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Barcelona right back Dani Alves says Real Madrid forward Ronaldo is too much and he is too dominant in the team.

Supposedly at a press conference to discuss their game against Roma in the Champions League, Alves spent most of his time taunting the 10-time Champions League winners after the Catalans emerged with a 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

And he didn’t hold back on what he thinks of Ronaldo and his place in the Real Madrid team.

Alves stated: “Ronaldo’s character is too much. He wants to be the main man too much. That means when his team win, he must always be at the forefront, and if not, he must take the brunt of the blame, but I don’t care what he does.”

The Brazilian went on to discuss events on Saturday evening, saying the result was more satisfying than the 6-2 win in 2009.

He commented:” I felt this Clasico was the one I felt Madrid were most inferior in. We read everything perfectly and played better than we did in the 6-2, when it was very much end-to-end. Saturday was not so much. We dominated and didn’t let our opponents create many chances. We always intend to respect the opposing team. When you score the fourth goal, you must go for the fifth.”

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Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing Lucas Lima, one of Brazil’s most sought-after midfielders. Spanish newspapers have revealed Los Blancos sent a scout to watch the footballer to the last international game between Brazil and Peru.

Many European giants are following the Santos man. Edson Khodor, the player’s agent, has claimed he has “received two concrete proposals.”

Yet, according to reports in Spain, Khodor has a very good relationship with Real Madrid, and that would be an advantage for Los Blancos in the negotiations.

Lima’s rights belong in only a 10% to Santos. Doyen Group own 80% and the rest belongs to Khodor. The owners would expect a 60-million-euro offer, but there is little chance any club would pay that amount for a 25-year-old footballer without previous European experience.

Lima is expected to move to one of Europe’s big leagues next summer, but Santos will have to lower their economic expectations.

The midfielder has played for Santos in the last two seasons, scoring 11 goals in 102 appearances. He has won the Brazilian national championship this year and has been named in the team of the year.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has backed coach Rafa Benitez following Los Blancos 0-4 defeat against arch-rivals Barcelona.

“Benitez has our full support and trust,” Perez told the journalists at a press conference. “Rafa has only just begun. Let him do his job,” the Los Blancos president requested.

Perez explained the manager “was chosen because of his professionalism, track record, experience and ability to get the very best out of this squad. Let’s allow him to do his job and I’m sure that the wins will come.”

Several Spanish journalists have claimed Benitez had been under pressure to line-up all the stars against Barcelona. Yet, Perez stated “nobody is going to suggest anything to him. There have been many coaches and they’ve always had complete freedom.”

“I understand the fans are disappointed, but I ask them to back the players,” Perez added. “I respect all kinds of protests, especially if they come from our members and fans. We know that our supporters are extremely demanding,” he said.

The Los Merengues president believes “some journalists want to destabilise” the club. “They make a living out of lying, to destabilise me and Real Madrid, and I won’t allow it,” he concluded.

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Manchester United Louis van Gaal says he is hopeful he call pull of the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

Speculation has increased in recent weeks about the 30-year-old’s future in the Spanish capital amid talk of a falling out with boss Rafa Benitez. That talk won’t go away after the Portuguese cut a frustrated figure as Real were hammered 4-0 by rivals Barcelona on Saturday evening.

Ronaldo, who spent six successful seasons at Old Trafford prior to signing for Los Blancos in 2009 for 93 millions euros, has never disguised his love for the Red Devils and has said in the past he would be happy to return.

French champions PSG have been linked with a move for the striker if he pushes for a move in the summer, while the bigger clubs in the MLS would also be keen on him as the profile of football continues to grow in the US.

Speaking after watching his side beat Watford on Saturday afternoon, Dutchman van Gaal admitted he would love to work with Ronaldo at the Premier League side.

He stated: “Ronaldo plays on the wings and he is fast and scores goals,” said the Dutchman. There is no trainer in the world that doesn’t like him. Of course we are looking – but are looking at all players, not just Ronaldo. But these players are mostly ungettable. With Ronaldo, let’s wait and hope.”

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Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has thanked the Santiago Bernabeu faithful for the stading ovation he received on Saturday.

Los Cules put were rampant against their fierce rivals and returned to Catalona with three points after hammering Real 4-0. Iniesta put in an imperious display in midfield and was rewarding with a goal in the second half.

Luis Suarez grabbed a brace and Brazilian striker Neymar scored for Luis Enrique’s side, who are now six points clear of Los Blancos in the table.

With the game wrapped up, Iniesta was replaced in the second half. As he left the pitch he was given a standing ovation by the Real Madrid fans – bring back memories of when Ronaldinho received the same treatment after his stunning hat trick in 2005.

Speaking to reporters after the games, the World Cup winner said: “I want to thank the fans. We feel very good, we played a complete game in every way. We gave them very few chances, we hardly lost the ball. We were very effective.”

He went on to say that Barcelona are only concentrating on their results and don’t worry about how their rivals are performing. “The other day I said that the only thing we were interested in is ourselves. We’ve done it and we minimised our opponent,” he added.

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Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balague says Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez will likely be sacked in the wake of the defeat to Barcelona.

Los Blancos were thrashed 4-0 on Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabeu in front of a horrified 80,000 fans who jeered the players off at the end. Luis Suarez netted twice while Neymar and Andres Iniesta scored in an emphatic win for the La Liga champions.

Real were all over the place and were totally outplayed. At times the defensive performance could best be described as amateur while the midfield was non-existant.

Balague, an expert on Spanish football, said it was the manner of the performance that will likely have consequences for Benitez, who was only appointed in the summer.

“There is no way whatsoever that this kind of performance – we’re not even talking about the result – but the performance, will have no consequences. It has to have consequences. That’s how Real Madrid works. That means of course that Florentino Perez will probably get rid of the manager, and if that’s the case, what is next? Yet another manager,” he said.

And he added: “This is a problem for Real Madrid that will not change unless the whole idea and whole philosophy changes.

“The business plan is brilliant – they’re very, very rich. The football plan is very poor, and under Florentino Perez they have won one league in seven years, which suggests that his idea of putting big names on the pitch does not work.

“Of course, Rafa is not the only one to blame, but it’s almost much easier to get rid of the manager.”

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Real Madrid are one of the biggest club sides in world football, which makes the possibility of one day pulling on the white shirt a dream for many a footballer. The Spanish giants have been known to partake in the occasional mid-season spending spree, so who are Madrid’s potential transfer targets this January as they look to cement their title credentials?

Alvaro Morata / Attacker / Juventus

With Karim Benzema embroiled in a legal scandal that could drag on into January, it’s feasible to assume Real Madrid will be in for another attacking option in the transfer window. Since leaving the Bernabeu in 2014 due to a lack of first team opportunities, Alvaro Morata has been keen to show his former club what they are missing. The Juventus striker scored against Real Madrid in both legs of last season’s Champions League semi-final before bagging a goal in the final against Barcelona too.

There is a buy-back clause in Morata’s contract, which means Madrid can bring the Spaniard back to the capital if they are willing to cough up a reportedly hefty fee. If Real’s interest is genuine, a return home may be too good an opportunity to turn down for the 23-year-old. Morata, though, has previously spoken of his preference to stay at Juventus.

Eden Hazard / Midfielder / Chelsea

Ever since his departure from Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move back to the Premier League. The same can be said about former Tottenham star Gareth Bale. Reports suggest Real Madrid will part ways with one of the two in the coming summer. A potential replacement might have been already lined up for January. Could it be Chelsea’s Eden Hazard?

The Belgian has been forced to endure a woeful start to Chelsea’s season with the entire team struggling for form. Given that Hazard’s quality is there for all to see, perhaps all he needs is a change of scenery. While clearly a talented player, Hazard has arguably lacked a cutting edge, particularly in the last few months. The 24-year-old will have to improve in front of goal if he aims to replicate Ronaldo and Bale at the Bernabeu.

Sergio Aguero / Manchester City / Striker

An alternative who will undoubtedly score goals in La Liga is Sergio Aguero. Where Hazard would have to adapt, Aguero is ready-made for the Spanish top flight having previously played for Atletico Madrid. A move to their city rivals wouldn’t go down too well over at the Vicente Calderon, but the Argentine would likely push past loyalties aside if playing for Real Madrid was the reward.

Debatably, Manchester City are on their way to becoming one of Europe’s elite teams. The Premier League club would hold out for a monumental fee for the striker, but there are rumours Madrid could use midfielder Isco to sweeten the deal. Aguero’s injuries, however, might mean this one will have to wait until the summer.

David De Gea / Goalkeeper / Manchester United

Could last summer’s most dragged out transfer saga be reignited in January? David De Gea has been vocal about his happiness at Manchester United, but, as is so often the case, the prospect of playing for Real Madrid is a difficult one to ignore. Keylor Navas’ fine form is evident for all to see, and Manchester United could be tempted to accept a part exchange deal if one arises like it did back in August.

There are still question marks, though, over why the summer transfer broke down. Did Real Madrid simply realise they weren’t in desperate need of a new goalkeeper at the time? Surely that situation hasn’t changed. Only time will tell with January just around the corner.

Lucas Biglia / Midfielder / Lazio

With the attacking talent Real Madrid have among their ranks, it’s often the case that a defensive midfielder isn’t needed. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos do a fine enough job holding the midfield, controlling games from deep. But as the matches get tougher further into the Champions League campaign, defensive discipline becomes more important.

Lazio’s Lucas Biglia could be the man for the job. Rafa Benitez will be familiar with the Argentine from his time managing Napoli in Serie A, so a January transfer isn’t beyond the realms of possibility. Biglia has scored three goals in seven Serie A appearances so far this term, showing yet another side to his game.

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Luka Modric says Real Madrid paid the price for giving Barcelona too much space during the Clasico on Saturday evening.

The La Liga champions emerged with a 4-0 win from the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to a brace from Luis Suarez and a goal apiece from Neymar and Andres Iniesta. While Barcelona were outstanding on the day, Real were appalling and gave their opponents a free pass to run at them due to a lack of numbers in midfield.

The home fans voiced their displease throughout, booing and jeering the home team for one of the worst displays in a Clasico in recent memory.

Talking to the media afterwards, Croatia playmaker Modric stated: “They’re a very good team when they have space to play in, and that was the problem. We weren’t compact out on the pitch and we gave the other team a lot of space.

“We have to play as a team, because when we do that and we all fight hard, we’re a really good side. It’s not the first time that this has happened to us and we have to improve. It’s a difficult moment and we have to pick ourselves up and try to improve.”

Speaking about the criticism from the stands, Modric said it is to be expected and the Real players now need to work hard to make them happy again.

“The fans aren’t happy and that’s normal. They’re entitled to back the team or criticise the team. Today we deserved the criticism. But we have to pick ourselves up and learn from this. Now we have to show character. We’re Real Madrid and we can’t give in or drop any more points. We have to get ourselves out of this situation.”

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo says all the players are hurting having failed to put in a performance against Barcelona on Saturday.

Los Blancos slumped to a 4-0 defeat to the closest rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu. Such was the manner of the surrender to Catalan outfit that the large sections of fans in the stadium jeered, whistled and held up the white hankies in anger at their side.

Speaking to reporters in the aftermath, Marcelo, who missed a great opportunity to pull a goal back when his side was only 2-0 down, stated: “Of course the result hurts a lot, because we’re at home. We gave it a real go but unfortunately we weren’t able to put in a good match. We have to put this behind us, take the things we did wrong and learn from them. We have to face up to it and apologise to the fans. We’re going to keep on fighting.”

Asked about the reaction of the home fans, the Brazilian said they had every right to show their disapproval.

“The fans are entitled to complain when things don’t go well for their team. We tried to do what we could to win the game. There are no excuses, we have to fight hard and stand up and be counted. Of course the team are hurting, but we have to move on from it quickly and put Madrid where they belong. We have to get over these things,” he commented.

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Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has asked Madridistas around the world for their forgiveness after the team were thrashed by fierce rivals Barcelona.

The Catalan outfit won 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on a difficult night for Los Blancos. While Barcelona will be delighted with the way they played, Real made it easy for the visitors thanks to an error-strewn performance throughout. Their night of frustration was summed up when Isco received a red card for a kick on Neymar.

Speaking to the press after the game, Ramos admitted no one played anywhere near their best for the home side adding they let down the club and its fans.

The captain said: “There’s not much to say. Today we have to ask the Real Madrid fans for forgiveness for our poor performance. We didn’t play to the standards of this crest. These are things that can happen. Hopefully we can put this behind us. With this pain comes an opportunity to exact revenge in a few months time and play the kind of game we wanted to play today.”

Fans of Real will be looking for some kind of visible improvement over words though. Last season they were humiliated in equal fashion by Atletico de Madrid, and it seems to be the case at the moment that more often than not they struggle to perform at the their best in the big games.

Ramos continued: “Today words are cheap. Those affiliated with Real Madrid want action, not words. Bearing that in mind, as we go home tonight we the team are angrier than anyone because it was a match in which we had a chance to finish as league leaders. We had an opportunity to regain are good form in this game but it ended up being a day in which nothing went to plan.

“We have to congratulate Barcelona. It was a tricky match with a lot of pressing high up the pitch. We could have caused them problems, but that’s not how things played out.”

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