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Joachim Low

Real Madrid’s defeat against Barcelona has put Rafa Benitez in a delicate situation, and although Florentino Perez backed the manager at a press conference, Los Blancos directors are reportedly considering possible candidates to replace the Spaniard.

Spanish media have revealed Joachim Löw is the main candidate to take on the job, should Benitez leave the Santiago Bernabeu before the end of the season.

The Germany national team manager has always been one of Florentino Perez’s favourites. In fact, he was one of the candidates to replace Carlo Ancelotti last summer, but the Los Blancos president finally chose Benitez.

Yet, it would be difficult for Löw to arrive before July, since he is focused in his job with Germany and has the European Championship ahead. Thus, it is highly unlikely that he will even consider any offer until the tournament is over.

The other candidate to become the next Los Blancos manager is Zinedine Zidane, although many at the Santiago Bernabeu believe he is not ready yet.

Spanish press has also claimed Carlo Ancelotti could return at the Santiago Bernabeu if Benitez is fired half way through the season.

Benitez arrived at Real Madrid last June. In 16 official matches so far this season, he has earned 10 victories, four draws and two losses.

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Real Madrid secured the first spot in group A of the Champions League as they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-4 in Ukraine.

Rafa Benitez men played fine during the first hour and took a 0-4 lead, but they were close to spoiling their good work in the last twelve minutes, when the hosts neared the come-back with three late goals.

Los Blancos took the lead before the 20-minute mark as Ronaldo nodded home from close range after Bale had beaten the goalkeeper to a through pass.

There were very few chances in the first half, but the second would see six more goals. Real made it 0-2 after five minutes as Casemiro sent Ronaldo away with a super pass and the attacker cut inside before finding Modric, who found the back of the net.

The visitors seemed to have sealed the victory when Carvajal received a pass from Ronaldo and sent one over the head of Pyatov and found the back of net.

Los Blancos had their fourth as Bale raced away down the left and squared into Ronaldo, who converted at the second time of asking after his initial effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

With 12 minutes to go, it all seemed quite easy for Real, but things would get complicated.

In just five minutes, Shakhtar shorten the lead thanks to goals from Teixeira and Dentinho. The striker converted a penalty shot after Casemiro brought down Taison inside the box. Dentinho took advantage of some poor defending by real and chestted home at the far post after a corner kick.

Five minutes later, the Ukranians shortened the lead down to one goal, as Teixeira settled inside a crowded box and calmly slotted one into the bottom corner.

Yet, there was not enough time to complete the come-back, and Rafa Benitez men brought the three points home and secured the first spot in the group.

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Keylor Navas says the Real Madrid players are upset over their defeat to Barcelona at the weekend but are confident they will bounce back and enjoy success at the end of the campaign.

Saturday night’s 4-0 defeat leaves Los Blanco six points behind Barca in the table and with much work to do. Tonight, they switch their attention to the Champions League as they look to win the Madrid fans back over again.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, Costa Rican keeper Navas, who had only conceded three goals all season before the weekend, said: “We’re all really hurting because of what happened; we’re professionals and we’re aware that we put in a very bad display.

“Both the players and the coaching staff take responsibility for their mistakes and we know that there are aspects we have to change if we’re to be successful. We’re out to fight to achieve the goals that we have in front of us. It’s down to us, and over the remainder of the season we want to bounce back.”

Asked what was said in the dressing room after the defeat to the La Liga champions, Navas said that would remain a secret but the players know what they need to do.

“We put in a bad performance; that’s something that you can never hide. Our conversations with the coach stay between us. We know what we have to change to be successful. We all reached the same conclusion and we’re very clear in our minds,” he commented.

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real madrid shakhtar donetsk preview

Real Madrid take on Shakhtar Donetsk tonight hoping to redeem themselves from the recent harsh defeat against arch-rivals Barcelona.

Los Blancos are already qualified for the last-16 round of the Champions League, but they need a win desperately in order to calm the fans nerves and to silence criticism.

A defeat would be terrible for both Rafa Benitez and Florentino Perez, who were booed off by the Santiago Bernabeu fans after El Clasico.

The Spanish manager is expected to bring Casemiro back to the starting line-up, in order to regain the balance they lacked against Barcelona. Toni Kroos could rest against Shakhtar.

Benitez will miss Sergio Ramos and Marcelo due to injury, so Pepe and Nacho Fernandez could play from the start. Meanwhile, Daniel Carvajal is expected to return to the starting eleven replacing Danilo, as he is completely recovered from his injury. In fact, he played a few minutes last weekend against Barcelona.

Shakhtar also need the win in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for the next round. Yet, that will not be easy, as they need Paris Saint-Germain to drop points against Malmo, and that is not likely to happen. The Ukranians will miss Kucher and Srna through suspension.

Possible line-ups:

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov; Dentinho, Kryvtsov, Rakitskiy, Ismaily; Stepanenko, Fred, Marlos, Bernard; Alex Teixeira; Gladkiy.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Nacho; Modric, Casemiro, James Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

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Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says his team is hurting from the defeat by Barcelona and and want to put things right immediately.

Los Blancos take on Shakhtar Donesk this evening having already qualified for the knock out stages of the competition but will be fired up after the 4-0 humbling at the hands of the bitter rivals on Saturday evening.

Fans and media alike will be looking for a reaction, and at his press conference ahead of the game, Benitez said his players would be giving their all to win back the support of Madridistas, who booed them off the field at the weekend.

He stated: “It’s true that we’ve lost the last two games and that the last one was very important, and for that reason we’re hurting and really eager to bounce back. The best way to give the fans something to shout about is by winning as soon as possible and working hard to do that.

“The team hasn’t collapsed. We’re upset about losing to Barcelona. We have to look forwards. We’re here to try to ensure we progress as group winners. We have to focus on that. They’re tough opponents, with quality players and an experienced coach. We’re out to get the win and make sure of top spot.”

Asked whether the players still back him after the recent set backs and rumours of fallings out with senior players, Benitez added: “Of course. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have gone 14 games unbeaten and qualified from the group stage with two matches to spare. We’ve had difficulties in these past two games. What we have to do is stick together to keep on doing as well as we had beforehand. The group has quality and professionalism and we all have to move in the same direction to achieve the results that we want.”

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf says the club needs to give Rafa Benitez time to prove himself but suggested sacking Carlo Ancelotti was a mistake.

Benitez replaced Ancelotti in the summer and made a solid start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu remaining unbeaten in his first 14 games in charge in all competitions. But Los Blancos lost to Sevilla before the international break and followed that up with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona at the weekend.

Those resuts, and the manner in which Real played, have seen calls for Benitez to be relieved of his duties already.

But Seedorf, who played more than 100 games for Madrid, said the boss needs time to get his team playing his way.

Speaking to Marca, he stated: “Perhaps Ancelotti should have stayed, but it’s useless to talk about it. He has reached two Champions League finals with a team of much less value. He has to have time and support. When Madrid loses the Clasico it’s like a funeral. These defeats hurt but we must come together to overcome things.”

He added: “Football is a team sport and everyone is responsible. We have to be self-critical and look for solutions at home and not outside. Madrid have a very competitive team. It’s only a year-and-a-half since they won the Champions League. I believe strongly in this group. There’s a lot of quality and experience. If they raise their heads with pride they will fight for the League and remain favourites in the Champions League.”

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Real Madrid Castilla boss Zinedine Zidane says he is not ready to take over from Rafa Benitez and is happy in his role.

Benitez has been under the spotlight this week following the club’s 4-0 defeat in the Clasico at the weekend. There has already been grumbles about his management methods and his defensive style of play.

For now, he has the backing of Florentino Perez, who gave him a vote of confidence on Monday afternoon.

But should results and performances not improve drastically soon, the Madrid-born boss could find himself out of a job sooner than he expected.

The club has a long-term plan to promote Zidane, but for now the Frenchman says he is still learning his trade and his happy with the second string outfit.

Speaking to reporters, Zidane stated: “I am coach of Castilla and Benitez of the first team. Things are fine at the moment. I am with Castilla and if I stay at the club it is the coach Castilla. Last year, at the end of the season, I had the feeling that I still lacked something to take over the first team. I am doing things little by little and I am in no rush. The important thing is to be happy day-to-day with what I am doing. Right now I’m at Castilla.”

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Gareth Bale says he would not rule out the chance to move back to the Premier League one day but insists he is happy at Real Madrid.

The Welshman joined Real in 2013 and enjoyed a spectacular first season in the Spanish capital, netting goals in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals. But he found his second year tougher and was subject of some fierce abuse from fans and the media at times.

It prompted speculation that the 26-year-old would seek a return to the Premier League, with Manchester United seen at the most likely destination.

But since Rafa Benitez has been in charge, Bale has played in a more central role, something he says he enjoys. And he added that he has no plans to return anytime soon as he wants to win more trophies with Los Blancos.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Bale commented: “My plan when I first started playing football was to try to reach the pinnacle – and Real Madrid is the pinnacle. Now I’m here, I want to win trophies and titles, and just do the best I can for my career.”

He added: “I will never say never when it comes to going back to the Premier League, because you don’t know what the future holds. But I am enjoying my time here. I am very happy.

“I had conversations with Rafa in the summer and I am delighted about where I am going to be playing this season. I like the role behind the striker and feel that’s my position. I can drift into areas, find the space and, when I get the ball, I can attack. It’s my best position – and I think this year is going to be a great season.”

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has come out in support of Real Madrid counterpart Rafa Benitez saying he is an outstanding manager.

Benitez has come under increasing pressure since the 4-0 loss to Barcelona at the weekend, with fans and pundits alarmed not only by the result but the manner of the display – lack of tactical awareness and no passion from the players.

It comes amid reports he has alienated some of the more senior players in the squad, including Ronaldo, who are unhappy with his training methods.

On Monday evening, president Florentino Perez gave Benitez the dreaded vote of confidence. It may buy him a couple of games to turn things around, but the man who was appointed manager only in July could be out of a job sooner than expected.

At as press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb, Wenger said it would ridiculous to sack Benitez after just 12 league games. He added that he would not be interested in taking over if the vacancy became available as he would not work under those conditions.

“I would just like to take this opportunity to support completely Rafa, who is an outstanding manager. It would not be serious to sack the manager after 12 league games,” Wenger commented.

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Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says he would be happy to return to the club – or previous sides he has manged including Chelsea and PSG – but not until the end of the season.

The Italian is a popular figure at the Santiago Bernabeu having guided the club to the 10th Champions League trophy in 2014. In his two-year stint as manager, Ancleotti also won the Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

He was sacked in the summer though for failing to lift La Liga or the Champions League last summer and was replaced by Rafa Benitez.

But the Spaniard is under immense pressure already with the side lying six points behind Barcelona in the league. More than that, grumblings had already been heard about falling out with major stars and fans being unhappy with the style of play. The grumblings got louder with the manner of the display in Saturday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Los Cules.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also under the spotlight with his team having lost seven of their opening 13 fixtures in the Premier League.

Speaking to journalists about whether he would be interested in a return should either of those managers be relieved of their duties, Ancelotti said he would be, but not for now.

“For sure, I could return to Real, but not at the moment as I’ve decided to take a year out. Next season I will return to coaching and I would have no problems returning to Madrid, Chelsea or PSG,” he told ANSA.

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