madristar

Kakà’s quotes: “We had to win. The first half of the year is over and we have the whole second half left. We play the Clasico at home. The point difference is not definitive and there are many matches left to play. I thought I played well, but it’s clear we didn’t play our best or our worst. I am finding my form more and more as I continue to play.”

Schalke 0-1 Hamburg Ruud van Nistelrooy earned Hamburg all three points against Schalke in what could be his last game for the club. The Dutch striker scored in the 53rd minute to seal the win for his side at the Arena AufSchalke amid rumours that he could be heading back to Real Madrid in the next few days. Two other former Real players Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Raul were on the losing side as they disappointed in a generally poor performance from the hosts, who started 2011 with a second defeat of the season to Hamburg after losing 2-1 on the opening day of the season. Christoph Moritz prevented Schalke from falling behind in the 26th minute as he made a goal line clearance after Manuel Neuer had misjudged a corner and was beaten to the ball by Gojko Kacar. Moments later, Schalke were claiming a penalty at the other end when Eljero Elia handled inside the area, but the referee waved play on. An even game was goalless after 45 minutes with both sides unable to stamp their authority on the proceedings. Elia had the first chance of the second half, but sent his shot wide of the goal. The northern Germany side then took the lead in the 53rd minute through Van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman headed in Guy Demel's cross at the far post to beat Neuer from close range and earn his side all three points. Schalke's reaction was too little too late as Christian Pander sent a free-kick wide from 25 yards before Lukas Schmitz shot into the side-netting when well placed at the far post as the game entered stoppage time.

Mourinho: I'm happy if Ruud returns Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho would welcome the return of reported transfer target Ruud van Nistelrooy to the Bernabeu. The Spanish giants have been linked with a host of forwards following general director Jorge Valdano's confirmation this week that Madrid are looking to bring in a striker to replace the injured Gonzalo Higuain. Among those names is Van Nistelrooy, who helped Madrid win back-to-back Primera Division titles in 2007 and 2008 during a successful spell in the Spanish capital before moving to Hamburg 12 months ago. When asked about the prospect of the 34-year-old former Manchester United hitman coming back to Madrid, Mourinho said today: "Many names are being talked about and they could all be a help for us. "If in the end it is Ruud then I would be very happy. We know each other from English football, in my first seasons (at Chelsea), I know the player and the person well. I would be delighted if it is him." Mourinho added of the prolific forward, who this evening scored Hamburg's winner against Schalke in the Bundesliga: "At the moment he is a Hamburg player and we need to respect that situation. "I don't want to talk of Van Nistelrooy. For you (the media) it's easy. I have to respect Hamburg." Valdano announced Madrid were in the market for a centre-forward following Real's 3-1 Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg win over Atletico on Thursday - two days after Higuain underwent a back operation that is set to sideline him for up to four months. Without Higuain, who was Madrid's leading scorer in La Liga in the last two seasons, Madrid are left with just Karim Benzema as their only senior centre-forward. Mourinho said: "It would be very good for us to have another striker because we don't have so many and we have a lot of games. "I was very happy when the club opened the possibility of signing a player. The club is working hard to see if it's possible. The market is open until the 31st."

WTF????????????????????????? IM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW! the season is So over!

Almeria 1-1 Real Madrid Real Madrid dropped vital points in the La Liga title race after being held to a draw by rock-bottom Almeria. It might have been even worse for Madrid as well, with Jose Mourinho's side needing a 77th-minute equaliser from substitute Esteban Granero to get snatch a point after Almeria had taken a shock lead through Leonardo Ulloa just before the hour mark. Cristiano Ronaldo almost earned Madrid the victory in the last minute but his ferocious free-kick from the edge of the box came back off the underside of the crossbar and the spoils were shared. The result saw Madrid's five-match winning streak in La Liga come to end and, more importantly, handed a further boost to league leaders Barcelona. Madrid came into the clash on a high after their Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg win over local rivals Atletico in midweek, while Almeria had fallen to the foot of the table following Sporting Gijon's win yesterday. However, there was precious little to separate the two sides in the first half as chances were at a premium at both ends. The best opportunity of the opening period fell to Cristiano Ronaldo in the 40th minute following a great pass by Kaka, who had started the match in place of Karim Benzema. Kaka's through-ball picked out Ronaldo's run but the Portugal international saw his close-range shot saved by the foot of Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves and Sami Khedira could not make the most of the rebound. Madrid looked to be getting the upper hand at the start of the second half and Xabi Alonso was denied by a good save from Alves before Sergio Ramos headed a good chance wide at the far post from an Alonso free-kick. The visitors were stunned in the 59th minute, though, as Almeria, who had lost their last three league matches and had been beaten 8-0 here by Barca earlier in the season, went ahead. Pablo Piatti charged into the area and, after he had collided with Ramos, the ball ran to Ulloa who fired a left-footed shot past Iker Casillas and just inside the post. Facing only their second league defeat of the campaign, Madrid piled men forward in search of an equaliser in the final half-hour and Ronaldo and Ramos were both denied by Alves. There was nothing Alves could do to keep out Granero's effort 13 minutes from time however as Madrid got back on terms. A swift breakaway ended up with Benzema laying the ball into Granero's path just inside the area and the Spaniard thumped a rising shot into the near top corner. That goal gave Madrid enough time to try and force a late winner, and they almost managed it in the last minute when Ronaldo hit the woodwork from a free-kick. The ball stayed out though and Madrid had to settle for a draw which - with Barca having only dropped five points so far this season - could prove costly come the end of the season.

I thought so too,but it was in his catalogue.....

There is a nice feature on Sami Khedira in Sport Bild, as part of a series on Germans playing abroad, where he talks about barbecues, basketball and bullfighting, and of course the three favorite

WOW

Lol marcelo is the funniest guy around!

Pique: I know all of Ronaldo's tricks Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insists he knows all the tricks that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has under his sleeve. The 23-year-old knew Ronaldo during the duo's time at Manchester United before moving to the Catalan club in 2008 as Ronaldo headed to the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking in an interview with Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Pique claims he knows his former team-mate inside out. "Now that he is at Real Madrid, I know all of his tricks, because he was my rival every day in practice. However, this does not guarantee anything, because I know that he is a very complete player. "They say that he is arrogant, but I remember him being friendly and fun. "Yes, it is difficult for him to resist the mirror, but he is a good guy." Switching the topic to Cesc Fabregas, Pique revealed his disappointment over the Arsenal captain's failed move to Barcelona in the summer. He said: "The situation with Cesc, it is a pity that he did not come last summer, because he could have brought a lot to this team."

Pique: I know all of Ronaldo's tricks Barcelona defender Gerard Pique insists he knows all the tricks that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has under his sleeve. The 23-year-old knew Ronaldo during the duo's time at Manchester United before moving to the Catalan club in 2008 as Ronaldo headed to the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking in an interview with Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Pique claims he knows his former team-mate inside out. "Now that he is at Real Madrid, I know all of his tricks, because he was my rival every day in practice. However, this does not guarantee anything, because I know that he is a very complete player. "They say that he is arrogant, but I remember him being friendly and fun. "Yes, it is difficult for him to resist the mirror, but he is a good guy." Switching the topic to Cesc Fabregas, Pique revealed his disappointment over the Arsenal captain's failed move to Barcelona in the summer. He said: "The situation with Cesc, it is a pity that he did not come last summer, because he could have brought a lot to this team."

Spanish coaches laud Mourinho Jose Mourino has been congratulated by the Coaches Committee of the Spanish FA after being awarded the FIFA World Coach of the Year award. The Real Madrid tactician bagged the top managerial gong in Monday's prestigious event after seeing off competition from Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and Spain's World Cup winning boss Vicente del Bosque. Mourinho had a brilliant 2009/2010 campaign as he led Italian giants Inter Milan to a historic treble of the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League crowns. "On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, we wish you the most sincere of congratulations," said Eduardo Caturla, President of the Coaches Committee, according to Madrid's official website. "We have no doubt that this award is the fruit of the good work over the course of your long coaching career. We hope you continue working along these same lines to contribute to the constant improvement of football." The award as the top dog in the coaching fraternity only served to enhance Mourinho's reputation as the self-styled "Special One."

Real Madrid move closer to Klose Real Madrid have identified Miroslav Klose as possible cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain. With their leading forward set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing back surgery, Real are in the market for a proven striker. Bayern Munich's Klose would fit that bill, having been a regular source of goals for club and country down the years. The 32-year-old has netted 58 times in 105 appearances for Germany, while he has notched well over 150 goals in a 12-year Bundesliga career. He is, however, no longer guaranteed first-team football at Bayern and may welcome the opportunity to test himself elsewhere. Interest from Spain is mounting, with Klose's agent revealing that Jose Mourinho's Real have already been in touch regarding a January deal. "There have been some enquiries from Spain," Alexander Schuett told Bild. "Also there have been some tentative enquiries from Real, but nothing more than that." Reports have also suggested that Klose's former employers Werder Bremen could be in the running to re-sign the experienced player, allowing him to remain in Germany. Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has played down such talk, though, insisting the club have no plans to make a move. "We will not be approaching Miroslav Klose, this is pure rubbish," he told Deutsche Presseagentur. "It would be an impossibility for us. We have definitely not been working on this."