Preview: Real Madrid vs Hércules

In his quest to liberate the pressure of the players and to protect the club from all evil (noble intentions) Mourinho highlighted yesterday the dramatic today's game. On the one hand said that means losing a point; to say goodbye to the League. On the other insisted on the perversion of the schedule. He said that there are people who intend (the forces of evil) sentence the championship in the next day when Real Madrid will visit the "Calderon Stadium" just three days after playing in the Champions League.

You have to understand the apocalyptic tone: There are sports reasons that justify this. Included among them are the absences of Cristiano (off the list due to injury) and Carvalho (reserved for the match against Lyon on Wednesday). The absences of RealMadrid invite to think in a team like last week in El Sardinero. A team that played at high level and gave good impressions, but with some doubts. Xabi could have rest as in the first leg of last-16 Champions League. He could be relieved by Khedira or Lass. One of them will play with Granero in the midfield. Özil will remain in the starting lineup, in game creation. And a double front nine, Benzema and Adebayor (without dreadlocks). Combined version of a team that plays too fast and vertical with Cristiano.

Hercules looks to match in its worst moment. Team has only won one of its last six games, is in relegation positions and will be without Trezeguet (ten goals, left knee injury). Will also be out; Tote, Peña and Drenthe (dismissed by agreement). The good news is the return of Valdez (seven goals). The best guarantee of Hercules was its victory in the Nou Camp and the statements of his coach who has said they will compete; clarification after the surrender of Pellegrini (Malaga).

Although the white team do not say it, is a good time to cut the distance in the classification respect to Barcelona. The Catalan team plays tomorrow against Sevilla, a tough field. In addition there will be no occasion clear up within two weeks when Real Madrid plays against Sporting and Barcelona does against Villarreal. There lies the urgency and drama.

Notes

1) Jose Mourinho wants Cristiano Ronaldo will be "on fire" for the tie against Lyon and does not call Portuguese for this match. Neither force with Carvalho, confirming that his obsession is Europe.

2) Hercules arrives to visit Madrid at the worst moment of the season, after falling for the first time in relegation zone and with key players injured as Trezeguet and Tote. In addition, its last victory at Bernabeu Stadium was in 1985.

3) With 13 goals in their last three league games at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid has regained the punch from the start of the season. Against Hercules, will seek another victory to strengthen confidence before facing the challenge round of Champions.

Florentino Pérez supports to Jose Mourinho

Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, had no hesitation in supporting star coach Jose Mourinho, in his criticism of the League competition schedule that the Portuguese has been reporting for several weeks.

Florentino Pérez and Jose Mourinho

"We defend to Real Madrid for what we believe is unfair, irregular and arbitrary. That's also love for a team and that is precisely what our coach Jose Mourinho is doing" said the president in the ceremony of badges to members who reach 25, 50 and 60 years o fassociation with the white club.

"Dominion is to recognize the merits and successes of the adversary, but also acknowledge what is unfair and denounce such illegal actions, either within or outside the institution" he added. The president's words were applauded by all those attending the event.

The president also recalled the "genetic code" of best club in the twentieth century: "We must seek victory, no matter how difficult". "The hallmarks of Real Madrid are the sacrifice, honesty and constant quest for victory. We must try to be the best team in thetwenty-first century, not only in sports but in growing infrastructure, image and projection. We work for it ".

In addition, Florentino Perez was proud to participate in the badges ceremony for veterans members, held this morning in Madrid: "This is a very emotional ceremony in which rewards loyalty". "Partners members are the great strength of Real Madrid", he concluded. The club delivered this morning 2,346 silver badge (for members who meet 25 years), 141 gold (50 years of membership) and 146 gold and diamond (60 years of membership).

Mourinho: "We want to remain perfect at the Bernabeu"

Jose Mourinho warned of the difficulties Hercules present during Friday's pre-match press conference, but the Madridista skipper also expressed the faith he has in his team.

Jose Mourinho

"Whoever's season is at stake isn't worried about drubbings, but rather about points. A team playing for points is a team that will leave it all on the pitch; it doesn't think about losing, but about doing good things."

"Hercules have done some big things this year and they played us well on their home turf, where we had to fight hard to win. It's not an easy match for us. Their players have a lot of personality and they will expect to earn a positive result." "We want to remain perfect at the Bernabeu. A solid match will boost our confidence before playing against Lyon."

"What matters most for a team is the way it thinks about how it should play, not about what system is being used. Real Madrid can lose without Cristiano one day and another play a great match. One day Di Maria is much more of a threat along the wing, while another he does a lot better from an inside position."

"We played well against Racing. It was a good match, but we have played well all season and have earned very good results. If you think that Cristiano is gping to start Wednesday's match on the bench because of what took place against Racing, you are mistaken. I am pretty sure he will play, but I do not like players who are not at 100%. If Cristiano had to play tomorrow he wouldn't because he is not fully fit, but I am sure he will play next Wednesday after training on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. "

"We all have the same opinion about Benzema. He has improved in many aspects, but overall we can say he is a different player for the better."

"Ozil is only getting better. He arrived when the preseason was almost over and he has adapted very well. It was a fantastic operation that turned out very cheap for Real Madrid."

"I am not stupid. We all know that the moment the lead increases the championship is lost. When one team plays the Champions League on a Tueday and La Liga on Sunday, and another play the Champions League on Wednesday and La Liga on Saturday, Real Madrid is not being given the same chances to compete. It's not fair for everyone."

Link

Optimism at Chelsea: "Signing Kaka is possible"

Neither is the first, nor will the latest information to be published about the possible departure of Kaka from Real Madrid, but the truth is that in England every time there is more credence to his move to Chelsea. One possibility that wins credibility with news as published today in the British newspaper 'Daily Telegraph', which today provides an important new development on the subject: one source from Stamford Bridge club ensures that "there is a strong possibility that happen (the signing of Kaka)".

Kaka

The new ceased to be a rumor for some time and has become a real possibility, especially after Real Madrid has decided to listen to offers for the player. The newspaper quoted the news today titled: "The Chelsea fantasy for Kaka can become reality" and explains that Roman Abramovich is ready to make a new economic effort to sign the Brazilian star, despite his shine has gone from joining Real Madrid.

In any case, despite the yearnings from Russian billionaire, the main obstacle Chelsea faces, and any other team interested in the Brazilian, is that still remaining four years on the contract with Real Madrid, where he signed for six seasons with 9 million euros net for every one of them (15 million with tax).

The information comes from England, adds that in the operation is only provided an economic transfer, because Chelsea coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has excluded that the Ivorian Didier Drogba was used as currency.

It appears that after the acquisition of Fernando Torres, Abramovich is ready to bring Kaka to the Premier League regardless of the continuation or not of Ancellotti, whose good relationship with the Brazilian from his time at Milan was presumed key to convince the player.

Granero: "We have to play "on fire" against Hercules"

Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, thinks they will play "on fire" against Hercules to try to open the scoring in the first twenty and thirty minutes for their opponent will not be locked in defense, and remembers that the three points are vital so they must "keep up", especially knowing that FC Barcelona has "a tough match" against Sevilla.

Esteban Granero

"We have to take the lead as we always do, try to go out "on fire" as the other day match against Racing. On defense the team is pretty good. If we take the initiative and do our game, we know that normally should win. The twenty, thirty first minutes will be crucial and if at that time we manage to score a goal or two, they will have to open and at the Bernabeu that is dangerous".

However, he warns that Hercules has "a pretty good offensive potential". "But we have to think about what we have to do. We have to keep up and know we can not fail. The team is conscious, so I think we're going to make a good game" he said.

He also knows that FC Barcelona has "a tough match at Sevilla where is always expected a tough match, with dedicated fans and a very competitive team". "Barcelona has a great potential and has brought good results lately in Sevilla, but Sevilla had a week off and if it poses the game well, can cause difficulties to Barcelona".

On the other hand, on his next rival, Atletico Madrid, praised to Kun Aguero, Diego Forlan and Jose Antonio Reyes: "They are determinants players who are always very important in any game they play and certainly much of Atletico future, will depend on them".

On a personal level, he hopes to return to have the confidence of Jose Mourinho: "I work like everyone else. Everyone wants the good of the whole. This is a sport team and we compete against rivals not between us. And it shows, very good atmosphere in the template and that's because all rowing the same direction", he explains.

In this way, He is set in Karim Benzema: " Karim has greatly improved and is working very well". "He sure looks happy and will continue to be important until the end of season".

Interview: Raúl Albiol

RAÚL ALBIOL: "WE ARE HAPPY WITH MOURINHO"

Raúl Albiol

"I am grateful to the coach for having given me the chance to play. I have been able to get back into a rhythm and prove that I am prepared for anything."

"Crunch time begins after the Hercules match, when we have games against Lyon and Atletico Madrid. I think the team is in good shape for the tie and for what is left of the season."

"It is important to show that we are capable of playing without one of the best players in the world, but its obvious that we are much better with a healthy Cristiano Ronaldo."

"We are all very happy with Mourinho. I think what really matters is that he got us all to row in the same direction. He has what players think is crucial, and that is to tell you how it is to your face and to push you. He always has us on the brink so that we are always focused and plugged into the team. You have to be prepared at all times."

"Against Milan, the coach told us to take a seat because he wasn’t going to make any more changes, and that is why I went to celebrate with my teammates when Pedro Leon scored. Then I got pulled from behind. It was Mourinho, who had come after me after seeing that I wasn’t on the bench. He saw me, pulled me and I got really scared. We love how he experiences football and the passion he has for this sport."

"Ozil was already a well-known player before he arrived, but perhaps no one expected him to adapt to such an important position so quickly. Mesut is a great person."

"I can’t wait for the Copa final because it is being played close to my home. I used to be ball boy at Mestalla and I remember seeing great Champions League matches there with teams like Arsenal and Leeds United. It is a very special stadium."

Link

Real Madrid "Pichichis": Top ten

During the last months, the Spanish sports media are attentive to the possible record of goals scored in a season that Cristiano Ronaldo can set. The Portuguese player could not play the last game with his team and can not play this weekend, so his scoring average will drop.

Although he will not beat the record, his goals stats are outstanding and he will be in the history of Real Madrid as the top scorer of the season. But to win the Pichichi trophy will have to overcome Leo Messi. If he does, he will enter in the history of Spanish football.

So did the greatest scorers of Real Madrid. They beat all their rivals and helped the team to win league titles. These are the top ten Pichichis in the history of Real Madrid.

Top ten Real Madrid Pichichis

Pichichi Trophy is the award given annually by the Spanish sports daily "Marca" to the top scorer of the first division of Spanish football League. The award is named in honor of player Rafael Moreno Aranzadi (Athletic Bilbao), nicknamed footballing "Pichichi" who noted by his great scoring ability during the decades 1910 and 1920, before the creation of the Spanish League.

Despite its prestige, is not considered an official award, as the count of goals is based on the chronics that Marca journalists write every match and not on the arbitration proceedings. This has been controversial at times. Also, the statistics do not count for the Golden Boot trophy because this is granted by the European Sports Magazines, whose representative in Spain is the magazine "Don Balon".