Ferguson vs Mourinho

Ferguson: “Real is one of the best squads in counterattacks and they set a superb example in the Camp Nou”

 “The key is to score early; I’d like to thank the fans at the Bernabeu for the ovation they gave me because it’s positive when the rival’s fans appreciate you so much”, said Giggs, who could make his 1,000 official appearance

 

 Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs spoke to the media in the press room at Old Trafford. The Manchester United manager analyzed the second leg of the Champions League round of 16: "Both teams are in great form. I was there at the second leg of the Copa semifinals at Camp Nou and Real Madrid played very well. We’ve been more consistent for a while now, but it's a matchup between two of Europe’s biggest sides. The key is in how to defend. Real is one of the best squads in counterattacks and they set a superb example in the Camp Nou. Our job is to fight against this. Both teams are going to score”. Giggs, meanwhile, thanked the ovation he received in the Bernabeu in the first leg and spoke about the circumstances that can tip the match: "The key is to score early; I’d like to thank the fans at the Bernabeu for the ovation they gave me because it’s positive when the rival’s fans appreciate you so much”.

When asked about the importance of the match and the way to motivate his payers, the Manchester United boss said: “You can tell by the amount of photographers who were at the training session. It’s an important event and a night like we always want. The Champions League gives us the chance to play against some of Europe’s biggest sides. If you're preparing for a game of football against any rival you have to pay respect to the strengths of the other team. I always tell my players that I trust my group and know that they trust in each other. The coaching staff has experience and we’re going to be very prepared. The most important thing is trust”. Regarding the state of the pitch, Ferguson said: “It’s better than it was three weeks ago. It was good last Saturday and I’m sure that it’s helped that Real Madrid trains at Manchester City’s pitch. It won’t be a problem and it can’t be an excuse”.

Ferguson also had words of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo: “When we face a team that has Cristiano Ronaldo you expect problems, but we’re going to try to limit the effect he has on the match. It’s not a coincidence that he’s a great player. We don’t have to fear him because then we’d forget about our strengths”. Regarding the comparison with the Brazilian Ronaldo, who scored a hat-trick and received an ovation in Old Trafford, Ferguson said: “They’re different. Cristiano is a complete athlete, he plays in every match, he’s fast and shoots with both legs. He’s a much more complete player than Ronaldo”.

The Scottish coach, who admitted that Jones “isn’t in condition to play”, spoke about three key players on his squad: “Giggs’ experience is important. He didn’t play on Saturday because he wanted to rest. He’ll play today, whether starting or on the bench I am not sure yet. We already knew about Kagawa’s quality, but he was weighed down by the three injured months he had. He’s getting back into form and he’ll be much better next year. Van Persie has performed well and I’m sure he’s brought the group up”.

One of those three players, Ryan Giggs, joined Ferguson at the press conference. When asked about possibly playing his 1,000th official game, the striker replied: “I’m proud to have played so many matches. I’ve played with really good teammates and you appreciate more what you’ve done as the years pass. I remember the second Champions League I won more fondly than the first because of the experience”.

He also remembered the last game he played against Real Madrid at Old Trafford: "You learn something from every opponent and every game. They got ahead early on with goals from Ronaldo and I think the important thing is lead the score early. The fans will support and help us, and the key is to score early”.

 

Mourinho: “The world will stop for 90 minutes to watch this match”

“It’s a positive thing when you come to a match with confident players” added the Real Madrid coach

José Mourinho appeared before the media in the Old Trafford press room and the coach analyzed the match of the white team against Manchester United: “It will be complicated because we are both having a good streak. Manchester United has practically won the Premier League in March and is in the English Cup quarterfinals. They have not lost any games in a while, and we have lost only one of the past 12. The world will stop tomorrow for 90 minutes to watch this game. More than a playoff, it feels like a final. It’s a positive thing when you come to a match with confident players.”

The Portuguese coach also spoke about the opponent he expects to face: “I think they are going to be very defensive when Real Madrid has the ball and pretty offensive when they have the ball. For us it’s the same, even though we are behind in the playoffs. We have to defend a lot and well when Manchester United has the ball because they are strong on offensive plays. When we have the ball we will try to make dangerous attacks.”

Regarding whether the two consecutive Clásicos won by his team give Real Madrid extra motivation for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, Mourinho was clear: “We beat an important rival twice, but if it had been two losses the team’s mindset would be the same. They are three different competitions. This is the Champions League, we are in the final of the Copa, and in the championship, which is already lost, we won a positive victory. We are sorry that we traveled a day early because we would have liked to continue to prepare for the game in Madrid.”

Asked about Ferguson’s constant flattery of Cristiano Ronaldo, he said: “It is fine. He knows him well and he is honest in how he talks about him. He’s going to get a fantastic reception, more than deserved, and any accolades that he gets are more than deserved.” Regarding Ramos and Alonso, who are both on yellow cards, and whether Pepe can give his all, Mourinho asserted: “If we get through and they don’t play in the quarterfinals because they are sanctioned, perfect. Better to get through and have them be unable to play than for them not to be sanctioned and for us to be eliminated. Pepe played a great game against Barcelona and showed me that he is physically and tactically fit. Everyone is fit and ready to play except for Casillas.”

Of his particular duel with Ferguson and the possibility that he will be coaching as long as the Scotsman, Mourinho noted: “I have played against him many times. I have won, I have tied, and I have lost. The statistics do not matter to me all that much. Anything can happen. Someone has to win or lose the playoff. There is no one like Ferguson. His maturity and experience can only help him. As you get older you improve in this job.”

Regarding whether the match could impact certain players, he was categorical: “Everyone is prepared. They are mature. The boys have grown a lot, as we could see with Morata in the last Clásico. On Manchester, in the Bernabéu, people without a lot of international experience, like De Gea or Jones, played great games. What people want is to play games like this one.”

Asked about the first time he played in Old Trafford and how he feels now in comparison to how he felt that day, the Portuguese coach explained: “It means the same, but I live it differently. The emotions are different, even though after winning or losing you always feel the same emotions. I have played more than 100 games in the Champions League and I control my emotions in a different way. If we lose I won’t cry and if we win I won’t run 100 meters along the sideline out of happiness. If we lose we will try to sleep in the plane and if we win we will try to laugh.”

Lastly, when asked about the differences between English and Spanish football, he answered: “English football is how it is. If we talk about Spanish football, at the club and national level it has dominated but now it is struggling after the first leg of the Champions League. If the four Spanish teams are eliminated, it does not mean that Spanish football is ruined. City and Chelsea were left back in the Group Stage because they had to play very difficult teams. Spanish football is Spanish football and English football is English.”

 

Source: realmadrid.com

 

What is your opinion? Who is going to win tonight?

 

 

Chelsea wants Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos recently fell out with Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese tactician dropped the Spanish international for the Champions League tie with Manchester City.

Ramos, who is a huge star with Los Merengues, did not take kindly to this decision, and if his relationship with the Special One cannot be mended quickly, then the former Sevilla defender might be sold as soon as January.

Chelsea, who recently signed right-back Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille, are reported to be interested in Ramos, according to the Daily Mail.

The World Cup winner is equally adept at playing in the middle of the defence and would provide the Blues with a plethora of defensive options moving forward.

Mourinho stays with Real Madrid until 2016

Mourinho at Real Madrid: titles and records

The manager has won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, establishing impressive records at the club and in every championship, therefore prompting his contract to be extended to 2016.

Jose Mourinho has just finished his second season at Real Madrid. Since his presentation as the team's manager on 31 May 2010, he has won the 2011 Copa del Rey and the 2012 La Liga titles - the former was the club's first in 18 years. In two years, Mourinho has established countless records at the club and in every competition.

In his first season, Mournho coached the team to Copa del Rey glory, defeating Murcia, Levante, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla before winning 1-0 against Barcelona in what was possibly the best final in the tournament's history.

The manageer won the FIFA World Coach of the Year, La Gazzeta dello Sport's Man of the Year, the IFFHS World Coach of the Year and Uefa.com's Ideal XI awards during his first season at the club.

Mourinho won La Liga in his second campaign at Real, establishing impressive new records in the championship: the team took an unprecedented 100 points; scored a record 121 goals; won 32 games; earned the most victories, netted the most strikes and took the most points on the road (16, 51, 50); had the most turnarounds (9); and defeated all of its opponents.

Jose Mourinho is already the fifth Real Madrid coach with the largest number of victories in La Liga, and the one to reach the 50 victory mark fastest, needing only 62 encounters to do so. He has also defeated all 22 teams he's faced in the championship.

Real Madrid reached the Champions League semifinals two straight years, having played them last as far back as 2002/03. During the 2011/12 campaign, Real had the best run in the history of the competition's group stage by winning every single game.

With Mourinho at the helm, the Whites have scored 322 goals in 117 official encounters, and he has become the first coach in history to win league titles in Spain, England, Italy and Portugal.

Mourinho: First coach to win the league title in Spain, Italy and England

Mourinho is the fourth manager to win four different league championships in Europe and the fifth in the world to win leagues in at least four different countries

Jose Mourinho is the first Portuguese coach to win La Liga, the fourth manager to win four different league championships in Europe, and the fifth in the world to win league tournaments in at least four different countries.

"I had several objectives when I started training," said Mourinho upon arriving in Madrid close to two years ago, "I wanted to win the Champions League with three different clubs. Ernst Happel, Ottmat Hitzfeld and I have won the title with two different teams. Happel has passed away and Hitzfeld will retire soon, but I still have many years ahead of me. I also want to be the first to win the three main league championships in the world: La Liga, the Premier League and the Serie A. Fabio Capello has won in Italy and Spain, Ancelotti in England and Italy, and I've won in England and Italy. Capello won't be able to do so unless he goes back to club coaching, which he says he won't do. I guess it's up to Carlo and I, and I don't know if it is also one of Carlo's objectives. I want all three."

Well, he's managed to do this last thing, and the above words prove just how wimportant it was for him to win La Liga.

Mourinho is the second coach to win the league title with Real Madrid in his second full campaign on the team. He was preceded by Lippo Hertzka, who did so in 1932 without losing a single match.

Mourinho is, with Ernst Happel (who won in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria) and Trapattoni (Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria), the third coach with four different league titles. Only Bela Guttman (Hungary, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Uruguay) and Tomislav Ivic (Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, France) have won in more countries.

Source: realmadrid.com

News from Real Madrid

Whites look to win their 32nd league title at San Mames

Today may be a glorious day in the history of Real Madrid as the team has a chance to win its 32nd league title with a victory over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames (22:00 CET). The venue and opponent couldn't be better for such an occasion: Athletic Bilbao have one of their most competitive squads of recent years and have reached the finals of the Copa del Rey and Europa League championships.

The Whites would also win the title today if Barcelona lose their game at Camp Nou (which starts at 20:00) or if both of them draw. Real Madrid are the best side on the road this season, losing none of their away games in 2012.

Jose Mourinho said his team will do its best to win, as always; throughout the season, Real have won 14, drawn two and lost only one of their league games on the road, scoring 46 goals and conceding only 12. They have taken 44 points away from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Jose Mourinho has taken 20 players with him to Bilbao, including Castilla goalkeeper Tomas Mejias. Di Maria is suspended for the match, while Altintop, Lass and Carvalho have been dropped for coaching decisions. Last season, Real Madrid won 3-0 at San Mames with a Kaka brace and another goal from Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo (43 goals), Benzema (20) and Higuain (21) are the most successful attacking trio in the history of the Spanish league; never before had three strikers on the same team scored 20 or more points in one campaign. They have tallied 84 goals between them in La Liga and will surely look for more tonight.

Athletic are seventh on the table with 48 points, just one place away from a Europa League qualifying spot. They've qualified to play that championship's final this year, as well as that of the Copa del Rey. In the former tournament they managed to eliminate strong sides like Manchester United, Schalke 04 and Sporting Portugal.

Marcelo Bielsa is coaching his first season on the team. His side always looks to keep possession and plays touch football with fast transitions. Athletic have won eight, drawn six and lost two of their home games in La Liga this season, losing only to Valencia, Granada and Betis. Fernando Llorente is their main man in attack with 17 goals and will be a threat to watch out for, while Ander Herrera and Iturraspe are suspended for the clash.

Mourinho: "I like to play in Bilbao; we want to win there in order to be champions"

"I like to play in Bilbao. The stadium has a crowd that is passionate about football and that fervently supports its team. They are harsh on opponents. People who love football and the atmosphere of great games like to play there, and my team does. We've recently played in similar stadiums, like Camp Nou, the Calderon and the Reyno de Navarra. Athletic Bilbao play very well, but so do we. We will try to win in order to be champions, but they will do their best to defeat us and prevent us from winning the title at their stadium."

"Other sides have faced Athletic when the latter have used few regular starters, but we won't have that luck. All their main players rested in the previous game and they consider tomorrow's clash to be important. We won't be able to count on Di Maria because he is suspended, but this is normal because it is unusual for players not to have bookings at this stage of the season. Athletic have a solid squad and quality players."

"We haven't won yet, so the fact that I've won all three major European league championships is still hypothetical. We know we're close and that we'll achieve it soon, either tomorrow, on Saturday or later on. We are confident in ourselves and we'll experience great joy when we win the title. I don't think this will be my last La Liga title and I think we'll have a chance to celebrate other things in the future, but one of my personal goals indeed was to win the three major European league championships. I will be very happy if I manage to do so, and I'm sure I will."

"My team doesn't look to break records, but rather to win a competition as important as La Liga after a period in which our greatest rival has won it three consecutive times. We want to win this championship and records are always interesting and give the team greater merit, but the title is the main objective. Last season we could afford to focus on records because we weren't playing to win the title in the last three games, but whenever there is a collective objective you have to make it your priority."

"It isn't true that Zidane will leave the club. This club has a policy not to publicly deny all false reports. We are all responsible for the season we're having; everyone's done their part, be it players or equipment managers. Everyone tries to bring what they can to the table. As first team coach, and the power my responsibility gives me, I am delighted to continue with those who are working with me and I am grateful to all the players for their contributions and for all they are giving. We love them all, and the same goes for my coaching staff. I would like to say I arrived here with a family of four and now we're a family of five because Karanka is now part of it too. Karanka's future will be very simple the day I leave Real Madrid. He should remain if he wants because this is his home, but if he doesn't he will continue to work with me."

"We have to win the league title because, if we don't, this season will be dubbed as 'the one in which we came close'. The title will allow us to say we've had a great season and it will have even greater value because we will have surpassed a Barcelona side people deem worthy and deserving of much praise. This team has great room for improvement because it is very young and we will have enough time to prepare for next season and be even better once the championship ends."

"Cristiano Ronaldo's main objective is to win the league title and his second objective is to win the Ballon d'Or. The latter isn't won by the top scorer, but by the player who wins a great collective title. You cannot win the Ballon d'Or if you don't win the league title or the Champions League. I don't think Bayern Munchen or Chelsea have anyone better, so I think he'll win the Ballon d'Or if he wins the league title."

"Guardiola has decided to leave Barcelona. When we coaches are dismissed we are deserving of solidarity and praise. Guardiola's has been a personal decision and he knows what will make him happier. The important thing is that he's happy with his decision. I've been coaching for 12 years and I will miss football in June, when there will be no more games to play. I wish he enjoys his time because that's the most important thing in life. My decision to stay on as Real Madrid's coach has nothing to do with who coaches other teams. That was my challenge when I got here and Real Madrid and Barcelona go their own separate ways. I believe Barcelona have capable executives and, if they believe Vilanova is the ideal replacement for Guardiola, we respect their decision. He will be our opponent in La Liga next season. We cannot wish him luck because they are our most immediate opponent."

Source: realmadrid.com

Sergio Ramos' red card

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos hits out at Barcelona's Sergio Busquets and reveals club will appeal his second yellow card in Wednesday's Clasico

The Spain defender has been left enraged by his red card during the closing stages of the game at Camp Nou, believing that his international colleague was guilty of play-acting

Sergio Ramos has accused Sergio Busquets of feigning injury to get him sent off in Wednesday night's Clasico against Barcelona and revealed that Real Madrid intend to appeal against his second yellow card.

The Spain defender was sent off in the closing stages of the Copa del Rey clash at Camp Nou for elbowing his international colleague in the face as the pair jumped for the ball.

However, Sergio Ramos, who refused to speak to reporters about his red card immediately after the game, insists that he did nothing wrong and believes that Busquets was guilty of play-acting.

"I am happy that the club are appealing my second yellow card because even though some don't stop rolling around [on the turf], I didn't touch him [Busquets]," the versatile defender wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, in a show of support for coach Jose Mourinho, with whom he is alleged to have had a training-ground dispute last week, Sergio Ramos also went online to wish the Portuguese a happy birthday.

"I would like to congratulate our coach Mourinho on his 49th birthday. Congratulations Boss!! Delighted to have you here," he wrote.

Madrid will be hoping to quickly put their Copa del Rey elimination behind them when they tackle Zaragoza at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend.

Source: goal.com

Jose Mourinho to quit as Real Madrid manager in June

Jose Mourinho heads into El Clasico with Barcelona facing mounting criticism from both Real Madrid’s supporters and players, and amid claims his spell as Real Madrid manager will not last beyond the summer.

Under pressure: Jose Mourinho shows his frustration during the cup defeat by Barcelona

Mourinho’s team are five points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league, but his position has been undermined by publication of a training-ground argument between the manager and two of his senior players, defender Sergio Ramos and goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
The exchange was carried in full by Madrid-based newspaper Marca, which usually serves a cheerleader for the club. Mourinho has not questioned the accuracy of the report, which portrayed him as tetchy and even paranoid.
Towards the end of Sunday’s 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, some Madrid fans chanted Mourinho’s name, as if to indicate their continued support for him despite the report. However, a larger section of the Bernabéu crowd responded by whistling, sending a clear signal that they are unhappy with the former Chelsea manager.
After the game, a leading Spanish journalist, Siro López of AS, told television viewers Mourinho had decided to leave Madrid at the end of the season. López said his source was one of Mourinho’s closest allies.
The training-ground exchange occurred after Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at home by Barcelona in the Spanish Cup, after which Mourinho was widely criticised for his side’s negative tactics. They go to the Nou Camp needing to win the second leg.

Mourinho claimed Ramos had given a disloyal interview to journalists immediately after the first leg. “You [guys] killed me [with your quotes] in the mixed zone,” Mourinho is reported to have said.
According to Marca, Mourinho then claimed that the media gives Spanish internationals such as Ramos and Casillas preferential treatment, while Mourinho has to defend his team from the sternest criticism.
“As you Spanish are world champions, your friends in the press protect you ... like the goalkeeper,” he said. Casillas overheard and shouted: “Boss, here we say things to our faces.”
Mourinho then became embroiled in an exchange with Ramos over the failure to mark Carlos Puyol for one of Barcelona’s goals.
Ramos had the final word with a devastating reference to Mourinho’s modest playing career.
“Depending on the match situation, sometimes it’s necessary to change the marking,” he said. “And as you have never been a [professional] player, you wouldn’t know that this is sometimes necessary.”
Ramos, though, denied that the exchange revealed divisions within the squad. “Whoever says the changing room is divided or that some kind of fracture exists is lying,” he tweeted yesterday. “This is a great group that is well united, regardless what is said.”
Mourinho has also been criticised for the behaviour of Portuguese defender Pepe, who provoked outrage in Spain by feigning injury during the game against Barcelona before appearing to stamp on Lionel Messi's hand without sanction. The Spanish ruling body said yesterday that it will take no action against Pepe after studying the incident. The player insisted it was accidental.
Publicly, Mourinho insisted that he would win over the fans who barracked him.
“I’m not bothered by the whistles at me,’ he said after the win over Bilbao. “It’s not a problem.
“It’s the first time it’s ever happened to me. There’s a first time for practically everything.
“[Zinedine] Zidane was whistled at here. Ronaldo has been ­whistled at here. Cristiano [Ronaldo], who is the latest Golden Boot winner, has also been whistled at. Why can’t I?
“Zidane responded with his football, the same as Ronaldo and Cristiano.
“I work hard to be able to respond like they did some day, but there may come a day when the fans are sad.”
What was said in the Bernebeiu dressing room
JOSE MOURINHO: You [plural] killed me in the mixed zone.
SERGIO RAMOS: No, mister, you only read what it says in the papers, not everything we said.
JM: Sure, because you Spaniards have been world champions and your friends in the media protect you and because the goalkeeper...
IKER CASILLAS: Eh, Señor, round here you say things to our faces.
JM: Where were you on the first goal [against Barcelona], Sergio?
SR: Marking Piqué.
JM: Well, you should have been marking Puyol.
SR: Yes, but they were blocking us off with Piqué and we decided to change the marking.
JM: What? So now you’re playing at being coach?
SR: No, but depending on the situation in the game, sometimes you have to change the marking. Because you’ve never been a player, you don’t know that sometimes happens.

Source: The Telegraph

And tonight another El Clásico ... Barcelona vs Real Madrid!!!

What's your opinion??? 

Who do you think will win this match???

What will be the score???

Leave here your comments please ...

As much I'm a big Real Madrid fan, it will be a tough game ... but I say: 1 -1!!!

Top 10 Mourinho Quotes

José Mourinho: love him or hate him!

1 - "Everybody was waiting for Chelsea not to win every game, and one day when we lose, there will be a holiday in the country."

2 - "If they made a film of my life, I think they should get George Clooney to play me. He's a fantastic actor and my wife thinks he would be ideal."

3 - "We are on top at the moment, but not because of the club's financial power. We are in contention for a lot of trophies because of my hard work."

4 - "It's like having a blanket that is too small for the bed. You pull the blanket up to keep your chest warm and your feet stick out. I cannot buy a bigger blanket because the supermarket is closed. But the blanket is made of cashmere!"

5 - "I always wanted to coach a big club in Italy. The job at Inter is a big challenge for me. And I do believe it could be very entertaining for the journalists."

6 - "Your question sounds gay to me."

7 - "Look, I'm a coach, I'm not Harry Potter. He is magical, but in reality, there is no magic. Magic is fiction and football is real."

8 -"I am more scared of the bird flu than football. What is football compared with life?”

9 -"The style of how we play is very important. But it is omelettes and eggs. No eggs, no omelettes! It depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket you have class one, two or class three eggs and some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelettes. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem."

10 - "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."

Source: Bleacher Report