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.

Jose Mourinho: The Special Four

Jose Mourinho is about to become 'The Special Four'. Portuguese will be the first coach in history to be champion in four of the major European leagues if Real Madrid wins the Spanish championship in the three matches remaining.

Jose Mourinho

The slogan 'where goes, wins' can be applied perfectly to Real Madrid manager. He has demonstrated there where he has trained. Starting from Portugal, where in command of the Porto won two league titles (02-03 and 03-04), to England (two Premier Leagues with Chelsea (in the 04-05 and 05-06 seasons) and ending in Italy with his two Scudetto at Internazionale (08-09 and 09-10), just before landing at the Bernabeu, where he is close to get his first Spanish League.

And with a record numbers. Real Madrid can reach 100 points. And in just two seasons has already matched Boskov's victories. Mourinho is the fifth coach with more wins in the league with Real Madrid, but has reached in 73 matches, 98 of the Serbian. Mou has six leagues in three different countries and are close to becoming seven in four different championships. The only thing missing, and will attempt to achieve the next year, is his third Champions League with three different teams, unprecedented.

The nearest approach to Mourinho in European leagues is Van Gaal. The Dutchman, (Mourinho was under his orders for two seasons in FC Barcelona) has under his belt three Dutch leagues with Ajax (93-94, 94-95 and 95 - 96) and two Spanish titles in Barcelona (97 -98 and 98-99). From a small club like AZ Alkmaar, made very good results in the Dutch League winning again the Eredivisie in the 2008-2009 season and then won a German title managing Bayern Munich (09-10).

With two different League Championships there is a large group of coaches, starting with the legendary Helenio Herrera, who won in Italy with Inter and in Spain with Barca and Atletico Madrid. In the Calcio and in the Spanish League also won Boskov (Sampdoria and Real Madrid) and Capello (Milan, Roma and Real Madrid). Arsene Wenger got the Championnat (Monaco) and the Premiership (Arsenal). Carlo Ancelotti won in Italy with AC Milan and in England with Chelsea. Now is fighting for the French League with PSG.

Jose Mourinho negotiates with Ibrahimovic

According to Spanish media information, Jose Mourinho is planning an astonishing signing for the next season. This is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The arrival of Milan striker also could be used to find a way out of Kaka and Higuain, two players who now have foot and a half off the team.

Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The report said that Mourinho called the Swedish to ask for his willingness to leave the Calcio and land at the Bernabeu stadium. It is not easy to come by, but the Portuguese has already taken the first steps to achieve it. Five weeks ago, Mourinho took the phone and called Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30). The message was direct: "Do you want to come to Real Madrid? If so, get ready. I will try." Player's answer was yes, so the Portuguese confirmed that he will try his signing. A very difficult task in any case.

Milan would only let him leave, he is the big star of the team, in exchange for a white player in the squad. Here lies the importance of Higuain and Kaka, the two problems that Florentino Perez has on the table based on this information. Either would be viewed favorably by the Italian side.

Ibrahimovic played for Mourinho at Inter Milan in the 2008-2009 season, in which the performance of 'Ibracadabra' was exceptional: 47 games and 29 goals. Since then, the admiration was mutual, and they have maintained contact, something they have never hidden and could facilitate the operation.

Mino Raiola, player's agent, has become the strongman of the board of Milan at the time of the negotiations for the signings and exits of players, which could facilitate the transaction. Ibrahimovic is the top scorer of the Italian championship, a title that already achieved with Mourinho's Inter, signing his best year in the seven seasons has been in Italy, defending the shirts of Juventus, Inter and Milan now. The Swedish has been voted the best player in Italy in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

Real Madrid continues to break records

Real Madrid has added dizzying numbers with three games remaining of the season. With the three goals scored against Sevilla, white team has 112 goals (Spanish League) and threatens to make forget that record of 107 goals by Toshack's team (already beaten). Furthermore, adds 165 goals in all competitions, which also exceeds the 158 goals of the season 59-60, the best scoring season of the Real Madrid until now.

Critsiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Higain

Certainly, there is to lay the blame on Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored 57 goals in total and 43 only in the league. The Portuguese is shattering his own record set last year and put two goals in advantage to Messi in the fight for the top scorer. Although we must not forget Benzema and Higuain on the offensive side.

The trident formed by the the Portuguese, the French and the Argentinian, has managed 84 goals of the 112 of the team. Cristiano is the top scorer with 43 ​​goals, while Higuain has scored 21 and Benzema 20. This is the first time you can see three players on the same team in the top scorers table in the Spanish League with 20 or more goals.

Finally, if Real Madrid gets the nine points of the three matches remaining in the league, could break the record of 99 points that holds the FC Barcelona. Until now leads the table with 91 and it could be the first time in the Spanish League that a team gets a hundred points or more. A new record. Another one.

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Sevilla (Spanish League Day 36)

Real Madrid is just three points to achieve its deserved 32th Spanish League. Barca may award the trophy tonight at Vallecas if Guardiola's team loses, or can be found in the three games remaining. Its punching power has earned more opportunities than ever to embrace the target. Against Sevilla, team responded to its last disappointment with another rout that began with doubts and finished with honors, leading the team to the desired target and Cristiano to the scorer trophy (Pichichi). Its opponents gave it all the frights they could in the first half, but their lack of success cornered them against a devastating attack that has guaranteed 165 goals until now.

Real Madrid players celebrate the second goal

Granero took Khedira's place in the starting eleven, which was the same as in the match against Bayern Munchen on Wednesday. Mourinho was weary of a Sevilla side that wants to qualify for the Europa League next season and that proved dangerous by scoring a goal after three minutes of playing time that was disallowed by the referee due to a Negredo foul on Pepe. Seven minutes later, Ronaldo dribbled past Varas and, not having a good angle to shoot, passed the ball to Benzema, who came close to scoring an opener for the Whites. Ronaldo eventually netted the first strike after overtaking Koke and defeating Varas with ease (18').

The Whites somewhat relaxed after the strike, allowing Sevilla to have chances to score. Reyes entered the box on the 25-minute mark, but his soft shot was easily grabbed by Casillas. Two minutes later it was Navas who faced the keeper alone but sent the ball over the crossbar, only to see Negredo doing the same shortly after (29'). The Bernabeu crowd started to roar in support of its team and Real responded by taking control of the match. Benzema sealed a solid effort with a shot from outside the box (32') and again from inside (42'), missing the target on both counts.

Negredo had a good chance after dribbling past Pepe and facing Casillas alone, but his shot was too weak (48'). Real reacted to this danger with a second strike netted by Benzema from a clearance by Koke. Sevilla did not quite recover from this blow and the locals used this to try and net another goal, which eventually came from a Benzema header following a cross from Ramos (51'). The strike thrilled the crowd and everyone at the stadium started to sing the victory chant.

Real Madrid lowered the pace to the game and Sevilla hardly created any danger save for a couple of efforts by Navas in the remaining minutes. Khedira and Callejon came on for Granero and Di Maria in the final minutes; the latter will miss the clash in Bilbao due to a five booking suspension.

What remained to dispute was not important. Mourinho had already had the pleasure of giving a championship answer with ten of defeated against Bayern. And Cristiano had another goal to add to his account. From 3-0, to the end, the crowd of the Bernabeu was only interested on when they will meet at the fountain of joy, at Cibeles, that will arrive before long. Maybe tonight. Thanks to the rays of light against Sevilla and a bright season.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 72,000
Goals: 1-0, m.20: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-0, m.48: Benzema. 3-0, m.53: Benzema.