Real Madrid Squad Have Festive Orders

Los Merengues face a tough challenge to catch Barcelona in the New Year, but their coach is keen to see them take every opportunity to make the smallest difference and that means behaving over Christmas.

Dec 24, 2008 10:30:44 AM

Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain celebrate with Raul as the captain steers Real Madrid to an emphatic 3-0 win over Zenit St. Petersburg (Marca)

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Real Madrid

Juande Ramos has ensured that none of his Real Madrid players enjoy the festive break just that bit too much by giving them all strict programmes to adhere to.

The new Bernabéu boss is a fanatic about fitness levels and has told his squad that not one them can report back after Christmas even one gram over weight due to too much cava or turrón.

Each Madrid star has been given a pulsometre so that the club can track their routine and Ramos has laid out plans for everyone depending on how much they have played this term.

For players such as Raúl, a regime of rest and recovery has been prescribed, while Javier Saviola, who has not featured much, will train hard in order not lose his fitness levels.

Injured players also have to stick to the programme and there will be no escaping as tests will be carried out when they return to training on December 29.

Ramos is famed for his belief in fitness and when he took over at Tottenham Hotspur last year there were reports that the squad lost a combined total of 100 kilograms.

A new diet was also introduced that did not apparently go down well with everyone, but the coach has not had to change things to that degree at Madrid with a Mediterranean menu already being served.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com