Page 172

By -
2

Since the arrival last year of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, Los Blancos have improved in all aspects. If Real Madrid wins against Espanyol, the French manager can equalize a record that Guardiola had in Barcelona winning 16 games in a row in the season 2010-2011.

This record is a very difficult challenge because we are talking about the best league in the world and with the most competitive teams at European level. Zidane and Guardiola have many things in common. Both triumphed first as players, Zidane showed his best quality in Juventus and Madrid while Guardiola passed almost all his life being in the midfield of Camp Nou. When the career of these players finished, both decided to be coaches.The french manager started coaching in the lower categories of Real Madrid and Guardiola did the same, but in Barcelona. Both ended being the coaches of these two teams and they have won significant titles being trainers without too much experience.

However, Zinedine Zidane has needed less time than Guardiola to reach this victories in a row. Guardiola started the record in his third season as the manager of Barcelona, winning against Valencia on October of 2010. Zidane only needed nine games to start his personal streak, winning against Levante on May of this year.

Before Guardiola and Zidane started their streaks,both were with doubts because of the expected results. Guardiola only could tie against Mallorca in the Camp Nou and Zidane
lost his game against Atlético of Madrid 204 days ago.

Since that defeat against Atlético de Madrid, Los Blancos have been a very solid team. They have 15 victories in a row with an average of 3.2 goals scored per match and they only received 0.8 goals per match.

Lets see if Los Blancos can equalize the record that Guardiola has in La Liga. Los Blancos must work very hard if they want to win the match against Espanyol because the injuries of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale could be very important.

By -
0

Real Madrid and Espanyol will play their fourth match of the regular season in Cornella. In the last years, there have been many transfers and on loaned players between both. The good relationships Real Madrid and Espanyol have, it´s a fact. Many players as, Asensio, Lucas Vázquez, Kiko Casilla, Diego López, Jurado and Reyes had defend both teams.

Asensio came from Mallorca, but when Real Madrid signed him, they decided to on loaned him to Espanyol because it was a good team to grow as a player. The Mallorca midfielder played last year 34 games with Espanyol and he scored 4 goals in the regular season. Zinedine Zidane decided that this year he wanted to have Asensio in his squad. The good pre season and the first games of La Liga, Asensio had showed he is ready to play in Real Madrid.

Lucas Vázquez is a youngster from Real Madrid that also decided to go on loaned to the team from Barcelona. The Spaniard striker is playing his second season in Madrid and he is being protagonist playing many important minutes.

The last signing of Espanyol was Diego López. The Spaniard keeper was formed in Madrid but with Casillas in the team, Los Blancos decided sell him to Villarreal. He played 5 years in Villarreal and one in Sevilla before the return to Real Madrid in 2012. Mourinho asked for him and Diego López began to be the first keeper sending Casillas to the bench. When Mourinho leaved Madrid, Diego López had to find another team and he decided to go to Milan.

Kiko Casilla, Jurado and Reyes have wear both shirts. Kiko Casilla will be the keeper of Real Madrid in the match of Cornella, while Jurado didn´t entered on the list of Quique Sánchez Flores. Reyes only played one year in Madrid participating in 30 matches and scoring 6 goals.

By -
0

Espanyol will receive this week end Real Madrid in Cornella el Prat (Sunday 20:45). Real Madrid needs a victory if they want to maintain this position on the top of the table. Los Blancos will travel to Barcelona with many injuries and Zidane have to make changes in the starting 11.

Espanyol have not won so far in his 3 matches in la Liga. In the first match they lost against Sevilla and the next two games they tied against Málaga and Real Sociedad. The team manage by Quique Sánchez Flores are playing a good football but they are having many problems in defense, that´s why they are the third team with more goals received in La Liga.

Los Blancos will play their fourth match without two of the most important players in the squad. The injuries of Bale and Cristiano are the wirst news Real Madrid could have. Bale couldn´t finish the match of Champions League against Sporting of Lisbon because he had had a pain in his thigh,while the Portuguese striker ,will stay in Madrid because of an illness in his throat. With these tow injuries, Zinedine Zidane should believe in other players of the team.

James and Lucas Vázquez could be the two new players in the line-up. The Colombian midfielder has played very good games in the last weeks. In the match against Sporting of Lisbon, James entered in the last minutes losing 0-1 and he revolutionized the match giving an assist to Morata in the second goal. This could be a good opportunity for James to try to convince Zinedine Zidane he must play more minutes.

Last year Real Madrid won the two games they played against Espanyol. Los Blancos won in Barcelona 0-6 with five goals of Cristiano and at Bernabéu they repeated the same result. According to statistics Real Madrid will defeat Espanyol once again at Cornella.

Possible XI of Espanyol: Diego López, Javi López, David López, D. Reyes, V.Sánchez,S. Mata, H.Perez , Roca, Diop, Piatti, Gerard and Baptistao

Possible XI of Real Madrid: Casilla, Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal, Casemiro, Kroos, Asensio, James, Lucas and Benzema

By -
0

Real Madrid will play tomorrow his fourth match in La Liga against Espanyol in Cornella el Prat (20:25). Zinedine Zidane talked in the press conference about the match of tomorrow. He also has highlighted the list that will go to Barcelona, James and other important players of the squad.

The press conference started talking about the opponent Real Madrid will have tomorrow “ It is a very good opponent and we know it´s a tough match in a big field. We did a very good week and we know there´s many matches in a row, but we are ready.” Zidane said about the opponent of tomorrow.

The journalist also asked the French manager about the importance the BBC are. “The idea is if Cristiano, Karim and Bale are available, they will play but there´s too many games so I have the opportunity to line-up other players, that when they play the do a good job.” Zidane explained about the important the BC is for this team.

With the injuries of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, James can be in the starting 11 for tomorrow. “ I said many times James is training very well and he will play tomorrow because he´s very important for us. I see him very good and he want to play like all his partners. He can provide us many aspects that we need.” Zidane explained about the Colombian midfielder.

The journalists also were interested in when Keylor Navas will return with his partners and to the starting 11 “ I can´t tell you when Keylor will return. He is improving every day but we can´t talk about dates. I hope he return soon but we are also very happy with Kiko Casilla. We knew we could believe in him.” Zidane said about the return of Keylor and the performance of the Spanish keeper.

By -
2
gelsonmartins

Real Madrid suffered a lot last Wednesday to beat Sporting Lisbon in the first game of the Champions League group stage. Los Blancos had to wait until the 88th minute to score with a superb free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo and, only four minutes later, Morata scored the decisive goal.

Sporting Lisbon were not the easy team most of the people expected. On Tuesday, big rivals Barcelona thrashed Celtic and everybody in Madrid thought that Los Blancos could do the same with Sporting, especially after the good start of the season. However, everything went rough from the beginning.

Sporting Lisbon had really good players, some of them members of the Portuguese squad who won the Euro in Paris last month of June. Some other players were just new talents in Europe but some Real Madrid workers knew very well one footballer.

Gelson Martins was a nightmare for Marcelo. The young Portuguese winger played in the right hand side of the attack and he was one of the best players of the game. His speed and skills left the defenders shocked and also Sergio Ramos had several problems to stop this player.

Martins is only 21 years old but really well known for some Real Madrid workers. According to Diario As, Real Madrid tried to sign him only two years ago. Los Blancos scouts found him playing in the second team of Sporting Lisbon and went to the Portuguese capital to ask for him. They wanted Martins on loan with the buy option. The idea was signing him for Castilla, the second team, when Zidane was managing the team.

However, Sporting Lisbon rejected the offer. They also saw a lot of potential in the young player and wanted him to stay. They were completely right. Gelson Martins has already played 33 games in Liga Sagres in the last two season, scoring 6 goals. Besides, he usually plays for the U-21 Portuguese squad and he’s one of the best Portuguese youngsters at the moment. Now, his value in the market has raised, so Real Madrid lost a good opportunity of signing a great talent at a great value.

By -
0

After beating Sporting Lisbon in the very last minute, Real Madrid have to face Espanyol in La Liga. Los Blancos need to defend the first position in the table in an easy ground in the last few years. So far, Real Madrid have won all three games in La Liga and will try to continue with the positive results in Barcelona.

Last year, for instance, Real Madrid thrashed twice Espanyol. First, in September, Los Blancos won 0-6 in Barcelona with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring 5 goals. At Bernabéu, Real Madrid repeated the result -again six goals- and the Portuguese star scored then ‘only’ three goals. But the positive results don’t end there because Los Blancos also won 1-4 two years ago at Cornellà-El Prat and 0-1 in the year 2014. Last time Espanyol earned a point was in the season 2012/13, when they drew in both games.

Real Madrid are big favourites again to win at Cornellà. In Betfair you can back Zidane’s side to beat Espanyol with 4/11 odds. The draw pays 15/4 and Real Madrid losing the game 8/1. If you think Real Madrid will be winning at half and full time, odds are 2.0.

BET HERE WITH BETFAIR AND BACK REAL MADRID

We can expect a lot of goals in the game because Espanyol have conceded 9 goals in only three games and Los Blancos have scored 10 goals so far in La Liga. If there are more than 3.5 goals in the game, the odds are 6/5 at Betfair, and if there are more than 4.5 odds raised up to 11/4.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the protagonist last year against Espanyol. The Portuguese also showed his skills this week with a superb free kick against Sporting Lisbon. You can back Cristiano Ronaldo to score with 7/10 odds. If the Portuguese scores two or more goals, odds are 5/2 and a hat-trick or more 12/1. After scoring the last goal against Sporting Lisbon, Morata could have the opportunity to start the game. If the Spaniard scores at any moment, the odds are 21/20 and if he scores twice, 15/4.

By -
0

Zinedine Zidane doesn’t want to risk with Gareth Bale’s health. The previous past season, the Welshman spent a lot of time out of the team because he suffered several injuries, so he couldn’t play often with Real Madrid. Now, Bale has started the season really good and the manager doesn’t want to force him to play this Sunday.

Gareth Bale had to be substituted last Wednesday against Sporting Lisbon in the second half after a violent crash in the hip with Portuguese player in the first half. Bale left the pitch in the half time with a lot of pain but he was able to come back and start playing again. He wasn’t in his best, so Zidane decided to change him and Lucas Vázquez entered in the second half, helping the team to come back and earn the three points.

This is a very special season for Gareth Bale. The former Tottenham Hotspur player showed in the past Euro and in the last Champions League that he is able to lead them team. So far, he has started really good the season, scoring two goals in San Sebastián and performing really good with Wales against Moldavia. The final of the Champions League is in Cardiff next year, his home town, and Bale wants to win his third continental trophy there.

Taking in consideration all the previous problems Bale has had, Zidane doesn’t want to take any risk and Bale will stay in Madrid instead of travelling to Barcelona to face Espanyol. Therefore, there will be space for Isco to be included in the list.

Zidane has several options to replace the Welshman. The most logic one seems to introduce Lucas Vázquez, who is playing great in the wing every time he has a chance. For instance, in the Sporting Lisbon game, Lucas caused a lot of problems in the wing. The other option could be James Rodríguez, who gave a superb assist to Morata in the second goal.

Apart from Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos or Benzema could also not play against Espanyol. The French manager might introduce some changes and Kovacic or Morata could start at Cornellà-El Prat, where Real Madrid thrashed last year 0-6 Espanyol.

By -
0
Isco

Isco Alarcón is not happy at all. The Spanish playmaker wasn’t included in the list to play against Sporting Lisbon in the first game of the Champions League for the current title holders. So far, he has only played 17 minutes in this season, at Anoeta, when the game was already solved because Los Blancos were winning 0-2 at that time.

The midfielder had a problem in his ankle, so he was ruled out for the last games in La Liga. Isco Alarcón also missed the first two games with the new Spanish coach against Belgium and Liechtenstein because of this injury. However, he was fit to play against Sporting Lisbon and Zidane decided to not include him in the list.

Isco had several offers last summer but he decided to stay. Even in the last day of the transfer window, there were some rumours linking the midfielder to some Premier League teams, especially Tottenham Hotspur. However, he decided to stay and fight for a place in the squad. He has realized that it’s not going to be easy, because he has a lot of competitors who are ahead of him: Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, James Rodríguez, Kovacic or Asensio.

Only three weeks after the closure of the summer transfer window, Isco is already thinking about leaving the club, according to the Barcelona based newspaper Sport. With Zinedine Zidane, Isco only plays 47% of the minutes, whereas with Benítez he played 62% of the time.

After the FIFA ban, Real Madrid shouldn’t think about selling any player. Even less Isco, whose technical skills are really evident and he showed his quality in the past. But the club is concerned about his situation. And Isco is even losing his place in the national team, missing a spot in the list for the Euro 2016. On Saturday, Zidane has to give the list to play against Espanyol and, if Isco is not included, this situation could get even worse.

By -
0

Zinedine Zidane was quite happy in the press conference after Real Madrid game against Sporting Lisbon. Los Blancos suffered to earn the three points but they finally did it in the very last minute. The two protagonist of the goal were James Rodriguez, with an assist, and Morata, with a header. Both started in the bench but Zidane decided to put them in the pitch.

The French coach was asked about the changes and the success of them: “Sometimes you have to change and this time we were right. When you make a substitution is for this. This time went well”. Zidane spoke a bit more about this issue: “I’m very happy with Lucas, James and Morata. I don’t think the changes can hide the first 80 minutes, which I don’t think were really bad. The rival also plays. After the 0-1, I think we play more in the rival’s area”.

Earning the three points in the first game of the Champions League was a relief: “I don’t think it was an unexpected victory because we believed it until the end. We have to play until the last minute. We’re a very connected and focused group. We know we can always make the difference, although we know it wasn’t the perfect game. The most important thing is to win the match”.

The French manager also spoke about Real Madrid star: “Cristiano Ronaldo showed up again. This is Real Madrid and we know we can change the things within a minute”. For Zinedine Zidane, these games are part of the club: “It’s part of Real Madrid history. Real Madrid like this. The supporters like this. They are use to it. Sometimes they prefer this [come back] rather than saying we’ve won easily”.

Finally, Zidane spoke about James Rodríguez, again on the bench: “Currently, he’s not in the starting eleven… but he can be at any moment. What I value is the day to day and James is doing well. This time he came in and made the difference. I’m very happy with him. Then we have games on Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday…”, Zidane finished.

By -
1

Cristiano Ronaldo was once again the hero against Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese striker drew the game with a superb free kick in the 89th minute when the Lisbon side seemed to win the three points. Only four minutes later, Álvaro Morata scored the last goal with a great header.

It was a very special game for Cristiano Ronaldo, who grew up at Sporting and he still has good memories of the time spent there. This is the reason why Cristiano didn’t celebrate the goal: “I couldn’t celebrate it. It was the team I grew up, I respect a lot and I have in my heart”.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo is not thinking in retire at Sporting. The president of the Portuguese side said that he was working to achieve bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo to Sporting, so he could end his career in Portugal: “For me is a privilege that some people still have affection for me. I feel lucky, but I’m happy at Real Madrid and I want to finish here my career because this is the team I have in my heart right now”.

The striker wasn’t surprised about the performance of Sporting Lisbon at Bernabéu. The team managed by Jorge Jesús is top of the table at Liga Sagres and it was a great team: “For me Sporting weren’t a surprise. Real Madrid are like this and the coming backs are part of this stadium. It’s a warning for the future. We can’t start so soft the game because we could have lost”.

Cristiano played the whole game and Raúl González Blanco wanted to praise the Portuguese striker. The number ‘7’ also thanked the Real Madrid legend: “He is a friend. He’s been with us this week and it’s a privilege his praises because I admire him. I always want to help the team”.

1...171172173...733Page 172 of 733

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