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Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez says next week’s Clasico is too close to call.

The Catalans go into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu three points clear of Los Blancos in the table after Rafa Benitez’ men slipped to defeat at Sevilla last weekend.

But speaking to Marca, Xavi, who ended his 18-year career with the Nou Camp side in the summer, said the two sides are equally matched and picking a winner is a tough job at the moment.

He stated: “Given the last round of matches, Barcelona seem to be reaching the Clasico in the best shape, but in a Clasico you never know what will happen. There isn’t a favourite and people will see a good show. Despite their defeat at Sevilla, I think Madrid come into the game in good shape.”

The World Cup winning midfielder also comment on Ronaldo’s struggles in front of goal this season. The 30-year-old has failed to score in seven of the 11 league games he’s played in so far this campaign, but Xavi doesn’t see that as a huge problem.

“There was also talk of a drought before Madrid’s game against Espanyol and he scored five goals. At the end of the day, they are just small dips and he’ll continue making a difference. He’s a great player and an incredible goalscorer. At the end of the season, he’ll have recorded his usual numbers,” he commented.

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Real Madrid Castilla manager Zinedine Zidane says he loves watching Chelsea star Eden Hazard but has refused to be drawn on whether Los Blancos will make a move for the winger.

The Belgium international was named as the Players’ Player of the Year in the Premier League last season for his efforts in helping Chelsea win the title.

He’s been linked with a move to Real in the past and stories have appeared again after reports that he’s fallen out with Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Zidane said he expects Hazard to find his best form again soon having suffered so far this season as Chelsea have slumped to seven defeats in 12 league games and sit 16th in the table.

“You’ll have to ask other people that,” the former France international said when questioned whether Real would make a move. “I’m not in a position to answer. Me, I love the player.”

He continued: “He’s my favourite player [on the Belgian team]. He’s the one that gives me the most when I see Belgium play. He has six months left. It’s part of a career. You have to accept that there’ll be times when you’re not as good. But I’m not worried about him for the European Championship.”

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Iker Casillas

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas says his relationship with Jose Mourinho during the pair’s time at the club was like being in a relationship.

Casillas was a household name at the club but was dropped under the Portuguese boss in favour of Diego Lopez. Reports at the time suggested Mourinho believed Casillas was the source of a dressing room leak and was feeding stories to his journalist partner Sara Carbonero.

The 34-year-old was exiled in Carlo Ancelotto’s first season in charge too but regained his place during the Italian’s second year.

Speaking on Cuatro about his relationship with Mourinho, Casillas admitted it went downhill but said he didn’t rock the boat, always putting the club first.

“It was like being in a couple. The relationship went downhill, we did not have the same chemistry we had at the start,” he commented.

And he added: “I looked out for the club and I kept my mouth shut. I looked the other way. I shouldn’t have to tell the club what they should do.”

Casillas left Real this summer after 16 years in the first team and 25 years after joining the youth set up. He captained the club to success in the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, World Club Cup and European Super Cup among many trophies.

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A number of Real Madrid players have taken to social media to send messages of support to the victims and survivors of the multiple attacks in Paris on Friday night.

Three people were killed in bomb blasts outside the Stade de France while an international friendly between France and Germany was taking place. In other areas of the city, at least 80 people died at the Bataclan concert hall. Gunmen shot a number of people after entering the venue while many more are believed to have been killed when the attackers blew themselves up as police closed in on them.

More than 30 people lost their lives after gunmen attacked restaurants including La Belle Equipe, La Casta Nostra, Le Carillon bar and Le Petit Cambodge. It was the worst attack on European soil since the Madrid bombings in 2004.

In the wake of the attacks, Los Blancos players have joined politicans, fellow professionals, other celebrities and the general public in showing their solidarity with the French people.

Goalkeeper Kiko Casillas posted an image with the caption “Pray for Paris.” German midfielder Toni Kroos, who was not involved in the game at the Stade de France, posted on Twitter: “What kind of a sick world is this?”. And Nacho Fernandez wrote:”Unbelievable that people like this exist. All our support and strength to all France. Ánimo.”

Alvaro Arbeloa posted a message of support using the hashtag #TodosSomosParis, and Russian winger Denis Cheryshev stated: “Horrified by what’s happening. How is it that an idea can have more value than a human life? All my support to the families involved.”

 

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Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo says Barcelona star will win the Ballon d’Or again in January.

Ronaldo won the award for the third time in his career last season for his exploits in the 2013-14 season in which he led the club to their 10th Champions League crown. Last campaign, the 30-year-old enjoyed his best season to date, hitting 61 goals for Los Blancos.

The lack of club honours though means he may not secure enough votes to retain the crown this season. Messi was key to Barcelona’s success in the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Speaking on the Jonathan Ross show, Ronaldo stated: “To be honest I think Messi is going to win this year because this kind of trophy, it depends on votes.”

And he added: “You win competitions, you win the Champions League you win the league in terms of individual. I did probably the best season of my career which is good and I was the highest scorer in Europe [but] it’s all about votes, it’s difficult and to be honest I’m not very worried about that because as I said many times, I never thought I’d win three times to be honest.”

He was also asked about his relationship with Messi, and played down claims they were rivals.

“I don’t have rivals, we have a normal relationship. We shared this stage at FIFA for eight years. No one has done that in the past, only us, so it’s good.”

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David de Gea says he is over the disappointment of his failed move to Real Madrid and is loving life in Manchester again.

The goalkeeper was on the verge of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu on deadline day after being linked with Los Blancos all summer long. But the late arrival of paperwork saw the deal collapse and his dream move was called off.

Real and Manchester United spent a couple of weeks blaming each other over the embarrassing episode before de Gea put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal at Old Trafford – perhaps an indication as to who he felt was to blame over events in the summer.

The Spain goalkeeper has since re-established himself as the number 1 at the club and has been welcomed back by the Red Devils faithful. Speaking to ESPN, de Gea said he is very happy with his situation now.

“I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do. I’m really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans. Nobody let me down or disappointed me – these are things that happen. You must look forward and I am very happy now,” he commented.

“During the [transfer] market anything can happen, it can all change inside a minute. Football is like that. There were difficult moments, strange moments, but they help you to mature. To be stronger,” he continued.

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Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev says he has no regrets over his decision to stay at the club despite a lack of first team football this season.

The Russia international had a successful loan spell at Villarreal last season, and also spent time at Sevilla previously. He was linked with a permanent move away from the club over the summer as his path at the Santiago Bernabeu is blocked by the likes of James Rodriguez, Isco, Gareth Bale and Lucas Vasquez.

He decided to stay and fight for his place though but has hardly featured for Los Blancos this campaign, making just two appearances in La Liga and two in the Champions League. His case for more minutes isn’t helped by an apparent cold relationship with boss Rafa Benitez.

But in quotes published by Madrid-based daily Marca, Cheryshev said he is happy in the Spanish capital and denied reports of any problems with the manager. He added that he needs to keep working hard and his time will come.

“Everything you do is for the best. That’s what happened and I have nothing to regret. There are no conflicts, but it’s true that there isn’t much communication with Benitez. I’m in good spirits. Of course, I want to play more, but it’s not an easy situation. I need to stay strong and keep my chin up,” he stated.

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Real Madrid are ready to accept Arsenal’s bid for Jese Rodriguez should the Gunners offer 30 million euros in the winter transfer market, Spanish football magazine Don Balon has claimed.

Reports from Britain have suggested the North-London side would be planning a 30-million offer to sign the Spaniard next January. And although Los Blancos didn’t want to sell in the first place, they could change their mind should Arsenal offer that amount.

The 22-year-old has failed to become a regular starter at Real Madrid. Los Merengues injury problems have helped him get more minutes of play in the last few games, but in the last La Liga match against Sevilla he returned to the bench, since Gareth Bale was ready to play again.

That has not pleased the youngster, who has offers from Inter Milan and Arsenal among others. He was not willing to leave until now, but if he keeps sitting on the bench, he might ask for a January move.

Los Blancos directors have considered sending Jese on loan to a club where he could get more action and develop his game, but a 30-million offer would be difficult to turn down.

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Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confessed in an interview with the Daily Mail that being fired by Los Blancos was one of the toughest moments in his career.

“To be sacked is part of your job, but if you ask me about being sacked by Real Madrid I tell you that it was not right,” he said.

“I was really, really unhappy because I had a fantastic relationship with the players. I really enjoyed training this team. They were really serious, really professional. More than Chelsea I was disappointed,” the Italian coach added.

Ancelotti admitted Real was the most difficult job of his career, because of the high pressure: “Madrid was the hardest job. More pressure even than Milan. Was losing to Liverpool in 2005 my worst experience? Try losing 4-0 in the Madrid derby. That season we had a run of 22 wins in succession but it was all forgotten on February 7 when we lost 4-0 to Atletico.”

“If the manager doesn’t win at Madrid he is sacked. Had I not won the Decima I would have been sacked a year earlier but I knew this when I took the job. I could have decided not to sign but Real Madrid is the most important club in the world,” he told Matt Lawton of the Daily Mail.

Ancelotti explained at the Santiago Bernabeu “you are judged on the results.” Yet, he says it is impossible to win every single year: “Certainly not in Spain where you have one of the the best teams in the world in Barcelona. You have a third team, in Atletico, that is also very competitive.”

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Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez says the players are united and happy with boss Rafa Benitez.

Los Blancos lost 3-2 at Sevilla on Sunday night and go into next weekend’s Clasico three points behind Barcelona in the title race.

Stories have appeared throughout the season so far that the players are unhappy with the tactics used by Benitez – who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo, for example, is reportedly upset with his new central role and would rather play further wide on the left where he has been so effective throughout his Real Madrid career.

Speaking to reporters, Nacho, who was called up to the Spain squad to replaced the injured Sergio Ramos, said the players are happy with the new boss and despite the loss at the weekend are in a positive mood.

“We’ve just lost a match and all the bad stuff is brought out. We’ve lost one game and we’re doing things well. The players are united with the coach. We’ll go into the Clasico fine. Things get taken out of perspective by we’re confident we’ll have a good match,” he stated.

And he refused to criticise Ronaldo, who has drawn a blank in seven out of the 11 La Liga games played so far this season.

“We’re talking about the leading goal scorer in the history of Madrid. I wouldn’t just back him, I have complete faith in him. He’ll score more goals for Madrid. When he doesn’t score he isn’t happy but his ambition is huge. He can’t be happy if he hasn’t scored,” he commented.

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