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Zinedine Zidane has highlighted the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo recovering on time for Manchester City’s clash.

At a press conference ahead of the La Liga match against Real Sociedad, the Frenchman said: “The key thing is that he recovers as soon as possible so that he can play on Wednesday because tomorrow he will not feature. He will work as hard as possible everyday in order to be fit for Wednesday”.

Asked about the game against Real Sociedad, Zidane refused to reveal his starting eleven: “You will see the team, but my idea is to focus on La Liga’s game and then think about Wednesday. We will think about Real Sociedad’s game and about doing the most we can to win, as always. This game is important because it is better to play a midweek game having won at the weekend.”

The Los Blancos manager also spoke about Karim Benzema’s injury: “The closing stages of the season will be very difficult but I can’t go into details because I’m not a doctor. He has a grade 1 injury and that says a lot. It could last seven days, eight… The important thing is that I think he could be back to 100% for Wednesday and it’s vital to see how he works and trains to feature in Wednesday’s game.”

Zidane is expected to rotate some of his regular starters against Real Sociedad. Asked about the possibility of seeing Gareth Bale rest on the bench, the Frenchman was clear: “If Gareth feels fine, he will feature. Karim and Cristiano Ronaldo are not fit and will not play. All the others are ready and we will field the team that we think will work best in order to win”.

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Zinedine Zidane will rest some of his regular starters ahead of the return leg of the Champions League semifinals against Manchester City.

The French manager is expected to rotate Daniel Carvajal and Pepe in defence, who could be replaced by Danilo and Raphael Varane.

In midfield, Casemiro and Toni Kroos could also rest, meaning that Isco, James Rodriguez or Mateo Kovacic could have a chance to start.

Zidane will miss Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema through injury. Lucas Vazquez and Jese Rodriguez are expected to replace them, featuring alongside Gareth Bale in the forward line.

This is Real Madrid’s projected lineup: Navas; Danilo, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; James, Isco, Modric; Vazquez, Jese, Bale

This is Real Sociedad’s projected lineup: Rulli; Zaldua, Elustondo, M. González, Yuri; Illarramendi, Reyes, Bergara; Oyarzabal, Jonathas, Zurutuza

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Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing American wonderkid Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund.

The Daily Mail has reported Los Blancos have made the USA international one of their priorities in their policy of signing young talented players.

Pulisic, who has made a big impression at Dortmund, is one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. Liverpool and Manchester City have also shown an interest in signing him.

Apparently, Florentino Perez wants Pulisic to become the next Real Madrid Castilla pearl, following the steps of Martin Odegaard, Jesus Vallejo and Marco Asensio.

The 17-year-old has made his debut with Dortmund this season, scoring two goals in 11 appearances.

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Zinedine Zidane says he is delighted with how things have gone in his first four months of managing Real Madrid but adds there is still a long way to go.

Los Blancos had a disastrous first half to the season under Rafa Benitez and were well off the pace when Zidane took over in January. There had also been a number of high profile off-field issues that took focus away from the football itself at times.

But the Frenchman has got the team back on track – they are third in the table just a point behind Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid with three games to go as La Liga looks set to go down to the wire. Real also face Manchester City on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League semi final hoping to secure a place in the final in Milan next month.

Speaking at an event to launch the new Real Madrid HD TV channel, Zidane told the club website he was pleased with progress.

“I’m happy, the truth is that these four months have been great in terms of work. The most important thing for us is to work hard and I think this team is on the right path. I’m happy with what we’re doing, but at the same time, I would like to say that we still have a long way to go. There are only a few games left but we have a long way to go because in every game we are playing for the season and we know that. We are concentrating on what we have to do. These past four months have gone by quickly,” he commented.

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Former Real Madrid left back Jose Antonio Camacho has backed the club to beat Manchester City and reach the Champions League final.

The two sides drew 0-0 in Manchester on Tuesday night meaning Madrid have to win at home on Wednesday to qualify for the final in Milan next month.

The general consensus following the game at the Etihad Stadium was that while it wasn’t the most memorable match ever, Los Blancos probably deserved to edge it having had the better of the chances, particularly in the second half.

In quotes published by Madrid-based sports paper AS, Camacho said Madrid have what it takes to beat Manuel Pellegrini’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Madrid demonstrated in Manchester that they can win a match and in Spain, City are going to struggle. Real Madrid are very strong at home and with the help of the fans, I think they’re going to get through,” he said.

Camacho, who played 414 times for the club in a 15-year career, also said he was confident Cristiano Ronaldo would be fit in time to lead his side into another all-Spanish final.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will be back in time. He’s a very important player. All Spanish final? It’s difficult to be sure but both teams are on track,” he commented.

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Manchester United are trying to convince Real Madrid midfielders Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez to move to Old Trafford next summer.

British tabloid The Daily Mirror has reported the Red Devils are planning a bid for the Germany international, as they believe he is the perfect candidate to reinforce their midfield.

United have a difficult task in seducing Kroos, as the 26-year-old is not planning to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. He has become a crucial piece in Zinedine Zidane’s system and he is happy with life in Madrid. Moreover, he is one of Florentino Perez’s favourites, and the Los Blancos president will not agree to negotiate his exit.

On the other hand, James Rodriguez’s arrival at Manchester seems more likely to happen. Colombian press is reporting the 24-year-old will definitely leave Madrid next summer, as he is unhappy with the secondary role he has at the moment.

Manchester United are first in line to land the Colombia international, but they will have to pay a good amount to please Florentino Perez. The Los Merengues president is expected to request around 80 million euros for the playmaker.

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Fabio Coentrao

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao, who is currently on loan at AS Monaco, could return to Benfica next summer according to the last reports from Portugal.

Sports newspaper A Bola has claimed the Eagles are first in line to land the Portugal international after Monaco have notified Real Madrid they will not execute their option to buy the footballer at the end of the season.

Coentrao has not played at a great level this season, but Benfica believe he is still capable of performing decently in the Portuguese league. The left-back grew up at the Lisbon-based club and fans have very good memories of him.

Real Madrid paid Benfica 30 million euros for Coentrao in the summer of 2011. The defender never performed as expected and ended up being sent on loan to Monaco.

He has a running contract with Los Blancos until 2019, but Real don’t want to keep him. Florentino Perez is expected to let him go at a low price, or even in a free transfer.

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Former Colombia midfielder Carlos Valderrama says Real Madrid boss does not like James Rodriguez and the 2014 World Cup top scorer is in a difficult situation at the moment.

The 24-year-old, a 75-million-euro signing from Monaco following an outstanding showing at the tournament in Brazil two years ago, has found himself isolated from the team in recent weeks.

He has made just one appearance in Real’s last five games and the less experienced Lucas Vazquez was picked ahead of him to replaced the injured Cristiano Ronaldo in the first leg of the Champions League semi final against Manchester City on Tuesday.

Speaking on Periscope, the Colombia legend said: “Even if he scores three, four or five goals, Zidane won’t put him on to play. James is a player that he does not like.”

He went on to add: “Ancelotti put him on and he played well, and then later with Benitez, but not with Zidane. So we do not understand what is happening with him.”

James has four years to run on his contract but has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer with Manchester United and Chelsea both rumoured to be interested in the player.

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Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says all the pressure next week in on Real Madrid as the two sides battle for a place in the Champions League final.

Los Blancos drew 0-0 with the Premier League outfit at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday and must win in front of their home fans if they are to qualify for the showpiece event in Milan next month.

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be back for the second leg having missed out on Tuesday – so City will have the 44-goal forward to deal with. But speaking to reporters, the Belgium international said the pressure in on the La Liga side as they have to go out and win the match whereas a score draw is good enough for City.

“They are going to try and put us under pressure early doors, try and get that goal and the longer we are in the game the more we get a chance. That’s what we need to try and make use of,” the club captain said.

“We are very much in the tie. If I was playing an away game and it was a 0-0 result it is an uncomfortable result. It’s a pressurising result because you are at home and your fans are expecting you to go forward and score goals and that can leave gaps. We’ve proven against Paris Saint Germain how dangerous we can be on the counter.”

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carjaval says the Real Madrid fans will be key next week as Los Blancos aim to qualify for the Champions League final.

The semi final between the 10-time winners and Manchester City is all-square after the first leg in Manchester on Tuesday night when the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

The Madridistas roared the side on in the quarter final second leg when Real completed a comeback against Wolfsburg from 2-0 to win 3-2 and Carvajal said the fans need to be as vocal next Wednesday.

“Our fans will get behind us for the whole 90 minutes. Thanks to them, and with them driving us on, we’ll try to get to Milan. We’re optimistic,” he was quoted on the club’s website.

Discussing City, who are appearing at the semi final stage for the first time in their history, he added: “They are a similar side to us, with a lot of pace and quality up top. It wasn’t a rip-roaring game and in the return leg we’ll try to perform well defensively, play as a compact unit and not allow them any chances. If we play as we did today, we can make it through to the final. There are 90 minutes to go and we have to win in our stadium and if we don’t do that, we don’t deserve to make the final.”

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