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Gago Wants Quick Resolution To Title Race

Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago is hoping that they can tie up a second successive La Liga title "as soon as possible", and welcomed news that fellow midfielder Guti has signed a 'contract for life' at the Bernabeu.

After a slow start to his Madrid career, Gago has established himself as a regular starter since the turn of the year and is beginning to show the form that saw made him such a hot prospect during his time at Boca Juniors.

With Madrid seven points point clear at the top of La Liga with seven games left to play, Gago feels that a win against Murcia on Sunday would go a long way to helping them secure the title as soon as possible.

"I want to confirm the league title as soon as possible, to win would be very important for us," he told a press conference on Friday afternoon.

"We must think about playing a good match, to try and score in the Bernabéu in order to obtain the three points that are our obligation. We must focus on that and not think about the other teams."

Support For Team-Mates New And Old

Gago is happy to see that Guti has been given an extension to his contract at Madrid and believes he can continue to an important player for the team.

"He deserves it because he has been here for many years, is a great player and still has a lot to give," he affirmed.

The midfielder also had words of encouragement for his former Boca Juniors team-mate and current Getafe goalkeeper Roberto 'Pato' Abbondanzieri, after his error was central in the club's elimination from the Uefa Cup on Thursday.

"I did not see it because I was celebrating my birthday. I found out that he made an error, but 'Pato' is a quality goalkeeper, I have been with him at Boca and in the national team and an error is not going to change anything," he asserted.

"He is going to continue growing because he has a good attitude. He is very thick skinned and will continue as it nothing has happened."

A Team Game

As the interview drew to a close, Gago downplayed the importance of Robinho to the team and suggested that it is the whole squad that will take them to the league title, rather than one individual player.

"There are 25 players and anyone of them can play. We all must be ready to give our maximum to help the team. A player does not win the league by himself, but he can win matches, for that reason it is always important to have good players in attack," he concluded.

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.

Arrivin gin 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: Higuaín, Raúl & Saviola.

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.

thanks a lot for the action pics. Sometimes he looks like pure hotness and the next time I see him I go "Nah, not really." Just to change my mind once more next time LOL

Thanks!

Osasuna