Page 355

By -
2

New Real Madrid right back Danilo has said he’s already feeling at home at the club and was delighted to make hie debut against Roma.

The Brazilian, a 32 million euro signing from Porto this summer, came on in the 70th minute of the match against the Italian side at the MCG in Melbourne. The game ended 0-0 but Roma won 7-6 on penalties. Danilo was one of the Real players to convert his spot kick.

Speaking to the official website after the game, the 22-year-old expressed his delight at pulling on the famous white shirt for the first time.

“I’m happy, it’s a very important moment and I’ll keep on working hard to get more opportunities. I feel very pleased; it was really special. I haven’t played for a while and it was important to start off without overdoing it. I’ve recovered from the injury; I want to adapt as quickly as possible, so as to be able to play to my peak level,” he said.

He added: “I feel really comfortable alongside my team-mates, they all have a lot of quality, I feel right at home and I’m very happy here. I’m going to work really hard. The role a full-back plays has to be balanced, working hard in defence and making the most of the chances that come about to join in in attack. The aim is to win every trophy.”

By -
0

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has said he is ready to fight for a first team spot in the team after featuring for Los Blancos in the first pre-season game against Roma.

Madrid lost 7-6 on penalties, but Navas kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw at the MCG in Melbourne.

Much has been made of the goalkeeping situation at the 10-times Champions League winners so far this summer, with the club having sold Iker Casillas in what seemed like preparation to so sign David de Gea from Manchester United.

But on Friday, the club announced a deal to sign Kiko Casilla from Espanyol in a six million euro deal.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Costa Rican Navas spoke first about the game itself. “I’m happy with how the game went, we were up against a strong rival. Since his arrival Benítez has spoken very positively with all of us. The aim is to keep fighting for a place on the team. I have a contract, I’m happy here and I want to win a lot of titles”.

He then went on to say he is ready for a battle to keep his place in the team: “Kiko Casilla is a great goalkeeper, he has a good chance of being picked and it’s good to have competition. We’re going to battle it out and try to win a place on the team, but always while respecting our fellow team-mates. I’m very much at ease. First and foremost I wanted to recover from my injury and now it’s time to work hard in order to be picked and be 100% fit and ready for Real Madrid”.

By -
0

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says Rafa Benitez is the right man to lead the club back on the trophy trail.

The German joined Los Blancos last summer following an excellent showing at the World Cup. And while he enjoyed a strong opening season on a personal level at the Santiago Bernabeu, the team failed to win any major honours, something that cost Carlo Ancelotti his job.

Los Blancos are now preparing for the new campaign in Australia before heading to China next week for the next stage of their tour.

Speaking to reporters, Kroos said he has been impressed by Benitez so far and revealed the new boss likes to talk to his players a lot and makes them feel like a close knit group.

“I think we have a good chance to win titles with him. I hope to have a good year. He talks a lot with everybody and wants to create a good team. But is difficult to win trophies, particularly the Champions League, as there are always four or five candidates to win,” the midfielder stated.

Kroos joined Los Blancos from Bayern Munich where he had won numerous Bundesliga titles as well as the Champions League. He was also part of the Germany team that won the World Cup in Brazil.

By -
1

Reports in the UK media say Manchester United are resigned to losing goalkeeper David de Gea, but will only let him leave this summer if they can sign Sergio Ramos.

The saga has been dominating the back pages all summer so far, with plenty articles written about the two players potentially swapping cities.

United are believed to have had a 40 million euro bid for Ramos turned down, while Real insist he is not for sale. Los Blancos want to sign de Gea to be the new number one at the club but with just one year left on his deal, are unwilling to go above 20 million euros.

The BBC and ESPN say United chiefs are resigned to losing de Gea but are in no rush to do a deal with Madrid. They are even prepared to lose him on a free next summer, such is their unwillingness to sell to the 10-time Champions League winners.

According to the media reports, United have become increasingly irritated with the assumption they have to sell de Gea because of Real’s global standing. With the Red Devils’ revenue growing year-on-year, they want to fight for the world’s top players and won’t be bullied into selling their stars.

This transfer story has a long way to go yet before it is settled!

By -
5

Rafa Benitez says choosing a favourite between Real Madrid forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is like asking a child to pick between their father and mother.

Reports in Spain last season suggested the two most expensive players in the world didn’t see eye to eye, and some fans criticised the Welshman for being too selfish at times, preferring to shoot rather than pass to his Portuguese team mate.

Now, the pair will look to lead the team to glory this season, having missed out on major honours in the last campaign.

As a press conference in Australia, where Los Blancos are preparing to take on Roma in a pre season friendly, Benitez was asked to pick a favourite between the two.

And he responded: “You can ask my daughter if she prefers my wife or me. The father or the mother. It’s not easy. Ronaldo, Bale, all of them – they are so good. For me it’s not a problem. James, Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo or Bale, we have an option with all of them.

“Ronaldo is a key player for us, Gareth will be a key player for us. But the same will be Benzema, James, Isco, Kroos, Modric. We have a fantastic team. We have to keep improving the squad, keep working hard with the players that we have.”

He was then asked about whether he felt more pressure on him being in charge of the world’s most famous club compared to what he’s experienced as manager elsewhere.

And Benitez commented: “If you analyse what I have to do every day, it’s more or less the same. It’s a football team and you have to train, to coach, prepare the training sessions and (for) the game. So it’s more or less the same.

“Obviously you have more media, more people around watching you. For me it doesn’t change too much. I have to concentrate on my job and try to do my best in the things that I know. Coaching the team and trying to have a winning mentality. (I do) have an advantage. I know the city, I know the fans, I know the club. So that is an advantage.”

By -
2

Rafa Benitez’ reign as Real Madrid boss started with a loss after Los Blancos were denied by Roma on penalties at the MCG in Melbourne.

The 10-time Champions League winners had many of their established stars in the starting line up, with Manchester United target Sergio Ramos given the captain’s armband for the evening. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luke Modric, Raphael Varane and Marcelo all started the game at the iconic stadium that seats 100,000 spectators.

It was the Italians who began the game the brightest, and they could have been ahead after only five minutes, when de Rossi hit the bar.

Real grew into the game though as the first half wore on, with Bale looking the most lively of the attack. Ramos also created some space on a set play but fired over when he could have given the La Liga side the lead.

The second half saw a raft of changes from both sides, interrupting the game as a spectacle. For Los Blancos, the likes of Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Isco were introduced.

Neither side could break the deadlock and the match went to spot kicks. In a high quality shoot out, the first six takers for each side scored. On the seventh round of kicks, Madrid’s new right winger Lucas Vasquez saw his effort saved before former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita netted for Roma to win 7-6.

Los Blancos face Manchester City in their next pre-season game on July 24.

By -
2

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said he is committed to Porto and looking forward to a new stage in his career.

The 34-year-old said farewell to Los Blancos last week after signing a two-year deal with the Portuguese outfit, ending his 25-year career with the 10-time Champions League winners.

In a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, the World Cup and European Championship winner broke down in tears. Reports in Spain in recent days have said the veteran keeper did not want to leave the club and was sold against his wishes.

But speaking to press agency EFE, Casillas said he is keen to get started at his new club and is happy with move.

“Nobody can doubt my effort or my commitment to my new shirt. I will continue to work with the same enthusiasm and the same desire. In just a few days here, I have already felt the love and support of the fans on social networks, at the airport, in the stadium and on the streets of Porto,” he stated.

And he added: “My first impression is that these are unbeatable fans. I’m happy, excited and eager to start this new project. Porto are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and certainly the best team in Portugal.”

By -
0

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has said the pitch at the MCG in Mebourne is not in the best condition.

Los Blancos take on Roma on Saturday followed by a game against Manchester City as they ramp up their preparations for the new campaign in Australia.

The stadium, famous for hosting cricket and Aussie rules normally, has already had 15 matches played on it since the Aussie Rules campaign started. And this week, Melbourne was hit by some solid rainfall, further worsening the condition of the playing surface.

Speaking to journalists about the upcoming game against Roma and the state of the pitch, Benitez said: “I have to say, the pitch was not the best. We have to be aware of that, we have an important game, important players so hopefully they can do their best for the game.”

He then went on to praise the training base where Los Blancos have been staying, and was very positive about their experience in Australia.

“The facilities we have been training (on) have been really good, we have been pleased,” he said.I know (the game) will not be easy, just to say it is fine but it could be a little bit better,” the former Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli boss said.

By -
2

Rafa Benitez has said Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is a key member of his team and he has no intention of selling him.

The 29-year-old has been subject of intense speculation this summer, with Manchester United having had a 40 million euro offer turned down. Reports in Spain suggest the Red Devils could be back with a final offer for the centre back as they look to shore up their defence.

Ramos was said to be unhappy with club president Florentino Perez over a failure to put him among the highest paid members while discussing a new deal. The defender, who could take over the captaincy of the club after Iker Casillas’ departure, has two years remaining on his deal.

Speaking to reporters in Australia, the new boss said Ramos is a vital member of his team and will be for the upcoming campaign.

“There is a lot of talk about his [Ramos’] situation. For me he is an enormous professional. He applies himself and does everything that the team and I ask. The president has already commented that he is staying with the club,” he said.
He added: “I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas and his future.I see Sergio as an integral part of our team. He is a winner and that is what we need in our team.”

By -
3

Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Espanyol to sign goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, it has been confirmed.

The 28-year-old, a Los Blancos youth product, will sign a five-year deal with the Santiago Bernabeu club, replacing Iker Casillas, who left for Porto last week.

It is thought Real have paid a fee of around six million euros, around half of what Espanyol were looking for. The 10-time Champions League winners paid less than the market price as they still part owned Casilla, despite letting him go in 2008.

A statement from the club read: “Real Madrid and Espanyol have agreed to the transfer of Kiko Casilla, subject to a necessary medical examination. The player will be tied to the club for the next five seasons.”

It is unclear whether the signing of Casilla will spell an end to Madrid’s pursuit of David de Gea from Manchester United – seen as the long term successor to Casillas for both club and country.

After the deal was announced, Casilla spoke to reporters to express his delight at returning home to the Spanish capital.

“The opportunity to sign for Real Madrid comes only once and I was determined to take it. Iker’s time at Madrid is at an end and I wish him the best, but now it’s my turn. I think he’s the best Madrid goalkeeper ever, though.

“Espanyol gave me the opportunity to become a professional player and I am grateful to the club for letting me leave. They’ll remain a close club to me and I hope to come back someday in the future,” he commented.

1...354355356...733Page 355 of 733

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