Cristiano: Will make the final test today

Cristiano will be in cotton until the start of the match. The Portuguese finished yesterday training with a good feeling, but today he will make a final test (intense race and kicking ball exercises). Then, the doctors, the player and Mourinho will take the decision. A dozen days after working in double sessions, Cristiano is recovered from the muscle tear in the left hamstring, but has not met the deadlines set for return to work and to ensure that there will be no relapse. That's the risk.

However, Cristiano has decided. He wants to play and help the team pass to the quarter-finals seven years later. And he has told it Mourinho. With his return, the coach would play with the 4-2-3-1 system, with Benzema as striker and Adebayor on the bench. If the Portuguese falls, bet on the double nine.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid doubts Spanish anti-doping systems

As several Spanish media announced last night, Real Madrid could talk in the coming hours to the Spanish Football Federation to address two fundamental issues. The first would be to protest for the low level of refereeing. The whites believe that referees are notoriously damaging to the Real Madrid team in the league and benefit to Barcelona.

The second would be on anti-doping controls. Real Madrid considers that just exist and there is very low quality, without any guarantee. The whites are wary becuase some doctors, whose names are at stake in this issue, are getting to the Spanish football.

Xavi Hernández

Real Madrid does not understand that doctors with "dubious reputation" are working for Barcelona and Valencia. Also last week, a second division team announced the signing of Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes (accused by organized doping in Spanish cycling).

The information comes after Florentino Perez came out publicly to defend his coach Jose Mourinho, in this case for his complaints about the schedule. In those words, Florentino said that is a target for Real Madrid "to denounce what is unjust, illegal and arbitrary".

Claude Puel prepares a plan to stop Karim Benzema

After the win against Sochaux (0-2), Olympique Lyon began working how to brake Real Madrid and the goalscorer Benzema. Claude Puel prepares an anti-Karim system for which he believes require the presence of Cris, the starter center defense of Lyon.

Claude Puel  (Lyon training)

The Brazilian trained normally yesterday and it seems that his tendinitis is forgotten. However, Puel was elusive: "We'll see his progress, but we should have the whole group". The truth is that for the Lyon coach, Cris alignment is important to stop Benzema who is "on fire". He shared for five years dressing room with the Real Madrid striker and knows his movements perfectly.

The other good news for Lyon was Gourcuff; dragging pain in the thumb nail of his right foot also trained at a high pace. In addition, Cissokho ran several minutes with a trainer. For now, nobody in the French club dares to ensure their participation on Wednesday, but the fact of running three days after suffering a left hamstring contracture is positive.

If Cissokho arrives on time, the Lyon defense would be the starter: Réveillère (right), Cris and Lovren (center) and Cissokho (left). With these parts the coach thinks about change the usual 4-3-3 system to a 4-2-3-1, with two defensive midfielders in field: Kallstrom and Toulalan. Thus, it would strengthen the preferred area of Benzema in order to sever his connections with the second line of Real Madrid. Toulalan said at a press conference the virtues of this compact system: "With the 4-2-3-1 we have more balance. And this is due to the intelligence of Källström. He is a player who knows when to stay back or when to go".

Asked how Toulalan viewed the new Madrid, the French praised Mourinho's work: "Last year, the center defenses were alone. Now we see that everyone does more to defend". He also revealed the plans for the Bernabeu: "We know that they will attack from the start. We must be strong and take back the spaces that they can leave".

Mourinho: 150 consecutive games unbeaten

José Mourinho is breaking all records this season as a local technician. With the teams he has led in recent years, he strung a total of 150 consecutive games unbeaten, which equates to nine years without defeat at home as a coach in the domestic championship. The last night against Hercules was his 150th game unbeaten at home in league games, of which 125 have ended in victory and 25 in a draw.

This fact is noted today in the website of Real Madrid becuase the white team is benefiting directly, so under the command of Portuguese, Real Madrid is doing his best season at home, at this stage of the campaign.

The figures speak for themselves: Mourinho has achieved victory in the 21 official meetings he has directed at the Santiago Bernabeu, a record that he had never achieved at this stage of the competition in his ten years in the elite of the football (Portugal, England, Italy).

In all these years of victories in his field, Mourinho won the the full of wins in home league matches on one occasion; It was with Porto in 2003/04, something that he hopes to repeat this season with Real Madrid. The team has 14 consecutive wins in "Chamartín" this year in League competition.

Jose Mourinho

 

League (Day 28): Mourinho reactions

MOURINHO: "I AM HAPPY WITH MY TEAM"

Jose Mourinho earned his 14th straight win in La Liga against Hercules and was very satisfied with the team's performance. "I'm happy with my team. Games preceding and following Champions League encounters are always difficult to play. We had to win tonight, and we did so in a relaxed manner. We moved the ball well in the second half."

Jose Mourinho

"Benzema is better than ever. He is doing things he's never done before. We used to joke around with him, saying that he entered his box in defensive corners and controlled the ball in the near post. Benzema is happy and we are happy with him. It's good to have Karim in these games in which our top scorers, Ronaldo and Higuain, are out because he has lately scored four goals and allowed us to take six important points. I like it to be difficult for me to choose a player when they're all playing at such a high level."

"Our midfielders played very well and responded positively. Granero and Lass did well in the first half, and Xabi and Khedira performed at a high level in the second part. That bodes well for us before Wednesday's game."

"Lyon are a very good team with experience and tradition in the Champions League. We will have to be in optimum form for the clash. Every game you fail to win is a harsh blow, but you obviously can't win all the time and you must be eliminated from the Champions League at some point. I think we will play a difficult game against a difficult opponent. The key to me will be playing with a twelfth player. It would be much easier. If the Bernabeu responds we will have won much in advance and we will also be stronger."

"I haven't been able to read the President's speech because I never read or watch anything on a match day in order to stay focused. I've been told it was an important speech for the Club's future. A great club needs a great coach, but great coaches are only great if they are backed by a great club. It is very important to me to have the support of the President. I've always said I need the support of my players and of the Club. Real Madrid is the greatest club in the world and we will be much stronger if we all stand together."

"You build things with results. People are happy with results when they're good or when they at least think they will be good. This is what gets people excited and that's why it is important that we win something this year and also look like we may win something. This will allow us to keep people excited."

Link

Spanish League: Day 28

REAL MADRID 2 - HERCULES 0

Benzema was decisive, yet again, in a Real Madrid victory. The French striker scored the two goals that gave the Whites a 2-0 victory over Hercules. Karim is showing critics that he is a magnificent player of innate quality that has allowed him to become one of the best strikers in Europe. Benzema is worthy of playing for Real Madrid despite criticism that said he had run his course on the team. These people must now keep silent.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Real Madrid stepped onto the pitch with Wednesday's UCL match against Lyon in mind: Mourinho benched Xabi Alonso and Pepe, allowing Granero and Arbeloa to make the starting lineup. Hercules created good ball movement, but Real Madrid dominated the match, patiently waiting for a chance to score. Ozil received the ball right outside the box and passed it to Arbeloa, who entered the area and served a perfect assist to Benzema, who in turn defeated keeper Calatayud with ease (23').

Esteban Vigo's men didn't suffer from the strike and tried to net an equaliser several times to no avail. Their best chance was thwarted by an inspired Casillas, who cleared the ball in an individual effort by Kiko Femenia.

The second half had a similar start to the first. Hercules had good touch on ball again, but rarely approached Real Madrid's box. The Whites tried to score another strike to seal the match, and Benzema eventually did on the 55-minute mark: the French striker controlled the ball just outside the box, entered the area and fired a dry and strong shot that surprised the keeper. The game was sentenced then and there and Mourinho decided to make Alonso and Khedira come on for Di Maria and Granero. Canales also came on for Ozil (who received a standing ovation) when there were 12 minutes left in the game. Adebayor and Benzema had more chances on goal that were thwarted by an inspired goalie in the final minutes of the game.

Real Madrid are now four points behind the leaders and must start preparing for Wednesday's match against Lyon in the second leg of the UCL Last 16 at the Bernabeu.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 71,000
Goals: 1-0, m. 25: Benzema. 2-0, m. 56: Benzema

Link

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.