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Barcelona forward Luis Suarez says this Sunday’s Clasico match will be like a cup final, but he doesn’t think it will end the race in La Liga.

Los Blancos go to the Camp Nou just a point behind their fierce rivals knowing that a win in Catalunya can breath new impetus into their title bid having faltered in recent weeks. A win for the home side would almost certainly end hopes of a first La Liga title for Carlo Ancelotti.

Speaking to Marca. Suarez said the atmosphere will be electric and the match will be intense – like a cup final.

“It is a final because Real Madrid-Barcelona games are always played in that spirit, with a lot of intensity and strength,” Suarez said.

He continued: “You don’t need to say anything else because everyone knows the quality of players they have from the midfield forwards but we also know the defensive weaknesses they have and we need to try and take advantage of them.”

He added that he doesn’t think the result will be decisive though and that the season still has a long way to run.

“They are very intense games but we are also aware that anything can happen these days in La Liga. What’s great about La Liga nowadays is that every team provides tough competition and I don’t think that the Clasico will actually be all that decisive.”

 

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Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has said Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is not good enough for Schalke and the Bundesliga side should not consider signing him.

Khedira has just three months left on his current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu and having started just three league games all season, is widely expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for pastures new in the summer.

He has been linked with a move to various clubs, including Schalke and Bayern Munich in Germany as well as Premier League sides Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

In a interview with Sky, Beckenbauer said Khedira is lacking in many aspects in his game at the moment and is well short of match fitness.

“In his current physical shape Khedira would not help any team forward. He is missing something in each aspect of the game at the moment. His ability to keep on running in midfield was key to his game. He does not add much without that,” he stated.

Khedira, 28, joined Madrid after the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 and was a regular first teamer for three seasons. But a serious knee injury curtailed his season last year and he’s fallen down the pecking order at the club following the arrival of compatriot Toni Kroos.

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Real Madrid are close to signing Argentinian goalkeeper Augusto Batalla on a loan deal. River Plate have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Los Blancos to send the footballer to Madrid, where he will join Real’s second team.

River’s president Rodolfo D’Onofrio has confessed “the agreement is not signed yet, but Batalla will leave in June for a one-year loan with a high buying option.”

Los Merengues have been trying to sign the promising keeper for the last few months. They had expected him to arrive in January, as they had a verbal agreement, but River ended up delaying the deal.

The 18-year-old will play under Zinedine Zidane’s management at Real Madrid Castilla, although he could join the first team should Carlo Ancelotti need him.

Spanish press has revealed should Madrid want to keep him at the end of the season, they would have to pay River between three and seven million euros.

Batalla has impressed in his 29 appearances for Argentina’s youth teams, having recently won the Under-20 South American Championship.

Many European giants were interested in signing him, including Manchester City. The Citizens contacted him a few weeks ago, but he had already decided to move to Madrid.

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo has said the fans of the club are always right and the players are working hard to make them happy again.

Some sections of the support at the Santiago Bernabeu have voiced their disapproval at recent displays which have seen Real lose top spot in La Liga and only just scrape into the quarter final of the Champions League.

But a 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday evening, thanks to a brace from Gareth Bale, saw the criticism relieved for now, and the confidence in the squad renewed ahead of a must-win clash with Barcelona next weekend.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Marcelo said: “The fans are always right. We try to play to make the fans happy. When spectators don’t see what they want, they whistle, but we do everything possible to make them happy.”

He went on to talk about the return of key players from injury and the boost it gives the rest of the squad ahead of such an important game.

“Ramos is a very strong player within the squad but Varane, Pepe and Nacho are also doing well. We have a very big squad and we know that when we go out to play we have to give everything. Modric is a superb player.

“Real Madrid give all they can whenever they play. There will be games left after El Clásico. If we win and lose the other games then it will be worthless. We will do everything we can to get a win at the Camp Nou.”

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Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos has said the pressure of playing at Real Madrid is more than any other club in the world and the players need to be used to being scrutinized.

Los Blancos defeated Levante on Sunday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu, ending a three-match winless run and moving just one point behind Barcelona in La Liga. The players and manager have faced much criticism in recent weeks, but the defender, making his comeback after a month out injured, said everyone at the club was united.

“We can use this game to build confidence and calm people down. We must be more united than ever. It was a difficult game following the run of form that we have had and the level of pressure that is placed on Real Madrid, which is more than at any other team,” he stated.

And he went on: “We have to accept that, but I don’t think that this is a troubling period. There are two months of top level competition left, we have one point less than the leaders and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which is a tournament that is exciting us again.”

He also went on to defend Cristiano Ronaldo, who cut a frustrated figure on the night and has vowed not to speak to the media until the end of the season after a barrage of criticism.

“It is difficult to be Cristiano and he has been performing at a very high level for a number of years. He knows himself better than anyone, he has a very competitive character and we are not worried if he didn’t score if Bale subsequently did. We have to appreciate what he brings to the team,” Ramos commented.

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal has said Real Madrid will give 100% to win the Clasico next weekend and he won’t be happy with a draw.

The right-back was part of the Real defence that kept a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday – an important win to boost confidence in the squad following a poor run and three vital points to stay in touch with Barcelona in the title race.

After the game, the Spaniard took time out to speak to reporters about the upcoming game at the Camp Nou.

And Carvajal said the players will improve their performance next weekend and give 100% to win.

“We knew this would be a crucial match in front of our supporters as well as for us ahead of next week’s game. We picked up three points, kept a clean sheet and now the aim is to beat Barcelona,” the 22-year-old stated.

About the trip to Catalunya, he added: “We have no doubts in our minds heading to the Camp Nou. The team and the system are the same and I think we are more united now and mentally prepared for good things to happen. We have to give it 100% and we are aware that we are capable of beating any side. This is a Clásico and there is no favourite. I wouldn’t settle for a draw, we’re going there to win.”

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Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva has admitted European football is more intense but he’s happy with how he’s progressing at the club.

The Brazilian signed for Los Blancos in January from Cruziero and has made five league appearances for the club since his arrival. His latest game was in the 2-0 over Levante on Sunday night, and afterwards he took time out to talk to reporters about how he’s settling in.

“European football is faster and more intense. I feel like I’ve adapted somewhat already, even though I’m not at 100% yet. We’ll take it bit-by-bit. I don’t know how much time I’ll need, although I hope I’ll get there as soon as possible. I can play in the holding role in midfield or to the side. The manager makes that decision. I’m comfortable in either position,” he said.

The 22-year-old then switched his attention to next week’s Clasico fixture, and said the players will be heading to the Camp Nou full of renewed confidence.

He stated: “The team are in good spirits and we are growing in confidence in preparation for El Clásico. Our tempo dropped a bit in the second half, but we passed the ball around more today and were always looking to attack. Everything went well.

“The Camp Nou game will be huge, it’s a Clásico, with top spot to play for. We are going there with the intention of playing a great game and we hope to come away with a victory. If we win, it would be a very important step towards the end of the championship. If we lose, there is no need to lose our heads and we’ll keep on working”.

 

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Luka Modric

Luka Modric says he is feeling great about playing football again and will be ready for the Clasico next week.

The Croatian made his first start for Los Blancos in the 2-0 win over Levante on Sunday night following four months out with a thigh injury. Two goals from former Tottenham Hotspur man Gareth Bale saw Real close the gap on Barcelona to one point before the sides meet at the Nou Camp next Sunday.

Talking to reporters after the game, Modric said the players were happy to end their winless run and will be confident going into the game against Luis Enrique’s side. He added that he felt good to be back in the team and is finding his rhythm back.

“I think we played a good game, especially in the first half. I felt great and was delighted to start my first match. I still have a bit to go but this match was good for me. Now I need to get into the rhythm of playing again. I’m satisfied with today’s encounter,” he commented.

And he added: “It was a very important win and will help with our preparations for the Barcelona match. It is going to be a very tough encounter. They keep the ball very well but we just have to focus on our game. We need to stay true to ourselves and make the most of our chances. We have to be united both in attack and defence.”

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Raheem Sterling has decided to put talks on a new deal at Liverpool on hold leading to speculation in the UK press that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are hovering.

The winger has been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in the past with boss Carlo Ancelotti a long time admirer of the pacy midfielder.

And the Daily Mirror and Sun report the player has decided to put talks with the Reds on hold until the end of the season. Liverpool made him an initial offer which was rejected by the player and his agent, and were keen to tie him down having made a second offer.

The 20-year-old exploded onto the scene last season, and along with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, almost lead Liverpool to the title. Following the sale of Suarez to Barcelona and injury to Sturridge, much more pressure has been place on Sterling to perform to the same levels this season, but he hasn’t lived up to expectation so far.

Should Real Madrid want to sign the player it would likely mean the departure of someone in the first team squad. Sami Khedira’s future is in doubt, while some reports in the UK have linked Gareth Bale with a move to Manchester United this summer.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said his players have got their confidence back ahead of the Clasico after ending a three-game winless run by seeing off Levante.

Gareth Bale silenced his growing number of critics with a brace in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real closed the gap on leaders Barcelona ahead of next weekend’s trip to the Camp Nou.

Speaking to the media afterwards, the Italian said he was pleased with the performance and character shown by his players after receiving plenty of criticism in recent weeks.

“It was a good first half, we played well, with intensity and quality. We controlled the play and had the lion’s share of the goalscoring opportunities. The tempo dropped off a bit in the second half. We were more at ease and played the ball sideways more. We lacked penetration. We will take the good first half performance and the win away with us in order to continue improving. I think we’ll be full of confidence heading to the Camp Nou,” he told reporters.

Speaking about the fact Madrid have a free week to prepare for the Clasico while the Catalans face Manchester City in the Champions League, Ancelotti said the team would work hard and be ready for the encounter.

“We have the chance to train well for the whole week and prepare for the match both physically and tactically. It is an advantage but Barcelona are well used to playing every three days without it causing them problems,” he commented.

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