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The main doubt for Zinedine Zidane ahead of the match against Betis was whether to include James Rodriguez or Jese Rodriguez in the line-up. The Frenchman has finally decided to include the Colombian in the starting XI.

James will replace injured Gareth Bale, featuring in the right side of the attack. Isco will play on the other side, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the centre. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will be Los Blancos strikers.

In the defence, Zizou has finally decided not to risk Sergio Ramos and has left him out of the squad. Raphael Varane and Pepe will be the centre-back pair, with Marcelo as the left-back. Danilo will replace Daniel Carvajal in the right-back.

There are no big surprises in Betis starting eleven. The main doubt was whether Juan Merino would line-up Real Madrid target Dani Ceballos or youngster Fabian in the playmaker position. The Spanish manager has chosen Fabian.

These are the confirmed starting line-ups:

Real Madrid: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; James, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.

Betis: Adan; Molinero, Pezzella, Bruno, Vargas; Ndiaye, Petros; Kadir, Fabian, Cejudo; Castro.

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says the club doesn’t need to make any new signings before the transfer ban comes into place.

Los Blancos were handed a ban on registering new players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of breaching rules over the signing of players under the age of 18 from overseas. They will appeal against the ban handed down by FIFA which could allow them to make reinforcements in the summer.

With six days to go until the end of the transfer window in Spain, boss Zidane told a room full of journalists that he didn’t see the need for new signings.

At his press conference ahead of Real’s trip to Real Betis, the Frenchman said: “No, I don’t think it is necessary to reinforce the squad. I am not going to look outside for what I already have inside.”

He also added that nobody would be leaving the club in the coming days – killing the rumour that defender Nacho Fernandez could head to Seria A after host of Italian clubs were linked with him.

He stated: “Nacho is not leaving. He is young, the future of the team, he trained well with total normality and nothing more. He won’t leave. There are not three good centre backs, there are four – Nacho also counts. Better to have four like them than four that are less strong. I prefer to choose between these four and that is my responsibility, each week will be different.

“We have 26 players. Every week there are 18 players called and a starting 11. We will need everyone for sure.”

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Keylor Navas says Real Madrid are playing much better under new boss Zinedine Zidane and there is a togetherness about the squad.

The Frenchman was installed as the club’s new boss earlier this month after the sacking of Rafa Benitez. Under the former manager there were reports of fallings out with senior players and the team lacked cohesion.

In the two games since Zidane took over, Real have scored 10 goals and are playing more positive football – much to the fans’ delight.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the game against Real Betis, the shot stopper said: “We are all aware that a breather was needed. We are at Real Madrid, a team which has to win trophies. We were not doing things well, and that was reflected in the games.

“Now we are doing things better. Now we feel that we all win together, or all lose together. We have to fight until the end and we will get there with a chance to win trophies.

“Zidane is a respectful person, he knows what he wants and we are there to obey and to do the best we can. He has his sense of humour, but when he needs to be serious he is serious.”

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Real Madrid will look to keep their momentum going as they visit Real Betis in the first away game of the Zinedine Zidane era.

Los Blancos will miss injured Gareth Bale, but they will recover Sergio Ramos, who has reportedly recovered from his muscle problems and will make it in the line-up.

The main doubt for Zidane will be whether to pick Raphael Varane or Pepe to accompany Ramos in the centre of the defence. The new Los Blancos manager chose Pepe in his first game, so the Portuguese has more chances to feature.

James Rodriguez is expected to replace Bale in midfield, despite Zidane is not completely happy with the Colombian’s attitude. Yet, against Sporting Gijon, the Frenchman chose Jese Rodriguez over James, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he did it again against Betis.

Betis have recently dismissed manager Pepe Mel and last week they showed that has made them improve. New coach Juan Merino has radically changed the starting eleven and the team looks more solid now. The recent draw against Villarreal has boosted the players’ morale and they are eager to prove their value against Los Blancos.

Possible line-ups

Betis: Adan; Molinero, Pezzella, Bruno, Vargas; Ndiaye, Petros; Kadir, Fabian, Cejudo; Castro.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.

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Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson says he would love to see Gareth Bale return to the Premier League but doesn’t believe the Welshman will re-sign for Spurs.

Documents published by Football Leaks this week showed the north London side have a first option to buy clause for the player before June 2019. Under the terms of the deal, if another English club made an offer for Bale, Los Blancos would have to inform Spurs, who would have 72 hours to decide about matching the sum on offer.

Speaking about a possible return to English shores, Merson said Bale probably isn’t in any rush to do so, but he would be welcome back as he is a world class player.

“Bale is world class and it would be great to see him. I’d love to see him back in the Premier League, he’s absolutely world class. Spurs have got a sweat on trying to keep hold of Harry Kane, let alone being able to spend 100-120 million euros to bring back Bale,” he stated.

And he added: “If Bale does decide to leave Real Madrid, then I’m sure England would be the only option for him. However, with the sort of money you’d be talking, only Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are capable of paying for Bale. He was obviously upset by Rafa leaving but it’s up to him. I’m not sure if that’s really enough to make him want to move.”

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Colombia boss Jose Peckerman says Real Madrid winger JAmes Rodriguez needs to be patient following the change in manager at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old found his game time limited under Rafa Benitez and the pair did not see eye-to-eye. With the Spaniard having been replaced by Zinedine Zindane, the top scorer at the World Cup in 2014 will be hoping to impress his new boss and work his way back into contention.

Speaking to El Tiempo, Peckerman said Rodriguez remains a key member in the national side but need to be patient at club level.  Zidane insists that the former Monaco player is very much part of his plans.

“Lately, we haven’t spoken, but we did speak around New Year. He had a lot of worries about the coaching change and he was anxious that the situation be resolved as quickly as possible because he remembered how the previous coaching change went. I had to calm him down,” he stated.
And he added: “He must be patient. He is unbeatable. He meets all the criteria. We all want him to be a starter and to be in that role with the national team as well. He needs to know that we need him to stay positive.”

 

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Leroy Sane Real Madrid

Real Madrid are ready to make an official offer for Schalke 04 youngster Leroy Sané, Spanish sports newspaper Marca has revealed.

Barcelona and Manchester City have recently shown an interest in signing the German forward, and that has apparently convinced Florentino Perez to make the first move.

Marca have not reported the amount Real will offer, but it is believed it will be near 39 million euros, since that is the buy-out clause on the 20-year-old’s contract.

The latest Real Madrid transfer rumours published by Spanish press also suggest that Boca Juniors midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur could arrive to Madrid next week.

Marca has claimed that the negotiations to sign the Argentinian are coming to an end and Los Merengues will finally pay around 10 million euros. The 18-year-old will reportedly sign a five-year contract with Real.

Meanwhile, AS, the other main Spanish sports newspaper, has revealed that Deportivo La Coruna have requested Lucas Vazquez’s loan for the rest of the season. The winger is not getting minutes of play since Zinedine Zidane arrived and could be willing to leave. However, Real want to keep him because they fear injuries will hurt them in the crucial stage of the season.

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has confessed he misses the Spanish club. In an interview with GQ magazine, the Bayern Munich man said: “I had five very good years there in which I felt valued and respected; of course I missed it.”

The Basque footballer admitted he is happy now at Bayern, although he also praised Real Madrid: “It is a great team. They have great players in all positions, with great experience. Despite their bad start to the season, I’m sure they will fight for all titles at the end.”

Asked about Rafa Benitez’s dismissal, Alonso backed the manager, whom he knows well from their years at Liverpool: “Benitez is a methodical, hard-working and analytical coach. If he was not able to give the team his personal touch, that is a different thing.”

Alonso was also asked to compare Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, as he has been managed by both. “Both are pure leaders, and charismatic people who know how to convince people and get them involved. Each has their own personality, but they are similar in many other things. They are both very emotional, for example. They know how to transmit their knowledge of football,” he told GQ.

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Real Madrid have allegedly forbidden Cristiano Ronaldo to keep travelling several times a week to Morocco to visit his friend Badr Hari, Spanish newspaper El Espanol has revealed.

Journalist Pilar Vidal has claimed the club directors are not happy with the Portuguese’s performances this season, and they believe his trips to Morocco have a lot to do with it.

Apparently, Ronaldo’s private jet flight records show several journeys to the African country. The Portugal international would depart Madrid early in the afternoon and return at night several times a week.

Florentino Perez believes these trips are hurting the player’s reputation. Some newspapers had claimed the Ronaldo is in a gay relationship with Hari, a famous kickboxer.

The Los Blancos president has a very good relationship with King Mohamed VI of Morocco, and he has reportedly asked Moroccan authorities to keep him informed of Ronaldo’s trips. Should he visit this country again, Perez would take matters into his own hands.

Real directors are also afraid the footballer’s market value could go down, and they don’t want to lose any money should they decide to sell Ronaldo next summer.

British newspapers have recently reported Ronaldo’s visits to Hari could be just a cover to hide a relationship between the Portuguese and model Melanie Martins.

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Stories circulating in the press that Barcelona forward Neymar has held talks with Real Madrid directors over a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu are rubbish, according to the player’s father.

Some media outlets have claimed the Los Cules striker met with the Los Blancos directors while they were in Switzerland earlier this month for the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

But speaking to Barcelona-based sports paper, Mundo Deportivo, Neymar Sr said such talks never took place and it was all an invention.

“This meeting with Real Madrid is an invention, it’s silly. We were all together in the same hotel, the directors of Barcelona and Real Madrid. “We greeted them, but there was not any meeting. This is an invention,” he commented.

He also went on to confirm that the striker, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or poll behind team mate Leo Messi and Los Blancos striker Cristiano Ronaldo, actually wants to extend his deal at the Camp Nou.

“We have a contract with Barcelona … and Neymar is happy at this club. He wants to renew his contract at the end of the season. I am Neymar’s sole representative and the only one who can negotiate on his behalf,” he stated.

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