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Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says he doesn’t understand the decision made by club president Florentino Perez to sack Rafa Benitez.

Benitez took over from the Italian in the summer but lasted just seven months in the job followed reports of fallings out with a number of senior players and with the board and fans unhappy with Real’s style of play and performances in the big games.

The former Napoli, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Valencia boss was replaced by Zinedine Zidane, who was promoted from being in charge of Real Madrid Castilla. The Frenchman therefore is Real’s third boss in under 12 months – something Ancelotti finds hard to believe.

Speaking to Sina Sports, Ancelotti, who is set to take over at Bayern Munich at the end of this season, said: “After many games this season, Real Madrid are still fighting for the titles in La Liga and the Champions League, but the president Florentino Perez decided to say goodbye to Benitez.”

And he went on to add: “I know the job of a coach is always about getting results. I also know our work is subject to debate, but this time I really cannot understand the decision. It’s only half-way through the season.”

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John stones

Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing Everton’s 21-year-old centre-back John Stones, British tabloid The Daily Mail has reported.

According to these reports, Rafa Benitez recommended the club directors to sign the Englishman before he was dismissed as Los Blancos manager. The Spaniard believes Stones is one of the most promising defenders in Europe and could be the perfect replacement for Sergio Ramos in the future.

Stones is having an amazing season at Everton and has caught the attention of several European giants. Barcelona, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in signing him.

Yet, Everton manager Roberto Martinez is not keen on letting the youngster go, and has asked his bosses not to negotiate Stones’ sale.

Florentino Perez hopes Everton directors could be seduced by a big offer, but he will have to bid really high. According to reports from Britain, Chelsea had already offered 40 million euros and they were rejected. Thus, anyone who wants to sign Stones will probably have to spend around 50 million.

Stones move is unlikely to happen in January, as Los Blancos priorities for the winter transfer market are a left-back and a striker. However, Perez might try to convince the 21-year-old next summer offering him a good salary, especially since Pepe is expected to leave the club and Los Merengues will be in need of a centre-back.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says new boss Zinedine Zidane told the players to enjoy themselves against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday evening.

And his encouragement certainly paid off as Los Blancos ran out 5-0 winners with the goals coming from a Gareth Bale hat trick and a Karim Benzema double.

Costa Rican international Navas was also pleased with his defence as the began the new era at the Santiago Bernabeu with a shut out.

And speaking to the media afterwards, the shot stopper revealed his delight at the day’s work.

“We won a game where we played well and we have to keep calm. We kept a clean sheet, which was important and we scored goals that helped us to win. We had a good game today and I hope things continue like that,” he commented.

And he added: “Zidane told us to remain calm, to put our maximum effort into the game and to have fun out on the pitch and I think that everyone did that. You always need confidence in order to do things well. Everyone tries to fulfil their role as well as possible and we are making gradual progress. We are all calm and enthusiastic about continuing on and battling, there is still a lot of the season left.”

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal says the attitude of the Real Madrid players should not be in doubt and they will give their all for new boss Zinedine Zidane – just as they did for Rafa Benitez.

Los Blancos recorded an emphatic 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday in the Frenchman’s first game in charge since taking over from Benitez, who was sacked on Monday evening.

Gareth Bale scored a hat trick while Karim Benzema grabbed two goals in what was a perfect start for Zidane.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Carvajal said the players were delighted with the performance.

“The team was comfortable, we kept a clean sheet and then there were a lot of goals. Our assessment of the game is quite positive. The manager told us to put pressure on in attack, to play with confidence and we had a good game against difficult opponents,” he stated.

Quizzed about whether there was an attitude problem under Benitez, Carvajal said the players always work for the manager no matter who he is.

“We gave everything in the dressing room with Benítez and now we will with Zidane too. Sometimes things work out and others times they don’t. Our attitude and professionalism are not in doubt. I am not the one that makes decisions and I will give everything regardless of the manager we have. Time will tell if the change has been good,” he continued.

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Gareth Bale says scoring a hat trick was a nice way to see in a new era under Zinedine Zidane but the most important thing was the three points.

The Welshman netted three and Karim Benzema grabbed a brace as Los Blancos defeated Deportivo la Coruna 5-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to ensure the first win under their new boss.

The win was also Bale’s 50th in La Liga in 72 games in the competition since joining the club from Tottenham in the summer of 2013.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he stated: “It’s nice to score but the most important thing is the win and helping the team win as much as possible. I’m very happy because we got the three points and it was an important win. I had a good game. We now have to continue working hard and I’m sure we will carry on winning games.”

Asked about how the players had coped with a change in manager at the midway point in the season, the 26-year-old said everyone was looking to a successful period under Zidane.

He commented: “Everybody knows that Zidane was a great player and I’m sure he’ll be the same as a manager. We’ve only trained a few times but we’re professionals and we work hard to try to win games and all of the titles available. We have to carry on the same way, like we were doing before. Nothing has changed and today hasn’t been any different.”

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Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was delighted with his team’s 5-0 victory against Deportivo de La Coruna in his first game as Los Blancos head coach, but believes they are going to improve.

“When you win a game, the manager can only be happy, and I’m happy,” he confessed. “What I liked the most was the player’s attitude. It is not easy to win 5-0,” he said at the press conference after the match.

Zidane returned to the Santiago Bernabeu 10 years after retiring as a player, and he admitted it was special: “This is another challenge for me, and I want to enjoy it. I thank the fans for their support, but they come to see the players, and they’ve had the victory as a reward.”

“Hopefully we will continue like this. Madrid always have to win. The most important is the player’s attitude. We have to improve in many aspects, and we are going to improve,” he said.

Asked about the change in the style of play, as the team relied more on the possession-based game, Zidane admitted that was his goal: “The objective was to play the ball from the start, and move it faster from one side to another. We did it, and the most important is that we are going to get better at it.”

Despite the clear change of attitude with the previous weeks, Zidane believes not much has changed: “Nothing has changed among the players. The only thing that has changed is the manager and I am going to try to play as good as possible.”

Gareth Bale was the star of the match, but Zidane explained he hasn’t asked for anything different from the Frenchman: “The work I ask him to do is what I ask every player; defending without the ball and making the field wider when in control of possession.”

Asked about Sergio Ramos, who had to leave the field injured, Zidane explained “he has felt some pain, and he is going to get a magnetic resonance.”

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Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick to give new manager Zinedine Zidane a perfect debut. The Santiago Bernabeu fans smiled again as Los Blancos trashed Deportivo de La Coruna 5-0, with goals from the Welshman and a brace from Karim Benzema.

Bale was reportedly upset by Rafa Benitez’s dismissal, but he looked happier than ever after completing his best game since he arrived at Real Madrid.

The team played with great confidence and motivation from the start. After only 15 minutes, Karim Benzema made it 1-0 as he back-flicked the ball home from close range after Ramos had recycled the ball from a corner.

Seven minutes later, Bale got his first goal of the night heading a Daniel Carvajal cross into the back of the net. It was a pleasant start for Zidane, who looked very happy in the bench.

Los Merengues were close to making it 3-0 before the break Bale chipped a wonderful cross onto the head of Ronaldo, but the Portuguese’s header hit the post.

Real had their third at the start of the second half as Ronaldo delivered onto the boot of Bale, who angled his effort into the bottom corner with a brilliant finish.

The Welshman has his third of the evening as he rose inside the box to power a Toni Kroos corner into the back of the net with a perfect header.

In stoppage time, Ronaldo missed a big chance after a cut-back from Jese, but Benzema was on the scene to fire home off the crossbar.

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Real Madrid Deportivo la Coruna preview

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has decided to bench James Rodriguez and line-up Isco in midfield. The Spaniard will start against Deportivo de La Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu, alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

The new Los Blancos boss has also made changes in the defense line. Daniel Carvajal comes in at right-back, replacing Danilo. Zidane has also chosen Pepe as Sergio Ramos partner in the centre of defense, despite rumours that he might opt to line up Raphael Varane.

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo will form the forward line as expected. Meanwhile, Keylor Navas will be on goal as usual.

Thus Real Madrid’s starting eleven will be as follows: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Deportivo manager and former Real Madrid midfielder Victor Sanchez will display the expected started eleven: Lux; Juanfran, Arribas, Sidnei, Navarro; Cartabia, Mosquera, Bergantinos, Fajr; Luis Alberto, Lucas Perez.

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Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso says he is looking forward to working with Carlo Ancelotti again when the Italian takes over from Pep Guardiola but admits the former Barcelona boss is the best manager he’s ever worked with.

Guardiola announced last month that he will leave his post at the Allianz Arena after three years with many expecting him to take over at Premier League side Manchester City. Shortly after his decision was announced, Bayern revealed Ancelotti would take over.

Alonso worked under Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu prior to his move to Germany two years ago. And the pair enjoyed great success in their sole season together in the Spanish capital, winning the Copa del Rey and the Champions League – the club’s long sought after 10th European crown.

In Germany, Alonso has won the Bundesliga and the German Cup, although Guardiola is yet to lead them to glory in Europe.

Speaking to reporters about the managerial change at the end of the season, Alonso said:
“I’ve already told my colleagues how good he (Ancelotti) is. He is a great coach, and has had success with AC Milan and Real Madrid in the Champions League.”

But he added: “We all wanted Guardiola to remain. He is the best coach I’ve ever worked with.”

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Zinedine Zidane says he is convinced his Real Madrid team will do well this season starting with the game against Deportivo La Coruña.

Los Blancos take on Depor at the Santiago Bernabeu this afternoon in the Frenchman’s first game in charge since taking over from Rafa Benitez who was sacked this week.

And speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, Zidane says he was pleased with how his players had responded in training, adding that his is confident they can achieve success this season.

He stated: “I’ve seen the team is very focused and set on doing the right things. The training sessions have been very good, with intensity and concentration. This is the right line. I just want the game to arrive now. I’m convinced that everything is going to go well. When I see the quality in the team I’ve got no reason to say anything else.”

Switching his attention to the game itself, he warned his team of the dangers Depor pose but encouraged them to play their own game.

“They’re going to come and want to put in a good performance. They’ve got a good team with fast players on the counter-attack. We know the quality that the team has. The important thing for us is we go out and play our game and that’s what I’m going to concentrate on between today and tomorrow,” he commented.

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