Page 305

By -
0

Wales manager Chris Coleman says he won’t select Gareth Bale for international friendlies in the spring if Real Madrid are still competing for La Liga and the Champions League.

The Wales forward has not been selected for his country’s game against the Netherlands next week but is expected to be back in the Real starting line up for the Clasico on November 21.

According to the Wales boss, despite Bale being close to fitness following a calf injury, he decided not to call up the star of the team because it wasn’t in Wales’ “long-term interests”.

Coleman is hoping to confirm some high profile friendlies in March as his nation prepares for their first appearance at major championships since 1958 when they head to the European Championships next summer.

Speaking to reporters, Coleman said: “Baley went back after the last camp, trained for two or three days, and then broke down. Madrid immediately came out and said: ‘That’s not Wales – he got injured here.’ That was good to hear, because they could have used us as an excuse if they had wanted to, but they never did.

“If March comes around and Baley has had a lot of football, and Madrid say: ‘Look, he’s fit, but we are in the semi finals of the Champions League, or whatever’ then I’m not going to say: ‘No. he’s playing.’

“When you start talking like that – when you are that dogmatic – that is when it bites you on the backside further down the line.”

By -
1

Rafa Benitez has warned the clash against Sevilla “will be a tough game”, despite the Andalusians having struggled to play good football so far this season.

Sevilla are far from being the side that impressed many winning the Europa League last season, but that doesn’t relieve Benitez: “They’re a very hard team to play against and just need to rediscover their form of the last few years. I’m hoping they don’t manage to do that in this match. It’ll be a tough game because in every department Sevilla are a top level side.”

Benitez confirmed Keylor Navas will rest again this weekend, as he’s still suffering from muscle fatigue: “We’re not taking any chances with him. We knew he had a muscle strain and that’s still the case, so we don’t want to risk it and make things worse. I have total faith in Kiko Casilla and we’d rather not take any chances.”

James Rodriguez revealed this week he has been recovered from his injury for the last 15 days and said he wanted to play. Asked whether the Colombian will finally make his return, the Los Blancos boss was not clear about it: “He’s been out injured for 55 days and I’m delighted that he’s itching to play again. He’s an important player for us, not just for two or three games but for the whole season.”

This match will be the last one before the crucial Clasico against Barcelona, but Benitez is not worried about that yet: “The biggest concern I have right now is preparing the team for the Sevilla clash. I’m not making any plans about the Clasico just yet. My only thoughts are on ensuring that we’re in the best possible shape to play in a difficult ground.”

By -
0

Real Madrid will look to extend their reign in La Liga and keep the first position in the table as they pay a visit to Sevilla, one of the strongest sides in the competition.

The Andalusians are not in their best state of form, but they have one of the most complete squads in Spanish football and will surely make things tough for Los Blancos, as they always do.

Rafa Benitez will miss Karim Benzema, Keylor Navas and Marcelo. The France international is supposed to be recovered from his injury, but the Los Merengues manager has chosen to keep him out, probably influenced by the legal problems Benzema has been involved in this week.

Navas played last Tuesday’s crucial match against Paris Saint-Germain despite suffering from muscle fatigue, and he will rest on Sunday as he did last weekend. Meanwhile, Marcelo suffered a hamstring injury against PSG and won’t be able to feature.

Daniel Carvajal and Gareth Bale , on the other hand, are completely recovered from their injuries and will travel to Seville, although none of them are expected to start, given their lack of fitness.

James Rodriguez is also ready to play, and he recently admitted he has been fit for the last two weeks. Yet, Benitez doesn’t seem convinced the Colombia international is yet in top shape and is not expected to include him in the line-up.

Thus, Jese Rodriguez is expected to start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, while Nacho Fernandez should replace Marcelo at left-back. Kiko Casilla will be the starting goalkeeper.

Sevilla also have important loses, those of goalkeeper Beto and defenders Pareja and Carrico. Plus, their number nine, Kevin Gameiro, is a doubt due to a hamstring strain.

Possible line-ups:

Sevilla: Rico; Coke, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Banega; Vitolo, Iborra, Konoplyanka; Llorente.

Real Madrid: Casilla; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Nacho Fernandez; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Ronaldo, Jese Rodriguez.

By -
1

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has left Karim Benzema out of the squad that will face Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga, despite the Frenchman is completely recovered from his muscle injury.

The France international has had a tough week after being charged over his alleged involvement in a blackmail plot against Mathieu Valbuena.

Yet, Benitez has claimed that has nothing to do with the striker not being picked for Sevilla’s game: “We’ve decided to leave him here so he can get back to 100% fitness. He’s in good spirits, but he won’t be travelling to Seville. On a personal level, the club sent out a statement that we all agree with and there’s not much else to say about the matter. He returned the other day, trained, did his work for that day and that’s all I’m going to say. Karim has our full support.”

On the other hand, Gareth Bale will travel to Seville, although he’s not expected to feature in the starting line-up: “We still have to finalise the final squad for this game, but Gareth will be included. If he’s made it into the squad that means there’s a chance he’ll play, but we still have to see for how long.”

By -
0

Barcelona forward Neymar has said he can’t give his opinion on Real Madrid this season as he rarely watches them play.

The La Liga giants meet in two weeks time after the international break, and the Brazilian was asked in an interview with beIN Sports what his thinks of Real’s start this season.

Los Blancos lead the table on goal difference ahead of Barcelona and are unbeaten in all competitions so far.

The striker stated: “I don’t like to watch many games where Barca are not playing, and I don’t watch much of Madrid. Sometimes when my friends are watching, I will watch for a while, but not all the game as I don’t like it. So I cannot give an opinion on what I do not see. I don’t like watching games at all, not just because it is Madrid.”

He went on to add that Real are a great team and he enjoys playing against them, but warned his team mates they must concentrate on their own performances.

“Madrid have a great team. They have players with a lot of quality, they are always battling among the best teams. We must do our own job, not always look at what Madrid do, just focus on ourselves.”

By -
0

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken about his future in an interview with magazine FHM. The Real Madrid star has admitted he might end his career in the United States, since he’s an admirer of the Major League Soccer and the life style in that country.

“I am definitely thinking of playing one year in the United States. I always say that playing and living there is possible. I don’t close the doors to any league or place,” the Portugal international confessed.

Asked about a possible return to Manchester United, Ronaldo didn’t deny it either: “At Manchester they treated me like a father treats a son. I had incredible moments. I’m still in touch with Ferdinand, Nani, Anderson, Vidic, Evra… And also with Giggs, who is now the assistant manager. I’ve got great memories, also from the fans, who are incredible. I love them.”

FHM reporter also asked Ronaldo about how his fatherhood has changed his life: “I never thought anything could make me change that much. I want to have more children; I’m always saying this to my friends and team-mates. Five children? Six? Why not? I believe I meet the conditions and I quite fancy this. I just have to find the suitable woman!”

“My son and I watch Tom and Jerry, Mickey Mouse, Iron Man… He is growing now, and he is starting liking music. He likes hip-hop and reggae,” he added.

By -
3
Jose Mourinho signing for Chelsea

Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo says he is not surprised by Jose Mourinho’s situation at Chelsea as the Blues struggle for form in the Premier League.

The ex-Los Blancos manager, who loves to remind everyone how special he is, has seen his team lose six of their opening 11 matches in the league this season. They lie in 15th place in the table and a realistic attempt to retain the title the won last May already looks in tatters.

Moreover, media reports suggest the Portuguese boss has lost the dressing room with stories of mutiny among senior figures.

Speaking to the BBC, Ronaldo said nothing is surprising in football. But he backed his former boss to get his side back on track again.

“I’m not surprised because anything can happen in football. Of course, he’s a manager I was working with for two years and I know his potential. I know that not just him but Chelsea are in a tough situation,” he said.

And he continued: “As a Portuguese man, I want to see the Portuguese at the top level all the time. So this is what I wish for him that he can go through this bad situation and make Chelsea fans happy because they deserve it.”

By -
0

Real Madrid have released a statement in support of beleaguered striker Karim Benzema.

The French striker was questioned this week at a police station in Paris over an alleged blackmail plot against fellow Les Bleus team mate Matieu Valbuena over a sex video.

He was released on Thursday but a public prosecutor said the crimes for which Benzema is being investigated can carry a prison term of up to five years. Benzema’s lawyer issued a statement denying his client’s involvement in any blackmail attempt.

The 27-year-old was back in training in Madrid ahead of the weekend’s clash with Sevilla. And his club have thrown their weight behind him by issuing a statement.

“The Real Madrid C.F president, Florentino Perez, held a meeting with the player in which he gave him his full support and expressed his confidence that his actions were in good faith and that he is completely innocent,” it read.

And it continued: “The club values and recognises the professional commitment, the displays of camaraderie with his team-mates and the impeccable attitude he has shown as a core member of the first team squad for the more than six seasons that he has been a part of Real Madrid.”

By -
2

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he is a better player than Barcelona rival Leo Messi and he doesn’t take any notice of what others think.

The 30-year-old was interviewed by the BBC ahead of the release of a new film about him next week and he revealed he believes he has been at the top level for the past eight years and that there’s little more he can do to improve.

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or three times in his career and recently became Real’s all time leading scorer. Every year, much debate goes on in the media and between fans in pubs and bars all over the world over who is the best player in the world.

The Los Blancos forward is in no doubt though. “I don’t need to say ‘I’m in the history of football, I’m a legend’. The numbers say everything,” he said.

“To improve more it’s very tough. I just want to maintain because this is I think the most difficult part for a football player. In my mind, I’m always the best. I don’t care what people think, what they say. In my mind, not just this year but always, I’m always the best,” he added.

And on comparisons with Messi, he stated: “It’s opinions, I respect the opinions. Maybe in your opinion Messi is better than me, but in my mind I am better than him. So it’s simple.”

By -
1

Real Madrid have already started arranging the signings for the next summer transfer market, according to reports. The latest Los Merengues transfer rumours include Florentino Perez preparing moves for Paul Pogba and Alex Teixeira, and also keeping tabs on Memphis Depay.

Spanish and British newspapers have reported Florentino Perez is ready to launch a huge bid to sign Pogba next summer. The Juventus man has been a key target for both Madrid and Barcelona in the last couple of years, but none of them have succeeded in convincing the player. Perez is apparently determined to make an offer the Frenchman will not reject.

Los Blancos are also seeking to reinforce their attack and Spanish sports website Espiritu Deportivo has claimed they are considering to sign Shakhtar Donetsk striker Alex Teixeira. The Brazilian forward is having a fantastic start to the season in Ukraine, having scored 20 goals in just 14 games. Some of the club directors see him as the perfect complement for Karim Benzema.

Spanish football magazine Don Balon has also claimed Real Madrid are ready join the fight to sign Memphis Depay. The Netherlands international is having adaptation issues at Manchester United and Los Blancos believe he could be the perfect replacement, should Cristiano Ronaldo decide to leave the Spanish capital. Don Balon has stated Florentino Perez would be ready to offer up to 90 million euros.

1...304305306...733Page 305 of 733

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