Granero: "We are close. We need to beat Athletic Bilbao"

Esteban Granero

"We need to beat Athletic Bilbao to be champions and we will do our best to get it. Real Madrid have earned good results at San Mames in recent years but tomorrow it will be very difficult. Our forwards have great goal scoring instincts and we can win the match if we take advantage of this while also conceding few chances. We will try to take the three points. I have celebreated many League titles as a supporter and now I want to do so as a player. We are close, but we have not achieved anything yet"

"Athletic Bilbao are having a very good season and have greatly improved. Their coach, Marcelo Bielsa, has allowed them to grow and they have young and ambitious players. They always have the advantage of the great support of their fans at their stadium. They are a strong side and they made it difficult for us when we played against them at the Bernabeu stadium, especially during the first half. It will be a hard match. We will try to give another good performance to earn another good result. I am sure we will win if we manage to play our game"

"It will be essential to concede as few goals as possible. We believe we will have a great chance to win if we keep a clean sheet because we have great confidence in our forwards, who always give solid performances"

"Real Madrid have been thrilling their supporters all year. We have achieved great numbers and we have also managed to score many goals while conceding very few. We have players that truly make a difference and our supporters enjoy whatching us play. I always like to play and I try to do what is expected of me: be ready whenever I am needed to perform as befits this shirt and these fans"

"I feel proud to play with men like Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes a difference and is representative of an era of football. We will all remember sharing a dressing room with him because his performance level increases every season. His numbers and skills improve every year and he seems to have no limits. We are very happy to have him at Real Madrid. The humility and hard work with which he works every day allow him to improve"

"I dedicate my life to defend the Real Madrid. I have worn this shirt for most of my life, training and playing with it most days. Real Madrid has been training me since I was a kid and has helped me become a better person and player. I will always be grateful to the club for bringing me up this way. We are now close to winning an important title and I feel proud for being part of a team that will make club history"

Squad: Esteban Granero (11)

Esteban Granero

Esteban Granero's versatility makes him a player that all team's wish to have. He can play as an attacking midfielder or along either flank. An offensive-minded player, Granero is a creative workhorse who has a powerful kick. Granero first suited up for Real Madrid with the Under-10 squad; a division he would score 83 goals in. The years passed by and Granero continued to improve. In 1999 he captained the Under-14 team that won the International Football Seven Tournament in Barcelona. Granero scored the game-winner and was named Best Player of the championship.

At the age of 17, Granero joined Real Madrid C and was soon the center of attention of not just the team, but of Real Madrid Castilla coach Michel, as well. In December of 2005/06 he debuted with the 'B' team against Albacete and finished the match with a goal assist. That same season he went on to win the Under-19 European Championship in Poland.

The 2006/07 season saw Granero really step onto the scene. He had earned the playing time and the opportunity to gain experience in Spain's top flight, both of which were provided by Getafe. It didn't take long for Granero to become the go-to guy on the team, and his arrival coincided with the best run ever by the 'Azulones'.

Data

• Place of Birth: Madrid, Spain
• Date of Birth: 02/07/1987
• Position: Midfielder
• Weight: 76.5 kg
• Height: 179.7 cm
• Nationality: Spanish

Honours

• Copa del Rey: 2011
• Under-19 European Championship: 2006
• Copa del Rey runner-up: 2006/07

Team Murcia vs Real Madrid: Goals for hope

TEAM MURCIA 2 - REAL MADRID 2

Team Murcia (coached by Jose Antonio Camacho) and Real Madrid did their best to entertain the crowd. Mourinho used regular starters such as Casillas, Ramos, Arbeloa and Ozil, as well as Castilla players like Pablo Gil and Mandi in his initial lineup. Murcia native Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales also played and were the most active Madridistas in the first half. Granero had the most chances on goal, but both his shots were saved by Andres. Toche had Team Murcia's clearest chance on the 25-minute mark, but sent the ball over the crossbar.

Team Murcia vs Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Pepe and youth teamer Carvajal came on after half-time and helped make the Whites' game more vertical. The first goal in the match came from a combination of passes between Benzema and Xabi Alonso, after which the French striker sent the ball into the back of the net from inside the box (48'). Team Murcia also worked hard for a strike and, five minutes later, managed to draw the score with an own goal from Pepe, who unfortunately defeated Dudek as he was trying to head out a cross by Aquino. Team Murcia scored again through Meca, who headed in a free-kick in the 65th minute. Real Madrid responded swiftly: Pedro Leon served an excellent pass towards the box for Kaka, who then assisted Cristiano Ronaldo in the equaliser.

The final minutes of the game saw former Madridista, and current Real Madrid Team Delegate, Chendo wear the Real Madrid number '2' shirt and the captain's armband once more. Chendo appeared in some plays for Real Madrid and committed a foul. Murcia stadium chanted his name when people saw him leave the bench. He played his last official match on June 30, 1998 after having played sixteen seasons and get eighteen titles.

Chendo played the last ten minutes of the match

Xabi Alonso offered his thoughts on charity match shortly after it concluded: "This kind of gesture during hard times can cheer people up and bring them hope. We lend our support by playing football, which is the best way we know how. With this little bit of help and the vitality and enthusiasm of this city, they will overcome this. This was a nice, entertaining match and we all had fun playing".

Granero also talked about the game: "The Madrid tries to help whenever it can, but today we have to thank because there have been many people in Lorca and we thank all who have come and fill this stadium because their help will be very important".

Summary

Stadium: Nueva Condomina
Attendance: 31,000
Goals: 0-1. Min. 48: Benzema. 1-1. Min. 53: Pepe (o.g.). 2-1. Min. 65: Meca. 2-2. Min. 68: Cristiano.

Granero: "We have to play "on fire" against Hercules"

Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, thinks they will play "on fire" against Hercules to try to open the scoring in the first twenty and thirty minutes for their opponent will not be locked in defense, and remembers that the three points are vital so they must "keep up", especially knowing that FC Barcelona has "a tough match" against Sevilla.

Esteban Granero

"We have to take the lead as we always do, try to go out "on fire" as the other day match against Racing. On defense the team is pretty good. If we take the initiative and do our game, we know that normally should win. The twenty, thirty first minutes will be crucial and if at that time we manage to score a goal or two, they will have to open and at the Bernabeu that is dangerous".

However, he warns that Hercules has "a pretty good offensive potential". "But we have to think about what we have to do. We have to keep up and know we can not fail. The team is conscious, so I think we're going to make a good game" he said.

He also knows that FC Barcelona has "a tough match at Sevilla where is always expected a tough match, with dedicated fans and a very competitive team". "Barcelona has a great potential and has brought good results lately in Sevilla, but Sevilla had a week off and if it poses the game well, can cause difficulties to Barcelona".

On the other hand, on his next rival, Atletico Madrid, praised to Kun Aguero, Diego Forlan and Jose Antonio Reyes: "They are determinants players who are always very important in any game they play and certainly much of Atletico future, will depend on them".

On a personal level, he hopes to return to have the confidence of Jose Mourinho: "I work like everyone else. Everyone wants the good of the whole. This is a sport team and we compete against rivals not between us. And it shows, very good atmosphere in the template and that's because all rowing the same direction", he explains.

In this way, He is set in Karim Benzema: " Karim has greatly improved and is working very well". "He sure looks happy and will continue to be important until the end of season".