Movie Ranking: four / five
Movie Ranking: four / five
Online video Rating: 4 / 5
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has said that his priority next season will be to guide the club to Champions League success. Real Madrid are the most successful team in the European competition after having lifted the famous trophy nine times in their history. AC Milan are the second team, but they have only seven trophies to their credit. However, it has been quite awhile since Real Madrid lifted the famous trophy – more than a decade to be precise. Real Madrid last tasted Champions League success under current Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque back in 2001.
They are looking to extend their record by winning the 10th Champions League title, but it has eluded them for the best part of a decade. Real Madrid recently appointed manager José Mourinho not only to wrestle the la Liga title back from Barcelona, but also to achieve this elusive dream. The Portuguese manager has won the famous competition twice with two different clubs, although he failed to achieve the dream with English club Chelsea. He is looking to become the first manager to win the title with three different clubs. As a result, he will be focusing on the prospect of winning the title next season according to the Portuguese.
“I want to win the Champions League with three distinct teams. Now Real Madrid has won the league, the objective for next season is to win the Champions League. I don’t believe I could manage a national team that only plays a game every two months and an official tournament every two years. I need the pressure of facing two or three games every week,” said José Mourinho regarding the priorities for next season. Real Madrid are not expected to change the squad dramatically after failing in the semi-final stage of the competition in succession.
Even with his well renowned ego, Cristiano Ronaldo would probably admit himself that he has not been able to replicate his club form on the international scene at the major tournaments. However, that appears to have all changed, as the Real Madrid star is pretty much carrying the Portuguese national side through Euro 2012 on his own shoulders, and now the team are just one match away from reaching the final.
The former Manchester United star is playing with the same freedom that he enjoys at the Santiago Bernabeu, and that is thanks to head coach, Paulo Bento, who has at last decided to play Ronaldo in his most effective role.
Video Score: four / five
Video clip Rating: 4 / five
Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has said that he is hoping for a spectacular season finale with Real Madrid. The club have the opportunity to cross the 100 point barrier this season if they win the remaining three matches in hand. There already close to securing the title from the clutches of Barcelona for the first time in three seasons. The 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou was also the first Real Madrid enjoyed success against Barcelona in the league during the José Mourinho reign. Further, they have also witnessed the Catalans exit the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea.
Many fans are now betting Euro success for Spain can only come in Euro 2012, with the national side.
Even though Real Madrid were also defeated by Bayern Munich on penalties in the Champions League semifinals, they at least have the league title to look forward to. Alvaro Arbeloa reckons that it will be something special if Real Madrid managed to break the 100 point barrier in the domestic league. Real Madrid played like Champions in the match against Sevilla during the weekend. The 3-0 victory also saw Cristiano Ronaldo score his 43rd league goal of the season. He is currently two ahead of Barcelona striker Lionel Messi in the race for the top scorer of the division award.
“The most important thing is to win the league but it would be great if Cristiano reaches the 50-goal mark and we reach a total of 100 points. We are tired because April has been very demanding and we’ve played many games, but we’re happy for being so close to winning such an important title. We’re happy to give the fans a chance to celebrate. We’ve had a near-perfect run in La Liga, with only a few mistakes in the last month. We’ve been consistent and we’ll deserve to win the title,” Arbeloa said after the Sevilla match.
Video clip Rating: 4 / 5
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has praised the squad strength within the club following the 3-0 win over APOEL in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday night. Real Madrid were coming into the match without the likes of Lassana Diarra and Xabi Alonso, who are the influential members of the team in the centre of midfield. Despite the lack of such players, Real Madrid managed to lay 1 foot on the semifinals of the Champions League following the 3-0 win. This away victory means that Real Madrid also maintain their impressive goal-per-game ratio, which is currently just over three goals per game.
Real Madrid now have the possibility of facing either Bayern Munich or Marseille in the semifinals of the Champions League. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho selected Sahin in the absence of Alonso and Diarra. Sergio Ramos then praised the impact Sahin had on a match by saying that it was one of the reasons for Real Madrid to be so successful this season. Real Madrid are currently top of the Spanish league with a six-point advantage over second placed Barcelona. Even though they enjoyed a very commanding 10 point lead only a few weeks ago, Ramos still reckons that this lead will be hard to eat into.
“We know each other well and are aware of having a large and quality squad. Those who haven’t played much for different reasons always step up when needed. Sahin should be congratulated for his performance. Xabi Alonso is very important, but we have many and excellent players. Results always help calm things down. People said there was a crisis after two draws and we have to step away from that,” the defender said on the official website of Real Madrid. Real Madrid will be facing Osasuna during the weekend.
Video Score: 4 / five