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Zinedine Zidane spoke in the press conference before the game against Espanyol in La Liga. The manager confirmed that Gareth Bale will be on the list and Morata will play from the beginning. Besides, Sergio Ramos is still injured and won’t be available on Saturday.

In Italy, some newspapers are publishing that Morata wants to leave Real Madrid for the lack of opportunities. Zidane has confirmed that the Spaniard will be tomorrow in the line up: “I wouldn’t like him to leave at the end of the season. This is his home and, although he has got few minutes, he had minutes. He’ll start against Espanyol and it won’t be his last game in the line up”, Zidane confirmed in press conference.

The manager also spoke about Gareth Bale: “He’s in the list and our idea is that Bale will play some minutes. We want him to play and so has he. We have two or three players with some problems, not important injuries, so we are happy that everybody is ready”. One of the players with problems is Sergio Ramos, who will miss the game.

Zinedine Zidane spoke also about the game against Napoli: “The support from the fans was amazing. It’s always a plus with this energy. Espanyol is a rival with good results and we know the difficulty of the game”.

The French manager analyzed the Cristiano’s performance against Napoli: “He’s doing great and he’s not a player only to score goals. He passes the ball, plays…”, Zidane said.

Finally, Zizou spoke about the Barcelona defeat in Paris: “I think La Liga won’t change if Barça get knocked out of the Champions League. We only look at ourselves. There is always a second leg and they have to play. We know Barcelona is a great team and they can make great things in this competition”, the manager finished.

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Real Madrid v Espanyol

Real Madrid v Espanyol play on Saturday (15:15, UK time) at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the 23rd week of La Liga. Los Blancos need to win to continue topping the table.

BACK REAL MADRID HERE WITH BET365 IN LA LIGA

Real Madrid v Espanyol Preview

Real Madrid are very happy and confident after the victory (3-1) over Napoli in the Last 16 Round of the Champions League. The Italian team hit first but Los Blancos came back with a great performance. Now they have to focus in La Liga because it’s a crucial week to secure the title. They face Espanyol at home and Valencia and Villarreal away in only seven days.

Apart from the results, the good news is that Zidane doesn’t have any injury concerns. Gareth Bale is back with the group although he’s not expected to start. Sergio Ramos has some physical problems, so will rest and Zidane has confirmed that Morata will start the game. James Rodríguez could go back to the bench and Lucas could replace him. Keylor Navas, Benzema and Modric aren’t included in the list.

Espanyol are in the middle of the table, far from Europe and far from relegation. The Barcelona team lost at home against Real Sociedad in their last meeting ending a run of three consecutive victories. Pablo Piatti is recovered, so he should be in the line up whereas Víctor Sánchez, Baptistao and Marc Navarro are sidelined. Reyes and Javi Fuego are major doubts.

Real Madrid v Espanyol Predicted Line Ups

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casilla; Marcelo, Pepe, Varane, Carvajal; Casemiro, Kovacic, Kroos, Lucas Vázquez; Cristiano and Morata.

Espanyol (4-5-1): Diego López; Aarón, Duarte, David López, Reyes; Diop, Fuego, Reyes, Piatti, Jurado; and Gerard.

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Real Madrid v Espanyol Betting Tips

Real Madrid have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 games out of the last 10.
Espanyol have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of the last 10 games.
In the last 10 games, Real Madrid have scored an average of 2,6 goals and have received an average of 1,2 goals.
In the last 10 games, Espanyol have scored an average of 1,4 goals per game and have conceded 1,3 goals per game.
There have been over 2,5 goals in 10 of the last 10 Real Madrid games.
There have been 2,5 goals in 6 of the last 10 Espanyol games.

Real Madrid v Espanyol Prediction


Real Madrid are heavy favourites to win this game. Historically, Espanyol has been a friendly team for Los Blancos and now Zidane’s side has recovered the best performances. On the other hand, Espanyol suffered away from home despite winning their last game against Málaga. We only can expect a lot of goals from Real Madrid.

In the game at Cornellà-El Prat, Los Blancos won (0-2) thanks to the goals scored by James Rodríguez and Karim Benzema. Last season, Real Madrid hammered (6-0) Espanyol at home.

Free Betting Tips

Match Prediction

Real Madrid to win 1/7 at Bet365.

Over/Under Prediction

Over 2,5 goals 4/11 at Bet365.

Result

Real Madrid to win 4-0 at 9/1 with Bet365.

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benzema_zidane-GI

Karim Benzema played the best game of the season against Napoli in the Last 16 Round of the Champions League. From the kick off, the French striker looked different and he lead the team in the attacking line, bombing Pepe Reina for 90 minutes. It was a siege and Benzema was the soldier leading the team.

In the very first minute of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema invented a great play and the French forward shot but he found Reina’s fist to avoid the first goal. It was only the first warning about what was about to come. Despite Insigne found the net in the first attack, Real Madrid kept looking for Reina’s goal. And Benzema also found the net quite soon, after a great assist from Carvajal.

It was the fair prize for a great performance. Benzema could even score a second goal before the half time, but the post prevented it. This time, Benzema played as centre forward whereas Cristiano Ronaldo played as a winger, also giving the best out of him. In the second half, the French striker was more tired and he had to be replaced by Álvaro Morata in the last minutes.

This season, Karim Benzema has received a lot of criticism. He’s been absent in many games and his numbers in La Liga are very poor, only scoring 5 goals in 16 games, very far from the 26 goals scored last season only in La Liga. However, Benzema changes when he listen to the Champions League hymn. In only 7 games this season, he has also scored 5 goals in Europe against Napoli, Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon and Legia Warsaw.

With the Real Madrid t-shirt, Karim Benzema has scored 39 goals in the Champions League. Last season, for instance, he only scored 4, three of them against Malmo. His most important goal in the Champions League with Real Madrid came in 2014, when he scored the only goal in the Champions League semifinals against Bayern Munich at home.

Zinedine Zidane wanted to highlight Benzema’s great performance in press conference: “He has shown he has personality and in these critical moments he knows to answer in the best way, scoring goals. He deserved to score more goal. It’s not only the goals, but he’s a constant danger”, the manager said about Benzema. Let’s see if the French striker keeps with the good work or he’s back to the drought in La Liga.

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Real Madrid obtained a great result in the first leg of the Last 16 Round of the Champions League beating (3-1) Napoli at Santiago Bernabéu. However, as Zinedine Zidane said after the game, the tie is not over and Los Blancos will suffer at San Paolo.

Every single Napoli player said after the game that Los Blancos will have to fight a lot in Napoli to go through the last stage and the coach, Maurizio Sarri, warned Real Madrid: “We don’t have to send any message. In the second leg, San Paolo will be hell. If we are able to do something big in the first 10 minutes, the answer of the supporters will be amazing. It’s going to be a tough game for them, but also for us”, Sarri said after the game.

Zidane happiness wasn’t complete because Los Blancos couldn’t keep a clean sheet and now they have to travel to Napoli knowing that a 2-0 result will mean the elimination of the tournament. If we have a look at the history of Real Madrid, Los Blancos shouldn’t be very calm with this results.

History of Results in Europe


Real Madrid got 8 times in their history a 3-1 result in the first leg. Surprisingly, they only went through in four times. The last time Real Madrid obtained a 3-1 in Europe was in 2002-03, when Los Blancos faced Manchester United. That time, Spanish giants went through with Ronaldo Nazario’s show at Old Trafford.

Actually, Real Madrid obtained this result 4 times in Champions League, obtained the qualification three times -twice against Manchester United and one against Barcelona- and being eliminated once by Grasshoppers in 1978-79.

However, in UEFA Cup Real Madrid got knocked out of the competition the three times they won 3-1. It was against PSV, Kaiseslautern and PSG. Los Blancos went through against the Hungarian team Ujpesti Dozsa in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

All Real Madrid supporters remember also the tough game Real Madrid had to play in Germany in 2014 after thrashing Borussia Dortmund (3-0) in the first leg. Los Blancos were losing 2-0 and the tie seemed to be over until Casemiro came in into the pitch to guarantee the possession and the victory.

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Zinedine Zidane was very happy after the clash against Napoli, where Los Blancos came back to beat (3-1) the Italian side. However, the tie it’s not over yet: “We are still 50-50. There will be a tough second leg. I’d like not to have concede any goal. The 3-1 is a good result, but not definitive”, Zidane said in press conference.

The manager was very happy for the game: “We did a great game, I don’t know if the best one. Especially it was a good start, the shame was conceding that goal. We reacted soon, we drew and went back again to the game. I’m happy for the game and the logic result”, the manager expressed.

According to Zidane, it won’t be easy at San Paolo: “We have to go there and play a game and we’ll have to suffer. The tie is not over”, Zidane warned. The French coach was happy with the attitude: “There are always difficulties but I want to highlight the intensity, the concentration was very high”.

Zidane said that he had to change Sergio Ramos because of a tackle from Callejón but it wasn’t a serious injury. Besides, he was asked about the great game of Karim Benzema: “He has shown he had personality and in critical moments he knows to answer scoring goals. He deserved to score more goals. It’s not only when he scores, he is a danger constantly”.

Apart from the great game of Benzema, the manager also highlighted Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos or James Rodríguez, who “gave calm to the team in the first half with the ball and the crosses”, Zidane said.

Finally, the manager wanted to warn about the danger of Napoli: “I think tonight we saw a great Napoli, who put us in difficulties. Offensively they can hurt you and can be dangerous in any moment, but also have weapons to hurt the rival. Napoli is a good team. It wasn’t a surprise”, Zidane finished.

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Real Madrid came back to beat (3-1) Napoli in the first leg of the Last 16 Round in Champions League. The Italian team hit first with a great goal from Insigne, but Los Blancos played much better and they were able to obtain a good result to travel calm to San Paolo. However, they still have to overcome the second leg to see the quarter finals.

James Rodríguez was the surprise in Zidane’s line up. The manager wanted to control the midfield and he put the Colombian to keep the ball and help with the assist to Benzema and to Cristiano Ronaldo. As it was expected, Real Madrid looked for Reina since the start and Los Blancos could even score in the first minute, but Reina saved a good shoot from Benzema.

Real Madrid kept pressuring high but Napoli arrived with danger when they were able to keep the ball. In the 8th minute, Hamsik passed to Insigne, who shot from very far away. Keylor Navas wasn’t in his place and the ball touched the net. Very unlucky for Real Madrid.

However, Los Blancos kept attacking and having the ball until the minute 19th, when Benzema scored from a header after a great assist from Carvajal. The French striker had the best chance close to the half time but the ball hit the post. Los Blancos played a good first half, but they weren’t able to go to the dressing room ahead in the scoreboard.

The second half couldn’t start better. Cristiano Ronaldo made a great play as a winger and he gave a perfect assist to Toni Kroos, who tapped the ball in as a golf player. When Bernabéu was still happy for the second goal, Casemiro made an amazing volley, scoring the third goal.

There were 30 minutes left but Los Blancos had already a good result. Real Madrid could score the fourth one with some chances by Cristiano Ronaldo, but also Napoli could score, especially with a chance from Dries Mertens. Callejón actually scored but the goal wasn’t valid, it was offiside.

Real Madrid looked happy and they should be with the result. The goal is closer and the quarter final round is a likely end for the tie.

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Di María-PSG

FC Barcelona were thrashed (4-0) in the first leg of the Last 16 Round of the Champions League by PSG.. The French team has put one foot in the quarter-finals after an amazing performance who knocked the Spanish champions.

One of the main protagonist of the historic victory was Ángel di María, who scored two goals and was always a danger in the wing. The Argentinian wasn’t happy at the beginning at París with Unai Emery, the new coach, but he has found his place in the team now and he’s shining as one of the best players in Europe. Just like he showed at Real Madrid, helping the team to lift the 10th Champions League with an amazing final in Lisbon.

Di María still has friends in Madrid and he admitted he received some calls from his former team mates at Real Madrid: “My friends from Real Madrid have already called to congratulate me for the 4-0. I was present in the 5-0 and, for sure, I had the same face the Barcelona players have now”, Di María said after the game. It was also his birthday, so he lived a very happy day at Parc des Princes.

Di María lived very happy days at Real Madrid and he helped the team to beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in 2011. Cristiano Ronaldo header meant the title after a great assist from Ángel di María.

Yesterday, Di María did the last service to Real Madrid. Together with Draxler, Cavani, Rabiot or Verratti -always target by Real Madrid-, Di María helped PSG to smash FC Barcelona. The Blaugranas are living a nightmare this season and they can be knock out in the Champions League. In La Liga they are still chasing up Real Madrid, but Los Blancos have a good advantage to win La Liga title.

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Napoli are playing one of the most important games in their history at Santiago Bernabéu. The Italian team is not used to this kind of clashes as they’ve been struggling to keep a good form and qualify for the European competitions. Now they have the chance to play against the current title holder and they want to show a great performance.

The Italian side is in a good form in the Serie A, although they are third in the table. Maurizio Sarri spoke in press conference at Bernabéu and he expect his team to have personality: “We’re starting to believe in terms of mentality and that’s why we are in a great run. In terms of personality we have things to show and we have to start doing it tomorrow. Playing with fear here wouldn’t work out”, Sarri said.

The Italian coach announced they will look to Keylor Navas: “Being in our box for 90 minutes has to be because of the rivals and not because we weren’t able to leave. We have to face the game with some craziness to try to impose our way of playing, knowing that we are facing players that have won everything. I’m going to use a very offensive formation and, at the same time, we can defend correctly”, the manager said.

Sarri spoke also about how especial is Santiago Bernabéu stadium: There is a mystic atmosphere. Real Madrid is a strong team and that’s why is complicated for any rival. They have very talented players that can decide the game in any momento”, Sarri said.

Callejón and Albiol were also in the press conference. Both played at Real Madrid, so it will be a very especial game: “It will be a especial game. Albiol and I lived many years here and we won many games here. It’s an important game for the club and the supporters. It will be 180 minutes to impose our game. It will be tough because they are the current title holders but we can do great things because we are a great team”, Callejón affirmed.

Albiol also spoke about the difficulty of obtaining a good result: “It will be a very tough game with the current European and World Champions. We have to be very concentrated from the beginning. 90 minutes here are very tough and we know it. Real Madrid are able to do everything here. We’ve seen a thousand come backs. We’ll try to give the maximum to put them in difficulty and arrive with a good result to Naples”, the former Real Madrid defender said.

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Zinedine Zidane spoke in press conference before the game against Napoli in the Last 16 Round of the Champions League. The manager is ready to play the clash and try to win back-to-back titles in the competition: “If you go through one knock-out stage you can’t think you’re going to win the Champions League. It’s a tough and long way, and we are in that way. We have all the players back and it’s going to be complicated to make the list, but I’m happy for them”.

Zidane was asked about the presence of Maradona in the stadium: “With all due respect to Maradona, who I saw him playing when I was 14 and he’s been one of the best, perhaps the best one, but I fear more the players in the pitch rather than Diego. We also have our weapons”.

The Real Madrid coach wanted to flatter Maurizio Sarri, Napoli manager: “Sarri makes the team playing and he’s doing great and obtaining results. He plays beautiful. Italian football has a good level with young people showing quality”, Zidane declared.

The French also spoke about the lack of experience of Napoli: “If you are focused in the team I don’t think the atmosphere affects a lot. They have a lot of intensivity, speed, small players, what I don’t like, technically really good, but we can punish them. They are dangerous in the front… We are going to suffer sometimes because they are a very vertical team”.

Speaking about particular players, Zizou was asked again about Karim Benzema: “Every one can say what they want, the most important thing is that I see him very focus and I’m happy with his job. People can demand more from Karim”.

Zidane confirmed that Bale won’t be available: “This is the first week he’s training with the group and he’s well, he doesn’t have pain and that’s important. We’ll see when he can be in the list because we know he’s been out for three months and we have to go slow with Gareth”.

Finally, Zidane gave one of the key questions for the fixture: “It’s a tie and we know there is a second leg game, so at home the most important thing is not conceding any goal, but I want us to be focus on what we have to do. It’s a tie with 50% probabilities, we know we can hurt them but also they can. We’re ready to play”, Zidane finished.

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Wednesday’s Champions League match against Napoli will see former Real Madrid forward José Callejón return to the Bernabéu. Talking last week of what he fears about facing the current side, he said: “[Real Madrid] is the best club in the world, you have to look out for practically everything. It’s a challenge for everyone. But until Saturday we can’t talk about Madrid, the boss gets angry!” In the exclusive interview with AS, he added: “I dreamed of going back [to the Bernabéu]. I did not expect it to be now, in the Last 16, it’s a bit early to play Real Madrid! But the draw is like that sometimes…”.

The two sides have met only once in the Champions League, in 1987 – when it was still called the European Cup. After a first round 2-0, Real Madrid drew the second leg 1-1. Real Madrid are favourites to win on Wednesday, according to Betstars, and are currently unbeaten in 11 consecutive Championship League games.

Napoli started the season well but striker Arkadiusz Milik’s injury hit the team hard for two months. Although, in more recent weeks the team seems to have found its footing again. Here’s our summary of the best players in the team.

10,000 Napoli fans are expected to head to Madrid for the match, despite the fact tehre are just 3,917 allocated Napoli tickets for the Bernabeu. Meanwhile, 40,000 tickets have already sold for the second leg match on 7th March, in Sao Paolo. Zidane has announced he hopes to have Gareth Bale back from an ankle injury by then. Bale underwent surgery after damaging tendons during the team’s Champion’s League victory at Sporting Lisbon. “He has been working well. He is enthusiastic and the only thing left is for him to train with the rest of the team, which is the most important thing,” Zidane told a news conference on Friday.

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