Cannavaro might leave Madrid to go to Napoli
Fabio Cannavaro met with the Serie B's chief, Pierpaolo Marino, in Rimini recently and made it clear he is willing to end his career with the Azzurri.In fact, he might be bored after a troubled campaign at Real Madrid, and the 33-year-old defender could be set to leave the team with coach Fabio Capello at the end of the season and has already started laying the groundwork for his next destination.
"Yes, I have talked to Marino, Napoli's chief operating officer, and he knows how I feel now," Cannavaro admitted.
We must consider that this is not the first time that the former Parma and Juventus star has claimed that he would like to represent his hometown squad again, but this was the clearest statement of intent yet.
But Marino has reportedly not met with the Napoli board to brief them in full on his coversation with the Italian crack.
It's good to remember that FAbio Cannavaro rose through the ranks at Napoli and played for the club for three seasons until in 1995 he joined Parma during the club's golden period. After seven seasons with the Gialloblu, Inter Milan snapped him up and he was on the move once again in 2004 when Juventus came calling.
And when Juventus were relegated at the end of last season, Cannavaro was tempted by trying his hand in la Primera and joined Capello at Real Madrid. Now they could leave together.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Real Madrid reach the top of the table as they beat Mallorca
This are good news for Real Madrid fans. Capello's team joined Sevilla and Barcelona at the top of Spain's La Liga after a superbly struck free kick from Jose Antonio Reyes allowed them to sneak a barely deserved 1-0 triumph at struggling Real Mallorca on Sunday.
All three squads are locked on 38 points at the head of the table, but with a game in hand FC Barcelona can pull clear at the halfway mark in the Spanish season and claim the symbolic title of winter champions if they win away at Real Betis on Wednesday.
In fact, Real Madrid, with Ronaldo, Antonio Cassano and David Beckham still on Fabio Capello's blacklist, played little in the way of fluent football and failed to make much headway in attack until a brilliant free kick from Reyes 12 minutes from time.
The old white club, who are third in La Liga, travelled to face Real Mallorca on Sunday with just one win from their last five encounters in all competitions.
Mallorca, who started the match in 15th place with 20 points from 18 games, began positively with a shoot on sight policy with Maxi Lopez driving his effort straight at Iker Casillas in the 8th minute.
What's more, Madrid, who went out of the Copa del Rey in midweek, created their first chance in the 19th minute when Mallorca goalkeeper Miguel Moya saved a shot from Gonzalo Higuain with his legs.
And from the resulting corner defender Sergio Ramos rose high and his looping header bounced back into play off the bar.
Mallorca's player Jonas Gutierrez forced Casillas into a save in the 43rd minute when he drifted in from the left and fired in a shot form a narrow angle.
Real Madrid Italian boss Fabio Capello, who has hardly been out of the headlines recently after omitting David Beckham, Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano, was left exasperated after Mahamadou Diarra somehow headed wide from close in.
We must notice that the game had been lacking in quality and the crowd had to wait until the 79th minute for the only piece of class exhibited on the night.
Spanish midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes, who is on loan from English club Arsenal, curled in a stunning free kick from 22.4 metres in what proved to be the match winner.
Finally, it's good to see that Real Madrid's 12th victory of the season saw them move level with Barcelona and Sevilla at the top of the table with 38 points, but they remained third on goal difference.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
David Beckham to leave Real Madrid
Talented midfielder David Beckham will not be offered a new contract with Real Madrid and will leave the Spanish team, media reported on Wednesday."I can say that Beckham will leave us. We will not renew his contract," the club's sporting director and former Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic was quoted as saying.
However, not all the information says the same thing about the British player. There are some version that still give a hope in the relationship between Becks and Madrid.
Indeed, Gaspar Rosety told a news agency: "Predrag Mijatovic has not spoken to Sky Italia and has made no such comments about Beckham's contract."
We must consider that Real Madrid have been offering the 31-year-old midfielder a two-year extension to his current deal, which ends in June, but said they wanted David Beckham to make a quick decision on his future so they can plan for next season.
It's important to mention that Beckham has been free to talk to other clubs with teams in England, Italy and the United States interested in signing the English footballer.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Beckham might choose among 15 new clubs
It's not really a surprise that 15 clubs have already been in contact with David Beckham's agent despite the British midfielder's claim he won't be leaving Real Madrid when his contract finishes this January.In fact, we have heard that Real Madrid will accept a From low fee for the English superstar as soon as the transfer window opens tomorrow.
What's more, the club's president Ramon Calderon last night said: "After the conversations we have had in the last months, Beckham already has our offer for a new contract on the table. Now he msut make up his mind.
"I admit that all of us would like to see him continue at our club and extend his contract."
Indeed, we know that Beckham has been offered a two-year deal on his current terms — but that means his image rights would remain at 50 per cent, according to the paper. But if he opts to leave Madrid, he could sign the biggest signing-on fee in football history — as much as £10m — at his new team.
The popular footballer has been favored to land in the USA, where he already has interests in the Los Angeles Major League Soccer club, The Galaxy.
As we know, the jersey Nº23 is kicking off the new year in Japan where he will participate in three separate events to promote a cellular phones he endorses. Good for him and his wallet.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Gago is not going to Real Madrid
Everybody in Real Madrid is calm. They are not worried that Argentine player Fernando Gago is not coming to Madrid anymore.As we know, Boca Juniors president, Macri, flew back to Buenos Aries without a deal after 72 hours of heavy negotiations with Real directors, including Pedja Mijatovic and Franco Baldini.
"In fact, the operation was not closed," said Macri at Madrid airport. "It was the most difficult negotiations I have seen. Madrid surprised me with their stubbornness. I read before coming here that the fee wouldn't be a problem for them - but it was."
A high-ranking Real official, meanwhile, told a newspaper today: "We are not going to be in a hurry since the term to sign Gago doesn't end until the 31st of January. Macri has had the bad luck of losing the championship and knows the player must leave. But Madrid is not going to pay more than what he is worth."
We must consider that Real won't go higher than £12 million for Gago, while Macri is now demanding £16 million - having been talked down from an original £20 million.
"In fact, the operation was not closed," said Macri at Madrid airport. "It was the most difficult negotiations I have seen. Madrid surprised me with their stubbornness. I read before coming here that the fee wouldn't be a problem for them - but it was."
A high-ranking Real official, meanwhile, told a newspaper today: "We are not going to be in a hurry since the term to sign Gago doesn't end until the 31st of January. Macri has had the bad luck of losing the championship and knows the player must leave. But Madrid is not going to pay more than what he is worth."
We must consider that Real won't go higher than £12 million for Gago, while Macri is now demanding £16 million - having been talked down from an original £20 million.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Del Bosque praises Capello's work
Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has praised Fabio Capello for the impact he has made since his arrival at the club."I think Real Madrid needed a change and the doubt that surrounded the club has now been lifted," said the former Real coach. "Capello doesn't have to worry about the style of his team. He has united his footballer with a determination to win games and he is achieving that.
"It is really important to understand this."
Del Bosque also said: "To sign Gago will be a great achievement. He is like Fernando Redondo, though when he arrived in Madrid he was a man.
"However, I believe they have missed an opportunity in not bringing up to the first team Javi Garcia and Ruben De la Red."
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Raul was the key of victory in Mestalla
Real Madrid is still steady in their chase of Barcelona. The "merengues" got a crucial 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday.Captain and striker Raul Gonzalez fired home in the second-half as Real moved to within three points of champions Barca after inflicting a first home defeat of the season on out-of-form Valencia.
It's important to mention that Valencia, who were beaten 3-0 by Sevilla last weekend, remain in eighth position, 11 points behind the leaders.
Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello was also without suspended midfielder Guti, while Cicinho, Ronaldo and David Beckham were all sidelined with injuries.
It was the home team that started brightest and Villa blasted wide from the edge of the penalty area in the sixth minute.
Despite that, Real Madrid came close to breaking the deadlock soon after when Raul headed over the crossbar after Robinho's cross.
Valencia front man Miguel Angulo also headed over the target after David Silva's corner, before the home side suffered a setback when the injured Villa had to be replaced by Vicente in the 16th minute.
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy then came close to giving his side the lead when his powerful effort from inside the penalty area was saved by Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares.
And in the 24th minute Robinho blasted a strong shot at Canizares, before Silva's excellent long-range drive was tipped around the post by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Valencia's Joaquin blasted a free-kick over the crossbar in the 28th minute, the final decent opportunity of a disappointing first half.
And seven minutes after the interval Real took the lead when Raul coolly fired home after Roberto Carlos' cross was pulled back across the centre of the penalty area.
The home squad continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and substitute Vicente should have done better when his long-range effort flew over the crossbar.
Real substitute Ruben De la Red then had a shot blocked by defender Luis Miguel, before Angulo missed another glorious option to secure a point for Valencia in the dying stages when he fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.
It's important to mention that Valencia now travel to Recreativo Huelva, while Real, who have won three successive league matches, will face Athletic Bilbao next weekend.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Roberto Carlos speaks about moving away
Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has been in the club for almost ten years, and he is expecting a pay-hike as he seeks new contract talks.The Brazilian star has denied reports he's already agreed terms over a new deal at Real and admitted: "It is not that I feel mistreated. But I want to reach the numbers that I was offered by Fenerbahce and Chelsea.
"I think that I am young for football. I can play until I'm 40. I want to play for five years more. To speak with Pedja without knowing what it is happening is difficult. I can help Marcelo grow, but I want the club to listen to the things that are going through my mind.
"In fact, it is not money question, that would be crazy. The problem is where I want to play. I want to win two or three titles more with Real Madrid."
Monday, November 13, 2006
Super van Nistelrooy scores four goals
It was a really good game for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutch frontman struck four times as Real Madrid defeated Osasuna four-one at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium in Pamplona to maintain their challenge at the top of Spanish "Liga" on Sunday.Indeed, the former Manchester United player scored three before half-time and rounded off a superb display with a fourth near the end to take his total to eight goals from 10 Primera League encounters.
We must consider that this was his second hat-trick of the season, the other was against Levante in another four-one away victory in September.
"Yes, I have scored four once before, two years ago in the Champions League against Sparta Prague," said van Nistelrooy.
"But I think that today was a unique day, because from four or five chances I scored four goals and that is really hard.
"All the opportunities came to me and I was able to take advantage. These things don't happen often. It was incredible."
Monday, November 06, 2006
Celta steal a victory in Madrid
It wans't a good day for Capello's players. Real Madrid's first team was defeated at home for the first time this season on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabau Stadium. Meanwhile, Barcelona were held to a one-all draw by Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish League on Saturday.According to the reports, Celta Vigo opened the scoring , with their first attack of the game. Fabio Cannobio made a run into the Real half, and timed his pass perfectly to Brazilian player Nene, who scored his third goal of the season.
In fact, the lead only lasted seven minutes, when Emerson headed in Raul's corner, and the Brazilian refused to celebrate as a protest against being whistled by the Real Madrid supporters earlier in the match.
It's important to mention that Celta could have retaken the lead 13 minutes into the second half, Fernando Baiano set up Nene, whose shot beat Real keeper Iker Casillas but hit the crossbar.
The visitors scored the winning goal nine minutes from full-time, Angel set up Jorge Larena, and the midfielder shot past Casillas to score the 2-1.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Real Madrid defeated Steaua Bucharest 1-0
Real Madrid accomplished one of the most important objectives: qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. But somehow, the slight victory over Steaua Bucharest doesn't make the fans smile.Maybe it's fair to say that there was a touch of farce about the evening as van Nistelrooy fired a penalty kick miles over the bar then tried to blame the pitch, and Helguera somehow contrived to send the ball over the bar from no more than two yards out after a superb ball in from the right by-line supplied by Guti. There was also a really weird dive by Robinho that should make him feel a bit ashamed when he sees the TV replay despite his protests.
And then there was the goal. From nowhere, and with the home side looking unlikely to achieve a breakthrough, the ball fell to Steaua player, Banel Nicolita, in space just outside the penalty area. Without looking up, and with the goalkeeper moving to his left away from goal, Nicolita slotted the ball into the bottom right corner as the keeper lost his footing and fell to his knees.
The encounter saw the return of british midfielder David Beckham, who had a decent second half after coming on as substitute, showing no signs of the injury problems that kept him out of the squad for last weekend's trip to Tarragona, while there was also a return to action for Ronaldo, who looked a bit not in shape.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Real Madrid goes for the victory in Europe
Good times in the Champions League. Real Madrid have a greta chance to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League when they face Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday despite a shaky start to their European campaign under new coach Fabio Capello.Indeed, Madrid suffered a 2-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon in their opening match in Group E but won emphatically against Dynamo Kiev and Steaua.
Another victory against the Romanians will put them through to the knockout stage as long as Dynamo, who have yet to earn a point, do not beat runaway leaders Lyon.
Capello's team may not have been playing the sort of fluent, flowing football their fans demand but they have developed a more gritty, pragmatic style under the Italian coach and are getting the results.
They netted nine goals against Dynamo and Steaua, beat Barca 2-0 in the league two weeks ago and are now just two points behind their arch-rivals.
We must remember that the team have conceded four goals in eight league games and the team are growing in confidence according to Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.
“It's obvious that Capello has brought with him a different, more modern mentality,” Roberto Carlos expressed. “We are no longer the team that passes the ball slowly round the pitch. We are more direct and we know what we have to do.”
Friday, October 20, 2006
Teams are getting ready for the "Clásico"
Real Madrid is getting ready to face one of the most important derbies in the football world: the match against FC Barcelona. And the players in both side know it wont be easy to get the victory.We must remember that in the last clash between the two rivals, Ronaldinho was applauded off the field by the Bernabeu crowd, scoring two spectacular goals and delivering a performance to savour.
So, we must consider that it was the first time since a young Diego Maradona ran rings around the Real Madrid back line in 1983 that the Madrid crowd had given a standing ovation to any Barcelona player, such is the deep-running rivalry between the two powerful teams.
But this year, the Ronaldinho's form has been strangely inconsistent. Just when it looked like he was back to his best, starring in Barcelona's 3-1 home victory over a high-quality Sevilla side, he vanished again in the azulgrana's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek.
"I haven't changed one bit," he replied. "People are looking for something, but all this talk doesn't annoy me, because I'll continue being the same person".
The injury to Samuel Eto'o has deprived Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard of his first choice striker for five months, and Real Madrid captain Raul has identified this as a "crucial" loss ahead of Sunday's clash.
"He's a great striker and it's a shame that he has injured himself. His goals and his movement have been very important," Raul admitted.
In fact, Real Madrid were hit on Friday afternoon by the news that striker Ronaldo will miss the game through suspension, after the Spanish FA refused to overturn the red card he received in last weekend's 1-0 loss to Getafe.
However, midfielders David Beckham and Guti should both be available after recovering from knee injuries, along with wingers Robinho and Reyes. The latter two will compete for a space on the left wing, while Ruud van Nistelrooy will be the frontman.
In the other hand, Barcelona captain Carles Puyol should recover from muscle pains in time to take his place alongside Rafael Marquez in the centre of defence, while Frank Rijkaard must decide whether to recall midfielder Andres Iniesta after leaving him out in favour of Xavi during the week.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Mijatovic thinks that Real Madrid is favorite against Barcelona
Real Madrid sports chief and former player Pedja Mijatovic says that Barcelona "not as strong" as previous seasons ahead of Sunday's big showdown."In these matches there are no favorites," said Mijatovic. "I have played in derbies when the team which had the better sport situation ended up losing. It is a really special game and form doesn't count for anything.
"In fact, our mental state, the desire and the good result in the Champions League are reason enough for us to say 'we can beat them'.
"They surely are not as strong as the last two years. However, this is something normal. To maintain that rate for three or four years is impossible.
"In addition, they have won important titles and that always relaxes you just a little bit, even if the player says it doesn't. I'm sure that we arrive at this derby with more advantages than they.
"We arrive with more hunger. The defeat last year hurt us a lot. I believe that right now we are in better form than them" he said.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The taste of victory in the Champions League
Despite some bad results this season, Real Madrid players believe their 4-1 away Champions League victory against Steaua Bucharest proves they are still a force in Europe.In fact, the nine-time European champions produced an irresistible display on Tuesday against the Romanians and remain on course for qualification for the next stage.
“We showed that when we want to we can play as a team,” Roberto Carlos admitted. “We showed personality and enthusiasm and were able to pressure our opponents. Those were things that were missing before.”
The Italian coach Fabio Capello said that the win had served to erase the painful memories of the 1-0 Getafe defeat on Saturday.
“This time we saw a squad with quality and spirit out there and that is what counts,” said Capello. “Well, now I’m happy.
“I expressed we had to forget the performance against Getafe because we can’t play like that ever again. Instead we saw a Real Madrid that played with pace and skill. I was pleased with the football we played because it isn’t easy to come here and get the triumph by such a margin.”
Defender Sergio Ramos scored for Real from a 10th minute corner and Raul made it 2-0 in the 34th minute from a rebound after the Steaua goalkeeper deflected a strike from Ruud van Nistelrooy.
It's imortant to notice that a really fast counter-attack put Robinho in an ideal position to score from a tight angle 11 minutes into the second half.
That's why Valentin Badea pulled one back for the home side with a close range effort 25 minutes from time; however Van Nistelrooy slammed the door with a superb lob 14 minutes from the end.
“I think it was a complete change from the Getafe game,” said Real keeper Iker Casillas. “After such a terrible display we moved on and played a great encounter just three days later. We won and took a great stride forward in the Champions League.”. These words prove that the players are in the right way.
