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In the wake of the game against Juve Michael Owen appeared in
front of the media. The Englishman, who is always asked about
his rare appearances in the starting eleven, avoids controversy
and favours hard work and commitment to club to win the
confidence of the trainer. About the possibilities in the League
and the European Cup, the number 11 was emphatic: The
important thing is to be first right now, but to go on with
possibilities in the last two months.
- Against Juve, it
was your first big European experience with Real Madrid. Did
anything surprise you?
- It was a fantastic match, with a great atmosphere, and where
we played very well against a very good rival like Juve. 1-0 is
quite a narrow result, we had chances, two shots to the post. We
are very happy because they didn't score against us. If we
manage to get a goal there, they will have to get three to
eliminate us.
- And Liverpool, now that you left there, are doing well
in the Champions.
- I am very happy about their result, even though it would have
been better to keep their goals let in at zero, because they
would have more confidence in the second leg. This has been a
strange season for them. Everything changes for them from one
day another. It seems like they are beginning a good patch, and
their aim is to get the fourth place in the Champions League.
Also, this weekend there is the final of the Carling Cup.
- Your statistics say that you are better coming on from
the bench than being in the starting eleven.
- I knew that someone would ask about that, but it's not true.
The majority of the goals were when I was in the starting
eleven. The last time that I started from the beginning, against
Athletic, it went well, but it didn't help that the team wasn't
playing well. After leaving the pitch, I knew that I would be
asked about that.
- This season you have been in the attack with Raúl and
Guti, you just have Ronaldo left to play with.
- You know my answer, I donīt like to say with whom I want to
play, I just want to be on the main team. I donīt have
preferences, and I donīt complain anyway. Everybody has their
ideas, but I donīt give my opinion about the decisions of the
coach.
- Do you think the team has possibilities in the two
competitions?
- Yes, we have options in the League and the Champions. Right
now what matters is not to be first but to achieve a good
position. During the last two months we must be in a position to
fight for the titles. If we can get closer in the League, it
would be perfect.
- Are you waiting for the end of the season?
- No, Iīm focused on the team and playing. Every time you ask me
about it, I always answer the same thing, I want to play more,
but thatīs logical. The situations change with the goals and the
games. I have played more games than any other, but I would have
liked to play more as a regular player. I have started my career
quite well in Madrid, and I donīt want to leave.
- Do you think that Luxemburgo can be annoyed by you
asking to be as regular player in the main team through the
Press?
- I have never complained, I donīt say bad stuff about people. I
never said that if I didnīt play as a regular, I would leave. In
England I just said that I wanted to play more. The next day,
the headlines werenīt telling the truth. Thatīs the way the
English press behaves with me. The coach would be disappointed
if I didnīt want to play more. That can also happen in my
situation because in translations, there can be things missed
out. I have never complained about the coach, the Club or my
situation.
When you played for Liverpool you said you would never go
to another English team, have you changed your mind? About
Gerrard, people have said that Madrid have an option on him,
Have you talked with Steven about it?
- I said I didnīt want to leave Liverpool to go straight to
another English Club because it wouldnīt have seemed like
progress. I wanted a radical change, it was the only way to
leave. I have talked a lot with my old team mates, but I havenīt
talked with Steven about Madrid, heīs the captain of his Club
and itīs not my business to make things difficult for him, or
for Liverpool. If he asks me, I will tell what I think.
- Have you noticed Ronaldo being worried after the
whistles heard last night at Bernabéu?
- He is as he always is, though I havenīt spent a lot of time
with him because the regular players havenīt trained with us.
Ronaldo is very cheerful, and a very important footballer for
Madrid. I cannot say much about this matter.
- Do you see yourself as regular player the next season?
- You never know what the future will bring. In an ideal world,
I would play more, but Iīm happy with the treatment of the Club,
the fans and my team mates. You cannot fix goals for one or two
years. I prefer to keep on working. I played a lot with García
Remón, despite the good form of Raúl and Ronaldo.
- What player is being most constant in this Real Madrid?
How do you rate your work of this season?
- I leave the others to rate my work. I think that there are
very important players in the team, such as Casillas, Helguera.
But it goes in phases. I think the most constant player is Iker.
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