madristar

Agent: Kaka not leaving Real Madrid The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Kaka has insisted his client is not leaving the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of this season. The Brazilian joined Madrid from AC Milan for a fee of €68.5 million in 2009 but has so far struggled to live up to the hefty price-tag. And despite recently returning from a long injury lay-off, the 28-year-old's future at the Santiago Bernabeu continues to be clouded in uncertainty. That has led to widespead speculation linking the Brazilian out of the club, with Inter Milan and Chelsea the possible destinations. But his Italian agent Ernesto Bronzetti has dismissed the rumours as baseless. "There is no possibility for Kaka to leave Madrid," Bronzetti told Ilsussidiario.net. "Florentino Perez told me for sure, the former Milan player was one of his honourable transfers. "Of course, the football market can always change from now on, but from what I know it's just paper speculation." Kaka has played just 10 games for the Los Blancos this season, scoring twice.

Twenty-two players were called up by Mou for the convocatoria. Poor Fernando Gago was the only one left out, but he got to play several minutes against Levante at least. Pedro León and Sergio Canales made their “return” from exile, while Pepe just made a normal “return.” Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek, Adán. Defenders: Pepe, Ramos, Albiol, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Garay, Carvalho. Midfielders: Lass, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Kaká, Granero, Pedro León, Canales, Özil, Di María. Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Adebayor.

Carvalho: "We know what we must do to win the tie" "This tie has nothing to do with when I faced them with Porto. Back then, we won 2-0 in Portugal and hardly experienced any problems in France." "We have to respect our coach's tactics and do what he asks on the pitch. If he says we must defend, then defending it is. The same goes for attacking. We should always do this following the coach's instructions." "It's important to score a goal here. It would be very important to take a good result home with us in order to have more chances to go through in the second leg." "We are playing well in La Liga, especially at home, but everything is different in the Champions League and we know what we must do to win the tie against Lyon." "I feel great. The experience I gained at other sides has come in very handy for me at Real Madrid. I'm playing well and I'm living a good moment in my career."

Match facts and figures Lyon •Lisandro pulled his hamstring in training on Thursday and is out, but Ederson is back in training having not played since August because of a thigh injury. Yoann Gourcuff (knee), Clément Grenier (thigh) and César Delgado (thigh) are all fit after lengthy spells out. Dejan Lovren and Michel Bastos are within a booking of a one-match European suspension. • Lyon have won 48 corners and been caught offside 30 times [in the Champions League], both more than any other side in the round of 16 ahead of the first legs. • Michel Bastos and Dejan Lovren are within a booking of a ban. • Puel's side are nine matches unbeaten at home, winning five and drawing four since their 2-1 League Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain FC on 27 October. • Lyon were 18th in Ligue 1 at the beginning of October but a 13-game unbeaten run lifted them to third before a 2-1 defeat by Valenciennes FC on 29 January. • On 23 January Lyon's French Cup ambitions ended with an extra-time defeat by OGC Nice in the last 32. • Seventeen of the 24 league goals Lyon have conceded this season have come after half-time. Real Madrid •Pepe sat out the weekend win against Levante UD with a sore calf, while Gonzalo Higuaín could miss the rest of the season after suffering a slipped disc in November. Kaká (knee), Fernando Gago (knee) and Jerzy Dudek (broken jaw) have all shaken off injuries. Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl Albiol will miss the rematch if they are booked in Lyon. • Only Manchester United FC, with one, have conceded fewer goals than Madrid's two. • Madrid had more shots on target (54) and wide (56) than any other team in the last 16 ahead of the first legs. • Cristiano Ronaldo had more shots on target (15) and wide (16) than any other player ahead of the first legs. • Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso are available after serving one-game bans on Matchday 6, when José Mourinho was also suspended. Ronaldo and Raúl Albiol are within a booking of a ban. • Madrid have won all 19 of their home matches this season. They have managed 11 victories in 19 away games, including a 1-0 triumph at RCD Espanyol on 13 February that came despite Iker Casillas's second-minute dismissal – the Merengues' earliest red card in Liga history. • Madrid have won just three of their last six away games, losing at Levante and CA Osasuna. • Ronaldo has amassed 37 goals in 41 appearances for club and country this season. Random Factoid • Lisandro's goal on Matchday 6 was Lyon's 300th in UEFA competition. • Karim Benzema's first goal on Matchday 6 was Madrid's 300th in the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid Call Up Every man will travel to Lyon for tomorrow's Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais except for Gago and Higuain, who will stay in Madrid due to coaching decisions and injury, respectively. Officials Referee: Wolfgang Stark (GER) Assistant Referees: Jan-Hendrik Salver (GER), Mike Pickel (GER) Fourth Official: Thorsten Kinhöfer (GER) Additional Assistant Referees: Tobias Welz (GER), Christian Dingert (GER)

Zidane: "I'm just another part of this team and I try to help" Zinedine Zidane also represented Real Madrid in the press conference leading up to the clash with Lyon. "I've written this report making more use of a player's mentality than that of a coach. I've watched Lyon play much this year and I thought writting a report on them would be useful. Real Madrid have professionals who take care of such things, but I wanted to help. In the end, though, it will be the players who decide what happens on the pitch." "The work I do is less important to me than what I'm learning at Real Madrid. I'm just another part of this team and I'm surrounded by great professionals. I will gradually help more."

Ozil: We have to eliminate Olympique Lyonnais because we want to reach the Wembley final Mesut Ozil is about to take part in his first ever Champions League knockout stage. The Germany player talked about the upcoming tie with Olympique Lyonnais and his quick adaptation to the team. You’ll face Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League. You must be excited to play the game… We all expect the game to be difficult, but we want to win, and we know we can. I expect us to be successful. Which Lyon players worry you the most? I’ve been watching their games and they actually worry me as a team. They are very good and they’ve lately been reaching the Champions League quarterfinals. It’s clear they will make things difficult for us, but we want to defeat them. How has the squad discussed the game? The squad thinks about winning titles, but we have to take things slowly and play one game at a time. We have to eliminate Olympique Lyonnais because we want to reach the Wembley Stadium final. You scored your first Champions League goal against Milan at the Bernabeu. You celebrated in a special way. What did you feel? It was incredible to score my first Champions League goal. I was lucky to catch that clearance. I didn’t care how nice my goal was because it was my first in the European Cup. You kissed the crest after scoring against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey... I did. I feel very much connected to this club. I’m part of this team and I wanted to express my happiness for being here. I hadn’t planned it. I was a spur of the moment thing. It is always incredible to score, no matter where you are, but it is even more special when you do so at home before the Bernabeu crowd. The stadium makes me feel fantastically well.

Mourinho: "We are the champions of all European champions, and we must play with that conviction" Jose Mourinho addressed the media in Lyon the day prior to the first leg in the Champions League Last 16 against Olympique Lyonnais. "The tie with Lyon is something new for many of my men. The French team happens to bring back fond memories for me because I eliminated them from the Champions League one of the years I won the title. Carvalho did the same, and so did Cristiano. We'll have to eliminate them in order to achieve our Champions League goals." "I haven't done anything special or different in preparation for this match. We started to talk about the game and our opponent today. We know what we want and the direction we must take to win the tie." "Scoring more goals than them will be key (laughs). Seriously now, Lyon are a tough, intelligent opponent who know exactly how to play these games. Statistics are there to be broken. We will have to give excellent performances in both games in order to win the tie. We will experience problems if we believe this to be easy. Our respect for our opponent should be based on what it is today, not what it was last year. Real Madrid are the champions of all European champions and we will have to play with that conviction. We know what we must do to reach the next round." "I normally talk about the lineup I'll use, but I won't today. I'm the only one who knows who will play tomorrow. Not even my men know." "We'll see if we win the Champions League or not. We must now climb two walls: reaching the quarterfinals and defeating Lyon, whom this team has never defeated. I faced a similar situation at Inter Milan and we ended up winning the Champions League; but we'll have to wait and see if we win this year." "Zinedine Zidane has given us a report on the team because he knows French football better than we do. He also knows Real Madrid better than anyone. He will always be with us in the Champions League, but he may be even closer to us for this tie. He has been working on it for two months."

Mourinho confident of ending jinx Jose Mourinho claims he is not losing any sleep over the fact that his Real Madrid team come up against a side, in Lyon, who have never lost to the Spanish team. Real have faced Lyon in six matches in the Champions League over the last five years - losing all three of their away games - and were eliminated by the French side in the first knockout round last year. But now, Mourinho believes his side know all about their European opposition. "I am not losing sleep over Lyon or any other team," Mourinho said. "Ever since we drew Lyon, we have been studying and learning about them." Lyon reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time last season, but despite the fact that Madrid have won the trophy a record nine times, they have not fared well in recent years - with their last triumph coming in 2002. ''It's been years since Madrid made it (to the quarter-finals), and it's because they have never beaten Lyon," Mourinho added. Once again, the attention will be focused on former Lyon striker Karim Benzema, as he returns to his old club. Last year's defeat is still fresh in the memory for the striker, who thinks things will be different this time around. "If I'm lucky enough to play I will do everything I can," Benzema said. "This match will be different to last year. Our team has changed ... I think we are going to defeat Lyon and win the Champions League." But Cristiano Ronaldo thinks that it will be Mourinho who will make the difference in the tie. ''This year we are going to beat them (Lyon), God willing. This year is going go be totally different,'' said Ronaldo. ''The coach has a lot of experience and he knows what to do to win. ''We'll go out onto the pitch knowing that Lyon are a very difficult team, but I'm convinced that this year we are finally going to reach the quarter-finals.'' Lyon will have to do without their star striker, Lisandro Lopez, after he suffered a hamstring injury during training on Thursday. "You have to respect the player," said Lyon boss Claude Puel. "He is injured and it's a handicap for us." Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris believes his side will once again be underdogs this time around but is confident they will give a good account of themselves. The 24-year-old told L'Equipe: ''If everybody plays to his true level, we will see the beautiful Lyon. ''Faced with a great team like Real, we know that by giving 200% we are not even sure of the result. They are a favourite for the Champions League. And we are an obstacle for Real. We hope to cause an upset.''

Barcelona want Fabregas for £38m Barcelona just won't give up on Cesc Fabregas as they are preparing a £38million bid for the Arsenal captain in the summer. The Catalan giants failed to land their former youth player with a £30million bid last summer as the Gunners were resolute in keeping their prized asset at the Emirtates Stadium, insisting only a world record-breaking fee could take the Spaniard away from them. That is despite the Spaniard declaring his desire to return to the Nou Camp, where he first developed as a player before being snapped up by Arsenal at the age of 16. But according to the Daily Mirror, a Barcelona insider has revealed the club have not given up on their 'lost child' and plan to launch a stunning bid which they believe will be too good for the North London club to reject. The insider was quoted as saying: "We still want him and we think he still wants to come back to us. "If we bid €45 million (£38million) then we will be able to sign him. "Arsenal say they want to keep him but if we offer the right amount of money then things will change. I believe it will take €45 million." "He is the best player we let leave the club and he would complete the Barcelona team if he came back. He is a phenomenal player." It remains to be seen on how long the Gunners are able to hold on to their beloved captain, who made no secret of his desire to help end the club's trophy drought before finally making the exit from the Emirates Stadium.

Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao Lionel Messi was the hero for Barcelona on his 250th competitive game for the club as he scored the winner to beat Athletic Bilbao. Barca went ahead within three minutes through David Villa, but the Catalans flattered to deceive for much of the rest of the game and Athletic levelled shortly after the break, when Andoni Iraola scored from the spot. And just when it looked as if Pep Guardiola's side would have to settle for a disappointing draw, Messi - who had two very good penalty shouts turned down - popped up with a priceless winner to keep Barca five points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid after 24 rounds of the Primera Division. Barcelona had failed to win their previous two matches, having been held at lowly Sporting Gijon in the league last weekend and losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the first leg of the teams' Champions League last-16 tie. But any talk of a crisis at the Catalan club appeared to have been put to rest after just three minutes, albeit in controversial circumstances. Xavi's clever long pass found Dani Alves and the Brazil full-back, who looked to be marginally offside, squared for Villa to slot home. Andres Iniesta almost set up Messi in a very dangerous position moments later and the Argentina forward could have had a penalty not long after that, when he was clearly shoved by Athletic midfielder Carlos Gurpegi. Markel Susaeta headed into the side-netting at the other end as Athletic sought a quick reply. But Villa, having scored in three successive matches for the first time as a Barcelona player, almost added another after 25 minutes, when he sent a delightful chip onto the crossbar. Nevertheless, with half-time approaching, the Catalans needed an impressive intervention from goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto - in for the injured Victor Valdes - to stay in front. Pinto produced a fine reaction save, diving low to his right to keep out a powerful header from Athletic striker Fernando Llorente. Alves then blasted wide from distance and Villa curled over the bar from outside the area, but Barca seemed to be playing well within themselves. And Athletic were able to take advantage five minutes into the second half as Sergio Busquets brought down Llorente in the area and Iraola slotted home the spot-kick to level the scores. Busquets looked to touch the ball as he dived in to clear Eric Abidal's misplaced pass, but the midfielder - playing in defence in the absence of captain Carles Puyol - took his Spain team-mate Llorente down too and Barca could have no arguments with the decision. Now back to square one, Barca looked to Messi. And the Argentina forward thought he had won a penalty just short of the hour after he ran through a crowd of Athletic defenders and advanced into the area, only to go down under a challenge from Javi Martinez. It looked a clear penalty but the referee waved play on, provoking fury among the 83,000 Barca fans. Guardiola made a tactical switch five minutes later, with Maxwell coming on for the ineffective Javier Mascherano. That change saw Maxwell installed at left-back, with Abidal moving to central defence and Busquets reverting to his usual defensive midfield slot. And unsurprisingly, Barca improved immediately. Villa saw a low angled drive saved by Gorka Iraizoz and slipped over at a key moment shortly afterwards, but Guardiola's side kept on pouring forward and as usual, their hero was Messi. The Argentinian popped up on the edge of the six-yard box to beat Iraizoz with a first-time shot from Alves' low cross after the Brazilian had been set up superbly by Xavi. The relief was tangible around the ground and also apparent on the Barca bench. Guardiola's side stay five points clear of Madrid, while Athletic remain in fifth place with 14 games remaining.

Irina at Staples centre,LA

Messi: It was a must-win game A relieved Lionel Messi is pleased to see Barcelona stretch their lead at the top of the La Liga with a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. The Argentinean was again the hero for the Catalan giants as he came up with the decisive winner 12 minutes from time to seal three crucial points for his side, who led the table by just two points ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Levante 2-0 on Saturday. Speaking after the match, Messi spoke of his delight and urged his team to focus on every game till they lay their hands on the title. "We could not afford another blow as Madrid were close," the mercurial forward was quoted as saying by AS. "We won an important game. It is a short season now and every game is vital." The 23-year-old also gave credit to Bilbao for putting up a good fight at the Nou Camp. "They always complicate things," he said. "They are a great team, very organised when pressuring and always play well. These are three very important points." The win once again puts Barcelona five points clear at the top of the table as they head into next weekend's trip to Mallorca while Madrid face a daunting trip to Deportivo.

AWWWW>>>>>>>>>>>>>> THats sweet,i wish he marries her and settles down with her.She seems like a nice,intelligent girl...MY OPNION,please dont fight with me,ok? lol

Cristiano did an interview with Antena 3 a few days ago thanks hala_madrid for the translation! Interviewer: And tonight, a visit – Cristiano Ronaldo. Good evening, Cristiano, come over here, 'cause I can't card you… Interviewer: By the way, do you think that they give- that they punish you more than other players in La Liga? Cris: No, it’s all the same. We’re professionals, and we know how football is. But I don’t think that the players I go up against are malicious/harm me with malicious intent, it’s just a part of football. Interviewer: Uh-huh. You’ve been in our country for about a year, you’re settled down – are you happy, satisfied? Cris: Very happy. The truth is, I’m very content/happy to live in Spain – for the people, for the football, and of course for the game as well, which is the most important, and I’m very comfortable here. Interviewer: And why are you not so noticeable on the pitch? It seems like you’re upset with half the world! Cris: Upset? Is that what it looks like? Interviewer: That’s what it seems like – that’s what they say. Cris: The truth is, if that’s what it looks like, it’s not. I – it’s simply the way I am, but I also don’t – I do what I like the most, play football. Interviewer: Your coach, Mourinho, says – and it surprised me – he says ‘Football has taken from me more than it’s given’. It robs you of privacy – isn’t it a bit much? Does this happen to you? Cris: Well, there are differing opinions. Hmm, that’s what he thinks, and we must respect his opinion. Me, when I go onto the pitch and when I train, I go happily, because – what else do I like to do so much? Interviewer: And isn’t it a bit frustrating to have coincided with a team that breaks all the records like Barca? Cris: It’s difficult. The truth is that Barca is very strong. But I’m convicted that Madrid is also strong, and we’re going to fight until the end and see, if, maybe. Interviewer: I have to ask you your prediction for the Copa final, which is the next meeting [between Barca and RM]. Cris: Well, I – at the very least, I think we have to step onto the pitch with the idea that we have to win. If we didn’t, I should rather just stay at home. But we know Barca has a great/grand team; we’re going to try everything to beat them, but I’m convinced that we will have a little desire and that we will win. Interviewer: Well, no matter what, it’ll be a great game. Thank you, Ronaldo, and we’ll be back with you in a minute in Tiempo del Deporte. Interviewer2: Good evening, how are you all doing, I’m here with Cristiano Ronaldo – do you know to which question Matías was referring? Cris: Always the same one. Interviewer2: What is ‘always the same one?’ Cris:, laughing: If I’m better than Messi or if Messi’s better than me. Always the same one. Interviewer2: And? Cris: Well, I didn’t answer because you know better than me. Interviewer2: Messi isn’t better than you, then? Cris: That’s not – that’s not the important part. He does the best for his club, as I do for mine, and that’s why – two different players that try to help their clubs. Interviewer2: Did you know you’re beating Messi, Cristiano? You have 10 million followers on facebook. Cris: No, I have more. Interviewer2: More? I’m short, you keep getting more all the time. Cris: Yes, there are more. Interviewer2: Two million on twitter, more or less? Cris: In facebook, I think about fifteen, I’m not sure. Twitter, too, it’s good. Interviewer2: So, taking these facts into consideration, it occurred to me – when was the last time you didn’t get recognized in the street? Cris: Well, that’s a question they’ve never- Interviewer2: Nobody’s ever asked you? Cris: No. Interviewer2: So you always get recognized on the street, then? Cris: No, I mean, nobody’s ever asked me that question before. I don’t know, it’s a good question. It’s difficult, I don’t know – I imagine that people who don’t like football would not recognize me. But I’m also not always paying attention so as to notice. Interviewer2: Well, I’m impressed with the stir you’ve caused here at Antenna3, and I imagine that, apart from the whole world knowing who you are, all over the planet, the question in Spain, and especially among fans of Real Madrid, is – are you going to try to win the league from Barca? I know the Copa del Rey, you told Matías that you’re going out to win it, because if you didn’t you’d stay at home- Cris: Exactly. Interviewer2: That’s said and done. But La Liga? How is La Liga? Cris: Well, the truth is that it’s a little more difficult. Barca is seven points ahead of us, but we have to think that everything’s possible in football. We have to keep on fighting until the last round. We know the challenge will be difficult, but it is possible. Interviewer2: Very difficult. Please look over here – you will find everything that is still ahead of you – especially everything that is still ahead of Barcelona: these are the matches that will be played by Pep Guardiola’s team. Evidently, you can not fail if you want to win La Liga. Why don’t you give it a look and point out two defeats and a draw. Cris: Let me tell you, it’s complicated. Interviewer2: Here, let me help you. I imagine that El Clásico at the Bernabeu, that one you expect to win? Cris: Well, we want to win. We’re playing at home, we have a good chance. Yes, I want to win. Interviewer2: Now pick a draw. Where can Barcelona draw? Cris: Where? Interviewer2: Yes. Cris: I think that all the teams – La Liga is very competitive. You have a very clear example: we drew with the lowest-ranked team. Sometimes – eh, that doesn't mean anything, but they could lose in Valencia, Sevilla, which are truly more difficult adversaries, but it’s too difficult to say. Interviewer2: But La Liga isn’t lost? Cris: No. We can’t think it’s lost. Like I told you before, we have to think that it’s possible. Difficult but possible. Interviewer2: Evidently, you’re optimistic regarding this season, but if you look at things pessimistically – can you see yourself ending the season without titles? Cris: No. It doesn’t cross my mind. It could happen, yes. Interviewer2: If it happens? Cris: I don’t want to think that it’ll happen. I’m confident that we will win something important. Interviewer2: Would you leave if this happened? Or do you see yourself here, at Real Madrid- Cris: I’m going to be sincere, I never thought, this year – I’m confident that we’re going to win. I’m generally a positive person. Interviewer2: And is it also because of Mourinho’s arrival? Cris: Yes. Also. Interviewer2: Your antidote. Cris: Yes, as a person with a lot of experience-well, his titles speak for themselves; a born winner, and, like me, he takes a while/takes his time. Interviewer2: When you talk of Mourinho, one gets the feeling that he’s the manager with whom you’d go the ends of the world, who you’d always follow. Do you also have that feeling? Cris: I do. The truth is that, for me, maybe, I’m sure that in Madrid he’s going to do very well, and I want to continue in Madrid. I like to work with the best. Interviewer2: Mourinho would be like a ‘sports father’/father in sports to you? Cris: Why not? Interviewer2: No, I say the ‘sports father’ thing because – you know what Pandiani said about- Cris: Yes, yes, I laugh at those things. Interviewer2: Have you heard what Pandiani said about you? Cris:. Well, I… Interviewer2: No, no, don’t worry, we’re going to watch it. Listen to it – watch. ~Clip of Pandiani~ Cris: *laughs* What do you want me to answer? Interviewer2: Whatever you like. Cris: Please. Please. Interviewer2: You don’t want to say anything. Cris: It doesn’t make sense to waste time with things like that. Interviewer2: How do you take the way you’re received at some of the fields here in Spain. I know you’ve been asked this question several times, but I’m interested in knowing – what do you think when that happens? Cris: They receive me – phenomenally. Imagine. No, it’s a little difficult. The truth is that, when we play away, the people, from one side, applaud me – I feel affection, caring from those persons, but when I step inside the pitch, it’s totally different. Interviewer2: The way you’re received – have you sat down and thought to yourself: Well, maybe I should change the way I am, the way I play, move on the pitch, the way I express myself. Have you received advice on this – from your friends, the club? ‘Hey, maybe you’d better tone it down a bit when you’re on the pitch?’ Cris: Firstly, I don’t change the way I am. Whoever likes it, likes it, and whoever doesn’t- doesn’t/shouldn’t talk to me, or doesn’t/shouldn’t watch the match. That’s the important part. I have my personality, my character, and those who know me know what I am. I don’t need people to tell me I need to change; I know when I do wrong/badly, when I play badly, and when I do bad things. I’m a person – I’m always ready to learn, to listen to an opinion and learn from that opinion. That’s why I feel like a very well-measured person, very happy, playing at the best club in the world, with the best teammates in the world, and I want to continue this way. Interviewer2: Very well. It’s perfectly clear to me now. And do you know what else is perfectly clear to me? That you’re going to love – and I say it’s clear to me, because I’ve seen it before – this montage that we have made for you, and I would appreciate if you would comment on it with the first word that pops into your head. Here you have it – we’re going to see it. The first thing that occurs to you. Cris: This photo, I look like my son. Interviewer2: Yes? Cris: Yes. Interviewer2: Exactly like your son. Cris: Yes. Interviewer2: Your son has changed your life. Cris: Very much. Interviewer2: When you started with Sporting, yes? Cris: Yes, when I started – when I first started playing professionally in Europe, in the national team. Interviewer2: And the famous abs. And here, the tears of Cristiano at the Eurocup. Cris: Yes. Also my mom and my brother, when we won the English League, the Champions League. Cris: The Balon – for not having won anything, it’s not bad, the Balon D’or. Interviewer2: That one’s already yours. Well, Cristiano, we at Antenna 3 hope that you will go on adding to this album of your life in the best manner possible. Cris: Thank you very much. Interviewer2: Good luck. Cris: Thanks Interviewer2: This is your home, you can come back whenever you like. Cris: Thank you. It’s an honor for me to be here with you and express myself so that people will know who I am. Interviewer2: Thank you, Cristiano. Cris: Thank you very much.

No rest time just yet Preparations from Lyon have already begun Realmadrid.com Real Madrid had no days off following their 2-0 win against Levante. The team took part in a closed workout on Sunday in preparation for Tuesday' Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais.

Keeping The Faith Barcelona are a side used to winning with extreme regularity, so it has come of something of a shock that they’ve failed to win their last two encounters. Against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday evening, Pep Guardiola will want his side to re-establish themselves on the winning track, but their Basque opponents will not be willing lambs to the slaughter. Last weekend’s fixture against Sporting de Gijon was expected to give Barca a relatively straightforward match to extend their record-breaking streak in Ligue 1, but instead they found themselves held to a 1-1 draw. David Villa was required to strike late on to save the Catalans. Worse was to follow in midweek against Arsenal. When Villa struck in the first half, it seemed a case of business as usual for the Camp Nou outfit, but they were rocked by the Gunners’ second half revival, which leaves Barca staring at a 2-1 deficit going into the second leg in around 10 days. “They have given me plenty of reasons to feel optimistic,” the coach argued to the club’s official website after the somewhat surprising midweek loss. “[The players] have achieved too much in a short space of time for me not to have faith in them.” With their lead over Real Madrid in the Primera Division now cut to five points – and probably two come kick-off – Sunday night’s encounter is vital for la Blaugrana to regain their sense of greatness as the business end of the campaign looms. Champions League Chasing Having been on the fringes of the European race all season, Athletic Bilbao have thrust themselves into Champions League contention over the course of the last month with a series of impressive results. Los Leones almost got themselves within touching distance of Villarreal and Valencia thanks to four successive victories, but a defeat against Mallorca away from home last weekend stalled them rather. They now lie seven points off the pace and can only hope not to lose too much ground over the course of the weekend. “We did not play this match with the same intensity we had in our previous encounters. It was only in the second-half that we tried to win,” coach Joaquin Caparros lamented to Marca after the game. “We are in a position to sprint for a spot in the Champions League. It is within our reach.” Recent displays have certainly made European football next season look likely for the San Mames outfit, though Caparros’ success has simply lead him to be courted by bigger clubs, with Sevilla rumoured to be keeping an eye on the Basque coach. Athletic have made it clear they want to keep their general, and the lure of Champions League football with los Leones would certainly make their task in retaining the coach’s services an altogether easier one. Caparros has already seen his side compete strongly against Barca this season, edged out of the Copa del Rey, and a repeat performance of those two encounters would be pleasing for the boss. TEAM NEWS Barcelona Jeffren continues to miss out, while there are still doubts over the fitness of Carles Puyol, who has been suffering from tendonitis. Athletic Mikel San Jose and Igor Gabilondo have been training apart from the squad and both are doubtful for Sunday’s fixture. Ibai Gomez and Jon Aurtenetxe remain long-term injury concerns.

Lionel Messi: I'm Sure Cesc Fabregas Will Leave Arsenal For Barcelona Barcelona ace Messi certain Fabregas will join them from Arsenal... By Salvatore Landolina Lionel Messi believes Arsenal ace Cesc Fabregas will join Barcelona - adding weight to Goal.com Spain's exclusive which claims the Spanish international will leave the Emirates for Camp Nou. And Messi feels the inevitable will happen, suggesting the lure of trophies and Blaugrana excellence will be too much for Fabregas to resist. "I think that in the end Cesc will do what he feels like doing, the same with Barcelona," Messi told Sport.es. "I am certain he wants to come to Barcelona because he has realised this in the only club where he can win." Barcelona will welcome Fabregas and Arsenal to the Camp Nou on March 8 for the second leg of the Champions League last 16, with the Gunners holding a 2-1 first leg lead.

Mourinho post-match press conference "Winning and resting players is what mattered; Madrid has two barriers to break down against Lyon" Realmadrid.com Jose Mourinho had nothing but kind words for his players following their 2-0 victory, which extends his personal home winning streak in league games to nine years. "I liked that my team played a serious match. These games ahead of Champions League matches can be complicated because players may focus more on the European competition. The team played well and was very focused." "We knew Levante would make it tough. They were organized in defense, but we scored early and had things under control. Winning and resting players is what mattered." "I like how Sergio Ramos and Benzema played. Cristiano always likes to play. He is fine from a physical standpoint and does not feel tired, so why should I take him out? A player can get hurt at any time. The risk is always there and we can't do anything about it." "I started a team that I thought would be enough to win and we respected the opponent because we knew they had a solid defense. We had to be creative and dynamic, which is why I used four players in attack. I think it's only normal that I rest Xabi and Ozil, who will play the next match, when I still have other alternatives." "Ever since we drew Lyon, we have been studying and learning about them. Real Madrid have two barriers to break down against Lyon. It's been years since Madrid made it through to the Last 16 and it's because they have never beaten Lyon. I would like to know if Lisandro, Briando or Delgado will be playing. We have to study all the possibilities and be prepared for anything and everything."

Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho Looks Ahead To Lyon Champions League Clash After Beating Levante Los Blancos secured a welcomed victory over Levante in preparation of their Last 16 tie against French side Lyon... Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 victory over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu as goals from Karim Benzema and Ricardo Carvalho continued Jose Mourinho's impressive home record. The Portuguese coach remains unbeaten at home for the last nine years, taking in spells at Porto, Chelsea, Inter and currently Madrid. Speaking to the press after the game, Mourinho said, "I liked that my team played a serious match. These games ahead of Champions League matches can be complicated because players may focus more on the European competition. The team played well and was very focused. "We knew Levante would make it tough. They were organised in defence, but we scored early and had things under control. Winning and resting players is what mattered," he was quoted as saying by the club's official website. He added: "Ever since we drew Lyon, we have been studying and learning about them. Real Madrid have two barriers to break down against Lyon. "It's been years since Madrid made it through to the last 16 and it's because they have never beaten Lyon. I would like to know if Lisandro, Jimmy Briand or Cesar Delgado will be playing. We have to study all the possibilities and be prepared for anything and everything." When his team selection was questioned, Mourinho replied: "I started a team that I thought would be enough to win and we respected the opponent because we knew they had a solid defence. "We had to be creative and dynamic, which is why I used four players in attack. I think it's only normal that I rest Xabi Alons and Mesut Oezil, who will play the next match, when I still have other alternatives.

I Would Take Pedro From Barcelona If I Could Take Any Player - Real Madrid's Marcelo Marcelo has stated that Pedro is the quiet key to Barcelona's power... By Andrew McLean Brazilian defender Marcelo has heaped praise on Real Madrid's rival club and specifically one of their players, stating the importance of Pedro for Barcelona. Los Blancos left-back explained that although Pedro is not the one always highlighted within Pep Guardiola's star-studded squad, he believes that the forward is a key player for the Catalans. "If I had the opportunity to take one player from Barcelona to Real, then I would opt for Pedro," Marcelo told AS. "He is considered a striker, but does huge amounts of work further back to help his team. There is not very much talking about Pedro, but in fact he is one of the key players for the Catalans." Pedro has hit top form this season alongside Lionel Messi and David Villa in attack, scoring 19 times for la Blaugrana and more often than not has struck with crucial goals in the league.

"Don't blame Torres for Blues slump" Carlo Ancelotti insisted Chelsea's signing of Fernando Torres was not to blame for the end of their mini-revival. The champions appeared to have put their worst run in the league for almost 15 years behind them at the start of 2011, winning three games in a row to climb back into the Champions League spots and spark suggestions they could make a late comeback in the title race. But the capture of £50million man Torres has co-incided with a winless - and scoreless - two matches that has all but killed off the Blues' hopes of retaining their crown and has seen them slip back to fifth in the table. Torres flopped on his debut against former club Liverpool and was arguably even worse at Fulham on Monday night. But Ancelotti was adamant that the Spain striker's arrival had not been disruptive, saying: "It is not the fault of Fernando, obviously. "I think that he needs to have time. "In my opinion, he played well for 60 minutes against Fulham. He had two or three opportunities. "He didn't score but he will score, obviously." With only 12 league games remaining for Chelsea to overhaul Tottenham or Manchester City and with both remaining cup competitions purely knockout affairs, is is questionable how much time Torres can be afforded. "He needs to have time, but playing, to improve his combination with the other players," Ancelotti said. "It will take time playing with us." Torres will miss out on that time when Chelsea host Everton in their FA Cup fourth-round replay as the Spaniard is cup-tied. Drogba will instead return to lead the line and will have a point to prove after being axed at Craven Cottage. Ancelotti said: "Didier had a very good reaction during the week, he trained well without problem, with motivation. "He wants to play a good game tomorrow." Insisting Drogba was not a special case, he added: "For me, every player is important, is big. "Maybe there isn't a player as Drogba, who's scored 40 goals. "(Paulo) Ferreira didn't score 40 goals last year. "But, for me, it is very difficult to leave him out because he is a professional, he worked hard every day." Tomorrow's cup tie and Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 first leg at FC Copenhagen could provide a welcome distraction for Chelsea from their league travails. But the possible postponement of two of their games means they could find themselves eight points behind Tottenham and 10 behind City by the time they next play in the league. Ancelotti was unconcerned, saying: "At the end, they will play 38 games and we have to play 38 games. "We want to work to arrive quickly in the first four places." Frank Lampard admitted yesterday it would be a "disaster" if Chelsea finished outside the top four. His manager was less dramatic, saying: "The table in the Premier League is not good but we have the possibility to improve." Ancelotti claimed he would not rest players with Tuesday's game in mind and he may be boosted by the return of Yury Zhirkov, who is back in the squad after missing the last three months with a calf problem. Yossi Benayoun is also running again and is expected back before the end of the season. The Israeli will hope to play a part in what could be a historic FA Cup hat-trick for Chelsea. Having won every tie since his arrival in England a year and a half ago, Ancelotti was understandably not keen on the proposed changes to the competition's format, which include seedings, midweek matches and the scrapping of replays. He said: "I don't like. I like this competition, I like how it is, because I think that it's exciting to play, to have a place where there is a draw. "To put the game during the week, it's possible that it could lose the importance of the competition."

The Special One's Run P W D L Porto Feb 2002-summer 2004 38 36 2 0 Chelsea summer 2004-summer 2007 60 46 14 0 Inter summer 2008-summer 2010 38 29 9 0 Real Madrid summer 2010- 11 11 0 0 Mourinho must navigate just three more matches to reach an iconic milestone of 150; Levante, Malaga on March 3 and Hercules 10 days later. And should his team negotiate those matches, the small matter of champions Barcelona in the second El Clasico on the season is on the horizon, with the fixture to be played on the weekend on April 16/17.

Torres and Drogba are not enemies" Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba are not rivals but "collaborators". The record-breaking signing of Torres was seen by some as a signal Drogba's days at Stamford Bridge were numbered - a view that gained momentum after the latter was dropped for Monday night's Barclays Premier League game at Fulham. Drogba returns to the side for this afternoon's FA Cup fourth-round replay with Everton, with Torres cup-tied, meaning Ancelotti has more time to ponder whether the partnership that failed to click during the latter's debut two weeks ago should be resurrected. The Chelsea boss looks set to do just that after claiming the pair can form a lethal strikeforce for years to come. "I think so because I want to say that Didier in my opinion is not old," Ancelotti said. "He didn't have in his career a lot of injuries. "He has a good motivation and he wants to be at the top. "In this season, he had some problems because he had malaria and for two and a half months. He was not in good condition. "He has time to be important for us in all the games." He added of the Torres-Drogba dynamic: "It is not right to say they are in competition. They are in collaboration. "They have to work together to help the team, to try to do the best. "Collaboration has to be in the squad, not competition." Chelsea cannot afford Torres' £50million signing to be a disruption, with the Barclays Premier League title all but surrendered and a top-four place by no means certain. Vice-captain Frank Lampard this week claimed failure to qualify for next season's Champions League would be "a disaster". Ancelotti said: "For everyone, not just the club, to play the Champions League is the most important thing. "I would like to train a team in the Champions League because the Champions League I think is the best competition in the world." Ancelotti does not feel the same way about the Europa League. "For this reason, it's good to arrive in the first four places of the Premier League," he joked. "It will be a fight between six teams because maybe Liverpool has a dream to reach fourth place." Chelsea are currently fifth, two points behind Tottenham. And they could find themselves eight adrift by the time they next play in the league as a result of a couple of potential postponements. Ancelotti said: "I'm not worried. I'm an optimist because I believe my team has the quality, has the ability." Winning the Champions League would, of course, be another way to qualify. That would involve reaching a Wembley final which could be one of the most expensive in history, with UEFA controversially selling tickets for up to £300. Ancelotti said: "It's too much. "With £300, I can have a fantastic dinner, a fantastic bottle of wine."

Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Celebrates Nine Years Since Last Home League Defeat Jose Mourinho reaches milestone of nine years without suffering a home league defeat as a coach. By Paul Macdonald Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho this weekend celebrates the ninth anniversary since his last home league defeat, representing the continuation of one of the most impressive modern-day football statistics. The Portuguese coach last tasted defeat domestically during his spell in charge of Porto, on February 23, 2002 when Beira Mar overcame the Dragons courtesy of a 3-2 victory, and since that encounter, Mourinho has notched 147 league games without loss, through spells at Chelsea, Inter, and now Real Madrid. In those games, his teams have achieved 122 victories and 25 draws, scoring 331 goals with only 87 in reply, and in his seven months at the Santiago Bernabeu, he holds a 100% record, not just in La Liga, but in all competitions. The visitors to the capital on Saturday are relegation-threatened Levante, who have already suffered a crushing 8-0 loss to Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey this season.

Chelsea 1-1 Everton (3-4 pen.) Everton dumped holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup in sensational fashion after winning a dramatic penalty shootout. Phil Neville scored the winning spot-kick after Nicolas Anelka and Ashley Cole both missed for the Blues, whose quest for a historic hat-trick of cup wins lay in tatters. Chelsea wasted a hatful of chances to win the fourth-round replay in normal time and Frank Lampard finally gave them a 104th-minute lead but Leighton Baines levelled in the 119th minute with a brilliant free-kick. The full-back missed Everton's first penalty in the shootout but it did not matter as the Toffees set up a last-16 tie with Reading. Chelsea, who had not scored in their previous two games, were fortunate still to be in the competition after Kalou netted a late equaliser in last month's original tie. They had not beaten Everton since the 2009 final and had won only one of their previous six home meetings with the Toffees. With visiting boss David Moyes having branded Sunday's defeat at Bolton one of the worst performances of his near nine-year reign, the Merseysiders also had a point to prove. The same could be said for Didier Drogba, who was controversially axed in favour of Fernando Torres for Monday night's goalless draw at Fulham. But the Ivorian looked far from sharp early on and needed several minutes of touchline treatment after an innocuous Phil Jagielka challenge in the 14th minute. Chelsea should have taken a 20th-minute lead when the post saved Jagielka from glancing in an own goal from Frank Lampard's free-kick and John Terry skied the close-range rebound. Blocks from Sylvain Distin and Howard then prevented Lampard and Florent Malouda putting the home side ahead after excellent work from the recalled Salomon Kalou down the right. Drogba then held off Jagielka and produced a brilliant through-ball for Malouda, whose clipped finish was saved by the feet of Howard. Malouda picked up the game's first yellow card for clattering into Seamus Coleman and Ramires followed in controversial fashion on the stroke of half-time after being adjudged to have dived in the box under a challenge from Howard, when there appeared to have been at least some contact. Ancelotti withdrew John Obi Mikel for the axed Michael Essien during the interval. Baines and Coleman were booked for fouls on Ramires and Branislav Ivanovic before bad marking saw Lampard send a free header off target from Drogba's free-kick. The recalled Leon Osman almost made him pay by glancing a Baines free-kick too close to Petr Cech before Distin was carded for scything down Ivanovic and Chelsea missed two gilt-edged chances to break the deadlock 25 minutes from time. Lampard made a hash of a close-range finish from Ramires' cross, allowing Howard to block, with Ivanovic then seeing another point-blank effort thwarted by men on the line. Ramires' grasscutter drifted wide before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replaced Tim Cahill for the final 20 minutes. Buoyed by Chelsea's wastefulness, Everton went close themselves when a good move ended with Coleman heading too close to Cech. The hosts became increasingly desperate and Lampard flashed wide from 25 yards before Everton withdrew the disppointing Beckford for Victor Anichebe. The substitute immediately went close to connecting with Bilyaletdinov's cross but Chelsea missed their latest golden chance when Lampard chipped over the bar from Malouda's lay-off. With just a minute remaining, Marouane Fellaini thought he had dumped the holders out when he netted after Baines' right-foot strike had been fumbled by Cech, but the midfielder had already been flagged offside. Chelsea finally threw on Anelka at the start of extra-time, Malouda making way, with Everton soon following by introducing John Heitinga for Osman. Drogba chipped just over and Lampard screwed a low left-footer wide before finally putting the home side ahead thanks to great work from Anelka. The substitute got himself free down the right and his cross was miscontrolled by Drogba but fell perfectly for Lampard to rifle home from 10 yards. Chelsea withdrew Kalou for the final 10 minutes, with Yury Zhirkov making his first appearance for more than three months. Mikel Arteta was carded for felling Essien as Everton tried to level and they did so with seconds remaining thanks to a brilliant Baines free-kick. Ivanovic fouled Jagielka 25 yards out and Baines stepped up to curl a wondeful strike into the top corner. Howard spilt Essien's 25-yarder in stoppage-time but regathered to take the tie to penalties. Chelsea had lost six of their previous seven shootouts but held an immediate advantage when Cech saved from Baines after Lampard had scored. However, Anelka foolishly tried to chip Howard with the hosts' third penalty and it stayed level until Ashley Cole ballooned over the bar with their fifth. Everton captain Neville stepped up and found the top corner to seal an amazing win.