Baptista hails Real team effort
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Julio Baptista will never forget his match-winning strike against Barcelona, but insists the credit for the 1-0 victory should not go to any one man.

Baptista struck the only goal of the game in the 36th minute with a superb half-volley from the edge of the box following a one-two with Ruud van Nistelrooy.

That goal helped put Real seven points clear at the top of La Liga heading into 2008 but 'The Beast' was quick to share the plaudits around for his side's triumph.

"It has been a great game, one impossible to forget. I felt great," the Brazilian midfielder told his club's official website.

"My goal was important, but this is not an individual victory, but a triumph of the entire team. We won such an important game as this thanks to the work of all the players and a great team effort.

"The collective feeling has been extraordinary and something impossible to describe on a personal level.

"That was naturally one of the most important goals in my life and I know I will never be able to forget it.

"I am very satisfied both for having scored and for the victory, but we must remember in this moment of euphoria that we haven't won anything yet."