madristar

Viva la Vida 'Cuore' destapa a las novias de Sergio Ramos y Miguel Ángel Silvestre Ofrece imágenes en exclusiva del futbolista con la periodista Lara Álvarez y de la 'Duque-juerga' LVL miércoles, 05 de enero de 2011, 08:51 Madrid.- La revista 'Cuore' se hace eco en su portada de dos supuestas parejas que habrían aflorado durante las fiestas navideñas. Por un lado, la publicación recoge las fotos en exclusiva de Sergio Ramos, el futbolista del Real Madrid, con Lara Álvarez, la periodista deportiva que está llamada a ser la nueva Sara Carbonero; por otro lado, pone imágenes a las correrías de Miguel Ángel Silvestre 'el Duque', al que relaciona con la modelo Cristina Tosio. Las informaciones de la revista vendrían a confirmar que Sergio Ramos y el nuevo fichaje de La Sexta, Lara Álvarez, están juntos. A pesar de que el futbolista ya ha desmentido en su Twitter la información, 'Cuore' no duda en emparejarlos. La revista también repasa las fiestas de Miguel Ángel Silvestre, al que han pillado de juerga navideña por la calle. 'La Duque-Juerga', titula en portada la revista, en unas fotos que le muestran en plena exaltación junto a sus amigos. Además, de estas instantáneas de diversión, la revista insinúa que está con la modelo Cristina Tosio. Además, como suele ser habitual en la revista, la portada ofrece algunos de los extraños estilismos de las famosas. En este caso, le ha tocado a Marie Katie Olsen, de las gemelas Olsen, a la que han pilaldo con un 'abrigo yeti', a Jennifer López, que muestran con un 'estampado geométrico' y a Rihanna, que luce un 'street tutú'.

come on Aga,she's not that bad,,,,cute actually:)

good to see them:)

Nice that they are together...

Inter, Juve, Real want Gareth Bale Gareth Bale's agent says three Serie A clubs are interested in signing the Spurs ace - but only Real Madrid could land him. The Welsh wizard's stock has risen considerably this season after a number of scintillating displays, including a hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro. Agent Peppino Tirri says Juventus, AC Milan and Inter - as well as Real Madrid - are interested in the 21-year-old midfielder. But, while he believes "there is a good chance" Bale will move to Italy one day, Tirri does not think a deal will be done in January. The agent told ilsussidiario.net : "I confirm the interest of Juventus for Bale. The Bianconeri are trying to bring him to Italy but not in January, in June. "AC Milan and Inter Milan too have shown interest in the Welsh player, partly because he would like to play in Italy in the near future. There is a good chance that it can happen. "Also Real Madrid are seriously trying. (Jose) Mourinho has his eye on him and the Spanish club would be the only one who can take Bale in January." Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has previously stated Bale is not for sale as the Londoners push for glory in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Q: How do you handle the mentality of the Spanish? A: In the beginning, it was an adjustment. I don’t know if it’s due to José Mourinho’s methods, but there were changes with what I was used to. In Madrid, you have a lot of free time but in the end you are your own boss. I have to know what I need to eat and drink before a game to trigger the best effect five hours later. I have to know if I want to go out in the evening. The way of working is different. It is relaxation paired with meticulousness. When we train, we concentrate from beginning to end. Q: How did your acclimatization process go? A: At first I had Rafael van der Vaart to talk to. He really helped me, especially with the authorities. After that it went step by step, from talks on the bus, when we were driving to an away game, to talks on the airplane. Q: Your coach criticized you and Özil in August. He said you hadn’t integrated and you’d have communication problems. A: He told me right after that he never said it like that. There’s no human being that can learn and speak a new language in three weeks. I’m fully integrated now. My games helped me to earn the respect of my teammates. They saw that I really wanted to fit in, both mentally and with football. I think I made them recognize that. Q: How are your Spanish language skills? A: In the beginning, I had a teacher but that didn’t work. Then I hired a German company that offers intensive language training. I’m still doing that. I don’t have an urgent need to speak Spanish because we mostly speak English at Madrid. But the learning helps my progression and is a matter of respect towards the people in Spain. I’m not just here to earn money. [i love this attitude!!!] Q: Do you go out? A: Sometimes I have visitors and they want to go out, of course. It’s not a problem for me. And if I wear a cap it can be quite comfortable. Q: A cap to remain anonymous? A: Yes. [Well there you have it - look under caps to find Sami.] Q: What is your impression of Madrid? A: Madrid is multicultural, beautiful and loud, but very sincere, too. The city has a lot of charm because of the historical buildings, but can be very scary because of the big crowds and tall buildings [come on, Madrid has like five tall buildings]. Q: Your coach José Mourinho is called “the Special One.” How extroverted is he really? A: He is special when it comes to his behavior towards people. He isn’t just interested in the footballer, but in the person itself. This is very important for me. We earn a lot of money, but you shouldn’t forget that we are human beings, not machines. Every human needs affection and interaction; it’s important. He’s there for each of us. No matter if it’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who is untouchable, or a player who doesn’t play much. He treats everyone the same. He is capable of putting his trust into each single one. He’s always honest and always down for a joke. I’ve never seen someone preparing a game so meticulously. Every opponent is analyzed to the smallest detail. He gives us confidence. I trust him blindly. Q: Does he ever call you? A: Yes. When I was sanctioned and I went to Munich for treatment, he called me and asked about my condition. Whenever we have two or three days off, he sends text messages and asks how our vacation is going. After international games he’s one of the first that I receive a message from. I don’t think it is usual for the position he is in. This is impressive and makes me feel very good. Q: Mourinho often protects his team, for example after the historical 0-5 against Barcelona. A: Internally he criticized us. But he wanted to build up our self-confidence again, which worked, because otherwise you couldn’t beat Valencia 2-0 four days later. Q: The gathering of 20 top players leads to a permanent competition in training sessions. How do you handle the pressure? A: Every training session is a new challenge. You can play 10 or 12 good games at Madrid, but when you don’t do well, there’s always someone else aiming for your starting position. This motivates. I know that I have to be at 100% to have the chance to be part of the starting 11. I can see it for my position. Lass Diarra is a top player, I really like him. But I have to fight him and to be better than him if I want to play. Because of this motivating factor, we all have to keep on progressing. Q: The Bernabéu loves to watch offensive football. How are you able to handle that as a defensive midfielder? A: It may sound weird and can be misunderstood: I don’t play for the audience or to win a prize for playing the most beautiful football. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I won several titles by the time I was 23. I know what I have to do on the field and what my coach wants me to do to be successful. Of course, the creative players are important. But they’re only able to work if they’ve got others behind them, who take care of the system and their safety. They don’t play spectacularly, but they are important. Q: Does a team full of stars ever go out together? A: Every two months, after a morning training session, we go out to eat. Iker Casillas or Sergio Ramos chooses a restaurant and we go with our physiotherapists, kit managers and kitchen help. We sit and talk and eat for four or five hours. Q: And who pays? A: Each time it’s different, and so far it hasn’t been my turn (laughs). But I think in 2011 it’ll be my turn to pay. Sergio Ramos just said that Mesut and I will have to pay soon. We will be pleased to do it. And we’ll survive. Q: Cristiano Ronaldo is a teammate that polarizes like no other. What do you think of him? A: Honestly? I admire him! Q: Why? A: I admire him for how he handles his status and how hard he is on himself. He’s won everything you can win with a club, but he still wants to improve. He does something for his fitness everyday and practices the things that he has already mastered. I talk to him very often and I was astonished when he told me that he doesn’t party or drink alcohol during the season. This is really strange, because his public image is completely different. He knows what he wants and loves life with his family. He was one of the first players to offer help and to tell me what to be careful with. Q: What did he mean? A: Madrid is a very, very big city, which is very, very seductive when it comes to going out. Of course, you play at the biggest club in the world. Some people might want to be a part of that; we players know that. There are people who wait for any mistakes we make, who don’t have good things in mind. That’s what he told me. Q: Is Madrid going to win the Liga? A: We are only two points behind Barcelona, which isn’t much. I’m convinced we will win the Liga! © unamadridista

wow...Mou laughing...thats rare!

Q: Are you a footballer because of Míchel? A: No, because I started playing in Madrid when I was eight years old. What is true is that Míchel has a lot to do with it because he gave me the opportunity to play in Castilla, so that I could also work with the first team. Football gives you very little opportunities and you have to be prepared for them to take advantage of them. I decided to come to Getafe because Míchel was here. Q: Was leaving Madrid the right decision? A: I had three more years left in my contract with Madrid and I could have stayed. I’m young, I love football and I want to continue progressing, because I haven’t realized all my potential yet. Getafe is a good destination and they let you work. The aspirations of each footballer come from within. Q: To triumph, does one have to leave Real Madrid? A: There are very few cases of players from the cantera who have triumphed in Real Madrid. People from the cantera have it more complicated than those from the outside [so true]. Q: Why does Madrid invest so much in the formation of youths with talent, and then later on, when they’re mature, let them leave? A: In this aspect, Barcelona is doing a better job than Madrid, because they form players that are a reflection of the ones on the first team. Then, they just have to exchange one piece for another, because the players are practically the same. Q: Is there a place for the cantera on the first team? A: There is a place, but it’s more complicated to triumph as a canterano in Madrid than in Barcelona. Q: What do you miss about Real Madrid? A: If I’m sincere, a lot of things because Real Madrid is a unique club, and not everyone has had the luck of playing for it. Now I’m in another stage of my life to continue growing as a footballer. Q: Where are you more organized, on the field or in your day-to-day life? A: I’m very meticulous with order in my life, but even more so on the field. I’ve always considered myself a team player, who tries to learn each day what is taught. I do what my coach tells me to do, and that’s why I believe I’m organized in that aspect. Q: What is it about Míchel, that all the players want to return to him? A: He was a great player and he has a great sense of humor. He has very good ideas about football that would help any team. Not everyone can say they played this way and did that well. In the future, Míchel will triumph in another great team. Q: Madrid now has a coach that is a bit particular; is it good that he captures all the attention? A: All his players speak wonderfully about him and all of them protect him. Everyone always wants to know what he’s saying. © unamadridista

Higuain set for back surgery Gonzalo Higuain will require surgery to fix his long-standing back problem. The 23-year-old has not played since suffering a herniated disc in November and, after consulting with several experts, Real Madrid's medical staff have now decided he must go under the knife. A club statement read: "The persistence of pain and of the herniated disc moved experts to advise surgery as the next step. "This decision has been accepted by the player, his family and the club. "The conservative treatment has been good for the player's biomechanics. "The work done till now will allow for an easier surgical procedure, better post-operational results and a shorter rehabilitation period. "It has been agreed by all the aforementioned parties that a decision will be reached within the next 48 hours regarding the medical centre where the operation will take place and the surgeon who will perform it." Madrid did not specify a timescale for the likely re

not bad

Mourinho: We do not think of defeat; we think only of the triumphs we want to achieve in the future. In 2010, the balance of the National Team was rocked. Did you anticipate it a little? The National Team was the most frustrating in 2010. I guess I'll never coach the Selecção, because of my mentality and personality. I'm not an office coach who watches games, travels to watch matches and players. I'm a coach to train every day – playing three times a week, if necessary. But at the time it motivated me – I convinced myself that I had people at home relying on me, it weighed on me emotionally and pushed me to accept. And I accepted. And after having said that I was going to Portugal to run the game against Denmark, they told me I could not go. It is my frustration. Do you think that Real made the right decision not to let you go? Then I realized that it was not a comfortable situation for Real Madrid. I had to travel a lot, would return on Thursday to prepare for the game with Malaga, and then if we lost, they would say that it was because I had left the club and my job for 15 days. This despite having no players to train [because of the international break]. But I never had any resentment, because it was a decision that Real Madrid had to make. From the stand point of my personal motivations, which I have to look at at this point in my career, it was a big challenge. Yes, it was my professional frustration of 2010. Are you satisfied with the work of Bento so far? Yes, he won both games. Started well, with pragmatism, simplicity, realism. Simple speech, simple way to play, simple philosophy, and I think that was exactly what the squad needed. The players felt freer, happier, because he showed empathy. He arrived there, they won both games, and now they're on vacation in peace. And there was still the bonus of 4-0 with Spain... Exactly. I'm happy, like all Portugueses. Certainly. What is your biggest wish for 2011? The familial part is always above the professional aspects. Health, peace, tranquility – for my children grow healthy and for my family to laugh, that to me is the most important. And in sport, to enjoy what I do and continue to earn. I have not had one blank season. The worst season of my career was the third season at Chelsea when we won the FA Cup, League Cup, and went to the semi-final of the Champions League. I want a normal season, where there is something to "paint" [the town; to do extraordinary things] with. "Winning the Champions League is how you get to the moon." Would you have liked to go on vacation and and savor Inter's Club World Cup win? The World Club Cup is an important trophy for clubs, but meaningless for a coach or a player. It does not interest me. The merit of winning this competition is to get there. For example, the coach who won the competition with Porto in 2004/05 reached the Club World Cup, won against the Colombians and went home. At Inter it was the same thing: a coach arrives, a team faces South Korea and other Africans hoping to reach the final, wins, goes to Italy, and is dismissed. What attracts me is not the title but the difficulty of getting these things. And the difficulty (and top priority) for me is to win the Champions. I felt that, at FC Porto and Inter, it is how you get to the moon – the level to which all aspire. Then to come talk to me about becoming World Club Champion by winning against a Colombian and an African team? It enriches the club's resume, but to me as a coach, it tells me nothing. "The Defeat at Camp Nou is just the end of a cycle." After a great debacle in World War II, Churchill said to the British people, eye to eye, something like this: "It is in our biggest losses that we build the greatest victories of our lives." What inference can we take from this phrase from the English ruler? Is it utopian? No, I do not see this as a utopia. I saw the loss in Barcelona not as a question for me, but as a good question raised to my team. Would the defeat be the end of a great cycle of victories, or the beginning of a cycle of defeats? We went twenty games or so without losing – indeed it was almost always a win – and we now know beyond reasonable doubt that the loss at Camp Nou only ended a cycle of victories. What was the secret not to lose your way? The following week, with all the difficulties inherent in defeat, in addition to the quality of a team like Valencia, we had the strength and quality to begin a new round of successes. This is the ability that Churchill spoke of: to use a great failure to construct what could result in a beautiful victory... Today, in our team, nobody thinks of the defeat, but of the triumphs we want to achieve in the future. And I, who have been accused of many things during his career, sometimes with truth, other times with lies – have never paid a price for losing well. To lose poorly [sorely] is a disaster for me. Reaching the end of a game where the stronger opponent's win was well-deserved and the referee played his role, has never caused drama for me, even if some say otherwise. In these circumstances we momentarily face an disadvantage and take the appropriate measures in order to help us overcome our problems. "In more than 30 games, with a new team, made up of boys, Real has only one defeat." The inexperience was decisive in the game at Camp Nou? In Barcelona there were those who were making their debut in a game with such magnitude – Khedira came from Stuttgart, Özil from Werder Bremen, Benfica's Di Maria – they all vary between 21 and 22 years, and, finally, the conventional concepts that they are accustomed to do not compare with the importance and social burden of this game. The game with Barcelona was a success [that occurs] once in a lifetime. With Inter, I was successful as a visitor at Camp Nou, won a derby to AC Milan by 4-0. Benfica won against Sporting by 3-0, FC Porto also beat Sporting 4-1; and, in the Premier League title game, Manchester United won 3-0 against Chelsea… Sometimes it happen in games that everything goes well for one and everything goes wrong for another. But it must be tricky for whom everything goes wrong… It is better to win, of course, but it was very easy to explain, comment on, and digest what happened. The press conference after the game, it was very easy for me... And, now, also particularly commended… I could and was able to argue one thing, perhaps, went unnoticed in the face of such great superiority evidenced by our opponent, with the finding at 2-0 to Barca with almost an hour to play: there was a violation of Ronaldo by Valdés, deserving of a penalty and the expulsion of the goalkeeper. Now, this happened in the only period when the Real was favored (as it had never been before), following our opponent's second goal. The team had an interesting reaction, enjoyed a free kick from Cristiano, and another move where he delivered a dangerous ball to Benzema.. It was with this dynamic that we arrived the occasion of this penalty that could been the goal that made all the difference for us, playing 11 against 10 with almost one hour to go. Why did you not reveal that the referee's blunder when faced with the journalists? If the outcome or even the quality of the game had been balanced, this was an argument that had to be wielded as much as possible because it was so something that was all too evident. Once they have won by such large margins and we have played so far below what is within our reach, it inhibits us saying much about it. It is the mentality of Real Madrid and I do not like to explain my setbacks with the mistakes of others, and had never lost by such expressive figures. Therefore, we prefer to say they were better – much better – scored well and… period. There is no more to be said. Faced with the facts, would you have been happy if the game was over at half-time? At halftime I realized that things were too complicated and that everything would depend on the second half. When Barca reached 3-0 – even though no one has said, even now, that they did so offside – and then to 4 and 5, I got the sense there would be a goal for each ball that reached our goal. And if the game lasted another 5 or 10 minutes, it could have been 6 or 7. But as I said from the first moment, the defeat was easy to digest. And how was the week following the rout? It was that that was the key to everything, because after the Camp Nou we had a very tough match against Valencia and the reaction during the week and at the game was excellent. The players have been assimilated by the Borg our message and were excellent in the way they faced the moment. The big lesson was to show your greatness in defeat… I have already lost by one or two when we played superior to our opponents, and broken even when we needed to win and, yes, it is very difficult to explain. At Barcelona, it was: play, lose, digest the defeat, shut up shop and think about what was to come. And, as we saw, we won the five games that followed – proof that we knew how to turn things around. In more than 30 games, with a new team, made up of boys, Real has only one defeat – facing an opponent that everyone who likes football recognizes as a top team. Do you agree that Barca is the best team in the world? No. The best is Inter Milan, who, after winning the Champions League, have just won the Club World Cup. "It is a pleasure to know Cristiano, to be with him every day, to have him in my day-to-day life." Cristiano Ronaldo has met your expectations? He has exceeded them. I am coach of the player Cristiano Ronaldo and not of the man. Here, it is the player that is my concern, but I prefer to start with the boy, the young man, whatever you like to call him. Outside of the professional field, he is fantastic, an amazing kid. Say what you will, he is a great kid. I continue to say this as a man. It is a pleasure to meet him, to be with him every day, to live with him from day to day. And it is unfortunate that few have the ability to ever truly know him, because he has to block out much of your world with the level that he is attacked on a personal and professional level. But I never tire of repeating it, he is a spectacular young man. And as a player he is everything that you know and more. Quality as a professional, and his ambition.. I do not have the words to define it. You said a while ago that he was not defended in the Spanish league. Are the referees also prejudiced against Cristiano? I think, as a player, Cristiano is a little bit of what I am as a coach. Not a politician, not selling his image – he is what he is and does not care to pretend to be something else to be able to sell a more accessible image. After all, he is the player that all would want to be. He's the best, one of the best ones, who makes more money than everyone in football and in advertising, has girlfriends who others want to have, has a great family around him that makes him feel like a boy. He is what everyone wants to be. This prejudice also exists from other players? I will tell you one episode in a game during this championship: at the end, I saw an opposing player at the door of our dressing room. I asked him if he wanted anything, and he said that he wanted to swap jerseys with Cristiano Ronaldo. I told him to enter the spa, but he preferred to stay at the door. The next day, I read in the newspaper the same player saying that Cristiano Ronaldo is a bully who throws himself onto the ground, who does not respect his opponents and the public. Cristiano is Cristiano, and thus, fortunately, he has learned to live with this situation and follow his own path. But, in fact, it is a little ungrateful of them. Because he is a player who gives Spanish football a spectacle every week, who has a coach who does not protect him, who always plays and never chooses not to play games… He is noble, saved by benefitting from the education of Alex Ferguson. Do you understand that as an advantage? Sometimes the noble, in some types of football, they pay. He is a player who celebrates his physical strength, and takes strong stands, and shows that he is stronger than others. There is no swimming, he is not a simulator, he does not cry on the floor, he does not ask the opponents for cards... And it seems that they still punish him for becoming more noble, because referees need players to help them and for them that help is simulation, falling, rolling, requesting cards. Because of the British education of Sir Alex Ferguson, Cristiano is now exactly the antithesis of all that. Putting it all together in the same cake, he is a player who is not loved. He follows his own path and and he does very well in following it. Do you feel that this Real Madrid team is very dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo? I think all teams rely on key players. Chelsea depended on Lampard when he made 40 goals per season and Drogba who made 30, and Benfica depended upon Eusebio. Any team always depends more on some of its most important players. Now, to protect a player of this type, such as Cristiano, you have to build a team where he feels like a fish in the water. I find that he must be 100% happy on the field, both with the offensive work that we make and also with the defensive. If he is happy, he also manages to give much more, and this year he is breaking all records for goals. From the physical point of view, he is lucky not to have not suffered traumatic, uncontrollable injuries. But he is physically stronger than ever and I think this year he has will be able to successfully achieve the best season ever. You said that no one protects him. Do you consider that he is subjected to more if he always plays? To start with, he likes to play and the mental aspect is more important. We played at home against Murcia, he was on the bench and did not want to be. I think this is psychological – he is pleased to play, wants to play. Although they were a team from the 3rd Division, the stadium was full against Murcia. It seems that he felt it was his duty to come and give the people what they were expecting. It was a day that tickets were very cheap and the audience that came was different. One could see many young people who do not have the wealth necessary to often see a game at the Bernabeu. It seemed that he felt that he had an obligation to come in [in the 75th minute] and make things right. He said that he likes to play, feels that he is good, strong. The 90 minutes ended and the coach realized that it had not been necessary to remove him [from the starting lineup] to give him a little rest. There is no such need and if he has no injuries, such as last year with his ankle, I think that he always has to play. © hala_madrid

Sami Khedira: "My new life at Real Madrid" After his strong World Cup performance the Stuttgart defensive strategist moved this summer to Spain. In this interview with WELT AM SONNTAG Sami Khedira reveals, how José Mourinho is ticking and that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is in private completely different from what everyone is thinking. With the match at FC Getafe Sami Khedira starts into the sportive new year. Behind him lay months that could not have been more spectacular. After a good World Cup in South Africa, the defensive midfielder moved in July for 14 million € from VfB Stuttgart to Real Madrid. There he was part of the team in 15 out of 16 league matches. Welt am Sonntag: Mr. Khedira, how do you cope with the mentality in Spain? Sami Khedira: In the beginning it was a small change. I do not know if it's the way of José Mourinho or in principle so, that things proceed a little different in Madrid. Here you have much more freedom and are ultimately your own boss. I need to know what I have to eat and drink before a match, so that I can performe at the highest level five hours later. I need to know if I want to go out at night. Here it is a different approach to work. A certain relaxation is paired with meticulous precision. When we are at training, there is total concentration, from the beginning to the end. How was the process of acclimatisation? Sami Khedira: At first it was Rafael van der Vaart I could relate to. He helped me a lot, especially with the authorities. Then it went step by step, through conversations on the bus on away trips, on the plane. In August your coach has criticized you hard. He said you and Mesut Özil would not integrated, and would have great difficulty with communication.　 Sami Khedira: He immediately told me, that he had never said it like this. How could he? I think there is noone, who speaks a new language after three weeks. I am now fully integrated. My matches have helped as well. With my matches I have gained respect among my colleagues. They have seen that I am willing to assimilate - to the mentality and to the way of playing. I think that my colleagues had from day one the feeling, that I want to be one of them. And how is it going with the language meanwhile? Sami Khedira: At the beginning I had a teacher, but it did not work out very well. Then I worked with a german company, that are offering intensive language training. I am still working with them. I do not necessarily need spanish, because at Real Madrid we talk all the time in english. But learning spanish is good for my personal development and a question of respect for the people in Spain. I'm not just here to earn my money. Do you have contact with the spanish people in Madrid? Sami Khedira: Occasionally I have guests. They of course want to see the city. That’s no problem. And when I put on a cap, it’s ok for me. (laughs). A cap to remain anonymous? Sami Khedira: Yes. What do you think of Madrid? Sami Khedira: Madrid is multicultural, beautiful and loud. But also very heartily. The city has a great charm because of its historic buildings, but can also be a little scary, because of its large buildings and the crowds. Your coach José Mourinho is called “the special one“. How special is he? Sami Khedira: He really is very special in his leadership. José Mourinho is not interested just in football but also in the people. This is very important to me. We all earn a lot of money, but we must not forget that we are not machines but also human. And people always need affection and conversation, that is important. He is there for each player. Whether it's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is untouchable, or a player who does not make that many games. He treats everybody the same. José Mourinho manages to give everyone confidence. He is fair, always honest and not above having a good laugh. I've never seen a coach who prepares a match so detailed. Each opponent is analysed to the smallest detail. This gives us security. I absolutely trust him. Does he get in touch with you during your time off? Sami Khedira: Yes. When I was booked and flew to Munich for a treatment, he called me. When we are two or three days off, he sends a text message and asks, how the holiday is. And after international matches, he is one of the first I get a text message from. With the status he has, for me that does not go without saying. So, I am very impressed with that. It gives me a really good feeling. Mourinho is protective as well, like after the historical 0:5 against Barcelona. Sami Khedira: Internally, he has criticized us, of course. But he wanted us to feel strong again. That has indeed worked, because otherwise you cannot win against Valencia 2-0 four days later. There are more than 20 top stars at Real Madrid and in training there is all the time a competition situation. How to cope with that pressure? Sami Khedira: Each training is a challenge. At Real Madrid you can make ten, twelve good matches. But if you slow down, immediately there is the next one and wants to have your place. This encourages me. I know I must be awake at Real for a 100 percent in every training, to have a chance for the starting eleven. I can see it every day on my position. Lassana Diarra is a top player, I like him very much. But I must fight against him and be better, if I want to play. We all have this challenge, which of course makes us all better as well. The fans of Real Madrid like the beautiful attacking football. How can you, as a defensive player, do them justice? Sami Khedira: It might sound a bit strange and can be misunderstood, but I do not play for the audience and a beauty price. I think it's no coincidence that I have, at 23 years of age, already won a few titles. I know what I must do on the pitch and what the coach demands, so that we will have success. Sure, the creative players are important. But they only function with players, who care for the order and security at the back. Their playing is not as spectacular, but they are important. Is a team with so many international stars doing something together? Sami Khedira: We go out every two months after our training in the morning and eat together. Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos then search for a restaurant where we go with our physiotherapists, the kit rep or even the kitchen help. There we sit for four or five hours, talking and eating. Who is paying? Sami Khedira: That depends. So far I could get around (laughs). I think in the new year it is my turn. Sergio Ramos has recently said that next time it has to be me and Mesut. We very much like to do it - and we will survive. In Cristiano Ronaldo, you have a player who polarises like no other. How does he affect you? Sami Khedira: Honestly: I admire him. Why? Sami Khedira: I admire him for how he handles his status and how hard he works on himself. He has already achieved everything at club level, but he still wants to be better. Every day he is working on his fitness and exercises again and again the things, that he knows already perfectly. I've talked many times with him and was amazed, when he once said to me that he never goes to parties during the season and does not drink alcohol. This is really strange. Because from the outside you have a very different picture of him. He is very clear in his mind and loves life with his family. He was the first player who offered me help and told me, what to watch out for. What did he mean? Sami Khedira: Madrid is a very big city with huge temptations. It’s obvious - we are playing at the biggest club in the world. So one or the other may want a piece of the pie. We players know this of course. But there are people out there, just waitingfor you to make mistakes, people, that do you no good. Things like this, he pointed out to me. Last question: Will Real win the title? Sami Khedira: We are only two points behind Barcelona. This is not much. I am convinced that we win the title. © hala_madrid

Cruyff: Hand the award to Xavi Former Barcelona player and manager Johan Cruyff admits he wants Xavi to claim the prestigious 2010 Ballon d’Or title this month. Xavi, who equaled Barca's all-time appearance record in their 2-1 victory over Levante at the weekend, is in the running for the top prize alongside fellow club colleagues Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. However, Nou Camp legend Cruff has made his feelings clear over who the winner should be. Commenting in his weekly column El Periodico de Catalunya, the Dutchman said: "All three finalists are from the same team, which makes clear the potential of the collective in which they play. "For extreme individual quality, the award should go to Lionel Messi, for ball control and acceleration, it should be Iniesta, but for consistent performance, as the conductor, and to mark the times, it must be Xavi. "To make this Barcelona team work, they need a conductor. So I opt for Xavi, for his ability to structure the side and to control the periods of play. Messi had a weak World Cup, and in the months of last season when Iniesta missed a lot of games, he kept performing." Xavi made a staggering 549th appearance for Barca on Sunday, equaling that of club legend Migueli.

Sergio Ramos: "We knew how to keep the score in our favour" "The team should be congratulated because the games that follow the Christmas break are always complicated" Laura Navas (Getafe) / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Sergio Ramos shared his views on the match in Getafe with the media. "We experienced some trouble after Arbeloa was sent off, but we knew how to keep a score that was favourable to us. Many controversial things happened in the game, but the team should be congratulated because the games that follow the Christmas break are always complicated." "We are incredibly happy about Kaka's recovery, but we now lose one of the most important forwards on the team. Higuain isn't in high spirits and we all have to help him recover as soon as possible. All Madridismo will support him regardless of his decision to have surgery or not."

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Getafe 2-3 Real Madrid In-form Cristiano Ronaldo scored another two goals as Real Madrid saw off local rivals Getafe to claim a 3-2 derby win. Ronaldo, who took his tally to 25 goals for the season with his hat-trick in Madrid`s 8-0 Copa del Rey win over Levante just before Christmas, opened the scoring from the penalty spot early on before Mesut Ozil doubled the advantage soon after. Dani Parejo pulled a goal back for Getafe with a brilliant strike in the 29th minute but Ronaldo restored Madrid`s two-goal lead just before the hour-mark. Madrid faced a nervy end to the match after first being reduced to 10 men when Alvaro Arbeloa picked up a second booking before then seeing Juan Albin pull another goal back for Getafe. But Jose Mourinho`s men held on to make it 11 wins in their last 12 competitive matches, with the only setback being their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona. More good news for Madrid came with the long-awaited return of Kaka, who made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute having overcome his injury. Both sides came into the match in great form, with Getafe having won five on the trot and unbeaten in their last eight outings, but it was Madrid who were quickest out of the blocks. It took the visitors just 10 minutes to get themselves in front after Angel Di Maria went crashing in the area following a challenge by Jose Manuel Mane. Getafe protested vehemently against the decision but the delay did not distract Ronaldo, who gave Jordi Codina no chance to save with a thumping penalty. Eight minutes after that it was 2-0, with Di Maria heavily involved again. The Argentina international`s threaded through-ball was perfect for Ozil, who burst into the area, rounded Codina and rolled the ball in at the near post. Madrid boasted a 4-0 lead after 37 minutes of last season`s encounter at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez and a similar scenario looked on the cards tonight following that impressive start. However, Getafe got themselves back into the contest with a superb effort from former Madrid youngster Parejo, who picked the ball up 25 yards out, skipped in between Arbeloa and Lassana Diarra before slamming a rising shot past Iker Casillas at his near post. That was just the confidence booster Getafe needed, but they were unable to make any further in-roads before the break and for most of the second half they found themselves on the back foot as Madrid dominated. Karim Benzema fired one opportunity over before then turning provider to help Ronaldo made it 3-1 in the 57th minute, the Frenchman capitalising on a poor clearance from Codina to feed the ball into his team-mate, who slotted in a low shot. Madrid should have made it 4-1 in the 65th minute following a three-on-one breakaway but Di Maria`s heavy touch gave Codina the chance to save, before Ronaldo tested the home custodian with a 25-yard effort. Benzema was denied by the outside of the post soon after while Ozil only narrowly missed netting his second of the match with a curling effort that went just wide. Madrid looked in complete control but the dismissal of Arbeloa, who was shown a second yellow card in the 82nd minute when a cross struck him on the hand, made for a tense finale for Mourinho`s men - especially when Albin reduced the deficit soon after. Marcelo made a mess of clearing a cross form the left and Albin slammed the loose ball in from close range. Getafe could not grab a late equaliser, though, as Madrid kept the pressure up on arch rivals Barca.

tThis news story is wrong! This refers to sergio's non-official fan page,not his real one!

Getafe 2-3 Real Madrid In-form Cristiano Ronaldo scored another two goals as Real Madrid saw off local rivals Getafe to claim a 3-2 derby win. Ronaldo, who took his tally to 25 goals for the season with his hat-trick in Madrid`s 8-0 Copa del Rey win over Levante just before Christmas, opened the scoring from the penalty spot early on before Mesut Ozil doubled the advantage soon after. Dani Parejo pulled a goal back for Getafe with a brilliant strike in the 29th minute but Ronaldo restored Madrid`s two-goal lead just before the hour-mark. Madrid faced a nervy end to the match after first being reduced to 10 men when Alvaro Arbeloa picked up a second booking before then seeing Juan Albin pull another goal back for Getafe. But Jose Mourinho`s men held on to make it 11 wins in their last 12 competitive matches, with the only setback being their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona. More good news for Madrid came with the long-awaited return of Kaka, who made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute having overcome his injury. Both sides came into the match in great form, with Getafe having won five on the trot and unbeaten in their last eight outings, but it was Madrid who were quickest out of the blocks. It took the visitors just 10 minutes to get themselves in front after Angel Di Maria went crashing in the area following a challenge by Jose Manuel Mane. Getafe protested vehemently against the decision but the delay did not distract Ronaldo, who gave Jordi Codina no chance to save with a thumping penalty. Eight minutes after that it was 2-0, with Di Maria heavily involved again. The Argentina international`s threaded through-ball was perfect for Ozil, who burst into the area, rounded Codina and rolled the ball in at the near post. Madrid boasted a 4-0 lead after 37 minutes of last season`s encounter at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez and a similar scenario looked on the cards tonight following that impressive start. However, Getafe got themselves back into the contest with a superb effort from former Madrid youngster Parejo, who picked the ball up 25 yards out, skipped in between Arbeloa and Lassana Diarra before slamming a rising shot past Iker Casillas at his near post. That was just the confidence booster Getafe needed, but they were unable to make any further in-roads before the break and for most of the second half they found themselves on the back foot as Madrid dominated. Karim Benzema fired one opportunity over before then turning provider to help Ronaldo made it 3-1 in the 57th minute, the Frenchman capitalising on a poor clearance from Codina to feed the ball into his team-mate, who slotted in a low shot. Madrid should have made it 4-1 in the 65th minute following a three-on-one breakaway but Di Maria`s heavy touch gave Codina the chance to save, before Ronaldo tested the home custodian with a 25-yard effort. Benzema was denied by the outside of the post soon after while Ozil only narrowly missed netting his second of the match with a curling effort that went just wide. Madrid looked in complete control but the dismissal of Arbeloa, who was shown a second yellow card in the 82nd minute when a cross struck him on the hand, made for a tense finale for Mourinho`s men - especially when Albin reduced the deficit soon after. Marcelo made a mess of clearing a cross form the left and Albin slammed the loose ball in from close range. Getafe could not grab a late equaliser, though, as Madrid kept the pressure up on arch rivals Barca.

Mourinho: It was a strange game Real Madrid honcho Jose Mourinho admitted that his charges had to endure a tense finale in their 3-2 win against Getafe. Cristiano Ronaldo opened Madrid's account with a penalty before German midfielder Mesut Ozil doubled their lead but Getafe replied through Daniel Parejo. Another Ronaldo strike seemed to have ended the home side's resistance but Alvaro Arbeloa's sending off coupled with a Juan Albin goal meant that Madrid had to survive a late Getafe onslaught. Speaking to the club's official website after the match, Mourinho conceded that his side could have imploded right at the end. Mourinho elaborated: "I always felt the game was strange. At the start, it looked we could win 3-0 or 4-0, but by the end of the first half I felt like we had lost control. "We had a good start to the second half and it looked like we could be calmer in the match, but Getafe's goals and the red card we saw made us feel anything could happen in the final moments of the game. The clash could have had two completely different outcomes." "We took three points in the end, which is what we've been doing all through this season. "We've won 14 of the 17 games we've played so far in La Liga, and we earned five victories and one draw in the first round of the Champions League. "If we keep this up we will reach the end of all three championships. It is in the essence of this team to fight to the end." "We didn't have our usual concentration level tonight. We normally are a tighter side. We gave our opponent room to attack. Getafe are a creative and dynamic team with players that are technically very good." The Portuguese chief also explained his decision to haul off midfield enforcer Lassana Diarra. He said: "I replaced Lass because he didn't seem to be doing too well in a match that was beginning to be marked by transitions and one-on-ones. I also noticed the referee hesitated at times regarding bookings and that he seemed to have a different criteria for each team." The game also marked the symbolic return of Brazilian wizard Kaka, who stepped into the fray in the 75th minute to make his league debut and mark the end of his six month injury jinx. Mourinho added: "Kaka has recovered from his injury, but his functional recovery is a different matter. He still hasn't reached his full potential. His return is great news for Real Madrid, for the Spanish league and for world football. "He is a super player who hasn't really played in Spain because he spent a whole year practically injured and six months completely injured. "He is ready to play 15 minutes now, he will be able to play 20 against Levante, 25 against Villarreal, and he will gradually recover this way. It's great news. He is as happy as if he were making his debut as a professional. We are all very happy." The result moved Madrid to within two points of table-toppers and defending Primera Liga champions Barcelona.

Mourinho: "It is in the essence of this team to fight to the end" I can only say very positive things about my side" Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho had an uneasy feeling about the match in Getafe, but he was happy with the victory. "I always felt the game was strange. At the start, it looked we could win 3-0 or 4-0, but by the end of the first half I felt like we had lost control. We had a good start to the second half and it looked like we could be calmer in the match, but Getafe's goals and the red card we saw made us feel anything could happen in the final moments of the game. The clash could have had two completely different outcomes." "We took three points in the end, which is what we've been doing all through this season. We've won 14 of the 17 games we've played so far in La Liga, and we earned five victories and one draw in the first round of the Champions League. If we keep this up we will reach the end of all three championships. It is in the essence of this team to fight to the end." "We didn't have our usual concentration level tonight. We normally are a tighter side. We gave our opponent room to attack. Getafe are a creative and dynamic team with players that are technically very good." "I replaced Lass because he didn't seem to be doing too well in a match that was beginning to be marked by transitions and one-on-ones. I also noticed the referee hesitated at times regarding bookings and that he seemed to have a different criteria for each team..." "Kaka has recovered from his injury, but his functional recovery is a different matter. He still hasn't reached his full potential. His return is great news for Real Madrid, for the Spanish league and for world football. He is a super player who hasn't really played in Spain because he spent a whole year practically injured and six months completely injured. He is ready to play 15 minutes now, he will be able to play 20 against Levante, 25 against Villarreal, and he will gradually recover this way. It's great news. He is as happy as if he were making his debut as a professional. We are all very happy."

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