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Champions League trophy

Juventus director Pavel Nedved has said he is glad the Seria A side avoided Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the quarter finals of the Champions League but Real Madrid aren’t as strong as they once were.

Los Blancos defeated Bayern 5-0 over two legs in last year’s semi-final before seeing off city rivals Atletico de Madrid 4-1 in the final in Lisbon to lift their 10th Champions League crown.

The started this season in formidable fashion, winning 22 games in a row between September and December. But since the turn of the year, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have taken a turn for the worse when it comes to form, and have let go of their lead in La Liga and only scraped past Schalke the last-16 of the Champions League.

Speaking to El Mundo Deportivo, former midfielder Nedved said: “It’s good [for Juve] to have avoided Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who are the best teams in Europe at the moment.”

The former Ballon d’Or winner did go on to warn about Real though, saying that although they are not in the best form at the moment, all of that can change very quickly. “Real Madrid are not at the level of last year. But everything can change very quickly.”

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Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to miss the La Liga clasg with Granada at the weekend due to a thigh injury.

The Portugal international picked up a knock in the Clasico two weeks ago and missed his national side’s Euro 2016 win over Serbia last weekend and their embarrassing home loss to the Cape Verde Islands during the week.

The 32-year-old returned to Los Blancos’ training base but has been unable to take part in sessions with the first team squad, and a statement on the club’s website confirmed the defender will miss the game this weekend.

It read: “Following the medical tests carried out on Pepe by the Real Madrid doctors in the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the vastus internus muscle in his right thigh. His progress will be monitored.”

French centre-back Raphael Varane is likely to continue to deputise in Pepe’s absence. The 21-year-old has provided effective cover this season as Pepe and Sergio Ramos have both spend significant spells on the sidelines.

Although it’s yet to be confirmed how long Pepe will be missing for, Ancelotti will be keen for Pepe to be back in time for the crucial Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico de Madrid on April 14.

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Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez has a tough task ahead of himself if he is to oust any of the BBC from the line-up, according to Alvaro Morata.

The young forward is competing with three of the finest forwards in world football in Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team, and has had to be content with a back up role this season.

And Morata, who left the Santiago Bernabeu for Juventus last summer in search of more regular first team football said Jese must work hard but has the ability to make it to the top at the 10-time Champions League winners. But he warned that if another top forward catches Madrid’s impression, they are more likely to go out and buy than give youth a chance.

Jese made an impression last season on his boss and fans by scoring eight goals in 31 games before a serious knee injury cut short his season. He has now recovered after nine months on the sidelines.

Speaking to Spanish radio station, Onda Cero, Morata said: “It’s tough competing with the BBC. Jese can do well, but if there’s a forward shining abroad, Real Madrid will want to sign him.”

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has spoken of his love of playing for the Spanish giants.

The Croatian midfielder endured a difficult first season in Spain after his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012, but blossomed last season to become a key member of Carlo Ancelotti’s side that ended the club’s 12-year wait for their 10th Champions League trophy – La Decima. He also played a key role in the club’s success in lifting the Copa del Rey.

The 29-year-old, linked with a move to Manchester City in recent days, carried on his good form this season and forged a superb partnership with new boy Toni Kroos in the heart of the Real midfield before a thigh injury interrupted his season and he had to sit on the sidelines for three months.

Speaking to Croatian news service Hina at a presentation earlier this week, Modric was asked about playing for the club.

And he said: “In every club there are special emotions, in every one I had friendships. I think the one that I like the most is in Real Madrid.”

He was then asked what he would have been if he hadn’t made it as a footballer, to which the player replied: “If I didn’t come a footballer, I would’ve probably been a waiter. Thank God I chose to play football.”

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Daniel Carvajal with Bayer Leverkusen

Real Madrid right-back Daniel Carvajal has said people have been quick to write off Spain and should show more respect.

La Roja went down to a 2-0 defeat against Holland on Tuesday night, their third friendly loss in a row, while they also suffered a shock defeat to Slovakia in their Euro 2016 qualifying game back in October. The poor results come off the back of a disappointing World Cup in Brazil last summer, when the 2010 holders were eliminated in the group stages, prompting much soul searching in Spain.

But speaking to the media ahead of the game against the Dutch, who Spain beat in the World Cup final in South Africa, Carvajal said people had been too quick to write them off. Vicente del Bosque’s side are, of course, the current European champions having beaten Italy in the final of Euro 2012.

Carvajal stated: “People in football have very short memories. We need to bring new players into the system and help them to adapt to our style, so we must be objective.

“The team’s we’ve been playing against are leaving less space for us to play in but we are trying to maintain our philosophy of the game. Other teams still respect us.”

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Real Madrid’s strategic partnership with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur may continue to strengthen this summer – though not quite how Spurs fans would have liked it.

Los Blancos are keen on taking star striker Harry Kane to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the campaign as they look to add more options to their attacking line-up and provide competition for Frenchman Karim Benzema.

The 10-time winners of the Champions League are expected to make an initial offer of 10 million euros for the England international, and with Spurs looking to fund a new stadium and the player wanting to test himself at the highest level, the Premier League club could be forced to sell.

Kane is understood to be keen on a move to La Liga and has been taking private Spanish tuition in his spare time in order to settle into a new culture and lifestyle quicker. Should he have any issues after he arrives, he will of course have former Tottenham stars Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to help him. They joined the side in the summers of 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Kane, an Arsenal fan, has scored 19 goals in 26 appearances in the league this season, although the White Hart Lane club still find themselves outside the Champions League places.

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Danilo’s current coach and former Real Madrid player Julen Lopetegui has praised the Brazilian player, whose signing for Los Blancos has just been confirmed by the club.

In an interview with Spanish sports newspaper As, Lopetegui has explained Danilo has impressively developed his game this season at Porto.

“This year he has wanted to improve in all aspects of his game: tactically, physically and in concentration. That personal improvement has helped the team grow collectively,” Porto manager admitted.

Danilo was in poor shape at the beginning of the season and lacked motivation, but he has become one of the best right-backs in the world. “He has progressed because he has understood what we wanted of him and he wanted to grow and make the team grow,” Lopetegui added.

The Spaniard, also a former youth coach and scout for Los Blancos, admitted he knew Danilo could leave the club due to Porto’s transfer policy. “We knew about the club’s policy and I as a coach have to adapt to what I’ve got. This policy allows us to work with young players that we can shape and perfect,” Lopetegui told As.

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Fabio Coentrao

Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao has said he would be very interested in a move to Manchester United this summer.

The Portugal defender, who has played for Los Blancos since 2011, has had to become used to a role largely as back up to Marcelo for the last two seasons, and is believed to be keen on a move away from the Spanish capital to resurrect his career.

The 27-year-old was close to a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2013 but the move broke down at the last minute, leaving Coentrao reportedly in tears.

Speaking to Madrid-based daily AS, Coentrao revealed he would like more minutes at Real Madrid but is open to a move to the Premier League too.

“I have already shown an interest in playing there [at Manchester United]. It is one of the best clubs in the world, a club I admire a lot. It would be an honour to play there,” he said.

For now, Coentrao said he wants to get more playing time until the end of the campaign as Real compete for the Champions League and La Liga. “I hope to get more playing time at Real Madrid and for the coach to trust in me. That has not really happened until now.”

 

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Real Madrid have announced the signing of Porto right back Danilo on a long-term contract.

The Brazilian has penned a deal until 2021 and will join Los Blancos at the end of the current campaign. The 10-time European Champions are thought to have agreed a fee with the Portuguese side of around 31.5 million euros for the defender.

Both clubs released statements on their websites on Wednesday evening confirming the deal. Porto said: “Porto hereby informs the market that it has reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the permanent transfer of Danilo for the value of €31.5m.

On Real’s site, a short statement read: “Real Madrid C. F. and FC Porto have reached an agreement over the transfer of Danilo, he will join the club next season and has a contract until 30 June 2021.”

The 23-year-old has been a key part of Julen Lopetegui’s side this season, scoring four goals and providing four assists, and helping the team to the quarter finals of the Champions League.

News of the move will increase speculation surrounding Real’s right backs at the moment – Daniel Carvajal and Alvaro Arbeloa. Some media reports have suggest Carvajal’s position may come under threat but it is more likely Arbeloa will move on, with former club Liverpool looking to take him back to Anfield.

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Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva has said he is stunned by reports linking him with a loan move to Porto and says he is happy at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 22-year-old only joined Los Blancos from Cruziero in January, but some media outlets have already suggested he could leave on a temporary deal to enhance his footballing education by gaining valuable first team action at a club has normally competes for the title and is involved in the Champions League.

But speaking to Globoesporte, Silva said: “I was surprised by the news because nobody has mentioned anything to me. I have a contract with Real Madrid and it’s one I want to complete. I’ve already had a few opportunities and I want to be able to hold down a regular place and play.”

Silva went on to say that while he’s happy at the club, he would consider a move on loan just like fellow Brazilian Casemiro did by heading to Porto.

“It could be a good option but, as I’ve already said, I’ve got a contract with Real Madrid,” he reiterated.

Since arriving at the club Silva has made seven appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side – six in La Liga and one in the Champions League.

 

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