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Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Manuel Pellegrini says you need to accept the politics at Real Madrid if you want to manage the club as he prepares to return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Chilean will look to outwit his former side with current club Manchester City when the two teams meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday with a place in the Champions League final at stake.

Pellegrini was in charge of Real for one year – 2009-2010 – but missed out to Barcelonain the league in his time at the club.

Speaking to reporters about his experience, he said it was an honour to be in charge of the 10-time Champions League winners, but admitted the politics is a huge factor in whether a manager succeeds or not.

He told El Mundo: “I wouldn’t say coaching Madrid is an impossible job. It’s an honour to coach Madrid. But you have to realise that when you take charge of Madrid, you have to accept politics play a big role.

“There are bound to be people who will try to interfere even if they do not have the football knowledge to do so. If you allow someone without football knowledge to interfere and if you let criticism from the political side affect you, you are not ready for the job.”

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he is sure he will go down in footballing history.

The Los Blancos forward is the club’s all time leading scorer and also the highest scorer in the Champions League. He will be looking to extend his record against Manchester City this week should he win his fitness battle to take his place in the line up with the Premier League side visits the Santiago Bernabeu.

In a interview with UEFA.com, the 31-year-old was asked whether he thinks people will remember him when he eventually hangs up his boots.

“I don’t doubt that I will go down in footballing history. Whether people like it or not, the numbers speak for themselves. I will be up there with the rest. Some like it more, some like it less, but I have no doubt that I’m already in the history of football,” he responded.

Asked what gives him most pleasure about being a footballer, Ronaldo added: “Doing what I love – doing my job. Doing it well, enjoying it and ensuring that the fans also enjoy themselves. Trying to score goals – fans always like to see a good match, and to see goals obviously. And that’s my job. It’s to win, play well, score as many goals as possible, help my team and enjoy it. ‘Enjoy’ is the word that I need to underline, because that’s football: it’s happiness, it’s passion and it’s adversity as well.”

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Zinedine Zidane is expected to display all his regular starters for the most important match of the season so far, despite some of them suffering from injury problems.

Los Blancos take on Manchester City on Wednesday hoping to qualify for the Champions League final. Zidane had the doubts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who have been sidelined for a few days.

Ronaldo has recovered on time to make it in the starting lineup. Benzema will be a doubt until the last moment, but Zidane is expected to risk him.

Thus, the Portuguese and the Frenchman will feature alongside Gareth Bale in the forward line. Should Benzema finally sit on the bench, Zidane would most likely pick Lucas Vazquez, who has shown an impressive form in the past few games.

In defence, Daniel Carvajal will return at right-back. Pepe and Sergio Ramos will be the centre-back pair and Marcelo will feature at left-back. Zidane will display his usual midfield line, with Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

This is Real Madrid’s projected eleven: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

This is Manchester City’s projected eleven: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho; Navas, Toure Yaya, De Bruyne; Aguero.

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British website Footy Headlines has leaked the new Real Madrid kit for next season.

The new kit boasts a very traditional design in white and purple, which has been traditionally the main alternative color of Los Blancos.

This new shirt has been designed by Adidas aiming to celebrate Real’s rich history and strong traditional roots. It is inspired by the very first shirts worn by Los Merengues in the early 1900s.

Shorts and socks are of the same style according to Footy Headlines, although no picture of them has been leaked.

The new Real Madrid home kit will be unveiled soon. A poll conducted by Real Madrid fan site Defensa Central has shown that 42% of the supporters do not like the new design. Meanwhile, only 30% of the fans like it better than the current shirt.

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Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Spanish website fichajes.net has revealed.

The Daily Mirror has recently suggested the soon-to-be Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has requested his new club to let the Belgium international leave this summer, as he is eyeing Southamton’s stopper Fraser Forster.

According to these reports, Courtois also wants to leave Chelsea as the club has failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Thus, the Belgian could have started seeking for a new destination and Barcelona and Real Madrid have already shown an interest.

The reigning European champions could let Marc-Andre Ter Stegen leave this summer, as Manchester City and Liverpool want to sign him. Courtois would be a high-class replacement, but with Claudio Bravo in the squad, he would have to fight hard to become the starting goalkeeper.

At Real Madrid it would be even more difficult for him to get minutes of action, as Keylor Navas is performing at a spectacular level. Yet, Courtois is one of Florentino Perez’s favourites, and the Los Blancos president would surely try to bring him if he sees a chance.

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Bundesliga side Hamburg are ready to negotiate with Real Madrid the transfer of Norwegian youngster Martin Odegaard, German newspaper Kicker has revealed.

The 17-year-old has plenty of offers to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, and at least two will come from the Bundesliga, as Bayern Munich have also shown an interest.

Odegaard, who currently plays for Los Blancos reserves team Real Madrid Castilla, wants to move to a first division side where he can keep developing as a player.

Los Merengues will seek to loan him to a La Liga side, so he can gain experience in the Spanish league. Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe are the main candidates to loan him, although the three teams are fighting to avoid relegation.

It is not clear whether Hamburg will request a loan or a permanent transfer, but Real would only agree to negotiate a one-year loan.

The Norway international is unhappy with the lack of opportunities to play with the first team and he is eager to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Saul Niguez

Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona are battling to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, Spanish digital newspaper OKDiario has claimed.

The 21-year-old who scored a superb goal in this week’s 1-0 victory against Bayern Munich is one of the most sought-after young talents in Spain.

Despite starting the season as a regular substitute, he has become an essential player for Diego Simeone and has proved that he has a bright future ahead.

According to these reports, Niguez would cost around 45 million euros, and several clubs would be ready to pay it, including United, Real and Barcelona.

The player reportedly wants to get a salary raise and start earning five million euros per season, but Atletico cannot afford such a high wage. Thus, Saul could be open to leave his life club, and the three European giants are the main candidates to land him.

The fact that the player’s agent is Jorge Mendes could benefit Real Madrid and Manchester United, who have a good relationship with him.

Saul has made 44 appearances for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring nine goals.

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Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was proud of the team’s effort to beat Real Sociedad 0-1 on Saturday thanks to a goal from Gareth Bale.

The Spaniard congratulated his team-mates on their good job and admitted they are all very happy: “From the first moment we have tried to win. We had plenty of chances in the first half but didn’t score. We want to win the La Liga title and needed a victory, and we’ve managed it. Real Madrid’s philosophy is about always fighting until the end. It has been tough but we’ve managed to win and we are happy to have earned three more points.”

Asked about the injuries Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are suffering, Ramos admitted “we are not having a good time with injuries.” “However, this team always reacts. The youngsters have made their part and we have played a great match and won it.”

There was a controversial last play in the game, as Real Sociedad sent their goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to the Real Madrid box to try to score in a free kick, despite the Basques have nothing into play in La Liga.

Asked about this, Ramos was respectful: “We respect everybody. I just wish we are lucky and can win the La Liga title. Every team wants to win always, especially against Real Madrid. Let’s hope we continue like this and win the two remaining matches.”

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James Rodriguez agent Jorge Mendes has contacted Juventus to offer them the Colombian’s transfer, Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport has claimed.

Juventus directors are working hard to reinforce their squad for next season after conquering their fifth consecutive league title.

With Paul Pogba likely to leave the club in the summer transfer market, the Italians will need to bring in new midfielders, and James Rodriguez is an interesting option.

The Colombia international is having a minor role in Zinedine Zidane’s team and he wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. Manchester United are first in line to sign him, but according to Corriere dello Sport Juventus have also become an option for the playmaker.

This newspaper has claimed that Jorge Mendes has told Juventus they could be able to bring Rodriguez for less than 50 million euros. Two years ago, Los Blancos paid 80 million for the former Monaco and Porto man.

James is tired of being constantly criticised for his behaviour and his poor performances and he is determined to leave. The only doubt is whether he will try the Premier League or seek for a different destination, like Turin or Paris.

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Real Madrid extended their winning run in La Liga thanks to a goal from Gareth Bale to beat Real Sociedad 0-1 at Anoeta.

Los Blancos played a possession-based football from the start and had plenty of chances to score in the first half. However, they missed one opportunity after another.

The visitors had their first chance after ten minutes as James Rodriguez collected a ball from Nacho, but his low strike was kept out by Rulli.

Ten minutes later, Bale headed a James cross just wide of the post. Youngster Borja Mayoral, who started as the striker replacing Karim Benzema, set up James with a fine pass, but the Colombian fired straight at the goalkeeper.

In the second half, Bale had a major chance as he found himself unmarked inside the Real Sociedad box and just had to beat Rulli, but he smashed it straight at the stopper.

However, the forward redeemed himself with ten minutes to go. The Welshman headed a Lucas Vasquez cross past Rulli, scoring a massive goal in the La Liga title race.

With Atletico Madrid and Barcelona yet to play their game, Los Blancos lead the table two points clear of their rivals.

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