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Champions League trophy

Atletico de Madrid boss Diego Simeone says the Champions League final between his side and Real Madrid will be too close to call and is 50:50.

The city rivals faced each other in the 2014 final in Lisbon in a game in which Atletico lead until the dying seconds when Sergio Ramos netted a dramatic equaliser to take the game into extra time.

Having given their all over the 90 minutes, Atletico ran out of steam and Real added three more goals through Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo to secure the long awaited Decima.

Atletico have had the upper hand on Real in the league in recent seasons and the Argentinean boss says he expects a tough battle once more in Milan.

Speaking to Radio La Red, he stated: “The final against Real Madrid is 50-50, we both know each other well.”

He also admitted he was proud his side has been able to compete with and knock out the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich despite working with a much smaller budget.

“We’re showing to the people that it’s possible. It’s about life more than football. We’re very strong defending, but also we scored out of the Calderon against Bayern, that is not easy. We’ve changed many players, but, fortunately, the new ones who’ve joined have got used very fast to the team. My team feels very identified with us, I’m very lucky to have them,” he commented.

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Pepe GI

Rafa Benitez told Pepe he wasn’t needed at the club, according to the defender.

The 33-year-old has featured regularly for Zinedine Zidane since the Frenchman replaced Benitez in January but it could have been a different story had the former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss stayed.

Pepe, who had played for Los Blancos was nine years, has been linked with a move away from the club in the past but has always been determined to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But when Benitez took over last summer he was told he would only be third choice behind Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane and was not really needed.

Speaking to Cadena Cope, the centre back said he has worked harder than ever over recent months to prove himself.

“It is a matter of hard work. At the beginning of the year Benitez told me he did not need me, that I was third choice. But I worked hard and today I have been here nine years and people know what you can expect from me,” he said.

And he added: “It’s normal, you have Sergio and Raphael, who are younger than me. But if you work and you give something in every workout, you will have the opportunity.”

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Real Madrid are seriously considering to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli this summer, Italian website Tuttomercato has claimed.

The 20-year-old has impressed everyone in his first season at White Hart Lane, becoming one of the leaders of the team and helping the club come second in the Premier League. In fact, he is a Player of the Year candidate in England, having scored 10 goals in 46 games.

Los Blancos have been eyeing the Englishman for a few months and have even sent scouts to watch him. The main problem is Alli’s price.

Neither Mauricio Pochettino nor Daniel Levy want to see the youngster leave Tottenham. Thus, Spurs will not consider any offer unless it is an absolutely crazy bid.

Florentino Perez is going to make several signings this summer in order to prepare for a possible transfer ban next year, so there is little chance he will have enough money left to make a serious attempt on Alli.

Yet, if Tottenham agreed to negotiate for a lower amount, Perez will surely be ready to bring the England international.

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ramos-ronaldo-zidane
Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says he is delighted with the effort everyone showed in the magnificent win over Manchester City.

Gareth Bale’s first half goal ensured Los Blancos progress to their second Champions League final in three years where they will meet Atletico de Madrid in a repeat of the 2014 final.

Speaking to the media at his press conference, Zidane hailed his players and said they had earned the right to celebrate their progress to the final in Milan.

“I’m happy, not just for myself; it was a team effort. I’m happy for the players because what they did tonight was fantastic. We suffered because that always happens in semi-finals, but we’ve got through to the final and that is what is important for us,” he said.

And he added: “I’m happy to be leading this great team. I’m happy to be able to enjoy this opportunity that the club has given me, to train these players. We must all keep working together and think about the great things we can achieve if we work together as a united team. We saw that tonight and now we can enjoy the final.”

Asked whether he was already thinking of La Undecima, Zindane stated: “Yes, obviously. But tonight we must enjoy the moment all together and with the fans, who were phenomenal. We haven’t won anything yet and it will be a difficult game on the 28th May. We need to rest up well for Sunday. That is the good thing about football, thinking about what is in front of you.”

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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked the club’s fans for their support following the team’s progress to another Champions League final.

Los Blancos beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to qualify for the final in Milan on May 28. The 10-time winners will face Atletico de Madrid in a repeat of the 2014 final which Real won to secure La Decima.

The competition’s record goalscorer spoke to journalists after the full time whistle to thank Madridistas for getting behind the team.

“Thank you for all the supoort you have given us, it was really important. See you at the final and ¡hala Madrid,” he commented.

He also had words of praise for boss Zinedine Zidane who has turned Real’s season around since taking over in January.

“Zidane is doing a fine job. He is helping us and we are happy with his work. I admire him as a coach and as a person, and I hope that he stays with us. We have always been with him. He is a humble person, he likes to learn and listen to the players and it is very easy in this sense,” the 31-year-old said of the former World Player of the Year.

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Goalscoring hero Gareth Bale says it didn’t really matter who netted the winning goal against Manchester City – the most important thing was to qualify for the Champions League final.

Los Blancos edged the tie 1-0 thanks to the Welshman’s effort in the first half to book a place in the final in Milan where they will meet Madrid rivals Atletico in a repeat of the 2014 final.

Bale has performed brilliantly in the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the past few games.

Speaking to the media afterwards, he said: “The most important thing was to get the goal and that the ball ended up in the net. It doesn’t matter who scores it, the only thing that matters is that it was an important goal which has sent us through to the final. We’ve now got the chance to win another Champions League title.”

He also hailed the fans for playing their part in the victory, saying: “The fans were great, just as I’m sure they will be in Milan. They really got behind us, and we’re very happy to have reached the final after two very tough games against Manchester City, in which we had to be at our best.”

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Real Madrid qualified for the final of the Champions League as they beat Manchester City 1-0 thanks to a goal from Gareth Bale.

Zinedine Zidane men played a brilliant game and never gave the visitors a chance. They could have scored a few more goals but Joe Hart saved his team.

The hosts controlled possession from the start and had a first sight of goal as Carvajal delivered onto the head of Ronaldo from a wide position, but the Portuguese’s effort was always too high.

After 20 minutes, Los Blancos made the breakthrough following another great play from Carvajal, who slid a super pass into Bale. The Welshman’s strike deflected off Fernandinho and found the top corner.

Los Merengues were completely in controlled and they scored a second 15 minutes later, but it was disallowed. Sergio Ramos converted from close range, but both him and Pepe were both in offside positions.

The visitors just had one chance to score in the game, and it was right before the break. De Bruyne sent a super pass into Fernandinho, who attempted to find the bottom corner, but instead hit the post.

Modric could have made it 2-0 after the break, as he beat the offside trap to collect a Bale pass and faced-up to Hart, but the goalkeeper made a superb save.

The Englishman saved his team again as he got down to keep out Ronaldo after the Portugal international had been released inside the box.

Bale had the best chance for Los Blancos in the second half as he met a corner from Kroos, but his header came off the crossbar.

City were not threatening at all, and Zidane men ended up securing the victory by just keeping control of the ball.

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Real Madrid fans are the best in the world and will play their part in helping the team reach the Champions League final, says goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Los Blancos host Manchester City this evening and need a win to secure their place at the final in Milan against Atletico de Madrid after the first leg of their semi final ended 0-0.

Real will be with Karim Benzema and Casemiro but whoever Zinedine Zidance picks to replace them, they will have the support of a raucous Bernabeu behind them.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Navas stated: “When you have the best fans in the world you know that they are going to fill the stadium and get behind us. They are going to give everything from the stands, like us on the field. The example is the last game in the Champions League, they showed that they were 100% behind us. We will try to repay their faith in us on the pitch with a performance that will make them leave the stadium happy.”

Asked about he pressure of playing in such high profile games, Navas said he dreamed of games like this as a child.

“I am privileged to play for Real Madrid. One as a footballer should value these opportunities. Playing in a semi-final is an important moment and I take it with the responsibility that it deserves. Inside I’ve not stop being a child and dreaming. I hope this is the start of many more games like this. Tomorrow we are going to give everything for the badge and for the shirt that we defend,” he commented.

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says his team will be giving their all to reach the final of the Champions League tonight.

Los Blancos host Premier League side Manchester City in the second leg of their semi final tie with the score stll at 0-0 after the sides met in Manchester last week.

A win for Los Blancos would set up a repeat of the 2014 final against Atletico de Madrid. And speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Zidane said his players would work from first minute to last to reach the final in Milan later this month.

“A semi-final is very difficult. We can’t think that because we are at home, with our fans, that it will be easy. We will work hard from the first to the 90th minute to make it to the final. As long as we’re calm and patient we can get something,” he said.

After adopting a more conservative approach in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo last week, Zidane was asked what the team would play like this evening.

“I’m not going to change.  The idea is always the same and more so playing at home. Hopefully we can play 90 minutes like the second half in England. We have to score a goal, which is the most important thing in football. We’re going to go out to play football, pressing high up with a high intensity and the concentration that is needed in a Champions League semi-final. They are also playing for a place in the final and they will make it difficult,” he commented.

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Zinedine Zidane will miss Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and French striker Karim Benzema for the crucial Champions League match against Manchester City.

The Los Blancos manager has confirmed neither of them have been able to recover from their muscle injuries and are not fit to feature in the return leg of the semifinals.

Casemiro’s absence is especially disturbing, as he is the only defensive midfielder in the squad. Zidane will have to pick a more offensive player, thus compromising the balance of the team. The Brazilian has been a key player in Los Merengues’ great defensive performances in the last few weeks.

Mateo Kovacic and Isco are the main candidates to replace Casemiro, although Lucas Vazquez could also be chosen to feature in midfield.

Meanwhile, Benzema will most likely be replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to feature as number 9, leaving the winger role to one of the youngsters: either Jese Rodriguez or Lucas Vazquez.

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