Wednesday 29 January 2014
Sunday 26 January 2014
Real Madrid 2-0 Granada: Ronaldo & Benzema break Blancos record
The capital-based club had never won seven consecutive competitive matches without conceding until Saturday, as the attackers' goals sent them top of the table
Real Madrid won seven consecutive competitive matches without conceding for the first time in their history thanks to their 2-0 win over Granada on Saturday.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 14th league goal in his last 10 appearances just before the hour and Karim Benzema made sure with 15 minutes remaining.
Thed victory opens up a two point-gap over rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand, at the top of La Liga.
The hosts struggled to find a way past Ricardo in the Granada goal in the first half with Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Benzema all wasting good openings.
Ronaldo's 22nd league goal of the season broke the deadlock after the break, much to the relief of the crowd, with Benzema converting from a Marcelo pass to seal the points, although the victory was overshadowed by an injury to Gareth Bale that saw him substituted at half-time.
Granada failed to force a save out of Diego Lopez and their two-game unbeaten run comes to an end, with Lucas Alcaraz's side remaining in 10th place.
Carlo Ancelotti named the same side for a third consecutive league fixture, with Angel Di Maria starting ahead of Isco, while the visitors made a single change as Mohammed Fatau replaced Fran Rico in midfield.
Ronaldo had the first opportunity for Madrid in the sixth minute, the Portugal international making something out of nothing as he cut in from the left but skewed his shot wide after beating two defenders.
Ramos went even closer five minutes later as the defender rose to meet a Bale delivery, but the centre-back headed over from close range.
Granada were doing a good job of restricting their opponents and Madrid had to rely on set pieces to threaten.
The hosts had the ball in the back of the next just before the half-hour mark as Benzema turned in a knock-down from Ramos, but the French striker was flagged offside and the goal was ruled out.
Ronaldo was denied on the stroke of half-time as his overhead kick from seven yards was brilliantly kept out by Ricardo.
Luka Modric and Benzema both wasted chances early in the second half, but in the 56th minuteRonaldo finally broke the deadlock.
The forward receiving a pass from Modric inside the penalty area, he was allowed to turn and fired low beyond Ricardo to relieve the pressure inside the Santiago Bernabeu.
And, after Ronaldo had seen a free kick hit the crossbar, Madrid doubled their lead in the 75th minute, Marcelo squaring a pass to Benzema to turn home from close range.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “It was a special day as we won and I could show the Ballon d’Or to the fans”
“We are in a good patch, I feel good and I want to carry on like this until the end of the season”, added the Real Madrid forward
Real Madrid won at Granada’s ground in a very special match for Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrated with the fans the Ballon d’Or which he won on 13 January in Zurich. “It was a very special day. Because of everything that has happened and because I could show the Ballon d’Or to the fans. Throughout the year they have really helped to win it. It was a great afternoon and we also won. We will have a good night as leaders and tomorrow we will see what the other teams do,” he said. He also talked about the team’s good run of form: “We are in a good patch. We are playing well, I am playing well and I want to carry on like this until the end of the season”.
On the matter of celebrating the prize and the first photo which included Agustín Herrerín, the ground manager, he said: “Agustín is a gentleman who has been at Madrid for many years and for me it is an honour to have my photo taken with him. He was a little bit embarrassed. It was a nice moment. The Ballon d’Or is not just mine. It belongs to all the fans and everyone who has supported the team throughout the year. It was something Agustín really deserved, who is one of the family and who also symbolizes the dedication of the trophy to everyone who works at the club for having won the Ballon d’Or”.
The forward scored the first goal of the match, and said: “It was an important goal. It opened the scoring and calmed us down”. On the question of the overhead kick which ended the first half and nearly led to a goal he said: “It was bad luck. The keeper was just where the ball went. If he was a little bit further out he would not have seen the ball. But these things happen. It could have been one of the best goals of my career but I scored another and so it does not matter. I am happy”. On the matter of the move which led to the goal and the Granada player who was down injured he said: “I don’t know what happened. I was celebrating the goal. I didn’t realise, I didn’t see anything”.
The team has a perfect record in 2014 with seven wins in seven matches and has not conceded a single goal: "We are playing well, and we feel confident. We have to improve in some areas, but it was a great match. The team looks good; we are getting better all the time. Towards the end of the season I am convinced that things will keep getting better”.
On the subject of Falcao’s injury he said: “It is bad news for the world of football. He is a friend and I am sad for him. I am sure that things will go well for him. He has been operated on by great Portuguese doctor and I am sure that he will recover sooner”. Finally, he spoke about the change of president at Barcelona: “I don’t have anything to say about that. I only care about what is happening at my club. Other people’s clubs don’t matter to me”.
Saturday 25 January 2014
Thursday 23 January 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Ancelotti talks to me a lot and I’m thrilled to work with him”
“I’ve always considered myself a professional. I believe that I’ll be the best on the pitch if I work hard and have more ambition”, said the forward in an interview with France Football
Cristiano Ronaldo gave an interview to France Football magazine after being awarded the Ballon d’Or on 13 January at the awards ceremony in Zurich. The Portuguese striker is still ambitious and is excited to win more titles with Real Madrid this year: “The team has a lot of confidence in itself this year. On the pitch there aren’t many differences between last year’s team because Ancelotti has done a good job. He’s a good person, a great coach, he talks to me a lot and I’m thrilled to work with him. I feel really good with Real Madrid and, frankly, anything is possible this season”.
After receiving the award that recognises the striker as the best player in 2013, Cristiano Ronaldo said: “I’m more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop working to improve. Every year is a different story; I’m not going to rest on my laurels. I always want to be the best, both with Real Madrid and Portugal”. Cristiano Ronaldo was handed the trophy by Pelé, which made receiving the award that much more significant. “It’s always special to receive such an important trophy and even more so from the hands of a leader in world football. It was a privilege; I admire Pelé”.The Real Madrid player wanted to highlight the importance of teamwork and all of his teammates: “I want to win every day, but that’s not always possible. That’s why my teammates are important, because without them I wouldn’t have been able to be at the level of recent years”.
Real Madrid’s number seven described the moment that he received the award. “It was very emotional, especially when my happy son came to hug me. That unleashed all of my feelings and I started to cry. And when I saw my family’s tears I started crying even harder. They were honest, real tears. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting it and I was really happy at that moment. It must have been a big surprise for people who don’t know me to see me cry like that, because I always look serious on the pitch. Those that share my life with me know that I’m a natural and spontaneous person”.Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about how it felt to hear his name announced as the winner:“When you don’t know if you’re going to win you feel moments of tension, and all that huge weight is taken off of you when you hear your name called. It’s like something that leaves your body”.
Some of the coaches that Cristiano Ronaldo has worked with, like Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti, have defined the player as a hard worker. “I believe that I’ll be the best on the pitch if I work hard and have more ambition. Throughout my career I’ve always considered myself a professional. I’ve learned a lot from other players like Raúl, Michel Salgado, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Figo, Rui Costa…” When asked about the competition with players like Messi in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo replied: “Of course, competition helps you to improve. But not just with Messi, with other top players whom I’ve played with in the Premier League and other competitions, like Luis Suárez, Iniesta, Neymar, Bale, Diego Costa and Falcao. If the level of the game rises, so does mine”.
Real Madrid’s number seven described the moment that he received the award. “It was very emotional, especially when my happy son came to hug me. That unleashed all of my feelings and I started to cry. And when I saw my family’s tears I started crying even harder. They were honest, real tears. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting it and I was really happy at that moment. It must have been a big surprise for people who don’t know me to see me cry like that, because I always look serious on the pitch. Those that share my life with me know that I’m a natural and spontaneous person”.Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about how it felt to hear his name announced as the winner:“When you don’t know if you’re going to win you feel moments of tension, and all that huge weight is taken off of you when you hear your name called. It’s like something that leaves your body”.
Some of the coaches that Cristiano Ronaldo has worked with, like Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti, have defined the player as a hard worker. “I believe that I’ll be the best on the pitch if I work hard and have more ambition. Throughout my career I’ve always considered myself a professional. I’ve learned a lot from other players like Raúl, Michel Salgado, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Figo, Rui Costa…” When asked about the competition with players like Messi in La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo replied: “Of course, competition helps you to improve. But not just with Messi, with other top players whom I’ve played with in the Premier League and other competitions, like Luis Suárez, Iniesta, Neymar, Bale, Diego Costa and Falcao. If the level of the game rises, so does mine”.
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Espanyol 0-1 Real Madrid: Benzema gives los Blancos first-leg lead
The visitors were the better side from start to finish and a solitary strike from the France striker was their reward
Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Espanyol in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.
France striker Benzema scored what proved to be the crucial goal after 25 minutes, but Carlo Ancelotti's men will be disappointed not to have secured a healthier advantage after spurning a number of excellent chances.
Espanyol created the first clear-cut opportunity after 18 minutes as Portuguese attacker Pizzi blazed over the bar from close range.
That near-miss appeared to spark Madrid into life, and three minutes later Cristiano Ronaldo turned brilliantly on the edge of the area, only to see his low shot hit the post.
The visitors did take the lead shortly after, as Benzema found the back of the net with a diving header after Gareth Bale had flicked Alvaro Arbeloa's right-wing cross into his path.
The visitors could have pulled clear before the interval, but both Benzema and Bale were denied by strong saves from Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla.
Espanyol started the second half brightly and almost levelled after 54 minutes with a fine curling effort from forward Sergio Garcia.
However, los Blancos would have put the tie beyond doubt if not for the brilliance of Casilla, who raced off his line to thwart Angel Di Maria following a fine ball from Marcelo, before also preventing Arbeloa and Benzema from finding a second.
For all of the visitors' dominance, the visitors were grateful to goalkeeper Iker Casillas for preserving their lead.
The Spain international produced an excellent one-on-one save to keep out a strike from substitute Jhon Cordoba six minutes from the end, on a night when the 32-year-old broke his own record for minutes played without conceding a goal, which now stands at 592.
Madrid host the second leg at the Bernabeu next Tuesday.
Monday 20 January 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo made ‘Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry’
The Real Madrid forward received this honour from the president of Portugal at a ceremony attended by Florentino Pérez
Cristiano Ronaldo has been made a ‘Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry’ in Lisbon’s National Palace of Belém by the president of the Republic of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva. The Real Madrid forward, who received the Ballon d’Or 2013 last Monday, received this honour for his contribution to the international profile of Portugal. Those present at the event held in the official residence of Portugal’s head of state included Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid; Emilio Butragueño, the club’s Director of Institutional Relations; Luis Marques Guedes, Portugal’s Minister for Presidential and Parliamentary Affairs; Eduardo Junco, Spain’s Ambassador to Portugal; and Fernando Gomes, the President of the Portuguese Football Federation.
The Real Madrid forward received one of his country’s greatest honours following “the President’s decision, which is intended to recognise an internationally renowned athlete, who is a symbol of Portugal around the world, who contributes to the country’s international profile and who is an example of tenacity for the younger generations”. The event, which was held this Monday, was to have been held on 7 January but was postponed because of the death of Eusébio.
The president of the Republic of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, received the Madrid forward after his arrival at the Palace, where he went with the Ballon d’Or 2013 trophy which he had won in Zurich. After this, the medal presentation ceremony started in the Sala das Bicas. The first to speak was Cavaco Silva: “After remembering Eusébio, today we are with another great sportsman who the world of football has chosen as the best player in the world for the second time. A Portuguese citizen who is known around the world more than any other and who brings honour to the name of Portugal”.
“Ronaldo’s victories are a source of great happiness for us and a thread joining the people of Portugal. He is the captain of the national team and a reference for everyone, especially the youngsters. I would like to mention his professionalism, his hard work and discipline, and his constant will to win. I would like to thank him for the part he played in promoting the name and culture of Portugal all around the world, as well as the support he has given many good causes in our country”, he said before presenting Ronaldo with the ribbon of the ‘Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry’.
Cristiano Ronaldo then expressed his gratitude for the honour: “I am very proud to receive this title from the President of the Republic. I will carry on working as hard as possible to carry on representing Portugal abroad. I am very happy. This is a very special moment for me and I hope that I can carry on winning major trophies, individually and as part of a team, as well as with the national team”.
Once the ceremony had finished Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media: “This is an important honour for me because I am Portuguese and representing Portugal abroad is a privilege and a source of pride. It motivates me even more. I will carry on working hard to win more trophies in my career. I am young and I will carry on playing to enjoy myself like I have up until now. Obviously, if I win titles and I manage to make a good entry in the history books in the world of football, all the better”.
When asked about Portugal’s chances of winning the World Cup in Brazil, he said: “It would be a dream-come-true. I don’t want to downplay the titles I have won up until now, like this honour or the Ballon d’Or, but it would be a dream-come-true. We know that it is very hard and that we have to keep our feet on the ground. We will try to do our best and take it one step at a time”.
The president of the Republic of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, received the Madrid forward after his arrival at the Palace, where he went with the Ballon d’Or 2013 trophy which he had won in Zurich. After this, the medal presentation ceremony started in the Sala das Bicas. The first to speak was Cavaco Silva: “After remembering Eusébio, today we are with another great sportsman who the world of football has chosen as the best player in the world for the second time. A Portuguese citizen who is known around the world more than any other and who brings honour to the name of Portugal”.
“Ronaldo’s victories are a source of great happiness for us and a thread joining the people of Portugal. He is the captain of the national team and a reference for everyone, especially the youngsters. I would like to mention his professionalism, his hard work and discipline, and his constant will to win. I would like to thank him for the part he played in promoting the name and culture of Portugal all around the world, as well as the support he has given many good causes in our country”, he said before presenting Ronaldo with the ribbon of the ‘Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry’.
Cristiano Ronaldo then expressed his gratitude for the honour: “I am very proud to receive this title from the President of the Republic. I will carry on working as hard as possible to carry on representing Portugal abroad. I am very happy. This is a very special moment for me and I hope that I can carry on winning major trophies, individually and as part of a team, as well as with the national team”.
Once the ceremony had finished Cristiano Ronaldo spoke to the media: “This is an important honour for me because I am Portuguese and representing Portugal abroad is a privilege and a source of pride. It motivates me even more. I will carry on working hard to win more trophies in my career. I am young and I will carry on playing to enjoy myself like I have up until now. Obviously, if I win titles and I manage to make a good entry in the history books in the world of football, all the better”.
When asked about Portugal’s chances of winning the World Cup in Brazil, he said: “It would be a dream-come-true. I don’t want to downplay the titles I have won up until now, like this honour or the Ballon d’Or, but it would be a dream-come-true. We know that it is very hard and that we have to keep our feet on the ground. We will try to do our best and take it one step at a time”.
Sunday 19 January 2014
Betis 0-5 Real Madrid: Ronaldo leads rout as Benzema reaches century
Los Blancos produced a thoroughly impressive display to dispatch the poor hosts, with the victory pulling them level with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga
Real Madrid moved level on top of La Liga along with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid thanks to a comprehensive 5-0 win over Betis on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors' start to 2014 was unblemished coming into this match after winning all four of their matches in all competitions without conceding a single goal and Betis rarely threatened that record.
A wonderful early strike from Cristiano Ronaldo took the Ballon d'Or winner's tally for the season to 31 goals and the Madrid club did not have to wait long for a second as Gareth Bale buried a free-kick in the 25th minute.
Benzema ensured the first half ended in even more despair for Betis, converting after good play by Luka Modric and a fourth arrived just after the hour mark when Angel Di Maria produced a sublime finish from distance.
Substitute Alvaro Morata added a fifth late on as rampant Madrid extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions.
Osasuna were Betis' conquerors in their previous league outing last weekend and coach Juan Carlos Garrido made four alterations to that team, while Alvaro Vadillo and Joan Verdu were deemed fit enough to take places on the bench.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti named the same side that picked up a routine 1-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday.
The visitors may have been met by raucous atmosphere in Seville, but Ronaldo silenced the home support in the 10th minute as he hit an unstoppable screamer into the top-right corner of the goal from 30 yards out.
Betis' attacking threat was non-existent and Madrid capitalised by doubling their lead 25 minutes in. Antonio Amaya fouled Bale after cutting in from the right and the world's most expensive player fired the resulting free-kick in past the static Stephan Andersen.
The hosts could have pulled one back just before the break had Ruben Castro connected with Leo Baptistao's right-wing cross, but Betis ultimately went in at half-time trailing by three goals asBenzema fired into the bottom-left corner after a clever cutback by Luka Modric.
Ronaldo spurned a glorious chance seven minutes into the second period as he collected Benzema's throughball and shot from just inside the area, but Andersen tipped it wide of his right-hand post.
Madrid's fourth did arrive eventually, however. The hosts seemingly cleared Modric's 62nd-minute corner, but Di Maria pounced on the loose ball and hammered a rasping half-volley into the bottom-right corner about 35 yards from goal.
Morata notched his side's fifth in stoppage time as he controlled a wayward overhead-kick attempt by Ronaldo before poking in, helping Madrid keep pace with Atletico and Barca, while Ancelotti's men picked up their fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
The visitors' start to 2014 was unblemished coming into this match after winning all four of their matches in all competitions without conceding a single goal and Betis rarely threatened that record.
A wonderful early strike from Cristiano Ronaldo took the Ballon d'Or winner's tally for the season to 31 goals and the Madrid club did not have to wait long for a second as Gareth Bale buried a free-kick in the 25th minute.
Benzema ensured the first half ended in even more despair for Betis, converting after good play by Luka Modric and a fourth arrived just after the hour mark when Angel Di Maria produced a sublime finish from distance.
Substitute Alvaro Morata added a fifth late on as rampant Madrid extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions.
Osasuna were Betis' conquerors in their previous league outing last weekend and coach Juan Carlos Garrido made four alterations to that team, while Alvaro Vadillo and Joan Verdu were deemed fit enough to take places on the bench.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti named the same side that picked up a routine 1-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday.
The visitors may have been met by raucous atmosphere in Seville, but Ronaldo silenced the home support in the 10th minute as he hit an unstoppable screamer into the top-right corner of the goal from 30 yards out.
Betis' attacking threat was non-existent and Madrid capitalised by doubling their lead 25 minutes in. Antonio Amaya fouled Bale after cutting in from the right and the world's most expensive player fired the resulting free-kick in past the static Stephan Andersen.
The hosts could have pulled one back just before the break had Ruben Castro connected with Leo Baptistao's right-wing cross, but Betis ultimately went in at half-time trailing by three goals asBenzema fired into the bottom-left corner after a clever cutback by Luka Modric.
Ronaldo spurned a glorious chance seven minutes into the second period as he collected Benzema's throughball and shot from just inside the area, but Andersen tipped it wide of his right-hand post.
Madrid's fourth did arrive eventually, however. The hosts seemingly cleared Modric's 62nd-minute corner, but Di Maria pounced on the loose ball and hammered a rasping half-volley into the bottom-right corner about 35 yards from goal.
Morata notched his side's fifth in stoppage time as he controlled a wayward overhead-kick attempt by Ronaldo before poking in, helping Madrid keep pace with Atletico and Barca, while Ancelotti's men picked up their fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
Saturday 18 January 2014
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