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Leonel Messi

Barcelona man Leo Messi has rejected talk that his side are clear favourites ahead of the Clasico and said Real Madrid are always a dangerous team to play against.

Los Blancos go into the match at the Camp Nou on the back of some up and down form in the past few weeks. Although they beat Levante last weekend, their previous two La Liga fixtures has seen them draw with Villarreal and lose to Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are in a great run of form following a slow start to the season by their standards and top the table by a point going in the big game

Speaking about the encounter, Messi played down talk of there being much difference between the two.

“Real Madrid has impressive players that can turn things around. We can’t say they get to the match in better or worse form, because those players can make the difference individually. We will try to play the way we like to, but we have to be respectful of them. Their team is more dangerous in their current form,” he told Canal+.

The Argentine then went on talk talk about his own form, and how the critics wrote him off earlier this season and now can’t stop singing his praises.

“It’s funny, because just a month earlier you guys said I was just a mess. I can’t go from being a mess to being in the best shape of my life. The thing is, we started this year with new goals and with the best of intentions, so we were able to improve our performances. We had our ups and downs, but we have to keep in mind that it’s a long season and we must try to extend this great form we are showing so far.”

 

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Ex-Real Madrid keeper Jerzy Dudek has said his former side can not lose the Clasico fixture this weekend.

Los Blancos go into the game at the Camp Nou one point behind rivals Barcelona having lead La Liga for much of the campaign. Some indifferent form since the start of 2015 has seen the Catalans overtake them, and Dudek believes Real must win at the weekend to realistically maintain any hope of clinching their first league title since 2012.

Speaking in an interview with goal.com, the former Poland international said: “There is a lot of tension before the game. On and off the pitch there is usually something happening! It’s always important but it depends on the season and where the teams are.”

He added: “This time it is very important for Real Madrid – they cannot lose, and they need to win. Real Madrid are not in their best moment and this is an opportunity to change the situation. It’s difficult to play at the Camp Nou, which has a very good atmosphere. A lot of supporters are waiting for this match. Let’s hope for me, as a Real Madrid supporter, that they get something out of the game.”

Having played for Liverpool against Manchester United too, Dudek said it was hard to pick out which was the more intense rivalry, but added interest in the Clasico is probably more.

“To me they’re both very tough, and as important as each other to the fans and the leagues. You can’t say the Clasico is bigger or Liverpool-United is bigger. But the only real difference is that worldwide the Gran Derbi gets more interest.”

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Wales manager Chris Coleman has backed his forward Gareth Bale to overcome the criticism he has been receiving at Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old has come under fire from the press and some Madrid fans for some perceived below par performances this season and has been blamed for Real’s recent struggles in La Liga.

Having starred last season and written himself into Real Madrid history by scoring in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, Bale has been accused this season of being selfish and failing to pass to team mates in better scoring positions.

He ended a nine-game scoreless run by bagging both goals in Real’s 2-0 win over Levante – a win that kept the Champions League holders in touch with Barcelona in the league ahead of this weekend’s Clasico.

Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of Wales’ game with Israel later this month, former Real Sociedad boss Coleman said Bale is a strong character who will prove people wrong.

“Gareth is a big boy and he’ll come through all this. When you play for Madrid you have to win and entertain every time you go on to the pitch. Winning and not playing well is not acceptable. The stakes are high. But he got a couple of goals last weekend – he’ll be fine,” he said.

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Jose Mourinho is eager to sign three of his former players at Real Madrid, British press has reported. The Daily Star has claimed the Blues are ready to offer 208 million euros for Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane, while the Daily Express has stated Roman Abramovich will launch a bid for Jese Rodriguez.

Both Bale and Varane have long been Chelsea targets, and following their failure to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League Abramovich might be ready to make an irresistible offer. The Russian could make a 208-million joint offer to convince Florentino Perez.

Neither Bale nor Varane are having a good season at the Santiago Bernabeu and such a stunning offer might persuade Perez. Real Madrid paid 91 million for the Welshman and ten million for the Frenchman, meaning they would get a 100 million revenue.

The London-based side are also interested in youngster Jese Rodriguez. The Canary Islands-born is not getting the minutes of play he had expected and could be willing to seek a summer move. Mourinho knows him well and wants him for his team.

Real Madrid’s will is to send Jese on loan next season, but Chelsea could be ready to offer 20 million euros according to the Daily Express and that could make Florentino change his mind.

El medio inglés Daily Express publica que el Chelsea está dispuesto a ofrecer 20 millones de euros por el jugador del Real Madrid, Jesé Rodríguez. El resultado del canario en los últimos partidos no ha sido el esperado.

On the other hand, Pepe is nearing an agreement to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu for one more season. The Portuguese’s contract was set to expire in June 2016, but his good performances have convinced Los Blancos directors to offer him an extension. His new contract will last until 2017.

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Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov says Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo is obsessed with his rivalry with Leo Messi.

Ronaldo has endured a difficult period in recent weeks and was jeered by fans at the weekend. He’s also taken a vow of silence until the end of the season and is refusing to speak to the media.

In an interview with The Independent, Stoichkov said Ronaldo’s attitude needs to change, and the way he behaves affects his team.

“You can’t doubt the quality of either Ronaldo or Messi. Messi is where he should be and Cristiano is going through a difficult time but all players go through rough patches. I was whistled as well in my time. It’s up to the coach to make decisions and to speak to the player,” the Bulgarian said.

“Maybe the obsession with Messi is affecting him but I’m not inside his head. Messi motivates his team-mates and, if Ronaldo doesn’t score, it affects his team.

“At times like that you have to display your personality; 99 per cent of players can’t answer the question ‘why am I being booed?’ Messi is at the level of Pele, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff and what annoys Cristiano is that he is only compared to Messi.”

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Italian left-back Mattia De Sciglio is closer to signing for Real Madrid, according to agent Giuseppe Bofise, who has claimed the footballer will seriously take into consideration a move to Madrid should Carlo Ancelotti stay at the Santiago Bernabeu one more season.

De Sciglio has been linked with a move to Real since the summer of 2013. However, now it seems more clear that his arrival will be necessary, as both Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa are expected to leave the club.

The 22-year-old is one of Ancelotti’s favourites, and despite AC Milan were reluctant to sell, they could now open the door for his exit. The Italian club would rather sell De Sciglio this summer, instead of seeing him go for free in 2016, when the player’s contract will expire.

In an interview with Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport a few weeks ago, the young defender confessed “it’s flattering to be admired by a great such as Real Madrid.”

De Sciglio has had problems with injuries this season and he has only been able to play 13 matches so far. Valencia’s Jose Luis Gaya and Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez are the other options Real Madrid are considering for the left-back position.

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Former Barcelona man Eric Abidal has said his compatriot Karim Benzema is Real Madrid’s best player and the one he would sign if he were in charge at the Camp Nou.

With the build up well and truly underway ahead of Sunday’s big match, the ex-France international spoke to Gol TV about the match and who he would sign from the Champions League holders if he could only pick one player.

And while may would pick Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo above Benzema, Abidal says much of what Madrid do is based around going through the Frenchman. The former Lyon man has netted 20 times in 40 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s men so far, with Ronaldo the only one to have scored more.

Abidal, who overcame liver cancer, told the channel:”Benzema is the man I’d sign from Madrid if I were at Barca. Definitely, because for me he is Madrid’s most important player right now.

“If you take Benzema away from Real Madrid then they would continue scoring goals, but not as many as they do with Karim in the team. He’s a very complete player and other players well in Madrid when Karim is there.

“So yes, if I have to sign one person it would be him. And not just because he is my friend and my compatriot, but because of his qualities.”

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Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player Luis Milla has claimed “Barcelona are slight favourites to win El Clasico” next Sunday at the Camp Nou.

“I think in this matches odds are 50/50, but I believe Barcelona have a slight advantage because they play home and the crowd will be very passionate. This is the match of the year for the fans and there will be 90.000 people supporting their team, which will put a lot of pressure on the rival,” Milla told Spanish digital newspaper ElConfidencial.com in an interview.

“Barcelona will most likely control possession. They’re playing home and they will try to take the initiative, although Real Madrid feel comfortable in those situations. If Madrid are capable of finding spaces for Cristiano, Bale and Benzema, they will be dangerous and they can play a great game,” he added.

Asked about Los Blancos problems, Milla believes Toni Kroos lack of form is a key: “One of the reasons Madrid are not playing well is that Toni Kroos is not physically fit.”

“Bale also has great responsibility, and he’s struggling because fans watch him closely. This is his second year and it looked like he had passed that adaptation period, but he’s not at the expected level yet,” Milla added.

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo wants to end his footballing career in the USA, according to reports.

The 30-year-old Portugal captain still has three years remaining on his deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, but is believed to be eying a move to the MLS when his contract is up, says Sports Illustrated.

US football is undergoing somewhat of a growth period right now, with the likes of David Beckham and Thierry Henry opting to end their playing days there with LA Galaxy and New York Redbulls respectively. Former Spain forward David Villa is currently with New York City and is set to be joined by Frank Lampard in the summer, while Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will move Stateside ate the end of season.

According to the sports magazine, Ronaldo would be keen on a move to a major US city such as LA, New York or Miami.

Ronaldo is expected to see out his deal at Los Blancos, despite reports he is unhappy at the club and with how fickle the fans are at times. Some reports in the UK press have suggested that former club Manchester United are also keen to take him back to the Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson working behind the scenes to bring his former protege back to Old Trafford.

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Karim Benzema

French side PSG are weighing up a summer move for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema, according to reports.

Le10Sport says the Parc des Princes side will let Uruguayan striker Edison Cavani leave the club after he has failed to convince since his big money move. The forward has also fallen out with coach Laurent Blanc, who wants rid of him come the end of the campaign. Real’s rivals Atletico de Madrid are said to be interested in him.

Should that transfer take place, PSG, who saw off Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League, would offer Madrid a substantial fee for Benzema, although they could face competition from Liverpool and Arsenal for the player’s services, with both Premier League sides known to be long-term admirers of the former Lyon man.

Benzema joined Los Blancos in 2009 from Lyon. In his time at the club he as netted 212 goals in 443 games, and helped Madrid to a host of trophies including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, European Super Cup, and World Club Cup. He was part of the side that ended the club’s 12-year wait for La Decima when Carlo Ancelotti’s men beat Atletico 4-1 in the Champions League final last May.

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