Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro was delighted to see
David Beckham's name back in the starting line-up for Saturday's
Primera Liga match at Real Sociedad.
Beckham was recalled to the Madrid squad on Friday, having spent a
month on the sidelines after being exiled by coach Fabio Capello
since announcing his decision to join the Los Angeles Galaxy this
summer.
Not only was Beckham named in a 20-man squad he was also selected
in Capello's first XI for the match in San Sebastian and duly
scored Madrid's equaliser in a 2-1 win.
That was the former England captain's first start for Madrid since
December 20, and for Cannavaro it was a welcome return. "It was
pleasing for everyone. We are always working together," he said. "I
don't like it when a team-mate is left out of the squad. We are all
here to work well for Madrid."
Cannavaro also supported coach Capello for going back on his
initial decision to ostracise Beckham. "We can all make mistakes,
that is normal. There isn't a problem, it is human to rectify your
mistakes," the Italian World Cup winner said.
The victory over Sociedad was Madrid's eighth away triumph of the
season, equalling a club record first set in 1960-61 and then
matched in 1987-88. Madrid went on to win the league on both of
those occasions, and although they still have plenty of work to
match that feat this season, Saturday's win has given the Spanish
giants a major boost ahead of a daunting run of fixtures.
After next weekend's home match with Real Betis, Madrid have two
Champions League games against Bayern Munich, local derbies with
Atletico Madrid and Getafe, plus a trip to bitter rivals Barcelona
in their following five fixtures.
Cannavaro said: "We are going to face many strong teams and we
shall see at the end of this month if Madrid are strong or
not."