Page 224

By -
9

Zinedine Zidane is expected to make only one change from the starting eleven that lost 2-0 at Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Los Blancos hope to come back from that defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the only expected change is Daniel Carvajal replacing Danilo at right-back.

Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo will complete the defence line. Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are expected to feature in midfield, while Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will form the forward line. Keylor Navas will start on goal as usual.

Raphael Varane has completely recovered from his injury, but he will most likely sit on the bench. Isco and James Rodriguez could get a chance if Zidane wants to display a more offensive lineup.

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

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

By -
13

Real Madrid have announced the squad that will face Wolfsburg in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Given the importance of the match, Zinedine Zidane has called the 23 players on his roster and will rule out a few men right before the game.

The French manager has all his men available and fit, as Raphael Varane, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema have recovered from their injury problems.

This is Real Madrid’s squad for the match against Wolfsburg:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Casilla and Ruben Yanez.
Defenders: Raphael Varane, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Nacho Fernandez, Marcelo, Daniel Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa and Danilo.
Midfielders: Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric and Isco.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Jese Rodriguez and Borja Mayoral.

Mayoral, Yanez and Arbeloa are among the names that Zidane is expected to scratch from the list before the match.

By -
4
Daniel Carvajal

Manchester City have reportedly targeted Real Madrid defender Daniel Carvajal and they are ready to offer him an exorbitant salary to try to seduce him.

According to Spanish website Fichajes.net, Pep Guardiola has requested his future bosses to bring the Spaniard to the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens know Carvajal has one of the lowest salaries among Real Madrid players, and they hope they can convince him to leave his life club for a considerably higher wage.

Carvajal currently earns around 2 million euros per season. The Sky Blues would be ready to pay him 6 million euros, which would be a very tempting offer.

According to these reports, City would offer Real Madrid 35 million euros for the right-back. And although that’s also an interesting offer, it seems highly unlikely that Florentino Perez will accept it, since Carvajal is one of the fans’ favourites and his departure would be harshly criticised.

In fact, Perez is trying to extend the footballer’s contract and will most likely increase his salary.

Despite Danilo’s arrival last summer, Carvajal is still the first choice for the right-back at Real Madrid. He has made 23 appearances this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

By -
0

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale says winning the Champions League already hasn’t changed his attitude towards the trophy and he wants to win it again.

The Los Blancos star moved to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013 from Spurs for 93 million euros and was the hero on the famous night in Lisbon when Real won La Decima by defeating Atletico de Madrid 4-1. With the game into 1-1 and extra time, the Welshman broke Atletico’s resistance when he rose highest to head in Angel de Maria’s deflected cross to make it 2-1.

Real have it all to do in tomorrow’s second leg quarter final against Wolfsburg if they are to continue their quest to win La Undecima. They trail 2-0 from the first game and know they face climbing a mountain to reach the semis.

Speaking to reporters, Bale looked back at lifting the trophy two years ago and says he wants to experience it all again.

“We’ll be going into every game in the Champions League trying to win every game, and trying to lift the trophy once again. We’re going to fight as hard as we can to win every game, and hopefully that will take us where we want to be,” he said.

And speaking about the goal in the final, he said: “Yes, obviously it was a big moment, but I just remember the time going really slow as the ball hung up in the air. All I was thinking about was just getting a good contact on it and hopefully seeing it go into the net.

“It was just an amazing experience, one I’ll never forget. The scenes after winning La Decima were amazing, coming back to Madrid with all the fans around the Plaza de Cibeles. A big reason for me coming to Real Madrid was to play UCL football & to win UCL. And to do it in my first season was very special.”

By -
15

Former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham says current star Harry Kane should consider a move to Real Madrid or Manchester United before the opportunity to do so goes.

The 22-year-old has netted 22 goals in his past 26 games and following a sensational season last year has become one of Europe’s hottest properties.

With the likes of Real and United expected to be on the lookout for new firepower in the summer, Sheringham, who left White Hart Lane for Old Trafford in his playing days, says Kane should think of doing the same before it is too late.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he stated: “I’m sure there are top clubs looking at him and they’d be prepared to break the bank just because of the way he plays and the way he wants to score goals every time he gets the ball. Should he move right now? I don’t know. Timing’s a funny thing in football because you have to take the opportunity when it arises.”

He added: “If you don’t, another striker might go to United or Real Madrid or whoever we’re talking about and you won’t get the chance again for another four or five years. You’ve only got a period of about 12 years in professional football and when these things come along you have to take tough decisions.”

By -
0

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has mocked Alvaro Arbeloa’s role at Real Madrid in the latest spat between the pair.

Following Los Cule’s defeat to Real Sociedad at the weekend – a result that leaves Los Blancos just four points behind in the title race with six games to go – Arbeloa took to social media site Twitter give his thoughts on the game.

“How difficult it is to win against 11 men,” the right back wrote, in what many believe is a reference to Barca’s comeback win over Atletico de Madrid last week in the Champions League after Fernando Torres was sent off after 35 minutes. He also went on to praise former Los Blancos midfielders Asier Illarramendi and Esteban Granero.

Asked for his thoughts on Arbeloa’s comments, Pique said: “A player who has started once in 32 games doesn’t deserve a response. I’ll tell my friends to tell me when I’m not a protagonist, either on the pitch or off it.”

The duo continued their feud back on social media shortly afterwards, with Arbeloa making reference to a film Pique mentioned last week. He spelled the word film incorrectly though, missing out the accent. Pique called him out on that, reminding him that the word should have been spelled ‘Peliculón’. In response, Arbeloa brought the argument back to the Torres red card, by saying Pique is correct regarding the use of the accent – similar to the word ‘expulsión’ – which also needs one.

By -
1

Cristiano Ronaldo says Real Madrid need a ‘perfect night’ if they are to qualify for the semi finals of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Los Blancos go into the second leg of their tie against Wolfsburg at the Santiago Bernabeu 2-0 down following a shock defeat last week. It leaves the 10-time winners of the competition with a mountain to climb if they are to keep alive their dream of winning La Undecima.

And Ronaldo admits that the team, along with the fans, need to be perfect on the night for the result to go their way.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the 31-year-old called on those selected to start to play with intensity and showing plenty of fighting spirit from the first minute to the final whistle.

“It must be a perfect night. All aspects are important. Those of us on the pitch need to run, fight and play with intensity for 90 minutes. Obviously, with the fans helping and supporting us it will be easier for us. It is also important to remain calm in certain situations,” he said.

And he continued: “We need patience and to know how to suffer for the win. The key objective is getting through to the next round.”

By -
1

Real Madrid defender Danilo is going through a tough moment at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Juventus seem ready to welcome him should he decide to leave the Spanish capital.

The Los Blancos right-back played a terrible game in last Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat against Wolfsburg, and many fans have blamed him for the loss. In fact, some of the fans booed at the footballer during Saturday’s La Liga match against Eibar.

According to Italian website Tuttosport, Juventus are ready to launch a bid to sign Danilo in the summer transfer market, as Massimiliano Allegri is looking for a full-back to reinforce his defence.

Juventus starting right-back, Stephan Lichtsteiner, has turned 32 years old, and Juve need to find a replacement before the start of next season.

Danilo is not a guaranteed starter at Real Madrid, as Zinedine Zidane seems to rely more on home-grown Daniel Carvajal. If fans keep criticising him, he could seek for a move out of the Bernabeu.

Florentino Perez paid Porto 30 million euros for the Brazilian last summer, and he doesn’t seem ready to let him go. However, if Juventus make a good offer, he could take it into consideration.

By -
5
Dimitri Payet

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to start a fight to sign West Ham star Dimitri Payet, Spanish website Fichajes.net has revealed.

Zinedine Zidane is looking to reinforce his squad for next season and he has reportedly targeted the France international, who is having a terrific season at Upton Park.

Many European giants are interested in signing the 29-year-old, including Paris Saint Germain and Barcelona. According to these reports, the two Spanish giants could be ready to launch a high bid to sign Payet.

The Daily Star has claimed West Ham are requesting 50 million euros to let their star leave in the summer transfer market. It seems highly unlikely that Florentino Perez will pay such a high amount for a player who is destined to be a regular substitute. However, the Los Blancos president will do anything possible to prevent Barcelona from reinforcing their squad with such a talented footballer.

– More Real Madrid news

Payet joined West Ham last summer from Olympique de Marseille. He has made 32 appearances, scoring 12 goals, and becoming a solid candidate to be named player of the season at the Premier League. He has a running contract with the Hammers until 2020, but he will leave if his club receives a good offer.

By -
1

Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez is optimistic about next Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Wolfsburg.

“Our fans never let us down when we need them. Many times they boo, but when they applaud, it’s magnificent. On Tuesday this stadium will burn,” the Spaniard said at the end of their La Liga game against Eibar.

The centre-back believes Los Blancos can come back from the 2-0 defeat in Germany: “This club deserves it. We work to achieve things like what we want achieve on Tuesday. We are very motivated and eager to qualify for the next round. We’re all united.”

Nacho explained the players are not nervous at all: “We’re quiet. We need to play a good match, be ourselves. The atmosphere will be magnificent and I’m sure the fans will help us.”

Asked about their chances of winning La Liga, the Los Blancos player admitted “out duty was winning, and now we have to wait.” “We’ll never stop trying to win this championship,” he added.

1...223224225...733Page 224 of 733

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