Pepe joins to face Manchester United

Pepe is a little closer to the goal of being ready to play the game against Manchester United. Yesterday, he took a small step forward on the recovery and just a week before Ferguson's men visit the Santiago Bernabeu, the center defender was part of the training match managed by Mourinho. One more proof that recovery of the Portuguese player is going well. Last Friday started running and five days later has participated in a game with the rest of his teammates.

Pepe wants to play against Manchester United

If everything continues as these days, the defender will be called up for Real Madrid to play the next Saturday's match against Sevilla. It is possible that he may play in Sevilla. The Spanish League clash before the Champions League match would be the ultimate test to see if Mourinho can count on him or not next Wednesday against Manchester United.

Pepe's return will be conditioned by the physical discomfort of Varane. The Frenchman, who could not play with his national team due to a hamstring problem he suffered in the match against Granada, will be out for a week and will not play against Sevilla. Mourinho will reserve him thinking about Manchester United and that's where Pepe may have options to play against the English team. If Varane recovers late, Mourinho may choose Pepe ahead of Albiol and Carvalho.

Pepe was operated on January 2 with the goal of eliminating the discomfort he had in his right ankle and get fully recovered for the first leg of the last-16 Champions League round against United. In principle, the deadlines are being met and the return of the Portuguese player to training is developing normally.

If Pepe is available for the Champions League clash, Mourinho could have his best defenders to face the English team, after several weeks in which between injuries and suspensions, has been forced to make changes. Only Marcelo has not options to take a place in the starting lineup, because of his bad phisycal condition.

Hamit Altintop: New Galatasaray player

Hamit Altintop is already a player of Galatasaray. After many weeks of negotiations, the last effort of the Turkish side has allowed closing the deal with Real Madrid. The official announcement says: "Real Madrid C. F. and Galatasaray SK have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Hamit Altintop to the Turkish club"

Just before closing the transfer, Altintop took a plane and traveled to the training stage of his new team in Austria, where they are currently training. Real Madrid will receive three million euros for the transfer. Altintop, who arrived last summer from Bayern Munchen, leaves the white team after a year without opportunities to play. Mourinho never trusted in him and played few minutes. Fenerbahce had also bid to claim his services.>

UEFA Champions League 2010-2011 Summary

Here you will remember all the games played for Real Madrid during the 2010-2011 season of the UEFA Champions League that ended with FC Barcelona as champions. The white team was defeated in the semifinals by the champion team, after a great season and a controversial refereeing in the first leg of the semifinal round.

KNOCK-OUT ROUNDS

Champions League 2010-2011

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Barcelona 1 - Real Madrid 1

Semifinals (1st Leg): Real Madrid 0 - Barcelona 2

Quarterfinals (2nd Leg): Tottenham 0 - Real Madrid 1

Quarterfinals (1st Leg): Real Madrid 4 - Tottenham 0

Last 16 (2nd Leg): Real Madrid 3 - Olympique Lyon 0

Last 16 (1st Leg): Olympique Lyon 1 - Real Madrid 1

GROUP TABLE

Group Table

Day 6: Real Madrid 4 - Auxerre 0

Day 5: Ajax 0 - Real Madrid 4

Day 4: Milan 2 - Real Madrid 2

Day 3: Real Madrid 2 - Milan 0

Day 2: Auxerre 0 - Real Madrid 1

Day 1: Real Madrid 2 - Ajax 0

Spanish Cup 2010-2011 Summary

Here you will remember all the games played for Real Madrid during the 2010-2011 season of the Spanish Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo's goal ended with eighteen years of abstinence from the last Real Madrid's title in the Copa del Rey. Mourinho's first title for Real Madrid and the first final that Guardiola has lost on FC Barclona bench.

SPANISH CUP TABLE

Spanish Cup Table

Final: Barcelona 0 - Real Madrid 1

Semifinals (2nd Leg): Real Madrid 2 - Sevilla 0

Semifinals (1st Leg): Sevilla 0 - Real Madrid 1

Quarterfinals (2nd Leg): Atletico 0 - Real Madrid 1

Quarterfinals (1st Leg): Real Madrid 3 - Atletico 1

5th Round (2nd Leg): Levante 2 - Real Madrid 0

5th Round (1st Leg): Real Madrid 8 - Levante 0

4th Round (2nd Leg): Real Madrid 5 - Murcia 1

4th Round (1st Leg): Murcia 0 - Real Madrid 0

Spanish League 2010-2011 Summary

Here you will remember all the games played for Real Madrid during the 2010-2011 season of the Football Spanish League that ended with FC Barcelona as champions. The white team was runner-up.

SPANISH LEAGUE TABLE

Spanish League Table 2010-2011

Day 38: Real Madrid 8 - Almería 1

Day 37: Villarreal 1 - Real Madrid 3

Day 36: Real Madrid 4 - Getafe 0

Day 35: Sevilla 2 - Real Madrid 6

Day 34: Real Madrid 2 - Zaragoza 3

Day 33: Valencia 3 - Real Madrid 6

Day 32: Real Madrid 1 - Barcelona 1

Day 31: Bilbao 0 - Real Madrid 3

Villas-Boas interferes with the signings of Mourinho

Andre Villas-Boas gets in the way of Mourinho. The relationship of the new Chelsea manager with the Real Madrid coach is now cold, non-existent, although Villas-Boas was one of his aides between 2002 and 2009. Perhaps that explains why Andre seems determined to interfere with some of the signings that Mourinho has requested. Villas-Boas takes days working on his project and has already shown his targets to Abramovich, curiously the same of Real Madrid: Neymar, Aguero and Coentrao. And a priority: Ramos.

Chelsea's interest to sign Neymar is not new, but had withdrawn from the bidding ("Mourinho has his man" told a manager to The Sun). However, the arrival of Villas-Boas has reactivated the machinery. Meanwhile, Aguero's statements about his leaving of Atletico has warned the 'Blues'. Yesterday, there was a meeting with Reguera, one of player's agents, who was in Manchester. And finally, Coentrao. His move to Madrid was ready, but Abramovich, guided by his coach, offers 30 million euros and the white club does not reach 25. But the young Portuguese wants to go further and to fish in the Bernabeu Stadium, Sergio Ramos specifically, despite being aware that the right defender has been renewed until 2017.

Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas

The lives of Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas are parallel paths (different styles) and initially shared the same teacher, Bobby Robson. But today, they have no relationship and Madrid coach admits no questions about his colleague when granting interviews.

Villas-Boas started on football with the history of the precocious child. His coaching instinct awoke with 16 years. He was a Porto fan and lived in the same build that Bobby Robson so the coach signed him as a scout in practice (94-95). That's when he met Jose Mourinho, who was 30 years and was technical assistant to the British coach.

They returned to coincide seven years later in Porto. In 2002, Villas-Boas joined the Mourinho's core of trust with Rui Faria and Silvino Louro. The word 'team' is etched for Mou. Villas-Boas was responsible for making reports of rivals from 2002 to 2009. Before starting the second year in the Inter, he told to Mourinho: "I ​​want to work in the field with you or I will go". And it was. Mourinho still wondering why he betrayed in that way.

Villas-Boas was introduced yesterday by the Chelsea and he gave a message to Mourinho: "Football is not a 'one man show', is something related to the group, I am the one group".

Note: Galatasaray dreams of signing Kaka

Galatasaray is one of the most active teams in European football market, a market with little movement so far. The club seeks to recover lost positions in Turkey first and later in Europe, and is attentive to the movements around the main figures that change of 'air'. Turkish team has 'touched' at various big names and tried to take from Atletico Forlan, Reyes and Ujfalusi, but only had luck with the Czech defense. Now the coach, Fatih Terim, has said he wants a powerful template because is impossible to fight for titles with a group too young. His dream, to restore prominence to Galatasaray, is Kaka, whose status is not still being fully defined at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian, who has failed to show his best since joining Real Madrid has sounded for several teams in Italy and England. Napoli has been one of the last interested although the operation was impossible because the squad in southern Italy wanted a loan in which the Real Madrid will have to take too much of the salary of the player. Real Madrid would only accept a financial offer high enough to recover the investment made two seasons ago to get Kaka.

Kaka with Real Madrid shirt

Note: Mourinho builds a Real Madrid for 10 years

The signing of Varane is the icing on the white 'Baby Boom'. Özil, Khedira, Sahin, Di Maria Canales, Callejon... The average age of the template is 24.6 years. It is the youngest team in the Champions League.

Mourinho has built a young Real Madrid

Real Madrid boasts of having built a team that could face the next decade without a single signing more: "A Real Madrid for 10 years".That's what the Board of Real Madrid thinks, so it could be forget the football market until 2021 and would be competing at the highest level with many of the players that are on today's template.

The incorporation of Varane, 18 years old, ​​is the culmination of a 'Baby Boom' in Real Madrid led by Jose Mourinho. In just one year, the Portuguese coach has formed a template that will war for a long time. Players like Di Maria, Özil, Khedira, Sahin, Callejón, Varane... will lay the foundations of his Real Madrid. Except Altintop and Carvalho, the coach has not signed a single player with more than 23 years. Condition to be met safely the next two signings of white set: Neymar and Coentrao.

Real Madrid: Signings Summary

Jose Callejon: Back home for 5 million euros.

Returns to Real Madrid after winning experience in Espanyol, where has played 97 games in the Liga. The buyback has cost five million. Will play the next five seasons at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Nuri Sahin: Revelation of the Bundesliga

Sahin was the best player in the Bundesliga according to Kicker magazine. Borussia's masterminded, Bundesliga's champion. Real Madrid paid 10 million for the Turkish-German. Signed for six seasons.

Hamit Altintop: Free and also injured

Altintop joined Madrid from Bayern and will be linked to the white club four seasons. This Monday was back surgery. Will be sidelined three to four months.

Raphael Varane: Central defender for six years

Raphael Varane signed Monday for the Real Madrid under the baton of Zidane. Is 18 years old and has only played 23 games in Ligue 1 with Lens. Real Madrid paid 10 million and the player signed for six years.

Nuri Sahin: First Real Madrid signing of the year

Recycled water at Real Madrid Sports City

Real Madrid Sports City started using recycled water in its irrigation system today in an act attended by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez; club Vice President Fernando Fernandez Tapias; Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon; Deputy Mayor Manuel Cobo; 2nd Deputy Mayor and Government Delegate for the Environment Ana Botella; and Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño.

Florentino Perez in the inauguration ceremony

Ana Botella

"Real Madrid sets an example both for the city of Madrid and the entire country. When people talk about Real Madrid they also talk about the city. Water infrastructures are financially efficient and responsible with the environment. I wish to congratulate Florentino Perez for his vision of excellence in the management of Valdebebas."

Florentino Perez

"Many years ago, we learned from Santiago Bernabeu that our sports city was a crucial element in our philosophy. The present city was born from that idea and it is a great sports and educational centre for our children and youngsters. This place has the formidable virtue of teaching the values that made Madridismo great. We also believe it must set a great example in sustainability and respect for the environment."

"This club belongs to Madridistas who identify with these values. The identification of this club with its city is eternal. We wish to thank City Hall for understanding Real Madrid is part of the capital of Spain. It is now time to keep moving forward and continue growing. Today marks a renewed impulse towards the sustainability of our environment. This is only the beginning. What you see here is just a quarter of what has yet to be built. We want this to be the largest football city in the world. We want to build a theme park that breaks the mold for everyone, especially for our Club Members."

Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon

"This is but another exemplary example set by this great entity that carries the name of our city and that is forever related to it. Real Madrid is the city's best ambassador. We Madrileños are better known around the world thanks to the club. It has now added respect for the environment and sustainability to its fair-play and sportsmanship values. This is a formidable step in the use of this resource due to its symbolism and the example it sets for other Madrid institutions to follow. Once again, Real Madrid and this city go hand in hand in what they do."

Real Madrid's network of recycled water can hold water from all the facilities for an entire day, even during the warmest in the year. To put an end to the act, Florentino Perez, Alberto Ruiz Gallardon and Ana Botella turned on the irrigation system.

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Mourinho designs a new Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho continues to revolutionize the Real Madrid. Portuguese coach has spent the last month, since the end of the competition, to transform the internal structure of the club. The department of research of players, the database, scouting and the youth teams are the first to improve.

Mourinho's first day as Real Madrid coach

Mourinho was hired by ten million euros a year to win the Champions League and the League. But also to change the dynamics of the club. To return to the coach the leadership that should never have lost. And the coach has decided to do no matter who falls.

Mourinho's statements after finishing the season "If Real Madrid is sleeping like an elephant, is not strong" are consistent with the speech he held throughout the year, never showed hesitate to report, for example, the shortcomings in the organizational structure of Madrid, a club that hosts more than 300 people on the payroll, 2000 people working on game days and more than 350 players from all sports templates.

Mourinho went on vacation last Wednesday. Since the season ended, a month ago, has worked tirelessly 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, halfway between his office in Valdebebas Sports City and Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, side by side with Jose Angel Sanchez, his perfect partner, deciding the ups and downs, but above all, honing what he calls "the basic organization of a football club".

Raphael Varane: New Real Madrid player

Yesterday, Raphael Varane became officially in the fourth signing of Real Madrid for the 2011-12 season. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and around twenty media that were waiting him at the exit. He was met by Javier Garcia Coll, director of athlete services of Real Madrid, who accompanied the player throughout the day.

Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas-La Moraleja' to pass the medical check. When was asked how he felt to become new Real player, he said in a terse: "I am very happy. It is a great joy. I am very happy". After passing medical tests without problems, in the afternoon, Varane moved to the Bernabeu Stadium to stamp the signature on his contract with Real Madrid until 2017.

Raphael Varane wearing the Real Madrid shirt

In the Stadium awaited Florentino Perez, who greeted him in French. As usual in recent times, the Madrid president was also the person who accompanied the player to know the club's museum and trophy room. Mourinho also not forgot that yesterday was the first day of Varane as Real player. Despite being on holiday with his family, wanted to welcome the former Lens player sending him a message to the mobile phone.

Six hours after landing in the capital of Spain, Real Madrid made ​​official the signing on the website: "Real Madrid C.F. and RC Lens have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Raphael Varane to the former club, where he will remain for the next six seasons".

After a day filled with commitments and emotions, and at night, new Real Madrid signing returned to France to continue his vacation. It was 9 pm.

Note: Coentrao returns to Benfica

Fabio Coentrao appeared on time this Monday in the first practice of the season at Benfica, but he counts the hours until he becomes new player of Real Madrid. It had been speculated that he was not presented with the 'Eagles', but the Portuguese was professional and went to train, knowing that his days at Benfica coming to an end.

Coentrao used the training to say "Hello" after the holidays and "Goodbye" because of his impending sign for Real Madrid. The player admitted his companions that he goes to leave the team and that the agreement will be announced in the coming days. Apparently everything is perfectly in line with Madrid, Benfica and the player, but the white club have asked to wait until next July 1 and the signing takes part of the budget for next season. It is just a financial issue that has caused that Coentrao is taking time to say goodbye to those who have been his teammates for the past three years.

Coentrao: Benfica training

Real Madrid: A central defender each year since 2003

Since Fernando Hierro left Real Madrid, the input of central defenders has been one of the busiest in the white club. From 2003 to summer 2011, ten players playing in this position have landed at the Bernabeu Stadium. Some of them, with stories that feed a legend of a curse. A wall that will also measure the value of Raphael Varane.

Albiol, Garay, Carvalho and Varane

On June 24, 2003, Jorge Valdano announced non-renewal of contracts with Vicente del Bosque and Fernando Hierro. Only 24 hours had passed since the conquest of the 29th League of the white team. The player of Velez-Malaga added to the Real Madrid's honours three European Cups, two Intercontinental and four National Championships, among other minutiae.

After the leaving of Hierro, team's defensive mainstay for nearly a decade, began the crawling looking for a substitute. An operation in which Real Madrid has invested tens of millions of euros; Pepe costed 30 and Sergio Ramos 27, who came to Madrid to play in the central position and has finished playing at the right side.

At least Ramos (who joined the club in 2005) and Pepe (2007) continue at the club, both pending for renewal, what can not be said of other expensive projects. With little glory left the team; Walter Samuel, Fabio Cannavaro and Christoph Metzelder. Although the worst case was undoubtedly that of Jonathan Woodgate. Signed in 2004 by 25 million euros, just got to play, haunted by all sorts of muscular aches.

Varane is the fourth central defender of the second mandate of Florentino Perez. In 2009 came to Madrid Garay and Albiol, and last year did Carvalho. Eight million costed the veteran Portuguese defender, two fewer than Varane, commitment to the future for a defense, despite everything, more and more solid. Time will tell if the Zidane's 'Blanc' ends up having an impact comparable to that of Fernando Hierro, a player whose absence is still felt in the Bernabeu.

Raphael Varane in Madrid

Raphael Varane, the last signing of Real Madrid, is now in the capital of Spain. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and various media that were waiting him at the exit.

The Lens player arrived from Brussels with his father, and did not made ​​statements to the media, except for a "Yes, yes" when was asked if he was happy to be on the verge of becoming a new player of Real Madrid. Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas La Moraleja', to pass medical examination and this afternoon will go to the Santiago Bernbeu Stadium where will affix the signature on his contract to join Real Madrid until 2016.

Raphael Varane at the clinic

Raphael Varane will sign for Real Madrid tomorrow

Raphael Varane will be in Madrid tomorrow. The 18 years old central defender will land in the capital of Spain for two reasons: He will pass medical examination in the clinic 'Sanitas La Moraleja' and then will move to the Bernabeu Stadium where, in the presence of general director Jose Angel Sanchez, will sign his contract which will link him with Real Madrid until 2016. In addition, if weather allows, will try to see some houses to live next season.

Raphael Varane

The player, who was in preseason with Lens, now will enjoy a few days on vacation until July 11, when Real Madrid players are summoned in Valdebebas. He will keep working, recommended by doctors, not to lose the fitness gained during those days.

The agreement with Varane was closed on June 21. Real will have to pay to Lens between nine and ten million euros plus variables by purpose. The player will receive a salary of one million euros in his first year. Then he will get an annual increase of 200,000 euros.

With Varane in the capital of Spain, Zinedine Zidane will meet the target that he set when arriving at Real Madrid. Because Zidane has played an important role in this signing. In fact, Zizou brought the player two weeks ago to visit the city, see the facilities and has convinced him that his sporting future is white.

Update: 06/28/11

Neymar: "White is my favourite colour"

A pool, a jacuzzi, a collection of miniature cars, trophies, hundreds of t-shirts, dozens of caps ... These are some of the things that Neymar keeps at his home in Santos (Brazil). The Brazilian opened the door to the journalist Ana Paula Oliveira for the Brazilian channel R7, and showed himself homey and friendly, along with his father.

Neymar's home

Footballer, wanted by Real Madrid, likes to relax at home playing pool or video games, and not stop joking during the interview. The laugh comes when talking about the messy bed in his bedroom. "It's been a hurricane here" he says.

His family calls him at home Juninho, because he has the same name that his father. Indeed, his father lives with him and is his adviser. Thus father says in the program: "Neymar is still too young to go play outside Brazil. For example, he has the driving license not long ago. The ball is the most jealous woman. If you do not care, it will go. So Neymar should think the ball as his girlfriend for life".

The caps and sporting cars are Neymar's weaknesses. When opting for a car brand, he does not doubt: "I love Porsche and Ferrari. And in white, which is my favorite colour".

Neymar recognizes at the report that, sooner or later, he would like to make the jump to Europe, but his father thinks it is too early. However, he does not think about a particular club: "I would like to play in Spain, Italy... I like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona..."

Neymar with a quick guide to learn Spanish

Neymar left Pacaembu Stadium in Sao Paulo with a quick guide to learn Spanish in his hands after winning the final of the Copa Santander Libertadores. The photograph reveals the young player. Surely, he did not bring the book 'Expressoes idiomaticas de Espanhol' to the stadium to review it before playing against Peñarol, but it is clear that he jealously guarded the book in his hands when leaving the locker room, in the way to the bus. A joke?

Neymar with the guide to learn Spanish

Neymar sang and prayed, in the locker room of Pacaembu, with his peers, giving thanks for the titles achieved by Santos. His goal opened the way for a victory that again became him the protagonist. One hundred journalists waited for his statements.

He was the last to leave. He took nearly two hours to leave the stadium. The huge organizational chaos prevented the press conference. The player went through the press area, escorted by two burly bodyguards of the club, no words, with a distinctive hat, head down and camouflaging a mysterious book.

What book had Neymar covered with a flag? What he kept with great care was a quick guide to the Spanish language, the work of Joseph R. Morgan, 186 pages, with 1200 expressions and phrases, plus 2000 words used 'everyday'. A basic dictionary that costs 10 euros.

The book should be highly suggestive for Neymar as future player of Real Madrid, because a photo of Cybele illustrates the cover. Neymar is far-sighted. He wants to arrive in Madrid with ability to communicate with his new teammates. The Spanish guide reveals the situation.

Note: Manchester United wants Di Maria

Di Maria's statements to Radio 'La Red', demanding improved contract have not fallen on deaf ears and several teams have set their sights on him. The 'Daily Star' claims that Manchester United is keen to gain the services of Argentine midfielder.

According to British newspaper, Ferguson's team would be willing to offer 30 million euros to persuade Real Madrid. In addition, the newspaper tells that the possible arrival of Neymar, who can play as left wing, would be key for the white club can sell the Argentine player.

Roberto Carlos: "Real Madrid should sign Neymar"

Roberto Carlos analyzed the possible signing of his compatriot Neymar for Real Madrid and said: "Real Madrid should sign Neymar. I think he is ready to play in Europe. He is very good player and has to leave Brazil to succeed. If Real does not sign him, we will bring him to Anzhi, because here my Russian team has a lot of money (smiles)".

Roberto Carlos

The Brazilian did not decide when was asked to choose between Neymar and Kun Aguero: "I am a close friend of Neymar and I know that Aguero is a good footballer. I can not choose between the two. On Kun, I think it would be no problem to leave Atletico to go to Real Madrid. If Figo did it from Barcelona to Madrid, I do not think Aguero has any problem. He will feel bad a month but at the end all will forget".

On his return to the Bernabeu Stadium to receive a tribute, the left defender stressed that: "It would be nice to go back there. I had a great chance to play in this great club. I hope to return and play a game at the Bernabeu. It would be unforgettable, surrounded by the fans".

And about the Spanish League, he commented: "I do not think that Barcelona is ahead of Madrid. Florentino is making a very strong team. Has signed good players and next season will surely be more equal".