madristar

damn! how many hat tricks hes done till now.ive lost count...

what a loss of talent he is...poor lad...sitting on the bench all the time!

Q: How has your adaptation to Madrid been like? A: I’m feeling very good, I like being in a great city like Madrid. The people are very friendly and my teammates have treated me very well and have supported me a lot. Q: What do you think of Lyon? Who’s the favorite? A: We finished first in our group and I think that brings respect. And we also respect our rivals. We don’t have fear, we’re going to play our game and of course, our objective is to pass to the next round. Q: Is there a desire for revenge against Lyon? A: It’s not precisely revenge. We want to win, play our game and not give the rival opportunities. It’s a new season, and we want to advance as far as possible and bring the Champions to Madrid. It’s a difficult task, but we hope to get to the next round. Q: Is there resentment between Casillas and Cristiano? A: I don’t think so. I look around in the locker room and I see that they get along perfectly well. That’s why I don’t think there’s anything true about that. Q: It’s also been said that some teammates don’t celebrate the goals… A: I celebrate with the entire team. After each goal, you can see that the team is happy and that we all get together, you can see that we’re like a small family. Q: You’ve played 20 games, 19 as a starter, but after Christmas, Kaká will be back. Who’s going to start? A: My goal is to play all the games, which is why I train very hard, but it’s up to the coach to decide. I want to keep on improving, I feel great playing here and I think we can play well together. Q: You’ve scored five goals and given nine assists, including some wonderful ones that reminded people of Guti. Are you the new Guti? A: Guti was an extraordinary player with a lot of personality, but I’m Özil and I want to be the best, but in my style. You can compare me with other players, but I have my own way of playing and I’m going to do my best to improve to help out my team. Q: You appear to be quite timid off the field. You’re young but we’ve seen your artistic talents. A: I did that for my sponsors and I had fun, but I don’t have the voice to be a singer. I like football, and show business is not for me. I’m a calm person, I like to be with my friends and family and to stay at home. Q: What is a day in the life of Özil like? A: I love Madrid. It’s a very cosmopolitan city, I go out to shop, to eat at restaurants, I’ve been to visit parts of the city with teammates and it’s a city that I like a lot and I’m getting to know it more with each day. Q: What is your favorite type of food? A: Turkish specialties. What my mother cooks, but I also like Spanish food. Q: What are you going to do this Christmas? A: I’m going to be with my family, and after that on vacation with friends. Q: Mourinho apparently wants the team to be in the concentración right after the new year starts [at 01:30h]. What’s your opinion? A: I don’t know anything about that, but that’s our profession and we have to do it. Q: You received death threats when you had to choose between Turkey and Germany, was it difficult? A: Everyone can have their opinion, but I knew that I was going to play for Germany because that’s where I was born and where I have my family and friends. I received an invitation from Germany and after that one from Turkey, but I knew that I would play for Germany. Q: Did the World Cup change your life? A: It made me more well-known. But I’m the same Özil as I’ve always been, the one that likes to be with friends and family and to enjoy football like a child. I’m very proud of having made it to Real Madrid, to have been wanted by one of the best teams in the world. The World Cup was an extraordinary experience and Spain was a just winner. Q: A desire for 2011. A: Health is the most important, along with being successful in football, achieving the personal goals that I set for myself. Q: How are your Spanish classes going? When are you going to start speaking Spanish? A: I think in two or three months.

wife's cute.. mature now

Cesc: Barca not mission impossible Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says it is not "mission impossible" after drawing Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Gunners were handed a tie with the Spanish giants, who demolished them in the quarter-finals of the competition last season. Fabregas will return to the Nou Camp for the first time since the transfer saga that almost saw him return to the Catalan club before committing his future at the Emirates. Speaking on his side's chances against the Spanish giants, the 23-year-old is adamant the Gunners have every chance to beat Barcelona and even win the Champions League. He was quoted as saying in The Sun: "This is not some mission impossible. "We can win this. Barcelona are not unbeatable. If they were invincible, they would win the Champions League every year. "Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have knocked them out in recent years. "Maybe it's our turn now - and why not? "If we want to be champions of Europe, we have to be able to beat anyone and everyone - and that includes Barca." Meanwhile, United are drawn with Marseille while Chelsea will face FC Copenhagen.

thanks for making this thread...lov alex!

Barca plan Torres, Fabregas swoop Barcelona are plotting an audacious £85million swoop for Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres next summer. The Catalan club have recently secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Qatar Foundation worth a whooping £125million over five years. And according to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the club's ambitions have expanded due to their boost in spending power and will now seek to prise both their countrymen to the Nou Camp. Fabregas was close to a move back to Barcelona in the summer but the transfer saga ended with the midfielder committing his future with Arsenal. Whereas Torres is growing increasingly frustrated with life at Liverpool after a dismay start to the season and a lack of Champions League football. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in bringing him to the Bernabeu but it is unlikely the striker will make a move there given his connections with rivals Atletico Madrid. Thus a reunion with his fellow Spain team-mates such as David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Carles Puyol - just to name a few - could prove too tempting for Torres. And the same could be said of Fabregas.

Guardiola praises Barca display Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was happy with his side after their 5-1 demolition of Espanyol. Barca traditionally struggle in this fixture and were held to a goalless draw at Cornella last season, but there was only one winner this time around. Pedro and David Villa both scored twice, with Xavi netting the other as Barca served up another breathtaking exhibition of attacking football against an Espanyol side that came into this match with a perfect home record. "It's the hardest away game of the season and we passed with distinction," the Barca coach said after the match. "We beat a very good team, not just a rival from our city, and that's important. "Nobody was creating chances against them at home and they had only let in two (here), but we were able to deactivate them - it's a great night for us." Guardiola was particularly pleased with Pedro, who scored Barca's first and third goals and was a threat throughout the match as he switched positions with Lionel Messi in the Catalans' dynamic forward line. "His performance speaks for itself," he said. "The solidarity and intensity of all of the players up front is very important and it helps the midfielders a lot - this team doesn't cease to surprise me and that leaves me very relaxed about the future." That future looks extremely bright, with many pundits and experts already talking of this Barcelona side as the best team in history. "This dynamic depends only on us," Guardiola said. "We have to be able to keep motivating the players, but a time arrives when things come to an end. "The secret is that the footballers are very good and all of the success they have achieved strengthens their state of mind." Barcelona's players were roundly jeered by the Espanyol faithful, with one exception - Andres Iniesta. Iniesta paid tribute to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque - who died from a heart attack in the summer of 2009 - in the World Cup final, when he peeled off his Spain shirt to reveal a message to his departed friend after scoring the winner against Holland. That gesture went down well with the Espanyol fans at the time and the midfielder was cheered prior to the match, before receiving a rapturous standing ovation as he was substituted late on. "Andres deserves it," Guardiola said. "But I would like to congratulate the fans at Cornella-El Prat for the gesture. "We would like Andres to be the reflection of everything that this club represents." Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino also applauded the fans' gesture. "The fans behaved wonderfully with Andres and that says a lot about Espanyol's support," he said. And Pochettino claimed not to be too disheartened after losing out to a Barca side he said was close to perfection. "We are on a good run and we can't let this defeat break that," he said. "I am pleased with the attitude of my players, but Barca are practically touching perfection and what we did today was not good enough. "They are a great rival, both collectively and individually." Barca are now five points ahead of Real Madrid - who play Sevilla tomorrow - at the top of the table, while Espanyol drop to fifth after 16 rounds of the championship.

Espanyol 1-5 Barcelona Pedro and David Villa struck a brace apiece as Barcelona brushed aside Espanyol in the Catalan derby at Cornella. Pedro and Xavi gave Pep Guardiola's side a healthy lead at half-time, before the Tenerife-born winger struck again in the second half. Dani Osvaldo got one back for Espanyol after that, but Barca always looked in control and David Villa added two more late on for the visitors. The champions are now five points ahead of rivals Real Madrid, who host Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Barca could only draw the corresponding fixture last season and usually face a tough game against their city rivals, who were up in fourth place at the start of the day. Espanyol had won all of their seven Primera Division matches at Cornella prior to this one, but Barca came into the 16th-round clash with a perfect away record and Mauricio Pochettino's side knew they were facing their toughest test yet at home. Osvaldo drilled a low, angled shot towards goal from the right-hand side after just two minutes, but Victor Valdes gathered comfortably and Barca soon began to take control of possession. Lionel Messi saw his first effort saved by Carlos Kameni after nine minutes and should have given Pep Guardiola's side the lead moments later, when he inexplicably scooped a right-footed effort over the bar from the edge of the box with the goal at his mercy. In other matches, that may have been a costly miss, but it seemed unlikely in this case as Barca continued to press forward with intent and quality. Sergio Busquets found Pedro with a long pass, the Spain winger laid the ball off to Messi, got it back and slid a low shot past Kameni and into the back of the net to make it 1-0. Luis Garcia saw a free-kick comfortably saved by Victor Valdes at the other end and Jose Callejon was denied by a brilliant stop from the Barca keeper 10 minutes before the break. By that time, though, Espanyol were already two down. Barca's second had come five minutes earlier, when Xavi drilled a powerful shot past Kameni from a tight angle at the second time of asking, after his first effort had been blocked. David Villa then shot over the bar before the break as Barca sought a third. Pedro fired a speculative effort over the top from distance after 56 minutes, but did extend the visitors' lead shortly afterwards. Messi surged forward form the centre circle, played a one-two with Pedro and tested Kameni with a low shot from the edge of the box, which the Cameroon keeper could only push into the path of the winger, who scored his second of the night from a tight angle. At the other end, Osvaldo then found space on the right three minutes later and beat Valdes with a low, angled drive to give the home side hope. The goal lifted Espanyol and Osvaldo headed off target with 20 minutes left, before side-footing weakly with only Valdes to beat moments later. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed, though, as Villa made it 4-1 with 15 minutes left. Messi's neat through-ball left the Spain striker one-on-one with Kameni and the former Valencia man slid a low shot past the African to put the win beyond doubt. Villa then made it 5-1 with another low finish six minutes from time as Barca racked up five goals away to their city rivals for the first time ever. While Guardiola's side move provisionally five points clear at the top, Espanyol stay fourth for now, but Pochettino's side can be caught by Valencia on Sunday.

Real Madrid-Sevilla Mourinho's side has won seven league games, three Champions League matches and one Copa del Rey fixture at the Bernabeu Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Real Madrid will face Sevilla in their last league game in 2010. The southern side is having an irregular run this season, but it is nevertheless one of the most competitive teams in the championship. Key men like Xabi Alonso and Marcelo are suspended for the match, but Mourinho will be able to count on Khedira (who was suspended last week) and the recently recovered Sergio Ramos. The Whites have won the eleven games they've played at the Bernabeu so far in the season and look to win tomorrow's and Wednesday's against Levante to seal a perfect run before the new year. TEAM STATS HOME AWAY Pos. Pts. GP GW GD GL GP GW GD GL R.Madrid 2 38 7 7 0 0 8 5 2 1 Sevilla 11 20 8 3 2 3 7 3 0 4 Karim Benzema turns 23 on Sunday and hopes to celebrate by giving a spectacular performance for the fans. The match will be the first Iker Casillas plays after winning the Golden Glove award; the goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in six of the ten official games he's appeared in at the Bernabeu this season, having missed the match against Auxerre. Sevilla are motivated following their draw against Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, which qualified them for the Last 32 of the Europa League. REAL MADRID vs. SEVILLA IN LA LIGA GP GW GD GL GF GA Real Madrid 132 67 26 39 271 183 Sevilla 132 39 26 67 183 271 Coach Gregorio Manzano replaced Antonio Alvarez earlier in the season and has improved the team's game with a style resembling that which made it one of the most competitive sides in Europe. The absences of Navas, Kanoute and Perotti will not weaken their potential in attack thanks to the presence of Luis Fabiano, former Madridista Negredo and Diego Capel.

"Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers" "We are having a perfect season; we haven't lost any of our chances to win titles" Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho adressed the media the day prior to facing Sevilla at the Bernabeu. The coach asked fans to pack the stadium in support of the team. "The match against Sevilla is worth three points regardless of absences on either team. Both sides want to win for different reasons. Our fans must always make a difference and they are always there for us at home. The two games we have yet to play before the new year are important. If I may, I'd like to ask the fans to come to the stadium. We will give our all in both games and they will help us win with their support." "Gregorio Manzano is the coach of Sevilla, a team with quality players. I have great respect for him and his side. I will greet him before the match, just like I greet every other coach at my stadium." "Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers when there are no real interesting news. Some news that are made up, such as false signings, are much less detrimental to the image of players. That's all it is. There are no problems on my squad. We don't want to play this game, but I do have to say me have no internal strife whatsoever." "The Medical Staff knew we lacked men and that getting at least one out of the infirmary would be important to us. Sergio Ramos is ready and he wants to play, so he will. He'll have time to recover in the holidays if he happens to experience some problems during the match. He did everything he could to play again, as befits a true captain and team worker." "Arbeloa will be a starter. He always does well in any position and he is a great player on this squad. He is performing brilliantly. Players earn a starting position by doing a good job in training and by playing games." "This has been the best year in my career. I would give myself an 11 out of 10. I won every cvhampionship I played in last season and we currently have lost none of our chances to win titles at Real Madrid. The league is very open still. We've qualified for the Last 16 both in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. We also were the best side in the Champions League group stage. This season has been perfect for us so far." "It will be good for Benzema to play if we don't experience problems during the match. I didn't need forwards in the last 20 minutes of our match against Zaragoza because we were already winning 3-1. Problems could arise if we happen to be losing or drawing the match with so little time left, forcing me to come up with a more offensive lineup. I therefore have to study the match well in order to decide if I'll use Benzema as a starter or if I'll keep him on the bench. It's better for him to play, but the same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria." "Kaka was very excited and moved for training with the team again today. We want him to continue to work with his team-mates until Wednesday. We want him to train with the squad more often after the holidays in order to be able to play, or at least be benched, by mid-January." "We will not have a team get-together on 31 December. It isn't true. I will have the traditional grapes at home. If the players want to get together, then let it be so, but my staf and I will be with our families." "Pressure doesn't really affect me. I suffered more from it in Italy than I do here. I had to spend 90 minutes addressing the media after a game in Italy. The only thing I have to do over here is to ask my colleagues on other teams when I can give a press conference, given that some of them are more vulnerable and therefore want to choose when to do their's. We work well over here, and we all head in the same direction, with the same style of addressing the media. I'll never get tired with this system."

"Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers" "We are having a perfect season; we haven't lost any of our chances to win titles" Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho adressed the media the day prior to facing Sevilla at the Bernabeu. The coach asked fans to pack the stadium in support of the team. "The match against Sevilla is worth three points regardless of absences on either team. Both sides want to win for different reasons. Our fans must always make a difference and they are always there for us at home. The two games we have yet to play before the new year are important. If I may, I'd like to ask the fans to come to the stadium. We will give our all in both games and they will help us win with their support." "Gregorio Manzano is the coach of Sevilla, a team with quality players. I have great respect for him and his side. I will greet him before the match, just like I greet every other coach at my stadium." "Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers when there are no real interesting news. Some news that are made up, such as false signings, are much less detrimental to the image of players. That's all it is. There are no problems on my squad. We don't want to play this game, but I do have to say me have no internal strife whatsoever." "The Medical Staff knew we lacked men and that getting at least one out of the infirmary would be important to us. Sergio Ramos is ready and he wants to play, so he will. He'll have time to recover in the holidays if he happens to experience some problems during the match. He did everything he could to play again, as befits a true captain and team worker." "Arbeloa will be a starter. He always does well in any position and he is a great player on this squad. He is performing brilliantly. Players earn a starting position by doing a good job in training and by playing games." "This has been the best year in my career. I would give myself an 11 out of 10. I won every cvhampionship I played in last season and we currently have lost none of our chances to win titles at Real Madrid. The league is very open still. We've qualified for the Last 16 both in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. We also were the best side in the Champions League group stage. This season has been perfect for us so far." "It will be good for Benzema to play if we don't experience problems during the match. I didn't need forwards in the last 20 minutes of our match against Zaragoza because we were already winning 3-1. Problems could arise if we happen to be losing or drawing the match with so little time left, forcing me to come up with a more offensive lineup. I therefore have to study the match well in order to decide if I'll use Benzema as a starter or if I'll keep him on the bench. It's better for him to play, but the same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria." "Kaka was very excited and moved for training with the team again today. We want him to continue to work with his team-mates until Wednesday. We want him to train with the squad more often after the holidays in order to be able to play, or at least be benched, by mid-January." "We will not have a team get-together on 31 December. It isn't true. I will have the traditional grapes at home. If the players want to get together, then let it be so, but my staf and I will be with our families." "Pressure doesn't really affect me. I suffered more from it in Italy than I do here. I had to spend 90 minutes addressing the media after a game in Italy. The only thing I have to do over here is to ask my colleagues on other teams when I can give a press conference, given that some of them are more vulnerable and therefore want to choose when to do their's. We work well over here, and we all head in the same direction, with the same style of addressing the media. I'll never get tired with this system."

"Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers" "We are having a perfect season; we haven't lost any of our chances to win titles" Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho adressed the media the day prior to facing Sevilla at the Bernabeu. The coach asked fans to pack the stadium in support of the team. "The match against Sevilla is worth three points regardless of absences on either team. Both sides want to win for different reasons. Our fans must always make a difference and they are always there for us at home. The two games we have yet to play before the new year are important. If I may, I'd like to ask the fans to come to the stadium. We will give our all in both games and they will help us win with their support." "Gregorio Manzano is the coach of Sevilla, a team with quality players. I have great respect for him and his side. I will greet him before the match, just like I greet every other coach at my stadium." "Rumours concerning Cristiano and Casillas' relationship are made up in order to sell newspapers when there are no real interesting news. Some news that are made up, such as false signings, are much less detrimental to the image of players. That's all it is. There are no problems on my squad. We don't want to play this game, but I do have to say me have no internal strife whatsoever." "The Medical Staff knew we lacked men and that getting at least one out of the infirmary would be important to us. Sergio Ramos is ready and he wants to play, so he will. He'll have time to recover in the holidays if he happens to experience some problems during the match. He did everything he could to play again, as befits a true captain and team worker." "Arbeloa will be a starter. He always does well in any position and he is a great player on this squad. He is performing brilliantly. Players earn a starting position by doing a good job in training and by playing games." "This has been the best year in my career. I would give myself an 11 out of 10. I won every cvhampionship I played in last season and we currently have lost none of our chances to win titles at Real Madrid. The league is very open still. We've qualified for the Last 16 both in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. We also were the best side in the Champions League group stage. This season has been perfect for us so far." "It will be good for Benzema to play if we don't experience problems during the match. I didn't need forwards in the last 20 minutes of our match against Zaragoza because we were already winning 3-1. Problems could arise if we happen to be losing or drawing the match with so little time left, forcing me to come up with a more offensive lineup. I therefore have to study the match well in order to decide if I'll use Benzema as a starter or if I'll keep him on the bench. It's better for him to play, but the same goes for Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria." "Kaka was very excited and moved for training with the team again today. We want him to continue to work with his team-mates until Wednesday. We want him to train with the squad more often after the holidays in order to be able to play, or at least be benched, by mid-January." "We will not have a team get-together on 31 December. It isn't true. I will have the traditional grapes at home. If the players want to get together, then let it be so, but my staf and I will be with our families." "Pressure doesn't really affect me. I suffered more from it in Italy than I do here. I had to spend 90 minutes addressing the media after a game in Italy. The only thing I have to do over here is to ask my colleagues on other teams when I can give a press conference, given that some of them are more vulnerable and therefore want to choose when to do their's. We work well over here, and we all head in the same direction, with the same style of addressing the media. I'll never get tired with this system."

Ramos and Khedira make the cut Mourinho also includes youth teamers Morata, Juanfran and Pacheco on his list Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho has inlcuded 20 men on his squad list for tomorrow's 21:00 CET match against Sevilla at the Bernabeu. Ramos and Khedira (who missed the last game due to an injury and a suspension, respectively) have made the cut again. Youth teamers Morata, Juanfran and Pacheco are also on the list. Marcelo and Xabi Alonso are suspended for the match. The injured Kaka, Gago, Higuain, Canales and Dudek will also miss the clash. Mateos has been left out for coaching decisions. Team get-together: Saturday 18 December @ 20:00 CET. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Next training: Monday 21 December @ 11:00 CET (behind closed doors). Real Madrid City.

Kaka, Sergio Ramos and Gago join the squad Twenty-one men attend the final session prior to the match against Sevilla; the academy's Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata trained with the first team Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gago were the new faces during training this morning. The three players worked out on the pitch with their team-mates, taking a positive step towards recovery. Jose Mourinho also had 18 other men available to him in the session, as well as youth teamers Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata. Dudek, Higuain, Xabi Alonso (suspended for the match due to five bookings) and Canales stayed indoors. Ball work took centre stage after fitness trainer Rui Faria finished supervising a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. The squad divided into two groups to play a game in which it was only allowed to pass the ball with either hands or head.

Twenty-one men attend the final session prior to the match against Sevilla; the academy's Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata trained with the first team Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gago were the new faces during training this morning. The three players worked out on the pitch with their team-mates, taking a positive step towards recovery. Jose Mourinho also had 18 other men available to him in the session, as well as youth teamers Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata. Dudek, Higuain, Xabi Alonso (suspended for the match due to five bookings) and Canales stayed indoors. Ball work took centre stage after fitness trainer Rui Faria finished supervising a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. The squad divided into two groups to play a game in which it was only allowed to pass the ball with either hands or head.

Ramos and Khedira make the cut Mourinho also includes youth teamers Morata, Juanfran and Pacheco on his list Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Jose Mourinho has inlcuded 20 men on his squad list for tomorrow's 21:00 CET match against Sevilla at the Bernabeu. Ramos and Khedira (who missed the last game due to an injury and a suspension, respectively) have made the cut again. Youth teamers Morata, Juanfran and Pacheco are also on the list. Marcelo and Xabi Alonso are suspended for the match. The injured Kaka, Gago, Higuain, Canales and Dudek will also miss the clash. Mateos has been left out for coaching decisions. Team get-together: Saturday 18 December @ 20:00 CET. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Next training: Monday 21 December @ 11:00 CET (behind closed doors). Real Madrid City.

Kaka on the comeback trail Real Madrid playmaker Kaka moved a step closer to making his comeback from injury after returning to training. The Brazil international, a £56million signing from AC Milan in the summer of 2009, has not played for Madrid yet this season after undergoing a meniscus operation in August but he trained alongside his team-mates for the first time since the surgery. Fernando Gago, who has not played for Madrid this season either due to a knee problem, also took part in training, as did Sergio Ramos, who had been expected to be absent until 2011 after spraining a ligament in his right knee. Ramos was subsequently included in Jose Mourinho's 20-man squad for the visit of the Spain international's former club Sevilla, although neither Kaka or Gago are yet ready to return to competitive action.

Kaka, Sergio Ramos and Gago join the squad Twenty-one men attend the final session prior to the match against Sevilla; the academy's Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata trained with the first team Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gago were the new faces during training this morning. The three players worked out on the pitch with their team-mates, taking a positive step towards recovery. Jose Mourinho also had 18 other men available to him in the session, as well as youth teamers Juanfran, Pacheco and Morata. Dudek, Higuain, Xabi Alonso (suspended for the match due to five bookings) and Canales stayed indoors. Ball work took centre stage after fitness trainer Rui Faria finished supervising a series of stretching and strengthening exercises. The squad divided into two groups to play a game in which it was only allowed to pass the ball with either hands or head.

Kaka on the comeback trail Real Madrid playmaker Kaka moved a step closer to making his comeback from injury after returning to training. The Brazil international, a £56million signing from AC Milan in the summer of 2009, has not played for Madrid yet this season after undergoing a meniscus operation in August but he trained alongside his team-mates for the first time since the surgery. Fernando Gago, who has not played for Madrid this season either due to a knee problem, also took part in training, as did Sergio Ramos, who had been expected to be absent until 2011 after spraining a ligament in his right knee. Ramos was subsequently included in Jose Mourinho's 20-man squad for the visit of the Spain international's former club Sevilla, although neither Kaka or Gago are yet ready to return to competitive action.

lord,,,,looks like a criminal...sorry...

Iker: "Real Madrid is above Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas" The other day you said that Messi is the best player in the world. Did Cristiano Ronaldo get mad? No, no I don't think it's something that would bother him. They only asked me my opinion on the three nominees and I said Messi was the best, but I don't think Iniesta or Xavi will get mad because I said Messi. I want Xavi or Iniesta to win it because they are my friends, they're Spaniards and I think now is the time for a Spaniard to win it. I asked you this because of all the rumors that are coming out about the topic involving Cristiano. You should speak because it seems like he feels a little alone in the face of the whistles and the tackles. ..The other day when when he scored a goal he hugged Marcelo and Pepe...and I don't remember if he also hugged Lass and Di Maria...all the mess that was mounted since September when they brought the video into the dressing room Not by a long shot. We have a very good relationship with them. Everyone is of their mother and of their father (wtf?), that happens in every home. That could be difference between the Real Madrid dressing room and that of Barca's (*eyeroll*). In Barca's dressing room, there are also problems, and I know, but everyone has their role. But in yours, since there are a lot of stars...you, for example, are the biggest figure in the Spanish media, Cristiano Ronaldo is that for the rest of the world, one scores the goals, the other stops them...but if that is not corrected and you don't talk about it it can break the dressing room There are always problems in the dressing room, I'm not going to tell you there aren't, I'm not going to deny that in ours there have been. Not now, but long ago there were, but the good thing is that we have always solved them by talking. My issue is an issue that was discussed and resolved and that is kept there, it shouldn't be talked about more. There are people who will talk or comment, they will try to create any sort of instability...But right now, the dressing room is well, we seek the stability of the group. The group is more important that any player. Real Madrid is above that, Real Madrid is above Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas, that's how it is, right now and always. You are the captain, you need to talk to Cristiano Ronaldo. For example, if Messi receives a tackle, everyone goes to defend him. Cristiano complains because he gets hit and you don't go to defend him. Yeah, but I also don't go to celebrate a goal. What I don't want is to seek a controversy where none exists. Everyone is how they are, Di Maria is one way, Pepe another way, Cristiano another way, I'm another way... What we all want is that the group functions

Di Maria: "Some men won't be able to play, but it won't be difficult for the coach to come up with a starting lineup" Edu Bueno / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell Angel di Maria addressed the media after training. The player said the squad is united and that he believes the lineup on Sunday will be strong despite the absence of regular starters. "Things are working out for me. I never thought about becoming a starter and playing in practically in every game because Real Madrid has great players. I was lucky enough to score goals and I've made sacrifices to show the coach just how anxious I am to play. He gave me the chance to be a starter and the confidence I needed to be calm on the pitch. Things have gradually become easier. I have a very good rapport with him and I hope it stays that way." "The squad feels united since we all travelled to Los Angeles. The Club has come up with a great, strong group, ready to face the music in every championship. This is a tight group of players and Cristiano Ronaldo is an impressive footballer." "The match against Sevilla will be important. Some men will miss the game, but the coach won't find it difficult to come up with a starting lineup." "I felt very comfortable against Valencia. The coach decides the position I play in. We just play the game. I cannot replace Benzema or Higuain because they are both very good. I have other qualities. We only think about winning, winning and winning, and I hope we reach far in the end." "What matters is that we defeat whichever team we are paired with in the Last 16 of the Champions League. If Lass and Benzema prefer to face Olympique Lyonnais, then so do I." * Enlarge text * Reduce text * * * * * Ver en tuenti * compartir o del.icio.us del.icio.us o digg digg o technorati technorati o yahoo yahoo o meneame meneame

Preparations for Sevilla nearing an end Real Madrid trained behind closed doors with one more session left prior to Sunday's match Realmadrid.com Real Madrid held their second-to-last workout of the week on Friday with this weekend's match against Sevilla fast approaching.

@ Fashion icon LOL!!! YES TAKE HIM AWAY,,,the little B******D