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N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante during a Premier League match - Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Real Madrid are considering to reinforce their midfield with Leicester City man N’Golo Kante, according to reports from Spain.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER has claimed the Los Blancos directors are not completely convinced about keeping Toni Kroos in the squad next season, and they believe Kante is the right man for the job.

Zinedine Zidane is seeking for a defensive midfielder of great physical strengh and Kante is seen as a perfect fit.

Spanish newspaper El Pais, which belongs to the same media group than Cadena SER, has revealed that Rafa Benitez ordered a report to determine what type of midfielder Los Blancos should sign.

In that report, Real Madrid scouting experts explained the team needed athletic midfielders because Sergio Ramos and Pepe are getting old and slower.

Among the candidates to reinforce that position, the report highlighted the names of Kante and Vladimir Darida, from Hertha. According to the source quoted by El Pais, the list didn’t please Los Blancos directors because there was not any famous player in it.

For now Casemiro is playing that role in midfield and Zidane seems happy with him, but it seems like next summer Los Blancos are going to look for other options.

* For more Real Madrid news, check out the related articles below.

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal says Real Madrid need to improve their league form so they can go into their Champions League games with momentum as they look to end the season on a high.

Real scraped past Las Palmas 2-1 on Sunday night thanks to a late Casemiro winner. The three points means Los Blancos remain in third place – four points behind Atletico de Madrid and 12 adrift of leaders Barcelona.

With the league out of their reach and having been thrown out of the Copa del Rey, Zinedine Zidane’s men have just the Champions League to play for at this point. Speaking to reporters after the game, Carvajal said maintaining good league from is important for Real to take into European games.

In quotes published on the Real Madrid website, the right back said: “We’ve had phases where we have dominated and other where we haven’t. Defensively the team has taken a step forward. We were close together, Las Palmas had the ball in the centre of the park but without causing problems and we’re continuing to grow for the Champions League.”

He added: “We have to strengthen in La Liga to get a good rhythm to take in to the Champions League. Bit by bit, with the clear ideas of the coach, we’re trying to be at our best level and look to win the Champions League.”

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Keylor Navas has criticised Real Madrid’s performance against Las Palmas on Sunday saying their lapse of concentration could have cost them.

Los Blancos dominated the first half and took the lead through club captain Sergio Ramos. But the hosts hit back late in the second half through Willian Jose before Brazilian midfielder Casemiro secured the three points for the visitors in the 90th minute.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Costa Rican goalkeeper said the players are aware they performed below par in the second half and need to improve greatly, particularly as they have games against Sevilla and Barcelona coming up on the domestic front and are still in the Champions League.

He stated: “We’re aware that we didn’t have our best second half. We know that playing like that it will be difficult to win games, we got away with it today put we have to improve a lot more.”

He continued: “There were moments when we weren’t concentrating and we gave the other team chances. They’re mistake that we make and the other teams try to create chances from. That game is a long way off. We’ve got Sevilla first, that’s an important game and we have to focus on that.”

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says his side must improve if they are to be successful after watching them grab a late win over Las Palmas.

Los Blancos had Casemiro to thank for grabbed the 90th minute winner after Willian Jose scored for the hosts with three minutes to go. Captain Sergio Ramos had given Real a first half lead but was sent off in injury time at the end of the game after picking up a second yellow card.

Real remain four points behind second-placed Atletico de Madrid and 12 points behind leaders Barcelona and are eyeing Champions League glory to end a disappointing season on a high.

Speaking at his press conference after the game, Zidane said: “The most important thing is we got three points and we’ll have to see what happens. We lost a very high number of balls. I don’t think it was unfair. We won the game with two set pieces and that’s part of football. Las Palmas played very well. They made it difficult for us with players who control the ball well. What bothers me is our performance.

And the Frenchman added: “If we want anything from what’s coming up we have got to play better, that’s for sure. Like this we’ll get nowhere. Playing like in the second half, no. That’s all I can say at the moment. I want to see it and I’m convinced that we can play another way.”

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Bayer Leverkusen left back Wendell says he would walk to Madrid to join Los Blancos.

The Brazilian has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as a long-term replacement for current left back Marcelo.

While it is thought Madrid have identified him as a target they are not thought to have made any interest official just yet. Wendell was subject of a 20 million euro offer from PSG in the January transfer window by the Bundesliga club turned down the money to keep their defender.

Speaking to Madrid-based paper AS, he stated: “I’m very happy about Madrid’s interest, but I can’t forget that I’m not there yet.I’m still at Bayer Leverkusen, so it gives me stimulus to play even better and means their interest doesn’t only continue but increases and, hopefully, leads to them signing me. For any player, regardless of their nationality, playing for Real Madrid is a dream. I would walk to Spain to play for Real Madrid.”

The defender also said he would love to link up with compatriot Marcelo, who is one of his idols.

“Marcelo is an idol and a reference for me; Roberto Carlos is a legend and myth. It would be a wonderful challenge to continue the tradition of great Brazilian players at a club with so much history. I’d love to, really. I don’t know Marcelo, but I’d be honoured to be his understudy and learn from that.

“For me, he’s been the best left-back in the world for years. People talk about Alaba, but for me there’s no comparison. Marcelo is a reference for anyone.”

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Casemiro
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro - CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP/Getty Images

Casemiro earned Real Madrid three points in a tough game against Las Palmas, scoring the goal that gave Los Blancos a 1-2 victory in the last minute of the match.

The Canary Islanders played a great game and controlled possession during most part of it. They could have taken the lead with ten minutes on the scoreboard as Luka Modric lost the ball in his own half. Willian Jose advanced inside the box but could not beat the advancing Keylor Navas.

Los Merengues also had a super chance as Modric slid a wonderful pass into the path of Ronaldo, who attempted to beat Varas with a low strike, but the Las Palmas stopper made the save.

Zinedine Zidane’s men took the lead in the next play as Ramos headed an Isco corner into the back of the net. It was a wonderful leap from the Real captain and the keeper had no chance at all.

It could have been 0-2 as Ronaldo received a pass from Lucas Vazquez, but his low strike was just deflected wide of the post.

Las Palmas had a few great chances to score at the start of the second half, but Navas was superb to deny youngster Nili Perdomo twice.

The hosts finally had their equaliser with three minutes to go as Willian Jose collected a pass from Momo and finished into the back of the net.

However, only one minute later Real were back on top as Casemiro headed a corner into the back of the net from close range.

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real madrid football tactics

Zinedine Zidane has included Alvaro Arbeloa in the starting eleven for the first time since he arrived at the first team.

The veteran defender will give Marcelo some rest at left-back. Daniel Carvajal will start at right-back. Meanwhile, Pepe and Sergio Ramos will be the centre-back pair.

With Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez watching the game from home, as they have been left out of the squad to rest, Casemiro, Luka Modric and Isco will form the midfield line.

The other doubt for Zidane was whether to include Borja Mayoral or Lucas Vazquez in the forward line alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman has finaly chosen Vazquez, who has been excellent in the past few games.

This is Real Madrid’s starting eleven: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Arbeloa; Modric, Casemiro, Isco; Vazquez, Ronaldo, Bale.

Meanwhile, Quique Setien will miss playmaker Tana but has recovered Roque Mesa. Former Real Madrid Castilla man William Jose has also made it in the lineup.

This is Las Palmas starting eleven: Varas; Garcia, Bigas, Lemos, Garrido; Nili, El Zhar, Roque Mesa, Viera, Momo; William Jose.

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Real Madrid have launched a staunch defence of Spanish tennis star and Los Blancos fan Rafa Nadal after he was accused of covering up a failed drugs test.

In a week in which the sport has come under the spotlight after Maria Sharapova, the world number 7, admitted she had failed a test at the Australian Open in March for having taken the now-banned drug meldonium, Nadal was accused by a former French sports minister of failing a test.

Roselyne Bachelot claimed the seven-month lay off for Nadal in 2012 was because he had failed a test and the knee injury excuse was just a cover up. It’s not the first time the 14-time grand slam winner has faced allegations of drug use. Yannick Noah and former Belgian pro Christophe Rochus have also accused Nadal of failing a test.

A statement released by Real Madrid read: “Real Madrid C.F. would like to express their full support to our honorary member, Rafa Nadal, undoubtedly one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in Spain and in the world.

“Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport. His greatness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.

“This being the case, our institution considers the attacks made on his person by former minister Roselyne Bachelot to be unjustifiable and unacceptable.”

Boss Zinedine Zidane was also asked about the allegations in his press conference and backed the tennis star.

He commented: “I feel bad for Rafa Nadal because he is a gentleman, a person that has shown the values he has and that everyone loves. He is a professional and I know him a little. I feel bad for what they have said. “He has to leave all this to one side and think that everyone who loves sport, loves Rafa Nadal, whether they be French, Spanish or American.”

 

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has urged his team to start well at Las Palmas as they are in for a tough match.

The Canary Islanders made life difficult for league leaders Barcelona three weeks ago eventually falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat and the Los Blancos boss says he expects the home side will be raring to go again today.

Having won their last three matches, the Frenchman told reporters his players will go into the game full of confidence and with a good week of training behind them.

“We’re playing well at the moment, but that means nothing. We need to start games well, we have prepared well all week and we’re ready to compete tomorrow, we’re going to try to do the best we can. Everything is better after three victories, the training sessions, the atmosphere… Now we must concentrate on ourselves, on moving forward, because the remaining games are more and more difficult,” he said at his press conference.

The 1998 World Cup winner added: “The important thing is to start the match well. We know it will be a difficult game, like always, because they are going to use their weapons to get at Real Madrid. We’re going to prepare well and put out the best team to try and win the game.”

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real madrid football tactics

Zinedine Zidane will make a few changes in the starting line-up as Real Madrid take on Las Palmas in La Liga.

The French manager has decided to leave Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Danilo out of the squad. The three of them started against Roma on Tuesday and played all 90 minutes. Zidane has decided to let them rest this weekend.

Danilo will be replaced by Daniel Carvajal. Marcelo is expected to feature at left-back. Meanwhile, Raphael Varane could come in to give Pepe or Sergio Ramos some rest.

In midfield, it seems like Casemiro has earned himself a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven. The Brazilian will be accompanied by Luka Modric and Isco.

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo will start in the forward line. The main doubt is whether Zidane will choose Borja Mayoral or Lucas Vazquez to join the Welshman and the Portuguese.

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

Quique Setien is expected to bring Tana and Roque Mesa back to the starting lineup after both midfielders missed last week’s 0-1 victory against Villarreal.

This is Las Palmas’s projected starting eleven: Varas; Garcia, Aythami, Bigas, Garrido; Roque Mesa, Tana; El Zhar, Viera, Momo; William Jose.

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