towards the top corner.
The Spain goal should have been breached in the tenth minute, though, when Vedad Ibisevic latched on to a clever through-ball and rounded Casillas. But with an open net to aim for, the Hoffenheim striker sliced his shot wide of the near post.
That miss took on extra significance within three minutes, Spain netting twice in that time through Pique and Silva. The former broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, when he beat Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper Nemanja Supic to Xabi Alonso’s curling free-kick to glance home a header, and then seconds later Silva coolly slotted home from the edge of the box after Negredo’s pin-point through-ball had bisected the home centre-backs.
Trash-talking Andalusians – Sevilla pre-preview
Tonight in a highly anticipated clash we meet a Sevilla team, at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, that is just one victory away from us. Sevilla have won 4 out of their 5 matches after losing to Valencia on the opening day of the Primera Division. With Barça already winning last night, 1-0 at home to Almeria, the pressure is now on us to win and ergo catch up with them. But Sevilla is no simple task. Despite the fact that we beat them away at Sevilla last time out thanks to a Raul hat-trick and with the injury plagued team we had, it will still remain to be a tough game for us and probably our first test after the Villareal game turned out to be a cakewalk.
First up some team news – we will be without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lass apart from the injured Gago, Arbeloa and Rutegrus. Ronaldo didn’t pass his fitness test and Lass is still recovering and hence both of them will stay back in Madrid and should mostly feature against Valladolid next weekend. Gago and Rutegrus will be out for a while. Van der Vaart and Metzelder though will return to the squad. As far as the probable lineup is concerned I shall go with…
Casillas
Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Marcelo
Mahamadou Diarra, Xabi Alonso
Granero, Kaka
Higuain, Raul
Last time out my prediction was a tragedy. Hell, I’ve just started doing this so stop blaming me.
Alvaro Negredo, yes our very own canterano, now serving Sevilla, has been bad-mouthing us ahead of the match. He while revealing his frustration with Real Madrid’s decision to buy a new striker during the summer rather than keeping their assurance that he would be given a chance to shine has he had high hopes of remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu after being re-signed from Almeria. He told reporters in Spain:
I was told that they rated me, but ultimately I did not ever play and that’s why I decided to leave. They should have trusted me, rather than Karim Benzema. They preferred to spend money and bet on him becoming a star rather than a player from Castilla.
Negredo saga comes to an end as the player moves to Sevilla
Alvaro Negredo has been sold. After more than two weeks of speculation which saw him being linked with Hull City, Tottenham, Villareal, Zenit and Zaragoza, the player has finally been shown the door at Real by transferring him to the sandy pitches of Sevilla for around 15m Euros. The deal includes a buy back clause of 17m Euros after one season and 21m Euros after two. This is considered by many as a move which would see him come back once Ruud retires.
The official statement:
Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alvaro Negredo to the latter club. Real Madrid CF has the right to purchase the player back in the next two seasons.
I don’t know what to say. As long as we don’t lose him forever I shall remain quiet.
Another never ending saga which is nearing its end is the Wesley Sniejder to Inter Milan one. However, although the player’s agent Soren Lerby confirmed that a deal had been agreed between Real and Inter, he added that Sneijder has yet to decide whether to commit to the Serie A giants. He told De Telegraaf:
I have received a phone call from Real that a deal has been done. I have spoken to Wesley, but at the moment he doesn’t know what he wants. He will think about that now. If he is interested in a move, we will have a meeting and look if they can meet his demands.
I am very very tentative about this move. I don’t like it. We cannot lessen the depth of our squad this way. Sneijder is a superb player. No doubt about it. We do need him. Yes we do have other good players but we are also competing in three competitions and if we want to emulate Barca then we will have to keep the players who offer us a different dimension. Plus we cannot be continually strengthening our Champions League opposition at the same time weakening ourselves. Huntelaar to Milan, Heinze to Marseille, Negredo to Sevilla, 80m to Man United. What the hell man!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
P.S: Oh yeah, Michel Salgado is in Blackburn. Good luck to him.
Eat, poop, sleep, cry.
Saludos,
Have you ever wondered what 4 hours of sleep and one meal a day with permission only for pooping and crying for a whole week can do to a healthy man? Well, think no more of it. This whole purpose of this post is to answer that very question. Surprised? If so, go ahead and read the whole post and tell me if you understand what I am trying to convey here or not. On the other hand, if you aren’t surprised, then get the hell out of here for You have gained the Ultimate Knowledge.
Anyhoo, I shall take an example of the press who seem to have experimented on the whole scenario. A few reporters were made to go through the ordeal. The results were published on every alternate day i.e. on Day 1, 3, 5 and 7 of the week. And they were as follows…
Day 1
The subject is getting into the groove. He has had enough food and sleep through the previous week and ergo he doesn’t feel the strain and is thus able to write some kind of sense. He wrote something that can be interpreted as follows…
Real Madrid have apparently made it clear that they will not consider any offers for midfielder Fernando Gago. Reports in Spain suggest that Gago was recently the subject of an approach from Everton. That bid, thought to have been around €16million (£13.7m), was immediately knocked back by Real. Sporting director Miguel Pardeza said:
There is no way that Gago will be sold any time soon.
Atletico too were earlier linked with the player but the player himself made it clear that he doesn’t wish to join Real’s city rivals.
Makes sense doesn’t it. Our midfield does need the depth that the likes of Gago can provide and I am not surprised that we knocked back the approach from Everton.
Day 3
Th stress starts to show on the subject. Though he hasn’t had much of work to do he is stressed out and is thinking of a good yarn to spin. And finally he does this…
Arsenal are reportedly interested in making a move for Rafael van der Vaart. The Mail on Sunday claims that the Gunners will attempt to boost their midfield by making a €7 million move for the player who is now an outcast following the summer spending spree. The report also quotes Van der Vaart as saying:
I really want to come to England. There are a number of clubs with offers where I can go in Germany, Spain and Italy. I have also had a request from Martin Jol to go back to Ajax. But none of those options appeal to me. I want to go to the Premier League and I know where I want to play.
The Gunners have added only Thomas Vermaelen to their ranks whilst allowing Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to leave. And with injuries to Rosicky and Nasri, van der Vaart could well be on his way.
It is getting to him. Why would Arsenal want yet another Central Attacking Midfielder? Why the hell would they want?
Two years, 1,000 posts and a lot of scary rumours
Its a champagne moment.
Hala Madrid, with this post reaches, the milestone of 1000 posts inclusive of all the match reports, interviews and press conferences and of course the regular posts themselves. And hence I’ve decided to make this real long post.
And oh btw I’d like to thank all of you readers for supporting me and motivating me to write more and more and even more. NOT. Hell, I love this club, I’d be writing this even if I myself weren’t gonna read it again.
Anyhoo, getting straight into issues…
We have quite a few stuff here today. As Sneijder goes from No to a move to Yes to a move, as Robben, Diarra and Drenthe stay confident about their place in the team next season and as Van der Vaart searches for the right suitors to come and take him, probably for nothing at all, there are talks about Hull City wanting Negredo, the returning Internationalistas and the best of them all Franck Ribery. So fasten your seat belts and get ready to roll.
Firstly Wesley Sneijder. It wasn’t too long back when Wesley Sneijder reiterated his determination to stay at Real Madrid and fight for a regular place. The Dutch midfielder has been linked with a move to Inter Milan for much of the summer with Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill also admitting that he was interested in the 25-year-old. However, Sneijder maintained that he would like to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu and try to break into the side. He told ATP before the England friendly that:
I want to fight for my place at Real Madrid despite there being a lot of rivalry. On Thursday I will be in Madrid again, so I will find out more then. I don’t want to leave Real. I know the transfer market is open for another two weeks but I am still thinking the same about things.
But now, according to Sky Sports, Sneijder has siad:
I don’t know anything about a negotiation and I am happy to stay in Madrid . There are so many fantastic players, but I’m not afraid. The season is long. To have a problem ahead of the World Cup with the national team is a risk I could take, but for now the priority is to remain in Madrid. However, in two weeks everything can change.
According to reports, Real and Inter have agreed a €19 million fee for the former Ajax star and it is now up to the player to decide whether he is interested in a move to the Italy. Wesley, who hadn’t stopped talking, continued:
I have heard that [coach Jose] Mourinho considers me his first choice. He is a great coach that trains a great team. If I decide to leave Madrid, Inter would be a nice option.
Its really weird to read the first excerpt and the second immediately after it. It somehow describes Sneijder’s stint at Real. It all started green when he joined and whipped every team in La Liga initially. But then things changed. But the grass isn’t always green. He had a torrid time out last season. He hasn’t been too impressive during pre-season but one thing that he has is Pellegrini’s support. So we’ll just have to wait and see. Ah, well, my verdict would be, keep him and keep Rafael van der Vaart as well. We’ll sail that ship later.
Michel Salgado coy about future + other rubbish
Hola,
Let me get straight into the issue.
Michel Salgado is reported to have negotiated his release from Real Madrid. After spending 10 glorious years at Santiago Bernabeu the veteran accepts that the time has come to move on. Reports say that the acquisition of Arbeloa has persuaded him that his future lies away from Real.
Salgado was contracted to the club until the summer of 2010, like Guti and Raul, but both sides have agreed to end that agreement prematurely. The player was apparently given the choice to decide whether he would prefer to have the final year of his deal paid off or accept the offer of a testimonial. Marca reports that Salgado will say goodbye to the fans on August 25 when Real play AC Milan to retain the the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy.
His agent Gines Carvajal though is said to have already been approached with a number of interesting proposals. One such offer is reported to have come from Arab outfit Al Rayyan of Qatar. Real Zaragoza are also said to have expressed an interest, and a move to La Romareda would allow Salgado to remain in the Primera Liga.
Either way Michel Salgado will be looked upon as a legend. I still can remember those days when he used to rattle opponents dominating the right wing from back to front. I hope he still remains a part of Real Madrid.
You can find St.Iker’s comments down below.
Steven Defour has admitted a move to Liverpool would be an opportunity he couldn’t turn away. The dynamic youngster is highly respected by Liverpool and it is believed the Merseysiders could make a move if Xabi Alonso departs to Real Madrid. The youngster is quoted in The Daily Mail as saying:
I have an agreement with Standard Liege that I could go to a top club, and Liverpool fit the bill.
We too have shown an interest in acquiring the 21-year-old and Defour’s agent, Paul Stefani, confirmed that both clubs were interested in his client. He said:
Steven’s name has been mentioned not only at Real Madrid, but also at Liverpool, they are looking at him too. Normally he would stay for another year, but nobody could say no to clubs like those, and Liege would not stand in his way.
The Belgian international has made close to 100 appearances for his club and has become a regular with the national side. I just hope Liege give him a better deal. All this talk seems to be only because of a need of an improved contract.
Alvaro Negredo is unlikely to stay at Real Madrid this summer, according to a particular rumor, as he faces competition for a place up front from the likes of Raul, Benzema, Higuain, van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo. The player’s agent, Alejandro Camano, spoke about his client’s links to Serie A side Roma earlier today.
In Rome I only spoke with journalists. Now I am in England and speaking to four or five English clubs, but I didn’t hear anything from the Giallorossi. Real would let go of the player, but not sell him. Their goal is to sell him on a temporary basis and then redeem him later. His assessment is around €18 million.
Negredo, who bagged 19 goals in 34 appearances with Almeria in 2008-09, would allegedly ‘be honoured’ to join the Serie A side.
Italian football is very important. Along with Spanish and English it is the best in the world, but there is nothing concrete with any Italian team. Roma is a great team, they have [Francesco] Totti, who is one of the strongest players in the world. For Negredo it would be an honour to play for club’s at that level. He is a player capable of scoring 20 goals per season and showed that at Almeria.
It seems that Real are looking to make a similar deal as they did when they sold him to Almeria, including an option to buy him back in the future. I’ll simply pass this rumor.
Liverpool want 38m for Xabi Alonso. Real have come up to 27m. The situation seems to have hit a deadlock. I’ll prefer to wait on it.
Till I return with more bullocks,
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Post-match comments
Esteban Granero was pleased with the team’s performance following the match. Alvaro Negredo made his Santiago Bernabeu debut on Tuesday and did it the best way possible: by scoring a goal. Although happy to have scored his first goal as a Madridista, Cristiano Ronaldo stressed the importance of reaching peak form after Tuesday’s match.
Granero:
We are building rhythm. I was able to play and the fact that we won is all that matters. We just started, so we need to gain momentum and do things right come August. Scoring at the Bernabeu and in front of the home crowd is always nice. The coach asked me to move the ball fast. He is helping me build my confidence and I am doing the best I can. Pellegrini was happy that we won. The match against Juventus will help us continue gaining form. It will be a nice game.
Negredo:
I am proud to have played and scored in the Bernabeu, but just having put on this shirt was incredible. There is no better thing in the world than scoring here. I have been a Madridista all my life. I must wait, be calm, train hard and hopefully I can stay here. I want to do my very best to earn a spot, but I know it’s hard. I wore number ’17’ today because I am superstitious. I asked the equipment managers for it and it felt better than wearing ’26’. Scoring against Juventus would be amazing, but I like scoring against any team. Juve is one of the greatest teams in the world. it will be a nice match and we hope to make it to the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
I am very happy to have scored my first goal for Real Madrid. It isn’t always possible to do those plays because opponents don’t let you. One objective is crossed off the list, but all that matters is getting in form, taking one match at a time and improving. The coach is running tests and we must respect his work. We are just starting off and need to stay calm. This isn’t very important. Winning is important, but even more important is reaching peak form. The match against Juventus is good preparation for La Liga. We are all getting to know one another on the team.
Real Madrid 4-2 Liga Universitaria de Quito
Real Madrid needed a victory to reach the Peace Cups semifinals and they got one thanks to playing spectacular football in the second half and scoring through Cristiano Ronaldo, Esteban Granero, Christoph Metzelder and Alvaro Negredo. Juventus await the Whites in Seville.
New faces on the starting lineup tonight were Salgado, Pepe, Marcelo, Guti, Robben and Higuain. The Whites’ intention from the start was to keep possession as much as possible. Robben had the first chance to score with a shot from outside the box on the 3-minute mark. Following a colossal counterattack by Higuain, Benzema was the next to put keeper Ceballos to the test with a shot tha grazed the crossbar (6′). Liga Quito also proved to be dangerous and kept Real Madrid alert at all times.
Marcelo dribbled past an opponent down the left, circled around another and shot slightly high off target. On the other hand, Pepe -who returned to the Bernabeu for the first time since his league suspension last season- did everything in his power to prevent the Ecuatorians from scoring. His performance was so brilliant that fans on the stands chanted his name. The last chance on goal of the first half came from Bieler, but Dudek saved the day with a phenomenal stretch (38′).
Cristiano Ronaldo met with some disapproval from the crowd at the end of the first half because of his shy performance, but he only needed one minute to unsettle Quito and win favour back in the second part. The Portugues star received the ball down the left and dribbled past two defenders with bicycle kicks, provoking a penalty as soon as he stepped inside the box. He stepped up for the challenge and scored his first goal at his new stadium.
Cristiano played a crucial role in his team’s second goal after a shot of his on target was cleared by keeper Dominguez -who came on in the second half- only to fall at Granero’s feet. The academy player sent it to the back of the net, therefore netting his first goal for the Whites. Liga Quito didn’t give up and cut distances short in a mess of a play on the goal-line (67′). Minutes later, Granero served the corner kick from which Metzelder netted a terrific header. Vera stepped up and again scored for the visiting side on the 85-minute mark, but Alvaro Negredo -who came on for Benzema close to the end of the second part- shattered their hopes for a comeback when he scored from a cross by Drenthe (90′).
Robben and Benzema unable to finish match
Arjen Robben and Karim Benzema were unable to play until the final whistle against Liga Universitaria Quito on Tuesday. The Dutch midfielder received a knock to his right leg and the Frenchman severly bruised his right tibia.
Lineups:
Real Madrid: Dudek, Michel Salgado, Pepe, Christoph Metzelder, Marcelo, Arjen Robben (Granero 41′), Guti (Drenthe 79′), Fernando Gago, Cristiano Ronaldo (Lassana Diarra 73′), Higuaín (Raúl 73′), Karim Benzema (Negredo 59′);
LDU Quito: José Francisco Cevallos (Alexander Domínguez 47′), Jairo Rolando Campos, Diego Armando Calderón, Carlos Espínola, Paul Vicente Ambrossi, Norberto Carlos Araujo, Ulises De la Cruz, Enrique Daniel Vera, Néicer Reasco, Cristian Lara (Claudio Fernando Graf 76′), Claudio Bieler;
Goals:
1-0, 49′: Cristiano Ronaldo (Pen);
3-1, 71′ : Christoph Metzelder;
Played at: Santiago Bernabéu.
Referee: Raymond Bernie Blom (NED).
Booked: Marcelo, Metzelder, Claudio Bieler, Norberto Carlos Araujo;
David Villa Update: No Villa to Real
It looks like David Villa will not play for Real Madrid in the upcoming season after the deal between the clubs went from “almost done” to “we can’t afford him”. Its funny to hear our club people saying “We cannot afford to spend so much money on a single player” especially after two back-to-back record deals involving Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Valencia’s sporting director Fernando Gomez Colomer claims the player is happy to remain at Valencia and has given no indication that he is seeking a summer exit. He said:
On the subject of David Villa, two points need to be clarified: Valencia has never concluded an agreement with a club for Villa’s possible transfer and currently we have not received any satisfactory offer. There have been foreign clubs interested, there have been offers. The player prefers to stay at Valencia.
Meanwhile there have been reports on Marca that Barcelona are tabling a 50million euros offer for El Guaje. This comes after repeated whining of the Barcelona officials about Real’s spending spree.
And about whom we will be after now that the Villa deal is virtually on the rocks; Marca says we’ll use the cash to open up the buy out clause of Diego Forlan from our unfriendly neighbours (an idea to which I am totally against FYI). Valdano has revealed his admiration for the French sensation Karim Benzema (a guy whose mouth is just a little smaller than Ibra’s but nevertheless a great player). And then there is our very own Canterano Alvaro Negredo!
Off late I’ve been really impressed by the guy at the Real Madrid: Offside site. His Campaign to Bring Back Canteranos has really inspored me and I must admit that I am totally for it. And ofcourse there is the undeniable fact that Alvaro Negredo is an excellent player. As of now he is in our squad. I am just hoping that we don’t sell him. But then again Valdano says we might have to sell Negredo but then that was when we had Villa in our grasps.
Also Valdano (Yeah, Valdano again!) admitted that Real are in talks with Getafe about bringing back Esteban Granero. Woohooo! Oh yeah, but that was after he realised getting Ribery here is almost impossible despite Zizou advise.
Do we sell or keep Negredo?
Alvaro Negredo will definitely be brought back into our squad for next season after two years with Almeria and there is some confusion about whether he will stay or be sold as part of another deal. The player has now revealed that if he is forced to leave Real Madrid then Liverpool or Valencia would be great destinations, but his first choice is stay at the Bernabeu.
Reports have linked Negredo with an immediate move away from the club, but the player himself wants to show that he could be the forward that Madrid need if he is given the chance. He told AS:
I am delighted that they are going exercise it because my dream is to triumph in Madrid. I still do not know what will happen, but the fact they have decided to buy me back is testament to my work over the last two seasons that I feel has been good. Now I want to stay with Madrid.
He [Florentino Perez] called me to tell me of the intention to exercise the buy-back clause. He told me to rest and that when I returned we would see what happens.
My first option is to stay, but we will have to see how many forwards there are at Madrid. For a player like me, who comes from the youth team, it is difficult to win a place.
What I need is to play games and I want to be able to do that with Madrid.
Valencia are reported to want Negredo as part of a deal that could see David Villa head to Real Madrid and the young striker would not object if the Mestalla was his new home.
If I do have to go then Valencia would a great option. They are a big club and they have Unai Emery as coach, who I had a great relationship with at Almeria.
Whatever happens, if Madrid do not want me I will not see myself as a bargaining chip for them to use. Technically they may think that, but I would not see myself like that because I will go where I think is best for my career. It would hurt a bit.
The club has spoken about having more Spanish players and for the time being they are showing me respect and that means a lot. But if they decide to sell me then I will not leave with any problems.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Negredo and while he has not hidden the fact he would like to play with Fernando Torres, he is not pushing for a move to Anfield.
I have already said that I think that is a great club and it would be incredible to play alongside Torres. But I prefer not to talk about that, because for now I am a Madrid player.
I personally feel Negredo would be the cheaper option if we don’t get Villa. If we are getting David Villa then we will have to sell Negredo along with both Ruud and Saviola and that will leave us with Higuain, Huntelaar, Raul and Villa. But the latter two together on the same team? I am seriously doubting whether Raul would like to see it happen. It was he who squandered the transfer last time out. We will just have to wait and see.
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Who needs El Niño when you can get El Guaje!
Now that we’ve officially signed Kaká, David Villa Sánchez is apparently our number one target. MARCA reports that Real apparently have agreed a contract worth 38 million euros with Los Che, Villa’s current employers, and that the move is set to be complete very soon.
Earlier reports emanating from Spain said that Chelsea and Real Madrid were battling it out to sign the prized Valencia striker. It was said that the Blues are reportedly prepared to pay £38million in cash for the 27-year-old, while the Spanish giants are said to be offering £24million plus striker Alvaro Negredo. Also Chelsea’s sporting director Frank Arnesen and Jorge Valdano of Madrid are currently in Valencia for make-or-break talks with the club and his agent, Jose Luis Tamargo.
Villa is set to decide this week on which he prefers, with reports in Spain saying he is close to joining Real. But while Tamargo has previously insisted that the Spanish international will not move away from his homeland, he now says ‘sporting ambition’ is also important in the decision. Tamargo told The Sun:
The key here is not just the money being offered but the sporting ambition of the club. David has never only been interested in money.
Chelsea nor Real have yet to comment on the speculation linking them with Villa.
If we do get Villa as said above, we will definitely be offloading two of our strikers other than Negredo. Javier Saviola is surely going to be the first one to leave. The second one, even though it is going to be tough, has to be Ruud van Nistelrooy. Manu Pellegrini is said to have the final say in deciding over Ruud’s future at the Bernabeu with Tottenham and Panathanaikos said to be interested buyers.
On the other hand, rumor has it that Florentino Perez’s next target is… wait for it… yes, Cristiano Ronaldo. Buoyed after signing Kaka, the club’s supremo said:
We’re always thinking about great players, Cristiano Ronaldo and (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic are among other great players around the world,” Perez said. “We all know that these are players that we would like but they all can’t come. Ronaldo is a great player who we’d like to bring to the club, but first we have to speak to Manchester United because the important thing is for us to maintain a good rapport with everyone.
In other news Barca are set to be behind Karim Benzema and Javier Mascherano. So I guess whatever we are intending to do, whoever we are intending to buy we need to do it fast.
Alvaro Negredo, you little beauty!
I love players who want to come to Madrid. Especially good players like Alvaro Negredo who can turn out to be a very good signing and moreover a homegrown talent. After recent reports about Negredo moving to Liverpool, Valencia and before all that to Real Madrid the player insists he will only move on to a club who can guarantee him regular first-team football. Negredo left Santiago Bernabeu for the Andalusian outfit in 2007, but he is widely expected to be on the move again at the end of this season, in which he has bagged 19 La Liga goals.
If I’m going to go to Liverpool and they make another signing, on top of Fernando Torres and the current strikers they have, it’s perhaps not best for me to go there.Negredo would welcome a return to the Spanish capital, but not to watch the action from the bench, while he voiced similar concerns over a mooted switch to Anfield. Cash-strapped Valencia are another possible destination should they be in the market for a replacement for the sought-after David Villa, who is set to be sold in a bid to help balance the books.
Negredo said on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser that he would like to taste first team football irrespective of which team he moves to but his first choice would definitely be Madrid.
They are three great teams, but my first option is Madrid. If I’m going to be the fifth striker at Madrid, the option of returning will be ruled out. I have to think long and hard because my future depends on this. What I want to do now is to play, to have minutes.
The possibility that Villa is going to leave could make Valencia the best destination for me, but it’s clear that if Madrid sell players then my first option is them.
Don’t you think having him instead of Saviola would be a great addition to the squad? But at the same time he will not be so useful for us in Europe. But what we can do is use him well in the league and use our better strikers for Europe.
Bring him back!
All you Madridistas out there who aren’t keeping track of this dude Negredo, the 23-year-old took his tally for the season to 19 Liga goals, lifting him to joint ninth in the ESM Golden Shoe standings. After scoring 13 goals last season, his first at Almeria since joining from REAL MADRID, he went into Sunday’s meeting with CA Osasuna with 17 goals, including nine in as many outings where he continued the fine form with two more strikes, including the late winner in a 2-1 victory. And that is 3 more than our top scorer Higuain (who btw is also our leading assists man) who has 16 in the league this season.
Alvaro Negredo (leftmost)
We have the usual clause in this contract to bring him back here and I hope we do that soon as I, like Hugo Sanchez, think that he will be wanted by many other big clubs next season. Almería coach Hugo Sánchez, a fair judge of attacking prowess having scored a remarkable 234 goals in 347 appearances in Spain with Real Madrid, Club Atlético de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, sees it differently.
I’m afraid we won’t be able to enjoy Negredo’s presence for too much longer here as there will be many teams trying to sign him once the season ends. I’d advise the fans of Almería to enjoy him while they can.
BRING HIM BACK!!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Negredo, Nieto, Corona & Julio Álvarez
Almeria’s Negredo, Nieto, Corona and Julio Álvarez were bred in the Club’s youth system and are having a successful run in the First Division. They are the best example of the excellence that comes out of Real Madrid’s youth system. The four of them cherish memories from their Madridista spell, which they share with us here.
Their lives radically changed when they left the Club. Corona and Julio Álvarez played for several teams before joining Almeria, while Negredo and Nieto played together on Castilla and signed for the Andalusian club when they left the team. Negredo is currently having his second season at Almeria.
Álvarez: “Games against Real Madrid are always special. They motivate a player even more, especially when he used to play for the Club.”
Negredo: “It’s always an important and special game. Real Madrid are capable of destroying you at any given moment. We’ll have to be alert and make as few mistakes as possible. We don’t want them to feel comfortable.”
Corona: “You always have a specialy feeling when playing against them. It makes those special memories come to the fore.”
Nieto: “I was lucky to play for the best club in the world. I am very grateful to Real Madrid.”
Negredo: “I have some unforgettable memories, but what I most remember is my last year at Castilla. I also remember being called up by the first team and the goals I scored in Israel. A football player never forgets such things.” (more…)
Almost nothing is happening!
Ah! It feels good to be back. The sweet smell of Hala Madrid has always pleased me. It has been a long few weeks, two to be precise, since I wrote over here. Already the number of visits to this blog had been decreasing rapidly and after a couple of stagnant weeks nothing has changed. Cristiano Ronaldo is not yet here, Spain has won the European Championships, like any other transfer season this too has seen ample number of players being linked with us which frankly speaking makes me sick. I wonder why I am not so fond of rumors.
Anyhoo, of late Man United supporters have been pissing me off. Everyone of those red clowns seem to have the same opinion over the whole Ronaldo issue that it is us who are to be blamed for Ronaldo not feeling home at Manchester. Where the f**k is your brain you piece of shyte, I ask?!? Moreover they are now totally turning against us. Those who don’t want to do that are saying Ronaldo will surely leave but will suck like he’s in Barcelona. A few others say that we’ll spend 1 zillion on him and will gain nothing over the deal and there are a bunch of dumb ducks who believe that we will give United half our squad, Ramon Calderon’s Mercedes plus a portion of the Bernabeu in a trade which includes Ronaldo in exchange. Stupid people!
In all seriousness, Cristiano Ronaldo is not yet in Madrid. For that matter he would be out of action for 12 weeks i.e. until the middle of October which means that there is plenty of time for him to sit and think about his future. What he should also decide is to not contact anyone till he decides where he would be next season. But the problem doesn’t stop there. Everyone in his family are also giving out all kinds of weird interviews which are making both sets of fans furious. It was his sister this time, who said that he will stay at Old Trafford.But then he himself made it clear that he does not have an agreement with Real or any sort of nonsense like that.
I agree completely with the president of Fifa. Now I have to wait and see, but I do not know where I will begin the season. It is not true that I have an agreement with Real Madrid, there is no agreement.
Two others who have been linked with Real are Didier Drogba and Rafael van der Vaart. We might need a striker but definitely not someone like Drogba at least for the upcoming season. We all now how fickle minded he really his but he has said that he would consider a move to Real. I hope he reconsiders his consideration. The Dutch bloke, meanwhile has been linked with Real for the nth season in running. Initially he remained quiet on rumors but later rejected them, something that was expected. But I would love to see him play for us. We’d have the top four Dutch players in our team if he does sign for us.
In other news, Robinho, who btw along with Marcelo has been called up for Brazil’s Olympic football team, apparently wants a move. Initially it was Chelsea who were keen on him but despite our President’s reiteration that Robinho still remains in our plans, there have been rumors that Barcelona are interested in signing him. I am not worried about Robinho. I am very sure that he is going to remain at Real if Ronaldo doesn’t come. All these rumors are being spread only because he was our best player last season and was so dominant on the flanks. I see no reason for him to look for a move otherwise.
Fernando Gago will join Argentina’s Olympic football team as well and they say that Higuain too might be called up. With de la Red’s return it would be interesting to see how our midfield would shape up.
Julio Baptista too has been on the news. He apparently has quite a few options as various teams like Galatasaray, Roma and Newcastle are supposedly interested in signing him. If a Premier League signs him even after his last stint in England then it only means that they want him for reasons other than football. No offence meant but England just isn’t the right place for him. His agent says Roma and I agree with him. He has been a good player for us but I’m sure that we can definitely find a few better players to replace him. ANother striker who has options is Roberto Soldado. Getafe are interested it seems. And when I thought Alvaro Negredo was on his way back here, Real decided not to use their buy-back clause on him.
Players who have confirmed their departure are Javier Balboa, Pablo Garcia and Esteban Granero. Javier Balboa has joined SL Benfica with former Real Under-20 and Valencia coach, Quique Sanchez Flores. I don’t blame him. He is an exceptional talent but not good enough to be a first team regular. Whereas, Real Madrid C.F. and Pablo García have agreed to rescind the player’s football contract. Granero joins Getafe and it looks as though we’ve made some cash out of this. He was on loan at Getafe the whole of last season and has now made his move permanent. I badly wanted to see him play in a white shirt but I guess I’m just not lucky enough. It is believed that Madrid valued the player at around €24m (£18.4m).I wish both of them very good luck and hope that they make us proud for having nurtured them through the youth system.
If you remember our President Ramon Calderon was at the center court of Wimbledon to cheer for Rafael Nadal in his final against Roger Federer. The person who was sitting in front of him was India’s sports minister MS Gill. Apparently the two of them spoke to each other and the latter wants Real to come to India. So do I!!!!
Our next game would be a friendly on the 27th of July against a first division Austrian team Lask Linz. Here is our pre-season schedule. Also, the league fixtures have been announced. We play our first league game at the Riazor in La Coruna against Deportivo.
That’s about it for this time. There were a few more interviews from Sneijder and de la Red but couldn’t post them. So until the next post,
Hala Madrid!!
P.S: I call this the pic of the millennium. Thank you Arseblogger! Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
Hala Madrid 
Post-match comments
Manuel Pellegrini was delighted with the team’s 3-2 victory over Sevilla. Sevilla suffered a heartbreaking loss to Real Madrid, but coach Manolo Jimenez found no shame in the defeat. Guti and Xabi Alonso were satisfied and excited about tonight’s victory against Sevilla. Sergio Ramos scored the team’s second goal against Sevilla from a header and Rafael van der Vaart netted the strike that gave the team an incredibly important victory. Sevilla let a two goal lead slip against Real Madrid, and Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas were disappointed with the final result.
Pellegrini:
Jimenez:
(more…)
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March 7, 2010 | Categories: Post-match Comments, Spanish Primera División | Tags: Álvaro Negredo, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Jesús Navas, José María Gutiérrez 'Guti', Manuel Jiménez, Manuel Pellegrini, Rafael van der Vaart, Sergio Ramos, Sevilla FC, Xabi Alonso | Leave a comment