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It is well known that Real Madrid players were not happy with Rafa Benitez as their manager. But for the first time a few of them had publicly admitted it without actually mentioning the Spaniard.

Following yesterday’s goal fest against Sporting Gijon -the second in a row since Zinedine Zidane took on the manager job- Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez were asked about the change of manager. None of them hid the fact that they are happier with the current situation.

Ronaldo confessed all “the players feel more empathy” with Zizou. “Don’t ask me why,” he added. “Players have more empathy with some coaches and less with others,” he said.

Speaking of Rafa Benitez’s days at Real Madrid, Ronaldo admitted that “when a group of players are not happy it is difficult to play well.”

However, the Portuguese explained things have changed radically with Zidane: “He reminds me of Ancelotti, and I’m excited about the future.”

Jese is another player who has plenty of reasons to prefer Zidane to Benitez. The winger barely had minutes of action until the arrival of Zidane, who has given him great responsibility.

Although he refused to directly speak about Benitez, the Spaniard confessed that he is “very happy” with the new manager. “He is a close person who cares about every player,” he said.

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo says the players know they can still improve and will work hard to do so after the win over Sporting Gijon at the weekend.

Los Blancs ran out 5-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to two goals each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Gareth Bale was also on the scoresheet again to ensure Zinedine Zidane has a 100% winning record so far as Real boss.

Real are playing catch up on Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid in the league but speaking to reporters after the match Marcelo said he was confident the team would still improve in the coming weeks.

“The result is clear and resounding but we worked a lot. Sporting are a difficult side, they know how to play and we worked well. In our head we are clear about what the manager requests of us, which is playing and having possession in the opponent’s half. We managed to do that and to try and recover the ball as quickly as possible,” the left back said.

And he added: “Players are always happy when they win and things turn out well. We are happy and the aim is to improve with every training session and every game in order to win something important this season.”

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Real Madrid are about to reach an agreement with Boca Juniors to bring promising midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur to the Santiago Bernabeu, Spanish newspaper Sport has claimed.

Los Blancos are on a rush to reinforce their squad before the winter transfer market window closes, due to the sanction imposed by FIFA. Everyone at the club hopes they will be able to sign players next summer, but they believe they should bring some players now out of precaution.

Sport has revealed Los Merengues are negotiating with Boca Juniors the signing of 18-year-old Uruguayan pearl Bentancur. Apparently, they are close to reaching a deal to bring the young midfielder to Madrid for 15 million euros.

Florentino Perez wanted to leave Bentancur at Boca Juniors on loan until June and bring him next season. However, should the transfer ban remain, Real would not be allowed to re-register loaned players they have signed in 2016. They will be able to bring back players who are currently loaned, but not those bought and loaned this month. Thus, Bentancur could end up arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu sooner than expected.

Bentancur is a defensive midfielder who can also play in the right wing. He made his first team debut in April 2015 and has had a terrific progression since them, becoming one of the key players of the team.

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Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has cooled talk of a possible move to Real Madrid by saying he wants to win trophies at Old Trafford and become a club legend.

The shot stopper was on the brink of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer only for the deal to collapse after the paperwork arrived beyond the deadline – an error both clubs blamed on each other at the time.

The Spain international continues to be linked with move to Los Blancos this coming summer despite the transfer ban being handed down on the 10-time Champions League winners this week.

But ahead of his side’s game against Liverpool, De Gea said he was happy with the Red Devils. He recalled the moment he appeared for the club after his dream move fell through and said the Old Trafford fans were incredible.

“I cannot describe how I felt in that moment. In another country, at another club, the fans would not be the same as at Manchester United. They are some of the best in the world, it was unbelievable,” he told Sky Sports.

And he added that he wants to emulate the likes of Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel.

“I’m happy, I’m enjoying it and I believe in the team. They were the greatest goalkeepers in the Premier League, they are legends for this club and that is what I want. I train every day to be the best goalkeeper in the world, that is my aim. I’m not sure who the best is now, but it’s what I want. Also, to win trophies for Manchester United,” he commented.

 

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Zinedine Zidane has what it takes to lead Real Madrid to success in the Champions League, according to former Los Blancos boss Fabio Capello.

The Italian believes the combination of being a legendary player with the right charisma and having learned from one of the leading coaches in the world in Carlo Ancelotti means Zidane has what it takes to lead the club to glory.

In his five years as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 1998 World Cup winner earned mythical status. For the past three years, the 43-year-old has been involved in the coaching set up. He was assistant to Ancelotti when Real won their 10th European crown in 2014 and has since been manager of the Real Madrid Castilla side.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Capello, who guided Real to the La Liga title in his two one-season spells in charge, said: “He did very well with the Castilla, but he has the charisma to lead the Madrid to the top of the table and above all to win the Champions League.”

And he added: “When the tenth arrived, Zidane worked with Ancelotti, who was a great teacher for him. Carlo is one of the best in the world and Zidane learned a lot, like how to manage well known players like Cristiano and Benzema and make them always feel the focus of the project.”

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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo says the team is heading in the right direction and there’s all to play for after their 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

The Portuguese netted a brace along with Karim Benzema while Gareth Bale also got in on the act in another rout for Zinedine Zidane’s men. The only downside was injuries picked up by Bale and Benzema.

Speaking after the game, Ronaldo said the players were pleased with their work. And he added they are confident going into the second half of the campaign.

“We are improving. We had a strong week of work and you can see the results on the pitch. We had a great first half, scoring five goals, and we continue to move in the right direction,” he said.

And he added: “We have to carry on like that. We still have all of the second half of the season ahead but we are doing well. We are doing increasingly well up front and that is how we want to reach the end of the season, in La Liga as well as in the Champions League. We are happy with how things are going.”

Asked about the change in manager and whether it was the correct decision to get rid of Rafa Benitez, Ronaldo said such calls were only for the president to make.

“The decision to change manager is made by the president. It is our role to play and do our best, regardless of the manager. We just need to work and be prepared. The side is enthusiastic about Zidane. He has different ideas, he sees football in a different way than Benítez and we have to keep working hard to try and win all of the remaining games,” he commented.

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Zinedine Zidane was overjoyed following Real Madrid’s 5-1 victory against Sporting Gijon. In two matches since he took on the manager job, he has earned two goal fests, but the Frenchman praised his players, and especially Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

“The three of them are fine. I’m very happy with their work, not only when in control of possession, they have worked very well defensively and that’s the most important. Our defensive work has been impressive.”

“This is the beginning of what this season could be. We want to win games, but also titles. I’m happy and satisfied,” he said at the press conference after the match.

Asked about the injuries that Benzema and Bale suffered, the Los Blancos manager explained “Karim has just a blow, luckily, and Gareth’s problem is a bit more difficult, because it’s in the thigh, and that’s a problem. We will wait for the MRI and hope for the best.”

“Physically we have to improve, and we will, it’s only been two weeks of work and we still have time. The better fitness condition we have, the better we will play. We can always improve, but our first half was spectacular,” he told the journalists.

Asked whether he will keep choosing Isco as the starting playmaker instead of James Rodriguez, the Frenchman said “we are all in the same boat, both will play.” “For now, it’s Isco, but maybe in the next game it will be different. It is difficult to choose a line-up because I have very good players who train very well. It is my responsibility to make these decisions and all of them want to play,” he added.

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The Santiago Bernabeu fans enjoy the second goal fest in two matches since Zinedine Zidane became the new manager. Braces from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, and a goal from Gareth Bale earned Los Blancos all three points against Sporting Gijon.

Bale opened the scored after just seven minutes as he darted to the near post to flick in a Toni Kroos corner. The goalkeeper came flying off his line, but was beaten to the ball by the Welshman.

Only two minutes later Benzema flicked the ball into the Ronaldo’s path and the Portuguese fired a powerful shot into the top corner doubling Real’s lead.

The hosts were on fire, and they scored two more before the 20-minute mark. Bale sent a cross from the right byline, which Benzema acrobatically sent skidding into the back of the net.

In the next play, Ronaldo got his second as he received a low cross from Daniel Carvajal and easily helped into the net.

Los Blancos were playing brilliantly, with Isco completing a superb match in the playmaker position. A couple of minutes before the break, the Spaniard sent a beautiful pass towards Benzema and the Frenchman prodded home from close range.

It looked like Los Blancos could net double figures again, but in the second half Sporting improved and Zidane men played more relaxed, especially after Bale and Benzema left the field injured.

The visitors had a few chances and finally got their goal in a counter-attack that found Isma Lopez at the back post. The Spaniard rolled the ball inside Navas’s near post.

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The only doubt in Zinedine Zidane’s starting eleven to face Sporting de Gijon was whether the Frenchman would pick Isco or James Rodriguez for midfield. The new Real Madrid manager has finaly chosen the Spaniard, who will feature alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Raphael Varane will come in to replace injured Sergio Ramos, as expected. Marcelo, Pepe and Daniel Carvajal complete the defense line.

In the forward line, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will be the main threat for Sporting. Keylor Navas will start on goal as usual.

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

Meanwhile, Abelardo Fernandez has made more changes than expected.

This is Sporting Gijon’s starting eleven: Cuellar; Lora, Hernandez, Mere, Lopez; Sergio, Cases; Jony Rodriguez, Halilovic, Alex Menendez; Guerrero.

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Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid’s transfer ban is absurd and is confident the issue can be resolved shortly.

Los Blancos, along with city rivals Atletico de Madrid, were banned fro registering new players for two transfer windows starting in the summer meaning no new players can feature for the club until the end of next season.

FIFA announced the ban earlier this week after it found both clubs guilty of breaching rules surrounding the signing of players under the age of 18 from overseas.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the match against Sporting Gijon, Zidane said the ban was absurd. The Frenchman then said he just wanted to focus on the game rather than the negative headlines generating this week because of the ban.

“We are here to talk about tomorrow’s game against Gijon and not about FIFA’s punishment. We will see what happens next week. I think this ban is absurd and I’m sure that this will be solved next week. It’s simple, they made a mistake and the club definitely has the right to appeal,” said the new manager.

Speaking about the rest of the season, the boss rued the fact the club had been thrown out of the Copa del Rey but admitted the fact they won’t be involved allows them to focus on the bigger prizes.

“We’re out of the Copa del Rey and this is not good, but at the same time we have time to work so we can be ready for the Champions League and La Liga. This is obviously good because we needed this time to work on our system,” he commented.

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