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MADRID (AP)—Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has recovered from back surgery to be included in Real Madrid’s squad for a Spanish league game against Sporting Gijon this weekend.

Higuain hasn’t played since November, and underwent an operation for a hernia in his lower back in January. The 23-year-old will likely back up Emmanuel Adebayor in attack on Saturday with France striker Karim Benzema left out to injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the team as the Portugal forward continues to recover from a leg injury with a Champions League quarterfinals match against Tottenham on Tuesday. Ronaldo leads the team with 37 goals in all competitions.

Higuain scored 10 goals before succumbing to injury.

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Labels: Higuain, injury, Madrid, returns

LYON, France (AP)—Striker Bafetimbi Gomis scored a late equalizer Tuesday as Lyon drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 meeting in the Champions League, denying the Spanish team its first win against the former French champions.

Brazilian defender Cris headed on a free kick and Gomis clipped the ball past goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 83rd minute. Karim Benzema scored for Madrid against his former club in the 65th, a minute after coming off the bench.

Lyon eliminated Madrid from the same stage of the competition last season and is unbeaten against Madrid in seven meetings.

“Of course I’m hopeful, everything is open. Lyon is a good team. They have good players, a good coach and experience in Europe, so the second match will be a hard one,” Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said through a translator. “I feel like I’ve taken part in a real Champions League game, a tough, hard-fought match with few chances. At one stage we were closer to scoring a second goal than Lyon was to equalizing.”

Lyon coach Claude Puel was satisfied with his team’s performance, but thinks they should have been more clinical.

“The satisfaction is having stood up to them and still being in with a chance for the second leg,” Puel said. “We still have the chance to qualify and that’s the most important thing. We will need to be more clinical in the second leg. We had chances in the first half where we could have done better.”

Mourinho thought Madrid should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half when Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff appeared to block the ball with his arm while defending a free kick, although he actually seemed to be turning away.

“I’m 50 meters away and I can see it, but the referee doesn’t spot it from five meters,” Mourinho said. “I hope it isn’t decisive for Real Madrid, but if it is how do you justify it?”

Benzema looked set to end Lyon’s impressive unbeaten record against the nine-time European champion when he cut inside the penalty area with his first touch, weaved past three defenders and calmly beat goalie Hugo Lloris.

“I couldn’t celebrate (my goal),” said Benzema, who scored 43 league goals for Lyon. “Lyon was my team, I grew up here and it’s thanks to Lyon that I am at Real Madrid today.”

Benzema has come back into form following a difficult start to the season where Mourinho criticized his lack of goals. He scored France’s winning goal in a recent friendly against Brazil, and also scored last weekend in the Spanish league.

“Karim did very well when he came on, he scored an important goal for us,” Mourinho said. “He’s improved a lot, he can challenge for a starting place in the Madrid team.”

Lyon had the better of a physical first half, but Mourinho’s players stepped up a gear after the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the post with a free kick in the 49th and Sergio Ramos headed against the crossbar a minute later.

Emmanuel Adebayor started instead of Benzema, and Gomis led Lyon’s line as both teams started with a lone center forward.

Mourinho preferred Adebayor’s ability to play with his back to goal and his added physical presence, but his lack of movement made him easy to mark and Madrid’s attack looked predictable until Benzema came on.

He got a warm reception from his former fans, but they were soon stunned into silence.

Benzema picked up the ball, span quickly, glided past two defenders, dropped his shoulder to shoot before taking it round another and picking his spot for the game-winner.

The match had started frenetically in front of 40,000 fans at Stade Gerland.

Brazilian winger Michel Bastos sprinted down the right in the fourth minute and tried to shoot from an awkward angle, rather than pulling the ball back to the unmarked Gourcuff near the penalty spot.

Top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo almost broke through in the 14th minute, but German referee Wolfgang Stark whistled for a push on Cris.

Although Madrid right back Sergio Ramos picked up an early yellow card for hacking down Cesar Delgado as he sprinted down the left, Lyon were the far more physical team in a tense first half.

Both teams seemed scared of conceding, and there was little attacking invention in the first half.

With 30 minutes played, Mourinho pulled a note pad out of his pocket and flicked the pages over quickly, as if he were looking for a secret formula he had overlooked on how to penetrate Lyon’s organized midfield.

A minute later, Ronaldo almost provided the breakthrough with a well struck free kick that Lloris pushed away near his right post.

Bastos was involved in Lyon’s best move of the half, as he led a counterattack up the field after Lyon had cleared a corner in the 35th.

Gomis collected the ball near the halfway line, span and flicked it to Bastos who rushed past the Madrid bench with Mourinho screaming for his defenders to drop back.

Bastos then clipped a teasing cross over to Gourcuff, forcing goalie Iker Casillas to come for the ball. He flapped at it and dropped it at the feet of Gomis, but the former France striker was off balance and whacked it over from 12 yards (meters) out.

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Labels: draws, Gomis, levels, Madrid

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By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 9:24 AM on 22nd February 2011

Jose Mourinho has offered his strongest hint yet that he would relish a return to the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

Pressure is mounting on under-fire Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti following Chelsea's alarming lack of form that has seen last season's double winners lose a grip on their Premier League title and dumped out of the FA Cup.

There has been a growing clamour among Blues supporters to see The Special One return after the Portuguese coach was axed by Russian owner Roman Abramovich in September 2007.

Special treatment: Jose Mourinho, who watched Chelsea draw with Fulham last week, is open to a return with the Blues

Mourinho, who guided Chelsea to two championships, two league cups and the FA Cup during his three-year tenure, revealed he still loves the west London club and is unsure whether he will see out his four-year contract in charge of Real Madrid.

He said: 'I don’t know. I love Chelsea. I was the happiest man when I was there. I was thinking I would be there all my life. So you never know.

'When I sign a contract, I sign with the intention to respect the contract and be happy.'

Just champion: Mourinho guided Chelsea to consecutive Barclays Premier League titles

Mourinho put in a surprise visit to Craven Cottage last week to see Fulham hold the Blues to a 0-0 draw.

Doubts persist over whether the 48-year-old will stay at the Bernabeu beyond the the current campaign. Real are five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and Mourinho has encountered a frosty relationship with the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano of late.

All smiles: Fernando Torres and John Terry are preparing to take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the Champions League

Chelsea take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the Champions League this evening, knowing that the European competition is their last hope of salvaging their disappointing season with silverware.

Mourinho's Real side are also in action tonight, against French outfit Lyon, and the Madrid boss wants to reach the May final at Wembley to defend the European Cup he won last year with Inter Milan.

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Labels: Chelsea, daily, hints, Madrid, Mourinho, return

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Oezil is expecting a tough Round of 16 tie against Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League, but the German international is confident the Blancos can overcome the French side.

Oezil has revealed the Merengues are keen to reach the Champions League final, which will be played Wembley Stadium in England.

"We all expect the game to be difficult, but we want to win, and we know we can," the 22-year-old told the club's official website. "I expect us to be successful.

"I have been watching their games and they actually worry me as a team. It’s clear they will make things difficult for us, but we want to defeat them.
"The squad thinks about winning titles, but we have to take things slowly and play one game at a time. We have to eliminate Olympique Lyonnais because we want to reach the Wembley Stadium final."

The German international also spoke about his first Champions League goal against Milan during the group stage.

"It was incredible to score my first Champions League goal," he continued. "I didn't care how nice my goal was because it was my first in the European Cup.

"It is always incredible to score, no matter where you are, but it's even more special when you do so at home before the Bernabeu crowd. The stadium makes me feel fantastically well."

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Labels: champions, final, Goalcom, league, Madrid, Mesut, Oezil, reach

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has stated that he is well aware of the dangers Lyon can present his side in their Round of 16 tie in the Champions League.

Les Gones sent the Blancos packing at this stage of the competition last season and Mourinho is adamant that they will not underestimate the French side.

"Lyon are a good team who have experience of this kind of game, but we are Madrid," he said during a press conference.

"If we think that both games will be easy, then it's going be difficult for us. We must play well in both games. We know our ability, and we won't underestimate Lyon."

The Merengues have been eliminated from Europe's premier club competition in the Round of 16 for the last six consecutive years, but Mourinho believes his side have a good chance of breaking the hex and advancing to the quarter-finals.

"It's been six years since Madrid reached the quarter-finals. When I was at Inter, the club hadn't won the Champions League for more than 50 years," he stated confidently.

"Is it possible to do it this year? We have to beat Lyon… Zinedine Zidane gave us a lot of advice in preparing for this game."

The first-leg is set for Tuesday night at Stade Gerland.

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Labels: Goalcom, insists, Madrid, Mourinho, Underestimate

Goal.com France spoke exclusively with former Olympique Lyonnais defender Cacapa ahead of les Gones' Champions League round of 16 encounter with Real Madrid and the Brazilian believes that the French giants have what it takes to beat los Blancos.

"Anything is possible in football. In my opinion, the mental aspect will play a big role in this tie. Lyon can get past Madrid if they start the match well. I don't think Real Madrid has ever managed to beat Olympique Lyonnais and that's a mental advantage," said Cacapa.

"They haven't lost at home or away and they can continue that hot streak if they really want it. However, one has to admit that Madrid have some very good players. They are a great team and it will be very difficult for Lyon. Nevertheless, I believe they have what it takes to eliminate the Spanish side."

Cacapa admitted that the presence of coach Jose Mourinho at Madrid could play a role in the tie, but pointed out that the players are the ones who have to do it on the pitch.

"It will indeed be a bit different this year because of the presence of Mourinho, but he won't be able to do anything on the pitch. Of course, he's a real gentleman and a very good coach. He's one of the best coaches around, if not the best.

"During my time at Lyon, the situation was pretty similar. Madrid had some big names on the pitch back then as well with Robinho, Raul and Ronaldo. However, we always believed that we could beat them. I'm sure the current team can do the same if they start the tie with the same determination we showed back then."

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Labels: Cacapa, Exclusive, Goalcom, Lyonnais, Madrid, Olympique

Real Madrid : Fabregas, Valdano dément

«Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano".
Ces derniers jours, les médias espagnols et anglais n'ont cessé de relayer une offre de près de 65 millions d'euros du Real Madrid pour le Gunner Cesc Fabregas. Mensonge selon le directeur sportif du club madrilène, Jorge Valdano. «Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano dans des propos relayés par Sky Sports. Nous avons de bonnes relations avec Arsenal et nous ne voulons aucune mésentente.»      


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Labels: dment, Fabregas, Madrid, Valdano

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Real Madrid : Fabregas, Valdano dément

«Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano".
Ces derniers jours, les médias espagnols et anglais n'ont cessé de relayer une offre de près de 65 millions d'euros du Real Madrid pour le Gunner Cesc Fabregas. Mensonge selon le directeur sportif du club madrilène, Jorge Valdano. «Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano dans des propos relayés par Sky Sports. Nous avons de bonnes relations avec Arsenal et nous ne voulons aucune mésentente.»      


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Labels: dment, Fabregas, Madrid, Valdano

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José Mourinho. entraîneur de Real Madrid : «Terminer premier»
Sports : les autres articles
L'entraîneur du Real Madrid, José Mourinho, a déclaré dimanche, après la belle victoire de son équipe face à la Real Sociedad (4-1), qu'il était venu «pour terminer premier» du Championnat d'Espagne.
«De tous les championnats que j'ai disputés, les saisons complètes avec mes équipes (FC Porto, Chelsea et Inter Milan), je n'ai terminé deuxième qu'une seule fois, lors de ma troisième saison à Chelsea. Je suis ici (à Madrid) pour terminer premier», a déclaré Mourinho en conférence de presse. «Mais si je termine deuxième, que se passe-t-il ? Rien. Pour moi, rien.
Le plus important est de ne pas faire cadeau du Championnat», a-t-il ajouté alors que son équipe est à sept points du leader de la Liga, le FC Barcelone, après 22 journées. Ce dernier a battu samedi le record de victoires consécutives en Championnat d'Espagne, signant au Camp Nou face à l'Atletico Madrid (3-0) un 16e succès d'affilée. Le Barça de Messi, auteur d'un «hat-trick» (17e, 28e et 79e), fait mieux que le Real Madrid de Di Stefano, qui avait enchaîné 15 succès lors de la saison 1960-1961. Après son succès de samedi, le Barça possédait en tête du classement 10 points d'avance sur son premier poursuivant, le Real Madrid, qui reçoit dimanche la Real Sociedad.      


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Labels: entraneur, Madrid, Mourinho, Premier, Terminer

Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano believes the heir to Alfredo Di Stefano is Cristiano Ronaldo, not Barcelona's Lionel Messi as Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores labeled him.

Sanchez Flores saw the Argentine international score a hat-trick against his side on Saturday evening, but Valdano has rebuffed those comments, saying it is the Portuguese superstar who deserves the mantle.

"It is not Messi, it is Cristiano Ronaldo, who what is more wears the same shirt," Valdano said, as reported by Eurosport. "He is a very important player who is set to make history at this club.

"We wouldn’t swap Cristiano for anyone, although one must recognize that both he and Messi are two very high-quality players whom it is a privilege to have in La Liga."

Ronaldo scored twice in the Blancos' 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on the weekend.

Di Stefano scored 418 goals in 510 matches for Los Merengues, helping the Spanish side win the first five European Cups between 1956 and 1960.

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Labels: Alfredo, believes, Cristiano, Director, General, Goalcom, Jorge, Madrid, Ronaldo, Stefano, Valdano

Gaizka Toquero scored twice to give Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid on Sunday to strengthen the Basques' claim on a Europa League spot in Spain. Toquero raced unmarked into the area to volley home Andoni Iraola's cross on halftime, and then stabbed in another cross by Iraola to double Bilbao's lead in the 64th.

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Nemdil. A Agences de presses

Labels: Atletico, beats, Bilbao, Madrid, scores, Toquero

Gaizka Toquero scored twice to give Athletic Bilbao a 2-0 win over 10-man Atletico Madrid on Sunday to strengthen the Basques' claim on a Europa League spot in Spain. Toquero raced unmarked into the area to volley home Andoni Iraola's cross on halftime, and then stabbed in another cross by Iraola to double Bilbao's lead in the 64th.

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Labels: Atletico, beats, Bilbao, Madrid, scores, Toquero