Baptista secures his Real future

MADRID: Real Madrid's Julio Baptista has gone from zero to hero after getting the only goal in the Spanish giant's 1-0 win over bitter rival Barcelona on Sunday.

The victory gives Real a seven-point lead over second-placed Barca at the top of the Spanish first division and makes it overwhelming favorites to retain its La Liga crown.

The headlines in the coming days will doubtless be about the 26-year-old Brazilian international striker - nicknamed The Beast because of his stocky physique - and his superbly taken goal in Barca's intimidating Nou Camp.

However, barely a month ago Baptista could hardly pick up one of Spain's four national sports dailies or watch the television without hearing or reading about how he was going to be sold during the winter transfer window.

"Real plan major winter transfer clear out," read the headline in Spain's biggest-selling paper Marca on November 27, with a prominent picture of Baptista.

Atletico Madrid and Roma were among the clubs apparently being lined up for at least a six-month loan deal.

It is a process Baptista is familiar with after spending last season at English Premiership side Arsenal.

He is still unhappy that Real's former coach Fabio Capello - now at the helm of England - deemed him surplus to requirements and he missed out on getting a Spanish league winner's medal with the club.

However, Real president Ramon Calderon knows that he now can't get rid of Baptista quite so easily.

"This was a great game, an indelible memory. I felt great. There is no denying that this is one of the most important goals of my life and I know that I will not ever forget it," reflected an inevitably delighted Baptista.

"My goal was important but this is not a personal victory, it's a victory of the whole team. Thanks to the solidarity of all the players and the team's effort, we have managed to win a match as important as this.

"The collective effort has been extraordinary and at a personal level, what can I say?

"It might be bad to say this, but it must be remembered that this is a moment of euphoria and we have not won anything yet.

"We are still in three competitions and there is still a lot to play for by everyone," Baptista said.

In a game when his better-known Brazilian compatriots Ronaldinho and Robinho failed to shine, the plaudits fell to Baptista.

Despite his modesty about what lies ahead, thanks to his goal, he also now looks to have a good chance to pick up his first honor since moving to Europe in 2003.

Firmly in lead

Real's triumph puts it firmly in the lead of the Spanish championship race.

The 30-time Spanish league winner has 41 points from the 17 games and has extended its lead to seven points over second-placed Barcelona.

Neither side had many chances in a scrappy first 35 minutes in which the biggest threats came from the free kicks of Real winger Wesley Sneijder.

Pepe made Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes work hard to deny him after he connected with one of the Dutchman's dead ball efforts after 11 minutes.

Valdes then flapped badly at a Sneijder free kick on 32 minutes but Ruud van Nistelrooy couldn't get his head cleanly to the ball.

At the other end, Real's Iker Casillas once again proved his credentials as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe when he produced two wonderful reaction saves in rapid succession to thwart Ronaldinho and Xavi Hernandez.

Baptista then got the goal which changed the face of a game, which generally lived up to its billing as "El Clasico" in terms of emotion and effort, but not technical excellence on this occasion.

Van Nistelrooy saw Baptista darting down the left wing and chipped the ball across, leaving the speedy Brazilian to outpace his markers Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez before half-volleying the ball over the head of Valdes.

Rijkaard gambled with starting Ronaldinho but the two-time former World Player of the Year had little impact and was regularly stopped in his tracks by some good tackling by Real left back Sergio Ramos.

The loss means that Rijkaard will also have to spend the two-week holiday period having to listen to a debate about his future.

The likes of Marco van Basten and Jose Mourinho have been regularly mentioned as potential replacements for Rijkaard if Barca fail to win a trophy for the second year in succession.

AFP

(China Daily 12/25/2007 page23)