Page 378

By -
9

Marco Verratti has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, especially since Carlo Ancelotti arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, as the Italian manager had coached the midfielder at Paris Saint-Germain.

After Ancelotti’s exit, many could have thought Los Blancos were no longer interested in Verratti. Yet, Florentino Perez has turned the 22-year-old into his priority to reinforce Los Merengues midfield this summer, Spanish sports newspaper As has revealed.

It is obvious Real need a defensive midfielder to find the perfect balance and Los Blancos directors have chosen Verratti, although Casemiro could also play that role if he finally returns from his loan at Porto.

Verratti has recently stated he’s willing to continue playing for PSG despite having offers from other big European clubs. However, should he receive a call from Real Madrid, he would surely change his mind.

The main obstacle will be PSG’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is not willing to let one of his most talented players go. Real Madrid will have to bid high and expect the player to exert pressure on the club in order to see the transfer completed.

Verratti has made 52 appearances for the French side this season, scoring three goals and providing nine assists.

By -
1

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is set to make his loan move to Porto a permanent one, according to the Portuguese club.

The Brazilian, who joined Los Blancos in January 2013 after a successful loan spell, spent this past season with Julen Lopetegui’s side having seen his chances of first team football at the Santiago Bernabeu blocked by the arrival of Toni Kroos among others last summer.

The 23-year-old played 41 times for the Estádio do Dragão outfit, scoring four goals along the way as Porto finished runners-up to Benfica in the Primeira Liga.

A statement in Porto’s newsletter, Dragoes Diario, said they were keen to sign the central midfielder on a permanent basis but a decision was still due to be made by Los Blancos. Should Real wish to bring him back, they would have to pay Porto some compensation as part of the original loan deal.

It read: “Today we give you good news that we want to become very good news. Porto have informed Real Madrid of their intention to acquire Casemiro.

“The agreement between the parties provides, however, the possibility that the Spanish club can reject the option, compensating Porto, so the ball is with Madrid. The truth is that Casemiro is closer to being a player of FC Porto.”

By -
5

Rafa Benitez wants to have an ‘English-style’ set up at Real Madrid – should be become boss soon – according to reports in the Spanish press.

The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea manager is thought to be next in line to take over at Real Madrid following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. Benitez’ current club have called a press conference for Thursday afternoon in which it is widely expected they will announce the Madrileno will be leaving his role after the Seria A season reaches its conclusion this weekend.

And according to AS, the soon-to-be Real boss, as reported by many of the major media outlets in the UK, Italy and Spain, say he wants full control of player recruitment, and the youth system – as is the norm in England.

AS also says Benitez, who was once a youth team coach at Los Blancos in the 1990s, wants to bring in many of his team from Napoli. This includes goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero and analyst Antonio Gomez. Riccardo Bigon, currently the sporting director at the Italian outfit could also be recruited to oversee the youth set-up in the Spanish capital, reports suggest.

While no official word has been made by Real, it is thought they will confirm the Spaniard’s arrival next week.

By -
1

Former Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid striker Diego Forlan has said some of the decisions made by the Real Madrid directors defy logic at times and the club’s chiefs only want it to make headlines.

Los Blancos were indeed in the press again this week, with plenty of coverage surrounding the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked just 12 months after winning the Champions League – a trophy Real Madrid had to wait 12 years for and go through 11 managers before the Italian secured it.

Writing in his column for UAE’s National newspaper, Forlan said Madrid only want to make headlines, and have paid the price in recent years – by selling some of their best players and sacked world class coaches.

He wrote: “Real Madrid always do things which appear to have no logic. That’s what Madrid do. They sack managers when they’ve won the European Cup, they sell some of their best players at their peak.

“This week they sacked Carlo Ancelotti, just five months after his team was crowned world champions and less than a year after he won the decima, the 10th European Cup they tried to win for 12 years. Everyone shakes their heads at Madrid, but everyone pays attention to the club at the same time. Madrid is always the story, this big machine dominating the media.”

The Uruguayan cited another example of headline making, with the sale of Angel di Maria last summer. The South American was at the peak of his powers, loved by the fans and his fellow team mates, but has struggled since his move to Manchester United.

“I couldn’t understand why they sold Angel di Maria last August. He was one of their best players of recent seasons and hugely popular with players and fans,” he commented,

And he went on: “Instead, Di Maria was struggling at Manchester United at a great club with a coach who isn’t keen on South American players. Juan Riquelme barely got a chance at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal and while Di Maria has had chances this season, he joined a club in transition.”

By -
0

Carlo Ancelotti would have been delighted to stay in charge of Real Madrid next season, despite needing to take time off this summer to have surgery, his wife has said.

The Italian was sacked this week after two seasons at the club in which he won the Champions League, Copa del Rey, European Super Cup and World Club Cup. The team’s failure to land either La Liga or retain the Champions League this year has cost him his job and Los Blancos are on the search for a 12th manager this century.

Ancelotti has said he will now take a year out from the game and will travel to Canada this summer for surgery on a longstanding back issue.

But his wife, Mariann, told Vanity Fair her husband would happily have continued at the club and loved his job in the Spanish capital.

“If Real had wanted, Carlo would have continued. But it did not happen and Carlo wants to recharge his batteries here in Madrid before making a decision about which club will be his next,” she said.

She went on to reveal their plans to stay in Spain for the foreseeable future as they love the warmth of the Madrileno people, and want to travel the country to visit places they have yet to see.

“We wanted to take advantage of the possibility to get to know places in Spain that we have not been able to visit up to now – museums, restaurants etc. In addition, we are going to have a new member of our family shortly and we look forward to the arrival of Alessandro, our daughter Katia’s son.

“Additionally, the people of Madrid are incredible. They have supported us a lot and they have transmitted their respect to us and the enormous appreciation that they have for Carlo.We are very grateful to the people for their affection and loyalty,” she revealed.

 

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Pepe has put on the charm ahead of Rafa Benitez being confirmed as the club’s new manager, labelling him a ‘great coach.’

The Napoli manager, who started his coaching career in the youth team set up at Los Blancos more than 20 years ago, confirmed he would be leaving the Italian side after their final game of the season this weekend.

It almost certainly means his will be installed as the man to take over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was cut loose at the start of this week for the failure to land La Liga or the Champions League.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pepe said while nothing was confirmed about Benitez, he thought he was a great coach who had done well wherever he’s managed, especially at Liverpool.

“Benitez is a great coach who has done good work wherever he has been, especially with Liverpool. But at the moment it is still press talk, we will have to see what happens in the coming days,” he said.

He added the players were sad to see Ancelotti go though, and wished him well.

“Ancelotti has our affection. His departure leaves us all a bit sad because he was a very good coach. But we must continue our lives and we hope he rests well. Before he left, Ancelotti told us he had really liked working with us and that we were a very good group who had given him great joy in winning La Decima.”

By -
1

Real Madrid are expected to announce the signing of Rafa Benitez as their new manager next week and the Spaniard has taken the first step towards moving to Madrid by announcing he will not continue coaching Napoli.

In a press conference at Napoli stadium, the former Liverpool coach confirmed he will not extend his contract with Napoli: “Sunday’s match will be my last game as Napoli manager. My stage at this club has come to an end.”

In a press conference at Napoli offices Benitez thanked everyone for their support: “I want to thank the president, the club and all the ‘tifosi’ because after two years my experience here is finishing,” he said.

Benitez was accompanied by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who wished the Spaniard the best: “He’s a coach that conquered me in an instant two years ago in London and has confirmed that impression I had. The contract we signed was for two years, with an option of extending it to a third. He has made a decision and I wish him the best.”

The former Los Blancos player refused to confirm that Real Madrid will be his new destiny, but the deal has already been closed and Florentino Perez will announce it next week.

By -
1
Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has admitted he has felt disappointed by the jeers he has received from some sections of the support this season but has vowed to carry on as the number one.

The 34-year-old has spent 25 years at the club and 16 in the first team set up. During the last decade and a half, the shot stopper has won everything there is to win in the game, including the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, World Club Cup, European Super Cup and Spanish Supercopa.

At international level, Casillas is a Spanish legend having made more appearances than any other player in the history of La Roja, and winning the World Cup once and European Championships twice.

In an interview with El Larguero, Casillas said the jeers have upset him at times, but he takes it on the chin and comes back a stronger person for it.

“I don’t cry about the whistles but I have gone home angry. Madrid asks for the best of you, every year. I’ve been in the first team for 16 years and at the club for 25, and if your level is eight you can’t go down to seven-and-a-half,” he stated.

And he added: “I’ll be with the fans who applaud. I understand those who whistle. I’ve had days where I’ve thought about quitting, but then I thought ‘what the heck.’”

In contrast to the jeers received by Casillas, other legends of the modern era Xavi Hernandez and Steven Gerrard were given incredible send offs by Barcelona and Liverpool as the pair wind down their careers in the USA and Qatar respectively.

Casillas admitted he he’d like to be recognised like that one day. “I was a bit jealous [of Xavi and Gerrard] but not that much as I’m not moving. But I am happy for them, they deserve it.”

By -
4

Rafa Benitez’s first petition once he’s unveiled as Real Madrid manager will be the signing of Liverpool star Raheem Sterling. The Daily Mirror has claimed the England international will be a priority target for the Spaniard.

The 20-year-old winger was first linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer https://www.realmadridnews.com/real-madrid-target-young-british-pearl-9138 during the Brazil World Cup. Los Blancos have been monitoring his progression since then and they reports they’ve got are very positive.

Benitez has also been following Sterling very closely, and seems convinced that the Englishman could succeed at Real Madrid.

Sterling has scored 11 goals in 52 appearances this season. Liverpool have offered him a contract extension, but the player has refused to sign a new deal, which suggests that he could be planning to move out of Anfield Road.

Should he decided to leave Liverpool this summer, he will surely have plenty of offers and it won’t be easy for Benitez to convince him. Many big European clubs can offer him a high salary and a leading role in the team, while at the Santiago Bernabeu he will have to compete for a spot in the starting eleven with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez.

By -
0

Wales boss Chris Coleman has echoed the thoughts of Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett by claiming the Real Madrid players don’t pass to the Welshman.

The Los Blancos forward was criticised on numerous occasions this season for some perceived poor performances. On a couple of times, Madrid ‘fans’ even took it upon themselves to wait at the club’s Valdebebas training ground to hurl abuse at Bale.

The 91-million-euro signing finished the campaign with 17 goals in all competitions and 10 assists, similar figures to Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – a player many Madrid supporters would like to see at the club.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the upcoming internationals, Coleman, who was in charge briefly at Real Sociedad earlier in his management career, said Bale was actually getting into good positions but was being overlooked by his team mates.

“He was heavily criticised after that first leg [against Juventus in the Champions League] but I am seeing him in great positions and not receiving the ball from certain players. My assistant Osian called me up and I told him ‘I know what you are going to say, they are not giving him the ball’,” Coleman said.

He continued: “It wasn’t Carlo Ancelotti’s fault, it is down to the players on the pitch and it looked to me like he was being overlooked. You can only do what you do best. With us when he is good positions we make sure we give it to him, in Madrid I did not see that and it was not because he was not working hard.

“I am not saying it was just Ronaldo, but offensively I look at Madrid and wonder why he is not getting the ball. That Madrid team towards the end of the season looked disjointed and did not seem to have that togetherness, and Gareth has suffered for that.”

1...377378379...733Page 378 of 733

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