Page 320

By -
0
Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette could join Real Madrid next summer, according to reports from France. The Olympique Lyonnais man has reportedly caught the atention of Rafa Benitez, who is willing to bring him to the Spanish capital to reinforce his forward line.

Real have long been seeking for a man who can acompany or replace Karim Benzema in the striker position. Lacazette has had an impresive progression in the couple of years, and many see him as the perfect man for the job.

The 24-year-old has scored 51 goals in the last two seasons, making 92 appearances. Last year he was the top scorer in the Ligue 1, beating Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani. He has become the leader of Olympique Lyonnais and has caught the attention of several European giants.

After Chicharito Hernandez left the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer market, Rafa Benitez was left with only one pure number 9: Karim Benzema. Cristiano Ronaldo has also been playing in that position, but Real Madrid directors believe that if both of them suffered an injury at the same time, they would be in serious trouble.

That is why signing a striker is the main priority for next season. Alvaro Morata is the first names in the list, as he is the fans’ favourite. However Lacazette is also an interesting option, given that his current market value is just 30 million euros.

By -
2

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro says the players are disappointed to emerge from the Vicente Calderon with just a point despite it being one of the toughest places to visit in La Liga.

Los Blancos drew 1-1 with cross-city rivals Atletico de Madrid on Sunday evening. Karim Benzema opened the scoring and Keylor Navas saved a penalty before Diego Simeone’s side equalised in the closing stages to peg back the 10-time Champions League winners.

The draw means Rafa Benitez’ side are still unbeaten this season and are just a point behind league leaders Villarreal. The performance put in by the visitors was also a marked improvement on the last time they played at the Calderon, when the were thrashed 4-0.

Talking to journalists after the match, Casemiro stated: “We had a good game. In the second half, we were slightly behind them but the game was under control, however then they got the equaliser. It is difficult to play here, it is a ground where the opponents put on pressure.”

He also picked out Keylor Navas for special praise following his penalty save. The Costa Rican, who looked destined for the exit in the summer, has conceded just two goals all season.

“Keylor is a great goalkeeper and we continue to benefit from his stops. He is incredible,” he commented.

By -
5
Daniel Carvajal

Real Madrid right back Daniel Carvajal has said the player regret not having killed off the game against Atletico de Madrid and allowing the hosts back into the game.

Los Blancos controlled large parts of the contest at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday evening and took the lead through Karim Benzema. Keylor Navas also starred for the 10-time Champions League winners by saving Antoine Griezmann’s penalty.

In the final 15 minutes of the match, however, the home side came back strongly and got their equaliser just seven minutes from time.

Real remain unbeaten in the league since the start of the season and have conceded just two goals, but Carvajal said they players wanted more than just one point on Sunday.

“We attacked and went ahead. We controlled the game well for long periods, but they put pressure on, and got the equaliser when we lost the ball. It was an open game,” he told reporters after the game.

And he added: “The case may be that from the 75th minute onwards we were satisfied with the 0-1, we lacked the fluidity to kill off the game. These are games where fitness comes into play. We dropped two points but we have to keep going. It is difficult to score against Atlético Madrid but we are a great team.”

By -
1

Keylor Navas says he is happy to help out his team however he can and is delighted with his penalty save.

The Costa Rican saved Antoine Griezmann’s spot kick in the 1-1 draw at the Vicente Caldron on Sunday evening and also made a stunning save towards the end to ensure his side came away with a point.

Speaking to reporters about his penalty save, Navas said: “That’s something I research and work on. God is on my side and he helped me make my decision and save the penalty. You always have to be on your toes in order to help the team out; it was a tricky shot but luckily I was able to keep it out.”

About the match itself, the 28-year-old shot stopper said the players were disappointed with the draw having dominated the match but must look at the point as a positive step as they moved up to second in La Liga.

“We wanted to win and we had a chance to just that. At the end of the day, we weren’t looking for a draw but at least it’s another point on the board; we have to be appreciative about that and continue onwards. We were guilty of some carelessness and mistakes are severely punished in games like these. We tried to play our game and they sat back waiting for us to slip up. It’s tough trying to break down such a tight unit but that’s what we attempted to do,” he commented.

And he continued: “We need to appreciate the fact that we played well, we can’t dwell on the negatives. We’ll need to look over things and correct the mistakes but we’re doing a good job. The team played well, it wasn’t the most attractive game of football but we were up against a very good opponent that defend well and sit deep.”

By -
0

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says the draw with Atletico de Madrid feels more like two points lost than a point gained.

Los Blancos remain unbeaten in La Liga and sit second in the table just behind Villarreal after the stalemate at the Vicente Calderon. Karim Benzema gave the visitors the lead but they conceded just seven minutes from time.

The result was a marked improvement on their last trip to the same stadium back in February when they were hammered 4-0 and saw their title hopes take a huge dent.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Benitez said the players felt like they should have take more from the game having dominated for much of the match.

“We have taken one point and dropped two. We dominated the first half and did what we had to do, but after the break they put pressure on and played with added intensity. We had chances on the counterattack that we did not put away and we lacked precision,” he stated,

And he added: “We have to give Atlético the praise they deserve, they pressured and looked to attack. We have dropped two points due to the way the game went. We had the lead and we committed two errors, the penalty and the goal. Just looking at the last 15 minutes, you would admit that Atlético had the momentum, but if you consider the whole game you see that we had control for large periods.”

By -
0
Karim Benzema

A late Luciano Vietto goal earned Atletico Madrid a point in the last minutes of boring derby that Real Madrid came close to winning after Karim Benzema scored his seventh goal of the season.

Keylor Navas saved Los Blancos from defeat stopping a penalty shot and making some superb saves in the last minutes, when Atletico increased their pressure seeking the victory.

Rafa Benitez was too conservatives and kept introducing defensive players in the field during the second half. Atletico levelled, Real didn’t have enough attackers to try and retake the lead.

Los Merengues played a brilliant game in the first stages of the match. They made it 1-0 after nine minutes when Carvajal made a superb play down the right wing and sent a super cross to Benzema, who headed his effort past Oblak.

The visitors took control of possession lead by a brilliant Luka Modric, but Atletico had a big chance to draw. Sergio Ramos made two terrible mistakes losing the ball twice in the same play and ended up bringing Tiago down inside the box.

The referee awarded a penalty and Griezmann stepped up to take it, but Navas dove to his left to push the Frenchman’s effort away.

Right before the break, Carvajal had to be replaced by Arbeloa as he fell injured after a challenge from Correa.

Atletico were more intense in the second half and Fernando Torres could had levelled as he received a pass from Correa and fired wide of the post.

With seven minutes to go, Jackson Martinez sent a low cross inside the box. Griezmann made contact with it before Navas could stop it, and the ball reached Vietto, who slotted into the empty net.

Martinez had the chance to complete the comeback and give Atletico the win as he sent a precise shot to the bottom corner, but Navas was on hand to save his team again.

Despite the draw, Los Blancos move to second position in La Liga and shorten the deficit with leaders Villarreal down to one point.

By -
0
atletico-real-madrid-betting

Real Madrid take on arch-rivals Atletico de Madrid in the first derby of the season, looking to take revenge from their last visit to the Vicente Calderon in La Liga, when they lost 4-0.

Los Blancos are 7/5 favourites to beat Diego Simeone men and increase the differences in the table to four points, leaving Atletico out of Champions League positions.

Los Colchoneros are 2/1 to win tonight, not a bad price considering Rafa Benitez men have not lost a single game this season and they have only conceded one goal.

With Keylor Navas in such a great form, Atletico will have to do things pretty well to find the back of the net. PaddyPower has both teams to score at 8/11.

Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored in one match of the six Real Madrid have played in La Liga. Yet, he is the top scorer of the competition, as he netted five that evening against Espanyol. The Portuguese is favourite to scoring in the game as books have him at 6/5 to get his name on the scoresheet.

Bet365 has the Portugal international at 15/4 to opening the score, while Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann are at 5/1.

By -
0

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid winger Luis Figo says the Ballon d’Or will once again be won by either Cristiano Ronaldo or Leo Messi.

While the award is still some months off, shortlists will be being made as to who will feature on the list for FIFA award.

Ronaldo recently became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, reaching 324 goals in just 308 games for Los Blancos. Although Madrid were left empty handed last season, he did scored a career best 61 goals for the 10-time Champions League winners.

Messi helped his Barcelona side to the treble last year as the Catalan outfit outfoxed Madrid in La Liga, lifted the Copa del Rey and beat Juventus in the final of the Champions League.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard will likely feature on the list having helped his club to success in the Premier League while they will little surprise to see a number of Bayern Munich players shortlisted after more success for them in Germany.

But speaking to reporters, Figo said the top two will once again be Messi and Ronaldo.

“I don’t know who’ll win the Ballon d’Or this year plus I can’t vote but I think it will be one of the usual suspects.. Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi,” he commented.

By -
2

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez says his players are ready for an intense battle against Atletico de Madrid this afternoon.

The cross-city rivals meet for the first time this season at the Vicente Calderon with Los Blancos keen to avenge the 4-0 reverse they suffered at the same ground in February – a result that swung the pendulum in the title race to Barcelona’s favour.

Los Blancos also lost in the league at home last season as well as in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa – but did get one over Diego Simeone’s team in the Champions League.

Speaking to reporters at his press conference, Benitez said it will be a tough match.

“It will be a game of character and passion most of all. They will be organised, with intensity and players of real quality. We know it’ll be very difficult. We have to respond with character and personality and try to play our football. We don’t have a fixed rule against Atletico. We face the game with the idea of winning but there are a lot of ways to get the result,” he commented.

He also spoke once more on Ronaldo, saying he hopes the star striker is at the club for many more years to come.

“The numbers are there. I hope he continues to score plenty of goals and that we enjoy him for many more years. That CR7 is in Madrid history is something very important, but I hope his legend increases.”

By -
0
Atletico Madrid Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid aim to take revenge from their last visit to Atletico Madrid in La Liga, when they brought home an embarrasing 4-0 defeat.

Rafa Benitez men will try to go back to winning days after dropping two points at the Santiago Bernabeu against Malaga last week.

James Rodriguez, Danilo and Pepe have not recovered on time and they will be Benitez’s main losses. On the other hand, the Spanish coach will recover Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale. The defender will most likely feature in the starting eleven, and the Welshman is expected to sit on the bench.

Benitez will most likely reinforce his midfield line by lining-up Mateo Kovacic alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, with Isco in one wing and Ronaldo and Benzema up front.

Keylor Navas will look to extend his great form, having only conceded one goal in all competitions so far this season.

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone will miss midfielder Koke, who is still recovering from a muscle injury in his leg. The Argentinian coach has confirmed he will change his usual formation and display a 4-3-3 system, with Koke being replaced either by Correa or Carrasco.

A victory would keep Real Madrid fighting for the first position of the table, while a loss would see them drop to fifth, as Atletico would overtake them.

Possible line-ups:

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe Luis; Oliver Torres, Gabi, Tiago; Griezmann; Fernando Torres; Correa.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kovacic, Kroos, Modric, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.

1...319320321...733Page 320 of 733

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