Karanka: “The match started out beautifully for the public”

Aitor Karanka analysed the win against Rayo Vallecano, the Whites' fifteenth in the Liga so far. The Real Madrid assistant coach spoke of a match that changed due to Sergio Ramos being sent off: “The match started out beautifully for the public. It was a shame”. He added that “It's difficult to understand the criteria applied when handing out yellow cards because each match there are decisions that confuse everyone”.

Aitor Karanka first addressed the media in the Santiago Bernabeu press room to comment on Sergio Ramos being sent off: “It's more of the same. We already knew of this happening on other occasions. It's no surprise. It was a shame for the match. It started out beautifully for the public, with Rayo playing very actively and us focusing on attack, but in the end it wasn't to be”. He also spoke of the various criteria applied in handing out cards: “It's worrying because it's happened in many matches and early on, but it's something that's not up to us. It's difficult to understand because each match there are confusing decisions”.
Regarding the absence of Benzema and Adan, the Whites' assistant coach explained that it was over technical matters: “The decisions that are taken are always for the good of the team. It's the same when it comes to who's called up. We look to have people on the bench who can contribute”. That was the case of the academy player Morata who, despite being substituted after Ramos was sent off, opened the scoring for Real Madrid“Regarding the case of Morata, everyone wants to see people from the academy. He had an opportunity and he scored. Then we weren't so lucky. But it's important for him. He's taking advantage of the few opportunities that he's had. He's done what's been asked of him and he's scored important goals like that of the other day and today's. We know he's in good form and it's important that he's playing at this level”.\\

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Karanka also mentioned Kaka and Pepe. Regarding the Brazilian, he said “the explanation is that each match we look for those that are in the best form. When we see that a match is good for him, we can give him pitch time. Today was one of those days where we've seen Kaka in great form.” Speaking of the Portuguese defender, he indicated that he's key to the team: “Pepe was off for a while but he's a leader on the field and with time he'll be better”. 
Lastly, he spoke of Varane: “He's been having a spectacular season and all of us are surprised at the maturity with which he plays and participates and which he transmits to the team. He fits right in and his level of play is good for the team and his competitiveness. He has a spectacular future ahead and should go on improving and progressing”.

Real Madrid have 13 wins in a row in the Bernabeu against teams from Madrid

Against Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid got their thirteenth consecutive victory in the Bernabeu against other teams from the region. This streak has continued with Mourinho, who has won all of his home derby matches. Atletico Madrid, Getafe, Rayo Vallecano and Alcorcon are the teams that have been defeated in this series of matches in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

Goals from Sergio Ramos and Morata gave Real Madrid their thirteenth straight win at the Santiago Bernabeu against teams from Madrid. In this run, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the top scorer with 14 goals. He is followed by Higuain and Benzema, with eight and four respectively. With Mourinho on the bench, the record is nine wins, 31 goals scored and six conceded.

RECENT MATCHES AGAINST TEAMS FROM MADRID IN THE BERNABEU
DATE	RESULT	COMPETITION
21-04-2009	Real Madrid 3-2 Getafe	Liga
31-10-2009	Real Madrid 2-0 Getafe	Liga
10-11-2009	Real Madrid 1-0 Alcorcón	Copa del Rey
28-03-2010	Real Madrid 3-2 At. Madrid	Liga
07-11-2010	Real Madrid 2-0 At. Madrid	Liga
13-01-2011	Real Madrid 3-1 At. Madrid	Copa del Rey
10-05-2011	Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe	Liga
10-09-2011	Real Madrid 4-2 Getafe	Liga
24-09-2011	Real Madrid 6-2 Rayo Vallecano	Liga
26-11-2011	Real Madrid 4-1 At. Madrid	Liga
01-12-2012	Real Madrid 2-0 At. Madrid	Liga
27-01-2013	Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe	Liga
17-02-2013	Real Madrid 2-0 Rayo Vallecano	Liga

Twenty children from the Foundation’s academies in El Salvador visited Madrid

For one week, 20 children from the Realmadrid Foundation’s sports academies in El Salvador, aged between 15 and 17, visited the Spanish capital to get to see everything to do with their favourite team. They were seven days in which they have fulfilled their dream of meeting their idols, seeing them win a league match, taking the Bernabeu Stadium Tour and training at Real Madrid’s Football City.

The Realmadrid Foundation currently has seven sports academies in El Salvador, in collaboration with Fundamadrid. The academies are spread throughout the capital and surrounding areas and more than 700 children participate in footballing activities two or three times per week.

One of the most anticipated events of the season is the Inter-academy Tournament (El Torneo Intersedes), which every year is dedicated to a Real Madrid player chosen by a vote amongst the children. Besides teaching sports and values, the academies in El Salvador also hold cultural and leisure activities.

The Castilla-Hércules match will be played on Monday, 11 March, at 9:00 p.m.

The schedule for the Real Madrid Castilla match against Hércules for the 19th La Liga Adelante matchday has been announced. The Whites will receive the team from Alicante in the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium on Monday, 11 March, at 9:00 p.m.

MATCH	DATE				HOUR
Barcelona B-Córdoba	Saturday 9				18:00
Elche-Mirándes	Saturday  9				18:00
Lugo-Numancia	Saturday  9				18:00
Sabadell-Ponferradina	Saturday  9				20:00
Almería-Las Palmas	Saturday  9				20:00
Xerez-Guadalajara	Saturday  9				21:00
Villarreal-Sporting	Sunday 10				12:00
Girona-Huesca	Sunday 10				17:00
Racing-Murcia	Sunday 10				17:00
Alcorcón-Recreativo	Sunday 10				21:00
Castilla-Hércules	Monday 11				21:00

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Sergio Rodriguez beat his assists record against Basquet Manresa

Sergio Rodriguez's talent knows no bounds. Very few players in the world can boast the vision possessed by the Real Madrid point guard, who recorded his highest number of assists in a game against the Catalan team when he got 14. The exhibition from the man from the Canaries in the Palacio de los Deportes is the second best in Real Madrid’s history, which curiously puts him behind only Pablo Laso and, joint with Pepe Sanchez, is the highest number of assists in the ACB since the 2006-07 season.

Every minute and a half of the 22 that he was on court at the Palacio de los Deportes the same thing was repeated: Sergio Rodriguez made the final pass to a teammate before they scored. He made 14 assists in total, of which nine were in the first ten minutes. A feat never previously achieved in the history of the ACB. His exhibition continued until he beat his personal best in the league. The Real Madrid player went beyond his previous best by two assists, which was the 12 he managed with Adecco Estudiantes against Llanera Menorca in April 2006. In a Real Madrid vest, he improved on the 10 he got in the Euroleague against Anadolu Efes in November 2011.

The Real Madrid number 13 thus recorded the highest number of assists this season and equalled the former Unicaja Malaga point guard, Pepe Sanchez’s record from a game against MMT Estudiantes in 2006 -07. That day, the former Real Madrid point guard did it in 27 minutes, five more than El Chacho.

Sergio Rodriguez also entered Real Madrid’s history with his 14 assists, which puts him second on the club’s all-time list. The point guard from Tenerife was just one off of reaching the top spot, which is occupied by his coach Pablo Laso, with 15. The coach from Vitoria reached that figure against Forum Valladolid in the 95-96 season, but he took nine minutes more.

Alfredo Di Stefano and Bobby Charlton coincided at the Santiago Bernabeu during the Real Madrid-Manchester United match

The match between Real Madrid and Manchester United at the Santiago Bernabeu reunited two football legends who made history and brought glory to their respective teams. The honorary president of Real Madrid, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Bobby Charlton, coincided in the presidential box of the Whites' stadium, from where they followed the first-leg match of the Champions League round of sixteen. The atmosphere was relaxed and they exchanged opinions and memories as well as having photographs taken with their teams' presidents, Florentino Perez and David Gill.

Mourinho reached 100 Liga matches with Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano

José Mourinho reached 100 Liga matches with Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano. The Portuguese coach, who reaches the landmark in a championship for the second time in his career after achieving the feat with Chelsea (120), is also the fourth-ranked coach in the club’s history in terms of victories in the competition, 76, and only has Miguel Muñoz (257), Beenhakker (89) and Del Bosque (84) ahead of him.

Since leading the team for the first time in August 2010 against Mallorca at the Iberostar Stadium (0-0), José Mourinho has led the Whites in 100 Liga matches and against Rayo became the sixth coach in the club’s history to reach the landmark in the championship. Real Madrid’s goal difference with the Portuguese as manager is impressive: 281 goals for and 87 goals against.

Real Madrid’s final training for game against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid completed their final training session in Valdebebas for match at the Santiago Bernabeu against Rayo Vallecano (9.00 pm, Canal+ 1) on Matchday 24 of la Liga. Jose Mourinho set up a coaching session in which for the second consecutive time he named the reserve player Jose Rodriguez who plays for Castilla.

The training session, which was held at Real Madrid City, began with a single group of Real Madrid players. Under the supervision of Rui Faria, they went through an intense warm-up routine combined with various stretching exercises.

Next, they moved on to exercises on the ball and the group split into two sections to work on ball control and fast passing in two circuits. Adan, Pepe, Albiol, Varane, Coentrão, Khedira, Callejón, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema made up the first section with the remainder of the players comprising the second while Jose Mourinho and the coaching team observed their performance closely. 

3-1: Castilla slip up on their visit to Sabadell

On this occasion, one of the fortes of Castilla, i.e. the ease with which they find the back of the net, deserted them on their trip to Sabadell. The Whites lost 3-1 in a game in which they had control of the ball, but they lacked the rhythm and the ideas required to break down their opponent's defence. The Catalan side scored two goals at the start of the first and second halves and held on and played intelligently, as they sat back. Oscar Plano gave them hope with a goal in the 77th minute, but Madrid conceded too many easy chances in defence and were unable to continue their good form from the last two weeks.

Sabadell had a clear plan from the start. Aware of how dangerous the Whites are with space, they started very strongly, got the ball in the box of Mejias and made it difficult for Castilla to clear their lines. As a result, they were able to take the lead in their first attack of any real note. Lanza crossed the ball from the right and Anibal fired home (7th minute). Despite the deficit, Castilla gradually began to control the pace of the game and take the initiative away from the home team, which sat back and were content to allow Toril's men to have the ball. The problem was that they were unable to convert their possession into goal scoring opportunities. The attacking play in the first half yielded only a headed opportunity for Borja and two other shots from distance for Borja and Mosquera.

After the break, the home side was keen to repeat the major lift they had given themselves at the start of the game. And again this came to pass. In the 50th minute, Toni Lao crossed from the right which went across the area without anyone being able to clear and Eneko popped up at the back post to tap in. The 2-0 score line was a step too far but it seemed to spur Castilla on. Toril looked for a reaction from the bench, bringing on Lucas and Oscar Plano and the Whites slightly improved. In the 60th minute, Casado, in the area, had the goal at his mercy but was unable to convert a cross from Fabinho.

With the Catalan side happy to sit back, Castilla enjoyed possession but lacked the ideas and mobility required to turn the match on its head. When it appeared that the game was petering out, a swift Madrid move made it 2-1. Jese read the movement behind the defence of Óscar Plano who beat Nauzet with a rocket shot (77th minute). But Castilla's hope was short lived, as the following piece of play enabled Sabadell to score the goal which sealed victory. Just like the first goal, Lanza centred and Anibal struck, this time with his head. The game opened up and more goals could have been scored at both ends, but the score line remained the same

Toril: “We were better overall, but our finishing let us down”

Alberto Toril met with the media after his team’s defeat in Sabadell. The man from Cordoba said he was happy with how his team played, but regretted the lack of finishing in key moments of the match: “Effective finishing was the deciding factor. We were better overall throughout the game. We dominated possession, kept the ball in the other team’s half and created numerous goal scoring opportunities. I can’t really fault the players. They were more committed and all we lacked was the effective finish. We were up against a class team and even so we forced them to play in their half of the pitch. We controlled the game for the full 90 minutes.”

Castilla deserved more from this outing to the Nova Creu Alta as Toril explained during the press conference: “We were better in terms of overall play, both in and out of the area. Some days things go right but then other days things don’t work out up front. This was arguably one of the best games we have played away from home. It’s what happens in the penalty area that decides a match and in that respect Sabadell were much sharper. We didn’t defend well when they had opportunities on goal.”
The new signing this winter, Casemiro, debuted with the team and played the first 57 minutes.“He has only been with us for a short time, he has come from a different kind of football and he needs to pick up a bit of pace, but he has a lot to offer in footballing terms,” said Toril, who did not seek to use Morata’s absence as an excuse: “The fact that Morata couldn’t play was not the problem, the problem was the lack of a striker in the area. We were playing with second row strikers and that made it easier for the opposing team to defend. There is no doubt that with a striker who is at home in the penalty area we could have scored at least one more goal. We created plenty of chances but our finishing let us down”.

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104-70: Real Madrid fill their boots on their return to the Palacio

It was time to return home, to be with their fans and to rediscover their game. It was time also for Real Madrid to fill their boots. The team, who had not played at the Palacio for 15 days, returned in style in a high-scoring game against Basquet Manresa. Sergio Rodríguez, generous in his distribution of the ball (14 assists), had a magnificent game. However, Nikola Mirotic was the best player of the game with 23 points and 34 for his performance. Rudy also played well. So too did captain Felipe Reyes, as always. Furthermore, Pablo Laso gave Alberto Martín, point guard from Real Madrid Juniors, his debut.

Real Madrid began the game with an unusual team, with Pocius starting after various matches without playing due to injury and Chacho as captain. The team found their rhythm no sooner had they started to warm up. Rudy and Mirotic established themselves as the leading scorers from the very start. And Sergio Rodríguez continued to show off his talent and provide assists –including 9 in 10 minutes. Watchful on the rebound, steals and accurate with their shots, the Whites soon got going. Mirotic, 10 points, and Rudy, 8, accompanied a diligent Sergio Rodríguez during this quarter, who added the last two points at the whistle. At the end of the period the Whites were 15 points ahead: 34-19. 

The second quarter was no more than a confirmation of the gulf between the two teams. At times the match went from end to end, played at a frenetic pace. Ponsarnau’s players, unable to react, were only able to score 11 points during the quarter, while Laso’s players, despite missing more than one free throw, added another 29 to the 34 scored in the previous quarter, taking the game’s score to extreme levels. At the break the Whites were beating Basquet Manresa 63-30. And while Nikola Mirotic, who reached the break with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 21 for his performance, was the Real Madrid player that most stood out, some players, like Sergio Llul, also joined the party before the break. One statistic that demonstrates the differences between the two teams: at the break Madrid’s overall team performance was rated at 93. On the other hand, that of Basquet Manresa was rated at 11. Some other stats that prove the superiority of the Whites are the 22 rebounds compared to the Catalans’ 9 and Real Madrid’s 19 assists compared to the visiting side’s 8.

After the break the script took no unexpected turns. Madrid continued to corner the visiting team and when five minutes of the quarter remained their score already stood at 72 points. With the same starting five on the court, Chacho and Slaughter, with their perfect understanding, took it upon themselves to put on a show, while Mirotic continued to pile on the points for the team. The point guard from the Canaries continued to take the game to where it best suited his team without neglecting the scoring, 10 points at this stage, but most of all the passing aspect of his game shone through with 14 assists.

The Whites arrived at the end of the match with their work done. 86-49 in the previous quarter made it clear that Madrid would protect their home and that they would do so with dynamism and by putting on a show. Despite reducing the tempo, the Whites continued to safeguard an insurmountable lead. Carroll scored the first 6 points and then carried on. However, the loudest ovation from the fans was for the debut of Alberto Martín, Real Madrid Junior’ s point guard, with just over three minutes of the match left. Madrid ended the match scoring over one hundred points, with a spectacular final result of 104-70 on their return to the Palacio de los Deportes, where they are unbeaten in the League for more than a year.

Real Madrid are looking to pick up their 15th league win of the season against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid face Rayo Vallecano this evening at the Santiago Bernabéu hoping to pick up their 15th league win of the season (9pm, Canal+ 1). The Whites are back in league action after the pulsating 1st leg Champions League tie in the round of the last 16 at a stadium in which they have not tasted defeat in more than a year in all competitions. Real Madrid play host to one of this season's revelations in a game which represents Mourinho's 100th in La Liga. Rayo go into their 24th league fixture occupying a European spot in the table, and just two points off the Champions league, after picking up six wins in the last eight games.

Real Madrid face their third match of the season against a team from Madrid after the victories against Atletico and Getafe. Real Madrid want to continue their good form at the Santiago Bernabeu which has seen the team go 34 consecutive games without defeat in official matches. This is a special match for Jose Mourinho, who takes charge of 100 league games this evening as Real Madrid manager.

A good record for the home side
The two teams from Madrid have faced each other on 27 occasions in the top flight and the Whites have won 20 of them, with three draws and four defeats, scoring 71 goals in the process and conceding 29. In the head-to-head at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Whites have won on ten occasions and have lost only once to Rayo, who have also lost the last nine Liga games in a row against Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho calls up 19 plays for the La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano

Jose Mourinho has called up 19 players for the clash between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano tomorrow in the Santiago Bernabéu (tomorrow, 9:00 p.m., Canal+ 1) for the 24th matchday of the season

REAL MADRID SQUAD LISTGoalkeepers: Adán, Jesús y Diego López.
Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrão, Carvalho y Albiol.
Midfielders: Khedira, Kaká, Özil, Essien, Callejón, Di María y José Rodríguez.
Forwards: Ronaldo, Benzema y Morata

Real Madrid have gathered at the team hotel for the match against Rayo Vallecan

The Whites' players left the Santiago Bernabeu and made their way to the Sheraton Mirasierra hotel, where they will stay until just hours before the game

Realmadrid.com

Real Madrid have gathered at the Sheraton Mirasierra hotel for the match against Rayo Vallecano. The players and the technical body of the Whites left the Santiago Bernabeu and made their way to the hotel, where they will stay until just hours before tomorrow's game (9pm, Canal+ 1).

Real Madrid faces Basquet Manresa, second-to-last team in La Liga, at the Palacio

Real Madrid, Liga Endesa leader, faces off against Basquet Manresa, the competition’s second-to-last team who has only won four of the 20 games played this season, tomorrow in the Palacio de los Deportes (6:00 p.m.). The Whites hope that their fans help them keep their record-breaking winning streak of over a year undefeated at home in the regular season. Pablo Laso won’t be able to play Dontaye Draper, out with bursitis in his left heel, and has called up Alberto Martin, point guard from the Junior division. Before the game the Infantil A players will present fans with the Minicopa trophy they won last week Vitoria.

At two extremes. One is the top scorer and one is the team that has ceded the most points. Real Madrid and Basquet Manresa will face on in the Palacio de los Deportes to settle their differences. The squad led by coach Laso wants to reconnect with their fans with a home wins against the Catalan side, who haven’t won at Real’s home court since 1998. Nor does the difference in win bode well for Manresa: 35-3 in favor of Madrid. The Whites have won the last 11 matches against Manresa in the Palacio. 

New 2012/13 Real Madrid shirt

The design of Real Madrid's new shirt for the 2012/13 campaign combines the club's promising future and its long tradition, featuring a logo commemorating its 110-year history on the left sleeve. This exclusive Adidas design, highlighting a 100+ year history, will be featured in a large number of clothes from the rest of the match, training and sport collections.

Real Madrid’s final training for tomorrow’s game against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid completed their final training session in Valdebebas for tomorrow’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu against Rayo Vallecano (9.00 pm, Canal+ 1) on Matchday 24 of la Liga. Jose Mourinho set up a coaching session in which for the second consecutive time he named the reserve player Jose Rodriguez who plays for Castilla.

The training session, which was held at Real Madrid City, began with a single group of Real Madrid players. Under the supervision of Rui Faria, they went through an intense warm-up routine combined with various stretching exercises.

Next, they moved on to exercises on the ball and the group split into two sections to work on ball control and fast passing in two circuits. Adan, Pepe, Albiol, Varane, Coentrão, Khedira, Callejón, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema made up the first section with the remainder of the players comprising the second while Jose Mourinho and the coaching team observed their performance closely. 

Diego Lopez: “Rayo is extremely dangerous; they play well and we’ll have to play a good game to win”

“Every minute that I play with Real Madrid is a gift from heaven for me”, said the Real goalkeeper (preview)

Realmadrid.com

After the clash against Manchester it’s time to think about La Liga again and focus on the match against Rayo Vallecano. That’s how Diego Lopez, who spoke to the press the night before the Madrid derby, sees the upcoming game. “The most important think right now is Rayo. A La Liga match that we have to win. Rayo is extremely dangerous, they play well, they’re courageous and they have a good dynamic. We’ll have to play well to win”, said the Real goalkeeper