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DEPORTIVO vs. REAL MADRID

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek.

Defenders: Salgado, Pepe, Torres, Marcelo, Cannavaro & Heinze.

Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Baptista, Guti, Drenthe, Robinho & Sneijder.

Forwards: Raúl, Higuaín & Soldado.

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1- DEPORTIVO: Aouate, Manuel Pablo, Lopo, Pablo Amo, Coloccini, Filipe, Wilhelmsson, Sergio (Antonio Tomás, 86’), De Guzman, Lafita (Guardado, 79’) and Xisco (Riki, 68’).

0- REAL MADRID: Casillas, Miguel Torres, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze (Baptista, 77’), Sneijder, Guti, Diarra, Drenthe (Higuain, 70’), Raul and Soldado (Robinho, 70’).

GOAL:

1-0 (min. 56’): Pepe own goal.

REFEREE: Turienzo Alvarez. Booked De Guzmán (60’), Coloccini (69’), Torres (71’), Aouate (89’), Lopo (90’), and Pepe.

NOTES: Matchday 28 of La Liga played at Riazor Stadium. Attendance: 35,000.

Raúl, Heinze, and Torres

"We controlled the ball but weren't able to create any chances"

Raúl, Heinze, and Miguel Torres all agreed that forgetting about Saturday's defeat against Deportivo as quickly as possible is the best thing for Real Madrid.

Raúl:

“We were weak in the first half and had more possession in the second, but we just didn't have a clear path to the box. We didn't have many opportunities even though we played with the same intensity as in other matches. They really made it hard for us and they were very dangerous when counterattacking. They had a lot of men in defense, which prevented us from reaching their goal. We knew it would be difficult, but we have to keep in mind that there are ten matches left and that we still have a significant lead. We cannot think about the past. We have six home matches and four road matches left, so we really depend on ourselves, our points, and our results.”

“Seasons are very long and there are always variances. We have to continue working and thinking one match at a time.”

Heinze:

“We're always sad when we lose, but we have to move forward. We cannot lower our heads, but rather continue working as we have been. Talking does us no good. We have to win as many points as possible and finish off the league on a winning streak. We have two straight home games coming up and both are extremely important. We have to win all our matches, whether home or away, if we want to be champions. We want to have as many points as possible at season's end, so we have to win no matter where we play.”

“Depor played with a lot of men in the first third and they cut off all our attacks. They used a very intelligent defensive strategy. We left it all on the field but weren't able to score, and that's the only thing that counts. Whoever scores in football wins, so all I can do is congratulate them.”

“The statistic is meaningless, but it's still there. The goal was a matter of bad luck. Despite playing a correct match we weren't able to create many chances. We have to keep working and make sure we put all five senses into winning the league.”

Torres:

“The 17-year streak is what we're least concerned about. We came here to extend our lead. We just wanted to maintain the eight points, but it wasn't to be. They were well-positioned and a solid defensive unit.”

“We prepared for this match all week long, but they played well. We must do just as we have been: fighting and battling in order to finish first at the end of the season.”

Player Ratings: Deportivo 1-0 Real Madrid

Deportivo produced an impressive performance as they extended Real Madrid's run without a victory in Riazor to 18 years. The visitors forward line offered very little, while the resurgence in their hosts continued as they looked confident and decisive, even if they did need an own goal to win. Goal.com has judged every player and dished out marks out of ten.

Casillas 6 - Did not have a huge amount to do and was helpless for the goal that came out of nowhere to beat him,

Torres 5.5 - Madrid's defence were not there weak point and the right-back looked as ragged as anyone. Was repeatedly skinned by Lafita, and should have stopped Filipe before the goal.

Heinze - 5.5 - The same goes for the left-back as he even went forward in order to help, although made little impact at that end.

Pepe 6.5 - The own goal was a shame for the defender as he had not played badly, and even ventured forward.

Cannavaro 6.5 - Maintained his position and stood firm whenever the home team broke away and cannot be blamed for the defeat.

Diarra 6 - Was given the task of protecting the back four and, in the main, achieved that without much fuss. His passing, however, remains a huge problem.

Guti 4 - Was not on form and looked lethargic. Gave too many balls away, and never once bothered to do something about it. On nights when his passing deserts him, he looks a real liability.

Drenthe 6.5 - An industrious first half, but all theat hustle and bustle rarely made an impact on the Depor defence. But he was trying ever so hard, unlike some of his teammates.

Sneijder 5.5 - Also did very little impress and his long range shot that went well wide in the second half summed up his display. Absolutely no imagination.

Raul 4.5 - Virtually anonymous up front. Whether that was because of his own performance or because of a lack of service is open to debate.

Soldado 4.5 - At least looked to involve himself, but in all honesty neither forward created anything for themselves.

Subs

Robinho 5.5 - Has helped Madrid in sticky situations before, but did nothing to help here even though he looked lively.

Baptista 5.5 - Came on and appeared to quickly become frustrated with the lack of movement and space up front.

Higuain 5 - Came on did virtually nothing to help turn around Madrid's fortunes on a night when nobody really stood out.

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Torres press conference

"The league is won by the most consistent team"

Miguel Torres analyzed last night's defeat against Deportivo during today's press conference, but the youth teamer assured that the squad is focused on winning the league title.

How is the team?

As you would expect after a match. We're tired and disappointed with yesterday's result. We're already thinking about the next match though, and that's all that matters.

Why has the team had so much trouble in recent matches?

We just need to create more chances. We've been dominating possession but we're lacking in accuracy when finishing. Deportivo played with five defenders, which made it hard for us to penetrate the back line. We need to win our home matches and do everything possible to steal points on the road.

What has Schuster told you guys?

To remain calm. The league is won by the most consistent team over the course of the year. If we're on top it's because we're the most consistent. We're going to lose a game or two because other teams also play well. All we can do now is think about our next match, work hard, and try to create more opportunities and reach the opponent's box more often.

Did he say anything different after last night's match?

No. The coach always speaks to us in the same manner. A game like last night's doesn't mean he has to say something different. He's got the same ideas now that he had at the start of the season. All we try to do is pay attention to him and the rest of the coaching staff.

If he's had the same ideas all year, perhaps it's time to change.

I'm just a team employee. If we're first nothing should change. Players are recovering. Van Nistelrooy should be back this week. He's very important for us. The more possibilities we have, the better off we'll be.

Including the Copa del Rey and Champions League, you have now lost eight matches.

We're obviously out of the Cup and Champions League, but we're first in the league and we can still have an eight-point lead depending on how Barcelona does tonight. La Liga is now our goal and we're sitting in a privileged position right now. The year will have been a success if we win the league.

Casillas said he would prefer to be in Barcelona's shoes: second in the league and in the Champions League quarterfinals.

I didn't hear him say that. I would much rather be on top. I really like La Liga because it's a measure of the most consistent team all year. Not all teams can opt for the title. I'm not concerned about what other teams are doing right now.

Does the team feel any pressure?

People on the outside feel pressure and they put it on us. Despite the problems, it's the players who are most aware of what we're capable of. We have a substantial lead, and even though it has fluctuated, we've always been on top. We don't feel any pressure. We need to work as we have been, focus, and win the title at season's end.

Barcelona haven't been capitalizing on your slip-ups.

La Liga is won by the most consistent team, not because other teams lose. We have a deep squad comprised of talented players. I am sure we will win many titles for this club in forthcoming years. Despite any pressure, the veterans know how to deal with moments like these and they teach the younger guys the values that we have yet to learn.

What are your thoughts on what took place in the Ruiz de Lopera?

I only know what took place during the match. Football is a sport that needs a rivalry based on sportsmanship. I hope incidents like last night's are done away with because they don't benefit any one. People want a show and to have fun.

Torres: We Need More Creativity

Miguel Torres believes that Real Madrid need to start creating more chances if they are to return to winning ways as he reflected on the defeat against Deportivo.

The right back admitted that the squad was disappointed with the loss in Riazor, but analysed why he felt that Los Merengues had been unable to end their 18-year hoodoo at the stadium.

"We're tired and disappointed with the result, but we're already thinking about the next match though, and that's all that matters," he said.

"We just need to create more chances. We've been dominating possession but we're lacking in accuracy when finishing. Deportivo played with five defenders, which made it hard for us to penetrate the back line. We need to win our home matches and do everything possible to steal points on the road.

"The coach has told us to remain calm. The league is won by the most consistent team over the course of the year. If we're on top it's because we're the most consistent. We're going to lose a game or two because other teams also play well.

"All we can do now is think about our next match, work hard, and try to create more opportunities and reach the opponent's box more often.

"The coach always speaks to us in the same manner. A game like last night's doesn't mean he has to say something different. He's got the same ideas now that he had at the start of the season. All we try to do is pay attention to him and the rest of the coaching staff."

Torres was then asked that if things had been the same all year then did he not think that it was time for a change of some sort, but he dismissed that thought.

"If we're first nothing should change. Players are recovering. Van Nistelrooy should be back this week. He's very important for us. The more possibilities we have, the better off we'll be," he continued.

The defender was then asked whether he agreed with Iker Casillas after the keeper stated that he would rather be second in the table and in the Champions League quarter finals.

"I would much rather be on top. I really like La Liga because it's a measure of the most consistent team all year. Not all teams can opt for the title. I'm not concerned about what other teams are doing right now," Torres said.