Speaking in a post-training press conference, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain declared that Los Blancos will depend only upon themselves to claim the Champions League and La Liga double this season. "Winning the double would be a great dream for the club and for this season's project," said the Argentine in comments reported by AS.
The striker, who last weekend renewed his relationship with the opposition goal by scoring two against Villarreal, played down the reported dispute between Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso in the taking of Los Blancos' second penalty. "It's not very important. Xabi wanted to take the penalty for his first Madrid goal and that's that," said Higuain, whilst claining a spot-kick role himself. "If I am called upon to take them, I will. But we have a lot of players who can take them like Kaka, Cristiano, Raul, Xabi….there are a lot of good marksmen in the team."
In any case, the Argentine has not needed to rely on taking penalities for his goal tally to top the team's totals and to make a push for the Liga pichichi, as he has scored 14 goals so far this season in normal play. "It would be great to be the Pichichi," declared El Pipita. "I feel very well. I have returned to scoring goals and I am happy. This is becoming my best season since I arrived at Madrid, but I still have a lot to learn and much to improve. The team is playing very well and we hope that our Liga success translates into a great Champions League match against Lyon."
As for Barcelona's Champions League fixture this evening against Stuttgart, Higuain refused to make any predictions. "The team that wins will deserve it. It has been one year since I have been hoping for Barcelona to lose and that does not look like it is going to happen. I'm not going to comment on that anymore," laughed the Argentine.
Finally, with respect to the contract extension reportedly in the works at the Bernabeu, Higuain preferred not to comment, referring to it as an issue for his agent and father, and his family. "I have spoken about it with the team, but it is not something that worries me because I am convinced that one earns a contract extension with Real Madrid by performing well and I will earn it on the pitch."