Gonzalo Higuaín

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He looks now like a man. I like it

[LuNo]

[LuNo]

Higuaín Unaffected By Talk Of New Strikers

Gonzalo Higuaín does not feel under any extra pressure as rumours continue to grow about Real Madrid's quest to bring in a new striker during the summer.

The Argentinian forward is looking to impress with a regular run in the team in Ruud van Nistelrooy's absence and hopes he can do enough to stay at the club during the summer.

"It is a decision for the board. I always work hard so that they keep me in mind, that is my mission," he explained.

With Didier Drogba, Luis Fabiano and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all being linked to Madrid, Higuaín recognised that any one of them would be a welcome addition.

"We know about the quality of all three. They are playing very well for their teams and we have to hope that the board chosses the best one if they decide to make a signing. All of them are great players," he said.

"Now I have the chance now and I will try to do everything I can to take advantage of it as this will be a great game to play in and I want to help the team.

"I do not yet know if I am going to start, but I am training as if that was the case. The responsibility is great and if I am given it then I will bear it well as every player would want it.

"I do not know if I feel pressure as the only thing I know if that any player that os asked to be the main striker for Madrid should feel very proud.

"I prefer to play just behind the main striker, but we will have to see what decision the coach takes. All I can do is train hard and hope that Schuster has faith in me."

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Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek.

Defenders: Torres, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo & Heinze.

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

Forwards: Higuain, Raul & Saviola.

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3 - Real Madrid: Casillas; Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo; Gago, Guti (Diarra, 72'), Sneijder, Robben; Higuaín (Baptista, 83') & Raúl (Robinho, 85').

1 - Sevilla: Palop; Alves, Mosquera, Prieto, Adriano; Crespo (Navas, 27'), Poulsen (Renato, 45'), Keita, Capel (Koné, 72'); Kanouté & Luis Fabiano.

REFEREE: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes. Booked Crespo (6'), Heinze (22'), Mosquera (50') and Raúl (56').

GOALS:

1-0: (7'): Heinze.

1-1 (37'): Kanouté.

2-1 (39'): Raúl.

3-1 (65'): Higuaín.

HIGHLIGHTS: Matchday 30 of La Liga. Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Attendance: 80,000. One minute's silence was held in memory of the recently deceased former Real Madrid basketball player Sergio Luyk.

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Player Ratings: Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla

Real Madrid produced both a fluid attacking performance and defensive solidarity to produce a priceless result against Sevilla to extend their lead, and put their opponents out of contention for Champions League qualification. Goal.com analyses the individual performances...

Casillas - 6.5: Was rarely called upon but looked sharp and assured as usual.

Sergio Ramos - 8: Showed just what an asset he is up and down the right hand side. Did brilliantly to subdue Capel and got forward to good effect throughout the entire game.

Cannavaro - 7: Is a shaved head all Cannavaro needs to produce his A-game? He won the World Cup with one, but for much of his hapless Madrid career has let a little grow through. Today he was back to his bald best and besides one unpunished error, put in an accomplished and solid performance.

Heinze - 7.5: Quite like his defensive partner, surprised everyone this evening. Made a few errors but always atoned for them almost immediately. Made some crucial blocks and of course threw himself at the ball to score the crucial opener.

Marcelo - 6.5: Was not outstanding individually. He was well protected and supported by his team-mates and in that comfort zone he was able to put in a competent showing. Still room for improvement.

Sneijder - 8.5: Yet another on the long list of shocking performances today - shocking because they were much better than expected. Sneijder has looked lost for so much of the season, but his fantastic free-kick set up the first goal and his wonderful pass was the prelude to the second; he also played a crucial part in the third and final goal as well. Was all over the place, spraying accurate passes and doing well to cover and assist Marcelo in defence in the second half.

Gago - 7: Put in a performance that will inspire confidence within him and many Real fans who were losing faith in the young Argentine. Proved relatively solid up against the physical threat of Poulsen and Keita in the first half and his passing game is always a delight to watch. A slightly more sturdy Guti in the making.

Guti - 7.5: And Guti himself did a good job on the night. Setting up the third quite brilliantly and did well to keep things ticking over in midfield.

Higuain - 7: Eventually managed to take a chance he'd have struggled to miss. Cannot be faulted for his work-rate, and some of his runs were promising, but was too wasteful in front of goal to warrant a higher score.

Raul - 8: Another trademark performance from the captain, who put himself about from the first minute until the last and made things difficult for the entire Sevilla backline. Scored the goal of the game; a fantastic effort which put Madrid back in front less than two minutes after Sevilla had equalised. Indispensable.

Robben - 7: Constantly a thorn in Sevilla's side early on and his running was always a danger. In the second half, he by and large flattered to deceive and did not produce enough end product.

Substitutes: Diarra - 5.5, Julio Baptista - n/a, Robinho - n/a.

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Higuaín: I Will Never Lose Faith

Gonzalo Higuaín has stated that he will never lose faith in his own ability and was pleased to prove the supporters that jeered him against Sevilla wrong with a goal.

The Argentinian forward received some whistles from the Bernabéu crowd after failing to take advantage of some early opportunities on Sunday evening, but responded with the third goal of the night.

Despite being the victim of the verbal abuse, Higuaín admitted that he understood the fans' views, but would never let them affect his game or his confidence.

"The fans are used to seeing great players. The striker's aim is to score goals and obviously if that does not happen then they can grow impatient," he explained.

"It that cannot influence any player. I will never lose faith in myself and I continued trying and in the end if managed to score."

The win against Sevilla moved Madrid six points clear of their closest title rivals, Villarreal, and Higuaín was pleased to have put an end to successive defeats.

"I am very pleased because the team has played very well against a team that we have not done very well against before this season," he continued.

"Besides, we have also ended a poor run of form and extended the gap between ourselves and our rivals at the top of the table."

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Real Mallorca vs. Real Madrid

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Codina.

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

Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Guti, Baptista, Sneijder & Robben.

Forwards: Higuain, Saviola, Robinho & Raul.

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REAL MADRID: Casillas, Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Marcelo, Sneijder (Torres, 75’), Guti, Gago, Robben, Higuaín (Diarra, 69’) and Raúl (Baptista, 81’).

RCD MALLORCA:.Moyá, Fernando Navarro, Ramis (David Navarro, 27’), Nunes, Héctor (Webo, 79’), Basinas, Varela (Valero, 68’), Ibagaza, Jonás, Arango and Gúiza.

GOALS:

0-1, min. 42. Sneijder

1-1, min. 72. Borja Valero

REFEREE: Arturo Daudén Ibáñez. Booked Fernando Navarro (39’), Heinze (75’), Casillas (84’), and Borja Valero (89’) and sent off Sergio Ramos (46’ & 65’).

NOTES: Matchday 31 of La Liga played at ONO Estadi in Mallorca. Attendance: 20,000.

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Player Ratings: Real Mallorca 1-1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid were out-fought at the ONO Estadi and, when reduced to 10 men, were lucky to escape with the draw. Goal.com analyses the individual performances...

Casillas - 7: Did everything he could with all the balls that came his way. One fine reaction save to stop an unfortunate deflection going in. Powerless to stop the goal.

Ramos - 6: Unlucky to be sent off for an alleged second bookable offense but, uncharacteristically, had a shaky game. His energy was an asset, but his final product was lacking.

Cannavaro - 7.5: Well, things are looking promising for Cannavaro, finally. Madrid's best player on the night, his positioning was on-point and though Madrid's defence was unlocked by the goal, it's not something that can be blamed on the Italian or any other individual.

Heinze - 6.5: At times he had the energy and awareness that was reminiscent of last week and the week before's performances, but today, quite like Ramos, he showed the most uncertain side of his game and almost proved to be a liabiliry at times.

Marcelo - 6.5: A quiet game, and he will probably be happy with that. Was caught out a few times in the first half but made amends on all occasions. Willing to fight more in a defensive capacity these days. Slowly improving.

Guti - 5.5: Not good enough. It was another one of those days for Guti. There was the odd inspired pass, but he proved to be a liability in midfield. Not a scrapper, so that was not expected, but with no significant muscle backing him up, his lack of work rate in particular was exposed.

Gago - 7: Madrid's best mdifielder. Did all the little things right and attempted the odd extravagant pass, none of which came off. Showed good energy and was as strong as he could be in the challenge.

Sneijder - 6.5: His goal saves his score without question. Dreadful set-pieces; looked quite promising when running with the ball but his passing and shooting left quite a lot to be desired. Was last week a one-off?

Higuain - 5: Thoroughly underwhelming. Like Sneijder, can look okay when on the ball and running but his end product is found wanting.

Raul - 6: Put in a decent showing, but there was very little service and when he drifted deep he did have much of an influence as it was often overcrowded.

Robben - 7: Promising. Did magnificently to set up the first goal and he was a genuine wide threat, something Madrid had lacked all game.

Substitutes: Diarra - 6, Torres - n/a, Baptista - n/a

[Aga]

I love his new hair

[Chic_Raul_ista]

Las Manos premiere in Madrid

[LuNo]

Thanks

[LuNo]

Real Madrid vs. Real Murcia

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek.

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

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

Forwards: Higuaín, Saviola, Robinho & Raúl.

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