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Jose Maria Gimenez

Real Madrid are considering to pay Jose Maria Gimenez buy-out clause to bring the Uruguayan to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, Spanish radio station Cadena SER has revealed.

Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane are seeking for a centre-back, given that Pepe seems set to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Atletico Madrid man is one of the most promising young centre-backs in La Liga and Los Blancos believe he could be the perfect man for the job.

Journalist Jose Ramon de la Morena revealed that Los Merengues are ready to bid high to sign the Uruguay international: “Real Madrid are determined to sign Gimenez. We’ll see if they get it, because Gil Marin will not make it easy for Real. Gimenez’s buy-out clause is 60 million euros and Real Madrid are ready to pay it.”

The young centre-back has become a guaranteed starter at Atletico Madrid, a team that has only conceded 16 goals in La Liga this season -11 less than Barcelona and 13 less than Real Madrid.

Many clubs will be interested in signing him next summer, but Atletico will do anything possible to keep him.

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Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema says the Los Blancos crowd was pivotal on Tuesday night as the team overcame a 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg to win 3-2 overall and qualify for the Champions League semi finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a superb hat trick to secure Real’s passage to the last four in front of a raucous support who got behind the team from first minute to last.

At times this season the crowd have turned against the players – particularly after the defeats to Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid.

But Benzema said it was down to the fans that Real are into the semis once more.

“I’m very happy to have made it into the semi-finals. It was a great night. We feel good and the supporters helped us out a lot in this game. It’s thanks to them that we came out on top. We’re very happy after what was a tough game. We’re a team with lots of good players and we’re going to fight until the end for La Liga title and I hope we win the Champions League,” he commented.

The Frenchman also praised boss Zinedine Zidane for turning the season around. Los Blancos were out of contention for La Liga when he took over but now they have a potential double in sight as they sit just four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

“Zidane was a great player and now he’s a great coach. He knows a lot about football and he told us to play as we can do and with intensity,” he stated.

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo says no one can ask questions of Cristiano Ronaldo after the striker netted a brilliant hat trick against Wolfsburg to send his side through to the semi finals of the Champions League.

Needing something special to come back from 2-0 down after the first leg, the 31-year-old scored twice in the opening 17 minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday evening to level the tie.

He then grabbed his third with 15 minutes remaining to complete the come back and ensure Los Blancos qualify for the final four yet again.

Speaking to journalists after recording his 250th win in a Real Madrid shirt, Marcelo heaped praise on the Portuguese forward.

“No-one can ask any questions of Cristiano. He’s a really great player and he’ll be happy with his goals, but happier that the team is into the semi-finals and because we played very well. We can’t chose our opponents and we’re happy to have got through,” he commented.

Speaking about the game itself, the Brazilian commented: “It’s been a fantastic night. We’re very happy. The fans were brilliant and they must be congratulated, because without them, we wouldn’t have been able to turn the tie around. In Champions League games you have to dig in. No team ever reaches the semi-finals without digging deep. To win games you’ve got to give your all, fight, and come off at the end of the game dead on your feet, like today.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo has described the 3-0 win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday as a ‘perfect and magical night’ for everyone associated with Real Madrid.

Going into the second leg 2-0 down, Los Blancos had it all to do infront of their home fans. Ahead of the game, the 31-year-old striker had called for Madridistas to create a special atmosphere and make a perfect night for the players.

And the team responded, no more so than the Portuguese himself who netted a sensational hat trick to record a 3-0 on the night and a 3-2 win overall to send Real through to the semi finals of the competition.

Ronaldo took time out after the game to speak to the media and give his thoughts on what had happened.

“The team were great and the supporters too, it was brilliant. They backed us throughout, from start to finish. It was a perfect night. We played very well and the fans support was great, they gave us the encouragement to win what was a difficult game. We’re one step away from making it very far in the competition and we’re very excited and happy,” he said.

Switching his attention to the next stage, Ronaldo admitted he’d like to avoid either of the Spanish teams left and would prefer to face Benfica – who have to overturn a 1-0 deficit tonight at home to Bayern Munich.

He commented: “It’s difficult to go for either Atlético or Barcelona. Atlético defend better and Barcelona are amongst the best in Europe. The two teams are tough opposition. I would like us to get Benfica, a Portuguese side and it would also mean I’d get the chance to go there.”

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has hailed the team and the fans on what he described as a special night for the club as they came back from 2-0 down against Wolfsburg to win 3-2 and qualify for the semi finals of the Champions League.

Los Blancos had a mountain to climb after last week’s shock first leg defeat in Germany but once again the team’s leading light, Cristiano Ronaldo, took matters into his own hands and netted a hat trick to send Real through.

It was a perfect performance from the team, knowing that they had to attack while stay strong defensively too. And the fans acted as the 12th man creating an incredible atmosphere in the Santiago Bernabeu.

At his press conference afterwards, Zidane said: “I’m coming away with the feeling that we did a good job. It wasn’t easy but I come away happy and proud of what they did tonight. It was a special night and we achieved what we were looking for. I’m really happy for the players because what they did together was phenomenal.”

Asked about Ronaldo, the Frenchman responded: “What can I say about Cristiano Ronaldo. He is demonstrating what he is, the best player in the world. That’s what makes him a special player. He need all the team and that’s what he wants: to speak about the team, of what they have done together. He needs the others to be able to do what he’s done. He’s special because not everyone can score three goals.”

The boss also went on to praise Madridistas, saying: “They are a massive plus. Everything that they do for the team is very important. They are always with the team. When they see the players play like this, they get behind us more. I want to thank the fans for what they did for the players. We have to continue because there’s a long way to go.”

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Real Madrid earned a historic victory against Wolfsburg and managed to come back from a 2-0 defeat in Germany thanks to a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Zinedine Zidane men were heroic and qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League after playing one of their best games this season.

Los Blancos played with extreme intensity during the first minutes. Sergio Ramos was close to opening the score after five minutes as he met a corner from Toni Kroos and the centre-back’s header hit the crossbar.

However, in just two minutes, the hosts cancelled out Wolfsburg’s first-leg lead with two goals from Ronaldo. With 16 minutes on the scoreboard, the Portuguese fired home at the far post after a low cross from Daniel Carvajal had deflected into his path.

Right in the next play, the 31-year-old netted again as he got up to meet a Kroos corner and his glancing header dropped into the bottom corner.

Wolfsburg had two major chances to shorten Real’s lead. However, Keylor Navas brilliantly denied two efforts from Gustavo.

Zidane men increased their pressure in the second half. Benaglio saved his team after fifteen minutes as he got down to make the save after Modric’s low cross had been deflected towards goal.

Ramos hit the post with a precise header and the ball rolled across the line. It looked like it had gone in before Benaglio collected it, but the referee didn’t concede the goal.

With 13 minutes to go, Ronaldo scored his third and completed Los Merengues’ comeback. The Portugal international sent a free kick into the bottom corner as the ball went through the wall.

Karim Benzema, who was superb in the game, and Jese Rodriguez had chances to make it 4-0 and seal it for Real. However, Benaglio was superb to make the saves.

Yet, the hosts controlled possession in the last minutes and ended up earning the ticket for the semi-finals.

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real madrid football tactics

Zinedine Zidane doesn’t want to take risks and has made very few changes from the starting eleven that lost 2-0 at Wolfsburg last week.

The Los Blancos manager has picked Daniel Carvajal to play at right-back replacing Danilo, following the Brazilian’s terrible performance in Germany. Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo will complete the defence line.

In midfield, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will be accompanied by Casemiro, who has earned himself a spot among the starters. As usual, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will form the forward line.

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

This will be Wolfsburg’s starting eleven: Benaglio; Ricardo Rodriguez, Dante, Knoche, Träsch; Guilavogui, Arnold; Schürrle, Draxler, Vieirinha; Kruse

Los Blancos face the tough task of coming back from a 2-0. Should they concede a goal, they would need to score four to move into the next round, so defending will be as important as attacking this time.

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says he knows his players are up for the challenge of overturning the 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg tonight in their Champions League quarter final tie.

The 10-time winners have it all to do after last week’s shock defeat against the Bundesliga outfit but are confident of doing so on the home turf.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, French boss Zidane said he was concerned the players may be nervous about what lies in store but after seeing the focus and determination in their faces throughout the past week he knows they are up for the task.

He stated: “We’re going to be together. The players know the game that we have to play. What worried me the most was seeing the players’ faces, but I’ve seen that they’re up for it and they know what is ahead. This releases pressure. We’re 2-0 down, we have to score, but there’s 90 minutes or more to do that. The message is to be patient. In La Liga we were 13 points with the goal from Barcelona, now it’s 4. Everything happens in football.”

He added that they need to get the balance right between attacking and getting an early goal, and not conceding – something that would mean they require four goals to qualify for the semi finals.

He said: “We know that if we want to have more chance, we have to keep a clean sheet. The players know it. Above all what we have to do is play football. They’re going to start strongly with a high intensity. We’re going to go with the same intensity and what will decide it will be the ball. The battle and all that is good, but what we have to do is play football.

“A goal against would complicate things, but that can happen. We have to be patient and focused. We have 90 minutes, we have to be fully in the game. We know that we can score goals and we have to be careful. To play will is to defend well, balanced and focused, not only scoring goals.”

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Wolfsburg winger Andre Schurrle says he and his team mates will run for their lives and leave nothing in the tank when they take on Real Madrid this evening.

The German side take a 2-0 lead to the Spanish capital and are looking to reach the semi finals of the Champions League for the first time.

Predictably, the noises coming out of the Los Blancos camp are that they are confident of overturning the deficit with the help of the home support to create an intimidating atmosphere.

But Schurrle told DPA that the Wolfsburg players are up to the challenge of seeing off the 10-time winners of the competition.

“Tuesday will be at 100 million per cent, we will run for our lives,” he said.
He added that the players have extra motivation to go as far as they can in the competition because their league form has been so poor this campaign and the Champions League offers them a release. Their latest setback was a disappointing 1-1 draw with Mainz at the weekend.

“Of course what we did against Mainz was very poor. Since we beat Real Madrid 2-0, the whole city speaks only of that game but the second leg will not be easy,” he commented.

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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says the home support will be key this evening as Los Blancos look to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg to reach the semi finals of the Champions League.

The German says the players will need to put in a perfect performance on the night but the crowd can be the 12th man and help them over the line.

Speaking to sponsors Bwin ahead of the match, the 26-year-old stated: “I’m hoping for total support. I’m certain that we will get it. We hope that playing at home will give us an advantage and for that we will need the backing of the fans, those who get behind us, who create atmosphere. I am convinced that they will be there and in fine voice. Above all, I hope we have the opportunity to qualify in this next game. We will give everything for them.”

He went on to add that the team needs to get ahead early so not to panic in the later stages of the game.

“It will be important to get the upper hand early on. We don’t want it to still be 0-0 at half time. We have to play attacking football, without doubt, but we have to play wisely. We have to keep this in mind and not lose our heads. If that does happen, they will be able to get a goal on the counter and that would not be good. It’s important to have a good game on Tuesday, to all be united. We have to give everything,” he commented.

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