Jose Mourinho wants a right back

Mourinho wants to fit in, definitely, all the pieces in what will be his third season as head of Real Madrid. For this, he gives priority to the signing of a good right back, a player who could play on the right side of the defense and alternate the place with Arbeloa.

Alvaro Arbeloa

This season has been shown that in this position there is a deficit. The Portuguese coach has already used up to eight players in the right wing. He began with Sergio Ramos as a starter, but Carvalho's injury caused the Seville player to settle in the position of central defender. Earlier in the preseason, Mourinho tried with Varane. The Frenchman played against Hertha Berlin in what was an experiment to see what performance could offer this young player like '2'. He did not take over this demarcation. Raphael Varane is considered a pure central defender.

Raul Albiol has been the ultimate test. He played in Granada, moved to the right side and with little influence in this very specific zone of the field.There have been more players who have held this place, even though Arbeloa has been starter for the Portuguese coach, benefiting from the relocation of Sergio Ramos.

Fabio Coentrao was chosen for the match Real Madrid against Barcelona at the Bernabeu in the league. Against Guardiola's team have also played on the right side Lass and Altintop in the Cup matches. A total of eight players for a position. Mourinho now wants to close the circle with a new recruit who will have to take a leap of quality to allow the team to continue growing.

Ricardo Kaka: The saddest end

Kaka is living his most difficult days as a player of Real Madrid. The Brazilian is happy for the league title, which has enjoyed celebrating in Cibeles, but at the same time is sunk by his personal situation. The white '8' knows that he is not important for Mourinho and that the season ending he is doing is not helping to reverse the situation. The player does not perform and Mourinho does not forgive.

Kaka with Mourinho on the bench

Kaka has played only three of the last eight games for Real Madrid this season. Three games against Atletico, Bayern and Granada where he has been pointed out by Mourinho and the fans. At the Vicente Calderon was replaced in half time after a gray first half. The same happened on Saturday in Los Carmenes against Granada. Real Madrid was losing after the first 45 minutes and Mourinho did not hesitate to let him in the locker room.

Against Bayern in the second leg, Kaka was a substitute and Mourinho put him on the field at 75 minutes thinking it could be the day of the Brazilian. The Portuguese looked to the bench and saw the Golden Ball 2007, an expert player in the Champions League, and thought that would still have his night of glory with the shirt of Madrid. But Kaka came out and sank. He tried everything and did not achieve almost nothing. And to make matters worse, missed a penalty in the fateful shootout. The Bernabeu stadium saw everything.

Kaka, above all things, has some clear his desire to continue at Real Madrid. The midfielder said he is happy for the league title, another success for his career, although he admits that his role on the team has overshadowed that success. "It was very nice despite not being the star of the conquest. It is something different from what I was used" he says, although he prefers to be positive and says it is "a great motivation to go back to being a main piece of the team".

Now it's wait and see what happens with Kaka this summer. The player knows that Real Madrid wants to sell and he is aware that its cycle in the white team is close to come to the end, but his departure will not be so simple. The PSG wants him, but Madrid will try to get the most for the Brazilian, who cost 67 million euros. Be seen to the true interest of the French team, that would have to pay Kaka a salary of 10 million euros per season.

Real Madrid: Higuain is not for sale

Gonzalo Higuain at Cibeles

Higuain and his immediate future held in suspense to the Real Madrid fans, who saw signs and gestures in celebration of Cibeles which cast doubt on whether or not the Argentinian will start the preseason with Mourinho's team. Perhaps for these reasons the club has decided to position itself to prevent it from getting larger the ball over the uncertain fate that awaits 'Pipita' Higuain. From the Bernabeu stadium, members of the board send a strong message and very clear, "Higuain is not for sale. He has several years of contract and will stay here". To dispel the suspicion that this might be a strategic position to increase the value, the club insists: "If we set a transfer price, even indecent, we would be putting up for sale. No, Mourinho wants him. He can only go if someone comes with the 200 million euro of the termination clause".

The player feels loved by the fans, but not comfortable at all. He has felt as a substitute as usual from the beginning of the second round and against Bayern and Barca in the Nou Camp played just a few minutes. Higuain feels he has lost the battle with Benzema and therefore, the tempting offers that come (especially from PSG) raise questions about his departure. "If we sell him, for instance, by 50 million euros, we are going to have to spend another 50 to sign a new player who could not suit the team. Would be a mistake to let him go". In the upset of Higuain is also the low salary compared to some players who are in a hierarchy similar to him. After last year's renewal he earns 3.8 million euros and his claims would be around 5 million.

Sources from the locker room downplay the situation: "Pipita has not told us to go to leave, nor his teammates think he will leave in June. The gesture of the shirt in Cibeles was just the opposite has been said. His teammates wanted to convey affection after the informations about his departure"

Higuain's older brother, Federico, who plays as midfielder for Colón de Santa Fe in Argentina, said: "My brother Gonzalo is not going to leave Real Madrid. He is very comfortable and quiet here, where he is beloved. At this moment he is not going to go". On the relationship Gonzalo-Mourinho he said: "The press is very misleading. Not everything the papers say is true".

Granada 1 - 2 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 37)

Granada players perform the guard of honour to Real Madrid

Nothing took the Real Madrid that Granada did not leave at its fingertips. The white team reached the tie by an excess of Moises, Granada's defender that mistook the sport, and won with a goal by Cortes, who mistook the goal. The jar was of cold water and falls on the head of the home team with the enclosed container. To the champion, the Scottish shower served to wake up and understand that their shots are not blanks, still kill. No blame is the referee, he was only a way of distributing impotence.

The latter was forged from the beginning. After three days of applause and congratulations, the players of Real Madrid assumed the Granada players' guard of honour, led them into a hall of plush carpets and spider lamps. They matched only in the spider. The champion came into the game rocked by the movement in reverse that sailors call a hangover. Experts say there is only one answer to this malaise: see Grease. Too bad the short flight to Granada does not allow the screening of therapeutic films.

It took three convulsions in the Real Madrid's defense to understand that no one knocked at the door, which was Ighalo who rammed against their heads. It was not necessary the Hawaiian lei to know who came from party.

Real Madrid players celebrate the second goal

Just about football, Adan, Varane, Albiol, Sahin and Granero made the starting eleven. Granada need one point to avoid relegation and had a strong start, netting the opener in the fourth minute through Jara, who managed to nutmeg Adan.

They looked for more goals and Adan and Marcelo were forced to team up for a clearance on the 6-minute mark. Real Madrid were more relaxed than usual and the locals used this to make steals and play with more intensity. Adan cleared a free-kick with his fists in the 20th minute and Real gradually started to dominate more: Sahin sent the ball over the crossbar with a distant shot (35') and Ronaldo nearly netted an equaliser from a header that missed the target by mere inches (41').

Xabi Alonso and Higuain replaced Sahin and Kaka in the second half and the team's performance became more intense. Julio Cesar cleared a Benzema shot on the 58-minute mark and Callejon came on for Di Maria soon after (59'). Cristiano Ronaldo nearly finished off a strong cross, clearly showing the Whites deserved a goal. The Portuguese striker again had a great chance, but a shot of his on the goal-line was saved by Julio Cesar (63').

Moises tackled Ronaldo in the box and the Madridista converted the penalty. The Whites wanted more and Granada started to look nervous after the goal, with Cortes eventually netting an own goal in extra time following a Benzema cross that Higuain did not finish off (92'). Tragic end. Undeserved, perhaps. But there is life. And a hundred points to get.

Summary

Stadium: Los Carmenes
Attendance: 22,000
Goals: 1-0, (m.5): Franco Jara. 1-1, (m.80): Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-2, (m.90+3): David Cortes (o.g.).

All with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Golden Boot

With the league title in his pocket Cristiano Ronaldo, with 44 goals, looks for his third Golden Boot in a fierce battle with Messi, 46 goals. The Portuguese showed in the Classic his best form, but today in Los Carmenes wants to show authority with more goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo; Golden Boot 2010-2011

All with Cristiano Ronaldo. That is the mentality of Real Madrid today in Los Carmenes (against Granada). Having won the League, the target is to help the Portuguese to win the battle of numbers with Messi. The Argentinian has scored 46 goals in the league and last weekend went ahead of Portuguese (44 goals) in the top scorer and Golden Boot list.

"There are two players unique, but this year Cristiano has been the best by a long distance" , said Mourinho. A different approach of Guardiola's, that without the championship of the Spanish league seems to conform with individual awards for his players (as example the substitution of Valdes in the last games to win the Zamora trophy). "What Leo Messi has made this year is incredible. He has done things to deserve it, that is clear" he said this week.

Cristiano and Messi have gotten seven hat-tricks this season, something that never happened in the history of the Spanish league. The 'Flea' has made ​​seven doubles and the Portuguese, five. CR7 has scored 11 goals from the penalty spot (missed one) and the Argentinian, eight (missed other). Both forwards have also achieved the same number of goals which have lead to victory for their teams, three.

If the top scorer trophy is Cristiano's personal aspiration backed by the group, the target of one hundred points is a collective task that would put a medal on Mourinho, surely unrepeatable.

Liga 2011-2012: A championship without signings

Real Madrid recovered the throne league with little input from the five new faces who came to the team 10 months ago. Coentrao, Callejon,Varane, let alone Sahin and Altintop, have not had a main role in the winning of the Spanish league. In fact, them have just played 16% of the minutes in the regular tournament.

Coentrao, Callejon, Sahin, Altintop and Varane

Who has played most, of the signings, has been Fabio Coentrao. The Portuguese has even been a starter in key games of the season; San Mames, Vicente Calderon and Camp Nou. Three important wins for the championship. However, Marcelo has been above him all season, although Mourinho has chosen his compatriot in difficult games at home by offering more reliable defense.

Callejon never won a place at the starting lineup, although he worked and deserved it for moments scoring goals in all competitions. However, at key moments, rarely was chosen for playing with the starters, except in the Sanchez Pizjuan (against Sevilla), where he also scored, and San Mames.

Varane, such as signing for the future, has appeared in placid afternoons to gain experience. Is expected to continue growing. In the last positions of minutes and prominence are the two Turkish, Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop. Both got injured and never won the confidence of the Real Madrid manager. In short, the team earned the league without signings.

Fabio COENTRAO. Coentrao has played almost half of the League. Discussed by the fans and protected by Mourinho until the episode of cigarette, the Portuguese always lived with the slab of the 30 million euro of his transfer.

Jose CALLEJON. 'Mourinho Man' came demanded by the coach, the former youth squad player has been the first among the substitutes. His goal in Mallorca won three key points, but has started only four games.

Nuri SAHIN. 90 minutes are an utopia for Sahin. Nuri's performance was inversely proportional to the expectations that were placed in the left-handed midfielder. He injured in summer in his left knee and had no continuity and rhythm when played. Disappointing.

Hamit ALTINTOP. He has a lot to change so that its history in Real Madrid is not as absent as usual. The Turkish came injured on the back, just after a surgery. When he wanted to join the group dynamics, Mourinho did not see the adequate level to displace any of the starters. He only played as a starter in a game at the Bernabeu against Zaragoza. He scored a goal in the 2-6 of the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Raphael VARANE. He came recommended by Zidane and has completed his adaptation. He is only 19 years old and looks like a great footballer. Composure, character, personality, passing game, good ball game. However, he has not enjoyed many minutes. He played six games home and scored a goal against Rayo.

Real Madrid: King of Europe

Real Madrid team celebrates the championship at Cibeles

Real Madrid have been crowned by the thirty-second time as the best team in the Spanish League. A truly spectacular amount, only similar to Ajax's numbers in the best European competitions. The Dutch team won the League on Wednesday, its number 31.

With the victory, Real Madrid breaks the Barca's streak. The Pep Guardiola's team had linked three consecutive titles, so that eventually remained on the verge of tie the record of four consecutive that FC Barcelona achieved in the stage of the 'Dream Team' of Cruyff. Thus, the best streak record in Spanish League tournaments still holds on the white team with five (Real Madrid of Di Stefano and the Buitre's gang).

Jose Mourinho has broken the FC Barcelona hegemony in the Spanish championship and, incidentally, has added another title to his brilliant record. The Portuguese coach has won leagues with Porto (2002-03 and 2003-04), Chelsea (2004-05, 2005-06), Inter Milan (2008-09 and 2009-10) and Real Madrid (2011 -12). As seen, he always wins two league titles in a row.

Now the challenge is to win the Champions League. The coach won with Porto and Inter. If he gets it with Real Madrid, he would be the first coach to take it with three different clubs. So far, Mourinho has led Real to the semifinals (lost against Barca and Bayern). Be seen whether the third chance is the definitive at Wembley.

Real Madrid Jersey: 32nd Spanish League Champion

AN UNMATCHED HONOURS

Spain: The 32nd Spanish League of Real Madrid is far from Barcelona, ​​champion of the first edition in 1929, with 21 titles.

Italy: Juventus is fighting for the title that would be its number 28 in the history of 'Scudetto'. Behind is Milan, which has 18 and can still be champion, and Inter, to which Mourinho left with 18 league titles after the two he won in Milan.

England: The league track record is a duel between Manchester United (has 19 and fight with Manchester City to add the 20) and Liverpool (18). The Anfield team does not win the title since the season 89-90 and from its latest conquest Ferguson's team has been champion 12 times.

Germany: The Bundesliga is a total monopoly of Bayern. He has won 22 and other 10 was second. Far appears Nuremberg, that won nine times (last in 1968) and after Borussia Dortmund, winners of this year to add eight championships.

France: Saint-Etienne (not Ligue 1 champion since 1981) and Marseille are the teams that have won more leagues in France (10). Their wake is followed by the Nantes (8) with Monaco and Olympique Lyon (7). No one will win this season.

Mourinho's Real Madrid: A record team

Real Madrid Squad 2011-2012

Record of goals. Real Madrid beat in week 35 the record of 107 goals of Buitre's gang (89-90). Mourinho's team adds 115 goals in league. White team has scored 66 goals at home and 49 away. If they keep the scoring average this season (3.1 goals per game), the Real Madrid will end the championship with 121.

Goals away. With the three goals from San Mames, Real Madrid equaled the record of goals away from home. Barcelona was the record team, last season made ​​49. The Mourinho's team have the opportunity to beat this record tomorrow in Los Carmenes stadium at Granada.

Wins away. Real Madrid's performance away from the Bernabeu stadium: 15 wins, 2 draws (Racing and Villarreal) and 1 defeat (Levante). The white team has set the record for winning games out (15) and points (47).

Won against the champions. Real have achieved something unprecedented in the history of the League. Team has won in the field of the seven champions in the history of the Spanish League: Barcelona (Camp Nou), Atletico (Calderon), Athletic (San Mames), Valencia (Mestalla), Real Sociedad (Anoeta), Betis (Benito Villamarin) and Sevilla (Sanchez Pizjuan).

For more than three goals. This Madrid accumulates in the League a total of 19 heavy wins by at least three goals gap, more than half of the 36 games disputed. A record that could grow in the two games remaining (Granada and Mallorca).

A luxury trident. For the first time in the Spanish League history, three players from the same club reach 20 goals: Christian (43), Higuain (22) and Benzema (20). Moreover, in all competitions, have exceeded the record of a trident in Spain, the 100-goal Messi-Eto'o-Henry (2008-09). Currently, they have gotten 115 official goals; the Portuguese has 58, the French 31 and the Argentinian 26.

A bull away. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for goals scored away from home signed by Dani Guiza. The current Getafe striker scored 19 goals with Mallorca in the 2007-08 season. Cristiano has managed 22 goals away from the Bernabeu.

Hat-trick record. No striker in the history of the Spanish League had achieved so far what Cristiano and Messi have achieved this season: seven hat-trick.

Another feat of CR7. Cristiano reached 100 goals in League with his double against Real Sociedad (March 31). Thus, he became the fastest striker of the League to come to this figure. He needed only 92 games. Now has 110 goals in 99 games in the League.

Goals in a season. Real Madrid had never scored so many goals in its history as this season: 168 in all competitions. Cristiano Ronaldo sets the record of a striker in the club (58).

Best winning streak. Mourinho strung 15 consecutive victories this season in all competitions. He tied the record for the club (with Miguel Munoz, 60-61). Also, if team wins at Granada and Mallorca, will reach 100 points in the League.

Athletic Bilbao 0 - 3 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 20)

REAL MADRID: 2011-2012 SPANISH LEAGUE CHAMPION

Real Madrid team clebrates the title

The League champion gets in some way, the husband of the year award. No other team has been most faithful and constant, none as serious and family. There may be more witty lovers, but do not support a timetable. The champion, in many ways, share the amatory philosophy of Paul Newman, immune to infidelity: "Why eat hamburger out when I have steak at home". This has been the Real Madrid this year, a red meat eater. The opposite of a 'Mad Men'. Its persistence has been extreme virtue and their numbers of large family: 115 goals in 35 games. Not a distraction, not a bad week. Not a weakness.

Real Madrid, in its perfect strength, has not only been able to win in bad afternoons. Even in these, has thrashed its opponents, like yesterday. No team, while known, had succeeded so far, without relationship between soccer and goals. With inspiration or not, with wind in favor or against, with bad or good game, the matches have been closed with outrageous markers. Achieving such thing, is to put wine in the bottle without stepping on grapes. A similar prodigy.

Winning the League, and do it with this caravan of goals and records is a matter of much merit... and Mourinho. The coach's value is unquestionable. He has won Leagues in four countries what confirms, if necessary, his aptitude for languages ​​and long distances. Only the gigantic size of Real Madrid can measure his formidable personal record. Mourinho is the 16th coach of Real Madrid winning a League, after Schuster.

The win in San Mames stadium has all the possible spiritual values​​. Served not only to become champion where no one except the Athletic did before. Not only was a feat in the house of Pichichi or Zarra. The victory in the 'Cathedral' makes Real Madrid earns the championship with victories in the fields of all the Spanish League champions (Camp Nou, Mestalla, Vicente Calderon, Anoeta, Benito Villamarin, Sanchez Pizjuan, San Mames), with the single and excusable exception of Riazor (Deportivo La Coruña is in transit to First Division). A total of 22 goals for and eight against.

About football, Coentrao, Higuain and Callejon made the starting lineup and the team played an intense game from the get-go looking for a goal. Iriazoz managed to only just snatch the ball from Higuain in the opening minute and one minute later cleared a shot by Coentrao. Real Madrid attacked and Athletic withstood it as much as they could, but Javi Martinez touched the ball with his hands on the 11-minute mark and a penalty was awarded. Cristiano Ronaldo took the shot and Iriazoz managed to save it, but Real Madrid kept trying: Ozil passed the ball to Higuain four minutes later and the Argentinian defeated the keeper with a sensational shot. The German midfielder netted a second for the team after an impressive collective effort and a masterful cross from Ronaldo (19').

Higuain scored the first goal of the match

Real Madrid started to control the game well and the locals created little danger. Casillas saved the day with a great stretch in an Iñigo Perez free-kick, after which San Jose sent the ball to the crossbar (36'). The Madridistas had another chance to net a third one minute later through Ozil, whose shot also hit the crossbar.

Real continued to have the reins of the game after half-time and scored their third goal on the 50-minute mark when Ronaldo headed in an Ozil corner-kick. The locals' pride was hurt and they looked harder for a goal, but the Whites' defence was incredibly solid, especially against Toquero and Llorente. They also tried to net more strikes and Callejon came close to tallying a fourth, but Iriazoz cleared his shot (59'). Athletic were only proving dangerous in set pieces, while Real Madrid never relaxed and continued giving an intense performance to the end.

De Marcos hit the crossbar with a distant shot on the 67-minute mark and, minutes later, Javi Martinez was sent off with a second booking (72'), which dampened the mood of the match, which had until then unfolded normally. Mourinho replaced Higuain with Benzema (76') and two minutes later Granero came on for Ozil.

Real Madrid continued to absolutely dominate the clash in the final minutes of the encounter. They had possession of the ball and let time go by in order to celebrate winning the league title as soon as possible. At the sound of the final whistle, the entire squad and coaching staff stormed the pitch and embraced in jubilation.

There was no better or more appropiate scenary for the end. Real Madrid won the League and is still close to complete the almost perfect season, that of the hundred points. Glory and honor for who performed the most difficult role: the perfect husband. Congratulations champions.

Summary

Stadium: San Mames
Attendance: 35,000
Goals: 0-1, min.15: Higuain. 0-2, min.19: Ozil. 0-3, min.50: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Granero: "We are close. We need to beat Athletic Bilbao"

Esteban Granero

"We need to beat Athletic Bilbao to be champions and we will do our best to get it. Real Madrid have earned good results at San Mames in recent years but tomorrow it will be very difficult. Our forwards have great goal scoring instincts and we can win the match if we take advantage of this while also conceding few chances. We will try to take the three points. I have celebreated many League titles as a supporter and now I want to do so as a player. We are close, but we have not achieved anything yet"

"Athletic Bilbao are having a very good season and have greatly improved. Their coach, Marcelo Bielsa, has allowed them to grow and they have young and ambitious players. They always have the advantage of the great support of their fans at their stadium. They are a strong side and they made it difficult for us when we played against them at the Bernabeu stadium, especially during the first half. It will be a hard match. We will try to give another good performance to earn another good result. I am sure we will win if we manage to play our game"

"It will be essential to concede as few goals as possible. We believe we will have a great chance to win if we keep a clean sheet because we have great confidence in our forwards, who always give solid performances"

"Real Madrid have been thrilling their supporters all year. We have achieved great numbers and we have also managed to score many goals while conceding very few. We have players that truly make a difference and our supporters enjoy whatching us play. I always like to play and I try to do what is expected of me: be ready whenever I am needed to perform as befits this shirt and these fans"

"I feel proud to play with men like Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes a difference and is representative of an era of football. We will all remember sharing a dressing room with him because his performance level increases every season. His numbers and skills improve every year and he seems to have no limits. We are very happy to have him at Real Madrid. The humility and hard work with which he works every day allow him to improve"

"I dedicate my life to defend the Real Madrid. I have worn this shirt for most of my life, training and playing with it most days. Real Madrid has been training me since I was a kid and has helped me become a better person and player. I will always be grateful to the club for bringing me up this way. We are now close to winning an important title and I feel proud for being part of a team that will make club history"

Karim Benzema: "It is my time"

Karim Benzema after scoring his first goal against Sevilla

An assist and a double against Sevilla. The Spanish League is coming. Was it worth get up early on Sunday?
Of course. I am super happy but, as I always say on these occasions, the most important has been the collective victory. Against Sevilla I had good chances and I was able to score twice. After the Champions League match was essential for us to win again and we did well. We knew we had to focus back in the league. I think all the team members have played the match against Sevilla as was expected.

Was it hard to forget the elimination against Bayern Munich?
These things happen. We reached the semi-final with high hopes and we were close to reach the final. But we learned and thought that we had to win the league what helped us overcome the disappointment. It is now very close and we must be happy about it because, from early in the season, the League was our priority. On Wednesday and Thursday night we were all sad and dejected by the elimination, but we forgot this sadness.

Twenty league goals, thirty-one in total. Clearly, this is his best season in Madrid.
Of course it is my time. I score goals, give assists and have no physical problems that have stopped me. I am happy. I am happy and I feel good.

And part of the League is yours, right?
Mine and of all other players in the squad. This season it is true that I played more than the preceding two and I am happy about that.

It is time for a little resume. What has been your best memory of this season?
Are many. First, the victory in the Nou Camp in the last Classic, but my return to Lyon with Real Madrid's shirt and some good matches in the Champions League are in my mind.

And the worst?
The more recent the last Wednesday in the Champions League because we worked very hard to reach the final of this competition and we could not.

How do you feel physically ahead of the European Championship with France?
I am in optimum condition for the big tournament. After the end of the League I will have a few days off before going to France for Euro. But it's not yet time to think about it, but to win the League with Real Madrid.