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Guti press conference "It's an advantage to know we will depend on nobody if we carry on winning" Real Madrid's second captain gave a long press conference in which he talked about the team and pointed out that it must continue working along the same lines in order to win a title. Do you feel, after winning so many games at important stadiums, that you are the only team capable of 'losing' the League title? It's still too soon to talk about winning the League because there are many games left. The lead we have isn't sufficiently large for us to say that losing the title would be entirely up to us. We are in good form and strong at home, but Barcelona had the same lead over us last year and we ended up winning the championship. But there isn't much optimism at Barcelona... Because they depend on us; winning all the time isn't enough for them. It is an advantage for us to know we will depend on nobody if we carry on winning. There are still many games left. Does all this talk about the records you are breaking motivate you? Our motivation is to win titles. There is no greater motivation than that. We don't talk about records, but titles. Both things are great, but I prefer the latter because the former are just figures and a Club as great as Real Madrid lives for winning titles. How did you feel at the Calderón? Comfortable, as I did when I wasn't a starter. We played a good game against the complicated rival Atletico are. You now have to convince Schuster in order to play more... I hope to continue playing, but it's up to him. I am available for whatever he wants. I have no qualms. We are all here to bring something to the team. The squad is large enough to guarantee victories regardless of who plays. Is the brightness of his shirt Casillas' secret? It's actually quite ugly, but he's the one who chose it, so we can't do anything about it... (Laughs). I don't think strikers miss because of his shirt. Have you thought much about your red card against Murcia? I think the fact that I'm benched most of the time has nothing to do with that. I was careless and I said so when it happened. Julio played very well and he scored goals. He has to use his chances well in order to continue playing. Is it good for the team having Schuster give chances to hard workers? Our squad is very large and we now have several injured players. The truth is anyone can play; no one has a position assured. That gives ground for more competition and better results in games. How is the atmosphere in the dressing room? It is very good. There are young players who recently joined the team and want to do things well. That shows on the pitch; it gives us our spark and allows us to win matches. How's your relationship with Bernd Schuster? I get along with him well. He was a quality player, so he likes his team to play good football and he makes that clear to us. He has good personal relationships with the players. He doesn't favour anyone in particular, so anyone 100% in form can play. We are grateful for that. The most important thing is to keep winning. The fact that we do must mean we get along with him well. Has Schuster shown that he doesn't like to lose? That was obvious when he was a player and it still is today. No-one likes to lose. He is not very expressive and doesn't raise his voice, but he says things when they must be said and always with respect. What have you learned in the six games in which you haven't been a starter? This isn't new to me. The only thing I know is that I've always wanted to be a starter again, so I worked hard on a daily basis knowing that other teammates of mine were also doing a terrific job. It's hard to find a spot, but the coach gave me a chance and I hope it continues this way. Not playing always affects a player, but we are professionals. We want to play because we know we can help the team. Do you captains wonder why there are so many injuries in defence? You should ask the doctors that because they will know. These are streaks teams go by, and we've had our share in past campaigns. It seems our injuries are mainly being sustained in defence this year, making it hard for the coach to have a regular defensive line-up, but this is one of the reasons behind having a large squad. No-one is talking much about the forthcoming match against Villarreal because of the victory at the Calderón. Do you fear this may distract the team's attention too? We know they are a great side that has nothing to do with the team we faced in the first part of the season. They have excellent players, amongst which are some unbalancing strikers capable of scoring at any minute. Our recent matches against them in Madrid were very tight and difficult to win. Schuster said it wasn't that bad to be eliminated from the King's Cup. Do you think the same? You have to look at the bright side of a match in whch you are eliminated. No-one liked it, especially after playing so well and having so many chances. We now have more days off and less games to be fresher for our League clashes. Nevertheless, being eliminated was a hard blow to all of us. Do you think the League will be fought out by Barcelona and Real Madrid? I think so because both sides have a great point difference over the rest, but there will be times in which neither of us win any games, allowing others to fight hard for the title too.

Casillas, Pepe, Ramos and Baptista included in the ideal European line-up of December The four Real Madrid players have been included in the ideal line-up voted by the ten most important sports magazines in Europe. Baptista and Pepe (eight votes), and Casillas and Ramos (five) are the back-bone of December's ideal European team. European Sports Magazines -which comprises the ten most important sports magazines in the Continent- has announced the best European line-up, featuring Real Madrid's Casillas, Pepe, Ramos and Baptista, as well as men from Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona. Real Madrid is the most represented squad in a list elaborated by choosing the best eleven players from the 98 teams that play in the English, Italian, French, German and Spanish leagues. World Soccer (UK), La Gaceta dello Sport (Italy), Voetbal (Holland), Kicker (Germany), A Bola (Portugal), Sport–Express (Russia), Sport/Foot (Belgium), Fanatik (Turkey), Tips Bladet (Denmark) and Don Balón (Spain) are the most prestigious sports magazines in Europe. Every month they come up with a line-up comprising whom they think are the best players in Europe. Iker Casillas has a privileged spot because he hasn't conceded a single goal in six games and continues to break records. Real Madrid defenders Pepe and Sergio Ramos are acompanied in the line-up by Arsenal's Gallas. Julio Baptista is accompanied in the attacking front by Cristiano Ronaldo, Cambiasso, Kaka and Iniesta. Robinho and Van Nistelrooy nearly made the line-up.

Thanks Aga !!!!!!!!

Casillas, Pepe, Ramos and Baptista included in the ideal European line-up of December The four Real Madrid players have been included in the ideal line-up voted by the ten most important sports magazines in Europe. Baptista and Pepe (eight votes), and Casillas and Ramos (five) are the back-bone of December's ideal European team. European Sports Magazines -which comprises the ten most important sports magazines in the Continent- has announced the best European line-up, featuring Real Madrid's Casillas, Pepe, Ramos and Baptista, as well as men from Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona. Real Madrid is the most represented squad in a list elaborated by choosing the best eleven players from the 98 teams that play in the English, Italian, French, German and Spanish leagues. World Soccer (UK), La Gaceta dello Sport (Italy), Voetbal (Holland), Kicker (Germany), A Bola (Portugal), Sport–Express (Russia), Sport/Foot (Belgium), Fanatik (Turkey), Tips Bladet (Denmark) and Don Balón (Spain) are the most prestigious sports magazines in Europe. Every month they come up with a line-up comprising whom they think are the best players in Europe. Iker Casillas has a privileged spot because he hasn't conceded a single goal in six games and continues to break records. Real Madrid defenders Pepe and Sergio Ramos are acompanied in the line-up by Arsenal's Gallas. Julio Baptista is accompanied in the attacking front by Cristiano Ronaldo, Cambiasso, Kaka and Iniesta. Robinho and Van Nistelrooy nearly made the line-up.

Thanks Aga

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Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A) Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game. This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension. Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece. Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal. Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post. The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post. These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac. Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on. Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem. Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net. Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post. On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers. Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside. Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick. Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A) Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game. This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension. Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece. Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal. Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post. The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post. These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac. Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on. Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem. Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net. Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post. On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers. Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside. Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick. Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A) Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game. This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension. Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece. Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal. Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post. The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post. These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac. Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on. Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem. Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net. Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post. On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers. Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside. Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick. Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A) Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game. This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension. Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece. Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal. Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post. The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post. These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac. Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on. Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem. Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net. Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post. On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers. Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside. Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick. Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

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Atalanta 2:1 AC Milan - match report Scorers: Gattuso 16 (M), Langella 42 (A), Tissone 68 (A) Milan dominated possession, but Alexandre Pato's misses proved decisive as Atalanta emerged with a shock 2-1 victory in the rescheduled Week 12 game. This match was abandoned on November 11 after just eight minutes when Atalanta fans threatened to riot if play continued despite the death earlier that day of a Lazio supporter. When it was replayed behind closed doors, Alexandre Pato had become an official Milan player and partnered Alberto Gilardino, who was fresh from a winning stoppage-time goal away to Udinese this past weekend. Zeljko Kalac filled in for the injured Nelson Dida, while Andrea Pirlo returned from suspension. Cristiano Doni fired over from a promising position, while Fernando Coppola rushed out to close down Pato. Milan started to pile on the pressure as Kakha Kaladze had a great chance from a corner and Clarence Seedorf's follow-up from the edge of the box was turned out for another set-piece. Moments later the Rossoneri took the lead with an unlikely hero. Gennaro Gattuso's cross-shot took a deflection off Doni to fly past a helpless Coppola. If it is eventually credited to Gattuso, it will be only his seventh Serie A goal. Milan continued to dominate with Pirlo's free kick and a Gilardino header off target before Coppola palmed Pato's snapshot from a tight angle round the post. The 18-year-old should have done better on 34 minutes, as he pounced on Moris Carrozzieri's error only to fire wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Pato also failed to make the most of a Kaka cross that Gila had dummied for the youngster at the back post. These proved to be costly errors, as just before the break Atalanta equalised. Guarente held up the ball for Antonio Langella to dribble past two defenders with a smart feint and rifle his finish past Kalac. Langella went on the counter and just failed to double his tally, while Gilardino's goal was disallowed for a clear offside position. There were penalty appeals for Carrozzieri's clumsy challenge on Gilardino, but the referee waved play on. Ronaldo replaced the disappointing Pato, who had wasted so many good chances in the first half, while Doni went off with a thigh problem. Atalanta focused mainly on pressuring Milan all over the park and it's a tactic that paid off on 68 minutes. Bellini's pass over the defence cut out Kakha Kaladze, so substitute Simone Inzaghi drew out Kalac and rolled across for Fernando Tissone to tap into an empty net. Inzaghi fired straight at Kalac on the counter and a Carrozzieri daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the near post. On 76 minutes Ronaldo pounced on a terrible backpass and was clear on goal, but blasted the ball at goalkeeper Coppola from point-blank range. It was another costly miss from the wasteful Milan strikers. Atalanta thought they had put the win beyond doubt, but when Tissone's screamer ricocheted off the crossbar and was tapped back in by Sergio Floccari, the former Messina striker was offside. Coppola kept his men in front with a desperate save on Kaka, put through by Seedorf. In stoppages Massimo Oddo drilled over from a corner kick. Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone (Padoin 80), Guarente, Langella (De Ascentis 65); Doni (S Inzaghi 54); Floccari Milan: Kalac; Bonera (Oddo 71), Nesta, Kaladze, Favalli; Gattuso (Gourcuff 83), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Pato (Ronaldo 64), Gilardino

You're welcome watermelon