MADRID – Real Madrid offensive midfielder Julio Baptista appears to be living a moment of vindication for the almost two years he has split bench time between Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Not given much to whining, Baptista admitted to “suffering in silence” for most of the season. “I never complained,” he said, admitting that the starting slot recently awarded him by coach Bernd Schuster was exactly the chance he was looking for.  

Baptista, as starter, has earned his coach’s praise, scoring a goal against Lazio in the Champions League Tuesday, and earning the game MVP award in a exhibition match last week.

[Copyright EL PAÍS, SL./ KELLY RAMUNDO 2007]

Subject: Spanish news