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Carlo Ancelotti has claimed he doesn’t understand people who whistle Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid manager spoke at a press conference ahead of the crucial game against Sevilla.

“I don’t understand it. Cristiano has scored so many goals because he has that character, because he’s never happy with himself and always wants to improve,” the Italian explained.

Ancelotti confirmed Gareth Bale is recovered from his injury but Karim Benzema isn’t: “He has trained with the team and I think he will be available for Sevilla. Karim is working alone and we’ll see if Sunday or Monday he can join the team.”

Asked whether Sergio Ramos will play in midfield again like he did against Atletico Madrid: “It’s an option, he did well against Atletico, but we have many choices like displaying Isco in the centre.”

Speaking of the rival, Ancelotti seemed confident of winning: “We’ve played against Sevilla twice this season and we have won. It is true last year we suffered, but we have to learn from the good things and the bad.”

“We have to do our best. Sevilla are complicated, they are very strong at home, where they have a great run. We need to be the best Real Madrid possible,” Ancelotti added.

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Real Madrid face a crucial challenge as they pay a visit to Sevilla with four matches remaining in La Liga. Dropping points against Unai Emery men would destroy Los Blancos hopes of conquering the title.

Carlo Ancelotti will recover Gareth Bale for this important challenge. The Welshman has completely recovered from his muscle injury and could send Champions League hero Chicharito Hernandez back to the bench.

Karim Benzema, on the other hand, hasn’t recovered on time and is still sidelined through injury. Luka Modric is also a loss for Los Merengues.

Ancelotti main doubt is whether lining-up Sergio Ramos again in midfield, like he did against Atletico Madrid, or maintain Asier Illarramendi. He could also opt to display Isco alongside Toni Kroos, but that is less likely.

Sevilla will be a tough rival, since they are fighting for a Champions League spot. They are the last unbeaten club at home in La Liga and have recently made Barcelona drop points.

Emery will miss Nico Pareja and Cristoforo due to injuries, and Spanish international Vitolo is a doubt.

Possible line-ups:

Sevilla: Rico; Coke; Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; Vidal, Banega, Krychowiak, Reyes; Iborra, Bacca.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Ramos, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Ronaldo.

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Gareth Bale’s future at Real Madrid depends on the whims of club president Florentino Perez, according to ex-Real chief Ramon Calderon.

Calderon lost his power struggle to Perez in 2009 and has been critical of the current president’s running of the club, saying it is all about he ego more than anything else.

Bale was signed for 91 million euros in the summer of 2013, and despite scoring the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final last season and the crucial second goal in the Champions League final, he has come under fire this season. Fans have been critical of his performances and on two occasions this season, mindless idiots have even taken to waiting outside the club’s training ground to abuse the Welshman.

Media reports in Spain and the UK have suggested Bale could be a target for Manchester United and a return to the Premier League could be ideal for Bale, who would not be under so much scrutiny.

Speaking to the International Business Times, Calderon said much depends on Perez, as he never likes to sell players he has signed because he sees it as a case of him failing.

“Bale’s future will depend on the whims of the president. But you have to have in mind that he protects much the players that he signed. He has always defended those he has brought to the club. He doesn’t like to admit that he has made a mistake,” he stated.

And he added: “He does the same with the players he inherited from us. He didn’t like Van Nistelrooy, Robben, Sneijder because we bought them. He wants to show that what he can do nobody can. Indeed, he signed Kaka even though he was injured just to prove he was capable of doing what the other couldn’t.”

“Florentino has always liked to stand out by doing things nobody else do. He always said that Real Madrid need to sign Ballon D’or [winners] and pay more than the rest of clubs because it is a sign of prestige.”

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FA Cup finalists Arsenal are lining up a move for Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, according to reports.

Onda Cero says a deal could be agreed should Los Blancos sign David de Gea from Manchester United, having identified him as the successor to long-serving captain.

Casillas has a deal until 2017 with the Santiago Bernabeu club, but Real could buy him out of the final two years of his contract, according to the radio station, meaning the Gunners would be able to afford a deal and his wages.

Reports that Real could be handed a two-window transfer ban could speed up the process of replacing Casillas, and movement could happen in the summer.

Casillas, the club captain, has lifted 18 trophies in his outstanding career, but has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. A move to north London would mean continuing playing at the highest level, with the Gunners having qualified for the Champions League for the last 18 years.

The UK press have suggested the FA Cup holders want to get rid of Wojciech Szczęsny after some error-prone performances this season, and provide top level competition for current number one, David Ospina.

Should Casillas be available for transfer, Liverpool may also come into the frame as they are looking to replace Simon Mignolet, reports say.

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Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has said he has been pleasantly surprised at how well Javier Hernandez has played in recent weeks.

After spending much of the season on the bench, the on-loan striker has quickly become a fans’ favourite after netting the winner against Atletico de Madrid in the quarter-final of the Champions League. He followed that up with a brace at the weekend as Los Blancos saw off Celta Vigo 4-2 to keep up the pressure on Barcelona in La Liga.

Speaking to Spanish football show El Chiringuito, 38-year-old Guti said although Chicharito is scoring goals, he is also very much a team player. He added his performances have been a bonus for the side in recent games as Karim Benzema has been injured.

“It’s a joy that after so much time Chicharito has not let his head drop. For me it has been amazing. When I saw him at Manchester United he was a player who got into the area and was always there,” he said.

And he added: “I’ve been surprised at his control and how he has played out wide. He has improved a lot and has done very well for Real Madrid in recent games. There have been moves where he could have gone it alone but he is playing more for the team than himself.”

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Raphael Varane believes he is in the best form of his Real Madrid career to date and is delighted to be playing on a more regular basis, he’s said.

The 21-year-old centre-back told journalists after the game against Almeria on Wednesday evening that his is happy with his progress this season and will always give 100% when he pulls on the famous white jersey.

Previously hampered by injuries and kept out of the side by Pepe and Sergio Ramos, there were some reports in the press Varane would look to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in search of regular first team football.

“I’ve been playing more regularly in 2015 because of injuries but also because of technical decisions. I always try to give it my all for the team and I’m really happy. I’m part of the manager’s plans and if I’m able to help the team, then all the better. I try to repay the manager for the confidence he has shown in me. I’m in great form and hope to maintain this level until the end of the season,” he told the media after the final whistle.

And he then focused on what lies ahead for the team, saying: “We’ll continue giving it everything until the end of the season and will try to win all our remaining games in order to put pressure on Barcelona. We are going to battle until the end. We are focusing on our upcoming games, we’ll see what happens afterwards.”

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Alvaro Arbeloa says he is not upset with Cristiano Ronaldo after the Real Madrid forward acted angrily to the right back scoring ahead of him in the game against Almeria.

The defender scored his first league goal for seven years when he turned home Chicharito’s cross in the 3-0 win over Almeria. But Cristiano Ronaldo was waiting just behind him and was keen to get on the scoresheet to keep up with Leo Messi in the race for the Pichichi award.

Rather than celebrate with his team mate, Ronaldo angrily rifled the ball into the net before walking back to the half way line.

Talking to journalists after the game, Arbeloa said his team mate’s reaction was understandable.

“I’m not upset about Cristiano’s gesture. It’s normal that he should be angry, he didn’t score and his ambition is always to score. The Pichichi trophy is at stake for him and we all understand that and try to help him,” he told reporters.

Speaking about the final stretch in the season, the former Liverpool man stated: “We’re not tired coming into the run-in. We have fuel in the tank, so we come into it in great shape, with all the strength in the world. In the Champions League our fate is in our own hands, and in La Liga it isn’t: our aim is to win the seven games that we have left if we get to the final in Berlin.

“The day we lost in Barcelona, we knew that we had to win the 10 games that we had left. If they do that too, we’ll congratulate them. But we have to put as much pressure on as possible and win all the games we have left, so that they have to fight and are made to sweat right to the end.”

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Keylor Navas hailed James Rodriguez after the Real Madrid man scored a spectacular volley in the 3-0 win over Almeria on Wednesday evening.

As the first half was drawing to a close, James smashed a spectacular effort into the net to put his side ahead on the night. It was a goal reminiscent of his effort for Colombia in the World Cup last summer that earned him the Goal of the Tournament award.

Speaking after watching his team mate’s latest wonder goal, Navas said: “James is a player with a lot of quality and in those positions he finishes really well. It’s a great goal, it makes us all happy and we have to enjoy it. It’s a goal similar to the one that he got at the World Cup, and another that he scored in Granada.”

The goalkeeper urged his team mates to keep going in the race for La Liga and give 100% in matches and in training.

“We’re going to carry on with the same mentality that we’ve had. The group have always been united and strong and we’re going to carry on that way during the run-in to the season, which we all want to round off on a high.

“It’s always nice to play, and that’s what we all work for. We’re going to keep up the hard work that we’re putting in in every training session, to take advantage of our opportunities and give our all for Real Madrid.”

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes his side can win their remaining four La Liga fixtures to keep the pressure on Barcelona until the final day of the campaign.

Despite not being at their best, Real ran out 3-0 winners over Almeria on Wednesday night to cut the gap on the leaders once more to just two points. And the Italian boss admits that he doesn’t think Luis Enrique’s side will drop any more points this season, but if they do, his team will be on hand to take over at the top of the league.

“We’re not convinced that Barcelona are going to drop points; we are convinced that we can win the four games that we have left. I don’t have any personal ambitions, because my trophy cabinet is already full. Only for Real Madrid, the fans, the club and my players,” he said at his press conference.

He added that it wasn’t the best performance from his team, but they all did what they had to do.

“All the players did what they had to do. Those who don’t tend to play always can find it more difficult. I’m happy with the work everyone did, including those who maybe didn’t have a great match, but put in a lot of effort. I’m not unfair. I make decisions, it’s my job. I know that those who don’t play aren’t happy, but it isn’t unfair.”

The Italian was also asked about Cristiano Ronaldo, who has now scored just one in his last five games and showed signs of frustration against Almeria, aware that he is in a fight with Leo Messi for the Pichichi award.

“Cristiano is in very good shape, he recovers very well after games and he’s fresh. He isn’t suffering from tiredness. He didn’t score today, but he worked hard. If he didn’t score today, he can score on Saturday. My personal opinion is that if Cristiano doesn’t score a goal from here on in, I’ll still be happy. He has scored 50 and I’ve never had a player who scored 50 a season,” Ancelotti commented.

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Real Madrid defender Pepe has said the players will do all they can to keep up the pressure on Barcelona in La Liga and will keep fighting for the title.

Los Blancos sit two points behind the Catalans after their 3-0 win over Almeria on Wednesday night, with just four games remaining. Of those four, Real face two tough tests – a trip to Sevilla and a home game against Valencia, while Barcelona have the easier run in of the two.

Speaking to journalists after the game, the Portugal defender said Los Blancos hadn’t hit top gear against Almeria and the first half was particularly disappointing with plenty of missed chances.

“We had a lot of the possession and created loads of chances in the first half but the ball wouldn’t go in. We have to keep working and fighting to win La Liga, that’s the obligation that comes with wearing the Real Madrid jersey, working hard and showing determination,” he stated.

And he continued: “We were able to get into our stride and it was an easy game on paper because it was at home. The team performed well and James scored a beautiful goal for the enjoyment of everyone. Now we have an important game coming up on Saturday against Sevilla and we need to prepare for it well. We are going to fight for the La Liga title right until the end.”

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