I Love Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has said that Real Madrid would have won the league in the team was playing in any other league than the Spanish. Real Madrid have been on an excellent run this season, but they have been stopped on a number of occasions by Barcelona.

As a result, Real Madrid currently have only three-point advantage over second placed Barcelona. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho reckons that it would take a superhuman effort to catch Real Madrid if the club was playing in a different League – Spanish or Italian, for example.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes Nuri Sahin will have regained confidence after finding the net during his side’s 5-1 thrashing of Ponferradina.

Sahin joined the Spanish club from German side Dortmound during the summer, but has suffered from injuries problems and has been unable to win a first team place.

However, he took his chance midweek, netting on of his side’s five goals as Real completed a 7-1 aggregate victory in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

It seems that the balance of power is finally shifting in Spain. It did not seem to be realistic when Real Madrid were leading Barcelona by a slender three points, but after the weekend Real Madrid have extended their lead to a massive six points, which will prove extremely crucial as the season progresses.

Real Madrid managed to keep their three point league over the chasing pack in La Liga with a fine win in a five goal thriller with Valencia. Despite the three points, however, goalkeeper Iker Casillas was less than impressed with the team's performance.

Karim Benzema put Madrid in front after just 20 minutes, and they looked on course for a comfortable win when Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 on around 70 minutes.

It's taken just over a season, but finally Jose Mourinho is sat at the top of the Primera Liga table. Barcelona's slip-up last week, when they could only draw 0-0 with Sociedad, gave the Madrilenos a chance to hit the top of the table, and its a chance they took with both hands!

Obviously there is still a long way to go, with it being only October, but the signs are there that Madrid can become the dominant force in Spanish football.

Zinedine Zidane has said that Real Madrid have found a great player in Varane. Defender Varane is expected to complete a move from Lens to the Bernabeu early next week with Zidane, who is an advisor to Madrid president Florentino Perez, instrumental in luring his countryman to Spain.

Zidane is confident the 18-year-old will blossom under Jose Mourinho after comparing him to former France centre-half, and current Les Bleus boss, Blanc.

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has said that Schalke striker Raul is one of the best right now after his sensational form for Schalke.

The 33-year-old scored one and made the other to help Schalke beat Inter 2-1 on Wednesday night, knocking the holders out of the Champions League.

He netted his 71st goal in the tournament in the process, and his 73rd in Europe in total, and Valdano, who saw Raul leave Madrid last year, is delighted to witness his progression with the Germans.

Real Madrid have signed a new deal with an Asian football events company to build their fan-base in Asia. The La Liga giants are considering setting up an academy in the city-state and could bring youngsters to Madrid to train under their coaches.

"We've been talking to our partner here, (events company) Centurion, about that ... to have the chance to play in Singapore," Real's international sponsorship manager Alfonso Roberes De Cominges told Channel News Asia on Monday.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is making it a personal quest to beat Barcelona to the signing of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

Sport says Florentino, tired of Barca's dominance in the Liga at his club's expense and wary of the growing discontent amongst the faithful, is determined to deliver a serious blow to their eternal rivals with the capture of Cesc.

He and his No2, Jose Angel Sanchez, have been plotting since the New Year on plans to land the Gunners captain.

Real Madrid defender David Mateos is very close to joining AEK Athens in the January transfer window. The former Sevilla coach has been pressing for the Spanish stopper to beat off reported interest from Real Zaragoza and Celtic.

Mateos is expected to complete his switch on Saturday and his move to Greece will offer him the chance of regular action, something that has not happened in Madrid.

A loan deal seems likely as Madrid are not prepared to allow their man to leave permanently as they see him as a prospect for next season.