Lass Diarra has an agreement to sign for Galatasaray

The leaving of Lass Diarra of Real Madrid next summer is a fact. Although Mourinho said in a press conference before the game against Bayern that he thought the player would play for Whites next season, the brother of the French player reached a preliminary agreement on the same day with Galatasaray. Lass Diarra will play in Turkey next season.

Lass Diarra will leave Real Madrid next summer

To make matters worse, the meeting between Lass' brother and Fresco Haim, representative of Galatasaray in Europe, occurred in Germany. In the agreement, the Turkish team guarantees a salary of 5.5 million euros per season (in Real Madrid, player earns four). Besides he would earn more money by the premiums of matches, house, car, plane tickets, etc... Lass would sign for four years.

Thus it seems that Lass moves away from Fenerbahçe. Remember that last April 7, the player went to Turkey and met with a board member of the Turkish club but requested 6.5 million per year and they did not reach an agreement. With the deal between player and Galatasaray, last team that played the Bernabeu trophy, only remains that the Ottomans reach an agreement with Real Madrid. The Turkish club would be willing to pay eight million euros for the French.

Real Madrid has already decided that this summer will sell Lass and hear the offers that come in for him. Keep in mind that the French finishes his contract in 2013 and that negotiations for renewal were broken by his high claims. So much the midfielder has tightened the rope that has not played since March 21 in El Madrigal. That day Mourinho replaced him on 28 minutes and two days after the player appeared in a medical part with a mysterious injury.

Fabio Coentrao played in the five losses of Real Madrid

Fabio Coentrao and Jose Mourinho

Mourinho authorized the disbursement of 30 million euros for Fabio Coentrao because he is "multifunctional," said the Portuguese coach in his own statements when the transfer was finalized last summer. Furthermore, his commitment to the Portuguese international player has been much stronger than expected when Real Madrid played 'top' games. Especially surprising because Marcelo, his competitor on the side, has reached a great maturity and is the favorite of Real Madrid fans. Thus, Coentrao has been privileged to play as a starter 11 of the crucial meetings this season, but also carries the cross of having been starter in the five defeats of the white team, playing the 90 minutes of each match, as Casillas, Ramos and Xabi Alonso .

Coentrao has enjoyed the highest confidence of Mourinho, to the point that began the season as a midfielder, was then left side, he alternated the two ends and even played a key game against Barca at the Bernabeu as right back. Against Barcelona he played in the starting lineup in the five matches the team has played this season, while Marcelo was only started twice. Mou relies more on the tactical rigor of his compatriot. That's why he gave Coentrao the 61.2% of minutes in Europe (606 of 990) and Marcelo only disputed 34.5% (342).

Marcelo is most important for the Spanish League and Champions League when the games demanded more attack. Hence, the Brazilian played as starter two major matches against Barcelona (at the Camp Nou in Spanish League and the first leg of the Spanish Supercup at the Bernabeu) and three Champions League matches; against CSKA (after the 1-1 first leg) against Lyon (after 0-2 in France) and against Dynamo away (0-1). In addition, Marcelo also played on the left side in the five stumblings harvested; the defeat against Levante, the draw in Santander and the last three against Malaga, Villarreal and Valencia. On Saturday, a new classic. Will be surprising that Marcelo has a chance to start on the eleven because of the insistence of Mourinho with Coentrao. And if Mourinho does it, we will have to wonder if is the ambition to put finish to the League or to give a rest to Coentrao thinking about the Champions League match.

Kaka and Özil could play together at the Camp Nou

Kaka and Özil together in a match at Santiago Bernabeu

Mourinho looks to surprise at the Camp Nou with Kaka's return to the starting lineup. So the Portuguese would raise the penalty to the Brazilian, who did not play a minute neither against Bayern nor against Sporting. Real Madrid coach did not like the defensive stance of Kaka during the derby against Atletico. Kaka started the game but was replaced in half time.

Mourinho is considering the possibility of starting with Özil and Kaka, a tandem that does not know defeat when they played as starters. The two midfielders have played 12 games together this season with a record of ten wins and two draws. In addition, the formula worked on 25 January in the Spanish Cup semifinal when Real Madrid tied (2-2) and offered an image of superiority against the Barca team. Also, Kaka played one of his best games as Real Madrid player at the Camp Nou with Pellegrini on the bench (1-0).

"We do not lose when Kaka and I are in the starting lineup", said Özil in Kicker. Barcelona is obligated to win three points in this classic to continue putting pressure on Real Madrid in the league. Meanwhile, Guardiola will have to think in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Chelsea next Tuesday.

Di Maria will be the victim in this scheme. Mourinho could reserve him for the second half and take advantage of his speed when the fatigue factor goes into the scenary. Coach poses use him as a plunger, as did against Valencia or Sporting, when the white team went into halftime with a tie on the scoreboard.

The Argentine reappeared on March 31 against Osasuna after overcoming his hamstring injury in the proximal portion of the right rectus femoris. Since then he has played 260 minutes, divided in five games (two starts).

Mourinho: "Coentrao has played a good match"

Mourinho attending the press conference

"I do not know if there is failure on the Mario Gomez's goal, I am away and could not see it. But I know Coentrao has made a good match. He had a difficult mission and fulfilled. I hate the question because there are other players who have failed in other games and nothing is said". In this way, Jose Mourinho, coach of Real Madrid, answered the question about the mistake of Fabio Coentrao in Bayern's second goal, which put the semifinal 2-1 and obligates Real Madrid to come back at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Still, Mourinho is optimistic about the second leg: "I am optimistic. I believe a draw would have been fairer, but that is football for you: whoever scores wins. It does not matter if you do so in the first or last minute. This result is not awful because it does not force us to make an historic comeback at home. We will have to earn a normal result and I think we are ready to respond. We will start preparing for it after Saturday's match. Real Madrid always play to win and the team is ready to respond in a game in which the crowd will surely want to help".

Furthermore, the Portuguese coach considered that his team did not deserve to lose the match: "We wanted to win tonight. We conceded a goal from a set piece in the first half, during which we played our best. We then drew the score and we felt it was difficult to win even though we did our best at times. Both sides made mistakes and Bayern scored when the it seemed the game would end in a draw. Their first goal was offside, but I cannot criticise the referee for that. I do not feel negative about it".

Finally, Mourinho referred to the fitness of his players: "This is April and we have reached this far after playing very demanding games that we were forced to win, so it is normal for some players to fail to be in optimum form. I think this is normal at this stage".

Bayern Munchen 2 - 1 Real Madrid (UCL Semifinals 1st Leg)

Nobody said it would be easy and if anyone said it, will not repeat it. Nothing is easy in the semifinals of the Champions League and there are no easy games when the rival wears in red and talks grinding screws. There are legends and fears spread through the air, impossible not to be infected with so many people coughing. Real Madrid lost in Munich again (nine of ten) and the end result has more connection to the past than with the game. No matter who comes out to play for Bayern, always play Augenthaler, Hoeness and Rummenigge. Their ghosts do not lose their shape, only the hair.

Ozil's goal should be a comfort. According to the old treaties of the European Cup, losing by the minimum is not a bad result if you scored a goal on the road. However, what was good in years of hardship, now looks poor. This Real Madrid is a thoroughbred programmed to jump over obstacles without getting dirty. And could do it. Whites could jump over the match and come out unscathed, with a minimum punishment of a tie. But the team did not care about the legend. After the defeat is hard to imagine how will be the reaction of the team and coach in the second leg. How will be the fallout after the fifth defeat in 52 matches this season. A lot of Bernabeu will be necessary on next Wednesday.

Mario Gomez scored the last goal of the match

Coentrao played as left back in the starting eleven instead of Marcelo. Real Madrid dominated in the opening minutes while the locals looked to counterattack through Ribery and Robben. Benzema had a chance early on and forced Neuer to concede a corner kick (7'). Bayern started to attack more and eventually netted the opener from a Kroos corner-kick that was deflected by Badstuber and finished off by Ribery inside the box (16').

It took a while for Real to recover, but they started having chances some minutes later. Ramos nearly scored from an Alonso free-kick (35') and Neuer easily grabbed a Benzema shot (39'). Casillas was forced to make an impressive save from a Gomez strike minutes later and the Germans kept trying to surprise Real's defence by sending the ball to their wingers.

It took Real Madrid seven minutes after half-time to net a much needed equaliser: Ronaldo missed a shot against Neuer; the ball fell at Ozil's feet, who passed it to Benzema; the French striker crossed it into the box; and Ronaldo gently ceded it to Ozil for him to score (52').

Bayern suffered form the strike, but they took solace in their pride to make things hard for Madrid. They had more control of the ball but never posed any clear danger on Casillas' goal. Nevertheless, Real had given them some ground after the equaliser looking for swift counterattacks, but Munchen were driven and forced several corner kicks.

Mourinho replaced Ozil with Marcelo on the 68-minute mark and Bayern kept looking for a strike, but Gomez wasn't too inspired. The locals looked increasingly tired and Real Madrid were managing to keep them in check. Granero came on for Di Maria (78') looking to have more control on the ball, while Bayern now tried to score from high balls that Pepe managed to clear easily.

Higuain came on for Benzema on the 83-minute mark. Casillas easily grabbed a Gomez header two minutes later, but the striker finished off a Lahm cross in the 89th minute that gave victory to the locals.

It was said by Hoeness and he was right. Real Madrid, in a league of a single opponent, just plays half a dozen big games per season. And almost always against the same opponents. Team lacks real fire in different situations. Few are the times the Whites need to hasten the final minutes of a match, few strikers are able to fight with Pepe and Sergio Ramos until the last minute. Few players are as Mario Gomez.

Summary

Stadium: Allianz Arena
Attendance: 70,000
Goals: 1-0, m. 16: Ribery. 1-1, m. 52: Özil. 2-1, m. 89: Mario Gomez.

Legends: Manuel Sanchis Sr.

MANUEL SANCHIS SR.

Manuel Sanchis Sr.

Manuel Sanchis Martinez was born in Alberique (Valencia), March 26, 1938. He began his career in the youth team of Villanueva de Castellón, to play later in a modest club of his hometown, "Peñas Soriano", where he rose to prominence for his fighting spirit and character, two qualities that accompanied him during his career. As it could not be otherwise, the scouts in the service of the great football clubs put their eyes in that fibrous kid and was Barcelona who took his services for the youth team.

However, in Barcelona he did not enjoy all the opportunities he deserved and was transferred to Condal, where he played four years, from 1957 to 1961. Then he signed for Real Valladolid for three seasons (61-64), where showed the great player he was in his first steps in football. Safety in the midfield and great performance in attack were decisive for his signing for Real Madrid. Sanchis was at that time 26 years old.

The arrival of Sanchis at the Real Madrid occurred in November 1964, but his debut was not until 25 January 1965 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the opponent was the team of his birthplace, Valencia. That afternoon the Real Madrid defeated the "Ches" by three goals to nil.

Little by little the Valencian player was winning the number 3 team, undergoing a transformation in his game because he had begun his career as an offense player. However, his exceptional talents, accompanied by a good technique, drove him down to the defense without sacrificing a bit of his goal power. Indeed, without fear of error, we can say Manolo Sanchis was a pioneer in what is now known as pattern of attack defender.

His time in the white team was very successful. Four league titles, three Spanish cups, and above all, the title of European Cup, that Real Madrid earned thanks to the "ye-ye" team in which Sanchis was an important part. Completed his commitment to Real Madrid in the 1970-71 season, he signed by the Cordoba team where he played two seasons and in which finished his career with 34, 18 of them as a player.

Manolo Sanchis was 12 caps for the Spanish national team. Considering that at that time the national teams played one or two international matches per year and Sanchis began wearing the national team shirt when he just turned 26 years old, we conclude that the dozen times that he played is a good brand. However, Sanchis is and will be more memorable than other players who wore the red shirt more times because of the goal he scored against Switzerland at the World Cup in England 66.

Spain had to win the Swiss team to move to the next round. The game was tied and and then Sanchis got a ball in his own area and crossed the field in a flash, dodging everything that was put in front of him, to stand alone with the goalkeeper and beat him. One feature of fury, with the success of the goal, a goal that went around the world.

He continued interested in the world of football and earned the title of coach. With it in his pocket began his teaching career in front of Real Madrid's youth. Later he managed other teams; Castilla, Tenerife, Torrejon, Parla, Daimiel, Don Benito and the Equatorial Guinea national team.

He is married and has three children; Manuel, Elena and Alicia. His son, Manuel Sanchis Jr., following in the footsteps of his father, has triumphed in the ranks of Real Madrid, but that's another story.

Real Madrid 3 - 1 Sporting Gijon (Spanish League Day 34)

Real Madrid suffered to win against Sporting Gijon at the Bernabeu. The visitors defended fiercely, but Ronaldo pulled rank to break the 1-1 draw and help give the team a victory before this week's games with Bayern Munchen and Barcelona.

Many records, poor football

Sahin replaced the suspended Xabi Alonso, and Callejon, Ozil and Marcelo also made the starting lineup. The game lacked pace in the opening minutes and Sporting's heavy defence thwarted Madrid's flow. The visitors even had the first chance through Trejo, who forced Casillas to concede a corner kick by taking advantage of hesitation in defence.

Sporting were awarded a penalty in a counterattack and Cuevas used it to net the opener, forcing Real to make a comeback. The locals dominated and kept possession, but weren't able to have chances on goal until Higuain headed in a phenomenal Ramos cross on the 37-minute mark. Sahin nearly scored a second strike six minutes later, but sendt the ball to the crossbar.

Benzema and Di Maria came on for Callejon and Sahin after half-time looking to speed things up in attack, but Sporting kept up their fierce defending. The necessity of another strike somewhat affected Real Madrid players. Ronaldo missed a free-kick 60 minutes in, and four minutes later hit a post from another shot. Higuain nearly scored from inside the box, but also missed by inches with everything going for him.

The crowd and the players were becoming anxious because a victory was a must, but Ronaldo, yet again, pulled rank by heading in a Di Maria cross on the 73-minute mark. The crowd and players were thrilled with the goal and the Portuguese striker celebrated by kissing the crest on his shirt.

The goal relaxed the locals and broke Sporting's strategy. Canella was sent off with a second booking in the 78th minute and Real continued to dominate. Benzema tallied a third for the team with a crossed shot (37') and the goal also allowed served to equal Real's 1989/90 107 goal record in the championship.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 70,000
Goals: 0-1, min.30, De las Cuevas (pen). 1-1, min.35, Higuaín. 2-1, min.73, Cristiano Ronaldo. 3-1, min.82, Benzema.