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Raphael Varane says Real Madrid need to be in position to take advantage of any slip ups by Barcelona or Atletico de Madrid as things can change very quickly in football.

Both Madrid clubs looked down and out of title contention a month ago but they are both fighting for the title once more with Barcelona.

Diego Simeone’s men are level with Los Cules, while Real Madrid stand just a point behind after beating Villarreal last night thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric.

Giving his thoughts after the game, the French defender told journalists that the league can change very quickly and Real need to win their games to be in a position to take advantage.

“We’re thinking about our game. We have to win all of them, we’re in good form, physically and tactically very good, we’ve got to fight until the end. Anything could happen, we’re thinking about what we can do. We need to keep a cool head and play our football,” he commented.

The centre back added: “We can’t affect what happens in the other games. We’re on a good run, the team looks good and we’re all geared up for the end of the season. A lot of things have happened in a month and as a result of that we have to fight until the end. With the confidence and spirit that we’re got we can win titles.”

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Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric says the players know what they need to do to keep putting pressure on the top two in La Liga – win their final four games.

The Croatian scored in the 3-0 win over Villarreal last night, a vital three points as Los Blancos kept up with Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid. Zinedine Zidane’s men had been under huge pressure to respond after their title rivals both won earlier in the evening.

Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Modric said he was delighted with the performance on the night. He added that the players know they need to focus on their own games for the rest of the season and hope both of their rivals slip up along the way.

“We played fantastically from the start, we got three good goals and we have to continue putting pressure on the other teams. We have to do our thing and see if anyone above us slips up. We must focus n what we have to do, we’re playing well,” he stated.

He added: “We are Real Madrid and we’ve got a squad that can fight for titles. The eleven plus the bench do their thing and it’s important that during the season everyone is ready. The game in Vallecas will be difficult and after that we will think about the Champions League. We’re full of confidence, we’re playing well and we’re going to keep going until the end of the season.”

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Lucas Vazquez says confidence can play a big part in the La Liga run in with four games to go and with Real Madrid winning eight in a row it is sky high around the Santiago Bernabeu right now.

Los Blancos beat Villarreal 3-0 last night to keep the gap at the top to just one point. Barcelona, the leaders, and Atletico de Madrid, in second, both picked up victories too as the league looks to go to the wire.

After a poor first half to the season, Zinedine Zidane’s men have responded brilliantly since the Frenchman took over and Real are right back in the hunt on two fronts.

Speaking after the game, goalscorer Vazquez said the mental aspect is just as important as the physical at this stage and confidence will be key.

“After eight consecutive wins the team is full of confidence, with desire to win and to go in to the final stages with things to play for. We have to keep working, game by game and we’ll see what happens. I’m happy with my contribution,” he commented.

And he added: “Barcelona are first, Atlético second and we are third. They are the favourites at the moment, it’s another thing whether they’ll win it or not. I’ve got a good relationship with Ramos and the goal celebration was a joke from the dressing room, a little greeting of ours.”

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Zinedine Zidane has hailed the 3-0 win over Villarreal last night as a ‘phenomenal’ win for his players and says Real Madrid will keep fighting for La Liga.

Having seen Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid win before them, Los Blancos went into the game under huge pressure against the high flyers to respond immediately and close the gap on the top two back to just one point.

Goals from Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric ensured the three points and keeps the pressure up on those above them.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Zidane said: “We keep doing things well, working hard. The team were phenomenal from the first minute to the last. We attacked well, created chances and retrieved a lot of balls. Defensively it was an almost perfect game”.

“I’m very happy with everyone’s attitude, with our team and satisfied with our players. It is great to have a squad like this to work with. We will keep playing against tough teams, but if we keep playing as we did tonight we will achieve great things. Obviously in every game we face tough moments, but I’m very satisfied with my team because I see them improving every day.”

Asked about the situation in La Liga, he added: “Nothing has changed, we are one point away from them. We will keep going with our ideas and our football. We will continue with what we have been doing recently, nothing has changed.”

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Real Madrid keep their fight for La Liga and remain just one point behind leaders Barcelona thanks to a great victory against Villarreal.

Zinedine Zidane men played a superb game and earned all three points thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric.

Los Blancos had the first opportunity to score as Benzema sent a powerful strike but Sergio Asenjo got down to keep it out.

Villarreal gained controlled of possession after a while, but Real kept threatening. Vasquez struck towards goal after meeting an excellent pass from Modric, but his effort moved wide of the post.

Right before the break, Benzema made it 1-0 as he headed home from close range after Asenjo had palmed a low cross from Ronaldo straight into his path.

The goal helped Los Merengues gained confidence and they improved their game in the second half. They were in total control of possession and playing beautifully.

Modric missed a great chance as he curled one wide of the post. But a few minutes later Lucas Vazquez sealed the victory with a superb play. The youngster combined with Benzema before finding the bottom corner with a perfect strike from the edge of the box.

Modric made it 3-0 as he expertly volleyed a Danilo cross into the back of the net following a brilliant counter-attack from Los Blancos.

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real madrid football tactics

Zinedine Zidane will rely on his usual starters for the crucial match against Villarreal this Wednesday in La Liga.

The French manager will make two changes in defence, as Daniel Carvajal and Pepe are injured, and he has chosen Danilo and Raphael Varane to replace them. Sergio Ramos and Marcelo will complete the defence line. In midfield, as expected, Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will feature.

The main doubt was whether the Los Blancos boss would chose Lucas Vazquez, Jese Rodriguez or Isco to replace Gareth Bale. The Frenchman has finally picked Vazquez to accompany Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the forward line.

This is Real Madrid’s confirmed starting eleven: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Benzema, Ronaldo.

This is Villarreal’s confirmed starting eleven: Asenjo; Gaspar, Bailly, Bonera, Rukavina; Dos Santos, Soriano, Triguero, Suarez; Lopez, Bakambu.

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Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero says he is surprised La Liga looks set to go down to the wire after Barcelona looked like they’d be comfortable winners just a couple of weeks ago.

Luis Enrique’s team has a nine point lead over Atletico de Madrid and 10 point advantage on Real Madrid but having picked up just one point from their last 12 available they are now level with Diego Simeone’s side with Los Blancos just a point back.

In quotes published by AS, the ex-Italy man said: “I’m a little surprised. The current situation is incredible. If someone had told me two weeks ago it was possible Barca would lose seven or eight points or be out of the Champions League I would have said it was impossible.”

He continued: “For the kind of team Barca is, and their football. But that is the beauty of sport, an exceptional challenge for teams and La Liga is going to be followed more in the last five games to see what happens. And Real and Atleti are great rivals.”

Del Piero and Real boss Zinedine Zidane played together for the Old Lady before Zidane’s move to the Santiago Bernabeu. And the former striker says he is delighted to see he ex-team mate doing so well.

“The work is amazing and how prepared he was for coaching. It’s very difficult to do what he’s done in so little time. He’s changed the mentality of Madrid, the team and the fans. I wish him the best in La Liga and the Champions League.”

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Real Madrid could find themselves top of the table this evening if they beat Villarreal and both Barcelona and Atletico drop points away at Deportivo La Coruna and Athletic Bilbao respectively.

La Liga looked a forgone conclusion just a few short weeks ago but Barcelona’s dramatic loss in form combined with the strong winning runs by both Madrid teams mean the league looks like it will go down to the wire.

While their title rivals face tricky away trips this evening, Real host high flying Villarreal – no easy three points either.

The Yellow Submarine come into the game having qualified for the semi finals of the Europa League and looking to clinch fourth spot in La Liga. They lost last time out at Rayo Vallecano however and with Los Blancos having won their last five at home, netting 20 goals in the process, Real should have enough in them to overcome this hurdle.

In terms of team news, Gareth Bale will sit out the game through injury with James Rodriguez expected to fill in for the Welshman.

The visitors welcome back Bruno and Antonio Rukavina from suspension but Tomas Pina looks to be short as his is struggling with a knee problem.

Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro; Ronaldo, Benzema, Rodriguez
Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Suarez; Bakambu, Soldado

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says his players will fight right until the end for La Liga as they prepare for another tough game this evening when they welcome Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarine come to the Spanish capital looking to consolidate their 4th place position in La Liga and take their good form into the Europa League semi final where they face Liverpool.

Los Blancos are right back in the mix for the league and sit just one point behind leaders Barcelona. And with five games to go, Zidane told his press conference on Tuesday that his team will be giving their all in every game and need the support of the fans to get them over the line.

“We’re going to fight for La Liga until the end. We’re playing for a lot in every game and we need the support of the fans, they are an extra help as always, and now more so because they know that we need their support. I ask that the fans are always with us and that they are going be and they’ll be behind their team,” he commented.

He added: “We are capable of winning both titles and closer every day, but that doesn’t mean anything. We have to work hard and fight until the last game and the last minute. We are going to work hard, it’s the only thing that I can guarantee. This is how we’re thinking: only about the next game. Tomorrow it’s Villareal, after that Rayo.”

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Real Madrid take on Villarreal hoping to complete an incredible comeback in La Liga and lead the table after having trailed Barcelona by 12 points.

Los Blancos have shortened Barca’s lead down to one point and they hope to overtake them this week as they host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane will lineup his usual starters for such an important game. The French manager will only miss Daniel Carvajal and Gareth Bale, as they are both suffering from muscle problems, and he has decided to rest Pepe.

The right-back will be replaced by Danilo, who is expected to feature in defence alongside Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo. In midfield, Casemiro and Luka Modric will most likely return to the starting eleven after resting last weekend against Getafe.

The main doubt is who will replace Bale in the forward line. Lucas Vazquez, Isco and Jese Rodriguez are the main candidates to accompany Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

This is Real Madrid’s projected starting eleven: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Benzema, Ronaldo.

This is Villarreal’s projected starting eleven: Asenjo; Gaspar, Bailly, Ruiz, Rukavina; Dos Santos, Soriano, Triguero, Suarez; Lopez, Bakambu.

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