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Madrid, Barca focus on league as clasicos near

Real Madrid and Barcelona will have to try their best to overlook their upcoming cup clasicos and focus on this weekend's league matches first.

Madrid and Barcelona meet for the eighth time since April come Wednesday's Copa del Rey first-leg quarterfinal, but have league matches against Mallorca and Real Betis, respectively.

Coach Jose Mourinho warned his team of looking beyond Mallorca, calling the championship a "priority" with Madrid having opened up a five-point lead over Barcelona.

"Last year we lost two points in Mallorca and it could happen again. It's a very dangerous game," Mourinho said on Friday. "We've got a game against Mallorca first, there's no point in talking about Barcelona now."

Captain Iker Casillas doesn't want his team to "obsess" over Barcelona, with the onslaught of clasicos saturating the magnitude of one of world football's biggest derbies.

"Last year we played four Real Madrid-Barcelonas in 20 days. We have already played the Super Cup, the league and now the Copa del Rey, and we'll play the two-legged series looking to reach the next round," Casillas said.

"But, in my opinion, with so many games, sometimes this series seems a little less than full strength, like decaf."

Madrid will be without injured players Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira for Saturday's game at Mallorca. Fabio Coentrao could start, with the Portugal fullback yet to prove himself since a (euro) 30 million ($38 million) off season move from Benfica.

Barcelona, meanwhile, returns to the Camp Nou where it has won eight of nine games and outscored opponents 39-0.

"We can't throw away the league," Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano said on Friday. "There are still 63 points available and many things can happen."

Forward Pedro Rodriguez is a doubt for Sunday's game with Betis after injuring his left leg in Thursday's cup win over Osasuna, while defender Andreu Fontas damaged ligaments in his right knee in the victory and is set for surgery. Fullback Daniel Alves missed the match as a precaution and could return at the Camp Nou, where Xavi Hernandez is set to make his 400th league appearance for the club.

Coach Pep Guardiola may have to call on some of the club's younger players to reinforce the squad, with Andres Iniesta also missing the match at Osasuna to rest an ankle knock.

"The youth team players will have to be prepared because we're going to have to call them up to fill the spots in the first team,"Guardiola said.

Villarreal is desperate for its first victory in 10 games as the club sits 18th in the last drop spot traveling to Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a matchup of new coaches seeking their first victories. Atletico's Diego Simeone returns to Vicente Calderon for the first time since his playing days hile counterpart Jose Francisco Molina also earned a draw in his debut last week.

In other 19th-round matches, it's: Zaragoza vs. Getafe; Granada vs Rayo Vallecano; Sevilla vs. Espanyol; Valencia vs. Real Sociedad; Osasuna vs. Racing Santander; Athletic Bilbao vs. Levante; and Sporting Gijon vs. Malaga.

Sumber: http://www.thejakartapost.com

Puyol, Milito make Barcelona squad for third clash

Madrid: Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito have recovered from injuries to be included in the squad to play Real Madrid in a Champions League semi-final first leg, the Spanish league leaders said on Monday.

Spain international Puyol missed the King's Cup final defeat to Real last week and Saturday's league victory over Osasuna with a muscle strain but returns for the third "Clasico" in the space of 12 days.

Argentine centre-back Milito, who tweaked a muscle in the Cup final, also recovered but Brazilian fullback Maxwell missed out due to a groin problem.

Options in defence
The return of the experienced pair gives coach Pep Guardiola options in defence where he has already lost Eric Abidal and Adriano Correia to injury.

With striker Bojan Krkic also sidelined, Guardiola called up youth team players Thiago Alcantara, Sergi Roberto and Martin Montoya to the squad.

Barca visit the Bernabeu on Wednesday and the second leg is at the Nou Camp on May 3.

Source: http://gulfnews.com

Madrid - Barcelona have decided to appeal UEFA's proposal to ban Andres Iniesta for one Champions League match for deliberately collecting a yellow card.

The Spain midfielder was cautioned in the first leg of Barca's quarter-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, which the Spanish club won 5-1, for not retreating the required distance at a freekick, meaning he missed the return game in Ukraine.

UEFA officials at the match alleged Iniesta provoked the card so he could serve the standard one-match ban in the second leg and would have a clean slate for the semi-finals.

Barcelona face La Liga rivals Real Madrid in the last four of Europe's premier club competition with the first leg away at the Bernabeu on April 27.

"FC Barcelona believe that the arguments outlined in their appeal, based on the good faith of the player and the disproportionate nature of the proposed sanction will be sufficient to rebut these allegations," the club said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat). "The UEFA disciplinary committee will make a decision on the case on Wednesday," they added. Reuters

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Mourinho Set to Haunt Barca in Semi-Finals Again

Madrid. Jose Mourinho is ready to haunt Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals again on Wednesday, this time with Real Madrid.

Knocking Barca out of Europe's elite club competition after winning the King's Cup final against them last week could signal the start of a power-shift in Spanish football away from Catalunya and back to Madrid.

The Portuguese coach has always managed to rile Barca, where he spent some of his formative years as an assistant to Bobby Robson in the 1990s, and guided Inter Milan to victory against them in the semis last year on the way to Champions League glory.

Mourinho also crossed swords with Barca three times during his spell at Chelsea, twice bettering them over a 'two-match series'.
His ability to ruffle the Catalan team's feathers knows no end and he has outwitted them so far in the unprecedented 'four-match series' between the world's two richest clubs.

A 1-1 league draw, when Real came back to level with 10 men on April 16, was followed by last Wednesday's 1-0 extra-time victory in the King's Cup final, Mourinho's first trophy as coach of the Madrid side.

The league title is all but wrapped up for Barcelona but the tantalizing prospect of a 10th European Cup triumph lies ahead for Real, and a third for Mourinho all with different teams.

Barca defender Gerard Pique refused to be drawn on the hot topics of debate after the first two 'Clasicos' such as the quality of the refereeing, the length of the grass at the Bernabeu and Real's aggressive, 'negative' approach.

"The grass is long but I'm not going to cry about it," the Spanish World Cup winner told daily El Pais of the pitch at Wednesday's Bernabeu venue.

"It's normal for them to take particular care over their defence and that they try to stop our passing game. Mourinho will use everything available to him.

Powerful Team
"At the end of the day they are a powerful team with very good forwards," added Pique.

Breaking coach Pep Guardiola's record of five consecutive 'Clasico' wins, including a 5-0 demolition of Mourinho's team at the Nou Camp in November, and then winning the King's Cup has dented Barca's aura of invincibility.

Real have proved they can match their rivals with ultra-aggressive tactics that have not been to everyone's liking, with the Madrid club having had a player sent off in the last three meetings between the sides.

The two clubs are the competition's top scorers with 24 goals each but the previous two 'Clasicos' have been tense tussles with few sights of goal.

Madrid have packed the centre of the pitch with three holding players led by centre-back turned midfield-enforcer Pepe, ruthlessly denying Barca's playmakers time and space while looking to break quickly.

Sami Khedira's injury means Lassana Diarra will probably replace him in midfield while Mourinho may opt to play without a recognised number nine again as he did in the King's Cup final. At the back Ricardo Carvalho is suspended but Real's defensive problems are not as acute as Barca's.

The absence of Eric Abidal, Adriano Correia and Maxwell mean the returning Carles Puyol could be asked to fill in at left back while midfielder Javier Mascherano could play in defence again.

Any change in Barca's standard 4-3-3 formation would probably be read as an acknowledgement that Real have worked out the way to play against Guardiola's three magicians -- Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Probable teams: Real Madrid: 1-Iker Casillas, 17-Alvaro Arbeloa, 4-Sergio Ramos, 18-Raul Albiol, 12-Marcelo; 10-Lassana Diarra, 3-Pepe, 14-Xabi Alonso; 22-Angel Di Maria, 9-Cristiano Ronaldo, 23-Mesut Ozil Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 2-Dani Alves, 14-Javier Mascherano, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol; 8-Andres Iniesta, 16-Sergio Busquets, 6-Xavi; 17-Pedro, 10-Lionel Messi, 7-David Villa. Reuters

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Barca wary of Shakhtar slip up ahead of 'clasico'

Madrid - Pep Guardiola today faces a delicate balancing act away to Shakhtar Donetsk, making sure to guard against unpleasant surprises while a double-header against Real Madrid looms on the horizon.

Barca hold a comfortable 5-1 quarter-final, first-leg advantage that has them on the brink of the last four of the Champions League, but their coach is desperate to avoid any sense of relaxation among his players.

The Ukrainians caused Barca plenty of problems in the opening minutes at the Nou Camp last week when the pace of their forwards clearly unsettled the hosts' defence. "Although we are defending a good result it will be tremendously difficult," striker Pedro said.

"There are 90 minutes and anything can happen. They have a great team. We won't change our style. We'll go there to attack and to score goals."

Maintaining their winning momentum will be important because they face a potential La Liga title decider away to Real Madrid on Saturday. Guardiola described this clash as "a unique opportunity to strike a decisive blow," after his side came back to beat lowly Almeria 3-1 at home on Saturday.

They top the standings by eight points with seven games left to play.

Four days after the ‘clasico', they face Real Madrid again in the King's Cup final, and assuming Jose Mourinho's men suffer no slip ups on Wednesday, the Spanish giants are likely to meet again in the Champions League semis.

Source: http://gulfnews.com

Xavi thinks Cesc will arrive at Barca this summer

Barcelona midfielder Xavi is confident the Spanish giants will sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal this summer.

Barcelona have long been linked with a move for Fabregas but Arsenal have been determined to keep hold of the 23-year-old.

Xavi told Sport: “Yes, certainly. And it also has to be like this.

“Two years ago I said Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona and now I have it more clear than ever.

“He has also expressed publicly that he wants to come to Barcelona and when a player wants to move to some place he ends up going. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.”

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Mourinho Factor Can Fire Real Madrid To Glory

With the new 2010-11 La Liga season about to start this coming weekend, most of the attention has been focused on Jose Mourinho, the new manager of Real Madrid. With the beginning of a brand new season comes the release of new 2010-11 soccer jerseys, including the new Real Madrid home shirt. Real Madrid have not lived up to their usual expectations in recent years and considering how much money they spent on players last summer, many would say that they have failed in their quest so far.

The appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager is quite a different prospect, however. Mourinho has been successful at every single club he has managed, including Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan. Those wearing the new Real Madrid shirt now have a real winner in their camp and no-one would bet against him making a massive difference to the team.

It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho wants to have full control over his team and that at Real Madrid, managers are not give this luxury. This season, however, it is believed that Mourinho will have full control over his team selections and signings, but only time will tell if this is true or not. He will want to ensure that each player wearing a Real Madrid shirt is a player he can trust in his squad.

There have been some changes to those wearing the new Real Madrid home jersey this coming season. Older and influential players such as Raul and Guti have left the club, which might actually work in Mourinho’s favour, as they would have had a lot of say in previous seasons with other managers; something The Special One may not have taken kindly to. Madrid have brought in four new players so far, including Mourinho’s old favourite at Porto and Chelsea, Ricardo Carvalho. Two of Germany’s young stars at the World Cup, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, have signed and finally, Argentina’s Angel di Maria, has also joined.

This suggests that the manager wanted a bit more experience at the back, but also wanted to look to the future with his three other signings. When you consider these signings and the fact that the players who have left were no longer first team regulars, the Real Madrid squad has certainly improved. When you also consider that the club still has Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema in the squad, there is no question that Real Madrid could in fact be a huge threat in both La Liga and in the Champions’ League this season. It would be harsh if Mourinho was not given time to improve the Madrid giants, but given his track record, will he even need much time?

Written by Danny Watson, a sports journalist who writes about football kits.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Kaka returns to Real Madrid squad

Madrid - Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka, who has been out since the start of the season, was on Sunday named in the Real Madrid squad for yesterday’s trip to Getafe by coach Jose Mourinho.

“Kaka won’t start, he can’t yet,” said Mourinho at a press conference.

“He can give us 15 or 20 minutes of his very great quality, but no more.”

The playmaker, who won the 2007 Ballon d’Or, underwent surgery in August after injuring his left knee and only returned to training with the squad on Dec 18.

“I’m very happy today,” Kaka wrote on his Twitter account.

“After a long period, I’m back with my team-mates, for the game tomorrow (today). Thanks Lord.”

Prior to his injury, Kaka had struggled to shine due to a combination of injuries and poor form.

The 28-year-old joined Real from AC Milan for around 65 million euros in June 2009, shortly before the arrival of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. — AFP

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com

Ronaldo fires unbeaten Real top

Madrid - Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain both scored braces as Real Madrid made it ten goals in two games with a 4-1 win at Malaga on Saturday to move top of the Spanish first division.

Portuguese star Ronaldo moved to the top of the goalscoring charts on six following his double and Jose Mourinho`s Real have the best attack and defence in the league lying a point ahead of Barcelona and Valencia at the summit.

Real are now the only unbeaten side in the league after champions Barcelona inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Valencia coming from behind to win 2-1 at Camp Nou.

Barca fell behind to a Pablo Hernandez goal on 37 minutes but turned the game around with a mesmerising second half thanks to goals from Spanish World Cup winners Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol.

"In the first half we didn`t have the ball and that was the key factor, however, equalising just after the interval was so important and really helped us," said goalscorer Iniesta.

Real responded by going a point above Barcelona and Valencia following up the 6-1 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna with a 4-1 rout of Malaga.

Madrid hit the woodwork twice through Higuain and Sami Khedira before Higuain broke the deadlock on the half hour mark side-footing in a terrific cross-field ball from Ronaldo.

Ronaldo then got himself on the score-sheet with Mesut Ozil putting the ball on a plate for an easy tap-in.

Five minutes after the break Ozil was needlessly fouled in the penalty area and Ronaldo smashed home the resulting spot-kick for his sixth goal of the campaign.

Higuain grabbed his second and fifth of the season on 65 minutes and it could have been more as Real sent a warning to AC Milan who they host in the Champions League on Tuesday.

For Malaga it was another miserable home performance and they have lost all four of their home games so far.

Barcelona have been indifferent at home this season dropping five points in their first three matches, however, they got back on track with a crucial 2-1 home triumph over rivals Valencia.

Pablo Hernandez shot Valencia into a 37th minute lead but Barcelona produced a second half masterclass to turn the game around.

Two minutes after the break Iniesta surged forward before feeding Xavi who returned the ball to his team-mate who finished brilliantly.

Barca were a different side thereafter and David Villa had a header acrobatically saved

by Cesar Sanchez on the hour mark.

But two minutes later Carles Puyol met Xavi`s cross with a bullet header to put Barca ahead with what proved the winning goal.

Villa could have had a hat-trick against his old club -- where he spent five years before joining Barca for 40 million euros in the summer -- but found 39-year-old goalkeeper Cesar in great form.

"We had two clear chances in the first half but they levelled early in the second and that was a real handicap for us," said Valencia coach Unai Emery.

"Barca pushed us back after that even though we had the desire to attack and try and win the game."

Valencia hope to bounce back from this defeat with a Champions League group match at Scottish side Rangers on Wednesday while Barcelona host FC Copenhagen in their group game on the same day.

On Monday fourth-placed Villarreal can nudge Real Madrid, currently two points ahead, off the top providing they can beat promoted Hercules.

Earlier Atletico Madrid moved to within three points of the leading duo with a 2-0 win over derby rivals Getafe at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.

An unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Jordi Codina on 37 minutes and a Diego Costa strike on 72 minutes helped Atletico move fifth. (Uu.SYS/A008/R009)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Barcelona to travel to China for pre-season

European champions Barcelona and their superstar forward Lionel Messi will play China’s Super League winners Beijing Guoan at the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in August, state press said Thursday.

“Barcelona’s Beijing match is basically set for August 8 in the Bird’s Nest,” the Beijing Youth Daily quoted promoter Xia Haifeng as saying.

“They will be bringing their top line-up. This is stipulated (in the contract).”

Xia said that 30 percent of Barcelona’s appearance fee had already been paid, although he did not specify the amount involved.

Messi, widely hailed as the best player in the world, is just one of the draws in the star studded line-up of the Spanish giants.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Real Madrid sign Van der Vaart

Media reports in Spain claim that La Liga champions Real Madrid have completed the signing of Dutch playmaker Rafael Van der Vaart.

A fee of nine million euros has reportedly been agreed with his Bundesliga club Hamburg for the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

Under the deal Real Madrid will also get a bonus which will vary depending on the performance of the 25-year-old midfielder, whose mother is Spanish, the radio station added.

Real coach Bernd Schuster has publicly stated his determination to sign the playmaker and pair him in midfield with Wesley Sneijder, a partnership which lit up the Euro 2008 finals this summer.

Last week Hamburg boss Dietmar Beiersdorfer said the German side had rejected an offer of seven million euros for the Dutchman who has made no secret of his desire to play for a major European club.

But Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said in an interview published Wednesday that the Spanish side was close to signing the player.

“He is a player that Schuster and the coaching staff like a lot and the deal is close. We are waiting to reach a definitive agreement with Hamburg, but it shouldn’t be difficult,” he told Spanish sports daily AS.

Cadena Ser said the player would be officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Monday.

Van der Vaart has publicly stated he is happy to play another season at the north German club.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Negredo to sign for Sevilla

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo has ended weeks of speculation about his future and agreed to join Primera Liga rivals Sevilla, Spanish sporting dailies said Thursday.

The 23-year-old was last month linked with Tottenham and then more recently with Hull City and Zenit St Petersburg and finally with newly promoted Spanish side Zaragoza.

The Marca newspaper said Sevilla, which qualified for this season’s European Champions League by finishing third behind Barcelona and Real, will pay 15 million euros (21 million dollars) for the player, who is set to sign a four-year contract later Thursday.

It said the club will have an option to buy back the striker for 18 million euros in the first year and 21 million in the second.

Another paper, AS, put the transfer fee at 14 million euros with a buy-back option of 17 million over the two seasons.

Spanish media said earlier this week that Hull was ready to meet Real’s terms of an 18-million-euro transfer fee plus a two-year buy-back clause worth 25 million euros.

But Negredo wanted to remain in Spain, and Real was ready to let him.

He was then on the point of moving to Zaragoza before Sevilla made a final effort to sign him, Marca said.

Negredo scored 19 goals in Spain’s Primera Liga last season, when he played for Almeria. Real then exercised a buy-back option on him during the close season.

Real president Florentino Perez has splashed out over 250 million euros on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema since he returned to the club in June in a bid to make the nine-times European champions a formidable force again.

But he is now seeking to offload a number of players to recoup some of the massive outlay.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Platini stands by Ronaldo transfer criticism

UEFA president Michel Platini on Wednesday stood by his view that the record 94 million euros which Real Madrid paid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo was “indecent” during a visit to the Spanish giants’ stadium.

“The amount seems indecent to me,” he told a news conference at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of Real’s Champions League clash against AC Milan.

“But that does not bother me in the case that the club has the money to do it. And there is no problem with Real Madrid because they have the money to do it,” added Platini who was sitting beside Real president Florentino Perez.

The two men went out of their way to show that there was no bad blood between Real, which spent 250 million euros on new signings in the pre-season, and UEFA, which is seeking to curb splurges by clubs.

“Ties between UEFA and Real Madrid, and between the president of UEFA and the president of Real Madrid, are, and will always be, excellent,” said Perez.

Real was heavily criticized for the amount it paid to sign Ronaldo from Manchester United as well as the 65 million euros it dished out to sign Brazil’s Kaka from AC Milan.

At the time Platini called the transfers “a serious challenge to the idea of fairplay” while Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano said Real’s spending splurge runs the risk of pushing football clubs towards bankrupcy by inflating transfer fees.

Perez, who brought stars Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane to Real during his first term as the club’s president between 2000 and 2006, said Wednesday that the club has a record budget of 422 million euros in the 2009-10 season.

Source: http://www.footballnewsblog.co.uk

Record crowd welcomes Ronaldo to Real Madrid

MADRID (AFP) – A capacity crowd of close to 80,000 people welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid on Monday, setting a new record for turnout at the presentation of a footballer, club officials said.

“I am very happy to be here,” the 24-year-old Portuguese winger told cheering fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital after completing his much-desired move to the club from Manchester United.

“For me it is the realization of a childhood dream, which was to play for Real Madrid. I never expected the the stadium would be full just to see me. It is impressive,” he added.

The previous record for attendance at the unveiling of a footballer was set in July 1984 when Argentina’s Diego Maradona was presented at Naples after he joined the Italian side from FC Barcelona before 75,000 people.

But while fans had to pay to see Maradona don the Naples jersey for the first time, entry to Ronaldo’s presentation in Madrid was free.

Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA world player of the year, was wearing the Number 9 jersey once sported by club legend Alfredo di Stefano.

The Argentine striker, Real’s honorary president, was present at the unveiling as was Portuguese legend and former Real player Eusebio.

The number 9 jersey was recently vacated by Argentine striker Javier Saviola who joined Portuguese side Benfica last month.

Real acquired the player from Manchester last month on a six-year deal worth 94 million euros (131 million dollars) and he will reportedly be paid 13 million euros each season, making him the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo, who spent six successful years at Manchester, arrived in Madrid on Monday on a private flight from his native Portugal where he was on holiday, sparking a media frenzy with dozens of photographers trailing his every move.

The head of Real’s medical services, Carlos Diez, said Ronaldo was “in perfect condition and looking forward to the beginning of the season” after the player underwent medical tests.

Fans, many equipped with food and drinks to ease a lengthy wait, starting gathering at the stadium in a Madrid business district hours before the official presentation, which lasted about 30 minutes, got underway at 9 pm (1900 GMT).

Real set up a large television screen outside the stadium for fans who were not able to enter the stadium to watch the ceremony.

Ronaldo will team up with Kaka, the 2007 FIFA world player, who signed with Real from AC Milan for 65 million euros from AC Milan in early June.

Kaka was officially unveiled on June 30 at the Bernabeu stadium before 55,000 fans, according to club figures.

The Brazilian was the first big name who construction magnate Florentino Perez signed since he returned in June for a second stint as president of Real.

Perez, who brought Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane to Real during his first term as the club’s president between 2000 and 2006, is seeking to rebuild a squad which trailed arch rivals Barcelona last season by reviving his policy of signing football superstars.

Among Real’s other signings is French striker Karim Benzema from Lyon and defender Raul Albiol, who joined from Spanish side Valencia.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Real´s ´Galactico´ president signs Pellegrini, Zidane

MADRID (AFP) – Florentino Perez, the inspiration behind the Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’, launched his second term as president on Monday by bringing in Chile’s Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new coach and France legend Zinedine Zidane as a top advisor.

The club also announced former Argentine striker and coach Jorge Valdano as its new director general.

“Real Madrid C.F. and Manuel Pellegrini have reached a deal for the Chilean to become the first team head coach,” Real said in a statement.

It said he would be officially presented at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday.

He replaces Juande Ramos, who began a six-month contract in mid-December in place of Germany’s Bernd Schuster.

Pellegrini, 55, a qualified civil engineer, joined Villareal in 2004 from River Plate of Argentina and was under contract with the club until 2010.

In his first season there, Villareal qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in La Liga. Last season, they were second behind champions Real Madrid.

In a speech on taking office Monday, the 62-year-old Perez vowed to build “the best club of the 21st century.

“We will devote all our effort to building a spectacular team with great players who are role models on and off the pitch. A club where ethics are indestructible and where solidarity will be a basic cornerstone of behaviour,” he said.

The construction magnate is retaking the reins of Real, Spain’s historically most successful team and the world’s richest football club by revenues, for the next four years after standing unopposed in elections for president.

Real had been led on an interim basis by Vicente Boluda after Ramon Calderon stepped down in January following allegations that he rigged voting at the club’s last annual general assembly in December.

Perez led Real from 2000 to 2006, when it earned the nickname “Los Galacticos”, winning the Primera Liga twice and European Champions League with such stars as Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Zidane’s transfer from Juventus in 2000 cost Real a world record 75 million euros.

The former France captain now becomes “adviser to the president” at Real.

Perez had promised to give both Zidane and Valdano senior positions at Real if his comeback bid was successful. Valdano had acted as Real’s sports director during his last term in office.

He has not mentioned any names regarding top signings but Spanish media speculate that Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Liverpool’s Spanish star Xabi Alonso and AC Milan’s Brazilian playmaker Kaka are all in his sights for next season.

“We must recover the dreams, stability and lost time,” said Perez. “The road ahead will be difficult, but we have the passion and necessary ideas to overcome the great challenges of this complicated time.”

Perez had quit Real in 2006 after the club went a third straight season without a trophy, its worst run in more than half a century, but he has remained popular with supporters.

This season, the club’s arch-rivals Barcelona won a unique treble of league, Spanish Cup and Champions League trophies under debutante coach Pep Guardiola.

Real finished second in La Liga and exited the first knockout stage of the Champions League for the fifth straight season.

It ended the season on Sunday with a 2-1 loss to lowly Osasuna.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Benitez unsure if Mourinho is fit for Real job

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez has contributed to the long running war of words between him and Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish manager said he was unsure if the former Chelsea gaffer is the right man to take over at Real Madrid.

Benitez also backed Real’s current coach Manuel Pellegrini, declaring that the Chilean has behaved impeccably in the wake of speculation about him being replaced at the helm.

“Pellegrini has done a great job and has to be given great respect because he is still coach of Real Madrid. He has shown exemplary behaviour, because it is not pleasant to hear talk about who’s going to replace you,” AS quoted Benitez as saying.

“I know Mourinho is crazy about coaching Real Madrid. I do not know if Mourinho is the right person to train to Madrid.”

Benitez also refused to confirm or deny that he would, one day, be interested in returning to the Bernabeu to coach the first team.

“I’m from Madrid, I’m at home in this city have been linked to the club and it is a great club, but I cannot say anything more,” he added.

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Barca players hoping for Real slip up

Barcelona’s Victor Valdes and Bojan Krkic said they are playing the waiting game after the Catalans put themselves four points clear of rivals Real Madrid with a 4-1 win over Tenerife on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi put Barca ahead on 17 minutes and added a second in the final minute.

Argentine Roman Martinez stunned the champions by equalising for Tenerife shortly before half-time following an error from home captain Carles Puyol.

But second-half goals from Bojan Krkic (in the 63rd minute) and substitute Pedro Rodriguez (77) turned the game in Barca’s favour before Messi rubbed salt in the wound with his late strike.

Now the Blaugrana are waiting to see how Real do away to Mallorca tonight, knowing that should los Merengues slip up, they would step closer to a second consecutive title.

“It was a tough day with the weather, and the busy calendar is really weighing on us now but we have given everything. It’s a very competitive league and we won and now have to wait,” Valdes told AS after the match.

Bojan said he was happy with the win and revealed he will be watching tonight’s game at the ONO Estadi, hoping Real drop points.

“I’m happy with how things are going, there are only two games left and we’re getting what we want. It is important that the fans are supporting us as always. They, like us, are eager to win the title. Their help is essential,” Bojan said.

“It was important to win today, Real are a great team with great players and have a difficult game tomorrow. We hope they drop some points.

“Yes I will be watching Madrid, I will be having a meal for the game.”