Match Report: Sevilia Vs Real Madrid.

First Division - Day 14

Sevilla 2 - Real Madrid 1 Sevilla: Palop; Daniel Alves, Escudé, Javi Navarro, David; Jesús Navas, Poulsen (Maresca 61'), Renato, Adriano (Antonio Puerta 72'); Kanouté, Luis Fabiano (Chevantón 64'). 4-4-2. Real Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado (Mejía 46'), Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Emerson, Guti (Reyes 81'), Raúl; Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo (Robinho 69'). 4-4-2. Team changes: Sevilla: David, Jesús Navas, Poulsen for Dragutinovic, Martí, Antonio Puerta / Madrid: Cannavaro, Beckham, Guti, Ronaldo for Mejía, Diarra, Reyes, Robinho. Goals: 0-1. 13. Beckham. Caught Palop off line with wide free kick into far top corner. 1-1. 17. Kanouté. Following up after Luis Fabiano shot came back off crossbar. 2-1. 77. Chevantón. Spectacular overhead kick after Alves free kick headed on.

Higuain nearing move to Madrid.

River Plate's teenage striker Gonzalo Higuain could soon be joining Real Madrid.

"I'm going to Madrid to continue talks on Higuain's move to (Real) Madrid," River's treasurer Hector Grinberg told Radio Marca. River is reportedly demanding 12 million euros (C$18.3 million) for Higuain, who scored his final goal of the Argentine league season in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Velez Sarsfield.

The striker, who turned 19 the same day, was presented with a shirt signed by his River teammates, an apparent indication that he will soon be leaving the club, sports daily Marca said Tuesday.

"It's great to have the chance of playing for such an important club as Real Madrid. I am feel proud that Madrid has noticed me," Higuain told the newspaper.

Higuain, who reportedly has attracted interest from other top European clubs, last month rejected a call-up from France. The striker was born in France of Argentine parents and moved to Argentina when he was a baby.

Higuain is one of two young Argentine league players which have been targeted by Madrid. Both would be eligible to play for the Spanish club once the transfer window opens on Jan. 2.

The other is Boca Juniors' 20-year-old midfielder Fernando Gago, although negotiations have been delayed due to Boca's involvement in the Argentine title playoff against Estudiantes on Thursday.

Sevilia 2 : 1 Real Madrid.

Sevilia		Real Madrid
2		1
GOALS
Frederic Kanoute 17 Ernesto Javier Chevanton 77		David Beckham 13
YELLOW CARDS
Javi Navarro 34 Luis Fabiano 41		Michel Salgado 43 David Beckham 65 Fabio Cannavaro 90

Real Madrid Castilla 2 : 1 Salamanca.

Real Madrid Castilla		Salamanca
2		1
GOALS
Mata 53 Mata 79		Martin (pen) 23

'I'm great when I score, fat when I don't' - Ronaldo.

Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Ronaldo has said he cannot win in the continuing debate about whether he is overweight or not.

Having come back from a knee ligament injury just over a week ago and scored three goals in two games, Spanish media have hailed his return saying 'the king is back' and that he is thinner. 'I think it is absurd we spend so much time talking about my weight. All the tests and controls are open for everyone to see,' Ronaldo told a news conference, Spanish media reported on Friday. 'What most annoys me is the way things come out in the press.

When you score goals you are great, when you don't you are fat. 'I am completely dedicated to my work and trying to improve and I'm not interested in what others say.' Before his strike against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, and two more versus Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Wednesday, Ronaldo had only managed one goal this season. The 30-year-old has had limited opportunities to shine following knee surgery after the World Cup and then suffering twisted knee ligaments in the King's Cup last month. Real coach Fabio Capello, who has preferred Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, has cited the Brazilian's need to lose weight as one of the reasons he has not used him.

Teamsheet Vs Sevilla.

Squad list:
----------------

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López and Adán
Defenders: Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Pavón, Mejía and Sergio
Midfielders: Emerson, Robinho, Guti, Reyes, Beckham and De la Red
Forwards: Raúl, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy and Cassano

Madrid want Beckham 'for life'!

Real Madrid's club president Ramon Calderon wants David Beckham to stay at the club 'for life'.

Beckham's future has been the subject of much speculation since he began to enjoy less and less playing time at the Bernabeau this season but Calderon says he is a big fan of the former England captain.

'Beckham is an exceptional player on and off the pitch,' Calderon told the club's website.

'I would like him to sign on for the rest of his career.'

Calderon praised Beckham's attitude in regards to the recent selection policy of new coach Fabio Cappello, who has persistently named Beckham as a substitute since his arrival in the summer.

Under former coaches Juan Ramon Lopez Caro and Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Beckham was a regular on the right-hand side of the Madrid midfield but he has found himself somewhat frozen out under the charge of the Italian.

And Calderon believes Beckham's attitude since the arrival of Cappello has been exemplary.

'He has never complained about being benched,' the Real president added.

'His charm and caring always shine through.'

Beckham will be free to leave Real at the end of the season as his contract expires this summer. The likely destinations for the 31-year-old would appear to be a Premiership club in England or the MLS in the United States.

Van Nistelrooy crocks Cannavaro!

Fabio Cannavaro has been injured in training by team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, suffering a sprained ankle. The Italian Ballon d'Or winner was tackled heavily by his Dutch colleague towards the end of a training match on Thursday morning.

Cannavaro reacted with obvious distress, calling for medical attention and refusing the handshake Van Nistelrooy offered him to apologise.

A medical examination confirmed the extent of the damage, which will probably rule Cannavaro out of the weekend's game against Sevilla.

"I have got a lot of pain in my ankle, I don't know if I will be able to play."

The 33-year-old had just returned from a muscular injury that kept him out of Real's last two games against Athletic Bilbao and Dynamo Kiev.

Van Nistelrooy was rested for Wednesday's game in Kiev.

MATCH REPORT: DYNAMO KYIV VS REAL MADRID.

Matchday 6 of the Champions League had little riding on it for Real Madrid and their opponent, Dynamo Kyiv. With the Whites already through to the Last 16 of the competition, and the Ukrainians playing for pride in this campaign, Fabio Capello used the match as a screening test for several members of the Castilla youth squad. In a relatively lackluster performance by both sides, Ronaldo was able to score his first two goals in Europe in two years to draw the match moments before the final whistle.


MATCH REPORT:
--------------------------

2 – DYNAMO KYIV: Shovkovskiy; Markovic, Rodrigo, Rodolfo, Nesmachniy; Gusev, Yssuf, Mikhalik, Belkevich; Milevskiy (Rotan 84’) and Shatskikh.

2 – REAL MADRID Casillas; Salgado, Mejía, Torres, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Diarra, De la Red (Javi García 69’), Nieto (Valero 68’); Cassano and Ronaldo.
GOALS:
1-0, min. 13: Shatskikh strikes good ball crossed in from left wing.
2-0, min. 27: Shatskikh beats Diego López off ricochet.
2-1, min. 86: Ronaldo sends ball into net after lovely flick on by Javi García.
2-2, min. 88: Ronaldo penalty kick.
REFEREE: Michael Riley (England). Yellow cards to Rodrigo (28’) and Ronaldo (36’).
NOTES: Matchday 6 of the group stage of the Champions League.

Dynamo Kiev 2-2 Real Madrid.

Dynamo Kiev		Real Madrid
2		2
GOALS
Maksim Shatskikh 13 Maksim Shatskikh 27		Ronaldo 86 Ronaldo (pen) 88
YELLOW CARDS
Rodrigo 29		Ronaldo 37

Real bid for 'Gooch'.

Real Madrid have made a bid for Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu before the transfer deadline in August.

The USA international almost joined Middlesbrough during the close season but he did not enjoy the best of World Cups and has been rebuilding his reputation in the Jupiler League.

The strapping 24-year-old, nicknamed 'Gooch', has clearly impressed Real scouts and a move could be in the pipeline for the former Metz centre back.

"A transfer is now open to discussion," admitted Standard coach Michel Preud'homme to Het Laaste Nieuws.

"It was a fabulous offer [from Real] but we did not let Onyewu leave then because we had no time to bring in a replacement."

Ironically, if Real did sign Onyewu, it could pave the way for Middlesbrough to make Jonathan Woodgate's loan move to The Riverside permanent.

Diarra and Reyes injured.

Diarra and Reyes injured.

Diarra with stitched cheek-bone; Reyes with strained right groin muscle.

The Mali player was savagely elbowed on the cheek-bone and needed stitching-up, while the Sevillian player was benched in the second half with a strain on the ligament of his right groin adductor muscle. Tomorrow, the Club's medical staff will evaluate the latter's injury.

MATCH REPORT: REAL MADRID Vs ATHLETIC BILBAO.

Quality stock. Real Madrid had to display all their weaponry against Athletic Bilbao, who proved much fiercer than anticipated judging from their position on the table. They even managed to take the lead after an offside goal in the first half. Fabio Capello took a high-stake gamble at halftime, putting Beckham and Ronaldo at the beginning of the second half... and it paid off. Ronie and Roberto Carlos scored one a piece and turned the scoreboard over. Real Madrid are now second in the League.


MATCH REPORT:
------------------------

2. REAL MADRID: Iker Casillas; Míchel Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Mejía, Roberto Carlos; Emerson (Beckham, 46'), Diarra; Robinho, Raul, Reyes (Ronaldo, 46'); Van Nistelrooy.

1. ATHLETIC BILBAO: Lafuente; Iraola, Luis Prieto, Sarriegui, Expósito; Orbáiz (Murillo, 56'), Javi Martínez, Yeste (Urzáiz, 69'), Gabilondo; Etxeberría (Casas, 80') & Adúriz.

GOALS:
0-1. 35'. Javi Martínez,deflecting the ball after a free-kick.
1-1. 65'. Ronaldo, after a great pass by Sergio Ramos.
2-1. 81'. Roberto Carlos, ground shot 25 metres from the goal.

REFEREE: Rodríguez Santiago. Castilla-Leon Refereeing Association. Booked Sergio Ramos (48'), Diarra (53'), Mejía (86'), Yeste (58') & Expósito (76'). Red carded Adúriz (75') for elbowing Diarra on the face.

HIGHLIGHTS: Crowd of 78,000 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Real Madrid 2-1 Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid		Athletic Bilbao
2		1
GOALS
Ronaldo 65 Roberto Carlos 82		Luis Prieto 35
RED CARDS
		Aritz Aduriz 75
YELLOW CARDS
Sergio Ramos 48 Mahamadou Diarra 54 Alvaro Mejia 86 David Beckham 90 Roberto Carlos 90		Francisco Yeste 59 Aritz Aduriz 62 Unai Exposito 77 Ander Murillo 90

Malaga CF 3 : 3 Real Madrid Castilla.

Malaga		Real Madrid Castilla
3		3
GOALS
Ballesta Salva 1 Ballesta Salva 23 Ballesta Salva 37		Alvaro Negredo 17 Esteban Granero 33 Borja Valero 76

Teamsheet Vs Athletic Bilbao.

After this morning's training session, Fabio Capello announced the squad list for tomorrow's home match against Athletic Bilbao. Helguera hasn't recovered from his injury and Cannavaro is suspended, so the usual centre back duo will not feature. Guti and Cicinho are still injured.

Squad List:
-----------------

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Diego Lopez.
Defenders: Michel Salgado, Roberto Carlos, Sergio Ramos, Raul Bravo & Mejia.
Midfielders: Diarra, Emerson, Robinho, Beckham, Javi Garcia & Reyes.
Forwards: Raul, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy & Cassano.

My Team:
-----------

Casillas (GK)
Michel Salgado (RWB)
Mejia (CB)
Sergio Ramos (CB)
Roberto Carlos (LWB)
Diarra (CDM)
Emerson (CDM)
Raul (RAM)
Ronaldo (CF)
Robinho (LAM)
Van Nistelrooy (ST)

Liverpool Target Real Madrid Defender Francisco Pavon.

Liverpool Football Club are targeting Real Madrid defender Francisco Pavon, according to Daily Mirror. It is likely that the Spain international will join The Reds brigade in the January transfer window.

A pre-contract between the 26-year old and Liverpool FC have planned to be signed in January.

New star for Real Madrid: Fernando Gago.

Real Madrid have agreed terms with Boca Jrs. over the transfer of the 20-year-old star Fernando Gago. After long negotiations, Madrid officials decided to meet Boca’s demands and placed the final offer at over 20 million euros. The talented midfielder will join the White House in January.

More than two months of rumours, media talk, interviews and expectancy have found an end as the transfer of Fernando Gago to Real Madrid has now been materialized.

The classy midfielder, who is often compared to the former Madrid star Fernando Redondo, was very anxious about the move and always claimed that playing for Los Merengues would be a dream come true. His agent also expressed the desire to close the operation as soon as possible, as he stated that Real Madrid can’t be denied from taking Gago in January.

This is a reference to the obstacles that Boca Jrs. president Mauricio Macri put in the negotiations. He knew full well that a move to Real Madrid couldn’t be avoided, but he wanted to keep the star until next June so he could play the Libertadores Cup with Boca.

In order to let him go this January, Boca wanted more money, and since Real chairman Ramón Calderón wanted the transfer done by the end of the week, Real met Macri’s demands and the final fee will leave Boca with 20 million euros without deductions.

Meanwhile, Gago and Madrid had already reached a contract agreement long ago. The player will receive 1 million euros per season for five years.

Beckham and Ronaldo back for Real Madrid.

David Beckham and Ronaldo are back in the Real Madrid squad announced on Saturday to face Athletic Bilbao at home in the Primera Liga on Sunday.

Beckham, the former England captain, has been suffering from an inflammation in the cartilage of his left knee that had kept him out of the last three games.

Beckham, who has yet to decide whether or not he will extend his contract with Real beyond the end of this season, has been in the starting line-up for just three of his side's 12 league matches this season.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo is also back after recovering from a strained knee ligament picked up in the King's Cup last month.

Cassano staying with Real Madrid.

Antonio Cassano is staying at Real Madrid and has no intention of leaving despite an unsettled time in Spain.Cassano has struggled for first-team football since arriving at the Bernabeu from Roma and speculation has suggested he could return to Serie A either in January or next summer.

There has also been talk of a bust up with boss Fabio Capello, but despite the rumours, the player's agent has insisted his client will be staying with Real. "He won't leave Real," said agent Giuseppe Bozzo. "I have reaffirmed this personally. Cassano is not for sale and he hasn't asked to leave. We are at Real Madrid - the world's strongest side."