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Raul excited by huge Real Madrid week

Skipper Raul has declared himself up for the biggest week in Real Madrid's season.

Real face Bayern Munich in Germany tomorrow night ahead of a title-deciding clash with Barcelona this weekend and a visibly motivated Raul declared: "I feel great. I'm available to the coach and I'm ready to play a big part in this huge week for the club.

"It's a great week for a footballer - a Champions League knockout, followed by the Clasico four days later. It's a very easy week also. You don't have to motivate yourself for such games."

Raul added: "It'd be a huge blow if we were eliminated from Europe. We have confidence and a small advantage. We must go there to win, though it's clear that Bayern are very dangerous at home."

Raul Previews "Two Special Games"

Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, and then Barcelona at the Camp Nou, on Saturday, and the Merengue skipper looked ahead to the two games. He revealed that he was fit and ready for the games.

"These are two very special matches," he told RealmadridTV. "One is a Champions League elimination and then the Clasico just days later.

"There's no doubt they will be very hard games, but they are exactly what every footballer looks forward to.

The focus turned towards the Champions League clash, and he admitted that the task at hand was as difficult at any.

"Bayern are always dangerous," he said. "They haven't had the best of seasons, but they have improved since the coaching change and recently won on the road.

"They are on the up and up, and they proved it here at the Bernabéu.

"They didn't perform up to par in the first half, but instead of giving up in the second half, they stepped up their game and scored the second goal which put them right back in the thick of things."

He also insisted keeping it tight at the back would be the key: "If we are able to keep them from scoring, Bayern will take more chances as the minutes tick off the clock.

"That's when we can take advantage, but hopefully we're able to score anyway. We have to put everything on the line, and it's crucial that we maintain our cool and stick to our gameplan.

"I think it can go either way, but maybe we're slightly favoured since we have a one goal advantage. But we know that they go through with a 1-0 win. We know it's going to be a hard-fought game, and both teams have options of going through. Everything will be decided in 90 minutes."

On his own fitness, he said: "[i am feeling] a lot better, looking forward to Wednesday, ready for the coach to call on me, and happy to be fit and able to play these two important matches we have coming up."

Turning his attentions to Barcelona, he insisted that the midweek results would have a bearing.

"Saturday's match will be influenced by whatever happens midweek in the knock-out ties," he opined. "Both sides have very complicated matches in Europe, and whoever comes out on top will have better options of winning on Saturday. But each Clasico is different.

"They have the advantage of playing one day earlier and, therefore, have one more day to recover. But Liverpool and Bayern are going to make both teams work hard and the two matches will be played at maximum intensity. Qualifying for the next round also helps recover sooner. We'll keep up with all the games because I think each tie is well-balanced."

Raul also believes Madrid could kick-start a fresh title challenge with a win at the Camp Nou: "We are capable of taking the three points. We're right back in the title chase if we win. We're letting important points slip through our fingers, and that's why anything but winning distances you from the top spots. That's what we'll be thinking about when we go to Barcelona."

Why thank you Luno. I hope we win tomorrow.

COME ON REAL MADRID, COME ON RAUL!!!!!!

Mamen out in Madrid from Diez Minutos magazine:

From the article Raul bought Mamen a new car, a sporty one too.

Can't wait to see it! If we can

Training session in Munich...

You're welcome Ange

Yes me too!

Thanks Chic_Raul_ista

Raul backs Real to hold off the Hitzfeld hit men

The Real Madrid striker and captain, Raul, has called for cool heads as his side embark on a week which could make or break their season. The Spanish giants visit Bayern Munich tonight, defending the 3-2 lead they earned at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

On Saturday, they go to the Nou Camp to take on their arch-rivals, the defending La Liga champions, Barcelona. Second-placed Barça are five points ahead of fourth-placed Real.

Raul is excited by the challenges that lie ahead. "These are two very special matches. One is a Champions League elimination and then the 'Clasico' just days later," he said.

The trip to Germany is uppermost in Raul's thinking, however. "Bayern are always dangerous. They haven't had the best of seasons, but they have improved lately," added Raul.

"They are on the up and up, and proved it here at the Bernabeu. If we are able to stop them scoring, Bayern will take more chances as the minutes tick off.

"That's when we can take advantage, but hopefully we're able to score anyway. We have to put everything on the line, and it's crucial that we maintain our cool and stick to our game plan."

The Bayern coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, believes his side have a "50-50" chance of advancing to the last eight. "Even if they won the first leg, it gave us the knowledge that we can play on the same level.

"In Madrid, we were able to keep them under constant pressure and we capitalised on their weaknesses. I expect [Real coach Fabio] Capello to set them up defensively, but they are still vulnerable and we know how to hurt them."

Since losing at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago, Bayern have won their two league fixtures to move back into contention for the title. A 12-point deficit has been reduced to six and the defending champions are now one of four clubs in the hunt.

Bayern are in a similar situation to Real in that they, too, face a crucial domestic match at the weekend with Werder Bremen visiting the Allianz Arena.

"We have the unshakeable belief that everything is possible, both in the Champions League and the Bundesliga," said Bayern's veteran goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. "Against Real and Bremen we have all-or-nothing games and they are electrifying us."

Hitzfeld was relieved yesterday when his defender Lucio returned to training. Only Hasan Salihamidzic is now a doubt for the Real game with Andreas Gorlitz on standby to take his role on the right side of midfield.

The former Barcelona midfielder Mark van Bommel may face a tough night after the insulting gesture which followed his goal at the Bernabeu, but the Dutchman, who will be partnered by England's Owen Hargreaves in the Bayern engine room, will take care not to be provoked.

"I am completely unmoved by being labelled a hate figure," he said. "I have apologised for it and it was something which happens a bit in football."

Real will be without David Beckham and Jose Antonio Reyes, both of whom sustained injuries in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Getafe.

What a shame! first goal in 15 second ?! WHY ?! I think that Torres played very well, also Guti. But Real scored only one goal.

I still can't believe they lost. I really wanted to see a smile on Raul's face.

Does anyone know what kind of car he bought Mamen?

2 - BAYERN MUNICH: Kahn; Sagnol (Görlitz, 84’), Lucio, Van Buyten, Lahm; Salihamidzic, Van Bommel, Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger; Makaay (Pizarro, 68’) and Podolski (Demichelis, 87’).

1 – REAL MADRID:Casillas; Torres, Sergio Ramos, Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Emerson (Guti, 31’), Diarra, Gago (Robinho, 74’), Raúl; Higuain (Cassano, 46’) and Van Nistelrooy.

REFEREE: Lubos Michel, Slovakia.

Booked Sergio Ramos, Van Bommel, Podolski and Guti.

Sent off Van Bommel and Diarra after showing them two yellow cards in the 81st minute.

GOALS

1-0: Min. 1: Swift run in by Salihamidzic down the right and his cross is pushed in by Makaay.

2-0:: Min. 66: Lucio heads a corner to the back of the netcorner.

2-1: Min. 82: Van Nistelrooy, following a penalty shot.

HIGHLIGHTS: Return leg of the Champions League Round of 16. 3-2, first leg result. 4-4 aggregate score, with Madrid out on away goals. Munich Arena stadium hosted the event with an attendance of 66,000 spectators, 3,500 of which were Madridistas. The pitch was in perfect playing condition. It rained during the game and the temperature at the time of the game was 8ºC.

WHAT A MESS!!!!!!!!

But that was yesterday, we move on and look forward.