Cristiano sees himself at his best in 10 days' time

Four shots and nothing to show for them. No danger. Strange sensations, not to say worrying ones. This was the outcome of Cristiano Ronaldo's attacking play against Valencia on Sunday. Since he first arrived at Real Madrid, he had never gone through a match without constantly battering against the goal, without being a veritable nightmare for goalkeepers and the defenders who mark him.

If anything characterises this predatory forward, it is his selfishness (his critics say he hogs the ball), his tremendous desire to create moves and end up setting his sights on goal, without worrying too much that there might be a team-mate in a better position. On Sunday not even that happened, which is what is really surprising.

The most likely explanation for this huge drop in form is that there are ten days remaining for him to lift off. Cristiano Ronaldo has set a date by which he wants to start to be the superstar he has been for the past two seasons. A nightmare for his opponents. This is the 29th August, the day on which the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup will take place at the Bernabéu. This is when his form should rocket, or when he will at least show that inner strength he has.

So, there's no need to worry, as he himself pointed out after the draw against Valencia. He is not overweight, nor has he let himself go. Before 29th August, and that return fixture against Barça Cristiano has to play at the Camp Nou in the first leg, and then at Getafe in the second league fixture of the season. One supposes that things will go better for him than against Valencia. But his pre-season dip will end by the return match of the Super Cup, as he himself has confirmed.

The return of Messi and Villa

Leo Messi is back. Let the rest of the teams in the Spanish League be warned. He allowed himself an extended holiday for the first time in years and the Argentinean has come back hungry. This was plain to see in his first league appearance against Real Sociedad, where Messi was keen to get the season underway.

The other piece of great news for Barcelona in its opening league game, apart from the 5-1 victory, was the return of David Villa eight months after his serious injury. And what a better way to celebrate the occasion than with a goal, Barça's fifth, which rounded of a score line featuring goals by Puyol, Messi (2) and Pedro.

Villa celebrates his goal against Real Sociedad by wearing a T-shirt with a picture of his family, which reads: "Impossible without you".

Messi scored twice in five minutes and his attitude on the pitch, marked by his constant mobility and willingness to come back to get the ball in the midfield, bodes well for the Barça's season ahead.

The Argentinean has already demonstrated in the pre-season that a rest has done him the world of good, and he's currently the team's highest scorer with five goals. The two goals against Real Sociedad equal his previous best in a league season opener, achieved last year when he scored twice against Villarreal.

Messi has set the bar very high for himself. Last season the striker scored 50 goals in 'la Liga', an out and out record in the competition, and 72 overall.

"We did enough to win, although I expected more from my team"

As is to be expected, José Mourinho was subdued after Real Madrid was held to a draw by Valencia. "I expected more from my team. Last year their goalkeeper Guaita was man-of-the-match and this year it was another goalkeeper, Alves. We didn't play a great game, but we did enough to win. We have to play better".

The result means Real Madrid kicked off its league season by dropping two points at home. "We're always looking to win. Draws are no good to us. We couldn't lose this match, because the opposition didn't create any chances. Last year we drew at home twice and one of them was against Valencia", said Mourinho.

After Pepe was forced to sit out the second half following a hefty collision with Casillas, Mourinho stated "I'm worried about Pepe, not the Super Cup. I hope the player is okay".

The Portuguese tactician reiterated that the Valencia goalkeeper had been the difference between the two teams. "Diego Alves was the best player on the pitch. He made some excellent stops. If we'd played a little better, we would have created more chances".

The heat was noticeable at the Bernabéu: "It's hot in Spain, that's why we went to the US, where the temperature is similar, for the pre-season campaign. I'm not searching for excuses. The league was scheduled to start in August and that's that".

Mourinho also refused to give any hints as to possible signings. "I don't talk about other teams' players. There could be an arrival and a departure, but I won't name any names".

Alves hands Madrid opening stalemate

Real Madrid was unable to get its title defence off to a winning start in the first week of this year's Spanish league season. The champions were held at the Bernabéu by an excellent Valencia team which came away with a valuable point. Higuaín put 'Los Blancos' ahead, before Jonas headed in an equaliser for the away side. Mou's men piled on the pressure after the break, but a stunning performance in goal from Diego Alves saved Valencia.

The Brazilian stopper's performance between the posts deprived Madrid of two vital points. Although the league has just kicked off, Madrid's intense rivalry with Barcelona and the lofty level to which the two teams have raised the bar means that anything less than three points at home is seen as a failure. This slip-up could prove costly later on.

In an eventful game, the reigning Liga champions failed to make its advantage count after Higuaín gave them the lead after 9 minutes. After Jonas levelled matters, the Valencia goalkeeper grew in stature to keep 'Los Blancos' at bay.

Rather than the play, the medical staff found itself stealing the show. A spectacular collision between Casillas and Pepe shook the Bernabéu, as well as letting in Jonas to score the equaliser.

Madrid seemed one-paced and an organised display from Valencia was enough to earn a hard-fought draw. The result recalled the corresponding fixture last year, when Guaita was the hero in the Valencia goal.

Falcao: "I hope this year will be even better than last season"

Atlétio Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is looking forward to the start of the new season and is relishing personal challenge of beating his goal scoring tally in his first season at the Vicente Calderón, when he scored 36 goals in 49 games.

Speaking after a training session today at Majadahona, he said: "We have to take each game as it comes. Tomorrow's game against Levante is the most important game for the moment. If we can get a good result there that'll fill us with confidence and spur us on in the season. I also have a personal challenge, which is the same as always, to try and score more goals than I did the season before."

Falcao had an outstanding season in his first campaign with Atleti. As well as scoring 36 times he won the Europa League, netting two of Atleti's three goals in the final in Bucharest against Athletic Bilbao.

"It was a positive year. I think coming to La Liga and Atlético Madrid was a very important step for my career, as was winning the Europa League. I'm very happy and I hope this season is even better."

The Colombian forward added that the team is growing as a unit and his team-mates are developing a better understanding of each other. "We know each other better now. I think what we went through last year is going to help us a lot. The most important thing is that we have the same mind frame as always, and that we know that the results will come, but all the heads are pointing in the same direction and we'll need to make a huge effort and everyone will need to do their bit."

Madrid won't sell Kaká for less than €20 million

Real Madrid has got tough with AC Milan and has let the Italian club know that Kaká won't be going anywhere for under €20 million. Milan would really like to get the Brazilian player back and is applying as much pressure as possible to acquire his services.

But, as Mourinho said, "Madrid won’t be giving Kaká away because no club gives its players away".

Madrid has taken a stance and will not entertain any offers under €20 million. This adds a great deal of uncertainty to Kaká's possible transfer to Milan, since the 'Rossoneri' will be only able to stump up €15 million, and that’s with the club already trying.

However, Galliani and Berlusconi aren't throwing the towel in and will meet tomorrow to look for a financial solution that will allow the prodigal son to return to Milan.

Madrid understands that the Kaká saga will last till the transfer window closes, since Milan will try every possible avenue that it has available. 'Los Blancos', meanwhile, are in no rush to move the Brazilian for now.

Mourinho: "We´re not looking to break records, just win the league"

José Mourinho held a press conference in the build-up to Valencia's visit to the Santiago Bernabéu. The Portuguese manager left the door open to new arrivals and departures, such as the signing of Luka Modric, although he clarified the point by saying: "It's not a problem if a player that could be transferred ends up staying, and likewise it's not a problem if a new signing doesn't materialise."

"The transfer market doesn't close untill the end of the month. We have a provisional list at the moment and the definitive one won't be ready untill 31st August. Names can come and go," Mou continued.

Regarding the start of the league, Mourinho indicated that the team hasn't had much time to train together, but he didn't want to use that as an excuse: "We have a fortnight to get the team ready and we've been working hard to get into form. Valencia has had more time to prepare than we have but we aren't looking for comparisons."

Logically, our objectives are the same: "We know each other well and we're going to keep on playing ambitious, quality football. If we manage to do this we'll be serious candidates for the title. We're not looking to break any records, just win the league".

In so far as how much the team has improved, he said: "It's hard to say. We've come a long way already.Real Madrid was the best team in Europe last season, winning the most difficult league in convincing style and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. This means we'll be fighting it out to the bitter end".

There was only one thing off limits, and that was his refusal to discuss Barcelona for the time being. "I'm not interested in talking about rivals, except our opponents in the next match. What Alves said? I'm not interested".

With regard to players leaving, Mou confirmed the club's intention to put Sahin on loan and transfer Carvalho: "Nuri had a difficult season due to injury and he arrived when the team was already a unit. We want him to play and show what he's capable of, without losing our options on him. The best thing for Carvalho is for him to go to a top league club. I know him well and he wasn't born to be on the bench. He's too good and has too much self-esteem for that."

Regarding, Kaká, Mourinho said of the Brazilian that "he's one of the team like all the rest."

The Portuguese manager begins his third season at Real Madrid and had this to say: "Ferguson has been at United for 30 years and it would be foolish to think I can emulate that. I've signed for four seasons and I have every intention of fulfilling my contract. I want to go on winning trophies in my own special way."