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Real Madrid qualified for the last-16 round of the Champions League as they earned a difficult victory against Paris Saint-Germain thanks to a lucky goal from Nacho Fernandez.

Laurent Blanc men deserved to have scored at least one goal, but Los Blancos defended pretty well and were able to hold on for all three points despite showing lots of problems in attack.

The visitors exerted a high pressure on their rival from the start, and they prevented Real from controlling the possession.

Yet, PSG suffered an important blow after just 15 minutes, when midfielder Marco Verratti had to leave the pitch after suffering a groin injury. Adrien Rabiot replaced the Italian.

The French team had the best chances in the first half. Matuidi sent a poor effort straight at the hands of Keylor Navas when he was alone inside the box, and Ibrahimovic’s shot to the bottom corner went just wide of the post.

Real also suffered a big loss as Marcelo felt pain in his thigh and had to be replaced by Nacho Fernandez.

The home-grown Los Blancos defender had a big impact in the game, as he scored just after two minutes in the field.

A shot from Kroos deflected off a defender and seemed to go out, but Nacho had faith and reached it. The defender seemed to have tried to send a pass towards Ronaldo but the ball ended up in the back of the net.

PSG reacted after the goal and had several chances before the break. Rabiot stroke one from distance straight at the post, and Cavani failed to make contact with the ball after receiving a wonderful pass from Maxwell.

Laurent Blanc men continued dominating in the first minutes of the second half, led by a superb Angel di Maria.

Los Merengues could have sealed the victory in their counter-attacks. Isco had a superb chance after receiving a pass from Vazquez, but Kevin Trapp blocked his low effort.

Kross also came close to scoring with ten minutes to go as he met a pass from Isco, but his shot towards the bottom corner was also denied by Trapp.

PSG could have savaged a point in the last minute, as Di Maria sent a stunning free kick towards the top corner, but his effort hit the crossbar.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says the players will do all they can to win the Undecima.

Los Blancos became the first team ever to win the Champions League 10 times when they defeated Atletico de Madrid in Lisbon in May 2014. Now, they are on a quest to win it for the 11th time.

This evening, they take on PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu in the fourth match of the group stage. Rafa Benitez’ team are unbeaten so far with two wins and a draw. A positive result against the French champions will go a long way in deciding who tops the group and gets an easier draw in the last-16.

Speaking to reporters, Navas said the players are desperate to go all the way in the competition.

“Winning [La Decima] was immense for this club. We all want to win the Champions League again, it’s one of our goals,” he said.

And he added: “We’re trying to prepare as well as possible for every game so we can get to the final and win. But we have to take it one step at a time because we still have important games in the group stage and the knockout stages. We’re putting our heart and soul into reaching the final and winning it.”

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PSG boss Laurent Blanc says winger Angel di Maria will shine on his return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Argentine is still a popular figure among Madridistas who haven’t forgotten his contribution to the Champions League and Copa del Rey success in 2014. He left that summer for Manchester United but the move to Old Trafford didn’t work out and he switch to PSG this summer.

Although he played in the first game between the two sides two weeks ago, di Maria was not in top form and was subbed after 70 minutes.

But speaking to the press ahead of the game in the Spanish capital, Blanc said his pacy midfielder would turn up and put in a big performance tonight.

“Angel will begin the match. It will be a special event for him because he spent several seasons here. He is a player that has been enjoyed here. He should be ready, focused and have the right attitude to bring us what he can do. This would be a nice for him to put in a good performance here,” he stated.

The 1998 World Cup winner then gave his thoughts on what he expects between the European giants.

“Before the first leg, everyone saw Real Madrid as a rather defensive team adept against attacks. It proved otherwise at the Parc des Princes. Madrid were good in their use of the ball and relied on very fast players. We were surprised by their philosophy, but it will be a different game on Tuesday.”

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Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain will meet at the Santiago Bernabeu in the fouth date of the Champions League, in a game that will probably determine who will finish the group stage in the first position.

Rafa Benitez will recover James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas, although the Colombia international might not make it in the starting eleven after having spent two months on the sidelines. The Costa Rican goalkeeper, on the other hand, will return to the line-up after resting in the last La Liga game due to muscle fatigue.

Pepe and Kovacic are also recovered from their injuries, but Benitez has confessed he doesn’t want to take risks and they are not expected to feature.

Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Carvajal remain on the sideline. Benitez will most likely feature Jese Rodriguez in the forward line while Danilo will remain at right-back.

Laurent Blanc will miss defender Marquinhos and forward Javier Pastore, while he will recover centre-back David Luiz.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Jese Rodriguez, Ronaldo, Isco.

Paris Saint-Germain: Trapp; Aurier, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Motta, Matuidi, Verratti; Di Maria, Ibrahimovic, Cavani.

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Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed midfielder James Rodriguez and goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be completely recovered from their injuries for the crucial Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

James has been sidelined for two months after suffering a muscle injury in a international game with Colombia. He has been training normally for the last week and he could make it in th starting line-up.

“James is in the squad, he has recovered. He has not been training with the squad for quite a while, but he is doing well and is available for the team. He lacks match fitness. That means he is not necessarily ready to play 90 minutes and start. If he is fine he could travel to Seville and could join up with Colombia if he is selected for the national team. I want him to score lots of goals and come back fit,”

Navas missed last weekend’s match against Las Palmas as he was suffering from muscle fatigue, but he will make his return on Tuesday night.

“Keylor is going to play. The first thing we do is talk to the players and then the physios and doctors in order to get a precise view of the situation. He says that he is ready to play, so there is no problem,” Benitez said.

Asked about the other injured players, Benitez explained they are all almost ready, but he doesn’t want to take risks: “Benzema is sticking to his recovery schedule. Benzema, Bale and Arbeloa, who are not in the squad, lack the match confidence to have a role in such a high intensity game as this.”

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PSG midfielder Marco Verratti says he is happy in the French capital despite talk of interest from Real Madrid.

The Italy international, 22, is set to be offered a new deal by the French champions but speculation in the media suggests Real want to sway him by making him an unbeatable offer to switch to the Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona are also rumoured to be keen on Verratti’s services.

But the midfielder told Canal Plus ahead of his side’s game with the 10-time Champions League winners tomorrow that he is happy at PSG and is already playing at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

“It’s nice when big teams are interested in you but my priority was always to stay at PSG. I have to thank the club, I’m happy here. I don’t see why I would leave,” he stated.

PSG and Real drew in their first encounter in Paris, and Verratti said tomorrow’s game is one that all players look forward to.

“These are the matches that make you understand what level you’re are at. This match is crucial. We want to finish first in the group like Real do. It’s a super match to play in. There’s a lot of expectation. We’re happy to play it with the hope of winning.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted his future may lie away from Real Madrid amid talk of a possible return to Manchester United.

The 30-year-old forward, who has 13 goals to his name so far this season and last month became Real’s all-time leading goalscorer, revealed he is happy at the club now but added he doesn’t know what the future holds.

United are believed to be keen to take him back to Old Trafford, where he enjoyed six years of outstanding success and is still a club hero. The Portuguese has also never hidden his love of the club nor playing in the Premier League.

French side PSG have also been rumoured to be interesting in making him an offer to prize him away from the Spanish capital, while there has also been talk that he may end his career playing in the MLS – following in the footsteps of former Los Blancos stars Raul, David Beckham and Kaka.

Speaking to the EFE Agency, when asked about his future, Ronaldo responded: “At this moment, I’m happy playing for Real Madrid but I don’t know what will happen in my future. I must choose the way that makes me happy.”

Ahead of games against PSG, Sevilla and Barcelona, Ronaldo also admitted he hates losing, saying: “I can’t accept a defeat, I get very angry. I shout and say stupid things and then I regret. In my mind, I’m always the best. I think that this is key for all people that want to be the best.”

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Getafe could land Norwegian pearl Martin Odegaard in the winter transfer market, according to reports from Spain.

The 16-year-old arrived at Real Madrid almost a year ago, and his experience so far is not fulfilling his expectations.

Odegaard wanted to leave the club on a loan move last summer, but the directors convinced him to stay at Real Madrid Castilla, developing his game under Zinedine Zidane’s management.

The Norway international also trains regularly with the first team, but that is not enough for him. He’s seen some of his team-mates from the reserves team get a chance to play with the first club, while Rafa Benitez hasn’t called him yet.

Thus, Odegaard wants to leave in January to a first division side where he could gain experience and feel important.

Getafe already tried to land him last summer, and they are in good position to sign him should Los Blancos finally decide to loan him.

Real directors believe staying in the same city would be the best option for Odegaard, and that leaves only two choices: Getafe and Rayo Vallecano.

Getafe have a very good institutional relationship with Real and they have traditionally welcomed many Los Blancos loaned players, so it seems obvious that this would be the preferred destination for all parts.

Yet, many other European clubs have shown an interest in bringing Odegaard, including Villarreal and Celtic Glasgow, so Los Blancos will have plenty of options to consider.

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Young Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral says his debut for the club against Las Palmas was ‘unforgettable’.

The 18-year-old replaced Toni Kroos late on in the 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, a win that sees Real remain top of the pile on goal difference ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona.

Having grown up in the youth teams at the club, Mayoral said it was always his ambition to pull on the famous white jersey at home. Having been on the bench and training with the first team squad this season, he finally got in on the action.

Speaking afterwards, an elated Mayoral told journalists it was a day he would never forget.

“For me it is an unforgettable day. I felt really satisfied to come on. This comes after many years of sacrifice. I’m very happy. Its a dream to make my debut with this side. I’ve been on the bench many times before and I finally made my debut,” he commented.

And he added that the first team players have all been very welcoming towards him.

“I have already participated in lots of training sessions. They have treated me extremely well: they congratulated me. They all signed my shirt and left me messages. I will hang it up in my room. We had a good game,” he stated.

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Kiko Casilla says he is delighted to have made his debut for the club and has ambitions to compete more regularly for a first team place and eventually get into the Spain squad.

The shot stopper re-joined Los Blancos from Espanyol in the summer having grown up in the youth team in the Spanish capital.

And in his first competitive game for the club he made a spectacular save in the second half to keep his side ahead.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Casilla said he was pleased with events but added he’d like more minutes. However, he admitted it would be very difficult to dislodge Keylor Navas while the Costa Rican is enjoying such spectacular form right now.

“I am very happy for having been able to make my debut. I did not speak anything with Benitez, I don’t have to ask for explanations. I’m still working hard. I am not satisfied [with not playing as much as I’d like], but I have to be realistic. Keylor is spectacular. I am not surprised with Keylor’s quality. I have known him for years. I hope he continues like he has been,” he said.

Speaking about his international ambitions, Casilla stated: “I still have the dream of playing with Spain even though when I came to Madrid I wasn’t called 2-3 times.”

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