السبت، 2 مارس 2013
الجمعة، 1 مارس 2013
Kaká appeared before the media in the Real Madrid Football City press room the day before the league match against Barcelona. The Madrid midfielder analysed the sixth Clásico of the season: “We will go into it with extra motivation after winning in the Camp Nou, knowing that the stadium will be full and our fans will help us. To go to Manchester in good form it is important that we win tomorrow’s Clásico”.
With regard to the starting eleven and how the team’s mentality has changed when it comes to matches against Barcelona, the midfielder added: “Bit by bit we are working out how to play against them. In the last match we were very disciplined on the pitch and did not concede chances against Barcelona. We are a mature team with highly competent players. We are not thinking about leaving Barcelona in a crisis. We are just thinking about what we have to do to win the match. Mourinho is doing what he normally does and tomorrow he will decide who plays and who does not”.
When asked if the victory in the Camp Nou has been an injection of confidence ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, Kaká as clear: “We can beat anyone anywhere and that gives us confidence. Tuesday’s match gave us a lot of confidence, knowing that we can achieve our objectives anywhere. We are in the right sort of form to achieve it and we will see if we get even more confidence tomorrow”.
On the subject of whether not playing in the Camp Nou was a disappointment for him, and whether tomorrow’s match is a great opportunity for him to show what he can do against Manchester United, he said: “It was not a disappointment. We have to respect the coach’s decisions and having seen what the team did against Barcelona all you can do is congratulate my team-mates. I will try to carry on making the most of my opportunities and tomorrow could be a good chance for me and a chance to show that in big matches I can do important things for the club”.
Kaká also talked about his place in the team: “I went through a very difficult situation, but I knew what I could provide and my footballing abilities. It has not been easy because I have been a professional for 11 years and seven or eight of those were as a key player with the clubs I played for and the national team. All these injuries and being a normal player have made me learn a lot personally and professionally”.
The Madrid midfielder also said that the last few matches he has played have helped him feel more confident on the pitch: “The last two matches with Real Madrid have allowed me to be decisive. Physically I am well and that makes me happy. I am lighter and I can do the things I am used to in order to play and enjoy myself. I would like to do more, but I understand the situation. There are some players who are very good and I respect the ones who play. I am not comfortable in myself and I am trying to look for solutions to be important and help out”.
The Brazilian praised his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo: “We have a very good relationship on and off the pitch. He is the most complete player in football at the moment and he can decide matches on his own. He is a very good person to have as a team-mate and a friend”. And, when asked about the venue for the final of the Copa, he said: “We have not talked about this in the changing room, but the Bernabéu would be ideal for us. But we are happy with a neutral ground”.
When asked about the Brazil team and the chances of him leaving the Bernabéu he said: “I have two more years on my contract here and if it is up to me I would happily stay, but I do not want to be a problem for the club. I will carry on like I have until now: being professional and trying to make the most of my opportunities. I have not talked to Scolari since he was named manager. I have to be ready if I want to return. I would like to return but there is still time”.
Finally, he talked about his fine performance against Manchester United in Old Trafford in 2007 for AC Milan and the Italian team’s match in the first leg of the last-16 against Barcelona: “I had a memorable match because of the goals and because it was important. It made me very happy, and we won the Champions League in the end. Milan played very well the other day, they went into the match with tactical discipline and everyone knew what they had to do”.
When asked if the victory in the Camp Nou has been an injection of confidence ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, Kaká as clear: “We can beat anyone anywhere and that gives us confidence. Tuesday’s match gave us a lot of confidence, knowing that we can achieve our objectives anywhere. We are in the right sort of form to achieve it and we will see if we get even more confidence tomorrow”.
On the subject of whether not playing in the Camp Nou was a disappointment for him, and whether tomorrow’s match is a great opportunity for him to show what he can do against Manchester United, he said: “It was not a disappointment. We have to respect the coach’s decisions and having seen what the team did against Barcelona all you can do is congratulate my team-mates. I will try to carry on making the most of my opportunities and tomorrow could be a good chance for me and a chance to show that in big matches I can do important things for the club”.
Kaká also talked about his place in the team: “I went through a very difficult situation, but I knew what I could provide and my footballing abilities. It has not been easy because I have been a professional for 11 years and seven or eight of those were as a key player with the clubs I played for and the national team. All these injuries and being a normal player have made me learn a lot personally and professionally”.
The Madrid midfielder also said that the last few matches he has played have helped him feel more confident on the pitch: “The last two matches with Real Madrid have allowed me to be decisive. Physically I am well and that makes me happy. I am lighter and I can do the things I am used to in order to play and enjoy myself. I would like to do more, but I understand the situation. There are some players who are very good and I respect the ones who play. I am not comfortable in myself and I am trying to look for solutions to be important and help out”.
The Brazilian praised his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo: “We have a very good relationship on and off the pitch. He is the most complete player in football at the moment and he can decide matches on his own. He is a very good person to have as a team-mate and a friend”. And, when asked about the venue for the final of the Copa, he said: “We have not talked about this in the changing room, but the Bernabéu would be ideal for us. But we are happy with a neutral ground”.
When asked about the Brazil team and the chances of him leaving the Bernabéu he said: “I have two more years on my contract here and if it is up to me I would happily stay, but I do not want to be a problem for the club. I will carry on like I have until now: being professional and trying to make the most of my opportunities. I have not talked to Scolari since he was named manager. I have to be ready if I want to return. I would like to return but there is still time”.
Finally, he talked about his fine performance against Manchester United in Old Trafford in 2007 for AC Milan and the Italian team’s match in the first leg of the last-16 against Barcelona: “I had a memorable match because of the goals and because it was important. It made me very happy, and we won the Champions League in the end. Milan played very well the other day, they went into the match with tactical discipline and everyone knew what they had to do”.
"Mourinho is a leader and I think he is one of the best coaches in the world"
"We don’t want to keep possession for the sake of keeping possession, and we always have a clear objective, which is reaching the box", said the Real Madrid midfielder to UEFA’s official press
Realmadrid.com
Xabi Alonso knows what it is like to face Manchester United at Old Trafford. He did it four times with Liverpool. Less than a week before the round of 16 second leg of the of the continent’s showpiece competition, the Whites’ midfielder was the main story in Champions Matchday, the official magazine of the UEFA Champions League. 'The strategic controller of the Real Madrid midfield', as he is called in the publication, analysed the match against the English team: "From the perspective of the supporters and because of the history of both clubs, this tie is pure football. The tenth European title shouldn’t turn into an obsession, because that doesn’t work well for you, but it’s an important objective". He also spoke of verticality and his team’s attacking style: "We don’t want to keep possession for the sake of keeping possession, and we always have a clear objective, which is reaching the box".
How does playing for Real Madrid CF differ from the other teams you’ve played for?
In attack we have players that surpass those at my other clubs. Every attacking player here can create a goalscoring chance at any time.
How do you rate your own performances so far this season?
I always link that to our collective performance. That’s what interests me: the team. When I see that things could be better, it means I could play better as well.
What would you say are José Mourinho’s main qualities as a coach?
Above all I am struck by his ability to empathise with and reach his players, which is a hard thing to do. When you see a group in front of you that support you, believe in the ideas you are transmitting … that’s what a leader does. And our coach is a leader like that. For me, he is one of the best coaches.
How does Mourinho influence your game?
Apart from his knowledge of the game, he masters many elements in terms of tactical variations within each match. Above all, in the build-up to games, he talks about “teaching yourself”, how psychologically you can prepare yourself to be able to play any game. That is very important – especially for us where it’s practically an obligation to win every game we compete in.
Describe your role in the team.
My position is important. A central midfielder is always involved, helping team-mates, linking defence and attack. A central midfielder can never shy away, and has to be focused and play at a consistent level over the 90 minutes. You can’t lose concentration. A midfielder should touch the ball as little as possible, he should circulate it from one place to the next, from defence to attack and from left to right.
How important is it for players like you to have tactical intelligence?
Very important. It’s imperative to know how to approach games tactically because different variations can bring a certain imbalance. The fewer of those we suffer, and the more we control a game, the more likelywe are to win.
Singapore will host the first edition of the Realmadrid Foundation’s Campusexperience in Southeast Asia
The Realmadrid Foundation’s Campusexperience arrives for the first time in Southeast Asia. Singapore will be the host country for this inaugural running of the world's most successful sports holiday program. Specifically, the facilities at the Raffles Institution will host the event that is aimed at boys and girls aged between seven and 17 years of age from the 10th to the 21st of June. Campusexperience is a project that combines sports training led by the Foundation’s coaches with a comprehensive educational program centred the on the values that are attached to the world's most decorated club.
The Raffles Institution’s facilities will host this camp which will take place in two phases: from the 10th to the 14th of June and from the 17th to the 21st of June on working days between 8:20 and 17:45. Currently work is underway to adapt the intense educational program to Singapori culture. For this, the Realmadrid Foundation has been supported by the school with the most tradition and experience in the country and which is celebrating its 190th anniversary this year.
The aim of this project is to impart the values that are associated with Real Madrid such as leadership, effort, respect for others, teamwork and self-control to the youngsters through football and other training activities. For the first time, this camp will emphasise the importance of nutrition in the development of an athlete so that the participants improve their eating habits and get used to maintaining a healthy diet from a young age.
It is great news for the Realmadrid Foundation that this highly successful program that takes place in different countries around the world is coming to Southeast Asia for the first time with Singapore being the first host city. This is a step in the club's bid to extend its commitment to Asia and to promote education through football and the values associated with the Real Madrid brand.
The aim of this project is to impart the values that are associated with Real Madrid such as leadership, effort, respect for others, teamwork and self-control to the youngsters through football and other training activities. For the first time, this camp will emphasise the importance of nutrition in the development of an athlete so that the participants improve their eating habits and get used to maintaining a healthy diet from a young age.
It is great news for the Realmadrid Foundation that this highly successful program that takes place in different countries around the world is coming to Southeast Asia for the first time with Singapore being the first host city. This is a step in the club's bid to extend its commitment to Asia and to promote education through football and the values associated with the Real Madrid brand.
Wallace newspaper: 90% of Real fans Madrid demanding Baahrak Kaka in the Clasico.
Placed newspaper Wallace Spanish closeup of Royal Group referendum on the involvement of the player Kaka in Clasico La Liga next Saturday, and participated in the referendum 30,000 people, came the referendum 90% want to involve Kaka in Clasico La Liga against Barcelona next Saturday, and said some Alajmahir that match Real Madrid againstManchester United at Old Trafford is more important than match Clasico who lost Real Madrid dramatically league Hamoosm, and that Manchester United is a match of the season, and Mourinho focus on more, but I know Mourinho if Real Madrid won the Barcelona in the Clasico gift opportunity to move more comfortable inupcoming matches and win the love of the masses.
Placed newspaper Wallace Spanish closeup of Royal Group referendum on the involvement of the player Kaka in Clasico La Liga next Saturday, and participated in the referendum 30,000 people, came the referendum 90% want to involve Kaka in Clasico La Liga against Barcelona next Saturday, and said some Alajmahir that match Real Madrid againstManchester United at Old Trafford is more important than match Clasico who lost Real Madrid dramatically league Hamoosm, and that Manchester United is a match of the season, and Mourinho focus on more, but I know Mourinho if Real Madrid won the Barcelona in the Clasico gift opportunity to move more comfortable inupcoming matches and win the love of the masses.
الخميس، 28 فبراير 2013
Diego López: “We played a first-rate match”
Diego López defended the Whites’ goal in the Camp Nou and was elated after the match: "It was a lesson, a perfect match, a 1-3 says it all. It was an important game against a great team. We played a first-rate match. The approach was unbeatable. The team was very calm throughout the match. We tried to stop [Barcelona’s] best skills and controlled the game well on the defence. We gave an enormous effort and Cristiano was formidable. We were a great team and they were unable to beat us”.
As for the upcoming Liga Clásico on Saturday at the Bernabéu, the goalkeeper stressed the importance of this victory: "It gives us a lot of confidence. The Liga is another competition and they’ll come out for the win, so we have this match as an example to beat”.
Laso: "The evenness that there is in the group means we can’t relax"
Another game in the Top 16 and another game in the Palacio de los Deportes, where the Whites have spoiled the hopes of all of their opponents. Real Madrid host Brose Baskets and despite the glaring inequality in the standings, one team leads the group and the other is bottom, Laso warns that they will not let their heads drop and "be swept aside". The Real Madrid coach spoke during the day before the game against the Germans and said: "The evenness that there is in the group means we can’t relax. I do not think that because they have almost no chance of qualifying that they won’t compete".
The word relax does not exist, the schedule doesn’t let up or give any breaks. Real Madrid’s games keep coming at a fast pace. Last week they played on Friday and Sunday. And this week, they are already back again. The Whites will host the Brose Baskets, the team in last place in the group. But they are not expecting a poor opponent that will not come to compete. Laso explained that in the pre-game build up: "I think the challenges that lie ahead will not let us have many dips. In the first three months you play to get into the Top 16 and the cup and now we are in immersed in the Top 16, we are going well and I we have to keep it going. The evenness that there is in the group means we can’t relax. I say again how hard it is to play against the best of Europe every single time. Alba, who are out of the group, made things difficult for us, and it will be similar with Brose. They have changed some players, they have got some players very capable of scoring. In addition, the arrival of Massey and Walsh gives them more offensive capability. So, a little bit in the same vein as what I said last week: the teams with little chance of qualifying will not let themselves be easily swept aside".
The short-term objectives are clear to the Real Madrid coach. Despite the good run of form he does not want to look too far ahead and is only speaking about securing qualification for the playoff as soon as possible. "The first thing is to qualify, something that we have not done yet. It is true that the second half of the Top 16, with more home games, looks to be in our favor but we you have to do the job on court. The only thing that we are thinking about is getting into the top four. If we can get one of the top two spots then that would be even better because it would give us a certain advantage".
Laso does not keep any secrets about the fact that the number of games played, the away trips as well as the home games, leave their mark on the team, but more on the physiological side than the physical. The coach blames fatigue for some of the starts in their games. "Every game is different and I think that our strength is in knowing that we try to impose a high pace on the game and there are teams that struggle with that. It is true that there are games that we struggle to get going in, probably because of the schedule, but that is not what worries me right now. I think that if my players weren’t tired they would not be human, they have played 40 or 50 official games, including away trips, the US tour, a summer with their national teams ... I think they are in good shape physically, it may be more mental fatigue. But I think I have great players who have accepted this schedule from the beginning and who know that we have a big challenge ahead and that there are very important games to come".
The Real Madrid coach believes that the key to keeping going as they have been until now is to think that everything can be improved upon. "We are happy with the team’s run of form but I always try make the team think about and accept that we can improve. It is not only results that make a season, but also the development of the team and the players ... To me that's what makes you competitive at the highest level. There is a lot of the league and the Euroleague to go, which are probably the two toughest competitions".
Meanwhile, Rudy Fernandez also spoke about the game against the German team, "Brose Baskets are a very good scoring team and almost all of their players have a good shot from the perimeter, it will be difficult to win. They have added two big players, Massey and Walsh, and that makes them stronger and better. They are a dangerous team and can be very difficult to beat. The game last week against Alba Berlin should show us that we have to be very focused on court in the Euroleague because there are no easy games. All teams that have reached the Top 16 have done so on merit and, if they have a good game, any of them can beat you".
The short-term objectives are clear to the Real Madrid coach. Despite the good run of form he does not want to look too far ahead and is only speaking about securing qualification for the playoff as soon as possible. "The first thing is to qualify, something that we have not done yet. It is true that the second half of the Top 16, with more home games, looks to be in our favor but we you have to do the job on court. The only thing that we are thinking about is getting into the top four. If we can get one of the top two spots then that would be even better because it would give us a certain advantage".
Laso does not keep any secrets about the fact that the number of games played, the away trips as well as the home games, leave their mark on the team, but more on the physiological side than the physical. The coach blames fatigue for some of the starts in their games. "Every game is different and I think that our strength is in knowing that we try to impose a high pace on the game and there are teams that struggle with that. It is true that there are games that we struggle to get going in, probably because of the schedule, but that is not what worries me right now. I think that if my players weren’t tired they would not be human, they have played 40 or 50 official games, including away trips, the US tour, a summer with their national teams ... I think they are in good shape physically, it may be more mental fatigue. But I think I have great players who have accepted this schedule from the beginning and who know that we have a big challenge ahead and that there are very important games to come".
The Real Madrid coach believes that the key to keeping going as they have been until now is to think that everything can be improved upon. "We are happy with the team’s run of form but I always try make the team think about and accept that we can improve. It is not only results that make a season, but also the development of the team and the players ... To me that's what makes you competitive at the highest level. There is a lot of the league and the Euroleague to go, which are probably the two toughest competitions".
Meanwhile, Rudy Fernandez also spoke about the game against the German team, "Brose Baskets are a very good scoring team and almost all of their players have a good shot from the perimeter, it will be difficult to win. They have added two big players, Massey and Walsh, and that makes them stronger and better. They are a dangerous team and can be very difficult to beat. The game last week against Alba Berlin should show us that we have to be very focused on court in the Euroleague because there are no easy games. All teams that have reached the Top 16 have done so on merit and, if they have a good game, any of them can beat you".
The management team of the Realmadrid Foundation has travelled to Israel to give their football training course They play, we teach, in the city of Ramla. A total of 25 trainers from five social-sports schools from different regions participated in the training programme.
As a means of presenting the training programme and the social-sports schools that participate in this programme developed in conjunction with the Union of Local Authorities in Israeli (ULAI), an introduction ceremony was held for the directors of the project, the mayor of Ramla and several local sports personalities.
Their home court at the Palacio de los Deportes, where they are unbeaten, will be the location for the new Top 16 game. Real Madrid will be playing against Brose Baskets, a team that hasn’t won even a single game in this phase. For their part, Laso’s men, who lead their group with an excellent 7-1 standing, aspire to rack up their eighth victory, getting even closer to placing in the first two positions for the playoff. This is the second of five games that the Madrid squad will play at home in this second round. The Real Madrid coach won’t be able to play Pocius. For their part, the German team is arriving with two new players, Massey and Walsh, who make them more dangerous.
One side aspires to take all, while the other, win or lose, has nothing to lose. Real Madrid and Brose Baskets, at opposite ends of the classification standings, one in first place and the other in last place, will play the ninth game of the Top 16 in the Palacio de los Deportes, Laso's team's turf, where they are undefeated. Real Madrid will be seeking, as always, a victory, which in this case would be very valuable for getting into the playoff. Their 7-1 standing and the fact that they will play four of the remaining six games of the second round at home make it seem all the more likely that they may be able to win one of the first two positions in the group. The German team, 0-8, has few possibilities, not to say none, of doing anything. However, Alba Berlin, the other German team in this Top 16, didn’t have much to lose either, and they made life rough on Laso's players at home last week.
PRE-GAME STATISTICS Team Position GP GW GL PF PA Diff. Real Madrid 1º 8 7 1 599 546 +53 Brose Baskets 8º 8 0 8 596 665 -69
They tread warily and, above all, with absolute concentration, for the clash with a team that both Laso and Rudy Fernández define as “competitive" and “good scorers.” And the fact is the German team has added on two good offensive players, Massey and Walsh. However, the last-minute arrival of the newcomers to the German team may turn out to be a handicap, since they are not yet fully integrated into the team's dynamics, and their coach, Chris Fleming, recognized as much, while he also lauded the quality of Laso’s team: “Real Madrid is, without a doubt, one of the best, if not the best European team right now. So obviously, it’s hard to play on their court. I think that, for us, we’re still trying to be a team and integrate some new guys. It will be a new test where we will try to improve on last week’s performance, when we didn’t play our best basketball. We’re hoping to count on that, and we’re looking forward to the game in Madrid. We’re going to try to keep the classification open as long as we can.”
The German team is arriving at the Palace with these intentions to put up a fight, where they will have to measure up against the arsenal deployed by Pablo Laso. Without Pocius, who suffered a stress fracture in the distal epiphysis of his right ankle, but now with Draper on hand, the Real Madrid coach aspires to field his best game starting from minute one, in order to not have any last-minute scares. In the first-leg match in Germany they achieved a resounding victory (67-82) with Mirotic playing splendidly, making 19 points, with 8 rebounds, in only 22 minutes. It is precisely Mirotic who will have to pay the closest attention to Fleming’s most dangerous player, Nachbar, whose statistics show 16.7 points per game in this Top 16.
For their part, the inside players for Real Madrid will have to deal with Zirbes, Ogilvy, or Ford, who has grown exponentially in recent games, and they will have to fight for every ball under the hoop to maintain their European competition leadership position for rebounds, where they have an average of 37 rebounds per game. However, given the white squad’s characteristics and the good game their point guards and outside players have been having, one of the most interesting battles will be for dominating the pace of the game and the game played by the two Sergios, who have been blessed in this part of the season, or by Rudy and Carroll, who are holding up very good statistics in the European competition.
Laso is aware that a win would make things even easier on his team in terms of classifying for the playoffs. However, the coach advises prudence, since Alba Berlin already put them in hot water. “Every day I repeat that it’s a complicated matter playing against Europe’s best. Alba, which is out of the group, made things hard on us, and with Brose it’s going to be a bit similar. They have traded players; they have put in some guys with scoring ability. Also, the arrival of Massey and Walsh lets them have a better offensive ability.”
STATS TEAM PF PA REB AS BLO REC STL Real Madrid 79,5 71,3 37,0 15,7 3,4 6,7 11,4 Brose Baskets 74,2 81,7 31,6 13,3 2,5 4,6 13,7
الأربعاء، 27 فبراير 2013
Mourinho stands behind the door of a conference room Nou Camp while Casillas addresses the media
Iker Casillas is one of the afternoon for the media in the press room at the stadium Camp Nou after Real Madrid win over Barcelona b three goals against one, and this picture shows how the Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho stands behind the door of the press conference room and waiting out Iker Casillas.
Iker Casillas is one of the afternoon for the media in the press room at the stadium Camp Nou after Real Madrid win over Barcelona b three goals against one, and this picture shows how the Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho stands behind the door of the press conference room and waiting out Iker Casillas.
Cristiano Ronaldo via Twitter from the team plane: "We got to the final, thank you."
Cristiano Ronaldo and who scored twice in the second leg semi-final Copa del Rey against Barcelona at the Camp Nou Contact Mtabaah through his page on Twitter and deploy the image described him with Contrao and Pepe in the plane eyeball the team's Madrid and wrote: "We have succeeded in reaching a finalCopa del Rey. Thank you all. ".
1-3: Real Madrid are cup finalists
Real Madrid’s tough week could not have started better than it did today. The Whites deservedly became the Copa del Rey’s first finalists and will play for the title for second time in the last three seasons. They did so in a blaze of glory after giving Barcelona a lesson in tactics in the Camp Nou. With a flawless approach and near perfect defensive play, they only took 13 minutes to go ahead. Cristiano Ronaldo opened up the scoring from a penalty. In the second half, Real Madrid were much more comfortable on the field and the proof came in the form of two goals which put the result of the spectacular match beyond doubt. Another from Ronaldo, who is the only player in history to have scored in six consecutive away Clasicos, and a fine header from Varane. Their opponents in the final will be Atletico Madrid or Sevilla.
The reward was too great for to leave things to chance. Real Madrid and Barcelona, the last two champions of the Copa del Rey, played the third Clasico of the season at the Camp Nou with the final on the horizon. The result of the first leg left the tie wide open and the match did not disappoint anyone. Both sides laid their cards on the table from the first minute. The home side looked to keep possession of the ball and the visitors focused on a suffocating press and fast breaks looking to unleash perhaps the best counterattack world. It did not take much time for Jose Mourinho’s approach to get the desired returns. Only 13 minutes had been played when Higuain saw Cristiano Ronaldo lose his marker and play the ball into the Portuguese, who came up against Pique and was then clearly brought down by the defender inside the area. The Portuguese converted the penalty, put his team ahead and made history by becoming the only player to have scored in six consecutive away Clasicos.
The Whites had chances to score and they were well earned. Playing with two lines close together and a perfectly polished defensive coverage, Real Madrid knew that the passage of time was to their advantage. Their opponent would have to leave more space and this was the ideal breeding ground for the counterattack. In fact, before the break they could have scored the second from either of two Cristiano Ronaldo shots from the edge of the box in the 23rd and 36th minutes, and a free-kick taken by Ozil that flew across the area without finding a teammate to provide the finish in the 41st minute. Real Madrid went into the dressing room with what they had to do done: they had scored and not conceded. There were 45 minutes still to go.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored another brace and Varane scored again from a set piece
Neither team changed their approach in the second half and the first chance was created by the visitors, who were becoming more and more comfortable on the pitch. Xabi Alonso pass inside to Coentrao, who carried on into the area but his shot did not trouble Pinto, who comfortably saved in the 50th minute. Real Madrid did not let their opponents off so easily with their next chance. Khedira’s clearance was directed into the path of Di Maria’s run, whose double dummy left Puyol on the ground and put him one-on-one with Pinto. The Argentine's shot forced the goalkeeper to show his best, but the rebound was taken advantage of by Cristiano Ronaldo, who brought the ball down with his chest before placing it into the net with ease in the 57th minute. 0-2 and brace from Portuguese.
Barcelona would have to score three goals if they wanted to become cup finalists and they went in search of the goal that would give them at least a glimmer of hope. The Whites, who were smart throughout the entire match, dealt the final blow to their opponents in the 68th minute. It came from a corner taken by Ozil and Varane leaping high in the area and scoring with his head. The way that the ball touched the underside of the crossbar on its way into the top corner made the goal look even more outstanding. In the 89th minute Jordi Alba reduced the arrears, but the Whites, deservedly and in a blaze of glory, became the cup’s first finalists. Their opponents in the final will be Atletico Madrid or Sevilla.
Óscar Plano: “We’ve learned how to keep calm and wait for our moment in the matches”
Castilla striker and home-grown player Óscar Plano celebrates his eleventh season with Real Madrid and his second following the orders of coach Toril. Due to his injuries last season was not the forward’s best, but he has regained his hope and optimism. This was how the Real player explained it on the Realmadrid TV show La Fábrica: "Last year was really rough because I had a pretty serious injury, I had surgery and wasn’t able to help the squad much, but I hope I can this year. I’ve been with the biggest club in the world for many years and wearing this shirt is a source of pride.” The striker believes in Castilla’s ability to finish the championship in one of the Liga Adelante’s top spots: "We struggled to learn how to maintain our results and manage the matches, but we had the character to pull it off. We’ve learned how to keep calm and wait for our moment."
Castilla picked up a new win against Guadalajara that keeps the squad undefeated in 2013: “The Di Stéfano has to be our stronghold and we have to pick up all possible points here. Hopefully our winning streak won’t end because we’re strong. We also hope to rack up as many points as possible away from home”. Óscar Plano knows exactly how the squad picked up the three points: “We were calm, had possession of the ball, were very serious in the midfield and we won those chances we had for a second run. We knew the Guadalajara was a team that, like us, was struggling to climb out of the bottom of the classification. It was an important game and we got the three points. This win has given us peace of mind. The upcoming games are critical, we have to keep fighting and doing our best to put Castilla where it should be, on top”.
The squad is now focused on the upcoming visit to the El Toralín stadium on Sunday to face Toralín Ponferradina: "Any 2nd Division team is very strong. They’re going to make it difficult but we have a chance to win. The team is ready for this match. The coach will give us our instructions.” The subsidiary has grown over the course of the season and has worked on the mistakes made at the start: “When we moved up we struggled to maintain the results, we came out strong and then we deflated, but persistence and hard work have made the squad stronger and we’re focused for the full 90 minutes. We’ve learned how to keep calm and wait for our moment. When we were at 2-1 against Guadalajara we stayed together and we knew how to keep the result. We’ve struggled to learn how to manage the matches, but we had the character to pull it off and we’re doing well. There are stages in the match in which we’re going to suffer and be uncomfortable on the pitch, but it comes with the territory and we have to learn”.
Plano explained that Casemiro, the squad’s latest incorporation, is adapting well to the group dynamic: “It took him a while at first because of the language, but he’s adapted quickly. The Spanish game is different from the Brazilian but he’s fit in quite well. He played well the other day and helped us out.” He also praised the work of goalkeeper Mejías: "We know the skill that Tomás has to use his character and courage at key moments. Saves like the ones he made against Guadalajara make him great and hopefully he’ll continue to defend our goal. He’s in good form and we take advantage of that, we have a lot of trust in him. "
Plano has been with La Fábrica for 11 years, during which time he’s experienced good times and some difficult moments: “Last year was really rough because I had a pretty serious injury, I had surgery and wasn’t able to help the squad much, but I hope I can this year. The best season I remember was my time on the Juvenil A squad; it was a great team. We were a tight-knit group, we were always laughing and in good spirits. When the squad is like that you notice it on the pitch. I’ve been with the biggest club in the world for many years and wearing this shirt is a source of pride. I hope to be here for as long as possible to help the club and score goals”.
The squad is now focused on the upcoming visit to the El Toralín stadium on Sunday to face Toralín Ponferradina: "Any 2nd Division team is very strong. They’re going to make it difficult but we have a chance to win. The team is ready for this match. The coach will give us our instructions.” The subsidiary has grown over the course of the season and has worked on the mistakes made at the start: “When we moved up we struggled to maintain the results, we came out strong and then we deflated, but persistence and hard work have made the squad stronger and we’re focused for the full 90 minutes. We’ve learned how to keep calm and wait for our moment. When we were at 2-1 against Guadalajara we stayed together and we knew how to keep the result. We’ve struggled to learn how to manage the matches, but we had the character to pull it off and we’re doing well. There are stages in the match in which we’re going to suffer and be uncomfortable on the pitch, but it comes with the territory and we have to learn”.
Plano explained that Casemiro, the squad’s latest incorporation, is adapting well to the group dynamic: “It took him a while at first because of the language, but he’s adapted quickly. The Spanish game is different from the Brazilian but he’s fit in quite well. He played well the other day and helped us out.” He also praised the work of goalkeeper Mejías: "We know the skill that Tomás has to use his character and courage at key moments. Saves like the ones he made against Guadalajara make him great and hopefully he’ll continue to defend our goal. He’s in good form and we take advantage of that, we have a lot of trust in him. "
Plano has been with La Fábrica for 11 years, during which time he’s experienced good times and some difficult moments: “Last year was really rough because I had a pretty serious injury, I had surgery and wasn’t able to help the squad much, but I hope I can this year. The best season I remember was my time on the Juvenil A squad; it was a great team. We were a tight-knit group, we were always laughing and in good spirits. When the squad is like that you notice it on the pitch. I’ve been with the biggest club in the world for many years and wearing this shirt is a source of pride. I hope to be here for as long as possible to help the club and score goals”.
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