madristar

Hamilton: Reliability will be key Lewis Hamilton is hoping reliability emerges as the difference over the next two races between glory and being an also ran. The chasm that exists between Hamilton and Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel was evident again after a dominant day for the Milton Keynes-based team in practice for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton found himself half a second adrift in the morning - a time that stretched to almost seven tenths of a second in the afternoon - and that does not bode well ahead of Saturday's qualifying. "The car felt good, but it felt low on downforce. I need more grip, but we just don't have it," said Hamilton after the two 90-minute sessions. "Unfortunately our limit is still half a second off the pace of the Red Bull, even though I'm getting everything I can out of the car. "You can gain a tenth here a tenth there, but when you have such a big gap, those guys can relax a little more. "I'm at the maximum, but the car won't stick to the road like the Red Bull does, so in terms of pure pace in the dry, we simply can't compete with them. "They're ahead, but then with rain, engines, reliability, they are all going to play a major part in these next two races. "I hope our reliability is an advantage for us." The one variable that could shake up matters is that rain is being forecast for qualifying, which Hamilton believes could help his cause. In need of a strong result to keep his title hopes alive as he is 21 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Hamilton added: "What I know is this year's car is much better than last year's in the wet. "So I feel confident if it is wet we should be able to fight to get into Q3 and fight for the front row. "The Red Bulls and Ferraris seem to be generally quicker, so they must have more downforce than us, which will help them, but being wet it makes it more of a lottery. "We'll have a good go at it. The car is quite good in the wet, so hopefully it will make it a little easier for us."

Button: "I'll go hell for leather" Jenson Button has vowed "to go hell for leather" this weekend as he seeks an unlikely Brazilian Grand Prix victory. Given the facts Button has not been on pole all season and his last triumph was in China in April, it would be surprising if he took the chequered flag at Interlagos. Even then that might not be enough for the 30-year-old given he is 42 points adrift of championship leader - Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. But with nothing to lose, despite knowing he might no longer be F1 world champion come late Sunday afternoon, it is a relaxed Button who takes on the renowned Interlagos circuit. "People are obviously concentrating more on the other four," Button said, referring to Alonso, team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. "It's a nice position to be in because almost all this season, and obviously last season, it's been full-on focus, not just me, but a lot of focus on what I do. "So it's been nice to be able to relax and just go and do my own thing, and it's nice to come into this race and be that relaxed, to be able to enjoy it. "To still be in with a chance of winning the title with two races to go, and to be in the position I am, it's great." Button knows, though, it is a case now of all or nothing, adding: "I know my chance of winning the championship is small. "Because of that I have to go hell for leather, to give it all I can and just enjoy it. "I have to finish first. There's no point finishing second because it's not like I'm racing one other guy. "I'm racing four others and if one has a bad race, maybe the others won't, so I've really got to win the race. "It's going to be very tough around here with both Ferraris, both Red Bulls and my team-mate being competitive, but that has to be the aim." Button finished Friday's two 90-minute practice sessions down in seventh place, with the gap to Vettel a yawning 1.2 seconds, which does not bode well for the weekend. "In high speed the car is good, but at low speed I'm struggling for balance and I've just no grip, which is something we need to work on," bemoaned Button. "It's not great, but then on higher fuel the car was much better and I was a lot happier, and that's the important area. "If the car works well in dry conditions on high fuel then that's what we want, and tomorrow should be dry." Button's reference to the conditions is due to the fact rain is forecast for qualifying which could throw the situation wide open. Appreciating his lowly 12th in the wet in Korea two weeks ago when he was unable to get his tyres working, Button added: "That was a pretty bad race for me in the wet. "But every other race this year in the wet has been pretty good as I've won two races in wet conditions, which I enjoy, so hopefully I will get a good car in the wet here."

Button: "I'll go hell for leather" Jenson Button has vowed "to go hell for leather" this weekend as he seeks an unlikely Brazilian Grand Prix victory. Given the facts Button has not been on pole all season and his last triumph was in China in April, it would be surprising if he took the chequered flag at Interlagos. Even then that might not be enough for the 30-year-old given he is 42 points adrift of championship leader - Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. But with nothing to lose, despite knowing he might no longer be F1 world champion come late Sunday afternoon, it is a relaxed Button who takes on the renowned Interlagos circuit. "People are obviously concentrating more on the other four," Button said, referring to Alonso, team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. "It's a nice position to be in because almost all this season, and obviously last season, it's been full-on focus, not just me, but a lot of focus on what I do. "So it's been nice to be able to relax and just go and do my own thing, and it's nice to come into this race and be that relaxed, to be able to enjoy it. "To still be in with a chance of winning the title with two races to go, and to be in the position I am, it's great." Button knows, though, it is a case now of all or nothing, adding: "I know my chance of winning the championship is small. "Because of that I have to go hell for leather, to give it all I can and just enjoy it. "I have to finish first. There's no point finishing second because it's not like I'm racing one other guy. "I'm racing four others and if one has a bad race, maybe the others won't, so I've really got to win the race. "It's going to be very tough around here with both Ferraris, both Red Bulls and my team-mate being competitive, but that has to be the aim." Button finished Friday's two 90-minute practice sessions down in seventh place, with the gap to Vettel a yawning 1.2 seconds, which does not bode well for the weekend. "In high speed the car is good, but at low speed I'm struggling for balance and I've just no grip, which is something we need to work on," bemoaned Button. "It's not great, but then on higher fuel the car was much better and I was a lot happier, and that's the important area. "If the car works well in dry conditions on high fuel then that's what we want, and tomorrow should be dry." Button's reference to the conditions is due to the fact rain is forecast for qualifying which could throw the situation wide open. Appreciating his lowly 12th in the wet in Korea two weeks ago when he was unable to get his tyres working, Button added: "That was a pretty bad race for me in the wet. "But every other race this year in the wet has been pretty good as I've won two races in wet conditions, which I enjoy, so hopefully I will get a good car in the wet here."

Jenson Button has hailed the swift actions of his police driver after being confronted by an armed gang in Sao Paulo. The Formula One world champion, his father John, manager Richard Goddard and trainer Mike Collier escaped unharmed following the frightening attack that occurred on their return to their hotel after yesterday's qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The quartet managed to flee the machine-gun wielding assailants as their police protector used the armoured Mercedes he was driving to barge his way through several vehicles. "We were going back from the track and were outside a shanty town and moving slowly on a busy road," Button told the Mail on Sunday. "I saw a dog come out, which was very cute. The next thing I saw was a man with a gun. "I said 'isn't that a gun?' and as soon as I said that, the driver angled the car and floored it. "That's when we saw six men, all of them brandishing machine guns. "My driver was a legend. He bounced off about five cars. We were driving over the top of them. It was very scary. "I don't know whether they knew who it was they were ambushing. "But I am glad I didn't have my girlfriend Jessica (Michibata) with me. She would have been terrified." Goddard also praised the officer assigned to protect them, an action purposefully instigated by McLaren given the level of gun crime in Sao Paulo, one of South America's most violent cities. "We were about three or four minutes away from the circuit when the incident took place," Goddard told Press Association Sport. "I would suggest there were more than four or five guys, something along those lines, who emerged from a block of flats. "I initially saw one guy carrying this piece of wood, a baseball bat kind of thing, but I didn't spot the one who had a gun until someone pointed it out. "It was pulled, and that was it really. You didn't really have time to think about what was happening. "You hear about these kind of things in Sao Paulo, and because they don't come home to roost, you don't think about them. "But when it almost happens to you then it's fairly worrying. "We were very lucky to have a police driver looking after us because he got us out of what could have been quite a frightening situation. "The real positive thing to take out of it is that we are all fine and we're all able to look back on it and see it for what it was. "Obviously from our perspective, luckily it wasn't a lot worse, and luckily the sharp actions of our police driver forcing his way through the traffic like he did was great." McLaren have confirmed the Sao Paulo authorities will today provide additional security to transfer Button, team-mate Lewis Hamilton and other senior personnel to the Interlagos circuit ahead of the race. The incident is not the first of its kind in the Brazilian city as four media personnel with Toyota also avoided injury after they were threatened by a gunman in their car. The group were returning to their hotel when they were approached by a group of teenagers after stopping at a set of traffic lights. One of the youths attempted to kick in a window before shots were fired as he attempted to rob the group, only for them to make good their escape.

Button escapes armed gang in Brazil Jenson Button has hailed the swift actions of his police driver after being confronted by an armed gang in Sao Paulo. The Formula One world champion, his father John, manager Richard Goddard and trainer Mike Collier escaped unharmed following the frightening attack that occurred on their return to their hotel after yesterday's qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix. The quartet managed to flee the machine-gun wielding assailants as their police protector used the armoured Mercedes he was driving to barge his way through several vehicles. "We were going back from the track and were outside a shanty town and moving slowly on a busy road," Button told the Mail on Sunday. "I saw a dog come out, which was very cute. The next thing I saw was a man with a gun. "I said 'isn't that a gun?' and as soon as I said that, the driver angled the car and floored it. "That's when we saw six men, all of them brandishing machine guns. "My driver was a legend. He bounced off about five cars. We were driving over the top of them. It was very scary. "I don't know whether they knew who it was they were ambushing. "But I am glad I didn't have my girlfriend Jessica (Michibata) with me. She would have been terrified." Goddard also praised the officer assigned to protect them, an action purposefully instigated by McLaren given the level of gun crime in Sao Paulo, one of South America's most violent cities. "We were about three or four minutes away from the circuit when the incident took place," Goddard told Press Association Sport. "I would suggest there were more than four or five guys, something along those lines, who emerged from a block of flats. "I initially saw one guy carrying this piece of wood, a baseball bat kind of thing, but I didn't spot the one who had a gun until someone pointed it out. "It was pulled, and that was it really. You didn't really have time to think about what was happening. "You hear about these kind of things in Sao Paulo, and because they don't come home to roost, you don't think about them. "But when it almost happens to you then it's fairly worrying. "We were very lucky to have a police driver looking after us because he got us out of what could have been quite a frightening situation. "The real positive thing to take out of it is that we are all fine and we're all able to look back on it and see it for what it was. "Obviously from our perspective, luckily it wasn't a lot worse, and luckily the sharp actions of our police driver forcing his way through the traffic like he did was great." McLaren have confirmed the Sao Paulo authorities will today provide additional security to transfer Button, team-mate Lewis Hamilton and other senior personnel to the Interlagos circuit ahead of the race. The incident is not the first of its kind in the Brazilian city as four media personnel with Toyota also avoided injury after they were threatened by a gunman in their car. The group were returning to their hotel when they were approached by a group of teenagers after stopping at a set of traffic lights. One of the youths attempted to kick in a window before shots were fired as he attempted to rob the group, only for them to make good their escape.

with his bro Rani credit Anti-Crisis Girl @ sergio-ramos.com

Iker spoke to the press after today’s training session, and he talked about a variety of topics: - on the derbi madrileño: I really don’t know why Atlético hasn’t been able to win against us in 11 years. I played the last time it happened. I came in for Bizzarri and I remember it well because it came about after he had been expelled. I hope the streak continues for one more year. It’s a game with a special sentiment. As a madrileño, I know what it’s like. - on Rubén de la Red: we have a fabulous relationship. On the outside, it’s probably not known, but both Sergio and I have spoken a lot with him and with the president. In fact, the four of us have met many times. It’s a personal issue, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to talk about what I spoke with Rubén about. - on David de Gea: he’s a kid with a fabulous progression. He’ll bring a lot of happiness to Atlético and I hope to the national team as well. - on the clásico: there’s still one more month to go and we both have complicated games before that. It’s not time to start thinking about Barcelona yet, but it’s true that it’s the game of the year. We want to go to Camp Nou as leaders.

Mesut Özil at El Larguero by unamadridista Mesut Özil was a guest on El Larguero last night, right after the Premios Alma. As such, the presenter noted that he was dressed “súper elegante” and even went on to describe the outfit. Anyway, this is what Mesut talked about on the show – he spoke in German, and his answers were translated into Spanish, although he did try out one or two Spanish phrases. On the gala: I didn’t understand what José Mercé was singing, but it was “muy bonito.” I had met Rafa Nadal before. On music: I’ve heard flamenco before, and it’s special because it forms part of Spain. I like rap and Turkish music. On what he did during the free day: I slept a lot, and then some friends from Germany, including my brother, came to see me. I studied Spanish for four to five hours, and then it was time for the gala. On his family: my grandparents and parents are Turkish, but I was born in Germany, in Gelsenkirchen, where I grew up and went to school. People there have always treated me very well. I have one older brother and two younger sisters. My father is self-employed, and owns two stores. My mother is a housewife. On his religion: I’m Muslim, and my parents are as well. I’ve never even tried ham, and I only have some wine when there’s something to celebrate. A bit of wine once in a while is good for your health. On his football origins: I started playing when I was seven, because my older brother did and I went to all his games. I told my father that I wanted to play too, and be a part of a team. My entire family loves football, and it forms part of our life. I wasn’t a great student, but I wasn’t bad either, and I don’t know what I would have been if I weren’t a footballer. On the visit of Angela Merkel to the German locker room: I left the game early since I received a knock to my ankle, and I took off my shirt because it was sweaty. I came out, and there she was. We were both surprised, but it was a fun moment. On the Spain-Germany World Cup semifinal: I was very impressed by Spain. They played well, deserved to win, was strong and was better as a team and as individuals. I didn’t exchange shirts with anyone, because I was upset and went directly into the locker room. On his summer: I spent my summer vacation in Mallorca with friends. I was very happy when I heard about the offer from Madrid, and I didn’t consider going to any other team. On life in Real Madrid: we’re like a family, and I adapted very easily. They laugh a lot here, and I love it, this is what I love about Real Madrid. Everyone supports everyone else. It’s important for me to be able to speak Spanish, especially to my teammates. My friends here are Khedira, whom I’ve known for a long time. Pepe, Cristiano and the Argentines are always joking around, and we laugh a lot, including in Spanish, and the others laugh when I say something wrong, but I learn from it. In general, I laugh with everyone. On life in Madrid: I take Spanish classes three times a week. The city is beautiful, you eat well here, and the people are very nice. I’ve seen a lot of things, although I like staying at home with my friends. When I have time, I take my girlfriend’s child to school, and his classmates ask me for autographs. On his rap “career”: I taped an episode with a famous rap group in Germany, but I don’t have a good enough voice to sing. On what his dream is: to stay healthy and spent lots of time with my family. Favorites: City – Gelsenkirchen, Madrid. Food – menemen, a Turkish dish made with eggs and tomatoes. Drink – ice tea. Actor – Robert De Niro. Movie – The Hangover [jajajaja!!!] Singer: Michael Jackson, for both his songs and how he danced. Stadium – the Bernabéu.

Alma Awards

Xabi Alonso at Marca by unamadridista Q: How are you doing ahead of the derby, after the kicks from Ibrahimovic and Gattuso and the shoving from Inzaghi that you received in Milan? A: I’m good, without any problems. Nothing happened there. That’s the way it is. Physically, I’m good [Yes Xabi, you certainly are]. Q: How does Mourinho prepare for games? A: He’s very detailed, as he should be. We’re an elite team both in the Liga as well as in Europe, so we should anticipate and predict what can be done during games and what the rivals will do. The daily work dynamic is great. Q: What has Mourinho brought to Madrid? A: He has a very defined way of working. He wants to delineate a style of working to make sure everything goes well. This will take time, but he has a method of working that, bit by bit, will lay the foundation. We have confidence in him and that’s important. Q: Is this style based on being an aggressive team? A: Aggression, intensity, intelligence, unselfishness, knowing how to read games, being patient when necessary… there are a lot of things. Q: And what is your role on the team? A: One of the functions of a midfielder is to know how to read the game. I’m in the center of all the plays, with my teammates around me, and I have to communicate a lot so the team will be well-balanced. Q: Do you feel important on this team? A: Yes. I’m playing a lot and in my position you need to be in command at times. I’ve noticed that I have a specific role on this team. Q: But it seems that you never shout or get angry on the field, like Gattuso, for example? A: I’m not one for making big scenes, but I do continuously communicate with my teammates. I do shout on the field and I get angry often. I speak with the rivals, with the referee, with my teammates. I don’t stop. Q: How is your understanding with Khedira? A: Good. We’re learning more about each other, bit by bit. The communication is quite good, as it is with other players such as Özil. We speak in English and that helps make things easier. They both work very hard and want to steep themselves in what is la Liga and what is Real Madrid. We’re in that process. They’re great players who want to do things well. Khedira brings us balance and Özil knows how to read games. They’re different. Q: But it appears that Khedira is neither elegant nor flashy? A: He’s a team player that helps out a lot in defense and in the attack. He’s complete and he brings stability to the team. He’s strong, runs a lot, interprets plays well and does things well. Q: Do your teammates view you differently since you won the World Cup? A: No. And if that gets to the head of any one of us, there are four others here to remind him that life has continued and we can’t stop. I believe we’re behaving well in that respect with our teammates. Q: How are you preparing for the derby and what has Mourinho said to you all? A: Not a lot yet. In the end, we’re playing three games in one week and there’s not a lot of time to train. Q: It’s the first derby in a long time without Raúl, a specialist in these types of games. Do you miss him? A: I only spent one season with him, but it’s true that he did really well in the derbies, and he was very competitive. Q: How do you approach these types of games? A: They’re special because there’s an extra dose of passion in the stands and a lot of times it infects those who are on the field. But you have to keep your cool when things get heated up. You have to know how to combine that extra motivation with coolness. Q: Xavi said that he wouldn’t enjoy playing with this Real Madrid. A: If he said that, it’s because that’s how he feels. That’s his opinion. I enjoy playing in Real Madrid. I’m very happy where I am. We’re doing things well. Can we still improve? Of course. That’s a good thing, to have the ability to improve and to be ambitious. I don’t pay attention to what happens in other clubs. Q: Who is your favorite to win the Ballon d’Or? A: A Spanish player. I believe there are enough reasons for that. In my opinion, Casillas had an incredible World Cup and he was a decisive factor. I would love it if Iker won. It’s more complicated for a goalkeeper, but if he receives it, it’s well-deserved. Q: What are you all doing to help Benzema integrate further? A: Last season he had problems with the language. But now he’s loosening up a lot more and with things going well for him on the field, he’s gaining confidence. I’m sure he will demonstrate his quality. We want to get the best out of him. Q: Were you happy for Pedro León, for his goal in San Siro? A: Yes. It was a decisive and important goal. I’m happy for Pedro León, as I am for all my teammates.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us Sergio Ramos at El País by unamadridista He’s the youngest player to reach 50 games with the national team. He’s the fullback with the highest number of steals in the Liga. He’s the second captain of Real Madrid. He’s not yet 25 years old. His name is Sergio Ramos, and he wants more. Q: What do you see when you watch the DVDs of games at home? A: I see a team that enjoys playing football, that works hard, that knows how to pull back and dominate when it’s necessary, something that we weren’t so good at before, and that is good physically. Our physical state is helping us out. Q: What has Mourinho brought tactically? A: He’s a perfectionist that has infected us with this quest for perfection. That makes each one want to improve, in each training session. He’s a very direct person, who communicates well with players, and that gives you tranquility when you go onto the field. He talks to you during the entire week about what the team you’re going to face is like and what player you’ll have to defend against on the wing. He keeps you updated. Q: Does he ever raise his voice? A: He doesn’t shout much. He’s very direct when he criticizes a player. It’s not necessary to scream to make someone better. It’s enough to tell it to one’s face, clearly and honestly. Q: And is he capable of making you laugh? A: Of course. He’s extraordinary with the players in everything. When he has to be serious, he is, and when it’s time to joke around, he’s the first one to do so. Q: Does he frighten you? A: No. But he does make you respect him. He’s the boss. What he says is above everything else. Q: How does he coach you all? A: Normally, the moods of the players that play the least are not the same as those of the starters. But with Mourinho, you have to demonstrate that you’re worth it in every session. He pressures a lot. We work with the ball a lot, and we also change exercises. The body notices that. Q: And the physical preparation? A: With the ball. Here, we’ve had everything. There were coaches that made us run laps, that made us do resistance exercises. Some took us to Austria to climb mountains. With Mou, it’s always about the ball. And now we’re all in great shape, and we haven’t suffered. Q: Did you all speak previously about playing with one less defender when you had to make a comeback, such as during the games in Alicante and Milan? A: No. They were improvisations of the míster. Q: What do you think about Di María? A: All of us are very happy with him. He helps out with defense and he’s very fast. I think in general both Fideo and Sami fit in well with us. Fideo will be an important footballer. Q: You’re the fullback with the most number of steals in the Liga. One every seven minutes. Why? A: It makes me happy to surpass myself. I’m also happy that I’m not receiving as many cards this year; I’ve only received two. That’s a record for me. And that’s related to the recoveries of the balls. My concentration is better. One’s mood is also important for this. For a footballer, having self confidence is fundamental. After six years in Madrid, and now as second captain, I’m feeling great mentally and physically. Q: When was the first time you spoke with Mourinho? A: He called me on the phone when he knew that he was coming. He called all the international players. These types of things make him different. He told me that I had to show who I was in a World Cup, to stay calm. He also wished me luck.

Do not hotlink images. Click here to read about hotlinking. -Edited by Lady Fatale

JP: Yesterday we were proposing nicknames to Cristiano Ronaldo, “el Bicho” or “la Bestia.” What do you guys call Cristiano Ronaldo in the dressing room? SR: Cris, his name. We call him Cris, because it’s shorter. So you get his attention faster. Cri-sti-a-no Ro-nar-do – it takes a lot more time, and by then he’s turned around and gone! JP: What’s he like? SR: A really great guy. He’s an enchanting person, as well a great player, we’re really lucky to have the greatest player in the world in our dressing room. He also helps you learn, by seeing how hard he works, it really helps you as an athlete. JP: There’s a singer that you like, José Mercé… SR: Yes, as well as being a good friend, he’s been an idol for me since I was very small. He and Niña Pastori – and Camarón – have been the flamenco singers that I have always loved. JP: Let’s listen to some of his music… [There’s a pause, as though for technical difficulties, then José Mercé enters singing “Aire,” which is one of Sergio’s favorite songs.] JP: Sit there, next to Sergio. JM: Here is a first look, this is my latest album which came out on May 4, it’s called Ruido, and we’re going to win the Liga. JP: The anthem as sung by Plácido Domingo is nice and all, but the version by José Mercé – it sounds really great, doesn’t it? [José Mercé sings a bit of the himno, Sergio offers some jaleos - ¡ole!] JP: José, tell us something about Sergio. JM: Hombre, as a player we all know what he’s like. And I’m not at all objective talking about football, you know that he’s my favorite! [You and me both, José.] But I can say that as a person, he’s a really great person. I know that he does a lot of things, he helps a lot of people, without any press. And that says it all for me. He’s a great guy, a real humanitarian. No one who gets close to Sergio Ramos and says, “I need this or that” will have to wait even a second before they get it. He’s a person I love because of that, because he’s just a marvellous person. [They bring in the panel of commentators for the evening.] JP: Roberto Morales is probably the one who knows Sergio best, apart from José Mercé. What’s he like? Roberto Morales: I’m really glad for this type of interview, because a lot of times I feel like you don’t really get to know the person. I think he’s like José said, and a lot of people have a mistaken impression of him, but I always like to point out his humility. For me, he’s still the same person who landed in Madrid, from Sevilla, who wanted to win over the world. He has always talked about continuing to grow, and I’m interested to see how he grows over the years, at Madrid and with la selección, because Madrid is a club that devours players, but there are some who will stay, and they will become the bastions of the future, like Sergio and Iker, who are the future captains of Madrid… If I could highlight one thing about Sergio, it’s his humility, above all, and his capacity to learn from his critics, which I think he does so well because the ones who are most critical of him are those around him, his father and his brother. JP: Is that true? SR: Totally. JP: We should have them on Punto Pelota for an interview… SR: Oh no, I can’t handle that! Quim Domènech: I don’t know if he really wanted to be a bullfighter or not, he says not, but in these situations, the truth is that he “torea bien” [literally, he bullfights well, but here it means that he’s good at being diplomatic and artfully answering sticky questions]. It surprised me that he so flatly rejected the possibility of someday signing for Barça, and that he was equally adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. When you see Messi’s performances, don’t you have a few doubts about that? SR: It’s inevitable that there will be comparisons between two really great players, and it’s clear that in the past season especially, Messi has shown himself to be one of the best players in the world, in my opinion. They’re both different, but they’re very good players, but personally I would still pick Cristiano, particularly for the way he’s been playing recently, which has been decisive for our team. QD: And since you’re a supporter of Sevilla, and you still have contacts with the Sevilla players, how many of them have you called up in the past few hours to say “Let’s go, guys!”? SR: In the past few hours, and every hour until the match! Since I left Sevilla, there’s been a spirit of friendship, it’s a tremendous group, and I’ve kept in touch with a lot of the players, the ones who are still there and the ones who have left: Javi Navarro, Pablo Alfaro, Renato, Jesús Navas, Negredo… I’ve kept in touch because the important thing is that, after being a footballer and a teammate, you’re left with a friendship. And I’ve still got that with Sevilla. And since the world of football is always in motion, it just so happens that we’re playing Bilbao at home, and Barcelona is playing in my old stadium! And what better field? Sevilla is having a really good moment, and they’d do us a big favor if they won! JP: Have they told you “tranquilo, Sergio”? (As in, have they told you, “It’s okay, we got this”?) SR: Hombre… (he starts to give his canned response) JP: We know, they’re a great team, blah, blah, but have any of them said, “It’s okay, we got this?” SR: I think the team itself has to be convinced that they’re going to win, you know? JP: Do you know that? SR: Unfortunately, we aren’t in a position to depend on ourselves, we’re also depending on Barça (to lose), but hopefully we can get those three points. Paco Buyo: Sergio is like me, we’re from Madrid, we’re from Sevilla, we have those things in common. A lot of friends in Sevilla and we share some feelings, no? I remember when he started playing in the youth teams, and they told me what kind of player he was… The Sevilla school of football is just spectacular, and it produces geniuses like Sergio, who are great footballers and great people. And the capacity for improvement that he has, look – I went to Madrid at 24 and by 27 I was at the top of my game, but he’s going to be there until he’s 35 and there are no more records to break.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is out to inflict more derby misery on Atletico Madrid, but is not expecting an easy clash. Real have not lost to Atletico home or away since 1999, while in the 73 meetings between the two at the Bernabeu the home side have picked up 49 victories and suffered only 12 defeats. Casillas, who is one of the few local boys in either team following this summer`s departures of Real veterans Raul and Guti, is understandably keen to improve on those remarkable records, although he is well aware that history will count for little. "Our good run against them is just statistics. If we spoke to (summer signings Mesut and Sami) Ozil or Khedira I don`t think it would matter too much to them, because all they want to do is win the match," said the 29-year-old Casillas, who made his senior Real debut in 1999. "To the players who have been here longer, like Sergio (Ramos) and me, the matter of the good run maybe means a little more, but what we want regardless of statistics is to win. "I'm from Madrid, so I know what it means. You can feel it in the streets. Atletico look forward to defeating us, but we hope to maintain the good streak we have against them." Spain's World Cup-winning captain, whose side are unbeaten and have won 10 of 14 games under Mourinho this season, added: "I don`t think they (Atletico) will come out already beaten. I`m sure they`re eager to give a good performance and defeat us at the Bernabeu. "They have great players. (Sergio) Aguero, (Diego) Forlan, Simao (Sabrosa)...they are big players who stand out in big moments." Casillas is also taking little comfort in the poor run of form that Forlan is currently going through. The Uruguayan has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his six seasons in Spain with Villarreal and Atletico, twice winning the European Golden Boot, but he has failed to net in his last 11 Primera Division and Europa League appearances. Casillas said: "Maybe he`s not scoring goals, but last year he had a very good season and could hit back at any moment." Forlan, whose last goal for Atletico came in mid-September, is hoping he can end his barren spell this weekend. "Hopefully. I`m feeling good heading into this derby. I want to recover the happiness of scoring goals. It`s not the first time this has happened to me and I need to continue working hard. I know what I have to do continue improving," said the former Manchester United man, who insists his side will not settle for a draw tomorrow. "One always goes out to win games, and then is you achieve it or not depends on the circumstances," he added in AS. "We will try to do everything we can to get the victory." Both clubs go into the match on the back of good European results in midweek. Real netted a 94th-minute equaliser against AC Milan at the San Siro to secure a 2-2 draw that earned Mourinho's men a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games to spare. Quique Sanchez Flores' Atletico, meanwhile, emerged victorious from a tough Europa League against Rosenborg in Norway on Thursday thanks to a sensational late goal from Tiago. Atletico are sixth in the Primera Division standings on 14 points, nine behind Real.

...

Benzema: I'll prove myself to Mourinho Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is out to prove his worth at the club and has defended his relationship with Jose Mourinho. The Frenchman has struggled to hit the heights for the Spanish giants since his arrival at the Bernabeu from Lyon in 2009. This season hasn't been any better, with the 22-year-old, starting just six times and scoring once since the appointment of Mourinho as manager. However, Benzema is refusing to give up on making his mark at the Bernabeu and remains determined to reproduce the fine form that led to his Madrid move. "I am working hard to earn more playing time. Once I play people will see what I am capable of. I am sure I will succeed with Real Madrid. I don't have a single doubt." he told Punto Pelota. "I have the mindset to play here. If I have to defend and run, I will. That is fine. "I will work harder to play more and to prove to everyone that I am a good forward that can score a lot of goals and play pretty football. Linked with his struggles on the pitch this season have been claims of his poor relationship with Mourinho. But the Madrid No.9 has revealed otherwise, insisting that the Special One is among the best coaches he has played for. "Mourinho is a great coach and he has faith in me. He has told me that I need to run more. All the talking I do is on the pitch. "What I like most about him is that he is daring. He is one of the best coaches I have had. "All I ever dreamed about since I was 17 was playing for Real Madrid, so my signing day was very special. "I feel much more integrated now. My Spanish is better and I understand almost everything. I love Madrid, but my favorite spot is the Santiago Bernabeu." Benzema could be handed an opportunity to prove his point when Madrid take on Racing Santander at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Kaka to leave Real Madrid for Inter? Real Madrid midfielder Kaka is set to leave the club in January, with the two Milan clubs waiting to pounce for his signature. According to Spanish newspapers AS and Marca, Madrid are ready to listen to offers for the Brazilian playmaker - and those are likely to come from the Serie A. Inter Milan are reportedly leading the chase for the 28-year-old with AC Milan also interested in welcoming back their prodigal son. Inter president Massimo Moratti is set for a shopping spree this January after seeing his side struggle to match their performances from last season. And with his primary target Lionel Messi once and again snubbing his offer to join the club, Moratti has now shifted his attention to Kaka, who is still highly-regarded in world football. Helping his bid to sign the Brazilian would be his relationship with his former and now Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who hasn't been too keen in the services of Kaka and might see this as an excellent opportunity to offload him. But one can never rule out the money-bags of Manchester City and Chelsea, who are expected to join in the queue for his prized signature.

"Mourinho has changed everything" Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed Jose Mourinho has revolutionised life at Real Madrid since his arrival at the Santiago Bernebeu. The Portugal forward told Marca TV that his fellow countryman has given the squad a new outlook as they bid to wrest the league title away from Barcelona. "Mourinho's arrival has changed everything," Ronaldo said. "The coach is very good and he has brought his experience to Real Madrid. With him we have more chances to win." While the league title is a top priority, Madrid also have their eyes on the Champions League, which Mourinho won last season with Inter Milan before heading to Spain. "Of course, our objective is the Champions League," Ronaldo added. "A Real Madrid player must always think that is possible. I am convinced this year will be different." Madrid needed a late equaliser, but were able to secure a 2-2 draw away to AC Milan on Wednesday night and book their passage to the knock-out stages of the competition. Next up is the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday as Mourinho's men bid to extend their lead at the top of the table. "A derby is more than just a game," said Ronaldo. "We know it is important for both teams in the city, but we do not need to prepare differently. "We know it will be a difficult game, but we are at home and Atletico need to win."

"Mourinho has changed everything" Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed Jose Mourinho has revolutionised life at Real Madrid since his arrival at the Santiago Bernebeu. The Portugal forward told Marca TV that his fellow countryman has given the squad a new outlook as they bid to wrest the league title away from Barcelona. "Mourinho's arrival has changed everything," Ronaldo said. "The coach is very good and he has brought his experience to Real Madrid. With him we have more chances to win." While the league title is a top priority, Madrid also have their eyes on the Champions League, which Mourinho won last season with Inter Milan before heading to Spain. "Of course, our objective is the Champions League," Ronaldo added. "A Real Madrid player must always think that is possible. I am convinced this year will be different." Madrid needed a late equaliser, but were able to secure a 2-2 draw away to AC Milan on Wednesday night and book their passage to the knock-out stages of the competition. Next up is the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday as Mourinho's men bid to extend their lead at the top of the table. "A derby is more than just a game," said Ronaldo. "We know it is important for both teams in the city, but we do not need to prepare differently. "We know it will be a difficult game, but we are at home and Atletico need to win."

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JP:Anyway, the World Cup is coming up. You’re the DJ of la selección? SR: Haha, I’m in charge of putting on the music, call it whatever you like. For us, music is something that all of La Roja really likes, and there’s a bit of everything, any kind of music that anyone likes, to motivate the group and the dressing room before going out. JP: Florentino was the one who brought you to Madrid, no? SR: Yes. JP: Do you speak to him? SR: Yes, I talk with him a lot, and the truth is I’m súper agradecido (very grateful) to him for giving me the opportunity to sign with a club as great as this one, and I hope that both he and I are here for many years. JP: So you told Florentino, “Bring Mourinho!”, or what? SR: No, no, not at all. I’m not anyone to tell anyone who to hire, and we’re súper contento (very happy) with Pellegrini at the moment. He and the whole coaching team feel very supported; what he’s doing is unique and what he’s achieved has hardly been achieved by anyone. JP: Madrid went out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals. Madrid can’t lose in quarterfinals Will not winning La Liga count as a failure? SR: It will be a huge blow to whoever loses, but whoever wins will really deserve it… [merecedor meritorio - what a way with words!] Sadly, there’s only one Cup, and it can’t be shared. JP: The 3-0… that cover [of Marca] you did… do you remember? SR: Which one? (Laughs). People talked about it a lot, but it was clear that we had to win convincingly. I have total faith in my team. JP: Do you watch Punto Pelota at home? SR: Yes, yes, we really like it. JP: We do rag on you, too… SR: That’s when I put on my headphones, and try to read your lips! JP: Who criticizes you the most? Roncero? SR: Yeah, Roncero. I’ve got a few little things to settle with him… JP: Oh yes? SR: Sí, sí… he rags on me too much, I think. JP: What do you think of Mourinho? SR: I agree [that he’s a good coach], although I don’t know him personally, but from what I know of him, and from what my teammates have said, in the case of Welly (Wesley Sneijder), he’s a coach with a lot of character and a winning spirit, and I think that’s always important in a coach. But it’s clear that if we have to defend anyone, to stick together for anyone, it’s Pellegrini, who’s the coach now. JP: Time for viewer comments. So far, there’s apparently no bad ones, right, Irene? Irene Junquera: No, people love him, there are no bad ones. Maybe I haven’t looked hard enough. SR: Haha, you took the bad ones out. IJ: No, no, I don’t cut them out. JP: Let’s see what people have to say… [They play a video of Irene interviewing people about what they’d say to Sergio.] Old man: He’s going to win La Liga, with lots of salero (a combination of talent, art, skill and charm). Old man: I don’t understand anything about football… I watch lots of bullfights though. Young man with glasses: Fight for the next few games, and win La Liga! Old man: He’s a fenómeno! Very good, no? But he should be more careful sometimes… he makes me very nervous! Teenage boy: I’m a fan of Atleti, but you’re better than them, so come to Atleti, no pasa nada [this causes Sergio to laugh more than usual]. Old man: I’d tell him that I’m very jealous because he’s 24 and he plays for Spain, and I’m eighty. Young guy who looks like Piqué: He’s a genius and I like him a lot. Old lady: He plays very well. And does he play for Madrid or what? [irene: Madrid...] Yes, yes, I want Madrid to win! Even though I don’t understand… and Barcelona, nothing, eh? Old man: He plays very well, whether as a fullback or central defender. He does it really well! Old man: He’s the best one playing for Madrid today, him and Ronaldo. Old lady: For me, he’s precioso (cute), very handsome! He’s got a great body! [irene: have you seen him up close?] Very close! [irene: oh really?] Yes! [sergio’s face is GENIUS for this one]. Little boy: [irene: do you know who Sergio Ramos is?] Yes. [irene: he’s going to see you, so say something to Sergio Ramos] Hi Sergio, you’re the best. JP: Do you notice people’s affection for you? SR: Yes, ever since I signed with Madrid, I’ve been proud of the way I’ve been treated, the affection the fans have, and you notice it every time you step onto the field, and it’s really what motivates you to win and to keep working and getting better every day. JP: How do you deal with living in the public eye? SR: One has to be conscious that one is a public figure, and footballers affect a lot of people, especially children and young people, and it’s really satisfying to be able to make people smile, to make children smile. JP: You were in Milan, and they saw you in Milan, and there was a huge fuss, do you remember? SR: Yes, of course. JP: Were you going to sign with them? SR: Yes, for twenty years from now… Haha, no, nothing like that, it was my birthday and I wanted to go for a stroll, I took my sister and my brother-in-law, and I had dinner with Welly, but after that, they said all kinds of things, that I was eating at Maldini’s restaurant, when I only found out that same day that Maldini even had a restaurant, because I was eating with Welly! I’d just been walking around the area, going into the shops, because I like fashion [*sigh* we know, Sergio], but nothing more than that. It was just a trip to get to know the city a little bit, and see Welly and some friends, and then come home… oh, and to see Cannavaro, too. JP: You saw Welly? What has Welly said to you? SR: That he’s really good. JP: Is he mad at Madrid? [i have no idea what the interviewer is actually saying, just inferring the question from the answer...] SR: No, no, not at all, he doesn’t have any hard feelings towards Madrid. It’s clear that we lost a great player, but now he has a coach who believes in him and gives him opportunities, who didn’t doubt his quality as a player, and I think he’s responded to that, at a great club like Inter. JP: They told me you’re crazy about watches, but today, you’re not wearing a watch! SR: No, today I left it at home. Because later when they take pictures, it will cause glare, and so I decided not to wear one, I just wear them in my everyday life. JP: How many do you have? SR: Only a few… three or four. JP: No, it can’t only be three or four! How many? Thirty? Forty? A hundred? SR: No, no, not that many! I’d say I have around fifteen. [boring football talk about the match against Mallorca; since it was last season, it’s even more boring.]

by unamadridista Here is the last part from Sergio’s appearance on Punto Pelota. Roberto Morales: And also a lot of former madridistas, such as Zidane, and people from the vestuario, Rafa van der Vaart and Mohamadou Diarrá, and this year especially Kaká, who is a very charitable person. JP: Now we’re going to have some messages from viewers. Ever since we knew we were going to have you on, we’ve been advertising you. SR: (laughing) Yeah, I saw – “next week, next week…” JP: We’ve received lots of messages for you, so Irene is going to read some out. [They talk about some giveaway department store El Corte Inglés is running for fans of Atlético Madrid.] IJ: Sergio, you’ve said you like to read before going to bed. What’s your favorite book? SR: The last one I read was Poderosamente, which was given to me as a gift by my brother, and which I really liked, because it opens your mind, makes you think, gives you advice about your personal life… [This was still the last book he read at World Cup time, so I’m guessing he’s not a speed reader... or perhaps he’s embarrassed by his taste in bedtime reading. I’m picturing a stack of Harlequins on the nightstand...] IJ: They also ask if you watch Barça games. SR: Hombre, I love football, so I watch all the interesting games, and the truth is that now more than ever, La Liga games are very interesting. JP: Do they play better than Madrid? SR: Differently, no? I still prefer my style, although it’s clear that we don’t have the same security of the players that they have, perhaps, because they’ve been working together a long time, and our project is new and will require some time before it bears fruit. TR: Are you trying?! You always say you want to improve, but… [lots of crosstalk]. JP: Let’s get back to Irene’s questions… IJ: They also ask you, Sergio, what you wrote on Cristiano’s game ball yesterday? SR: Ah, they found out, huh? As a joke, I put “it was thanks to my passes.” Everyone: Haha, that’s really good! SR: I said that half of it was mine! IJ: They also ask if you would take Valdés to the national team as the third goalie? SR: Someone else is in charge of that. You can’t deny the amazing season that Víctor Valdés is having, but the coach will be the one to put together the list and decide who’s going to South Africa. PB: And if not, they can take me, I’m really good! [Paco is very old.] SR: Yeah, we should take Paco! IJ: They also say, “Sergio, we’re from Barcelona and we’d sign you without a doubt, you’re great” and “you’re a physical force, as well as a great person, I hope you’re at Madrid for many more years.” They also ask what’s worse, the Alcorconazo or the 2-6 loss last season? SR: Well, the truth is, anytime you’re defeated or eliminated, it’s always going to be bitter and sad… I always try to think positive thoughts to get through it, I try not to let it affect me, because in football everything goes so fast that you can’t sit around crying about a mistake or an elimination. IJ: Where were you, and what were you doing at the time of La Novena? We’re anxious for you to win La Décima. SR: I hope to experience it too, to be able to lift up a cup like that of the Champions! I hope that when I retire I’ll have won lots of awards. IJ: They also ask which player from Barcelona you’d sign? SR: Uf… that’s really difficult, because Barcelona is a team with a lot of [good] players, but as I’ve said more than once, I’d happily bring Iniesta to Madrid – he’s a fenómeno. JP: We can see you’ve got a special affection for Iniesta… now let’s go to the phones. [The caller is Roberto Carlos.] JP: Good evening - RC: Good evening, well really, good afternoon for me here. SR: Robe - RC: Dime. SR: What’s up, how are you? RC: I’m really good, and you, brother? SR: I’m good, I’m good, the truth is that I miss you, eh? [His accent goes about 50% more Andalucían when talking on the phone, apparently.] The last time I saw him, was in Turkey, playing with la selección… RC: (interrupting) I went to your house… SR: Hey, let me tell the story! RC: Okay, okay. SR: Yeah, the truth is that I have a lot of affection for Roberto Carlos because he’s always treated me like a brother, ever since I came to Real Madrid, and as I was saying, the last time I saw him, he was in Turkey… I was eating at home, at three in the afternoon, and the doorbell rang, and I was like, “Who’s ringing the doorbell at this time of day?” It was Roberto, he had come from Turkey and he was out for a paseo and he decided to stop by and say hi. As well as being a great footballer, and I think there’s no better leftback in the world, he’s also a great person, and I really miss his affection, and I hope he comes back to visit whenever he can. JP: Roberto, what about Sergio? RC: Sergio, for me, like he said, he’s like my brother, I have a lot of affection for him, a lot of respect. He’s a great player, he’s the Spanish player with whom I have the most contact, with him and his family, they’ve always treated me very well, and I’m very proud to have him as my brother. JP: Will you come back to Madrid one day, Roberto? RC: To visit, yes. [General laughter] TR: He’s coming to the Bernabéu trophy game. RC: Ah, yeah, there’s a Real Madrid-Corinthians match! JP: Would you like to work for Madrid in the future, Roberto? RC: I’d like that a lot, but I’ve got ten more years of football left! I’m not retiring yet! [end phone call] IJ: María asks how many tattoos you have, and if you’ll show them to us? SR: Hmmm… (looks at his clothes). The truth is with this shirt they’re pretty covered up. JP: How many do you have? SR: Eight or nine, something like that… nine, but the majority have meaning for me, and have mostly to do with my family, like the initials of my siblings and my parents, the Virgin and a Christ, which are important to me, they help me from day-to-day [nice try, but leave the Catholic schoolboy thing to Jesús, eh?] but I don’t know, it’s something I like, but sometimes they can’t be shown, there’s other times to show them off. JP: But you can see the one on your wrist… SR: Yes, and the one on my finger, which is the one that’s in plain sight; it has the initials of my siblings – Miriam, Sergio, and René, and all three of us have it. [This gives Sergio an opportunity to display his middle finger to the camera... he’s very careful to point it downwards!] IJ: They also ask what you think of the way they imitate you on Crackòvia? We’ve received a lot of messages asking about that! JP: Have you seen it? SR: Haha, yeah, I’ve seen it. JP: Let’s watch a little bit of it. SR: They’re a little bit exaggerated but the truth is I find them funny. [They watch the clip, which is not really one of the funniest ones ever, to be honest.] JP: You seem to take it well. SR: I have a good sense of humor, and if there’s anyone who’s always, or almost always, joking around, it’s me, so I laugh at these videos a lot. Although they’re a little bit exaggerated, eh? JP: Just a little bit. SR: If they did a show here [in Madrid], it probably wouldn’t be quite as bad. IJ: They also ask if you’d tell a joke, because you tell them very well. SR: A joke? I don’t know… JP: Or palmas (flamenco clapping)? A little bit of flamenco? SR: A little bit, with José, ok. JP: We’re about to say goodbye, so let’s take one last question for Sergio. QD: I wanted to ask you about Puyol. Is he a role model for you, for what he has been at Barça? SR: And for what he has been for Spanish football. I think it’s similar to the case of Raúl, but at Barcelona. You can always learn a lot from this sort of player, this sort of person. And since I share a locker room with him as a member of the national team, I’m very proud to be able to learn from the sort of players who have always served as examples in their clubs. JP: We’ve got one of jerseys here, would you sign it for us? A viewer can win this shirt very soon… [He signs the shirt, getting a hand from Paco Buyo so he can write on it properly.] JP: We’ve got to go soon, so, José Mercé, can we do something with some palmas from Sergio? JM: If my Sergio wants to sing, I’ll do the palmas for him instead. SR: Haha, no! JP: He sings really well, he should sing something! SR: No, no, if we win the Liga I promise I’ll sing at Cibeles. But for now let him do it. IC: You have to do it right here! JM: It’ll be at Cibeles… but I’ll do it. Let’s go. [José Mercé sings some bulerías, with Sergio providing palmas, and one of the lines is “yo no quiero dinero, quiero a Cibeles con los jugadores que yo quiero”: “I don’t want money, I want to go to the Plaza de Cibeles with the players that I love.”] JP: Let’s say goodbye to Sergio Ramos, and after this we’re going to have lots of analysis of La Liga, lots of discussion, so let’s say goodbye… that way we can criticize him, once he’s gone! [This causes a lot of laughter.] JP: Thanks, Sergio, for being here, and for being the way you are. SR: Not at all, it was a pleasure being here with you guys. JP: A round of applause for Sergio!

credit denise22 at sergio-ramos,com