Ronaldo hopes for more of the same
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Ronaldo scored 42 goals in 56 matches during the past year
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MADRID, Spain -- After a near-perfect 2003, Brazilian striker Ronaldo says he hopes for more of the same in the New Year - lots of goals, trophies and no injuries.
Ronaldo, who scored a stunning 42 goals in 56 matches over the last 12 months, leads Real Madrid in their first match of 2004, against lowly Murcia on Saturday.
"2003 has been magnificent, if only for the fact that I had no major injuries," Ronaldo said.
Besides being the league's most prolific scorer with 14 goals in the current season, Ronaldo also helped Madrid win the league title and the Spanish Supercup. And, perhaps even more importantly for him, he only missed two matches because he was unfit.
The Champions League, which Madrid have won nine times, is one of the few trophies that have so far eluded the 27-year striker.
For Saturday's match, Madrid can count on recovered midfielders David Beckham and Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez, both of whom missed the team's last game of 2003 against Mallorca through injury.
Ailing Murcia will bring in new goalkeeper Roberto Bonano, who comes on loan from Barcelona after a disastrous six months with the Catalan club.
"I've had a tough six months and I'm taking this opportunity very eagerly," said the Argentine. "I'm sure we can stay in the First Division."
Second-placed Valencia could have a tough battle on Sunday at home to regional rivals Villarreal, a provincial club that has stormed into fifth place with sparkling performances from two other Barcelona rejects, Argentine Juan Roman Riquelme and Brazilian Sonny Anderson.
Valencia were heartened this week when midfield anchorman David Albelda extended his contract until 2010 - to the chagrin of many clubs, including Real Madrid.
Third team Deportivo de La Coruna, six points behind Real, face an equally tough match down the coast against Celta de Vigo, currently floundering in 17th spot.
Embattled coach
Defeat at home on Saturday against the old enemy could spell the end for embattled Celta coach Miguel Angel Lotina, despite having steered the team into the second round of the Champions League.
Lotina abruptly ended his players' Christmas holiday on Monday and ordered double training sessions all week. In addition, he forbade his players to stay up beyond one on New Year's Eve.
"This is a vital game for us and I don't want any of the players getting drunk or over-eating", he explained gruffly
Pamplona's Osasuna, fourth in the table on 27 points, travel north to the neighboring Basque region to play eighth-placed Bilbao.
Barcelona, hoping for a brighter year after missing out on a place in the Champions League last season and finishing the year in a dismal ninth place, face mid-ranking Racing de Santander.
"The championship so far has been pretty irregular for Barcelona but we're hoping that the second half of the season proves more solid and we can turn a brighter cheek," said Barcelona club member and former star Jose Maria Bakero.
