Wesley Sneijder

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Guti, Iker, and Sneijder

"We're already mentally preparing our next match against Murcia"

Two of Real Madrid's captains and tonight's goal-scorer gave their impressions of the draw against Mallorca.

Guti:

“Leaving ONO Estadi with one point is extremely positive being that Mallorca isn't an easy rival, especially after playing the last half hour a man down. The sending off was the turning point, but it's no excuse.”

Iker Casillas:

“Sergio Ramos being sent off changed the match. We salvaged an important point with ten men. Sergio has a temper but always puts the team first. I don't think he deserved the second yellow, but it's the referee's call. We can't complain, but we did have to fall back with only ten men on the pitch. One point away from home is okay.”

Wesley Sneijder:

“I am happy to have scored. It was important for me, but Robben deserves some of the credit after that great play. I am pleased for the both of us. It was a difficult match. We know how hard it is to leave here with points, and even more so playing a man down. We can be satisfied with the result taking Ramos' red card into consideration. I'm not sure about the second yellow, though. I think there were too many bookings, but we don't ever talk about the referee. We have to move forward as a team. There are seven matches left which are all finals. I know we can do it. Best of all, our next match is at home against Murcia, so I am sure we can do well will our fans behind us.”

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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

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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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Sneijder And Robben Urge Caution

Wesley Sneijder believes that Real Madrid cannot let the league title slip from their grasp with so few games of the season remaining, but is not making any predictions about when they can win it.

The Dutch midfielder spoke to AS, along with his compatriot Arjen Robben, and the two of them agreed that while they are dreaming of winning the championship they had to remain cautious.

Madrid have a commanding lead over both Barcelona and Villarreal, but it is still not enough to let Sneijder or Robben relax and believe that the trophy is secured.

"We speak a lot about not making any predictions or saying if we can win the league before it is actually done, otherwise we could be caught by surprise," Sneijder said.

"We are al very conscious of the attitude we have to have from now until the end of the season, but we are also mindful that we cannot let the league escape from us because we have worked so hard to be where we are. Every day we dream about going to Cibeles."

Robben then reflected on how Madrid have played and trained as a squad, rather than having any airs and graces about who is and is not in the first team. "When you play you have to be at your best and to hope that your team-mates look for you. I am a winger and without passes coming to me I would be able to do little," he explained.

"The secret of this Madrid team is the squad as a whole and if we are where we are in the league it is because every player has contributed. Nobody means more than anyone else because we are such a united team.

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Thanks Chic_Raul_ista

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Sneijder: We Deserve To Be Top, Barca? Who Cares!

Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder insists that his side deserve to be top of La Liga and he’s not worried about Barcelona.

Los Merengues are running away with La Liga, given the massive nine points between them and their bitter Catalan rivals in second place. Sneijder scored the winner against Real Murcia last weekend which proved to extend their lead at the top from seven to nine points, and a brilliantly taken goal it was.

The Holland international is delighted with his debut season in the Bernabeu and he admits that he’s not bothered by Barcelona.

“We have played better than our rivals in most of our games and that’s why we are first,” Sneijder told the club’s official website.

“The team who win La Liga will have deserved to win it.

“However there are still six games left to play and each and every one of them is not going to be easy.

“It was not easy against Murcia. In Spain, easy games don’t exist.

“As for Barcelona, they have had some difficult games where they have lost unexpectedly but to be honest I’m not really bothered, I don’t care.”

When it was time to praise a team-mate, no surprise that the Dutchman named team captain, talisman and top scorer Raul.

“Raul has been the player who has surprised me the most, he has been having a great season and he is simply wonderful to play with," said Sneijder.

"I am loving life here in Madrid, the weather is so much better than in Holland."

Real will be hoping they can have the title pretty much wrapped up by the time they take on the Blaugrana in El Classico in just over three weeks time should they win their next three matches.

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Racing Santander vs. Real Madrid

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek;

Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Salgado, Pepe, Marcelo, Cannavaro & Heinze;

Midfielders: Diarra, Balboa, Gago, Robinho, Robben, Baptista & Sneijder;

Forwards: Higuaín, Raúl & Saviola.

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Racing Santander: Tono; Pinillos, Moraton, Cesar Navas, Ayoze; Jorge Lopez, Duscher, Colsa (Orteman, min.81), Serrano (Smolarek, min.57); Munitis (Pablo Alvarez, min.65) and Tchite.

Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; Gago, Diarra, Sneijder (Baptista, min.89), Robinho (Higuain, min.75); Robben (Balboa, min.86) and Raul.

Referee: Cesar Muniz Fernandez. Booked Serrano (min.17), Moraton (min.34), Tchite (min.49), Pinillos (min.51), Cannavaro (min. 80).

Goals:

0-1 (min.13): Raul

0-2 (min.90): Higuain

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Player Ratings: Racing Santander 0-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid produced a clinical display to keep their second clean sheet in eleven and first back-to-back wins since January as La Liga is now all but theirs...

Casillas - 6: Made some decent stops, but also a couple of uncharacteristic fumbles. It was a Real Madrid clean sheet, but for once, it wasn't down to Casillas.

Ramos - 7: A strong defensive performance. With Real Madrid actually fielding two wingers, he was not required going forward as much as usual, but he battled well all game.

Cannavaro - 5.5: A little shaky. Was beaten more times than he would have liked and was lacking a little composure at times. Made some good challenges and provided good cover at times as well. Overall, an average performance.

Pepe - 7: Solid. Stood his ground well, was strong in the challenge and didn't look like being beaten, shone in the second half when he was needed the most; quietly went about his job to good effect.

Heinze - 9: Man of the Match, and his best performance for Real Madrid yet, as he has had a brilliant April so far. He was rarely required going forward, but that's not his strength anyway. He stayed tight to his man at all times and made things as difficult as possible for Racing, sweeping around on the cover a number of times and made sure that, irrespective of Racing's movement and pace up front, they would get no joy.

Gago - 6.5: Put in a great performance in the first half. Put in the hard, defensive graft and also put together good passes and rarely gave away possession. In the second, he got a little wayward with some stray passes and late challenges. Possibly caught by surprise when Racing's energy levels remained high until the end; could maybe do with a rest, but looks a class act in the making.

Diarra - 8: A rock-solid showing from the Malian, most definitely doing his claim for a first team spot no harm at all. He was absolutely unbeatable and dominated the middle of the park. He put himself about wherever he was needed and showed he's no mug on the ball either. Often forced Racing wide, as they knew they could not get through him in the middle.

Robben - 7: As usual, his running was a joy to watch but he did not release the ball quickly enough. Too many times he hindered the team by choosing not to pass. Missed a great chance to kill the game with what would have been one for the highlight reel when he crashed a half-volley wide of the target.

Sneijder - 7.5: Was all over the park, relishing the free role. Involved in almost every move, and his energy was a real asset to Real Madrid going forward.

Robinho - 6.5: Slowly getting back to his usual self. His rise to prominence has come at a cost, as he is the most tightly marked man in Real Madrid's team now. Nevertheless, a beautiful assist for the goal and a decent showing.

Raul - 7: In the right place at the right time to get a slight touch on Robinho's cross. Showed great energy, put in work all over the park and his technique was exceptional at times.

Substitutes: Higuain - 7 (good energy, well taken goal), Balboa - 6, Baptista - n/a.

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