Pick Your Real Madrid Team Against Tenerife

Guti, Benzema and Drenthe are absent from the squad.

Why not have a go at picking Real Madrid's team for this weekend?

Karim Benzema and Guti have not been included in Manuel Pellegrini's squad list for tomorrow's Liga fixture against Tenerife in the Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez while Drenthe remains out because of a muscle injury.

The Frenchman will be out with a sports hernia while Guti has recovered from his injury, but Pellegrini does not want to risk his visionary midfielder.

Youth team players Marcos Alonso and Mosquera have also been called up for the match.

The complete squad list is as follows: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gago, Diarrá, Raúl, Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lass, Marcelo, Dudek, Albiol, Garay, Higuaín, Metzelder, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, Granero, Marcos Alonso and Mosquera.

We ask you to leave your choices in the comments box below, using hyphens to separate positions and working from right to left. For instance, here is a side that could line up in a 4-2-2-2 formation:

Casillas - Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Marcelo - Lass, Xabi Alonso - Kaka, Granero - Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuain

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Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol: Lionel Messi And Andres Iniesta Are The Best In The World

Puyol says team-mates are the best around.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has heralded team-mates Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta as the two best players in the world.

Speaking to Spanish daily Sport, the Barca captain was asked who he thinks the best player in the world is and he immediately responded, “I would say Messi and Iniesta.”


The Spanish international also revealed who he thinks is the best equipped team going into the World Cup.

"I would say Brazil and Spain are among the three or four options to do well and win [the World Cup]."

Finally, the defender spoke of his pre-match ritual, which involved listening to his favourite song.

“Te Esperare by Shuarma is a slow song and people may think that it might not motivate you, but I feel so strongly when I hear it because it reminds me of my father. I always listen to that before every game," he concluded.

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Stuttgart 1-1 Barcelona: Champions Pass Tough German Test

Crucial away goal leaves Barca in the driving seat.

Stuttgart gave Champions League holders Barcelona a real test at the Mercedes Benz Arena but the champions will be happy with the result given they trailed on the score board and in general play at half-time.

The Germans engineered a well deserved lead midway through the first half as Brazil-born striker Cacau headed them in front but ten minutes after the interval the scores were level when Zlatan Ibrahimovic stroked past Jens Lehmann for a vital away goal.

Pep Guardiola had spoken beforehand about his side needing to raise their game against the German outfit and that certainly proved the case as Christian Gross' side looked a vastly different team to the one that stumbled and stuttered through the group stages under the stewardship of Markus Babbel.

While Barca dominated possession, probing for an opening in typical fashion, it was Stuttgart that were demonstrating the necessary desire and looked the greater threat with the physical presence of Pavel Progrebnyak and Cacau giving the Barca rearguard plenty of food for thought.

Although their early endeavors never really stretched Victor Valdes, Cacau made no mistake as he leaped high at the back post to power a header back across goal from an inch perfect Timo Gerbhart cross leaving the Barca custodian with no chance.

Stuttgart were content to allow the Catalan's to dominate possession in the center of the park but whenever they got within 35 yards of Jens Lehmann's goal the defensive effort from Die Roten was a model of organized teamwork and precise positional play.

Even the dribbling danger of Lionel Messi came unstuck against the resolute rearguard and when the Argentinian did get a sight on goal good enough to force a Lehmann howler from a 20 yard effort five minutes before the interval, the 'keepers left hand upright proved his savior.

Under Gross' tutelage, Stuttgart have lost just once in nine attempts and their new found defensive solidity showed it was capable of keeping the very best at bay with ease while their offensive intensity had Barca's back line rattled.

After the break Stuttgart continued to squeeze the space and their swarming defensive system smothered the Barca attack but the champions refused to relent, relying on their game plan with an unshakable faith, patiently maintaining possession and biding their time for the all important chance.

The home side's enterprise and endeavor was eventually eroded when Swedish striker Ibrahimovic struck exposed a telling lapse at the back slipping the ball beyond Lehmann at the second attempt after Gerard Pique climbed high above Serdar Tacsi to nod into his path. The fact that Ibra had a second bite at the cherry will be particularly galling for Gross as his side were certainly proving a worthy test for the Champions League title holders.

The whole complexion of the tie turned with the away goal as the Blaugrana swapped their instability with Stuttgart's confidence and although the hosts were still willing, Jens Lehmann survived another howler at the other end which typified the cautious German jitters.

As the second hand evolved the game ebbed and flowed with both sides enjoying periods of possession but the cagey, chess-like exchanges meant clear goal chances were at a premium.

Tempers frayed in stoppage time as Sami Khedira wrestled Messi to the floor but Barca emerge from the first leg with a quarter final spot well within their sights.

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Friends Of Don Quixote: Pressure Mounting On Madrid

After a disappointing defeat in the Champions League, Real Madrid resumes its chase of Barcelona on Sunday against Villarreal.

There has been much debate in Madrid about what would constitute a success or failure this season after shelling out more than 250 million euros in the transfer market last summer. And while it might be unfair to demand trophies from any team that competes against Barcelona on every single front, losing to Lyon in the first knockout round of the Champions League would be considered an unmitigated disaster.

But it is a very real possibility following a 1-0 defeat in France on Tuesday that has Manuel Pellegrini in perhaps even worse shape than after the Alcorcon debacle. With Real showing no signs of recapturing its past European glory, the better bet for a trophy this season may indeed be the league, especially given Barcelona’s recent injury woes.

The Merengues enter the weekend just two points behind, thanks to Barcelona’s defeat last Sunday at the hands of city neighbors Atletico Madrid. But Pellegrini’s side faces a tricky fixture against Villarreal in front of what promises to be a very grumpy crowd at the Bernabeu. Madrid won the first meeting back in September 2-0 with Kaka scoring from the penalty spot, and the Brazilian will be under heavy scrutiny on Sunday.

Kaka has been given a longer leash than most superstars at Madrid, and it is easy to understand why. He remains the consummate professional, works hard in every game, and is able to make a positive contribution even when he doesn’t play particularly well. And there have been some encouraging displays, most notably in the defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou, probably his best performance in a Madrid uniform.

But two thirds into his first season in Spain, Kaka has yet to resemble the brilliant player who captured the Ballon d’Or with AC Milan, and patience is wearing thin. Some even feel it is no longer an issue of adaptation, rather he just arrived a couple of years too late. Final judgment will be withheld until the end of the campaign, however, and the Brazilian still has plenty of time to win over supporters.

Whether Madrid can put forth a convincing display on Sunday will depend a great deal on which Villarreal side shows up. So far the managerial switch from Ernesto Valverde to Juan Carlos Garrido appears to be paying off, as the team played well against both Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao. But Villarreal also enjoyed a fantastic run under Valverde, culminating in a 1-1 draw away to Barcelona, only to go off the boil again.

Garrido will be minus defender Diego Godin, sent off in the 2-1 win over Bilbao, but he can count on Brazilian striker Nilmar, who found the back of the net last week and is playing his best soccer of the season at the moment. Also in good form is playmaker David Fuster, and the pair will test a Madrid back line that hasn’t allowed a goal at home since early December, provided Fuster is declared fit.

Villarreal still maintains slim hopes of claiming a Champions League spot, but the two sides most likely to compete for fourth place collide on Saturday when Sevilla travels to Mallorca. Gregorio Manzano’s team has collected full points at home this season, but was extremely fortunate to knock off the Yellow Submarine two weeks ago and is showing signs of fading, while Sevilla has a knack for stepping up in big games.

Elsewhere, Barcelona hopes to bounce back from its first defeat of the campaign at home against Racing. Pep Guardiola will be without several key players, including Xavi, but Miguel Angel Portugal’s side is unlikely to put up much of a fight. Valencia hosts Getafe on Monday, while struggling Deportivo heads to Xerez badly in need of a win.

First Quest: Real Madrid vs. Villarreal
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes

Manuel Pellegrini held a meeting with his players on Thursday to address any lingering issues stemming from the Lyon defeat. Gonzalo Higuain looked particularly annoyed at being replaced in the second half, but the Argentine should feature in the first XI once again alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Pellegrini will likely be without midfielder Jose Guti, whose importance to the team was underlined this past Tuesday.

Ezequiel Garay returned in the win over Xerez, but it remains to be seen if the imposing defender will reclaim his starting spot, as the back line has played well with Sergio Ramos in the middle and Alvaro Arbeloa on the right. Madrid’s defense could have its hands full on Sunday against a dangerous Villarreal attack.

Nilmar has been the key man of late, but several different players chip in goals as well. Joan Capdevila found the back of the net last week against Athletic Bilbao, and Marcos Senna drilled home a free kick in the UEFA Cup match against Wolfsburg on Thursday. Villarreal faces problems at the back with Diego Godin suspended and Gonzalo Rodriguez out of action with a thigh injury.

Second Quest: Mallorca vs. Sevilla
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes

The Ono Estadi remains an impenetrable fortress in the league, but just barely. Villarreal outplayed Gregorio Manzano’s side two weeks ago and very nearly became the first team to register points in Mallorca, falling 1-0 thanks to a late header by captain Nunes. Sevilla comes to town on Saturday for a clash between two sides battling for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

Mallorca needs to be perfect at home because the team seems incapable of achieving anything away from the Ono Estadi. Los Barralets lost to lowly Tenerife on Monday, two weeks after coming up short against last-placed Xerez. Mallorca has struggled offensively of late with striker Aritz Aduriz mired in a major slump.

Sevilla isn't playing its best soccer, either, but Manolo Jimenez’s side did beat Osasuna 1-0 at home last week thanks to a brilliant first-half header by Luis Fabiano. The Brazilian is a major doubt for Saturday’s game with an ankle problem, while fellow striker Frederic Kanoute could miss out as well due to a muscle injury. The good news for Jimenez is that defender Ivica Dragutinovic is likely to feature.

Ladies-in-waiting: Barcelona vs. Racing Santander
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV

Lionel Messi may well be the best player on the planet, but most close observers of Barcelona believe Xavi is actually the most important player on the team. And the 30-year-old will be sidelined for up to two weeks with a thigh problem that probably explains his atrocious outing last weekend against Atletico Madrid.

Fortunately for Pep Guardiola, also without Seydou Keita, Daniel Alves and Eric Abidal, Racing is struggling to overcome the disappointment from its Copa Del Rey elimination at the hands of Atletico. Miguel Angel Portugal’s side was beaten 3-0 at home by Malaga last week, and even youngster Sergio Canales has gone off the boil a bit. Barcelona won the first meeting this season 4-1, with Messi scoring two fantastic goals.

Ladies-in-waiting: Valencia vs. Getafe
Monday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN Deportes

Earlier this season, Valencia had a much easier time picking up victories away than at home, but Unai Emery’s side has won all three matches at the Mestalla after the winter break. Los Che are coming off a frustrating 1-1 draw away to Sporting Gijon in which they had the better of the play but paid the price for some lousy finishing.

Sporting goalkeeper Juan Pablo also contributed greatly to the result, coming up with a number of big saves, but this week Valencia faces a goalkeeper looking to make amends for a terrible performance. Getafe’s Jordi Codina gifted Almeria a goal in the dying moments of the 2-2 draw last Sunday, costing his team two important points. Los Azulones must make do without suspended striker Roberto Soldado.

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Everton Manager: David Moyes: Wayne Rooney Getting Close To World's Best

Scot full of praise for former player.

Everton manager David Moyes has heaped praise on returning star Wayne Rooney ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Manchester United on Saturday, saying he is now close to the best players in world football.

Rooney returns to the club he left in the summer of 2004 with the Red Devils as he enjoys the best goal-scoring form of his career to date.


After scoring a clinical San Siro double against AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, the 24-year-old now has 25 goals in all competitions and is receiving plaudits from all corners of the footballing world.

However, a frosty reception is likely to be in store for Rooney when he takes to the field at Goodison Park, with the majority of Toffees fans yet to forgive the striker for the manner of his exit and the subsequent criticisms of Moyes and Everton in his autobiography.

Former Preston North End boss Moyes was full of praise for his former player ahead of the weekend’s game, though, saying it is only a matter of time before he is likely to be considered alongside the best players in the world.

“I think Wayne is a top player and I think he is going to be a great player,” Moyes is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"He has added goals to his game and understanding - all the things you would expect from a maturing player.

"I think time will be the test of whether he becomes the best in the world but he is certainly getting very close to it."

The Scot added that Rooney has since apologised for the derogatory remarks made in his book, where Moyes was branded an ‘overbearing’ presence.

“All credit to Wayne, he rang me to apologise about a year ago for all the things he wrote in his book,” said Moyes.

“That was something that made me realise he was a maturing man. He realised what he had been given at Everton was great and his development and what we tried to do was right.

“All in all, I think Wayne would probably look back on his time at Everton as being good.

“We probably weren't ready for Wayne Rooney at the time. I think we would be more ready now.”

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