Robinho and Cannavaro: "We are going to fight until the end; we have to win for the fans"
There are still 90 crucial minutes
Objective: Mallorca. That's the only thought of the Madridista squad since the referee blew the final whistle at La Romareda. The 2-2 result opposite Zaragoza and the draws of Barcelona and Sevilla have allowed the Whites to continue leading the table and to depend exclusively on them to be champions: “We deserve to be there because we have a big heart,” said World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
ROBINHO: “There's still 90 crucial minutes ahead of us” “We have suffered greatly but we ended up getting a draw that gets us one step closer to League glory. We played well, but we can do a lot better. Let's hope we are champions next Sunday.”
“Feelings of euphoria are for the fans to enjoy. There's still ninety crucial minutes to be played and we need to win.”
CANNAVARO: “We have a big heart”
“It's incredible. We deserve to be where we are because we have a big heart. This is what football is. You have to be there to live it up.”
“It was a tough game because Zaragoza are a good side which plays quality football and has many talented players. This week, we only trained once with a full squad. That is why we had many difficulties.”
“Luck is key in life, not only in football. It's very important, but if you play professionally and pouring out your heart, things come around.”
“We love the support of the fans. We've had many people here with us tonight. We need to win for the fans”.
Zaragoza 2-2 Real Madrid: Ninety minutes at the Bernabéu are all that separate Real Madrid from League bliss
The complete turaround was not possible this time, but Madridismo smiled on as the referee whistled the end. At their home pitch of La Romareda, Zaragoza once again proved why they are a serious European contender, with two strikes by Pichichi hopeful Diego Milito. Meanwhile, Real Madrid completed their subscription to heart-stopping endings. They achieved a last-gasp draw once again thanks to the extraordinary work of marksman and virtual Pichichi Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who netted in both equalisers during the match. The last minutes of the encounter were a total siege by the Whites, honouring one of Real Madrid's longest-standing values: you never give up. And so they did. The League will be decided in the last week of the competition after the top three added the exact same number of points to their scoreboards: Barcelona and Sevilla also drew their matches. The title will be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu. Just one more final to go.
The rain was ever-present during an exciting night of football at La Romareda. With many Madridistas on the stands, the fans of both sides could not hide their emotion and high energy. While both eyes were on the pitch, everyone was also glued to their transistor radios as is mandatory when the League approaches its ending and things are this tight. The first piece of bad news came during the warmup when youth product Miguel Torres fell injured. Fabio Capello was forced to move his pawns around, introducing Iván Helguera in the centre of the defense and shifting Sergio Ramos to the right. David Beckham's position in the starting eleven was confirmed after the bad twist to his ankle during international duty had put his participation at stake. The team would surely need his spirit if they wanted to make their dreams come true.
Kickoff was at 21.02. The locals took height from the very start, spurred on by their European hopes. The first serious Aragonese chance came at 21.07 with a range shot by Brazilian forward Ewerthon. It was evident that Zaragoza kept their eye on the ball thanks to their electric and fast-paced partnerships in midfield: Celades-Piqué on the defensive facet and Aimar-D'Alessandro on the attacking front. The first goalkeeping effort by Casillas came nine minutes into the game after a long-distance attempt by the latter. Meanwhile, Real Madrid tried to produce a more direct game, looking for the ball-through's to set up swift counters.
Robinho led his team's offensive pace during this first act. Real Madrid's first shot on target was his at 21.13, but César stopped it. Two minutes later, the Brazilian did it again, whipping a ball wide onto the side netting after a service by David Beckham from the right by-line. Emotions were running high and got out of control for the Madridista fan base when Espanyol's Tamudo scored the opener at the Camp Nou… The clock at La Romareda was exactly two minutes past the half-hour mark and Fabio Capello celebrated a goal that gave the Merengues the lead. But the joy wouldn't last long.
Bad start... Just two minutes later, at 21.34, the referee called a handball by Iván Helguera inside the box and made his way to the penalty spot. Even though Zaragoza had had the better of the chances, it seemed like excessive punishment for the Whites. The Aragon side took advantage of the offering with marksman Diego Milito coolly scoring from the 11-metre mark. But there was even more room for added bad news: at 21.45, Barcelona's Leo Messi equalised scoring with his left hand. Just before halftime, Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy had the equaliser with a point-blank header coming off a cross by Ramos, but once again former-Real Madrid stopper César denied the Madrilenians. It was truly a host of problems and misfortunes for the Madridistas, who still had 45 minutes ahead of them to seal a turnaround on a matchday that was not going their way after all.
...Happy ending! The Whites were not making things happen in midfield. Lots of tackling but no creativity forced coach Capello to make two very attacking-minded susbstitutions: José María Gutiérrez “Guti” and Gonzalo Higuaín came in for Raúl and Emerson. At 22.15, the Camp Nou celebrated another goal by Messi; Barça took the lead in the game and furthered it in the table. But this time, it was the red-and-blues who had little time to savour their joy as Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored his team's first of the night for the equaliser at exactly 22.17. The cross once again came from Sergio Ramos and the Pichichi made it his seventh consecutive matchday putting balls in the back of rival nets with a fantastic steer of the head and into the top corner of Cesar's goal.
But Zaragoza were no pushover and they kept at it in their search to confirm their UEFA Cup objective. At 22.23, their best player, Diego Milito, finished off a wonderful run by Aimar beating Casillas with a cool, calm, and composed finish. Real Madrid needed to up their intensity a few notches if they didn't want to say goodbye to their League hopes. The physique of the Saragossans started to dip and all Madridistas were clinging on to the furiously-paced endings that the players are treating their fans with in this last stretch of the Primera Liga.
The siege of the Whites began at 22.30: counter by Guti, header by Ramos, shot on target by Van Nistelrooy, set pieces by Beckham, header wide by Diarra, one on one missed by Higuaín… It seemed like the ball did not want to go in and then there was César with a spectacular performance all through the night. It was all suffering but the best was in store for the end.
The string of chances finally payed off: it was 22.49 and the box killer, Real Madrid's number 17 equalised once more following a cross by Roberto Carlos. Just 20 seconds later, the other striker of the night, Raúl Tamudo, made it a final 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou... Happy ending, therefore, as players, coaching staff, and President evidenced when the final whistle blew. With the triple draw by the three sides at the top of the table, things are very much the same with just one more game to go. Real Madrid have a chance of sealing La Liga at the Bernabéu next week against Mallorca. One more final, ninety minutes, and off to Cibeles!
MATCH REPORT Zaragoza: César; Zapater, Sergio García, Gabriel Milito, Chus Herrero; D'Alessandro, Piqué, Celades (Lafita, min.), Aimar; Ewerthon (Movilla, min.55) and Diego Milito (Óscar, min.85). Real Madrid: Casillas; Torres, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Diarra, Emerson (Guti, min.45), Robinho (Robinho, min.66); Raúl (Higuaín, min.45) and Van Nistelrooy. Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco, Navarre Refereeing Association. Booked Helguera (min.33), Sergio Ramos (min.36), Diarra (min.65), and Sergio (min.77). Goals: 1-0 (min.31): Penalty transformed by Diego Milito. 1-1 (min. 56): Header by Van nistelrooy de cabeza. 2-1 (min.63): Diego Milito after a service by Aimar. 2-2 (min. 88): Van Nistelrooy after a clearance inside the box. Highlights: Matchday 37 of the Spanish Primera Division. Game played at the La Romareda stadium. Attendance: 35,000. Prior to the beginning of the game, Zaragoza presented César Jiménez with the Gold and Diamond Insignia. The former player did the honourary kickoff on the day that marks his final goodbye to professional football due to a very serious injury.
Match summary by Cristina Monge Photos by Daniel Sastre Special correspondents to Zaragoza Translation by Luis Orueta
Fabio Capello press conference:"We are extremely focused and we'll play a great game"
Real Madrid's game against Zaragoza at La Romareda Stadium is the first of the two 'finals' they have left until season's end. The team has chances of winning the League title on Saturday, but Fabio Capello remains calm. The coach considers the fixture to be as important as all the rest and won't care about how the other contenders to the title do on Saturday.
How's Beckham? He only jogged and didn't do any technical exercises. He says the sprain hurts a bit but that he will be fine to play tomorrow because he nevertheless feels OK.
How do you feel about having been able to work with all your players only for an hour this week? This game is another 'final' for us, like all the rest. It's obviously been hard to prepare for such an important match in only one day, but I am confident of playing well tomorrow.
How do you feel? What do you say to a player at a time like this? It's hard to find a right balance. It sometimes doesn't work to talk to them about what's at stake because it puts pressure on them. I try to keep them calm and let them prepare for the game their own way. They all know tomorrow's fixture is terribly important. I'm as excited as they are.
Are any other internationals on the squad tired? They are all very excited about playing. I've liked their attitude and work very much today.
A decision will be made this evening regarding Ronaldinho's booking. How would you feel if his red card is rescinded? You know I don't like talking about those things.
How important will tomorrow's game be psychologically speaking? I'm happy with the fact that Zaragoza need to win to play in the UEFA Cup next year. They won't be relaxed and the game will be hard for both teams. Psychologically, the game will be equally important for us both.
Did you watch Beckham's England games this week? I think he played as well as he is currently playing here. He was very important in those fixtures; his cross for the second goal was extraordinary.
Do you fear your players may be too euphoric? We are not euphoric because we still haven't won anything. We know we can do well and we are focused on working hard. Do you like your benched players to be aware of what's happening in games that take place at the same time? No. I've never allowed it. We should only think of ourselves. We won't do well if we think about other teams' games.
Twenty years ago, both sides faced each other under the same circumstances; Real Madrid had to win to take the title and Zaragoza needed a victory to play in the UEFA Cup. Do you like to dwell in the history of past games? I don't generally look back. We will all live happy and difficult times in life, but I am always optimistic.
Is the squad especially motivated? They know they can win and they talk with each other. I liked their attitude today because they really looked like a united team. They were more motivated this morning than ever before in days prior to a game.
Many players have said you should still be the coach next season. What do you think of that? I thank them for their kind words, but it's up to me to decide what to do.
The President recently said Robben may join the team. He knows what he has to say. I like to talk about players when they're part of the team.
Is Diarra one of the players to have inflicted a stronger character on the team? I think we have all inflicted a stronger character on the team. He came from a winning side and really wanted to be successful here, but every player has tried to give the team a strong character.
Report by Arancha Díaz Photography by Daniel Sastre Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell
Casillas in La Vanguardia: Playing well, poorly, with luck, or without it, we're winning our matches"
Even though he's on international duty with the Spanish national team, Iker Casillas had time to speak to Spanish daily La Vanguardia about the sweet patch Real Madrid are experiencing in the League. "It's a reward that this squad deserves," said the goalkeeper, who is very confident in the team's chances of winning the title.
Everything seems to be clicking again in Madrid. How do you feel? Very well, especially if I look back on all these years that we struggled and didn't bring home a title. Now that we've put in so much dedication and hard work to regain the lead, we're not so willing to relinquish it. We want to do our very best in these last two matches because we have already made the effort to give much more than we really could.
Has the hard part been taken care of? We've done our best not to lose the enthusiasm we started off with and we're hoping to keep it up in these two remaining games.
Is it easy to forget about the League during these days you are with the national team? Not really. There is such a close race for the League and everyone was so excited to see a storybook finish. This two week stoppage has been a sour note for everyone.
Yourself included? We are professionals and I personally don't have a problem changing from one thing to the next. The League championship is at such an exciting stage and the match against Zaragoza is so important, but so are national team matches. Any talk about Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Espanyol, or Sevilla doesn't help, and that's why they are rarely mentioned here.
Are you suppressing your euphoria? You have to be cautious at times, but I am sure I'll be one of the happiest people in the world when the time comes. I can control myself if the moment calls for it, but when it's time to celebrate, I am one of the craziest out there.
Is a player with so many matches and low points this year mentally fresh or just as tired as his body? Both mentally fresh and tired. The excitement that comes with the chance of winnng the League has been a breath of fresh air. I am sure we would be mentally exhausted if we were four of five points off Barça. And physically, let's not even go there. It's exactly what happened to us the last two seasons. The title is yours to win, but wouldn't it be a huge downer for the team if Barcelona ended up with it? No. The downer will be for Barcelona if they lose the League because they've won it the last two seasons and they were in control for a large part of this year. We've been in the lead two or three times and, as former motorcycle racer Ángel Nieto said, with a few curves left, we're now in front after being pretty far behind. Honestly, what Madrid is going through right now is a great reward for this deserving squad.
But you've been criticised so much. A lot has been said about Madrid, much of it negative. Those of us who have been here a long time have suffered more for our fans than ourselves. Surely some of the criticism has been deserved, but I would rather hear it at the end of the season. All we have left to do is listen, see, silence the critics, and continue battling it out on the field of play just as we've done.
And with a little luck, too. True. Sometime we play well and sometimes poorly; sometimes we've gotten lucky, and sometimes we haven't. I agree with the comment, but we are winning our matches.
Have you grown more with all the success you've enjoyed or with the adversity you've experienced over this three year drought? During the adversity, of course. It's always great to go from bad to good, but it's also interesting doing the opposite and then recovering again after learning many things. That's perhaps when you learn the most. We have won Leagues, European Cups, InterContinentals, practically everything... And then you go to not winning a thing. Winning the League now would be the culmination of the greatest success. It's odd. Several years ago, only winning the League and European Super Cup was a failure for Madrid. I've learned that football is full of paradoxes and ironies.
Has the thought of finishing the year empty-handed crossed your mind a lot this season? Absolutely. You think about it when you're knocked out of the King's Cup, the Champions League, and when you're six points away from the top of the table and going through a bad patch. But thanks to a little luck, hard work, team unity, our coach's know-how, and our fans, we have that fire in our bellies to at least battle it out for the League title.
During last year's 0-3 defeat against Barcelona at the Bernabéu, you yelled out “We are Madrid!” Have you had to repeat it a lot this year? On occasion. There have been moments that the team has been gripped by nervousness and the ghosts of year's passed, which prevented us from steering in the right direction and made us think about going another year with nothing to show for it.
There's a Barça vs. Madrid foosball table in the Spanish national team's camp. Have you ever played as Barcelona? Of course. There used to be one with Atleti that I also played with. But I don't pay attention to who I am or whether I play as keeper, midfielder, or forward (laughs). I really get along very well with Puyol and the other Barça players.
Torres to Marca: "We're going to win the last two finals"
Miguel Torres has only missed one match since getting the nod from Fabio Capello to play for the First Team. The multi-purpose defender has played 1,477 minutes over 18 matches, all as a starter except one. He has become an important piece of this Real Madrid team that is 180 minutes away from being proclaimed League champions.
Another final won against Deportivo and Real Madrid are one step closer to the League title. We're only two steps away from reaching our goal and of sharing our success with our fans at the Cibeles Fountain. The team is in great form, confident, and really excited about finishing off the season on such a high note after all the hard work we've put in.
The title is still in your hands. How important is it that you control your own destiny? We depend only on ourselves, which gives us peace of mind and confidence. We have two finals left and we're going to do whatever it takes to win them. We know no one is just going to hand us the title, so we have to go out there and play hard if we want to be champions.
Capello isn't very happy about the stoppage for international qualifiers and friendlies. Do you think it might be detrimental to your chances of winning the League? We're not going to relax even with this stoppage. The team is very focused and we'll devote all our attention to winning the League once we get all our players back.
The two remaining finals will be very challenging because Madridistas are about to see the three year title drought come to an end. What's it like in the dressing room with such a close title run? There's no tension. We're on top of the table so it's not worth easing up on the gas and losing everything we've worked so hard to accomplish up until this point. The hardest task is behind us and all that's left is to have fun and maintain this pace. We've got two very difficult games left and our only choice is to win out in order not to depend on anyone else. We're working hard and confidence is peaking. The veterans have said that this is the hardest League they've ever competed in, and that's why each victory is so much more meaningful.
The Bernabéu picked the team up when Deportivo netted the equaliser. The fans have been outstanding. It was absolutely amazing. The team is firing on all cylinders, so I hope we pick up where we left off after the stoppage.
After beginning the season with Castilla, have you come to terms with the fact that your right in the thick of Madrid's quest for the League title? Playing for Madrid is the greatest thing that could ever happen to me and I'm living it up. I try to take advantage of each opportunity the coach gives me and I am giving me heart and soul to this team. Winning a title with Madrid would fulfill a lifelong dream. This team will do whatever it takes to make our fans proud.
Capello press conference: "We have a different spirit; we are a true team now"
New victory for Real Madrid and that makes six consecutive ones. With the leadership sealed for another week, Fabio Capello was very relaxed. The Italian manager underlined the physical form and mental strength of the team at present, but above all the heart of the players throughout the fixture. Coming up are a few days with many players called up for international duty. After that, the team will travel to La Romareda, to play against Zaragoza, for their next final.
“We are playing better. We have more chances and we are in great shape physically. We have a different spirit; we are a true team now. It is true that since we have more players up ahead when we launch an attack, our opponents have more problems.”
“Yesterday I said that David Beckham is playing like he hasn't in the last two years. He has extraordinary conditions, with lots of skill and speed. He's in great shape.”
“It's obvious that the team will not make do with negative results. They are very strong physically and mentally.”
“Eight games ago, I said that all matches would be finals. Zaragoza are a great side. They're hard to beat. Now, we have a long break for international duty, which is not really convenient for us because we are doing so well. The players will be back on Thursday, so we'll see then.”
“My best signing is the entire Real Madrid team, because we're doing a great campaign. Ruud is a true marksman. That is why we signed him. He's also very comfortable here.”
“Emerson and Diarra also play good games when they play together. These two and Gago are three very good players. They know how to play the ball and defend as well.”
“We're doing well now, but we'll have to wait and see what condition the players who have been called up by their national teams are in when they come back. We are in such awesome physical and mental shape... that it could change when they return.”
Real Madrid 3-1 Deportivo Coruña: Real Madrid march on... just 180 minutes away from celebrating the League title!
3 - 1
What better birthday present for Real Madrid President Ramón Calderón than the sixth consecutive overall and home win of his team. Madrid maintain their grip on the leadership one more week proving that they are in top physical and mental form to face any adversity and opponent. Once again, the second half saw the Merengues seal a victory that was initiated with Sergio Ramos' first half goal. Capdevila equalised, but it was just a mirage. Raúl and Van Nistelrooy scored one a piece and confirmed how close this team is to being crowned La Liga champions. The Bernabéu was a real party today. Just imagine against Mallorca in the last fixture of the season.
Real Madrid, oé, oé, oé to the beat of White-handed clapping. This is the way that an elated and crammed Santiago Bernabéu received the League leaders, Real Madrid, which featured the exact same eleven that had defeated Recreativo Huelva 3-2 last week. It was the penultimate clash at the Madridista Colosseum with the Primera Liga at stake and against a sturdy opponent. The truth is Deportivo Coruña were in no real need, but fought for pride and glory.
The team coached by Joaquín Caparrós began the game fully concentrated on the task at hand: perfect positioning and good defensive disposition, with up to six footballers in the midfield, and little to offer up ahead. That said, Depor managed three chances worth mentioning in the first period: Arizmendi (min.11), Capdevila (min.13), and the most dangerous one, with 39 minutes on the clock, when Roberto Carlos cleared the ball after a cross by the most dangerous and active blue-and-white man: Cristian.
But Real Madrid don't mind the rival. It is true that they're thankful with the teams that come to play football as opposed to those leathery teams who put all eleven men behind the ball and pressurise ball movement, as was the case this evening. But in this last stretch of the championship, the local team have proved that they are prepared physically and psychologically to face and resolve any adversity. Seven minutes into the match, Real Madrid had their first opportunity via the Captain, Raúl –who tonight levelled with Gento at 605 official appearances. Henceforth, the Whites took command of the game, which they always had under control.
The Bernabéu faithful witnessed the drive of their team, who wanted to hit halftime leading in the scoreline. Before the evening's first, they applauded the constant effort of Gago, Diarra, Raúl, Torres, Ramos, and so on...; the first touch plays to drive the ball forward all the way back from defence, perfectly marshalled by Fabio Cannavaro; the strategically mounted counter-attacks, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy leaning towards the right flank; the cross-field passing by Roberto Carlos; Beckham's well-taken free kicks -the most dangerous of all eight minutes past halftime, when the ball crashed against the woodwork-; the exquisite technique made in Robinho; and, of course, the saves by Iker Casillas.
The Bernabéu pleads for a goal... Real Madrid were in control of the game but the Bernabéu pleaded for a goal. The opener came seconds before the half hour. Roberto Carlos drove the ball down the left touchline and passed it to Beckham. The Englishman lifted his head and curled the ball inside the box. Van Nistelrooy jumped well over his two markers and headed in only to find Aouate's hands. The ball was dead in mid-box, but Sergio Ramos was on hand to ram the ball to the back of the Deportivo net.
Nerves... but not for long It has become somewhat of a custom to add some excitement to the games, seeing how well Madrid are faring with heroic actions or goals of late. The Galicians levelled the score ten minutes after the restart, which gave way to some nervousness and uncertainty. Before the goal, Iker Casillas had earned his daily share of praise after a treble save from point-blank range. But one minute later, there was nothing he could to deny the left-footed tip by Capdevila following an assist by Canadian footballer De Guzmán.
And so, it was high time for an all-out attack. If there was a player who deserved a goal, that was David Beckham, who minutes earlier had clubbed a free kick against the post, bending it like only he can. It could have been the 2-0, but it was not meant to be. Neither was Robinho's finish following a swift counter staged by Real Madrid's number '23'.
But Beckham soon found his bounty, because his was the beautiful cross from the right that Raúl headed home. The skipper broke another record: with 187 goals in La Liga, he is now Real Madrid's second all-time top scorer, having overtaken Santillana and placing himself just behind Alfredo Di Stéfano.
The Bernabéu's all fun and games! And who else who could put the cherry to cap it all off but the man who cannot stop scoring goals: he scored away against Celta, Athletic Bilbao, and Reacreativo Huelva, and at home opposite Sevilla and Valencia. The Pichichi is on a roll and so, he did it again against Deportivo. The kudos for the play and for his entire game go to this team's leader: Raúl once again proved what a throughbred footballer he is, fighting for the ball in a burrowing play inside the Deportivo area, subjected to a penalty that went uncalled, and then shoving the ball forward just enough for Van The Man to score his 23rd League goal of the season, just three shy from the Golden Shoe award.
The Bernabéu was a real party... all fun and games from that point forward, with the fans applauding and chanting Spanish olés. The Whites make the mark again and march on with just two matches to play: Zaragoza away and Mallorca at home after the international duty break this following week… All Madridistas had only one thing in mind after the final whistle: the next time, we could be celebrating La Liga.
MATCH REPORT 3 - Real Madrid: Iker Casillas; Miguel Torres, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos (Cicinho, min.89); Beckham, Gago, Diarra, Robinho (Guti, min. 76); Raúl and Van Nistelrooy (Higuaín, min.90). 1 - Deportivo La Coruña: Aouate; Coloccini, Andrade, Lopo, Capdevila; Estoyanoff (Bodipo, min. 62), De Guzmán, Sergio (Verdú, min. 78), Cristian; Juan Rodríguez and Arizmendi (Barragán, min.86). Goals: 1-0. Min. 29: Sergio Ramos boots it in after a header by Van Nistelrooy. 1-1. Min. 55: Capdevila slots home following De Guzmán's near post assist. 2-1. Min. 57: Raúl heads in a perfect Beckham cross. 3-1. Min. 75: Van Nistelrooy after Raúl's burrowing action.
Referee: Fernández Borbalán, Andalusian Refereeing Committee. Booked Beckham (24') of Real Madrid and Cristian (29'), Estoyanoff (36'), De Guzmán (38'), and Coloccini (84') of Deportivo. Highlights: Attendance: 83,000, for a Santiago Bernabéu full to capacity in Matchday 36 of the Primera Liga. Raúl levelled with Gento's 605 match record with Real Madrid and scored his 187th League goal.
Match report by Cristina Monge Photos by Ángel Martínez & Daniel Sastre Translation by Luis Orueta
ROBINHO: “There's still 90 crucial minutes ahead of us”
