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Mariano and Jose Rodriguez during the Segunda Division match between Real Madrid Castilla and Sporting de Gijon. Eduardo Dieguez/EuroFootball/Getty Images

Real Madrid have added youngsters Mariano Diaz and Philipp Lienhart to the list of eligible players for the Champions League.

The two Real Madrid Castilla footballers replace Denis Cheryshev, who has moved to Valencia on a loan deal, and Abner Felipe, who is suffering from a long-term knee injury.

Los Blancos have made these changes ahead of the first leg of the last-16 round of the competition against Roma. However, neither Mariano nor Lienhart have been included in the squad for this match on Wednesday.

Mariano is a 22-year-old striker from the Dominican Republic. He is Castilla’s top scorer so far this season. Los Blancos have recently extended his contract, as his good performances had caught the attention of many European giants.

Meanwhile, Lienhart is a 19-year-old centre-back from Austria. He is a strong defender who has become one of the leaders of the Los Merengues youth team. He has spent the last two seasons at Real Madrid after moving from Rapid Viena and is seen as one of the most promising Under-20 defenders in Europe.

Both will be eligible to play in this second stage of the Champions League, as long as Real Madrid keep advancing in the competition.

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Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has recovered on a record time from his shoulder injury and he will be available to face Roma in the first leg of the last-16 round of the Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane has included the Brazilian in the squad for the crucial game on Wednesday. The Frenchman didn’t expect to have Marcelo back this soon, and he has been pleased with the good news.

Marcelo fell injured a week ago in the game against Granada. He suffered a dislocated right shoulder and many expected he to be out for two or three weeks. Spanish press even reported he could need surgery and miss more than one month of competition.

However, the injury was not as serious as expected and although the defender is not completely fit, he is willing to play against Roma.

Against Athletic Bilbao last weekend Daniel Carvajal featured at left-back, with Danilo playing as a right-back. The former Porto man suffered an injury and was replaced by Nacho Fernandez, who played at left-back for a few minutes before Raphael Varane was sent off.

Zidane was expected to include the Spaniard in the starting eleven against Roma. Now, he will have to decide whether to lineup Marcelo or let him rest for a few more days to make sure he recovers completely.

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AC Milan forward Carlos Bacca most probably would have signed for Real Madrid last summer had Carlo Ancelotti remained in charge, according to the Italian club’s chief executive.

Bacca signed for the San Siro outfit in the summer from Sevilla and has gone on to establish himself as an important first team player for the Seria A side, firing in 13 goals in 25 appearances this season. His latest effort was in the 2-1 win over Genoa at the the weekend.

But it could have all been so different had Ancelotti remained in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to Adriano Galliani.

Speaking to reporters at the weekend, he said: “Antonelli was fantastic while Bacca has a real eye for goal. I had been following him in the past two years. I liked the look of him and I also like his former coach, Emery, who I feel is a top coach.

“But he told me Bacca won’t be coming to Milan though. Bacca is a fantastic player. Even Ancelotti spoke to me about him. Had Ancelotti stayed at Real Madrid, Bacca would have probably moved there.”

Ancelotti was fired just 12 months after winning the Champions League with Los Blancos and replaced wit Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard left his role after just seven months with Zinedine Zidane taking charge last month.

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Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda has claimed that Real Madrid are very close to securing the signing of Eden Hazard, and that the Belgian could only cost Los Blancos 25 million euros.

Inda spoke about the possible transfer at television show El Chiringuito. The former director of Spanish sports newspaper Marca said “the negotiations for Hazard’s signing are advanced and it could be done before the start of the European Championship.” “His price, although it looks difficult to believe, would be 25 million euros,” Inda added.

“The price would be so low because Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, is sick of Hazard’s attitude and also of the person who has been his intermediary, Cesc Fabregas, whom he also wants to sell,” the Spanish journalist claimed.

Hazard has been linked with a Real Madrid transfer for the past few months. Until now, most sources had reported that his estimated cost would be around 80 million euros.

Asked about the possible conflict that would cause the arrival of one more playmaker at Real Madrid, Inda stated that “the possibility of James Rodriguez leaving next summer should not be ruled out.” “The club are still waiting for him to reach his best form,” he concluded.

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Isco

Real Madrid playmaker Isco says the whole squad must play its part if the team is to be successful at the end of the season.

The 24-year-old appeared as a substitute in the 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend while there was also some game time for some of Real’s lesser used players this season such as Jese, Mateo Kovacic and Nacho Fernandez.

Talking to journalists after the final whistle, Isco said every player must do his part between now and the end of the season if Real want to lift La Liga and the Champions League.

“It’s a season with a lot of games, you have to rotate and  to involve all the players. It’s going to be key between now and the end of the season. We all have to be 100% confident and willing to contribute to the team,” the Spain international commented.

Discussing the game itself, Isco said the players were pleased to come through a tough game against the Basque outfit and can now focus on the match against Roma.

He stated: “Athletic set themselves up really well and created chances but I think we’ve had a great game in general and it’ll serve us well for the Rome game. The important thing is that we got the three points and we’re happy”.

“The first half was very competitive. We got in front early. The team has done well, we carried on how we started and thankfully at the end of the first half we’ve got the victory.”

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Real Madrid defender Danilo says the players know they are entering a key period in the season and must keep up their good form.

The 10-time Champions League winners defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-2 on Saturday afternoon to keep the pressure up on Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in the League.

Los Blancos now switch their attention to European affairs now though as they take on Roma in the first leg of their last-16 clash with the Seria A outfit on Wednesday.

The games will start coming thick and fast now as Zinedine Zidane’s men look to end the season on a high after a poor first half of the campaign under Rafa Benitez.

And speaking to the media, Danilo said the players know now is a crucial part of the season and will determine whether they are successful or not at the end of the campaign.

“I’m happy with the result. We’ve worked hard and kept our concentration, that’s the important thing and the goals came. The coach was clear that Carvajal was going to play on the left. We try to do what the coach asks and win the game. We are working a lot during the week and now is the moment of truth in the season. We’re strong and ready to win. For us nothing is imposible and we’ll keep working with our eyes on the first place in La Liga,” the Brazilian commented.

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Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic says the team is ready for the challenge of facing Roma in the Champions League this week.

Los Blancos warmed up for the match with a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, extending their unbeaten run under Zinedine Zidane to six matches. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice while Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez chipped in with a goal apiece.

Zidane now takes his side to Rome for the first leg on Wednesday. Los Blancos host their Italian opposition at the Santiago Bernabeu in three weeks time.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Kovacic said the players are confident and enjoying their good run of form at the moment.

“I’m very happy, like all the team. We’re well, the important thing is winning, not who plays. You can see how were are doing under Zidane and we have to stay on the same path. The fans are great and I’m happy. The team is in form ahead of the game in Rome, you could see this today. Wednesday’s game is important for us and in Champions League it’s always special,” he was quoted as saying.

He was also asked for his thoughts on Ronaldo and compatriot Luke Modric, who ran the show in the heart of the midfield against the Basque outfit.

“Cristiano looks good to me and he’s fundamental for the team. Modric is a great player, a friend and he’s also fundamental for Real Madrid,” he commented.

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Raphael Varane says his sending off in the win over Athletic Bilbao at the weekend wasn’t fair and he would never intend to hurt anyone.

The defender received his marching orders seven minutes from time after picking up two yellow cards. The second of his offences was an innocuous looking challenge when him and Bilbao striker Aduriz challenge in the air for a high ball.

Speaking after the game, the France defender said the decision to send him off did not make sense.

“I always play fair, I don’t play to hurt the opponent. Neither of the incidents deserved a yellow card. I respect the refereeing team but it wasn’t fair. I jump to play the ball and I get above him. I don’t intend to hit the opponent,” he commented.

Looking at the challenges ahead, the centre back admitted it was good for the team to get the win to take some continuity into the Champions League when they play Roma on Wednesday.

He stated: “The most important thing is that the team has responded well and put in a good performance against a difficult opposition. We need this continuity and we want to fight until the end. It’s important to win at home, we have to continue on this path. The Champions League is very important and we want to fight for both competitions.”

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Toni Kroos has hailed the Real Madrid fans for creating a special atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu that encourages the players to play their expressive style.

Backed by a raucous home support, Los Blancos ran out 4-2 winners against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to take his tally to 32 this season in all competitions. Kroos and James Rodriguez also got their names on the scoresheet in another high scoring game under Zinedine Zidane.

The win moved Real to within a point of league leaders Barcelona although the Camp Nou outfit have two games in hand.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kroos said the players were happy with their performance and thanked the fans for being so positive and backing the team.

“Our aim is to win all games. We have to be happy with the win because we had a lot of chances on goal against opponents that pressured high up. We always have our fans behind the team and at home the support is spectacular. We have to play just as well away too,” the German World Cup winner said.

And he continued: “All games are important and against Roma we have to do as well as possible. These are two very important games because they give us the chance to advance to the next round of the Champions League.”

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Real Madrid winger James Rodriguez says he is enjoying his run of regular football and is feeling good about his form.

The Colombian, who spent the early part of the season in and out of the side after falling out with former boss Rafa Benitez, is back to full fitness and is a starter again under Zinedine Zidane.

Filling in the for the injured Gareth Bale, Rodriguez netted an excellent goal in the 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, a win moved Real closer to rivals Barcelona in the league.

Speaking after the final whistle, the 2014 World Cup top scorer said he’s pleased with how things are going under Zidane.

He said: “It was a good goal that helped the side to get the three points. I am feeling good on the pitch and I think that the entire side is doing well. It is good to start regularly. You train to always be in good form and the manager makes the decisions. I try to be in good form for whenever Zidane wants. He talks a lot to everyone and that is good because it gives you a lot of encouragement to play well and show everything you have.”

Switching his attention to the Champions League tie with Roma this week, the 24-year-old added: “We are motivated for the Champions League. We want to go to Rome and win and go through to the quarter finals.”

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