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Former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello has hailed the Real Madrid players for their work rate and performance in the 3-1 win over Barcelona.

Los Blancos came from behind at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night to claim three important points to close the gap at the top of the league to just one point. Neymar opened the scoring for the visitors but Carlo Ancelotti’s men hit back through Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema.

Speaking on Italian sports channel Fox Sports, the current Russia boss said the Real players knew exactly what to do and each man stuck to their task. He described Real’s perfromance as “an imposing spectacle, every player knowing what he had to do and how to do it.”

The 68-year-old also singled out Iker Casillas for praise, saying the captain’s save from Leo Messi was the turning point in the game. The 32-year-old somehow managed to get a fingertip to the ball and turn it round the post when the Argentinean looked set to score from six yards out and just the keeper to beat.

The Italian, who guided Madrid to two league titles in his two stints at the club, went on to criticise Barcelona forward Neymar, who he described as annoying because of the amount of times he dives.

“He is a great attacking player, but what I can’t stand is that a player at his level should fall to the ground at the slightest touch from another player. I find this kind of attitude very annoying,” he said.

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo has said he loves playing in games against Barcelona as they are always special.

Los Blancos claimed the bragging rights for now after seeing off their fierce rivals 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night. Los Cules had taken an early lead but Carlo Ancelotti’s men fought back through goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema.

Speaking to AS afterwards, Marcelo said the players would enjoy the win, adding that the games against Barcelona always have an extra edge to them.

“We are very pleased as we knew it would be difficult. Barca is always a special game, an amazing game. We won and we played well. It’s important. There’s time to relax and enjoy the win. We’re happy but we’re already thinking of the next game, but we can enjoy this. We’ve given joy to the fans.”

The Brazilian then went on to discuss his own form and how much he is enjoying a run of games in the side at the moment.

“I’ve been playing some matches lately and it’s got me in good shape. Apart from the confidence I get, it puts me in good shape physically.

“We’re going well. We need to improve some little things, like every team, but our form is good. We must take advantage of that and enjoy it. That’s the goal, what the coach asks of us.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been nominated for the goal of the season award for 2013/14 for his effort against Valencia.

The nomination comes shortly after he was announced on the final three for the best striker of the year alongside Diego Costa and Carlos Vela. The top three goals of the La Liga campaign also include Giovani Dos Santos’ effort for Villarreal against Valencia, and Leo Messi’s goal again Almeria.

Ronaldo’s goal was scored on match day 36 at home to Valencia. Los Blancos were trailing 2-1 in the dying minutes of the match until Ronaldo scored an acrobatic late equaliser to grab a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Former Real winger Angel di Maria, now with Manchester United, sent in a cross from out on the left. Waiting in the box, Ronaldo got to the ball ahead of the defenders and his improvised back-heel found the back of the net past a despairing Diego Alves in the Valencia goal.

Dos Santos’ goal was also scored against Valencia in a 4-1 win. Picking up a pass from Bruno Soriano, the Mexican cut back onto his left foot and rifled home an effort from 25 yards into the top corner.

Messi’s nomination was for his free kick against Almeria. Standing over the ball from 30 yards out, the Argentinean looped the ball up and over the wall and curled it into the top left corner past the helpless goalkeeper.

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Gaizka Mendieta has said Madrid fans are slowly turning on Iker Casillas in the same way they have done in the past with club legends Raul, Guti and Fernando Morientes.

Club captain Casillas has featured more than 700 times for Los Blancos in his career but in recent months has been jeered by some sections of the Madridista support who have called for him to be replaced in the side.

Speaking to Goal.com, the ex-Barcelona man said Casillas has dealt with a tough situation well and that being booed by the home support is a tough end to a career having given so much to the 10-time Champions League winners.

“Unfortunately that is Madrid. It happened with Raúl, Guti and Morientes, now it is happening with Casillas. When you have been at the club so long you are going to have people that love you and people that hate you,” he stated.

And he continued: “You are going to have some media that like you, while the rest dislike are the opposite and want you out of the club. Every mistake is made a huge deal out of. It is not good for the club when you are under the spotlight and under such pressure.”

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Real Madrid defender has said the side is full of hunger and has plenty to play for this season after beating Barcelona 3-1.

In a enthralling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Portuguese scored Madrid’s second goal after they had fallen behind to an early Neymar opener. In his familiar role in defence, the 32-year-old looked assured and dealt well in nullifying the attacking threat posed by Leo Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Speaking after the game, Pepe said he was delighted with the three points that closes the gap on the league leaders, and that it has given Los Blancos extra belief as they go on the trophy trail again this season.

“The most important thing was the work we put in as a team. We executed it really well. We conceded an early goal but we had the strong, winning mentality to change the course of the game. We reacted well and we controlled the match. We deserved to win,” he told reporters.

And he added: “We are full of hunger and we want to do well to give the fans plenty to shout about. Since yesterday, when we dropped our cars off at the Bernabéu, the fans have supported us at all times and have been important. Coming out of Valdebebas this afternoon, there were people cheering us and at the stadium the fans were always right behind us. We have to thank them for that.”

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Daniel Carvajal says Real Madrid deserved their 3-1 win in the Clasico against Barcelona and took the game away from their rivals.

Barcelona started the brightest at the Santiago Bernabeu, taking a third minute lead and had other chances to move further ahead. But after they failed to capitalise on their chances, Madrid grew into the game and eventually took control before looking comfortable the end.

Talking in the mixed zone at the stadium after the match, Carvajal said it was important his team mates kept their heads after going behind. And he added that they had won the game by taking control of the match and ensuring Los Cules couldn’t dominate in terms of possession.

“After Barcelona’s goal we thought we couldn’t let the game get away from us, and it didn’t. Matches go through many phases. We’re a team that also likes to control possession and there were moments when we took it from Barcelona,” the 22-year-old commented.

While the players clearly enjoy getting one up on their rivals, Carvajal reminded his team mates it was just three points and they must continues to focus on one game at a time.

“In the end we were comfortable playing on the counter-attack, because they left spaces. We have come out stronger from this game and on Wednesday we head to the Cornellà. Today was just three points and let’s get on with it,” he stated.

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said the fans make playing in a Clasico match an unforgettable experience.

The Spanish international looked assured on his comeback from injury and along with Pepe at the heart of the defence, kept Neymar, Leo Messi and Luis Suarez as quiet as possible as Madrid ran out 3-1 winners to close the gap at the top of the table to just one point.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Ramos said he loves playing in these kind of matches for Los Blancos because it means so much to the fans when they win.

“It has been an unforgettable day, of the kind that stays with you. From the first moment on the bus, the expectation was huge. We want to thank the fans for their affection and what they transmitted to us. We’re happy that we can offer this victory to the supporters,” Ramos said.

Talking about the match and the scoreline, the defender told reporters the hosts had dominated in terms of possession and were deserving of their win.

“It’s just three points but an encounter with Barcelona is different. We took a big step forward by winning and doing so in the manner we did, with a great deal of sacrifice and hard work. It was a Real Madrid that controlled possession a lot and read the phases of the game well. The scoreline is fair,” he commented.

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Carlo Ancelotti has hailed his players for their dedication and professionalism after they came from behind to defeat fierce rivals Barcelona 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In a thrilling 169th league meeting between the two giants, Neymar put the visitors ahead after only three minutes. But the Champions League and Copa del Rey holders hit back through Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema.

The win means Los Blancos sit just one point behind Barcelona in the table and are right back in the hunt for the league.

Speaking to journalists after the game, Ancelotti hailed his side’s work rate and desire to win.

“I’m satisfied with these players because of the unique amount of dedication and professionalism they put into their work. They are able to concentrate, they follow instructions and the playing philosophy. It is difficult to compare them to other teams, but I think this is a very serious squad,” he said.

And he added: “The defensive problems have nothing to do with quality, but rather sacrifice, eagerness to run and work together. I have very serious and professional players who know what it means to work for Real Madrid and make sacrifices for the team.”

When asked what pleased him most about the game, Ancelotti said he was happy his players kept their heads and stuck to their game plan, even after going behind so early on.

“The effort we put in stands out. We didn’t lose our heads after going a goal behind. We stuck to our plan and everything worked out well. I liked a lot of things about the team today. We played very well and at a high tempo,” Ancelotti stated.

“We stuck to the same plan, not only attacking on the break but also keeping possession. We showed we had chances to win the game in the first half. And we won the encounter in the second half because we wanted it so much.”

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Real Madrid shortened Barcelona’s lead in La Liga to a one point difference thanks to their victory in an exciting Clasico.

Los Blancos found themselves 1-0 down very soon, but they showed great personality and confidence to make an impressive comeback thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Karim Benzema goals.

The visitors made a perfect start to the match, scoring after just three minutes. Neymar drifted past Daniel Carvajal and Pepe before latching a strike into the bottom corner.

Los Blancos reacted ferociously, with Benzema hitting the post twice in the same play. The Frenchman first headed an attempt off the bar and then again in the follow up with a powerful shot.

Marcelo was a nightmare for Barcelona’s defence, constantly sending dangerous crosses.

Real were dominating, and yet Leo Messi had a huge chance to make it 0-2. The Argentinian met a low cross from Neymar but missed the challenge from five metres.

Another cross from Marcelo was the cause of Real’s first goal. Gerard Pique stopped the ball with his hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Ronaldo equalised with a confident shot to the bottom-right corner.

Los Blancos showed more hunger at the start of the second half, exerting a high pressure on their rival. And soon Pepe completed Los Blancos comeback with a brilliant header in a corner kick.

Barcelona struggled to threaten Casillas, while Los Merengues were extremely dangerous in their counter-attacks.

In one of those counter-attacks, Real made it 3-1 with a brilliant collective play. Isco stole possession after a corner kick and sent it to Ronaldo. The Portuguese found James, who threaded a lovely pass in behind for Benzema. The Frenchman sealed his superb match with a precise strike to the bottom corner.

Barcelona tried desperately to shorten Real’s lead, but Los Merengues were solid in defence. Ronaldo, James and Benzema had chances to score a fourth as Los Blancos kept on counter-attacking, but the visitors were lucky concede only three.

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Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has said Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed all expectations anyone had when they signed him.

The 29-year-old arrived in the Spanish capital in 2009 for a world record fee of 94 million euros from Manchester United. In his time at the club, the striker has set all sorts of goalscoring records, and has netted more than 50 a season for the past four years.

He has also played a key role in Los Blancos lifting the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and the European Super Cup over the past five years.

Speaking to talkSport, Calderon said: “I can’t think of any other player in my life like Ronaldo. He’s one of those players that has loads of talent, no doubt about it I feel sorry for the defenders who face him, they must think he’s going to eat them! He’s brilliant, he’s going beyond even the biggest expectations.”

The former president then went on to speak about the Clasico fixture taking place this evening, and predicted Los Blancos would edge it and close the game in La Liga.

“Real Madrid are four points behind but there is a lot of time ahead of us in the season. It’s much better for us to win, then we’d be just one point behind Barca, but there are still another 29 games to go.

Madrid are quite capable of beating Barca. It’s true that Barca have yet to concede in La Liga but it’s going to be a very interesting match,” he commented.

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