Superb win at the Nou Camp

Brazilian striker Julio Baptista scored in the 36th minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Barcelona 1-0 in La Liga's classic derby.

The tall player met dutch frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy's flicked-on pass with a right-footed shot that spun across goal and into the top right of net past Victor Valdes.

In fact, Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas thwarted several Barcelona scoring chances - including a hard shot by substitute Bojan Krkic in the 84th - but the Catalan club appeared lifeless without Argentine star Lionel Messi, who was nursing a thigh injury.

"It wasn't Barcelona's night," coach Frank Rijkaard said. "We have to digest this loss and look to move forward."

With only its third win at the Camp Nou stadium in 24 years, Madrid moved seven points clear of second-placed Barça atop the table with 41 points as the league begins its two-week winter break.

"The fact that Barcelona didn't score at home says it all," Madrid manager Bernd Schuster admitted. "The seven points are an important advantage, but it's still too early to talk about titles."

Despite Ronaldinho Gaucho's return to the starting lineup, Barcelona failed to generate a constant fluid style and was held scoreless at the Camp Nou for the first time in over two years.

"It went well because my team worked hard and we took advantage of a good moment, but I wouldn't say it was an easy victory," Schuster expressed.

Neither squad put a shot on net until the 12th: Pepe redirecting Dutch international Wesley Sneijder's free kick with Valdes crouching to cradle the header.

Petty fouls hindered the the match until Barcelona found its rhythm in the 30th.

Keeper Iker Casillas raced off his line to poke a ball away from an onrushing Samuel Eto'o, then recovered to knock away Andres Iniesta's effort on the rebound.

Talented Xavi Hernandez had Barcelona's first shot on net in the 33rd, Casillas catching the long range strike.

We must notice that the Spain goalkeeper dropped to stop a hard, cross-goal shot from Ronaldinho two minutes before Baptista struck after a quick exchange with Van Nistelrooy.

"Baptista's goal did a lot of damage and changed the rhythm of the game," Rijkaard stated after the match.

The controversial Robinho tested Valdes before both teams went into the lockers with tempers charged from 25 fouls called.

We can say that Barcelona pressed to start the second half, while Madrid appeared content to counterattack, Sergio Ramos forcing Valdes into a save in the 56th and Van Nistelrooy shooting wide from the left five minutes later.

Coach Rijkaard left France international Thierry Henry on the bench and inserted Krkic for Xavi in the 82nd minute and Mexican youngster Giovanni Dos Santos for Portugal midfielder Deco in the 56th.

"I hoped we could change the result until the last moment and we fought to, but it was hard to create occasions," Rijkaard admitted. In fact, his team dropped its first home match in 12 dates this campaign. "They were very well organized at the back, with a lot of players behind the ball and a lot of danger on the counterattack."

We must consider that it was Madrid's fourth straight win and first at the Camp Nou since 2003.

Jose Antonio Reyes wants to stay at Madrid

The Spanish midfielder spent last season on loan at Real Madrid with the view to a permanent transfer, yet a swap deal with Julio Baptista has been scrapped after the Brazilian flopped at the English team.

It has been reported that French star Thierry Henry’s exit from the Emirates Stadium may present Reyes with a second opportunity in England, yet his agent has confirmed a move to the Bernabeu is more likely.

"Indeed, Reyes doesn't want to return to London," Jesus Rodriguez de Moya expressed.

"Well, if the logical steps are taken, Reyes will be a Madrid player next year. Arsenal are not asking for £13.6million. However, they are asking for a reasonable fee in accordance with what they paid to Sevilla. They continue the negotiation.

Bernd Schuster promises a spectacular Real Madrid

Bernd Schuster already has a clear idea of what he wants from his new footballers and was quick to dismiss reports that he wanted to sell Raúl Gonzalez.

Teh last coach (Fabio Capello) was sacked despite winning the league after some turgid displays and Schuster is determined that Real Madrid will now be more pleasing on the eye.

"I'm going to start to work based on how I used to play," he said. "I know people will expect a lot from me now that I'm at Real Madrid, but I'm not extremely worried about it.

"It's just that I am more concerned with how well the team plays. I want my teams to play the way I understand football. Those who have seen me play will know the style my clubs will play in.

"I am really sure Real Madrid will now play well. We'll see how far we go, but we have to aspire to do extremely well with a squad as good as this one.

"It is very important for me to give the players more independence on the pitch, especially in attack. I want there to be a lot of movement because I want players to be in different areas of the field at times.

"Yes, we are going to bring some new players and I am sure of being able to change the style in which the team plays. I am sure we will earn good results if we play well. I think next year's team is going to defend further forward than last season, so that attacking footballers, such as Robinho, Guti and Raúl, don't have to run back too much in order to defend."

"We all know that people here love Raúl, Real Madrid has always been his club and he has given his all for it." he said about the captain. "I would like him to retire here."

Rather than feel added pressure due to Fabio Capello's success last term, Schuster believes that Madrid's success means that he can focus on creating an entertaining at the Santiago Bernabéu.

"The League title was really important because it would have been unbelievable for Real Madrid not to have won anything in four straight years," he said.

"Things were done good because they had the drive to win, even if it meant not playing flashy football. I think there's less pressure now and I feel happy for that. Thanks to this title I can focus more on pleasing the supporters."

Cannavaro might leave Madrid to go to Napoli

Fabio Cannavaro met with the Serie B's chief, Pierpaolo Marino, in Rimini recently and made it clear he is willing to end his career with the Azzurri.

In fact, he might be bored after a troubled campaign at Real Madrid, and the 33-year-old defender could be set to leave the team with coach Fabio Capello at the end of the season and has already started laying the groundwork for his next destination.

"Yes, I have talked to Marino, Napoli's chief operating officer, and he knows how I feel now," Cannavaro admitted.

We must consider that this is not the first time that the former Parma and Juventus star has claimed that he would like to represent his hometown squad again, but this was the clearest statement of intent yet.

But Marino has reportedly not met with the Napoli board to brief them in full on his coversation with the Italian crack.

It's good to remember that FAbio Cannavaro rose through the ranks at Napoli and played for the club for three seasons until in 1995 he joined Parma during the club's golden period. After seven seasons with the Gialloblu, Inter Milan snapped him up and he was on the move once again in 2004 when Juventus came calling.

And when Juventus were relegated at the end of last season, Cannavaro was tempted by trying his hand in la Primera and joined Capello at Real Madrid. Now they could leave together.

Real Madrid reach the top of the table as they beat Mallorca

This are good news for Real Madrid fans. Capello's team joined Sevilla and Barcelona at the top of Spain's La Liga after a superbly struck free kick from Jose Antonio Reyes allowed them to sneak a barely deserved 1-0 triumph at struggling Real Mallorca on Sunday.

All three squads are locked on 38 points at the head of the table, but with a game in hand FC Barcelona can pull clear at the halfway mark in the Spanish season and claim the symbolic title of winter champions if they win away at Real Betis on Wednesday.

In fact, Real Madrid, with Ronaldo, Antonio Cassano and David Beckham still on Fabio Capello's blacklist, played little in the way of fluent football and failed to make much headway in attack until a brilliant free kick from Reyes 12 minutes from time.

The old white club, who are third in La Liga, travelled to face Real Mallorca on Sunday with just one win from their last five encounters in all competitions.

Mallorca, who started the match in 15th place with 20 points from 18 games, began positively with a shoot on sight policy with Maxi Lopez driving his effort straight at Iker Casillas in the 8th minute.

What's more, Madrid, who went out of the Copa del Rey in midweek, created their first chance in the 19th minute when Mallorca goalkeeper Miguel Moya saved a shot from Gonzalo Higuain with his legs.

And from the resulting corner defender Sergio Ramos rose high and his looping header bounced back into play off the bar.

Mallorca's player Jonas Gutierrez forced Casillas into a save in the 43rd minute when he drifted in from the left and fired in a shot form a narrow angle.

Real Madrid Italian boss Fabio Capello, who has hardly been out of the headlines recently after omitting David Beckham, Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano, was left exasperated after Mahamadou Diarra somehow headed wide from close in.

We must notice that the game had been lacking in quality and the crowd had to wait until the 79th minute for the only piece of class exhibited on the night.

Spanish midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes, who is on loan from English club Arsenal, curled in a stunning free kick from 22.4 metres in what proved to be the match winner.

Finally, it's good to see that Real Madrid's 12th victory of the season saw them move level with Barcelona and Sevilla at the top of the table with 38 points, but they remained third on goal difference.

David Beckham to leave Real Madrid

Talented midfielder David Beckham will not be offered a new contract with Real Madrid and will leave the Spanish team, media reported on Wednesday.

"I can say that Beckham will leave us. We will not renew his contract," the club's sporting director and former Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic was quoted as saying.

However, not all the information says the same thing about the British player. There are some version that still give a hope in the relationship between Becks and Madrid.

Indeed, Gaspar Rosety told a news agency: "Predrag Mijatovic has not spoken to Sky Italia and has made no such comments about Beckham's contract."

We must consider that Real Madrid have been offering the 31-year-old midfielder a two-year extension to his current deal, which ends in June, but said they wanted David Beckham to make a quick decision on his future so they can plan for next season.

It's important to mention that Beckham has been free to talk to other clubs with teams in England, Italy and the United States interested in signing the English footballer.

Beckham might choose among 15 new clubs

It's not really a surprise that 15 clubs have already been in contact with David Beckham's agent despite the British midfielder's claim he won't be leaving Real Madrid when his contract finishes this January.

In fact, we have heard that Real Madrid will accept a From low fee for the English superstar as soon as the transfer window opens tomorrow.

What's more, the club's president Ramon Calderon last night said: "After the conversations we have had in the last months, Beckham already has our offer for a new contract on the table. Now he msut make up his mind.

"I admit that all of us would like to see him continue at our club and extend his contract."

Indeed, we know that Beckham has been offered a two-year deal on his current terms — but that means his image rights would remain at 50 per cent, according to the paper. But if he opts to leave Madrid, he could sign the biggest signing-on fee in football history — as much as £10m — at his new team.

The popular footballer has been favored to land in the USA, where he already has interests in the Los Angeles Major League Soccer club, The Galaxy.

As we know, the jersey Nº23 is kicking off the new year in Japan where he will participate in three separate events to promote a cellular phones he endorses. Good for him and his wallet.

Gago is not going to Real Madrid

Everybody in Real Madrid is calm. They are not worried that Argentine player Fernando Gago is not coming to Madrid anymore.

As we know, Boca Juniors president, Macri, flew back to Buenos Aries without a deal after 72 hours of heavy negotiations with Real directors, including Pedja Mijatovic and Franco Baldini.

"In fact, the operation was not closed," said Macri at Madrid airport. "It was the most difficult negotiations I have seen. Madrid surprised me with their stubbornness. I read before coming here that the fee wouldn't be a problem for them - but it was."

A high-ranking Real official, meanwhile, told a newspaper today: "We are not going to be in a hurry since the term to sign Gago doesn't end until the 31st of January. Macri has had the bad luck of losing the championship and knows the player must leave. But Madrid is not going to pay more than what he is worth."

We must consider that Real won't go higher than £12 million for Gago, while Macri is now demanding £16 million - having been talked down from an original £20 million.

Del Bosque praises Capello's work

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has praised Fabio Capello for the impact he has made since his arrival at the club.

"I think Real Madrid needed a change and the doubt that surrounded the club has now been lifted," said the former Real coach. "Capello doesn't have to worry about the style of his team. He has united his footballer with a determination to win games and he is achieving that.

"It is really important to understand this."

Del Bosque also said: "To sign Gago will be a great achievement. He is like Fernando Redondo, though when he arrived in Madrid he was a man.

"However, I believe they have missed an opportunity in not bringing up to the first team Javi Garcia and Ruben De la Red."

Raul was the key of victory in Mestalla

Real Madrid is still steady in their chase of Barcelona. The "merengues" got a crucial 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday.

Captain and striker Raul Gonzalez fired home in the second-half as Real moved to within three points of champions Barca after inflicting a first home defeat of the season on out-of-form Valencia.

It's important to mention that Valencia, who were beaten 3-0 by Sevilla last weekend, remain in eighth position, 11 points behind the leaders.

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello was also without suspended midfielder Guti, while Cicinho, Ronaldo and David Beckham were all sidelined with injuries.

It was the home team that started brightest and Villa blasted wide from the edge of the penalty area in the sixth minute.

Despite that, Real Madrid came close to breaking the deadlock soon after when Raul headed over the crossbar after Robinho's cross.

Valencia front man Miguel Angulo also headed over the target after David Silva's corner, before the home side suffered a setback when the injured Villa had to be replaced by Vicente in the 16th minute.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy then came close to giving his side the lead when his powerful effort from inside the penalty area was saved by Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares.

And in the 24th minute Robinho blasted a strong shot at Canizares, before Silva's excellent long-range drive was tipped around the post by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Valencia's Joaquin blasted a free-kick over the crossbar in the 28th minute, the final decent opportunity of a disappointing first half.

And seven minutes after the interval Real took the lead when Raul coolly fired home after Roberto Carlos' cross was pulled back across the centre of the penalty area.

The home squad continued to push forward in search of an equaliser and substitute Vicente should have done better when his long-range effort flew over the crossbar.

Real substitute Ruben De la Red then had a shot blocked by defender Luis Miguel, before Angulo missed another glorious option to secure a point for Valencia in the dying stages when he fired over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

It's important to mention that Valencia now travel to Recreativo Huelva, while Real, who have won three successive league matches, will face Athletic Bilbao next weekend.

Roberto Carlos speaks about moving away

Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has been in the club for almost ten years, and he is expecting a pay-hike as he seeks new contract talks.

The Brazilian star has denied reports he's already agreed terms over a new deal at Real and admitted: "It is not that I feel mistreated. But I want to reach the numbers that I was offered by Fenerbahce and Chelsea.

"I think that I am young for football. I can play until I'm 40. I want to play for five years more. To speak with Pedja without knowing what it is happening is difficult. I can help Marcelo grow, but I want the club to listen to the things that are going through my mind.

"In fact, it is not money question, that would be crazy. The problem is where I want to play. I want to win two or three titles more with Real Madrid."

Super van Nistelrooy scores four goals

It was a really good game for Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutch frontman struck four times as Real Madrid defeated Osasuna four-one at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium in Pamplona to maintain their challenge at the top of Spanish "Liga" on Sunday.

Indeed, the former Manchester United player scored three before half-time and rounded off a superb display with a fourth near the end to take his total to eight goals from 10 Primera League encounters.

We must consider that this was his second hat-trick of the season, the other was against Levante in another four-one away victory in September.

"Yes, I have scored four once before, two years ago in the Champions League against Sparta Prague," said van Nistelrooy.

"But I think that today was a unique day, because from four or five chances I scored four goals and that is really hard.

"All the opportunities came to me and I was able to take advantage. These things don't happen often. It was incredible."

Celta steal a victory in Madrid

It wans't a good day for Capello's players. Real Madrid's first team was defeated at home for the first time this season on Sunday, losing 2-1 to Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabau Stadium. Meanwhile, Barcelona were held to a one-all draw by Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish League on Saturday.

According to the reports, Celta Vigo opened the scoring , with their first attack of the game. Fabio Cannobio made a run into the Real half, and timed his pass perfectly to Brazilian player Nene, who scored his third goal of the season.

In fact, the lead only lasted seven minutes, when Emerson headed in Raul's corner, and the Brazilian refused to celebrate as a protest against being whistled by the Real Madrid supporters earlier in the match.

It's important to mention that Celta could have retaken the lead 13 minutes into the second half, Fernando Baiano set up Nene, whose shot beat Real keeper Iker Casillas but hit the crossbar.

The visitors scored the winning goal nine minutes from full-time, Angel set up Jorge Larena, and the midfielder shot past Casillas to score the 2-1.

Real Madrid defeated Steaua Bucharest 1-0

Real Madrid accomplished one of the most important objectives: qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. But somehow, the slight victory over Steaua Bucharest doesn't make the fans smile.

Maybe it's fair to say that there was a touch of farce about the evening as van Nistelrooy fired a penalty kick miles over the bar then tried to blame the pitch, and Helguera somehow contrived to send the ball over the bar from no more than two yards out after a superb ball in from the right by-line supplied by Guti. There was also a really weird dive by Robinho that should make him feel a bit ashamed when he sees the TV replay despite his protests.

And then there was the goal. From nowhere, and with the home side looking unlikely to achieve a breakthrough, the ball fell to Steaua player, Banel Nicolita, in space just outside the penalty area. Without looking up, and with the goalkeeper moving to his left away from goal, Nicolita slotted the ball into the bottom right corner as the keeper lost his footing and fell to his knees.

The encounter saw the return of british midfielder David Beckham, who had a decent second half after coming on as substitute, showing no signs of the injury problems that kept him out of the squad for last weekend's trip to Tarragona, while there was also a return to action for Ronaldo, who looked a bit not in shape.

Real Madrid goes for the victory in Europe

Good times in the Champions League. Real Madrid have a greta chance to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League when they face Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday despite a shaky start to their European campaign under new coach Fabio Capello.

Indeed, Madrid suffered a 2-0 defeat at Olympique Lyon in their opening match in Group E but won emphatically against Dynamo Kiev and Steaua.

Another victory against the Romanians will put them through to the knockout stage as long as Dynamo, who have yet to earn a point, do not beat runaway leaders Lyon.

Capello's team may not have been playing the sort of fluent, flowing football their fans demand but they have developed a more gritty, pragmatic style under the Italian coach and are getting the results.

They netted nine goals against Dynamo and Steaua, beat Barca 2-0 in the league two weeks ago and are now just two points behind their arch-rivals.

We must remember that the team have conceded four goals in eight league games and the team are growing in confidence according to Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.

“It's obvious that Capello has brought with him a different, more modern mentality,” Roberto Carlos expressed. “We are no longer the team that passes the ball slowly round the pitch. We are more direct and we know what we have to do.”