Cristiano the Camp Nou king

Cristiano Ronaldo did not skip his now regular appointment with the back of the net in a 'Clásico' match, scoring for the sixth time running against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. He has recorded some memorable statistics and now boasts eight goals in his last six visits.

Cristiano's run in enemy territory started in last season's Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid lost 3-2 but CR7 left his mark on the game from a corner kick. Then came the Copa del Rey 'Clásico', in which Real was knocked out after drawing 2-2 in Barcelona and losing 2-1 at the Bernabéu. Cristiano scored the only goal of the first leg and the first for 'Los Blancos' in the return match. Months later, Real Madrid and Cristiano hit back with a 2-1 win in Barcelona which gave it the Spanish League title. The Portuguese player secured the decisive goal on the night.

In August 2012, another 'Clásico' came around in another Spanish Super Cup, with the opening goal being the work of Cristiano. On that occasion, CR7 took it a step further and bagged himself a brace, as did Messi to level the game for Barcelona. Cristiano has now notched up 12 goals against Barcelona while wearing the white shirt, eight at the Camp Nou and three at the Bernabéu, from a total of 19 appearances in the fixture.

                By Marca

COPA DEL REY | BARCELONA-REAL MADRID Varane and Kaká in fans' eleven to face Barça

The readers of AS.com have voted for their Real Madrid line-up ahead of the side's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barcelona. The eleven players chosen are: Diego López, Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Arbeloa, Xabi, Khedira, Kaká, Özil, Cristiano and Benzema.

The results of the survey suggest that most Madrid fans are happy with the performances of Diego López, recruited recently to replace the injured first-choice goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The former Villareal number one received more than 40,000 votes, over 37,000 ahead of reserve stopperAntonio Adán. In defence, the Bernabéu faithful have plumped for Álvaro Arbeloa at left-back. The Spain international is preferred to Fabio Coentrao, while Marcelo's ongoing fitness issues mean that he trails in as third choice to fill the left side of the backline. Meanwhile, defender Raphaël Varane has proved so popular that most participants in the vote were happy to see Sergio Ramos switch to right-back to accommodate the Frenchman at centre-back.

In midfield, Luka Modric and Michael Essien accrued the fewest votes. Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira are therefore the overwhelming fans' choice for the two deep-lying positions, whileKaká's resurgence following good performances against Rayo Vallecano and Deportivo la Coruña means he occupies one of the more advanced midfield spots alongside first-team favouritesMesut Özil and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In attack, Karim Benzema continues to enjoy the backing of the Real support despite his own admission that he "could contribute more". Although fellow striker Gonzalo Higuaín scored against Deportivo on Saturday and appears to be finding form ahead of the Clásico, Benzema has eight thousand more votes.

Cristiano's 'Clásico' classics

Real Madrid fans are once again pinning everything on Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 returns to Barcelona after leaving his personal mark on the last five games played there. He's scored six goals in five visits, making him a 'Clásico' classic if ever there was one.

He's repeated his 'Keep calm and carry on' celebration in the last three Barça-Real matches. In the last episode, CR7 went even further and scored a brace. Just like Messi. The duel between the two is one of the most spectacular in the world of sport.

In the 18 matches he’s played with 'Los Blancos' against Barcelona, Cristiano has scored 10 goals: seven at the Camp Nou and three at the Bernabéu.
Ant: Several previous results in Barcelona would suit Real

                                                                            By Marca

Javi Martinez: "We're excited about Guardiola"

Guardiola's signing by Bayern has certainly caused a buzz in the club's dressing room, to the point that players have been told not to talk much about the future. In an exclusive interview with MARCA, the Spanish midfielder talks candidly about the optimism the news has caused in the dressing room and his first months at the German club.

The former Athletic Bilbao player acknowledges that he felt some uncertainty following his switch to Germany. "When I signed for Bayern I was afraid, but it's going really well." When asked about Guardiola's arrival, Javi Martínez is very clear. "Will we play like Pep's Barça? Bayern and is already playing well. The dressing room is excited about him joining next season."

The Spanish footballer highlights the great organisation that exists in his new club and says that the team itself plays down the cost of his transfer. "Bayern is a huge club but it's like being part of a family. They told me quite clearly I should forget about the €40 million transfer fee they had paid."

In his first season Javi Martínez is looking forward to the challenge of the Champions League and recalls the traditional clash between Bayern and Real Madrid in this competition. "I grew up watching the duels between Real Madrid and Bayern and hope I can be part of one now." A dream that looks closer to coming true every day.

Varane banging down Real door

Raphael Varane's fine displays in the Real Madrid defence have reopened an old debate that seemed totally decided - who to play in the centre-back positions. The partnership formed by Sergio Ramos and Pepe, along with those of Mesut Özil-Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso-Sami Khedira, was considered the most solid in José Mourinho's side. However, Portuguese centre-back Pepe's operation over the Christmas period allowed Mourinho to see what Varane is capable of.

The Frenchman has become a fans' favourite since he was drafted into the team. The club saw tremendous potential in the defender when he joined the club, but Mourinho opted to leave the player out taking into account his age - just turned 19. Injury to Pepe and Ramos's five - game suspension presented Varane with a golden opportunity to start for 'Los Blancos' and show them just what he was made of. In Madrid's clash against Barcelona, the Frenchman put on a fine display as he led his side's back-four, which persuaded coach Mourinho to put his faith in the centre-back against United - at the expense of Pepe.

Varane did not disappoint against 'The Red Devils' and came out on top against Danny Welbeck and Robin Van Persie.

Mourinho now sees Varane as the most in-form centre-back and will have to make a vital decision on who to select for his side's games on 26th February and 5th March, against Barcelona and Manchester United, respectively. The Portuguese manager is weighing up switching Ramos to right-back, as he is loath to drop any one of his three centre-backs.

by Marca