Make-or-break time Raul

[Lance Knight]

Mijatovic admits make-or-break time Raul
September 15, 2006

Real Madrid sports chief Predrag Mijatovic accepts Raul is struggling for form.

The Spanish striker was again taken off by coach Fabio Capello in this week's defeat at Lyon and Mijatovic said last night: "We must accept Raul is not in form. We have to consider that the last three years have been very hard for Raul, as they have for all the team, and it is true that he has dropped a level, just as what has happened to other players.

"He starts games because Capello believes in him. Raul has changed much in this preseason. He is excited again, with desire to please, to do things well. He works in training in an exemplary way.

"As sport director, my diagnosis is that this year it will be fundamental to know where we really are as far as Raul. If he can return to his best, or..."

[Lance Knight]

i totally agree, raul is like my boy, but seriously dude, u got to regain some form

[RaulMadrid7]

WE need a solid team, the blame is always on Raul.

When he was at his best was when the team had a Championship winnign team.

[Lance Knight]

coould to see u back bro
anyway let them say whatever now with his performance yesterday.
plus look they booing emerson, now, but in truth emerson was never anything special

Real Madrid coach Capello defends Raul
September 17, 2006

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has defended the performances of Raul in the early weeks of the season.
"It seems that here the name of the day always is Raul. I do not understand why everybody is talking about Raul. For me, he is playing well, he moves a lot, he runs, he has had opportunities," said Capello.

"He is doing good work and he is playing good games. He is ten years older and the goal sense he has always had will return."

[juanca]

its REAL MADRID.

one of the biggest clubs in the world.

with the money they spend, not only team officials, but MORE importantly, the FANS expect results.

when they dont get them, there quick to blame anyone.

first it was ronaldo, now its raul.

it isnt the forwards fault, they arent peles or maradonas, they need balls given to em...

[Lance Knight]

well he's back and better than ever
the lean....
the mean........
the goal scoring machine.......
Real Madrid's Raul defiant: Best I've been in 10 years
September 26, 2006

Real Madrid striker Raul says he's playing as well as he has been for ten years.
Coach Fabio Capello insists all Raul needs is a goal to spark his form, but the striker insists he's already playing as well as he ever has in a Real shirt.

"I believe that I have already found that spark, I believe that I have been far better than I have for ten years in that sense," said Raul.

"But even if I do score, I believe the debate and controversy around me will continue."

He added: "I am very calm and happy for being in Madrid."

[Sq4]

Well finaly he made it...hope he'll continue

[Cherry.DeRossi]

It's a make time for Raul, he did great...:cheer:

[Lance Knight]

thats my boy

Real Madrid hero Raul hits back at snipers
September 28, 2006

Real Madrid captain Raul has hit back at the snipers after a superb performance against Dynamo Kiev in midweek.

Full of confidence after his two goals, Raul rapped: "I'm used to the criticism. This is Real Madrid. Everything has great importance. I believe that I have experienced more good things than bad.

"In the last months I have only trained and I have not commented on things. I have used all my energy in training to be in the best condition. It seemed that at 29, I had nothing else to do in football. Some wanted me to retire. I have noticed a lack of politeness and respect. But I have a lot more football ahead of me.

"At club level in the last years things have not gone well. There have been many changes and I have undergone much. I wanted to be at the best level and I could not do so because of the many things that have happened at the club.

"But nobody can doubt my commitment to this club."

[juanca]

yea but what happened?

spain coach luis aragones DROPPED him from the national team.

[Lance Knight]

well what i figured is that well almost all the european squads are looking towards the future and if u look at it spain has torres and villa to bring up, just like how they had morientes and raul previously, if i was the coach i mighten have dropped him but perhaps have him on the bench or soemthing, and try to better the villa torres patnership
but then another otpion might have been for him to play with 3 strikers, but with no wings wheich he kinda did for world cup. but personally i would have played with wingers with men like vicente and jouquin and reyes and a couple others to choose from
but the funny thing is when raul scored yesterday and he pointed towrads his name on his jersy hahahahaa
Real Madrid's Raul left out of Spain squad
September 29, 2006

Real Madrid striker Raul has sensationally been left out of the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden.

In his stead, head coach Luis Aragones has called up the in form Valencia partnership of Miguel Angulo and David Villa, alongside Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres.

Significantly, Raul's absence has reduced Real Madrid's influence in the squad to only three players: Casillas, Reyes and Ramos. Aragones, however, played down the omission saying that he was simply taking the opposition's strengths into account.

"I don't see it as a revolution. I do not believe they exist in football. Taking the Swedes into consideration, I thought this was for the best (to drop Raul)."

The news will come as a blow to Raul whose goals against Dynamo Kiev mid week took his Champions League tally to 52, making him the competition's all time leading goal scorer.

[Lance Knight]

damn no

Real Madrid No1 Casillas: No-one demanding Raul be dropped now
October 02, 2006

Iker Casillas says Real Madrid teammate Raul has ended all doubts over his future after his scoring performance against Atletico Madrid last night.

The Real No1 said: "He has returned to find a goal and that is very good for him and us. His goal got us back in the game.

"Raul has settled an important debate.

"Now he is not in the national team and after weeks of demanding he be dropped, everyone now is asking why he isn't in the Spain squad."

Casillas was also angry with the lack of protection given to Real teammate Guti.

"Guti was continually kicked. Mainly in the first-half. There have been four very strong tackles that have not been punished in the correct way.

"Yet they have shown a yellow to Alvaro Mejia, a yellow that was very harsh. But he has still done well to hold (Martin) Petrov despite that."