Arriving in Santander

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: Higua

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

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.

Casillas & Heinze

'We're close to winning the title and we cannot let it escape"

Iker Casillas and Gabriel Heinze commented on Real Madrid's important victory against Racing Santander on Sunday.

Casillas:

“It’s an important victory, not just because we won three points, but because it increases our lead on opponents like Barcelona. We are happy to have won in such a difficult stadium. The first goal by Raúl calmed us down somewhat. Then we had two or three good chances to wrap it up, but Racing played hard and we knew that could do damafge of set pieces on such a small field. Our defense was great. We’re calm knowing we got out homework done”

“You can’t sound the victory bells just yet, although we’re only a small step away. We have everything going for us, but we can’t count our chickens before they hatch. We’ll wait to see what happens with our upcoming matches because we still face opponents who have a lot to play for. We’re close to winning the title and we cannot let it escape. We’ve been on top from the very start and I think we deserve to win the title again.”

Heinze:

“It was a very important victory, but I’m not celebrating just yet. The team was solid in defense and effective in attack on what was a tricky pitch. It was an important statement to the rest of the league, but there’s still one more step before winning this title.”

Casillas: This Defence Is The Best Yet

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas feels that the current defensive squad members at the Bernabéu may just be the best he's worked with, and one of the best in the world...

While the Spanish international admitted that the current back line started slowly, he added that it "may well be the best defence in the world."

He said, "Since I've been here I've not had squads in which everyone can occupy different positions in the central side, as do Torres, Sergio and Heinze.

"I feel more covered than ever."

The defence has helped Madrid climb towards the title, but the stopper does not feel that it's been secured just yet.

"We've not yet won, but we've taken a huge step," he said looking back on the match in Santander. We're prudent, calm, and thinking only of winning on Sunday and being champions as soon as possible."

Putting aside talk of Barcelona needing to give Madrid a guard of honour if they wrap up the title soon, he added, "This season is different. The atmosphere is good because we depend on ourselves. Last year we didn't have that advantage."

That advantage, according to Iker, was partially borne of the 3-2 win at Recreativo earlier in the season - a turning point.

"The key moment of the league was in Huelva," he insisted.

Zamora Trophy

Rumours abounded that Casillas is to be benched after the title is secure so as to guarantee his winning the Zamora trophy for best goalkeeper in a statistical sense.

"I was surprised when I heard about this, as we've not discussed it," he bristled.

"I'd like it - I respect that trophy for what it is - but I prefer team prizes."

One of those is the Champions League, which he "envies" having to watch on TV.

"I'm jealous, thinking that it could be Barça-Madrid," he revealed. "We've already done in Spain what Real Madrid deserve to do, now we must do it internationally."

Montecristo Cigars party

WTF has happened here?

Where did you find such big pics, Chic? :shock:

WTF has happened here?

I don't know! awfulness all over. not to mention, what's with promoting smoking??!!

awfulness all over. not to mention, what's with promoting smoking??!!

Casillas: I'd Rather Beat Barcelona Than Win The Zamora

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has stated that he'd rather win the Clásico in a fortnight's time than lift the Zamora trophy at the end of the season...

Casillas has in the psat stated his desire to win the Zamora award for top Liga goalkeeper, but in the moment he's more concerned at getting one over on Real Madrid's great rivals.

He told Realmadrid.com that, if forced to pick between the award and a Clásico victory, he'd take the match win.

"A Clasico is always something beautiful. The best thing that can happen is to defeat Barcelona at the Bernabéu," he said.

However, he added, "The Zamora Trophy is a great award that really goes out to the entire team."

Pamplona Comes First

However, before the match with Barça is a trip to Pamplona to meet Osasuna, a match in which Real Madrid could scoop the title. They may even do so before kick-off if Villarreal slip up.

"The important thing is to win it, no matter how," added Casillas.

"There is a chance we may win before the game takes place, but it is always more exciting to win on the pitch.

"Do I want to get it over with? I do. The sooner the better. It seems we will win the title on Sunday, but we have to be patient and wait.

"We are only thinking about winning the game. We would have all liked to win last week at home, but it is natural for Villarreal to still do everything they can to catch us.

"Osasuna fans? It is an unusual stadium because the crowd is very close to us. They support their team very strongly, but we've hardly had any incidents there except for when someone threw a lighter at me a few years ago. There's crazy people everywhere; you can't generalise.

"There is much at stake for many teams at this stage. Osasuna are in a complicated situation because they face relegation, but we are going to think about ourselves, not about our rivals or the referee. We will fight to win."

Team Concerns

Casillas was asked for his thoughts on the Argentine contingent at the Bernabéu this season.

"They've been excellent," he enthused.

"Gago and Higuaín are very young and they've proven their quality. They have adapted to Spanish football and had a great season.

"Heinze has a strong character and a lot of experience; a player like that is important on the squad. Saviola knows our league perfectly well.

"In what way is the team different this year? We've suffred less this year and we've been more regular, with less bad performances. Last year we were forced to win something, but not this year. It would be beautiful to win the league after having been leaders throughout the season."

He also looked at Oliver Kahn, a top-class goalkeeper who yesterday retired from continental competition after Bayern's elimination from the UEFA Cup by Zenit.

"That will happen to all of us one day," noted the Spanish international.

"Kahn has marked an era, becoming the most important player of his team and thrilling all of us with his impressive saves. He is one of the greatest ever keepers, but his time has come and we youngsters should thank him for everything he's taught us. I wish him all the best."

Press Conference - 02.05.2008

1- OSASUNA: Ricardo; Javier Flano (Pandiani, 62’), Cruchaga, Miguel Flano, Monreal; Azpilicueta, Punal, Astudillo, Vela; Portillo (Sola, 62’).

2- REAL MADRID: Casillas; Ramos, Cannavaro, Pepe, Heinze; Raul (Higuain, 64’), Diarra, gago, Robben; Sneijder (Baptista, 84’); Saviola (Torres, 52’).

GOALS:

1-0, m.83: Punal.

1-1, m.87: Robben.

1-2, m.89: Higuaín.

REFEREE: Luis Medina Cantalejo. Booked Azpilicueta (14’), Heinze (37’), Cruchaga (37’), Sneijder (51’), Diarra (53’), Miguel Flano (54’), Torres (66’), Punal (74’), and sent off Cannavaro (11’ & 46’).