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Adier Illarramendi has said Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti can rely on him should Luka Modric and Gareth Bale be missing for an extended period of time through injury.

The pair both picked up injuries in the 3-1 win over Malaga, and are unlikely to play against Atletico de Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final. The two teams drew 0-0 in the first game at the Vicente Calderon last Tuesday evening.

Illarra told journalists after the win over the Andalucian side that he is ready to be called up in the weeks ahead. “They didn’t look good but we don’t know what is wrong, we have to wait for the tests. They are two crucial players for us and we hope that there is nothing wrong with them. I am available and if they need me I will be there. I train as hard as I can everyday for that chance,” he stated.

Speaking about his situation at the club, the midfielder added: “I have a contract here and I am very happy. I had a bit of difficulty adapting last year. However, now I am very happy here in the city and my team mates. Of course, I would like to stay here.”

 

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has said he is devastated to be injured again just a month after returning to the side but hopes to make his comeback next month.

The Croatian picked up a knee injury in the win over Malaga at the weekend and on Sunday it was reported that the player will be missing for around six week- effectively ending his season prematurely.

The former Spurs man missed four months of the campaign with a hamstring tear picked up on international duty in November, and his return to the side had seen Madrid enjoy an upturn in form, winning their last four La Liga matches since the defeat to Barcelona in the Clasico last month.

Speaking to Sportske Novosti, the 29-year-old said he knee the problem was serious the moment he collided with Malaga’s Recio. But he said he is determined to recover quickly.

“I felt dizzy the moment I took the knock. It really hurt a lot. I knew it was something serious. I am so sad that I’ve been injured again – and this time at the most important stage of the season. But I have to keep my chin up and work hard again to get fit again,” he said.

And he continued: “I spent four or five months fighting to get back on the pitch and it all looked great. I felt I was getting back to my best but then came more trouble.  But if I keep whining, it will only make things worse, so I’ll keep my head up and go to work. My goal now is to be back before the end of the season. Maybe I can recovery quickly and still play some league matches. I will try my hardest.”

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Gareth Bale is set to miss up to three weeks of action with a calf injury picked up at the weekend, delivering another blow to Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico de Madrid.

The Welshman last just three minutes at the weekend against Malaga, a game which Madrid eventually went on to win 3-1 to take them back to within two points of leaders Barcelona with six games remaining.

Bale went for tests on Monday morning and the club confirmed on the official website that the 25-year-old injured the soleus muscle on his left leg.

The statement read: “Following tests carried out on Gareth Bale at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left soleus. His progress will be monitored.”

Bale could be a doubt for the semi-final of the Champions League – if they get past their rivals on Wednesday – with the first leg of the next round taking place on May 5/6.

News of Bale’s injury will be a blow for Ancelotti, who is already without Luka Modric and unlikely to be able to call on the services of Karim Benzema for the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Real Madrid forward Chicharito has said he was happy to play his part in the team’s win over Malaga on Saturday.

The Mexican came on in the third minute of the game to replace the injured Gareth Bale and played his part in Ronaldo’s goal, the third for Madrid in a 3-1 win that took Los Blancos to two points of Barcelona again in La Liga.

The 26-year-old has endured a tough campaign having to settle for a place on the bench most of the time. But although his loan deal from Manchester United is unlikely to be extended at the end of the campaign, Javier Hernandez said he is happy to help the team whenever he has the opportunity to play.

Speaking to reporters after the game, he revealed he was happy to take the chance to show Ancelotti what he can do, although it is never nice to replace a team mate who is injured.

“It is a shame what happened to Modric and Bale, I hope it is nothing serious. It is sad to come on for an injured team mate but I was given an opportunity, I tried to do the best I could and I was able to help the team,” he said.

And he added: “I am very happy with the result. The move for the goal went well and Cristiano was able to score. Now we have to think ahead to Atlético, we will concentrate on the Champions League and we have to win at home. We want to finish it off at the Bernabéu.”

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Carlo Ancelotti has said his players will fight hard until the final of the season in pursuit of Barcelona after watching his Real Madrid side defeat Malaga 3-1 on Saturday.

Real closed the gap to two points again after the Catalans had temporarily extended their lead to five after seeing off Valencia earlier in the afternoon. And with six games remaining, La Liga is all to play for.

Los Blancos won thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored his 50th goal in yet another spectacular season in the famous white shirt.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Italian boss said he was pleased with what he’d seen – even though Real paid the price for victory with Luka Modric and Gareth Bale succumbing to injury.

“It was a positive game, it wasn’t negative even if we had two problems with Bale and Modric. The game was positive because the side won despite lots of difficulties, injuries, a missed penalty…We fought, everyone really gave everything they could and worked well,” he said.

And he added: “Our aim is to keep it alive for as long as possible. Both sides have difficult games. At the moment both sides are playing for a lot, and that means that every game is difficult. Barcelona have an advantage. We have to try and win all our games to force them to also win.”

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo has said the players had to fight hard for the win over Malaga but deserved the three points in the end.

Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored for the hosts, although it wasn’t all plain sailing for the 10-time Champions League winners. Ronaldo missed a penalty, while Gareth Bale and Luka Modric both picked up injuries.

Talking to reporters post-match, the Brazilian said it was a tough win and the players were pleased to have come through the test.

“We tried to do what we know best and to keep possession of the ball. Málaga are a great side and always make things difficult for us, but today we played with more fight, hard work and sacrifice. It was an open game up until the end,” he stated.

The defender then switched his attention to the Champions League match against Atletico on Wednesday, saying it will be another battle.

“It will be a battle like always. They play with a lot of intensity but we have the fans who will help us a lot. We are going to give everything we can on the pitch to go through. I will be supporting my team mates and it will be a great game.”

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is set to miss the next six weeks having picked up a knee injury in the win over Malaga.

The news will come as a huge blow for boss Carlo Ancelotti and Madridistas around the world as it means the Croatian – one of the key players in the Real side – is effectively out for the rest of the campaign, but could feature should Los Blancos reach the final of the Champions League in Berlin on June 6.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man, who missed four months of the season with a hamstring problem picked up on international duty in the autumn, only made his return to the team last month.

The 29-year-old came off in the second half of the match against Malaga, and it looked like the issue could be serious at the time. A statement on the club website on Sunday confirmed the bad news.

“Following tests on Luka Modric at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital by Real Madrid’s medical services, the player has been diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee,” it read.

Modric played a key role in the side’s victories in the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, and his injury will be a big blow for the team as they seek to overhaul Barcelona in La Liga and become the first club to retain the Champions League.

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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has said team mate Cristiano Ronaldo works incredibly hard in training and always wants to improve – but needs to time when he hosts parties better.

The Portuguese forward courted plenty of publicity in February when he celebrated his 30th birthday with 200 guests at an exclusive nightspot in Madrid just hours after the team had lost 4-0 in the derby against Atletico de Madrid.

In an interview with AS, Kroos said he was aware of the party was going ahead but he opted to stay away after events at the Vicente Calderon.

Aside from joking about his team mate, the World Cup winner revealed Ronaldo is one of the hardest working at the club when it comes to putting in the hours on the training field and is always wanting to improve as a player.

“Cristiano is crazy for football. If he could just chose better timing for his parties that would be great! I didn’t go. I was invited a few days before and mentioned to him that we had the derby against Atletico and it wouldn’t be easy.  As you know, we lost 4-0. I’m not of the opinion that it should have been cancelled. It would have been a logistical nightmare to cancel a part with 200 invitees in just two hours.  I decided not to go as it didn’t feel right at the time,” he said.

He added: “But Cristiano works so hard on a day-to-day basis, he’s determined to improve. He loves scoring goals. Only he can achieve what he is achieving. His hard work is all combined with his great natural talent.”

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The 0-0 draw with Atletico de Madrid on Tuesday evening in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final has left Real Madrid in a tricky position ahead of the return game, according to Toni Kroos.

Los Blancos had the better of the chances at the Vicente Calderon but couldn’t make the breakthrough on the night.

It means they will have to win at the Santiago Bernabeu – a score draw would take Diego SImeone’s team through on away goals.

And while many of the players have spoken about feeling confident of getting a result in front of their home fans, Kroos said the failure to get a goal at the Calderon leaves them in a perilous position.

In quotes published by AS, the German said: “We should have beaten Atletico. It wouldn’t have been unjust, but we have to accept the result for what it is. However, 0-0 is a dangerous result for us with the current away-goals rule.”

The World Cup winner went on to talk about his season overall, and once again spoke of his delight at having joined the club last summer.

“My intention is to stay at the club for a considerable time. I’ve signed a five-year contract and am very happy here and am excited about the future. I’m happy having plenty of time to spend with my family and not having to give daily interviews!”

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Real Madrid earned a hard-fought win over Malaga and moved back two points behind Barcelona in the table, keep their title hopes alive.

Goals from Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo saved Los Blancos in a tricky game against the Andalusians, who played a great game but lacked offensive power.

It wasn’t an easy victory for Carlo Ancelotti men. Especially since they suffered a big blow after 15 minutes when Gareth Bale had to leave the pitch due to a hamstring injury. The Welshman was replaced by Chicharito Hernandez and he is expected to miss next week’s crucial game against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The Mexico international had a great start, and he was close to giving Los Blancos the lead following a James Rodriguez free kick. However, his brilliant header was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

Yet, Sergio Ramos would make it 1-0 in another free kick after 24 minutes. Ronaldo sent a precise cross into the box and the Spaniard converted from close range. Malaga players insisted the defender was offside.

Los Merengues had two goals disallowed before half-time. Ramos found the back of the net again after receiving a cross from Toni Kroos, but his time he was offside. James Rodriguez was also caught offside after sending a shot into the back of the net.

Malaga exerted some pressure in the second half and Nordin Amrabat was close to levelling flusing a powerful shot into the bottom corner, but his effort was just wide of the post.

Ronaldo had a major chance to make it 2-0 as Real were awarded a penalty when James was brought down inside the box. The Portuguese’s effort hit the post.

However, James scored two minutes later as he fired one into the top corner from outside the box.

Juanmi shortened the lead as he headed a Mauro Rosales cross. However, Ronaldo made it 3-1 in stoppage time to seal the win and score his 50th goal of the season.

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