Champions League Draw

The new edition of the Champions League has its "group of death" to have been paired in the key H Real Madrid, Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg after the draw made yesterday in Monaco by UEFA.
The group of Spanish champion, the soccer betting UEFA Cup and the Italian soccer giant will complete the modest of Belarus Bate Borisov, one of the surprises of the qualifying stage.Real Madrid debut in front of the Belarusian team at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he also played the last match of the stage as host of Zenit.Another area that is closed prognosis is the key F, with French champions Olympique Lyon, Bayern Munich German, French growth in a team like Fiorentina and the Romanians Steaua of Bucharest.The Barcelona enjoyed a favourable draw and could have been measured with Sporting Lisbon, with Swiss champion Basel and with the Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk. The Catalans started their journey in Group D to receive the entire Portuguese on 16 September, and it closed in the same Camp Nou before the Ukrainian team.The last champion, Manchester United, can not complain about the decision of the drums: while Villarreal will face a difficult, should also play against a inexperienced Aalborg of Denmark and Celtic before the Scots.The Villarreal will make its presentation in Group E with the United precisely, in England, and will play the sixth and last match also away from home, compared with Celtic in Glasgow.The draw also decided that the Spanish striker Fernando Torres returns to the stadium that saw the birth, the Vicente Calderon. The Liverpool and Madrid athletes will share the Group D together with Olympique Marseille and to PSV Eindhoven of Holland.

Match Report:Real Madrid 5-3 Sporting Lisbon [Santiago Bernabeu Cup][Highlights]

MATCH REPORT
5 - Real Madrid: Dudek (Codina, 46'); Sergio Ramos (Torres, 46'), Pepe (Cannavaro, 46'), Metzelder (Javi García, 46'), Marcelo (Heinze, 77'); Gago (Diarra, 64'), Guti (De la Red, 46'), Van der Vaart; Robben (Drenthe, 46'), Raúl (Van Nistelrooy, 46') & Higuaín.
3 - Sporting Portugal: Rui Patricio (Tiago, 46'); Pedro Silva (Abel, 46'), Caneira (Adrien, 76'), Polga, Ronny (Tonel, 46'); Pereirinha (Romagnoli, 60'), Veloso, Rochemback (Moutinho, 46'), Izmailov; Rodrigo Tiui (Yannick, 46') & Hélder Postiga.
Goals: 1-0, 15': Higuaín. 2-0, 19': Robben. 3-0, 23': Higuaín. 3-1, 31': Izmailov. 4-1, 40': Raúl. 5-1, 43': Van der Vaart (Polga scores an own goal). 5-2, 74': Yannick. 5-3, 90': Veloso.Referee: Velasco Carballo. Booked Cannavaro (89'), Polga (38'), Tonel (63') & Adrien (87').

Madrid Set To Up Villa Bid

Just less than 24 hours after making their “final” bid of €47 million for Villa, and seeing it rejected immediately, Real Madrid look set to make another “final” offer of €52 million for El Guaje.
Spanish sports daily Marca claims that the Los Merengues hierarchy will propose their new bid to Valencia within the next few hours in a desperate attempt to capture a big name striker as a way of compensating for their failure to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo and to hang on to Robinho.
More interestingly, it is also believed that Madrid are interested in Villarreal winger Santi Cazorla and an initial approach of €16 million could be tabled to the Yellow Submarine.

Source:Goal.com

Player Profile:Ruben de la Red

Full name:Rubén de la Red Gutiérrez
Date of birth:June 5, 1985 (1985-06-05) (age 23)
Place of birth :Móstoles, Spain
Height:1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position:Central midfielder

Club Career:
De la Red arrived at the Real Madrid youth system when he was just 14, the youngest in Cadete B. At one point, he was transferred to CD Móstoles after being told he was not good enough, but he was soon re-signed by Madrid. After his fourth season with the club, youth coach Quique Sánchez Flores, who was moving to Getafe, wanted de la Red to join him at his new club, but Madrid turned him down. De la Red said: "It is a pride that Quique was interested so much in me, but for me Real Madrid is the number one choice, that is clear; everything else comes afterwards".
De la Red made his first-team debut on November 10, 2004 against CD Tenerife in the Copa del Rey. During the 2006–07 season, he was also called-up to the first team by manager Fabio Capello, along with teammates Miguel Torres and Miguel Ángel Nieto, and made seven appearances during the La Liga-winning campaign. After the end of season, the midfielder renewed his contract until 2011.
On August 31, 2007, de la Red was transferred to Getafe, with Real Madrid having an option to re-buy the next two years. There, he established himself as an important first team player, usually assuming the role of playmaker, having been joined at Getafe by another Real Madrid canterano, Esteban Granero, who arrived on loan. During the season, he was forced, due to injuries to teammates, to perform as centre back, notably in the UEFA Cup tie against Bayern Munich, in which second leg he was sent off in the 6th minute.
Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón confirmed in May 2008 that, along with Granero and Javi García, De la Red would return to the Bernabéu for the 2008–09 season. He could be used in a swap deal involving a number of potential targets, although Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has stated that he would like to give the midfielder a chance to impress in his team.

National Career:
De la Red was first called by Spain for a March 26, 2008 friendly against Italy, but did not debut. Uncapped, he was named in the nation's squad of 23 for Euro 2008 by coach Luis Aragonés, but would appear in two friendly games against Peru and USA prior to the continental competition.
During the tournament's final group stage match, De la Red scored his first international goal with a powerful strike against Greece, on June 18. Spain won 2-1.

Honours:
Club

Real Madrid
Spanish League
Winner (1):2006-07
Runner-up (1): 2005-06
Spanish Super Cup
Winner (1): 2008
Runner-up (1): 2007

Getafe CF
Spanish Cup
Runner-up (1): 2007-08

Country
Spain
UEFA U-19 Championship: 2004
UEFA European Championship: 2008

Source:Wikipedia

Match Report:Real Madrid 4-2 Valencia [Super Cup Second Leg] [Highlights]

Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup thanks to their drive, quality stock, strength and winning spirit. The match had a bad start for the Whites with Silva's goal and the red card of Rafael van der Vaart. The second half was the complete opposite, with a penalty goal by Ruud van Nistelrooy and further strikes from Ramos, De la Red and Higuaín. Van Nistelrooy was also sent off in the last 45 minutes. With this new title on their shelves, Real Madrid have proven to be strong at the start of the campaign.

MATCH REPORT:
4 - Real Madrid C.F: Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Heinze, M. Torres (Drenthe, 63’); Robben, Guti (De la Red, 76’), Diarra, Van der Vaart; Raúl (Higuaín, 77’) & Van Nistelrooy.
2 - Valencia C.F: Hildebrant; Raúl Albiol (Morientes, 81’), Alexis, Moretti; Albelda, Joaquín (Pablo Hernández, 67’), Silva, Baraja; Mata (Vicente, 59’) & Villa.Referee: Iturralde González. Booked Raúl Albiol (50’) and Heinze (72’). Sent off Van der Vaart (39’) with a red card and Van Nistelrooy with a double booking (53’, 72’).
Goals: 0-1, 33'. David Silva. 1-1, 50'. Van Nistelrooy. 2-1, 76'. Ramos. 3-1, 85'. De la Red. 4-1, 87'. Higuaín.4-2, 90. Morientes.
Photos:Go to Photo Album for photos
Highlights:

Madrid Make €25m Huntelaar Bid

According to Dutch magazine Voetbal International, La Liga champions Real Madrid have tabled a bid of €25 million to Ajax Amsterdam for the services of their captain and striker, Huntelaar.
After murmurs of discontent from Madrid coach Bernd Schuster about the club’s refusal to grant him a new striker, the merengue board appear to have submitted to his wishes as they look to make what should be one last signing for the new campaign.
And after missing out on David Villa and failing to make any approach for Didier Drogba, president Ramón Calderón has turned his attention to the 25 year old Huntelaar. But it will not be easy trying to prise him away from the Amsterdam ArenA, as their coach Marco van Basten had previously labelled his star hitman as indispensable.
Not only that, Los Merengues could face stiff competition from their new 'best friends', Manchester United, who have reportedly put the Oranje striker on their shopping list as a back-up to their main target, Dimitar Berbatov, in case they fail to snag the Bulgarian from Tottenham Hotspur.

Schuster believes Robinho will stay

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is convinced Robinho will remain at the Bernabeu despite recent developments suggesting the contrary.
With Madrid announcing they would not stand in Robinho's way in response to the Brazilian's declaration on Friday that he wanted to leave the club, it had seemed as though the Chelsea target was on his way out of the Bernabeu.
But Schuster named the forward in his squad for Sunday's Supercopa second leg against Valencia and said: "I'm convinced that he will stay. Robinho has not told me he won't play (against Valencia), he is an important player for us, and we've made that clear,"
When asked for his opinion on Robinho's declaration about wanting to quit Madrid and join Chelsea, Schuster added: "I expected him to make them before. I don't think we should over-dramatise it all, there are more important things for us right now."
Schuster's comments come after Madrid president Ramon Calderon confirmed that they would not keep any player against their will and told Robinho to hand in a written transfer request if he wants to leave.
However, Calderon also vowed the club will not sell the player - and hinted that the wantaway winger would have to buy himself out of his contract to facilitate a move to Chelsea, who have been chasing the 24-year-old for a number of weeks.
"No player will be kept here against their will. This does not mean that Madrid will not defend the interests of the club," said Calderon in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
"I'm sure that Robinho has already weighed up the consequences of his decision and I'm sure that in the next few days he will give a letter to the club to announce that he wants to go. If he does not want to be here, he should leave as soon as possible.
Calderon hinted Robinho, who has two years left on his contract, would not necessarily have to stump up the full 150million euros buyout fee, however.
He said: "It's not necessarily that he will have to pay the 150 million euros. He would end his contract but the courts will decide what he has to pay."

No more signings for Real Madrid, says Ramon Calderon

Ramon Calderon, the Real Madrid president, remains confident that Robinho will remain at the club and has ruled out making any more signings.
The Brazilian forward has been linked with a move to Chelsea, however, Calderon remains adamant the player will be staying with Madrid.
"He has looked very happy, he is going to play this season with us I am absolutely sure," he said. "He has looked lively, very happy and full of desire. And the coach (Bernd Schuster) has told me that he is training very well."
Calderon also admitted defeat in the club's bid to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He is a player whose club did not want to sell him," Calderon said. "There are a lot of clubs who want our players and we don't want to sell them either. This is football, it was a matter between the player and his club.
"He said that he would like to play for us, but his club did not want to sell him."
Rafael van der Vaart is the only new face to have been brought in, although Ruben de la Red and Javi Garcia have returned from loan deals.
When asked whether they would be making any more signings, Calderon said: "No. The feeling is that is this is going to be a good year for Real Madrid. We said that the project was complete and I am sure that this season is going to be one of consolidation.
"We have a complete and very balanced squad."

Match Report:Valencia 3-2 Real Madrid [Spanish Super Cup]

Goals rained over the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup between Real Madrid and Valencia. Valencia managed to turn the score around in a good second half. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the equalizer, but Valencia came back to net the winner. Real Madrid will use the home advantage next week to try to win the title.
The winner of the Trophy will be decided at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium next weekend.
Match Report:
Valencia: Hildebrand; Miguel, Albiol, Alexis, Moretti; Albelda, Baraja (Fernandes, 74'), Joaquín (Pablo Hernández, 64'), Mata (Vicente, 70'); Silva & Mata.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado (Ramos, 63'), Javi García, Heinze, Torres; Diarra, De la Red, Van der Vaart, Robinho (Robben, 63'); Raúl (Guti, 73') & Van Nistelrooy.
Goals: 0-1 (13'): Van Nistelrooy. 1-1 (55'): Juan Mata.2-1 (59): Villa.2-2 (67'): Van Nistelrooy. 3-2 (80'): Vicente.
Photos:

Highlights:

Ramos:Madrid Taking Super Cup Seriously

Having helped Spain win the European Championships, the 22-year-old wants to enjoy another night of celebration by beating Copa del Rey winners Valencia.While both sides will use the two-legged tie to boost their fitness levels, Ramos is keen to not just play well but to begin with a morale-boosting victory."This has come at a good time and we are excited and really believe we can win it," he told reporters."Of course we value the Super Cup because it is important to win trophies, because when all is said and done, that is what every player wants most."We are beginning to find our level again, adapting to the hard work and our new players have settled in."Valencia will also want to make an impression at the start of the season and Ramos thinks that they will be a better team than the one that finished last season under Unai Emery."I think people will see a stronger team that have a new plan and a new coach with clear ideas. They will be rally keen to start well," he continued.

Real tell Robinho: We won't sell you to Chelsea, no matter how much they offer

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has told Brazilian star Robinho they have no intention of selling him to .
The 24-year-old and his agent Vagner Ribiero held talks with Calderon yesterday but Robinho is far from happy.
He wants to push through his prospective move to London and is considering calling a press conference this week to reveal his intentions.
Chelsea chief exceutive Peter Kenyon, meanwhile, has blocked Branislav Ivanovic's move to Milan.
Ivanovic was expected to leave on a loan with view to a permanent deal but is in contention to play against Portsmouth after the weekend due to injuries and has been assured by Roman Abramovich he has a future at the club.

Match Report:Eintracht 1-1 Real Madrid [Friendly]

MATCH SUMMARY:
Eintracht Frankfurt: Nikolov; Ochis, Russ, Bellaid, Spycher; Steinhöfer (Galindo, min.61), Chris (Fink, min.45), Inamoto (Mahdavikia, min.61), Toski (Heller, min.79); Liberopoulos (Fenin, min45), Amanatidis (Meier, min.61).
Real Madrid: Casillas; Ramos (Salgado, min.65), Heinze (Metzelder, min.45), Pepe (Javi García, min.79), Torres; Diarra (De la Red, min.45), Guti (Baptista, min.45), Van der Vaart (Higuaín, min.65), Robben; Raúl (Saviola, min.65), Van Nistelrooy (Robinho, min.45).
Goals: 1-0 (min.6): Bellaid1-1 (min.70): Robinho
Photos:

Poll Result [Should Ronaldo Join Real Madrid]

Real Madrid flies to Colombia

Real Madrid left from Madrid's Barajas Airport at 11:00 am. They will land in Bogotá at 17:30 local time. Their forthcoming friendly with Independiente has caused a sensation in the Colombian media.Schuster has taken Dudek, Codina, Salgado, Heinze, Torres, Pepe, Antón, Diarra, Guti, Baptista, Robinho, Robben, Javi García, Raúl, Van Nistelrooy, Saviola, Callejón and Van der Vaart with him. The latter is in perfect shape thanks to the work he did during Hamburg's pre-season and could make his debut with Real Madrid against Independiente.
Tight scheduleReal Madrid will stay in Bogotá's Victoria Regia Hotel. The squad will train at the Nemesio Camacho Stadium after a few hours' rest. Once the session is over, Schuster and Raúl will give a press conference. Thursday will see the squad dividing into two groups to attend the different acts devised by the company that's organised the event. The Madridistas will rest for two hours after lunch prior to the 17:30 game.
The Club's Board Members, led by President Ramón Calderón, will be greeted by their Independiente counterparts and representatives of the local authorities in an official luncheon.
Meeting with the President of ColombiaThe trip will also be used to strengthen the ties between the Club and Colombia. Ramón Calderón will be greeted by President Álvaro Uribe in an official reception. They will sign an agreement by which the Club's Foundation will compromise itself to open a new Social Integration Academy in Colombia.
After the match, Real Madrid will fly back to the Spanish capital, where they will land at 14:30 CET on Friday. They will go back to training on Sunday at 19:00 to start preparations for their Tuesday friendly against Frankfurt.

Van der Vaart's first training at Real Madrid

Rafael van der Vaart's hectic day ended with a mild training session, his first as a Real Madrid player.
Rafael van der Vaart was presented today as Real Madrid's latest signing. Over two thousand fans greeted him at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as he donned the Real Madrid kit for the first time. After his first press conference and exclusive interview with Realmadrid.com, the player was ready to meet the squad later in the day.
He arrived in Real Madrid City at 19:00 and attended a mild session with 14 other players. They all took part in a practice game devised by Bernd Schuster.
Van Nistelrooy and Robben were close to Van der Vaart at all times, talking to him about the Club and assisting him with the language.
Rafael also had a chance to see all the facilities at Valdebebas, and was thrilled with what he saw.

I'll Help Madrid Win The Champions League - Van Der Vaart

Van der Vaart is aiming high and he cannot wait to get started at the Bernabeu.
He said: “I will fight to hold down a place in the team but Real Madrid has a lot of great players in their side and so, if I sit on the bench, it wouldn’t be a problem.
“Real Madrid has an objective, and that is to win the Champions League. I can help them but the important thing is to play.
On the summer's hottest transfer saga - Cristiano Ronaldo - he added: “Ronaldo? It would be good if he came.”
Van der Vaart then explained the reason why he didn’t play against Real in the Emirates Cup. The midfielder seems to suggest he missed the clash because he didn’t want to risk an injury.
He continued: “Everyone saw what happened to Wesley Sneijder, things like this can always happen and it was just a friendly.”

Player Profile:Rafael Van der Vaart

Name: Rafael van der Vaart
Born: Heemskerk, Netherlands
Nationality: Netherlands
Position: Attacking midfielder Left/Center
DOB: 11/2/1983
Current Club: Real Madrid FC

A product of the Ajax youth system, Rafael van der Vaart is no stranger to success. Leading a recovering Ajax team back to its glory days, van der Vaart has shown remarkable maturity for his age. He scored seven goals in 27 first-team appearances in his first full season, 2000/01, after replacing the veteran Richard Witschge. The next year he scored 14 in 20, as Ajax won the Eredivisie and Dutch Cup. With all his promise, van der Vaart was riddled with injuries and had to undergo surgery. But when fully fit, he can be compared to the best players Holland has ever produced. In February 2003, he signed a new deal with Ajax, and in the 2003/04 campaign, he's gotten the interest of other European clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus. In the 2004/05 season, Rafael van der Vaart was named Captain of the squad. During an international match against Sweden, van der Vaart was injured by fellow Ajax teammate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which led to the Ajax side to disfunction and also led to Ibrahimovic's sudden sale to Juventus. Ajax, unable to find a replacement striker, gave manager Ronald Koeman no choice but to put van der Vaart into striker position, especially with, Ajax striker, Wesley Sonck's poor form. Continuing a poor season, and lack of leadership quality, Koeman had no choice but to strip van der Vaart from his captaincy and give it to Tomas Galasek instead. Ronald Koeman quit the team as head coach, and Danny Blind took over the helm as manager. Van der Vaart was injured for most of the games left under Blind, and announced taht he did not plan on staying with Ajax, that he would take his game outside the Netherlands. Rumours began with van der Vaart that he would be moving to SV Hamburg, Germany, but the player played that down after many weeks of speculation. It turned out that speculation came to reality, and van der Vaart joined the German club, and became an instant hit with the fans scoring vital goals in their Bundesliga campaign.
Honours

2002
Dutch League
Dutch Cup
Dutch Supercup
Dutch Talent of the Year
2004
Dutch League

Van der Vaart signs Real Marid

Real Madrid Club made an official announcement that tells Van der Vaart signs Real Madrid.

Here is the announcement:
Real Madrid C.F. and Hamburg SV have reached an agreement for the 5-season transfer of Dutch player Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart to the former club. The agreement is subject to the player’s medical examination and his signing of a federation contract.
Van der Vaart will be officially presented on Tuesday 5 August at 13:00 CET in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Sneijder is out with knee injury

Sneijder gets a knee injury.Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder's left knee injury will rule him out for three months, a relief to the player and club who had feared a longer absence.
Hour-long tests at a Madrid hospital on Monday showed that Sneijder did not tear ligaments when he was challenged clumsily by Arsenal's Abou Diaby in a preseason friendly match at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
"I am very happy," Sneijder said.
Sneijder's reduced absence means he should be available to play in the latter games of the Champions League group phase, as Madrid aims for a record 10th European Cup title.
The 24-year-old former Ajax player has been preparing for his second season at Madrid, which kicks off with a Spanish Supercup first leg against Copa del Rey winner Valencia on Aug. 17. Madrid's league title defense begins with a trip to Deportivo La Coruna on Aug. 30 or 31

Match Report:Arsenal 1-0 Real Madrid [Emirates Cup]

A weekend of brilliant football in London drew to a close on Sunday with a thriller. Two of the top teams in Europe head to head with the primary objective of fine tuning their game heading into their respective season openers. Hamburg clinched the second edition of the Emirates Cup with Arsenal's defeat over Real Madrid, who finished second ahead of the hosts and Juventus.

Match Report:
Arsenal: Almunia; Diaby (Ramsey, 73’), Sagna, Senderos, Gallas (Djourou, 88’); Nasri (Wilshere, 74’), Van Persie (Eboue, 64’), Denilson, Clichy, Adebayor (Bendtner, 74’) & Walcott (Vela, 64’).

Real Madrid: Dudek; Salgado, Heinze, Javi García, Torres; Diarra (De la Red, 78’), Guti, Callejón (Sneijder, 46’ (Parejo, 60’), Baptista (Robben, 46’); Robinho (Saviola, 60’) & Raúl (Van Nistelrooy, 46’).

Goals: 1-0, min. 48. Adebayor

Highlights:

Match Report:Real Madrid 2-1 Hamburg [Emirates Cup]

MATCH REPORT:

Real Madrid: Dudek; Salgado (Callejón, 80’), Heinze, Javi García, Torres; Sneijder (Parejo, 66’), Guti (Baptista, 56’), Diarra, Robben (Robinho, 73’); Raúl (Higuaín, 56’) and Van Nistelrooy (Saviola, 56’).
HSV Hamburg: Rost; Atouba (Aogo, 60’), Mathijsen, De Jong, Kompany; Trochowski (Reinhardt,. 45’), Jarolim, Demel (Benjamín, 45’) y Pitroipia (Ben – Hatira), 68’); Guerrero (Torun, 71’) and Olic (Zidan, 45’).
Goals:
1-0, min. 25. Van Nistelrooy
1-1, min 53. Zidan
2-1, min. 84. Parejo

To read more go to Real Madrid Website
Highlights