Iker Casillas: "We want to win all four titles"

The goalkeeper of Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, Iker Casillas, who is visiting Houston to establish a new program for the Real Madrid sports schools in collaboration with BBVA Compass, said the goals achieved are not going to limit the new goals about which he already thinks for next season with Real Madrid and Spanish national team.

Iker Casillas

"I want to do better than the last season. Next season will also be long and Real Madrid wants to achieve the four titles we have in mind; the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona, to win again the Spanish league, to reach and win the final of the Champions League and the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey). In addition, of course, I think about the Spanish team and I want to enjoy and get the Confederations Cup in Brazil" explained the Spanish international goalkeeper.

In assessing what the new season ahead can bring, Casillas admitted that Real Madrid and Barcelona are the favorites: "We are the champions and have good chances. What happens is that in recent years Real Madrid and Barcelona have always been the two teams that have excelled over others and maybe that was a problem to Spanish football" assessed Casillas. "The crisis has meant that not every team can sign what they want, but ultimately they reinforce increasingly better".

About the leaving of Pep Guardiola from FC Barcelona, ​​and its impact in the Spanish league, Casillas said it was something that does not worry him: "I do not know what to say about this. I respect what Guardiola and Barcelona have done, but what interests me is Real Madrid, and what interests me is that Real Madrid comes to get all the possible titles" Casillas said.

Real Madrid goalkeeper thinks that the beginning of the new season with his team facing Valencia is a good match and ideal to start the season at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: "Real Madrid vs Valencia is always an interesting match. We are two teams that always play good football and Valencia at the Bernabeu has made us ​​things very difficult" commented Casillas.

The captain of Spain said that despite the promotional trips he had rested and somehow began to miss the competition: "The professional footballer who is out of sport for the holidays, does not take long to feel again the need to return to play" said Casillas.

About the achievements of the last European Championship with Spain, Casillas admitted that they aimed to get the title but also were aware that the mission would be very complicated: "We went with that idea, to return to win the title, but we knew it would not be easy, even though many people demanded that we had to win with that team. Besides, the other teams were stronger. Four years ago Spain, perhaps, was the surprise. Now the other national teams play against us in a very different way" Casillas analyzed.

Ricardo Kaka: Milan has fresh money to sign him

Kaka 'landed' three years ago at the Bernabeu Stadium as a blessing (55,000 spectators attended the official presentation), but after that time has become an obstacle and a problem. For the institution and the white crowd. In fact, the club is very concerned because his leaving would ease a lot the door of the signings, focused especially towards the Croatian Luka Modric.

Ricardo Kaka

Until yesterday Florentino Perez thought that was impossible to get a solution to the Kaka's transfer, but the Milan opened a door in mid-afternoon. Silvio Berlusconi announced a spectacular double transfer: "With the sale of Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva (to PSG) we are going to save 150 million euros in two years". 62 million that the Parisian club will pay for the Swedish striker and the Brazilian central defender, to which must be added the savings of the astronomical salaries of the two players.

Galliani said on June 19: "It is impossible. Ricardo Kaka is not going to play for Milan. We can not afford his high salary". Kaka earns 9 million euros net per season and he has a three years contract remaining. It would be 27 million euros total, to which must be added taxes. But pressure from the Rossoneri fans and the fresh money will arrive from Paris, could make real the dream of the Italian club leaders.

In addition, Mourinho is disappointed with Kaka since his unuseful contribution to the fateful night against Bayern Munich. The Portuguese coach believed in him for the second half of the match and met an apathetic Kaka, cold, without energy. Kaka was sentenced. Last season Mourinho tried to recover his best and gave him minutes. Mourinho asked his commitment and attitude and tried to save him. And he failed.

Portuguese coach is clear about the therapy to be applied to him. Next Monday Kaka is summoned in Valdebebas Sports City with the other 13 first team players available (including Morata). Mourinho will have a talk with Kaka, no cameras or media witnesses, and will tell him something like: "Ricardo, if you stay you will play few minutes. You decide". If AC Milan makes an offensive for Kaka, the transfer could be closed before this.

Modric to harden negotiation with Tottenham

Real Madrid is not in a hurry to sign Modric. Spanish team knows first hand that the player wants to wear the Real white jersey. In fact, the agreement between Real Madrid and the Croatian playmaker can take for granted. For this reason, its strategy is to leave spending time for lowering the price of the signing.

Luka Modric

Real Madrid will not pay more than 35 million euros, when the negotiations began Tottenham asking for 50, a prohibitive figure. That is, the way forward is to wait for the player himself hardens the negotiations with Tottenham. Modric, who remains on holiday on the Croatian coast, must be filed on Wednesday to practice.

From the white club, the staff hopes that Luka insists on his leaving to Real Madrid. In this pulse, the club headed by Florentino Perez hopes that, with the passage of time, Daniel Levy, chief executive of the Spurs, becoming nervous and lower the price. But the head of the London club is an expert and tough negotiator who avoided last year Modric's move to Chelsea, although the Croatian player asked for the transfer request.

At the Bernabeu offices, people are working on the sale operation; to get cash and to reduce the wage bill. That's when the Luka Modric operation will be undertaken. Even Florentino Perez and the board members are considering not to close the operation until the second half of August, this is the calm with which they are facing this issue, although the competition begins for Real Madrid at that time.

Although right now this is the only signing operation in which Real Madrid is working on, the staff members are not nervous. First, because although Modric is also a PSG target (French team has just signed Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva from Milan), the player wants to move to Madrid, and second, because Tottenham does not want to sale the Croatian player to a Premiership team (Manchester United or Chelsea).

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.>

Nuri Sahin's future under discussion

Nuri Sahin's future is a matter of discussion in the office area of Real Madrid stadium. The white team's technical staff thinks that the Turkish midfielder has to leave to play in other team, that's what he need. Although Mourinho, after the season, declared publicly that Sahin would continue for another season under his command.

Nuri Sahin

Although Sahin is convinced that he will stay in Real Madrid and will not move to other team, some staff members are thinking about a loan. Nuri Sahin still has 5 years of contract and at age of 23 (turns 24 in September) can not afford another year without playing. Hence, with the overpopulation of midfielders in white team, some have put on the table the possibility of a loan.

The Turkish played only 10 games last season, most of them without something in stake. And for this season, with the probable arrival of Luka Modric, who can be playmaker or play as midfielder, there will be much more competition for the former Borussia Dortmund player. Besides, Sahin will have to fight again with the Mourinho's untouchables, Xabi Alonso and Khedira, Granero and Lass Diarra (if the French does not leave Real Madrid).

Despite having spent a year out of the football fields because of injuries and lack of opportunities, there are teams still interested in Sahin. Malaga, Borussia Dortmund and even Tottenham that could request the player on the Modric's transfer operation. However, all interested teams are faced with the problem of high salary, amounting to 2.5 million euros net, so in case of a loan, Real Madrid will have to bear part of his salary.

Villas-Boas opens the door to Modric

The leaving of Luka Modric from Tottenham is getting closer. To the player's desire to leave London now joins the consent of the Tottenham's next season coach. The Portuguese Andre Villas-Boas has said he will not slow down the leaving of the Croatian playmaker whenever the sale of the player can be made "for the right price".

Andre Villas-Boas

The Portuguese coach thinks that the leaving of the player is almost inevitable and commented that he respects Modric's decision: "The club respects the will of Luka for leaving and he also respects the fact that is an important player for the club and that he can help us to keep growing" Villas-Boas said to the BBC.

"The talks with clubs interested in the player will continue to reach an agreement acceptable and fair to both parties" added the coach of Tottenham. It seems, therefore, only have to know which club will bid higher for the player and what is the minimum requested by the London club. Maybe around 35 million euros. We'll see.

Real Madrid vs Oviedo: Pre-season 2012-2013

Real Madrid will play its first pre-season game at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium on July 24 against Oviedo. The date was free to play a friendly, that at first Real Madrid was going to play in Tangier. Having canceled the match in Morocco, the white club decided the best was to play in Spain and in a place where fans usually do not enjoy Real Madrid. Yesterday all negotiations were fast and Oviedo was chosen to play the first game of the preseason. Real has not played there since 2002 and Carlos Tartiere Stadium, with 30,500 seats will be full. It is also a comfortable trip. The team will move the same day of the game and will return to the Spanish capital after the end.

In this friendly match, Mourinho will have to combine eleven players of the first team (Adan Lass, Varane, Carvalho, Granero, Gago, Sahin, Callejon, Kaka, Di Maria and Higuain) with some R.M.Castilla players. All of them will train since Monday at Valdebebas Sports City. The players who have played the Euro 2012 will join later.

Oviedo, team that was demoted administratively to Spanish Third Division by the refusal of several players to withdraw complaints for non-payment in 2003, now plays in the Second Division B (third level). This season was sixth with 60 points. Last time Real Madrid played a friendly in Spain was on May 18, 2011. After the earthquake in Lorca, the white team played a friendly in Murcia to benefit victims (2-2). In summer period, the last friendly was on August 22, 2010. Real Madrid won 1-3 against Hercules.

Real Madrid vs Oviedo (2002)

U.S.A.Tour 2012: Tickets for trainings, around 310 euros

The madness that exists when Real Madrid visit American soil knows no bounds. The large legion of Real Madrid fans wait for a year the visit of their idols. They expect so much time that are willing to pay outrageous amounts of money to get close to the players. A training, a single working session of the Jose Mourinho's team becomes a media show in Los Angeles, the land of the shows. 382 dollars, around 310 euros, some fans will paid to witness a Real Madrid training at UCLA on August 4.

Real Madrid (UCLA, 2011)

That is the price of the VIP area, which includes, besides attending the training session in a covered area for protection from the radiant sun of the American Southwest, the opportunity to meet Real Madrid players after training and be photographed with Casillas, Ronaldo and company. But the 'menu' does not stop there, the lucky people can also enjoy a continental breakfast at the training facility chosen by Real Madrid.

PrimeSport company responsible for marketing of the event, does not doubt about the success of this exclusive training session, although it offers to less affluent pockets, the option to come and witness the work of the Real Madrid squad without the luxuries added to the VIP area. 85 dollars (69 euros) is the price of the other tickets, unthinkable on Europe. "We are very grateful to Real Madrid for giving us incredible opportunity to see world class athletes," said John Fogelman, executive director of PrimeSport.

It will not be the first visit of Real Madrid players to Los Angeles. They know perfectly the training camps of the UCLA campus, the University of California. The white players have already visited the area in 2010 and 2011. This year, Real Madrid will play four games in U.S.A. On August 2 team will play against the Beckham's L.A.Galaxy. On August 5 against Santos Laguna (Mexico) in Las Vegas. Day 8 against Milan in New York and Real Madrid will close its U.S.A. tour in Philadelphia, with a friendly against Celtic on August 11.

Real Madrid: Spanish Season 2012/13 Schedule

Real Madrid will start the Spanish League season against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on 18/19 August. It will be the first offical match played by the white team in the next season because the Spanish Super Cup (against Barcelona) will be played on August 23/30. The first Classic in 'La Liga' will take place in Barcelona on October 7.

The Spanish League (La Liga) 2012/13 Matchday 1 clashes were announced in the championship draw at the assembly of the Spanish Football Federation. Real Madrid will face Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, August 19. White teams's last match of the championship will be against Osasuna in Madrid on June 1. The Classics will be held on October 7 in Barcelona and March 3 in the Spanish capital. The derbies against Atletico Madrid will be held on December 2 at the Bernabeu and on April 28 at the Vicente Calderon.

REAL MADRID: LA LIGA 2012/13 SCHEDULE

1st ROUND

1. Real Madrid - Valencia (08/19/12)

2. Getafe - Real Madrid (08/26/12)

3. Real Madrid - Granada (09/02/12)

4. Sevilla - Real Madrid  (09/16/12)

5. Rayo Vallecano - Real Madrid (09/23/12)

6.  Real Madrid - Dep. La Coruña (09/30/12)

7. Barcelona - Real Madrid (10/07/12)

8. Real Madrid - Celta (10/21/12)

9. Mallorca - Real Madrid (10/28/12)

10. Real Madrid - Zaragoza (11/04/12)

11. Levante - Real Madrid (11/11/12)

12. Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao (11/18/12)

13. Betis - Real Madrid (11/25/12)

14. Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid (12/02/12)

15. Valladolid - Real Madrid (12/09/12)

16. Real Madrid - Espanyol (12/16/12)

17. Málaga - Real Madrid (12/22/12)

18. Real Madrid - Real Sociedad (01/06/13)

19. Osasuna - Real Madrid (01/13/13)

2nd ROUND

20. Valencia - Real Madrid (01/20/13)

21. Real Madrid - Getafe (01/27/13)

22. Granada - Real Madrid (02/03/13)

23. Real Madrid - Sevilla (02/10/13)

24. Real Madrid - Rayo Vallecano (02/17/13)

25.  Dep. La Coruña - Real Madrid (02/24/13)

26. Real Madrid - Barcelona (03/03/13)

27. Celta - Real Madrid (03/10/13)

28. Real Madrid - Mallorca (03/17/13)

29. Zaragoza - Real Madrid (03/31/13)

30. Real Madrid - Levante (04/04/13)

31. Athletic Bilbao - Real Madrid (04/14/13)

32. Real Madrid - Betis (04/21/13)

33. Atletico Madrid - Real Madrid (04/28/13)

34. Real Madrid - Valladolid (05/05/13)

35. Espanyol -Real Madrid (05/12/13)

36. Real Madrid - Malaga (05/19/13)

37. Real Sociedad - Real Madrid (05/29/13)

38. Real Madrid - Osasuna (06/01/13)

About the Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid and Barcelona will come face to face on 23 and 30 August at the Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, respectively. They will be the first two Classics of the season 2012-2013.

REAL MADRID: SPANISH SUPER CUP 2012/13 SCHEDULE

1st Leg: Barcelona - Real Madrid 08/23/12)

2nd Leg: Real Madrid- Barcelona (08/30/12)

Altintop could sign for Fenerbahce this week

Hamit Altintop comes to Turkey today and this week could become a new player of Fenerbahce. The agreement with Real Madrid is full and the white team would earn 2 million euros with the sale of the Turkish international player. The only issue has not yet been resolved is the player's salary. Hamit Altintop requires a salary of 3.5 million euros per year, while Fenerbahce offers 2.8 million and could reach 3.

The negotiations are very active (Ali Yildirim, manager of the Turkish club, confirmed it) and following the leaving of Issiar Dia, Fenerbahce's player who played at the same position in the midfield, the arrival of the player to Istanbul today suggests that the operation can be closed immediately. Even some Turkish media say he could be presented tomorrow. What seems certain is that the player will not be on Monday in Madrid to begin the Real Madrid's pre-season.

In addition, Simon Zenke, Samsunspor player, gave more information. The Nigerian hung on his personal Twitter account a picture with Altintop, ensuring that Real Madrid player had confessed his plans to play in the Turkish League, but Zenke did not inform about the team chosen by Altintop: "With Hamit Altintop, a good guy. I am happy that he returns to Turkey, but where? Top secret" wrote Zenke.

Simon Zanke with Hamit Altintop

"Where he moves, they will be champions because he is a high quality player and a champion" Zenke said on his Twitter. Galatasaray also was interested in hiring the services of Altintop, who could announce his leaving from the Real Madrid in the coming days.

A.C.Milan insists on recovering Ricardo Kaka

A.C. Milan insists on recovering Ricardo Kaka. The Italian club has set as main target the return of Brazilian player and will try again to reduce the price of the transfer, something that Real Madrid is not going to do. Because the white club remains steadfast in its position. Although Mourinho does not have him for next season, Real Madrid does not want to give the player as a present and is asking Milan around 35 million euros. Real Madrid is not willing to unbalance the next season's budget, despite the existence of a club to take the player's salary: 9 million euros net.

Ricardo Kaka and Jose Mourinho

Meanwhile, Kaka would welcome his return to Milan, as was published yesterday by 'Il Corriere dello Sport'. The Brazilian will return this week to Madrid after 60 days of vacation (the pre-season starts on Monday) and according to the Italian newspaper, he will do with one intention: to ask Mourinho to do what is in his power to facilitate his return to Italy .

In other words, Kaka has decided to speak with Jose Mourinho to reduce his price, the player's valuation made by Real Madrid, which amounts to the 35 million euros mentioned above. Kaka's target is to sign for Milan, but the player knows that the Italian club would not reach the Real Madrid's figures, although three years ago, the white team paid 65 million euros for taking him out of Milanello.

In addition, the player would also be willing to decrease his wages. Kaka receives a net amount of 9 million euros per season, that would be willing to reduce to 6 million. The player would have agreed to get off his earnings up to 40 percent for the sole purpose of re-dressing the Rossoneri shirt.

Mourinho's ten untouchables

Mourinho will set the foundations of his third season at the helm of Real Madrid with the same group of players with which the Portuguese coach began his history in the white team in the summer of 2010. Ten men for the Tenth Champions League.

Real Madrid starting lineup 2011-2012

The continuity of the project will be the key to the success of the white team. The coach will trust on a starting eleven that has barely changed since the Portuguese took the control of Real Madrid; Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Xabi, Khedira, Di Maria, Özil, Cristiano and Benzema will remain the Mourinho's untouchables. Ten players who will be key again next season.

Only one player has changed in the lineup on which Mourinho bet when he built his first Real Madrid. Carvalho started in the first season and disappeared from the team in the second. His place was taken by Arbeloa, who has every chance to be starter in the team for another year.

Mourinho has built a solid and reliable project that lacks only the icing of the Champions League. The progression has been continuous and the last step is to attack and achieve the continental throne. It's something that all players wish: "My goal for next year is to win the Champions League" Xabi Alonso said yesterday at a promotional event in Indonesia.

The first season, Mourinho's Rea Madrid fought in the Spanish league against Barcelona, ​​reached the semifinals of the Champions and reconquered the Spanish Cup. The second year, whites regained dominance of Spanish football and only penalties left them out of the Champions League final. Now the Tenth is the goal.

Mourinho was clear from the beginning. And he has not revamped his lineup. Few have been able to enter the war for a place in the eleventh. Just Higuain, basic man in the first year of Mourinho and Coentrao, who has also playing important matches, have had coach's confidence.

The starting lineup has been so strong from the outset that neither the signings have options. In fact, this year ​​Mourinho wants to reinforce the squad, not modify the starting lineup. Only Maicon could have had a place in the eleventh, but the Brazilian is no longer a threat to Arbeloa. In addition, many of the players (Özil, Di Maria, Marcelo and Benzema) are reaching a point of maturity that they did not have three years ago. And is that the average age of the Mourinho's team is only 26.5.

Luka Modric will only play for Real Madrid

"I just want to play for Real Madrid" It can be said louder, but not clearer. Luka Modric said Tottenham weeks ago that he wanted to leave the club to play for Madrid. No choice for other offers that have come to White Hart Lane. They do not satisfy his desires.

Luka Modric

Since Luka Modric met the interest of the Spanish club for him, he ordered his agents to give absolute priority to the transfer. To the extent that the agreement between the parties is complete, it only remains that the clubs sign the deal.

The price requested by the Tottenham is 40 million euros. However, as several media published yesterday, Real Madrid will pay 35 million and will include Carvalho in the operation (if negotiations between the Portuguese player and the Spurs come to fruition). Villas-Boas intended to include Nuri Sahin in the transfer, but the Turkish midfielder flatly refused to leave the white squad.

Xabi Alonso's next target: Champions League

Xabi Alonso said the press in Indonesia that after winning the Spanish League with Real Madrid and the European Championships with Spain this year, his target for next season is to win the Champions League with the Spanish club.

Xabi Alonso in Jakarta

"It was great to win the Spanish championship with 100 points, defeating Barcelona in an amazing duel. It felt just as good to win the European Championships with the Spanish national team. I hope I can win the tenth Champions League next year with Real Madrid", the midfielder said during his visit to Indonesia.

Alonso, who won the prestigious top European competition with Liverpool in the 2004-05 season, is currently on a promotional trip in Jakarta as an ambassador of Real Madrid, for a sponsoring company. At the events, there were thousands of Real Madrid fans and spectators who cheered Xabi Alonso. Alonso thanked them for their support with a few words in the local language.

The Spanish midfielder, 30 years old, attended a football tournament for children, which comprised thousands of Indonesian participants. The competition was played at the National Monument in Jakarta, the flagship location of the capital. "I really appreciate the welcome I have received here. This is my first visit to Indonesia and I am really enjoying it. I have come here to promote football", Alonso commented.