Page 276

By -
3
Real Madrid Deportivo la Coruna preview

Zinedine Zidane will make his debut as the new Real Madrid manager on Saturday against Deportivo La Coruna at an enthused Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman needs to earn a victory in his first game to convince those who have criticised his appointment.

A new era starts for Los Blancos after Rafa Benitez dismissal, and the main goal for Zidane will be to display a more offensive style than his predecessor.

Yet, the Los Merengues legend is not expected to make important changes in the starting line-up. He has already confirmed he will display Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo in the forward line. James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are expected to remain the starting midfielders.

Thus, the only variation could be the return of Daniel Carvajal, who is completely recovered from his injury. The Spaniard is expected to replace Danilo at right-back. Marcelo will feature at left-back.

Another doubt for Zizou is whether to line up Raphael Varane or Pepe alongside Sergio Ramos. He is a big admirer of both defenders and it is not clear which one he will pick.

The Frenchman will miss suspended Mateo Kovacic. In his first squad list, he has also left Denis Cheryshev, Nacho Fernandez and Alvaro Arbeloa out.

Deportivo will not be an easy rival to beat. The Galicians are having a brilliant season, and they have recently upset Barcelona at the Camp Nou with a 2-2 draw. Their manager, former Los Blancos player Victor Sanchez, has all his men available expect goalkeeper Fabricio and midfielder Celso Borges.

Possible line-ups:

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

Deportivo La Coruna: Lux; Laure, Arribas, Sidnei, Fernando Navarro; Juanfran, Mosquera, Bergantinos, Fajr; Perez, Luis Alberto.

By -
1
Raymond Domenech says Zinedine Zidane has all the ingredients it takes to be a successful boss.
Zidane was named as the successor to Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid this week after the Spaniard was fired after just seven months into the job. A number of poor performances on the field as well as off-field issues such as a bad relationship with certain members of the squad contributed to his downfall.
Speaking to Le Monde, Domenech, who coached France between 2004 and 2010 and was Zidane’s manager when the playmaker for famously sent off in the World Cup final in 2006, says the former World Player of the Year has everything it takes to be a success – including having a nasty streak.
He said: “Zidane has that element of mystery that surrounds the stars. He can arouse emotions in people and not just positive ones. He’s not a star without problems. He’s not a nice guy. He’s capable of anything and that’s what makes him a human god. In 2016 you only need two things to be a coach: an image and effectiveness in dealing with players.”
Zidane was assistant boss at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014 when the side won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League under Carlo Ancelotti. Since then, he has been in charge of the Real Madrid Castilla side.

By -
4

Real Madrid are considering a move for Spurs forward Harry Kane, according to reports in the UK.

The Daily Telegraph claims the 10-time Champions League winners have begun making plans to usher in a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu with Cristiano Ronaldo approaching his 31st birthday.

Los Blancos and Spurs have done some high profile business in recent years with Real having signed Luka Modric and Gareth Bale respectively. The club has a good understanding with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and would be confident negotiations would end positively if they made a move for Kane.

The forward first came to the attention of the Santiago Bernabeu side 12 months ago when he scored seven goals in eight games and have been monitoring his fine run of form since.

Although the club are interested in signing him, the Telegraph says no move is imminent while the futures of the BBC are all unclear. Kane is expected to sign an improved deal at White Hart Lane that would see him increase his wages to around 90,000 euros a week moving him on par with the likes of Hugo Lloris and Cristian Eriksen.

Ronaldo has been linked with a switch back to former club Manchester United, while a move to PSG or to a club in the MLS has also been mooted.

By -
5

Former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfield says Real Madrid’s decision to appoint Zinedine Zidane as the new coach is madness.

The 45-year-old took over from Rafa Benitez who was sacked this week after just seven months in the Santiago Bernabeu hotseat.

Although he lacks first team management experience, Zidane was part of the set up at Los Blancos when they won the Champions League and the Copa del Rey two season ago. Since then, he has been coaching the Real Madrid Castilla side.

The job of Real manager is seen as one of the most high profile jobs in football worldwide and every move Zidane makes will be under huge scrutiny. However, as a player, the mercurial playmaker was one of the best the game has ever seen and was used to playing on the world’s biggest stage having won the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and La Liga among many others.

Speaking to reporters, Hitzfield said he thought Zidane did not have enough experience.

“For him it is like winning the lottery jackpot. It is madness. It is an insane, crazy decision. He is a manager without any experience. He only lives on his famous name as a player. Zidane has proved nothing as a coach and he is now in charge of the biggest stars in the world. It is an incredibly difficult task although I hope it goes well for him,” he commented.

By -
2

Manchester United could be preparing a 200-million-euros offer to sign Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, British newspaper The Times has claimed.

Louis Van Gaal has pursued the signing of the Welshman since he arrived at Old Trafford. Bale has been very happy at Real Madrid this season, since he has been Rafa Benitez’s favourite, so there was no way he could think of leaving.

The Red Devils hope the dismissal of Rafa Benitez will make Bale reconsider their offer to go back to the Premier League.

According to The Times, Florentino Perez will receive a 200-million-euros offer next summer, more than twice the price he paid to Tottenham Hotspur when he signed Bale back in 2013.

However, the Los Blancos president believes Bale will be the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo when the Portuguese leaves the club, and is not willing to let the Welshman leave.

Bale has been spectacular in the last games with Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has admitted the 26-year-old will continue featuring from the start and being a crucial player in his team.

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Pepe has claimed that he is not a violent defender, despite the general opinion in Spain about his aggressive style of play.

Asked about the episode against Getafe in 2009 when he went mad and kicked a rival in the back, the Portugal international said: “I made a grave mistake in my life, I recognised it and assured I would never act like that again. Statistics show that I haven’t been sent off in the last five years. I believe things are clear in that aspect: I’m not a violent player.”

In an interview with Spanish website soloporteros.com, the Los Blancos defender praised team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo: “He is the best. Training with him everyday makes me a better defender. It prepares me to defend my rivals better. It is an honour to have played at his side for so many years. It is a privilege.”

The 32-year-old confessed his best remembrance as a Real Madrid player is conquering the La Decima -the tenth Champions League. “It meant a lot to me. It was a spectacular, emotional and thrilling final. I’ve won many important titles in my career, but none of them were like that Champions League. I hope Real Madrid can live another experience like that one very soon,” he concluded.

By -
2

Former Real Madrid director Jorge Valdano says Zinedine Zidane’s appointment as manager is a risky decision to take.

The 45-year-old was named as the new Real Madrid boss following the sacking of Rafa Benitez on Monday. He is Madrid’s 14th manager in the past 13 years and has been prompted from running the Real Madrid Castilla side.

This is Zidane’s first high profile management job although he did work as assistant boss under Carlo Ancelotti when Real won the Champions League and Copa del Rey two years ago.

But speaking to El Larguero, Valdano said hiring Zidane was a risk because he lacked management experience at the highest level.

“Zidane taking over is such a risky move because of his lack of experience,” he commented.

He also added that he felt sorry for Rafa Benitez as his tactics were not suited to Madrid and the club did not make any effort to adapt to his arrival.

“Benitez had troubles to implement his precise ideas in a squad with too many attacking midfielders. Benitez also made more of an effort to accommodate club than the club made to accommodate Benitez,” the ex-striker, who also played for and briefly managed the club added.

By -
1

Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was contacted about returning to the club following the sacking of Rafa Benitez earlier this week, according to ex-president Ramon Calderon.

Mourinho was fired by Chelsea in December following a run of nine defeats in 16 Premier League games that left last season’s champions flirting with relegation.

The Portuguese boss spent three years in the dugout at the Santiago Bernabeu winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey but failed in his mission to lift the Champions League. There is a sense that he has unfinished business at the club, and for that reason Real tried to lure him back.

It would have taken some work for Mourinho and certain members of the squad to patch up their differences if they had worked together again. The ex-boss fell out with a number of the players in his time, many of whom as still playing for Los Blancos including Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Calderon said: “I think it is not a secret that the current president liked Jose Mourinho very much and Perez got in touch with him before deciding to go with Zidane.”

He added: “Apparently, Mourinho did not like to come at this time of the season and Zidane was here so we will have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.”

By -
1
Marcos Rojo

Real Madrid have shown an interest in signing Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo according to the latest reports from Spain.

Los Blancos have been seeking for a left-back since Fabio Coentrao left the club last summer. The injuries suffered in the last few months have made this signing a priority for Florentino Perez. Ricardo Rodriguez, Nacho Monreal, Alberto Moreno and David Alaba have been their main targets, and now Marcos Rojo’s name has been added to the list.

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly requested the signing of the Argentina international, who is not getting minutes of play at Old Trafford. That could facilitate his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu at a reasonable cost.

Andre Gomes linked with Los Blancos

The latest Real Madrid transfer gossip includes Andre Gomes becoming a target for Florentino Perez and Real Sociedad requesting Jese Rodriguez loan.

The Valencia midfielder has impressed many during 2015 and his manager Jorge Mendes, who has a great relationship with Florentino Perez, believes he could end up at Real Madrid. “It is difficult, but not impossible,” he said in an interview with CRC Radio.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have reportedly requested Los Blancos Jese Rodriguez’s loan until the end of the season. The youngster is not getting much action this season, but things could change with the arrival of Zidane. The new manager will have to decide whether Jese will stay or leave.

By -
1

Former Real Madrid manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo in an interview with Perform Group.

The Brazilian, who is currently managing Chinese side Tianjin Songjiang has explained the key for Zinedine Zidane to succeed as Los Blancos manager is to make Cristiano Ronaldo understand that “the star is the coach, and not Ronaldo”.

“Zidane was a leader when he was a player, so Cristiano now has to understand that there is a person with strong leadership and with great knowledge of football there,” the Brazilian said.

“The dressing room belongs to the players up to a certain point. From then on it belongs to the coach. If Cristiano Ronaldo thinks he’s the coach it’s difficult. He has to understand he’s a player and not a coach. The coach is Zidane,” he added.

Luxemburgo believes Barcelona is the perfect example to understand his point: “Messi is just a player. He was a player with Guardiola and is still a player with Luis Enrique. He’s a star but is still a player. That’s the limit.”

The manager said Florentino Perez should give Zidane freedom to make his own decisions: “At Real Madrid, if the coach leaves Ronaldo on the bench, Florentino Perez goes crazy. There’s a big difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona in that respect. The head coach at Barcelona is in charge. At Madrid, it’s not like that with Perez.”

1...275276277...733Page 276 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly