Cristiano Ronaldo interview after Barcelona match Champions League 03 may 2011

"This was Mission Impossible IV," Ronaldo told reporters after the match.

“We knew that this was going to happen. We're used to living with these things. They took away our chance to reach the final in the first-leg at the Bernabeu. Here, no, here it was just the same thing.

"There are lots of things together. What happened at the Bernabeu, what happened today, these are things to think about. Barcelona have a great team but there's something behind it. It was hard to play with 10-men after our red card against Barcelona, and it was hard to play with the goal disallowed today.

"[Gerard] Pique touched me and I fell on to [Javier] Mascherano. He wasn't like this at Liverpool: he learned the cheats of Barcelona.

"The dressing room is extremely sad," Ronaldo added. "It's very difficult to play with these setbacks." 

Watch the details of these positions

Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid Champions League Highlights Video

Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid Champions League Highlights Video,Barcelona vs Real Madrid 3 5 2011, Barcelona vs Real Madrid 3 May 2011, Champions League, El Clasico,

Barcelona vs Real Madrid Squad List Champions League 3 May 2011

Jose Mourinho has included 19 men on his squad list for tomorrow's second leg of the Champions League semifinals at Camp Nou (20:45 CET). Carvalho (suspended in the first leg) and youth teamer Nacho have made the cut. Pepe and Ramos are suspended for the game. Gago and Khedira have stayed in Madrid due to injuries. Canales and Pedro Leon have been left out.

Goalkeepers
Casillas, Dudek, Adan
Defenders
Carvalho, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Albiol, Garay, Nacho
Midfielders
Granero, Kaka, Lass, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil
Forwards
Adebayor, Higuain, Ronaldo, Benzema

Players believe in the comeback victory

The squad believes the team can turn the aggregate score around at Camp Nou: "Real Madrid never give up a fight"

Real Madrid have always stood out for their hard work, drive and pursuit of victory to their very last breath. The club's values go hand in hand with unbelievable comebacks and turnarounds accomplished in Europe by the team throughout its history. Jose Mourinho's side is ready to pick up from where its predecessors left off and will travel to Barcelona sure of its chances to turn things around in the Champions League semifinals. The squad and all Madridistas dream of reaching the 28 May final at Wembley.

Iker Casillas
"The names of the two teams that will play the final haven't been inscribed yet. You never know what may happen. We will play in Barcelona knowing a final is set to take place in a month and that any of the four teams still in the championship may be in it."

Sergio Ramos
 "We are in a complicated spot in this tie, but we'll have to go for it at Camp Nou. We're hopeful. We will try to do a good job and look for a victory."

Higuain

"We have a great chance in the Champions League and we will fight to the death. What matters is that we stick together to reach the final we are all so excited about. We're good enough to win the tie, so we will try our best. We must be proud and humble. The fact that Barça defeated us in Madrid means we can also defeat them in Barcelona."

Kaka
"We expect to play a great game. We have faith. Real Madrid can never give up a fight."



 Jorge Valdano, Director General
"Madridismo always believes in comebacks. If there was just one team that had the habit of being heroic, it would be Real Madrid. Nothing should deprive us of feeling hope and excitement for Tuesday's match."

Tv images show Pepe didn't touch Alves' leg (Video)

The play that changed the course of what was an evenly-fought match was not worthy of a red card

Much has been said and written concerning Pepe’s send-off against Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, but an image speaks louder than words and video from Realmadrid TV clearly shows the player only touched the ball. Thirty minutes remained in the match and the referee sent Pepe off with a direct red card following a lose ball dispute between Alves and Pepe. The rest of the play has been publically scrutinized far and wide. Alves, who obviously appears to be in pain, abandons the pitch on a stretcher. After consulting with one of his assistants, German referee Wolfgang Stark shows Pepe the red card one minute after the play took place. Once he saw the decision made by the referee, Alves made his way back onto the pitch in full stride.

It wasn’t the only controversial play of the match, however. Arbeloa and Pedro were involved in another incident. Thirty-nine minutes into the first half, the Madridista defender blocked Barcelona forward’s running lane. There was shoulder-to-shoulder contact, but no aggressive intent. Pedro fell to the turf and clutched his face, and the entire Barcelona bench stood up to continue protesting for the foul.

An ugly gesture that appears to have become a constant. Look no further than the images of the incident between Marcelo and Busquets five minute earlier; another lose ball and again, the Barcelona player ends up on the turf. It wasn’t Alves this time, but Busquets. The dive is just as obvious as Marcelo’s expression of surprise. Marcelo protects the ball with his body and Busquets goes over the Madridista defender's back and blatantly falls to the floor with his hands over his face. Another unsportsmanlike gesture and more fuel to the fire for the referee to deal with. It lasted for 90 minutes as millions around the world watched on the small screen.

The sports world cries out
Rio Ferdinand: "This diving is a joke/embarrassing. When Pedro watches that do you think he'll think, "What was I doing!?" Rugby players must laugh at football. If you ever see me go off on a stretcher then run back on to play, I give everyone on here the green light to him me with a two-footed tackle."

Michael Owen: "Alves' actions won't please many as if he had got straight up it would have been a yellow card, but Barça fans will be happy with his actions."

Rory Mcilroy: "Dani Alves, you are a disgrace. Roll about on the floor just a bit more!"

Chad Ochocinco: "I can't believe they just gave Pepe a red card for that."

Cristiano Ronaldo interview after Barcelona match Champions League

"I wish I had the chance to face a team of 10; it is very difficult to turn a 2-0 score around away from home, but anything can happen in football"

Cristiano Ronaldo did not hide his frustration after the defeat against Barcelona.

"I don't understand. It is very difficult to play in such circumstances. We had a strategy. It was a 0-0 game and Kaka was warming up so we would attack more in the last 20 minutes. We weren't playing well. but we were playing for a 0-0. This has happened in the last four years. Barcelona have power, a lot of power. The same thing happens every year. It happened against Chelsea, Inter Milan... and now against Real Madrid. I don't know how this can be fixed."

"I am a professional footballer and I like to enjoy myself when I play. But these situations suck all the joy out of you. We're sad because it's the same every year. Mourinho is right. Referees know football. I wish I had the chance to face a team of 10. It is very different to face a team of 11 and a team of 10, especially against Barcelona."

"It is very difficult to turn a 2-0 score around away from home, but anything can happen in football. We will fight in Barcelona."

Real Madrid 0 - 2 Barcelona Highlights Video (Champions League)

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona Squad List (Champions League First Leg)

Arbeloa, Adebayor and Di Maria make the cut after missing the game against Valencia

Jose Mourinho has included 19 of his men on his squad list for tomorrow's 20:45 CET Champions League match against Barcelona. Di Maria and Adebayor have made the cut after missing the game in Valencia due to injuries. Arbeloa has also returned following Saturday's suspension. Khedira and Gago are injured and Carvalho suspended.

REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Adan, Dudek
Defenders: Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Albiol, Garay
Midfielders: Lass, Granero, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Di Maria, Ozil
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuain, Adebayor

BARCELONA SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Valdes, Pinto
Defenders: Alves, Pique, Puyol, Milito, Montoya, Fontas
Midfielders: Mascherano, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Keita, Afellay, Jeffren, Thiago, Sergi Roberto
Forwards: Pedro, Messi, Villa

Jose Mourinho:Elimination match expert

Mourinho has not lost an elimination match or tie in two years and has seen off 12 teams in doing so

Jose Mourinho knows what it means to win the big ones. The Real Madrid manager, who has won the last three knockout competitions he has competed in (Coppa Italia, Champions League and Copa del Rey), has not lost an elimination match over the last two years. Since joining forces with Inter and losing the Italian Super Cup 2-1 to Lazio, he has gone on to eliminate the last 12 teams: Livorno, Juventus, Fiorentina, Chelsea, CSKA Moskva, Barcelona, Lyon, Tottenham, Murcia, Levante, Atletico and Sevilla . Mourinho hopes to extend the run with a solid performance against Barcelona on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

MOURINHO'S 20 MONTH RUN
Date	Match	Round	Competition
16/12/09	Inter 1-0 Livorno	Round of 16	Coppa Italia 2009/10
28/01/10	Inter 2-1 Juventus	Quarterfinals
03/02/10	Inter 1-0 Fiorentina	Semifinals (1st leg)
13/04/10	Fiorentina 0-1 Inter	Semifinals (2nd leg)
05/05/10	Inter 1-0 Roma	Final*
24/02/10	Inter 2-1 Chelsea	Round of 16 (1st leg)	Champions League 2009/10
16/03/10	Chelsea 0-1 Inter	Round of 16 (2nd leg)
31/03/10	Inter 1-0 CSKA Moskva	Quarterfinals (1st leg)
06/04/10	CSKA Moskva 0-1 Inter	Quarterfinals (2nd leg)
20/04/10	Inter 3-1 Barcelona	Semifinals (1st leg)
28/04/10	Barcelona 1-0 Inter	Semifinals (2nd leg)
22/05/10	Bayern 0-2 Inter	Final*
26/10/10	Murcia 0-0 R. Madrid	Round of 32 (1st leg)	Copa del Rey 2010/11
10/11/10	R. Madrid 5-1 Murcia	Round of 32 (2nd leg)
22/12/10	R. Madrid 8-0 Levante	Round of 16 (1st leg)
06/01/11	Levante 2-0 R. Madrid	Round of 16 (2nd leg)
13/01/11	R. Madrid 3-1 Atletico	Quarterfinals (1st leg)
20/01/11	Atletico 0-1 R. Madrid	Quarterfinals (2nd leg)
26/01/11	Sevilla 0-1 R. Madrid	Semifinals (1st leg)
02/02/11	Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla	Semifinals (2nd leg)
20/04/11	Barcelona 0-1 R. Madrid	Final*
22/02/11	Lyon 1-1 R. Madrid	Round of 16 (1st leg)	Champions League 2010/11
16/03/11	R. Madrid 3-0 Lyon	Round of 16 (2nd leg)
05/04/11	R. Madrid 4-0 Tottenham	Quarterfinals (1st leg)
13/04/11	Tottenham 0-1 R. Madrid	Quarterfinals (2nd leg)

*Finals not counted

Mourinho has won 82% of the 22 knockout matches (not including finals) he has coached in over the last two years. His sensational record of 18 victories, two draws and only two defeats (one with Inter and one with Real Madrid) is a warning shot for Barcelona heading into the Champions League semifinals.

Clean sheet in 8 out of 10 Champions League games

Real Madrid break their clean sheet record of the 1997/98 and 2001/02 seasons, in which they won their seventh and ninth European Cup titles

Besides earning the best numbers of all sides in the top European championship, Real Madrid also happen to be thrashing their own records in the Champions League. By keeping a clean sheet in eight of their ten UCL games this season, the Whites have overtaken their seven clean sheet record of the 1997/98 and 2001/02 campaigns, in which they won their seventh and ninth Europan Cup titles, respectively.

Real Madrid faced Ajax in their fist Champions League match this season and defeated them 2-0. They then defeated Auxerre and Ajax away from home. They won against the French side again at the Bernabeu and also defeated AC Milan.

Their 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Olympique Lyonnais was followed by a solid 3-0 victory, that in turn segued into impressive 4-0 and 1-0 wins over Tolttenham Hotspur at the Bernabeu and White Hart Lane in the quarterfinals.

Tottenham 0 - 1 Real Madrid Highlights Video

Preparations for Tottenham conclude

Twenty-two players including Castilla's Nacho Fernandez participate in final tune-up

Preparations for Wednesday’s Champions League match against Tottenham have concluded. Twenty-two players including Castilla’s Nacho Fernandez trained at Valdebebas under the orders of Jose Mourinho on Tuesday morning. Lass, Gago and Pedro Leon did not set foot outdoors.

Ball work took front and center in the final tune-up prior to Wednesday’s return leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Once closed to the media, the workout focused on tactics. Lass, Gago and Pedro Leon did not train with the team.

Best team in the Champions League

Real Madrid have won more games (7), taken more points (23) and scored more goals (23) than the other sides in the quarterfinals

Real Madrid's numbers in the Champions League are impressive. They took the most points in the gorup stage (16) and they currently top the ranking of all the teams in the quarterfinals thanks to winning seven games, scoring 23 goals, and conceding only 3 strikes.

Real Madrid begand their Champions League venture this season with a 2-0 victory over Ajax on 15 September 2010. They sealed the group stage with a win over Auxerre at the Bernabeu, taking a total 16 points and becoming the best of all 32 sides in the first round. It was Real Madrid's best run ever in a UCL group stage and they only conceded two strikes in six games, earning second spot with Copenhaguen on the ranking of least scored-upon sides.

The Whites' impressive run continues thanks to their great 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the quarterfinals, which has leaves them with a foot in the semis.

The Madridistas' impressive goalaverage is due partly to the fact they have had 197 shots on goal (62 by Cristiano Ronaldo alone), of which 71 have been on target. They are also the top assist-making team (16) with Barcelona; Ozil tops the assists ranking with 7 served.

Casillas has only been defeated three times in the eight games the team has played in the championship so far, meaning he concedes one goal every 251.67 minutes. He is second only to Van der Saar (one in 561 minutes), but the Manchester United goalkeeper missed one game.

TOP 5 TEAMS IN THE UCL
	TEAM	POINTS	P	W	D	L	GF	GA
1	Real Madrid	23	9	7	2	0	23	3
2	Manchester United	21	9	6	3	0	10	2
3	Shakthar Donetsk	21	9	7	0	2	19	13
4	Barcelona	20	9	6	2	1	23	7
5	Schalke 04	20	9	6	2	1	19	7

Sergio Ramos: "We are grateful to our fans"

Sergio Ramos and Marcelo coincided with the rest of their teammates in pointing out the importance of Tuesday's victory against Tottenham.

Ramos:
"Crouch being sent off influenced that match, but that doesn't mean we deserve any less credit. We played a serious match and had a clear game plan. We really felt our fans and the passion that they exude. We are grateful to them. They really came out to support us and we hope they continue."

"Hats off to Adebayor for his two goals, but I cannot forget about the others. We are a complete team and each one of us plays a crucial role on the pitch."

"We know what we will find in London. Even a man down Tottenham played a serious match, so I am sure it will be tough on their turf. We are still alive in all three compeititions, so hopefully things turn out well over the next month and a half."

Marcelo:
"I wasn't 100% fit, but I spoke to the coach and medical staff and I had to help the team. I did what I could. Tottenham will make it hard on us if we relax in the next match, but if we play like today it will be hard for them to beat us in London. Our fans were marvelous. We also play for them."


Watch the highlights Real Madrid 4 - 0 Tottenham

Real Madrid 4 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur (Highlihts Video)

Real Madrid will head to London with a comfortable 4-0 victory in their pockets. Squad members asked fans to turn out in force to welcome Tottenham and the Bernabeu responded as only it knows how. The Whites played a sensational match and practically sealed their place in the semifinals with 35 total shots, eleven of which were on target. The second leg at White Hart Lane won’t come easy, but the four goal cushion is a tough uphill battle for Tottenham next week.


A magical night in Champions League action couldn’t have gotten off to a more perfect start. Real Madrid received their first corner of the match on 4’ and Adebayor met Ozil’s cross to put the first on the board following a light deflection by Modric. Crouch was sent off ten minutes later after a rough tackle on Marcelo and Spurs were reduced to ten men with an eternity left to play. The English side retreated to prevent the match from getting out of hand, but the Whites took their time and slowly generated chances. With four minutes to play in the half, Di Maria’s strike was cleared by handball by Dawson, but the referee looked the other way much to the chagrin of the Madridistas.

Real Madrid set their sights on Gomes after the restart. They knew it was a momentous occasion to return to the Champions League semifinals and they stepped on the gas. On 56’ Cristiano put the ball in play from the corner with a short pass to Marcelo, who curled a cross into the box. Adebayor met the ball, headered into the back of the net and the Bernabeu erupted.

With the match well under control, Lass, Higuain and Kaka all came off the bench and Real Madrid continue to pour on the heat. Di Maria scored on 71’ with a magical shot into the corner, but Cristiano Ronaldo would have the final say. With only three minutes left in regulation, the Portuguese international struck gold with a volley and the Bernabeu went wild. They still have the return leg to play in London, but barring a disaster Real Madrid will be playing in the semifinals of the Champions League.

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur (Latest News & Squad List)

Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka return for the Whites, who have yet to concede a goal on their home turf in Champions League play

The most important match of the season is upon us. In the words of Mourinho, it’s "a match that a lot of people want to play in but are unable to." The message sent by the head coach, Arbeloa, Carvalho and Xabi Alonso has certainly hit home, and Madridistas expect another clean sheet performance to follow the four previous Champions League matches played at the Bernabeu this season. Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka will all suit up having recovered from injury.

There’s no greater motivation than qualifying for their first Champions League semifinal berth in eight years. The team knows it as do the fans. "We yearn for a Bernabeu that drives us to victory; don’t miss it," commented Arbeloa, who is more than familiar with the atmosphere that awaits. With tickets practically sold out and so much on the line, Madridistas are sure to turn out in full force in support of their team.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo and Kaka all worked overtime to be fit by Tuesday. Their speedy recoveries speak words of their desire to get in on the action. Only Gago, Benzema and Pedro Leon remain unavailable due to injury, while Albiol and Canales were left off the squad list based on a coaching decision.

Only Tottenham stand in Real Madrid’s way. While Mourinho recovered some key pieces to his tactical game, the same can be said for Harry Redknapp, who will see both Gareth Bale and William Gallas dress. Former Madridista Rafael van der Vaart expressed the sentiment with which Spurs made the trip to the Spanish capital. "We have nothing to lose," he commented to the media.

Spurs have lost on all five previous occasions against Mourinho, but against Milan they proved they are more than capable of winning on the road. Despite not winning as visitors in the group stage, they did score a total of eight goals and along with Real Madrid Spurs currently lead the Champions League with 19 goals scored to date. With players of the likes of Modric, Van der Vaart, Lennon, Bale, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko and Crouch, the Whites will have their hands full come Tuesday.

Combining Spurs’ offensive fire power with the added value of scoring as visitors, keeping a clean sheet will be crucial to Real Madrid’s chances. Mourinho’s men are well versed at not conceding goals in Champions League play and they hope to maintain their form against Tottenham. The players yearn for a "Bernabeu that drives them to victory" and the fans can almost smell the semifinals in the distance. Stick the two together under the same roof and they can make it happen.

"We dream of a Bernabeu that drives us to victory; don't let us down"

Mourinho, Arbeloa, Carvalho and Xabi Alonso expect Madridismo to carry them to success against Tottenham Hotspur


Every new Champions League victory Real Madrid earn brings them closer to the Wembley Stadium final. The next step is defeating Tottenham Hotspur at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, and the entire squad is aware that it will be harder to achieve this without the support of the fans. Jose Mourinho, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Ricardo Carvalho, all of whom know the pressure felt at English stadiums first-hand, are sure that the support of the Bernabeu will be decisive to win the first leg of the quarterfinals.

The Bernabeu has witnessed many magical nights in the European Cup, such as Real Madrid's impressive comeback against Bayern Munich the year they ended up winning their ninth title. Back in the 1980s, the pressure put on by Madridistas at the stadium got to be known as "the Bernabeu stage fright".

Two days before the match against Olympique Lyonnais at the Bernabeu in the Last 16, Casillas, Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema asked fans to give their support at the stadium. They duly responded and carried the team to a victory that sealed its pass to the quarterfinals. Jose Mourinho realised how important the support of Madridistas had proven to be, but he asked for even more of it for the next round.

"We know there is a lot of pressure at English stadiums," says Mourinho. "But we've also been told of the magical nights of the Bernabeu," adds Carvalho. "We dream of a Bernabeu that drives us to victory; don't let us down," asks Arbeloa. "We picture a crowd that steers us to victory," says Alonso.

Rafa Benitez: Real Madrid can be Unbeatable In March

Despite the fact that his side is out of the Champions League, Liverpool's Rafa Benitez has weighed in on Real Madrid's chances of lifting the European championship at the end-of-season final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Speaking of Real Madrid now would be wrong", began the Spaniard in an interview with Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Liverpool coach went on to say that Los Blancos' "champions" need time to gel and play as a team, but that "in March they could be unbeatable".

The Liverpool coach also spoke of Barcelona, who he believes to currently be Europe's best and Barca coach Pep Guardiola has a player that Benitez "simply adores" in Lionel Messi.

Liverpool failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League and will dispute the Europa League for their chance at international silverware. They have been drawn against Unirea Urziceni in their first tie in Europe's secondary competition.

Real Madrid players (Kaka,Cristiano Ronaldo,Karim Benzema,Arbeloa,Granero) Video

FC Zurich 2 - 5 Real Madrid [Highlights Video & Photo Galleries]

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from free kicks as Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 5-2 win at FC Zurich on Tuesday despite a brave fightback from the rank outsiders.
The nine-times European champion Real Madrid appeared to be cruising when Ronaldo, Raul and Gonzalo Higuain scored in a devastating 18-minute spell before halftime in the Group C game.
Ronaldo converted a free kick in the 27th minute, Raul slid in Higuain's angled shot seven minutes later and Higuain fired in the third in first-half stoppage time.
Zurich, who failed to test keeper Iker Casillas in the first hour, hit back when Xavier Margairaz converted a 64th-minute penalty and Silvan Aegerter headed another from a corner.
Ronaldo scored with a long-range effort in the 89th which slipped through goalkeeper Johnny Leoni's hands before Guti got the fifth in stoppage time.