LA LIGA & REAL MADRID

[fingolfin]

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......they won against Mallorca 3-1 with goals from Figo, Samuel and Solari............still seven points behind though.

[raul julia]

David Beckham believes that the arrival of Thomas Gravesen to the White team has set him and other player fellows free of the defensive work and so letting them have more freedom in attack. "Our system worked very well during the game against Mallorca. The English player stated to the newspaper "Ekstra Bladet": “Thomas helped me very much because he cut off play in that position and having him as defensive midfielder, Figo and Zidane had more freedom to participate in the attack".
Beckham praised the defensive and offensive qualities of Gravesen and he reminded us that they know each other very well from their time in the English Premier League, when he was playing for Manchester United and the Danish player was at Everton.
The English midfielder pointed out: "He´s a very strong player, I know it because when we fought for the ball during the games, I ended up with bruises and marks. He can tackle strongly and recover balls, but we shouldn´t forget that he´s also a skilled player with his feet”.

[Von!-x]

I saw Gravesen play on games vs. Zaragoza and Mallorca. He played excellently although I noticed one blunder that almost cost them a goal. He is so solid and strong in the middle and it is difficult for opponents to get pass him. he he he

OT- Chelsea won against Man U (2-1) in the Carling Cup. winning 4 trophies this season is possible.

[raul julia]

OT-yeah Chelsea, thats what money can do to a club.......more money, more success.......Former Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makalele is presently a starter on this team......

WEEKEND FIXTURE:
NUMANCIA (20) v REAL MADRID (2)
Real should have little problem making it five wins in a row when they take on basement side Numancia.

David Beckham had his best game of the season after returning to the right wing last week, but it is not yet clear if coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo will retain the new diamond formation in midfield.

Argentine defender Walter Samuel is a doubt after breaking his nose during last week's 3-1 win over Mallorca.

[Von!-x]

REal will now be a force to reckon with for the Champions League, and even on the La Liga. I think the purchase of Gravesen is a jackpot.

OT - Real is wealthier than Chelsea. It just so happened that Chelsea made the right investments, for now.

[fingolfin]

.................im really disappointed with the ECC's round of 16 draw this season, too many big teams meeting much too early. My fave team in Italy is Juve; i'm torn between Madrid and Juve. Damn.

It's not Gravesen, it's Luxemburgo who is the saviour of Madrid. Cause Solari and Guti can always fill up the midfield.

[raul julia]

I think fielding Gravesen strenghtens the defensive side of Madrid,which was noticeably the Achilles heel of the team.....Beckham was the most excited with the arrival of Gravesen, cause as he said, he freed him and the other midfielders from the defensive work......

[Von!-x]

Luxemburgo knew that they are weak at midfield that's why they bought Gravesen. Real Madrid has to save itself from self destruction.

... ECC knock-out round is fast approaching. Good thing I can watch it on TV.

[raul julia]

..........i would like to clarify myself, solari will go to barcelona next season. Not now.

i guess my friend fingolfin is inaccurate with Solari's transfer......this just came in today.......

Solari signs new four-year deal with Real Madrid

MADRID, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Argentine international midfielder Santiago Solari has signed a new four-year deal with Real Madrid, the Primera Liga side announced on Monday.

The 28-year-old, whose original contract was due to expire at the end of the season, joined Real from city rivals Atletico in 2000.

Although he has never held down a regular place in the starting line-up, the versatile midfielder has played a valuable role as a substitute and has frequently come on to win games with his often spectacular goals.

He played the full game in Real's 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the Champions League in 2002 and has also won two Spanish league titles with the club.

Solari, who played for Newell's Old Boys and River Plate before joining Atletico in 1998, won the most recent of his 11 caps in the 3-2 win over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires in November but saw little action otherwise last year, missing out on the Copa America.

[raul julia]

Argentina's Santiago Solari says re-signing with Real Madrid was always his number one option, despite interest in the midfielder from Italy and England.
The 28-year-old, who joined Madrid from city rivals Atletico Madrid in 2000, put pen to paper on a new four-year contract with the Primera Liga club on Monday.
"There have been a series of things that influenced the decision," Solari told a news conference on Tuesday.
"The most important factors were the support the fans have given me every time I have played and the attitude of the club president (Florentino Perez)."
Solari denied he had received an offer from arch-rivals and league-leaders Barcelona, but admitted that Manchester United has been interested in securing his services for next season.
"I had a number of offers on the table over the last three or four months, and I would like to thank Manchester United for the interest they have shown in me, both last year and more recently," he said.
SUPER-SUB
Although the versatile player is not a first-choice regular in the Real side he seems content to continue in his role as a super-sub, often making decisive interventions late on in games.
"I feel like a first-team player, and if I didn't I wouldn't want to be on the pitch. I've always thought that the great teams need a squad of up to 20 players that can come on the pitch at any time."
Real vice-president Emilio Butragueno said interest from outside Spain had forced Real to act quickly to secure Solari's future before his contract was due to expire in June.
"The pressure from the media in recent weeks has been great but that was not the reason for us offering him a new contract last week," Butragueno told Spanish daily El Pais.
"Various stories about offers from Italy and England, in particular Manchester United, may have accelerated the process, however.
"We knew we weren't taking any risks because we know what sort of player he is and it is a pleasure to have him with us now for another four years."