Feed: Real Madrid 1-0 Mallorca: Mourinho Shows Faith And Benzema Squeezes - AggScore: 10.0

Real Madrid 1-0 Mallorca: Mourinho Shows Faith And Benzema Squeezes Out A Brave Bermellones Performance

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Nunes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Mallorca Getty ImagesReal Madrid were frustrated for long periods by Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu but eventually came out deserved winners thanks to a strike from Karim Benzema.ltspan idquotmore319quotgtltspangtltimg srcquothttpwww.kamkaza.comFootballwpcontentuploads201101wpid122282news.jpgquot altquotNunes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Mallorca Getty Imagesquot gtAcircnbspThe striker returned to the starting lineup after missing out against Atletico Madrid in midweek and finally managed to get himself on the scoresheet in La Liga after a long dry spell. Madrid had much the better of the possession but were held out by a performance the Balearic Islanders defence can be proud of. The goal opened the away side up and Real Madrid in the end should have extended their lead with Benzema missing from close range and Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the bar. Jose Mourinho will be happy with a hard earned three points to keep them within four points of Barcelona.AcircnbspReal Madrid had an early appeal for a penalty turned down by the referee, there was contact on Angel Di Maria but it was difficult to judge whether it was inside the area. Either way the official ignored the appeals of the Argentine winger, and play continued.AcircnbspDi Maria started the match with a click in his heels, selling two Mallorca defenders the dummy twice before unleashing a shot which deflected high in the box. Karim Benzema rose highest to the dropping ball but couldnt find a white shirt in the middle with his header.AcircnbspIn the 14th minute los Blancos were almost caught out completely against the run of play. A sprayed crossfield pass found Emilio Nsue in acres of space. The forward cruised in on goal as Marcelo desperately tried to recover, but to the Brazilian fullbacks relief Nsue struck the inside of the post.AcircnbspWith half an hour played the hosts were dominant but found it difficult to break down a gritty defensive pair in Ivan Ramis and Jose Carlos Nunes. The centrebacks were being worked constantly as Pierre Webo cut a very lonely figure in attack for los Bermellones.AcircnbspWith the firsthalf coming to a close whistles of disapproval began to ring round the stadium, the visitors had set themselves deep and Michael Laudrups men had restricted Madrid to very few chances.AcircnbspMadrid coach Jose Mourinho wasted little time, making two changes at halftime with Kaka and Fernando Gago being replaced by Mesut Oezil and Xabi Alonso. Alonso was straight into the action with a shot on goal, then a beautiful pass out to Di Maria.AcircnbspLos Merengues tempo was much improved in the opening five minutes of the second period, Di Maria and Ronaldo trying to pull the strings, leading to Ramis almost turning an Arbeloa cross into his own net.AcircnbspMallorca were beginning to cause problems for the home side, Pierre Webo finally testing Iker Casillas with a powerful shot but the Spanish international keeper was alert to punch clear.AcircnbspHowever, after an hour of holding off the los Blancos attack the deadlock was finally broken. Short passing between Ronaldo and Granero worked the ball to ltstronggtKarim Benzemaltstronggt on the edge of the box. The French striker dropped a shoulder on his marker and bent his shot low past Dudu Aouate.AcircnbspMadrid should have seen out the game despite a short rally for Mallorca, Cristiano Ronaldo hit the bar with a header and Karim Benzema missed two chances that were easier than the one he finished.AcircnbspReal Hearts were in mouths with twenty seconds of stoppage time remaining, Pierre Webo powered himself towards goal but his shot from a tight angle was blocked out Casillas.AcircnbspThe victory keeps Madrid four points off Barcelona after a busy Copa del Rey week, while Mallorca now sit in tenth.

Madrid striker Higuain has successful back op

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ltpgtReal Madrid says striker Gonzalo Higuain has successfully undergone surgery on a back injury that has sidelined him for the last six weeks. The Argentina international will be discharged Wednesday from a hospital in Chicago, where the operation was carried out. Madrid didnt say when it expected Higuain to return to firstteam action.ltpgtFollow this link lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpsports.yahoo.comsownewsslugaprealmadridhiguainsurgeryquot titlequotMadrid striker Higuain has successful back opquotgtMadrid striker Higuain has successful back opltagt

Real Madrid win but Mourinho unhappy with Benzema

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Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho saw his side take a strike towards the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a 31 home win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie on Thursday night, but the Portuguese trainer said Friday there were still aspects of the performance he was unhappy about. ltPgtStriker Karim Benzema was given another chance in the Madrid starting 11, but again disappointed Mourinho and was substituted by Kaka with the score still 11.ltPgtltPgtIn declarations broadcast on television station Canal Plus on Friday morning, Mourinho said that Benzema was still not playing at his full potential.ltPgtltPgtquotHe is a striker who is not selfish and tries to help his companions play, but he lacks the hunger to score goals. He had one chance that a goal scoring fanatic such as Cristiano Ronaldo would have scored, but he lacks that,quot said Mourinho, who added that he was still optimistic of signing a striker during the January transfer window.ltPgtltPgtquotWhen I say we are looking for a player, it is not because of Karim, but because we dont have anyone else. I look at the substitutes bench and I see Fernando Gago. Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero, but I dont see strikers,quot said the Real Madrid coach.ltPgtltPgtThursdays game was a highenergy affair between the two neighbors and the return leg next week promises more of the same, but Mourinho said he was happy to run the risk of his players feeling the pace.ltPgtltPgtquotI would rather the physical effort than not playing the Cup. When I see signs of tiredness, I will have to rotate the squad. We want to get to the Cup final, and the final of the Champions League and also the end of the league. It is better to be in this situation that to have to train with nothing to play for,quot said Mourinho.ltPgt

Klose agent reveals Real interest

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ltpgtReal Madrid have approached Germany star Miroslav Klose and are interested in luring the veteran Bayern Munich striker to Spain to replace injured Gonzalo Higuain, his agent said Thursday.ltpgtMore lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpnews.yahoo.comsafp20110113spsoccerafpfblgerespbayernrealklose20110113125853quot titlequotKlose agent reveals Real interestquotgtKlose agent reveals Real interestltagt

Real Madrid would welcome back Van Nistelrooy

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ltPgtReal Madrid would welcome former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy back at the club, coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday.ltPgtltPgtThe exDutch international joined Hamburg SV last January after netting 46 goals in 68 games over three and a half seasons with the Spanish giants but his contract in Germany runs out at the end of this season.ltPgtltPgtReal say they are in the market for a striker in the January transfer window as cover for Argentinaacircs Gonzalo Higuain, who is out for four months after back surgery.ltPgtltPgtacircThere are lots of names being mentioned,acirc Mourinho told a news conference at the clubacircs Valdebebas training ground when asked about former Manchester United marksman Van Nistelrooy, 34.ltPgtltPgtacircIf in the end itacircs Ruud Iacircll be very happy,acirc added the exChelsea coach. acircWe coincided in England and I know him well as a player and person.ltPgtltPgtacircIt would be very good for us to have another attacker because we donacirct have many and we have a lot of matches to play.acircltPgtltPgtHAMBURG WINNERltPgtltPgtVan Nistelrooy said after scoring the winner in Hamburgacircs 10 victory at Schalke 04 on Saturday he would have to mull over his next move.ltPgtltPgtacircItacircs not easy for me as itacircs not just any club that is coming calling,acirc he was quoted as telling German media.ltPgtltPgtacircHopefully things will be sorted out soon. I canacirct leave the lads in the lurch by having my head elsewhere. Real Madrid is the only club that could change my mind.acircltPgtltPgtSchalke coach Armin Veh told Sky Television no official offer had yet been made for Van Nistelrooy.ltPgtltPgtA central figure in Realacircs titlewinning seasons in 2007 and 2008 and popular with fans, the Dutch striker left following the arrival of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.ltPgtltPgtHiguainacircs injury and Benzemaacircs indifferent form prompted Mourinho to ask the club for an extra striker as Real seek to end Barcelonaacircs twoyear run as La Liga champions plus progress past the Champions League first knockout round.ltPgtltPgtVan Nistelrooy has scored 11 goals in 26 league appearances for Hamburg.ltPgtltPgtReal are two points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after 18 matches.ltPgt

Real Madrid would welcome back Van Nistelrooy

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ltpgt Mourinho would be quotvery happyquot if Dutchman returnedltpgtVisit link lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpsports.yahoo.comsownewsslugreuspainrealvannistelrooytvquot titlequotReal Madrid would welcome back Van NistelrooyquotgtReal Madrid would welcome back Van Nistelrooyltagt

Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho: I’d Be Happy If We Signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy

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ltpgtReal Madrid coach Jose Mourinhos wellknown desire for a new striker at the Bernabeu may yet be fulfilled by the arrival of former Blanco hero Ruud van Nistelrooy.ltpgtExcerpt from lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpwww.goal.comennews11transferzone201101152307236realmadridsjosemourinhoidbehappyifwesignedruudvanquot titlequotReal Madrids Jose Mourinho Id Be Happy If We Signed Ruud Van NistelrooyquotgtReal Madrids Jose Mourinho Id Be Happy If We Signed Ruud Van Nistelrooyltagt

Real Madrid search for striker

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ltPgtReal Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has confirmed they are in the market for a striker after this week losing Gonzalo Higuain for a lengthy period.ltPgtltIMG border0 altquotGonzalo Higuainquot srcquothttpwww.kamkaza.comFootballwpcontentuploads201101wpidgonzalohiguain20101129275x155.jpgquot width275 height155gt Gonzalo Higuain will be a huge lossltPgtacirccentampnbspltBgtKloses agent claims approachltBgtltBRgtacirccentampnbspltBgtMadrid take derby spoilsltBgtltPgtltPgtHiguain underwent an operation on his back injury in Chicago on Tuesday and the doctor who performed the surgery confirmed afterwards the Argentina international would be absent for between three and four months.ltPgtltPgtThat would mean Higuain is unlikely to be available again until the final weeks of the season and would leave Madrid coach Jose Mourinho with just Karim Benzema as his only senior centreforward.ltPgtltPgtOn January 5, coach Jose Mourinho indicated a replacement for Higuain was unlikely but the club appears to have changed its tune given the length of his absence as Valdano admitted on Thursday night they are looking at options.ltPgtltPgtquotWe are exploring the market now the uncertainty around Higuain has been resolved. Well see if we can find a player who can help us for six months, said Valdano following Madrids 31 Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg win over local rivals Atletico.ltPgtltPgtNumerous strikers have been linked with the Spanish giants, including Miroslav Klose, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nelson Haedo Valdez, but Valdano preferred not to comment on possible targets.ltPgtltPgtquotMany names are being mentioned and its best not to go into details. But its true we are looking for a number nine, he said in AS.ltPgt

Real Madrid want to sign striker on loan

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Real Madrids General Director Jorge Valdano said this Friday that his side is looking to tie down a deal to bring a striker to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium until the end of the current season. ltPgtSpeaking on Spanish TV Station, Canal Plus three days after striker Gonzalo Higuain underwent a back operation that will keep him out of action until the end of the season and following another poor display from Karim Benzema, Valdano refused to give any names, but did say that the club was not aiming to make a permanent signing.ltPgtltPgtquotWe are looking for a deal that will not compromise us for the future, that is what we are aiming to do,quot said Valdano.ltPgtltPgtquotWe are looking in the market and we are looking for a center forward who is willing to lend us a hand. Lets see what we can find, but we are looking for someone to come here for six months,quot added Valdano.ltPgtltPgtReal Madrid have been linked with several strikers, such as Hercules forward Nelson Valdez and Sevillas Luis Fabiano, with Emanuel Adebayor Manchester City and German international Miroslav Klose also thought to be on the clubs agenda.ltPgtltPgtquotA lot of names have been mentioned, but it is better not to enter into details. We are looking for a solution,quot is was all Valdano would say on the issue. ltPgt

Real Madrid Team Report

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ltpgtREAL MADRID Coach Jose Mourinho first season Last Result 42 win at home to Villarreal, January 09 Record 1512 Streak Won 5 Next Match away to Almeria, January 16 Europe UEFA Champions League First Round Since losing 50 to Barcelona in December, Real Madrid has won five league matches in a row and is still just two points behind the Catalans at the top of the Primera Division table.ltpgtLink lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpsports.yahoo.comsownewsslugapsocligastetmrptrealmadrid0000quot titlequotReal Madrid Team ReportquotgtReal Madrid Team Reportltagt

Real fight back in stormy Spanish Cup derby

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ltpgtReal Madrid fought back from a goal down to defeat city rivals Atletico 31 in the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarterfinals on Thursday.ltpgtRead the original here lta targetquotblankquot hrefquothttpnews.yahoo.comsafp20110113tsafpfblespcup20110113232451quot titlequotReal fight back in stormy Spanish Cup derbyquotgtReal fight back in stormy Spanish Cup derbyltagt