Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 29
RONALDO: A
ccording to Greek mythology, Atlas the Titan was given the task of bearing the heavens on his shoulders as a punishment by Zeus, being depicted with the globe on his back. According to Real mythology, Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for bearing the weight of Real Madrid on his shoulders. The Portuguese Titan has taken on the challenge of guiding the best club in history to success. His latest performance, in the football temple that is San Mamés, is nothing more than the umpteenth confirmation that the Portuguese forward is the best thing to happen to Real Madrid for a long time. The ‘Los Blancos’ number 7 conducts himself like a leader.
A titan among footballers
When his team is struggling, he picks them up and carries the weight of his teammates, the team’s shirt and its history, resolving problems in the Mou squad. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 50 goals in 48 games this season, with over 50 goals in each of the last three consecutive campaigns. A statistic signalling that Ronaldo is no longer human and has ascended to the ranks of the footballing gods. Real no longer know what to do if CR7 is not on the field. Los Blancos have scored 126 goals during the season so far. Almost 40% of those were courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo. The results are stacking up. Just like those which made him top Real Madrid goalscorer of all time, with more than a goal a game.
AVID Platt says Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell could return to first team action against Wigan Athletic tonight. The Blues’ assistant manager is hopeful both players will feature at some stage against Roberto Martinez’s side, though says David Silva is likely to be given more time to recover from his hamstring injury. “The game on Sunday came a bit too early for David, though if we’d have pushed it, he probably could have played some part and had it been the last game of the season, we may well have done - but we felt the risk was too great,” said Platt. “I think playing him in the game with Wigan could also be a risk so we’ll probably be pragmatic and give him a bit more time.
IR Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Man chester United are taking down to West Ham United the same squad that traveled to Stoke City. “We have no injuries from Sunday against Stoke. It was a tough game, certainly. But there were no injuries and that is a blessing of course” “We have a good, strong squad. We took 20 players with us to Stoke and those 20 players will go with us again on Wednesday night.”
I asked my doctors to put me into a coma —Abidal
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•Cristiano Ronaldo
“That risk diminishes each passing day, but if he plays against Wigan and it’s too soon, he could miss the trip to Spurs and other games so we’ll see how it goes and how he feels. He’s training again but not with the main group just yet.” With Richards and Rodwell only lacking match fitness now, both players may see some game time against the Latics, but Platt doubts either of them are ready for a full game just yet.
AFAEL Benítez is expect ing Fulham to provide a stern test of Chelsea’s top-four credentials when the Blues travel to Craven Cottage tonight. Chelsea head into the London derby on the back of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City, which left the Blues with the Europa League as their last remaining shot at silverware this season. And Benítez is braced for a testing clash against Martin Jol’s men, who are 10th in the league, as Chelsea look to secure Champions League qualification. “Fulham are a very good team, you can see the level they ’ve
been at in the Premier League for a while,” the Spaniard told a news conference on Tuesday. “Derbies are different, anything can happen but hopefully we can do well and keep history with us. “After the [City] game and on the day after we were really disappointed and a bit sad as were very close, but it’s now the day before the Fulham match and we are ready, focused, and thinking about this game.” The Chelsea interim boss also revealed that defenders Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill are set to miss Wednesday’s clash through injury, while Marko Marin is a doubt for the game.
RIC Abidal talked about the rough time he went through during his illness in an interview with the French television network ‘TF1’. “The doctors wondered how I could put up with it all. We talked about a transplant, but in fact, I had four or five operations in a very short space of time. I lost 19 kilos. I never thought about dying, because I know that’s God’s decision,” he assured. “I’ve suffered. I remember one Sunday I couldn’t take the pain. I asked my doctors to put me into a coma. After the fourth operation, those same doctors said I had a large amount of fluid in my stomach and wondered how I could take the pain,” he confessed.
Real dreaming of 10th UCL crown—Marcelo
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arcelo has said that Real Madrid players were dreaming of winning their tenth European title. The Brazilian spoke at a publicity event for Real Madrid’s official Adidas shop at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. “We’re in high spirits and things are great in the dressing room, and that can be seen from performances on the pitch”, he said. “We’re dreaming of the tenth European crown. Let’s see if we can get to the final. Everyone’s talking about the tenth title. Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are similar sides”, he said. He also talked about the ‘Copa del Rey’ final: “It’ll be a special game at the Bernabéu. We’ll try our very hardest to win”, he added. Regarding his injury, Marcelo talked about how he’s feeling: “It has been a difficult year. I’m doing much better now. In Brazil people are talking about the Confederations Cup all the time.
Vilanova ready for more
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Benítez wary of Fulham R
Ferguson unleashes strong squad on West Ham
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Richards, Rodwell available for Wigan clash D
BRIEFS
ITO Vilanova will remain in charge of Barcelona next season. The Barça manager has made a good recovery after cancer treatment in the U.S. and aims to fulfil the remaining year he has left on his contract at the Catalan club, and possibly for even longer. Vilanova’s recovery has gone according to plan. The coach knew full well that it was not going to be easy, but he is said to be currently feeling a lot better and has the intention of remaining at the helm of the first-team. While Vilanova was in the U.S., club president Sandro Rosell said that the coach would be Barça manager as long as he, Rosell, led the entity. Rosell’s comments are now backed up by the fact that the club wants to offer Vilanova an extension
Today’s EPL Fixtures •Moses
Man City West Ham Fulham
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Wigan Man Utd Chelsea
19:45 19:45 20:0 C M Y K