League (Day 34): Casillas reactions

CASILLAS: "EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN FOOTBALL"

Casillas talking with the media

How does it feel to lose in this way?

It is an unexpected defeat that makes virtually say goodbye to what was a possible miracle in the League. We never gave up. We always believed we could win. Something unfortunate happened whenever we came close to drawing the match: there was a possible penalty on Kaka, Benzema hit the crossbar... They killed us with their third goal, but we kept trying. It just didn't happen for us.

Has affected the defeat against Barcelona?
It's possible that everything that's happened in the last few days was on our minds, but that's no excuse. Zaragoza gave a good performance and capitalised on our mistakes.

Have you gone to the field distracted?
No. Until my mistake there was no problems. We were playing more conservatively and had no clear chances. In the second part, we searched for the draw but there was another unfortunate with the penalty action.

What happened in your mistake of the first Zaragoza goal?
It was bad luck. I'm somewhat angry because the team didn't earn a better result due to a mistake I made, but we're all human and we all make mistakes.

How do you approach the game at the Camp Nou?
We will intend to win in Barcelona; we know we have the disadvantage, but everything is possible in football.

Spanish League: Day 34

REAL MADRID 2 - ZARAGOZA 3

Spring in Madrid is generally unpleasant. Yesterday there was storm. Between the rain and disappointment, the public turned away from the Bernabeu Stadium. Empty seats reflected the feeling that the season runs without producing the expected results. The malaise spread to the stands and the field, where the team emerged with a touch of melancholy after the captains, Casillas and Ramos, presented the Spanish Cup trophy with a poker face. There were no smiles. Only two thoughtful guys, anticipation of the visit to the Nou Camp next Tuesday, the day all may end with a bang if Madrid does not back the 0-2 in the semifinal round of the Champions League.

Real Madrid went out to play, overloaded with dark ideas, a League in which there is not much to say. This less level of stress exposed white team against Zaragoza, which came to defend its stay in first division with the effort of a team that is playing its salary. As often happens in these cases, won the most needy. If Madrid loses on Saturday at the Sanchez Pizjuan (10:00 pm) the championship could be arithmetically for Barcelona, which host Espanyol on Sunday (7:00 pm).

Madrid found from the beginning a problem that has presented throughout the season. Team had the ball but did not know how to play with it. Until Sergio Ramos scored with a header past the hour mark, the team never once shot into the net. By then, the shame of being overcome. Zaragoza had moved the scoreboard twice, defending with energy and deployed with speed and simplicity. Recovered the ball, Gabi and Jorge Lopez changed the direction of the play, and Uche with Lafita attacked the spaces. More vulnerable than usual due to his midfield, Carvalho suffered a torture to protect the prairie.

Casillas: Upset after Zaragoza's first goal

Zaragoza was presented with the lesson learned. In Spain, the basic antidote against the Madrid Plan is written in the book of all the coaches of first division: Levante, Osasuna, Deportivo and Sporting, among others. Zaragoza did the same. Ceded the field and barricaded itself in the vicinity of its area. They planted a five-defense. Was protected in the middle with Ponzio and closed the sides with two men to prevent Higuain and Kaka found space outside, as they did at the Mestalla last week. Forced to take the initiative, Real Madrid was not comfortable. White team works like a clock whenis attacked, but when give the ball has not acquired the mechanisms to develop an effective static attack.

At the apex of every play Pepe was acting as the only midfielder. His presence at this position did not help clarify the picture. Pepe's inability to organize the team, directed to defensive mismatches. The man is going through two grueling weeks. He was never a pass player and the day has not a full tank, suffers because he can not dispense efforts. In addition Granero and Canales, very intermittent, did not help either.

Thus, on the 40-minute mark, Jorge López led the move for the first goal with a long pass that bounced on the edge of the area. The central defenders were misplaced and Casillas came out to kick but the ball should bounce wrong. The rain has these things. Uche took advantage of the decline and passed to Lafita who scored quietly.

The second half was decidedly different. Real Madrid pressurised much more in attack, stealing the ball in Zaragoza's half of the pitch. But the visitors managed to score again from a fast counterattack that ended in a penalty awarded to Lafita and converted by Gabi (53'). Mourinho brought Marcelo and Ozil on, the latter serving a corner kick on the 61-minute mark finished off perfectly by Ramos. With half an hour left on the clock, the Bernabeu started to roar in support of its team.

Real Madrid besieged its opponent when Uche connected with Lafita, who was alone with Casillas before scoring the 1-3. Benzema, remarkable game, responded after a pass of Higuain. It was 2-3. Madrid's reaction was superb but lacked something that had throughout the season: a great defense. Carvalho brought down Uche and was send-off. A penalty on Kaka, that the referee did not whistle, and a shot to the crosshead of Benzema, unstoppable in the final minutes, tested the nerves of Zaragoza which ended the game in its area. Physically exhausted, but settled in first division.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 67,000
Goals: 0-1, m.41: Lafita. 0-2, m.54: Gabi (penalty) 1-2, m.63: Sergio Ramos. 1-3, m.78: Lafita. 2-3, m.85: Benzema.

Fabio Coentrao: Real Madrid could be negotiating the signing

The Real Madrid is very well positioned to gain the services of Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao, and even the president of the Portuguese club luso traveled on Friday to the capital of Spain to establish contacts, according to what the 'A Bola ' newspaper publishes today.

The Portuguese newspaper says that the head of Benfica, Luis Felipe Vieira, yesterday made ​​a lightning trip to Madrid to discuss the future of the Portugal international player, valued at 30 million euros, the value of his buyout clause. The same source indicates that progress in the efforts of Vieira were "not substantial", but predicted that talks "will continue".

Fábio Coentrao, considered the best national player of Portuguese League, was converted last season at left-back, his natural position was the midfield, and has played successfully in defense and fluently in the attack because of his speed and remarkable technique. At 23, the player is a permanent starter in the national team of Portugal, with which he played an outstanding World Cup 2010, and is in the orbit of several major European teams, among that Bayern Munich stands out.

Fabio Coentrao

Mourinho punishes Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo was not called to the squad for this evening's game against Zaragoza. An important decision and surprising at the same time, because it is the second time all season that the Portuguese is not called by technical decision. The first and last until yesterday was the last December, in the insignificant match (Spanish Cup) against Levante, after the first leg 8-0 at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano will be today in his private box at the Bernabeu Stadium, as punishment. Mourinho did not call him yesterday to give him a warning for his comments after the 0-2 last Wednesday in which he indirectly criticized the technical approach: "I like to play well, but I have to adapt myself to what they ask me...".

Mourinho decided to show the yellow card to his star. It is no rest. Setúbal coach has said repeatedly, most recently on February 19 during the preview against Levante, that Cristiano never rests unless it was requested by the star player: "He likes to play, no need to rest and why to change?" was what Mourinho said. But Mou, without explanation, has fueled the suspicion that the absence is a warning according to Cristiano statements after the game against Barcelona, considering the effort that Mourinho has always made in order that CR7 could play resolved or irrelevant games: the second half in San Mames (0-3), Valencia (3-6) or even at White Hart Lane after the 4-0 first-leg are the latest examples.

Cristiano Ronaldo will not play against Zaragoza

Mourinho did not like either Cristiano's angry gestures on Wednesday, complaining with his hands up to his teammates for not helping in the pressure up. Paradoxically, the television cameras caught the coach, reproaching him at the Cup final in Mestalla by keeping protesting a foul instead of trying to steal a ball.

But we know that Ronaldo thinks there is no irrelevant matches. His ambition knows no bounds and with the League lost, left his fight for the top scorer against Messi. The Argentine, to the chagrin of Real Madrid player, can increase the distance today. Messi adds 31 goals by Cristiano's 30 and after this weekend there will be only four days of League ...

Preview: Real Madrid vs Zaragoza

Real Madrid vs Zaragoza

After a day of rest, after the third of the Classics, semifinal round of the Champions League in which Real Madrid was defeated at the Bernabeu Stadium by 0-2, the white template has become to work today to prepare the league match in which, team will play against Zaragoza on Saturday, 6 pm. In a session that started with almost twenty minutes late, Wednesday starters made ​​recovery work apart from the rest of the group. Mourinho had 24 players, including homegrown players Juanfran and Nacho Fernández. Just missed the injured Khedira and Gago, the rest exercised normally in the Sports City of Valdebebas.

Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, has decided to leave out the call for technical decision; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Albiol and Pedro León. In addition, Gago and Khedira will lose the match due to injury. Accordingly, it is probably that Mourinho plays the game against Zaragoza with a team very similar to that used in Valencia. The defense would consist by Arbeloa (a physical portent), Ramos, Garay and Nacho Fernandez, who would play again to rest Marcelo. In the middle of the field would stand Pepe (suspended for the Champions League match as Ramos He needs no break), with Granero and Canales. And up front, the magical trio ofMestalla, Kaka, Benzema and Higuain.

Real Madrid training

Maybe the Portuguese does any test to the important match against Barcelona, but at press conference, where he spoke indirectly about the controversy of the last European match, has indicated the opposite: "I only think about the approach of tomorrow's match and the team is to try to win against Zaragoza, and will not be a test to Barcelona. Xabi Alonso and Lass will not play because they are "dead". They played alone, 11 against 10, too much time. We need to give them conditions to recover and return in good condition. About Albiol, he does not have to play when Pepe and Sergio Ramos are suspended for Barcelona by these criminal acts they have done. But everyone else will play just thinking about Zaragoza, because we want to play seriously as against all teams. Zaragoza is risking its life and we must do the same, because we have to dedicate the "Copa del Rey" to the fans.The absence of Cristiano is my business, we have Benzema, Kaka, Higuain, Di Maria ..."

But not only the physical aspect is important. After a tough loss, the mental aspect can influence the development of the game against a team like Zaragoza that is fighting to stay alive in the first division. About that, Mourinho says: "We are fine in every way and the season does not end until late May. I'm not sure of the date, but just then we have a couple of friendlies, and when Real Madrid plays, even a friendly, we are not on vacation".

In Zaragoza, coach Javier Aguirre locked himself yesterday at the Sports City in search of the formula that could harm Real Madrid, but that formula is not defined yet. Firstly because Bertolo and Boutahar, starters on Monday against Almeria, did not work on the same pace as the rest of their teammates and, secondly, because the Mexican coach has hidden his cards and tactical plan, waiting for news. In addition, Ander, guide of this squad, is unavailable due to suspension.

It seems more likely that tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Aragonese team will be formed with a crowded defense, hoping to have some competitive advantage in attack throughout the ninety minutes. Neither the coach nor the players are wary of the 'substitutes' of Madrid and are not funny having to fight against a hurt rival after the defeat in the Champions League.

Madrid-Barça: Complaints and UEFA disciplinary proceedings

The hangover of the third Classic has left us a cross of claims between Barcelona and Real Madrid and half a dozendisciplinary proceedings opened by UEFA, that should judge an unprecedented lawsuit. The historical dispute of football moves, after waging a bitter war of words, to the sports courts. Now lawyers play.

The events are best explained in chronological order. Yesterday, around 6:00 pm, while the Barcelona Board was meeting in extraordinary session, UEFA unveiled the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Madrid and Barcelona. In the case of Madrid, opened by the invasion of the pitch, throwing objects, the red card for Pepe, the Mourinho's send-off and his statements at the official press conference. In the case of Barcelona, by the Pinto's send-off. Each of these situations will be reviewed by the Control and Disciplinary Committee of UEFA on Friday May 6, three days after the second leg between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Barely an hour later, Toni Freixa, secretary and spokesman of the Board of Barcelona, communicated the filing of a complaint to UEFA because of the statements of Mourinho. According Freixa, the statements are "offenses defined in Article 5, B and D, of the UEFA code of conduct, as a violation of basic norms of behavior and actions that damage the reputation of football and the UEFA ". "It is unacceptable that someone dares to question the story, titles and our relationship with UNICEF", said Freixa. "Barcelona wants to soothe the fire. But this is not incompatible with being inflexible when limits are exceeded and Mourinho surpassed them".

Jose Mourinho

Around 8:30 pm was leaked that Real Madrid was working on a complaint against Barcelona for "willful misconduct" understanding that the attitude of its players responded to a tactic induced by the coach Guardiola.

Real Madrid notes that every pretense was intended to intimidate the referee with the players' claims. To demonstrate this, the club will present the video of the four most significant actions: 1. The clash between Pedro and Arbeloa which resulted in yellow to white defender 2. The clash between Busquets and Marcelo, where Barcelona's player complained of a nonexistent slap in the face 3. The haul from Pepe and Alves (Portuguese red card), where the club will show that there was no contact (Barcelona defense left the field on a stretcher), 4. Keita pushed to Arbeloa at the final of the first half.

Past 10:00 pm, Real Madrid issued a statement confirming the allegations against Barcelona and defended Mourinho, "who, beyond the opinions expressed in the exercise of his freedom of speech, expressed his rejection of sporting victory at any price and the infringement of the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship that embody the art. 7 of the Preamble of the Statutes of UEFA and art. 5 of its disciplinary regulations".

Now is the turn of the UEFA, which has already punished RealMadrid this season. It was in December when Xabi Alonso and Ramos caused his send-offs, resulting in an exemplary punishment. Mourinho was penalized with a game "for misconduct". UEFA was more forgiving with Iniesta. On April 6 the commissioner of the Barcelona-Shakhtar reported that the player would have forced a yellow card. Barcelona's claims were met and theplayer was without penalty.

Champions League (Semifinals, 1st Leg): Adebayor

ADEBAYOR: "THEY ARE ALWAYS CRYING LIKE BABIES"

Emmanuel Adebayor during the match

Yesterday, Emmanuel Adebayor, like the rest of his teammates, was very angry after the semifinal match of the Champions League against Barcelona. The Togolese complained bitterly about the referee and also the attitude of his opponents. "Football is a game of men". "Whenever you play against Barcelona, whenever you touch them, they are on the floor crying like a baby. Whenever you make contact in a 50-50 they are on the floor, crying, putting their hand over their face, and their manager, their fans, they are always crying", said Adebayor.

"I have played against them three times and each time we have to play with ten. Everyone talks about Barcelona fair play, but I think they are far from fair play. With any contact in a body to body or in a disputed ball, they drop themselves and start to cry, pressing their hands on their faces", he says. "His coach, his fans and bench players are always crying. Barcelona is a great club which makes a fantastic football, but they have to stop that".

CRISTIANO: "WE WILL FIGHT IN BARCELONA"

Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about the match and the strange circumstances around it: "I don't understand. It is very difficult to play in such circumstances. We had a strategy. It was a 0-0 game and Kaka was warming up so we would attack more in the last 20 minutes. We weren't playing well. but we were playing for a 0-0. This has happened in the last four years. Barcelona have power, a lot of power. The same thing happens every year. It happened against Chelsea, Inter Milan... and now against Real Madrid. I don't know how this can be fixed".

"I am a professional footballer and I like to enjoy myself when I play. But these situations suck all the joy out of you. We're sad because it's the same every year. Mourinho is right. Referees know football. I wish I had the chance to face a team of 10. It is very different to face a team of 11 and a team of 10, especially against Barcelona". "It is very difficult to turn a 2-0 score around away from home, but anything can happen in football. We will fight in Barcelona".