Page 589

By -
0

The Madrid press is full of coverage and analysis of Real’s straightforward 3-0 win over Getafe yesterday.

And once again, it is young forward Jese Rodriguez who is grabbing the headlines. The 20-year-old scored Madrid’s opening goal after just five minutes to set Carlo Ancelotti’s team on their way. It was his eighth goal in an impressive first season in the main squad since being promoted from Real Madrid Castilla.

Afterwards, the player himself said he would love a place in the Spanish World Cup squad for the tournament in Brazil this summer. And his manager told journalists that he is no longer surprised by what Jese does on the field because he knows what the striker is capable of.

Marca and AS both look at Ancelotti’s record as boss in today’s edition too. The victory over Getafe was Real’s 25th game without defeat – the joint-second longest unbeaten run enjoyed by any Madrid boss. Ancelotti is equal with Fabio Capello, who went 25 games undefeated in 1996-97. Only Leo Beenhakker has a longer unbeaten stretch, going 34 games without defeat.

Madrid also passed 100 goals for the season in the match against Getafe (68 in La Liga). In was only their 38th game under Ancelotti. As manager of Parma, Ancelotti waited 71 games for the team to reach 100 goals. At Juventus it took 59 games, 65 at Milan, 43 at Chelsea and 48 at PSG.

By -
0

Real Madrid are level on points with Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid as the three-way battle at the top of La Liga continues after Los Blancos saw off Getafe.

Jese Rodriguez starred once again, netting the opening goal after just five minutes to set Carlo Ancelotti’s men on their way, before Karim Benzema doubled their lead just before the half hour mark.

Los Blancos were unchanged from their previous league outing against Villarreal last weekend, with Jese, Bale and Benzema forming the front three. And they got of to a spectacular start when the Welshmen teed up Jese, who curled home from the left hand side of the area.

The hosts took some time to settle after conceding so early, but eventually grew into the game. Their best chance came on 23 minutes when Los Blancos defender Pepe slipped, allowing Adrian Colunga through on goal. Luckily for Real, the Portugal international recovered just in time to put in a last ditch tackle. Minutes later, Benzema doubled the visitors’ lead, coverting Angel di Maria’s cross after Real had broken away having cleared a Getafe corner.

The hosts never really created any real chances and Madrid scored a third on 66 minutes through Luka Modric. Picking the ball up 25 yards out, he unleashed an unstoppable effort past the home goalkeeper to guarantee the three points for the nine-time European Cup winners. It was similar to the sensational effort he scored against Manchester United in last year’s Champions League campaign.

As the clock was ticking down, Ancelotti used the opportunity to give some vital playing time to some of the fringe players in the team, such as Casemiro, Isco and Asier Illarramendi and give Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Angel di Maria a breather ahead of sterner tests to come.

 

 

By -
0
Getafe Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid will try to reach the top of the table as they face Getafe on Sunday. Los Blancos sit now second if La Liga, with the same points than Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but with a worse goal difference than the Azulgranas. Earning an emphatic victory or seeing Barca drop points would give them the first spot.

Their visit to Getafe shouldn’t be a tough test for Los Merengues, as the Southern-Madrid team are struggling this season, sitting 13th in the table, only four points clear from the relegation zone.

Carlo Ancelotti will only miss Cristiano Ronaldo, who will sits out the second match of his three-game ban after being sent off against Athletic Bilbao. Sami Khedira is also still in the sidelines, as he continues with his injury recovering process.

Raphael Varane could be back to the line-up again after starting for the first time in 2014 last Tuesday against Atletico Madrid. However, since Los Blancos won’t have to play next week in the Champions League, Ancelotti could line-up his usual defence, with Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Carvajal.

Jese will seek to extend his good state of shape, playing in the left wing as Ronaldo’s substitute. The youngster has scored four goals in the last five matches.

Getafe picked up their last victory this season on November 29th against Levante. Since then, they’ve only earned two points in the last eight games. It won’t be the best day for Luis Garcia men to start their recovery, as they face the best team of 2014. Moreover, since all the left-backs in the squads are injured and Garcial will have to line-up a player from the reserve team to defend Gareth Bale.

Possible line-ups:

Getafe: Moya; Valera, Lisandro, Alexis, Vigaray; Borja, Michel; Leon, Castro, Lafita; Marica.

Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Alonso, Di Maria; Bale, Benzema, Jese.

By -
0
Getafe Real Madrid betting preview

Real Madrid have started 2014 in imperious form, keeping 10 clean sheets in their 12 games so far, while their opponents today are winless in their last eight La Liga fixtures.

City derbies are always tense affairs and can throw up the unexpected. But Real Madrid saw off Atletico de Madrid twice inside a week with little problem, and Madrid’s third team Getafe should provide less of a challenge.

It comes as no surprise then that the visitors are available on the betting markets at 2/7. The host are outsiders at 10/1. The combination of Madrid’s water tight defense and Getafe having scored only one goal in their last six fixtures may explain that.

An attractive option for those looking to put some money on the game may be on the timing of the goal. At 10/11, Real to score in the opening 30 minutes looks like an interesting option, with that bet paying out in seven of Madrid’s last nine games.

In terms of goalscorers, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are both at 3/1 to open the scoring at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Jese Rodriguez is at 4/1 to net the opener. The best odds on a Getafe player getting the first goal in the match are on Romanian forward Ciprian Marica, who can be found at 11/1.

By -
0
The Collins Column

As we reach the end of February, the football season is heading into the crucial stage where any slip up could end hopes of trophies and glory come May.

Real Madrid are in a good position at the time of going to press. Finalists in the Copa del Rey, where they will meet their biggest rivals Barcelona in April. In with a real chance of winning La Liga. And with their eyes on the coveted Decima Champions League trophy too.

The games will come thick and fast from here on in, so manager Carlo Ancelotti will need his players to be at their best. And he’ll need to be smart with his team selections too.

The return of Raphael Varane against Atletico de Madrid was a welcome sight for Madridistas. The Frenchman has missed large chunks of the campaign through injury, but will give Ancelotti an extra selection headache now. With players returning from injury – only Sami Khedira remains on the sidelines – the Italian manager has plenty to think about.

Rotation will play a part in how the rest of the season unfolds. But it is often said that you should never change a settled defence. With 10 clean sheets in their last 12 matches, Real are looking solid at the back. Pepe and Sergio Ramos have formed a superb partnership at the heart of the defence. Would putting Varane back in unsettle the team?

Likewise at full-back, Daniel Carvajal had put in some good performances throughout the campaign, but at 22 years of age, he is still learning his trade. Arbeloa, although less attacking than Carvajal, perhaps offers more defensive stability, and you know what you’ll get in every game with him. It’s certainly an interesting challenge for Ancelotti to think about.

The midfield picks itself at the moment – with Luka Modric in fine form, and Xabi Alonso being indispensable to the team. Di Maria is also playing well, and while Isco has come in and out of the team, his best position is as a central playmaker rather than on the wing. With the current 4-3-3 system being deployed, Isco seems t be a square peg in a round hole.

Jese’s performances in the attacking trio have caused many to sit up and take note. But can he really force his way into the team ahead of the BBC? Bale cost Madrid 91 million euros and with 11 goals to his name along with nine assists, has had a good season. Ronaldo is Ronaldo and is simply undroppable when he returns from suspension.

And despite not being a crowd favourite, Benzema is having his best season to date in a Real shirt, and recently drew level with former Madrid forward Ronaldo on the number of goals scored for the club.

Ancelotti has plenty to think about in the coming weeks regard team selection and keeping the balance right. Exciting times lie ahead.

By -
0

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both won easily yesterday, putting the pressure back on Real Madrid to keep up with the pace in La Liga.

Los Blancos visit Getafe this afternoon and a win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men would draw them level again on points with the leaders. They will have to do so of course, without Cristiano Ronaldo, who serves the second of his three-game ban.

And Marca goes with quotes from Ancelotti on the front page if today’s edition, saying the punishment was too harsh. In his press conference ahead of the game, Ancelotti admitted Madrid are still working on getting the ban reduced.

“He’s fine and he doesn’t have any problems. He played very well against Atlético Madrid. He’s obviously not happy because he wants to play in every game but we have to wait for the decision. It’s strange. We lodged the appeal on Tuesday so they’ve had time to make a decision. Fortunately, we’re not used to preparing matches without Ronaldo. We’ve done it a few times because of an injury and it’s the same. It’s not different,” he said.

AS runs another story on Jese Rodriguez, who has taken much of the headlines in recent weeks. The 20-year-old had scored seven goals in his debut season for Los Blancos since being promoted to the first team. If he scores three more this year, he will draw level with club legend Raul, who scored 10 goals in his opening campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu.

By -
0

Real Madrid’s young forward Jese Rodriguez has hailed boss Carlo Ancelotti for helping improve his game and get a better tactical perspective of what’s going on throughout a match.

The 20- year-old has made an impressive start to 2014 covering for the injured Gareth Bale. His goals in the Nou Camp, Mestalla and San Mames this season have also made others outside of the club take notice of the youngster, with national team boss Vicente del Bosque hinting that Jese could make it into Spain’s World Cup squad in the summer.

In an interview with Champions Magazine, Jese said much of his improvement was down to Ancelotti, who he had high words of praise for. He stated: “Ancelotti is a winner who always wants the team to improve, and that is very important. He has helped me position myself better from a tactical perspective.”

Asked what it is like to play for your boyhood club, Jese said he is living his dream at the moment, as he grew up watching people like Zinedine Zidane, now the assistant manager at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jese, who scored 22 goals in 38 games for Real Madrid Castilla last year, said the senior players in the squad help newcomers to settle in. “Every time an academy player is promoted to the first team all the players offer their support, and they have all helped be quite a bit,” he told the magazine.

He also said he feels no different to any other player when dealing with the expectation of the Real Madrid fans. “I cope pretty well, as I know we always have their support. Our fans are very demanding, and each game is a constant examination, not only for the academy players, but also for the veterans. We try our best, and we are there to help.”

By -
0

Real Madrid’s star signing Gareth Bale has said Los Blancos can win La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League this season, in an interview with UEFA’s Champions Matchday magazine.

“We are working to win games, in all the competitions. I hope we can win the Champions League this season. It is great to be able to win nearly every game. This is the best club in the world, where you must win many trophies and every game,” the Welshman affirmed.

When asked about his adaptation to Madrid’s life, Bale said: “I thought it would be easier, but bit by bit I am learning the language. It’s crucial for me to learn Spanish well to feel more integrated. My teammates help me to feel comfortable.”

The 24-year-old admitted he is grateful to teammate Cristiano Ronaldo: “He’s a great teammate and friend. He always gives me lots of advice, and is helping me a lot. He was my idol before I met him, and much more now. Thanks to him everything is being much easier for me. We can be a great partnership on the field.”

By -
1

The Competition Judge of the Spanish Football Federation has decided to fine Atletico Madrid with 600 euros over the lighter a fan threw Cristiano Ronaldo during the second leg of the Copa del Rey.

The judge warned Atletico that they should “take special measures to avoid such incidents in the future.” He also points out the club “has made a great effort to help identify the perpetrator of such a disgraceful act” and that might have helped the Colchoneros avoid a higher sanction.

Atletico have not even received a stadium closure warning, which is the usual procedure in these cases.

The report released by the Competition Committee also highlights it was an isolated incident that “didn’t interfere in the match” since Cristiano Ronaldo was able to continue playing.

Atletico has been given a ten-day deadline to appeal this decision.

Police still looking for the attacker

The police haven’t identified the fan who threw the lighter yet. Witnesses have provided a description of a 20-year-old boy, with details of how he was dressing. however, there were no cameras pointing at that part of the stands, and since the agressor run away, it’s being difficult for the authorities to find him.

In related news, Police Department has informed they arrested a Real Madrid fan who dragged a seat and threw it to a cop during the match at the Vicente Calderon.

By -
0

Real Madrid take on Getafe tomorrow afternoon and the Madrid press are beginning to turn their attention back to La Liga after a week of Copa del Rey coverage.

But the main story on Marca’s front page this morning is that of Karim Benzema’s contract situation. The Frenchman has one year left on his deal after this season, and he is keen to extend his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And Marca says the boss and directors are so pleased with the player’s form and attitude this year that they are willing to hand him a deal until 2018, with an option of an extra two years after that. Benzema has played a crucial role in the Real attacking trio this year, forming a devastating partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Another attacker who has been spoken of highly in recent weeks is Jese Rodriguez. He has scored some vital goals for Los Blancos, mainly in his supersub role, although he has stepped in admirably for the injured Gareth Bale at times. And he said in an interview with AS that if he keeps up his form between now and the end of the season, he is confident of securing his place in the World Cup squad for Spain.

Vicente del Bosque has already hinted that he is considering taking the 20-year-old with him as part of the 23 man squad to Brazil, where Spain will look to defend the trophy they won in 2010 in South Africa.

1...588589590...733Page 589 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly