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Gareth Bale led Real Madrid to their first victory in the last four games scoring a brace against Levante. The Welshman goals kept Los Blancos one point behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga ahead of next week’s Clasico at the Camp Nou.

Carlo Ancelotti men started the game eager to please the home crowd, who jeered at the Italian and Iker Casillas before the start of the game.

Los Blancos played with great intensity and Karim Benzema was close to making it 1-0 after 15 minutes. The Frenchman sent the ball into the back of the net from close range but he was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

However, three minutes later Cristiano Ronaldo’s volley was cleared off the line and Bale caught the ball to fire one into the corner.

The Welsh international could have made it 2-0 in the 30th minute, but his cross deflected off the head of a defender and smashed the woodwork.

Yet, Los Blancos doubled their lead before the break. Daniel Carvajal drove down the right-hand side and sent a ball back to Ronaldo, who smashed it towards goal. Bale touched it slightly to get his second.

With a two-goal lead, Los Merengues were in complete control during the second half, although there weren’t many clear chances. Benzema had the best opportunity to make it 3-0, but he slammed a superb flick off the crossbar.

Despite the victory, Los Blancos are yet to demonstrate they have recovered their best game, since this time the rival was too weak. The real test will be next week against Barcelona.

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Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas has admitted it has been difficult to adjust to being a number two to Iker Casillas but he aims to dislodge the Spaniard in goal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Navas joined Real in the summer but has only made two La Liga appearances despite the 33-year-old captain suffering a dip in form in recent weeks.

Casillas, who has 160 caps for Spain, was blamed for at least three of the four goals conceded against Schalke on Tuesday night, and some fans have once again called for him to be replaced in the team.

Speaking to AS, Navas said: “I want to be here, where I’m going to fighting to be [no.1] for many years. Though it is true that my situation has been tough, I don’t regret anything. I’m going to keep working like I always have.

“I like a challenge. I’m under contract. I have another five years after this one and I’m going to be as professional as possible. When I get the chance to play and I’ll take maximum advantage.”

Navas may be disheartened to hear comments from Carlo Ancelotti confirming Casillas will take his place in the starting line up for next week’s Clasico fixture.

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Luka Modric

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has said the players are disappointed with events in the past few weeks but will hit top form again soon.

Los Blancos have only taken one point from their past two league games, losing top spot in the La Liga race to Barcelona with the Clasico looming large next week. The 10-time Champions League winner also only just scraped into the quarter finals of this season’s competition after losing 4-3 at home to Schalke on Tuesday, but managing a 5-4 win overall.

Speaking to Sportske novosti, Modric said: “This is not the real Real Madrid, but I am sure we will get back to the level we were, hen people talked about us as one of best teams ever.”

The Croatian also spoke about his satisfaction at making his comeback in the team after a four month absence with a thigh injury.

“My first thought as I entered the pitch was ‘I just want to return to the locker room happy’. I was surprised and touched by the fans when they cheered me while we were warming up. I didn’t expect that. But I am no saviour, there are no saviours in football,” he told the publication.

And he added: “I feel good but don’t ask me how soon will I be at my best, I don’t know. Now we have one match per week and that is optimal for me to get in best shape.

“During my rehabilitation process there were some tough moments, especially during the first two weeks. I was only supposed to lie around and do nothing. I even cried when I found out I would be out for four months. I am very emotional.”

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Real Madrid Levante match preview

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make a few changes in Real Madrid’s starting line-up as Los Blancos host Levante in La Liga on Sunday.

Los Merengues aim to end a three-game winless streak, and the main surprise could be seeing Keylor Navas keeping goal. Iker Casillas was blamed by many for failing in Real’s 3-4 loss against Schalke and Ancelotti has reportedly decided to give Navas a chance.

Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric are also expected to return to the starting eleven for the first time in weeks, since both have been recovering from an injury. The Andalusian could replace Raphael Varane, who has not performed at the expected level, and the Croatian could pair alongside Toni Kroos in midfield.

Daniel Carvajal and Marcelo will also return to defence after resting in the Champions League. Their contribution to the attack could be a key for Los Blancos to recover their best game.

With Ramos and Modric fully recovered, James Rodriguez is the only injured player left in Real Madrid’s infirmary ahead of next week’s crucial Clasico against Barcelona.

Levante come into the game without many hopes of victory, since they have only won one game as visitors this season. At least Lucas Alcaraz has all his man available for this clash.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Levante: Marino; Lopez, Navarro, Ramis, Garcia; Xumetra, Camarasa, Diop, Morales; Barral, Uche.

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Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti says Iker Casillas will play in the Clasico next week no matter who plays in goal this weekend against Levante.

The Los Blancos shot stopper has come under fire from the media and fans in recent weeks, being blamed for a number of the goals conceded. It is not the first time this season the Real legend has been the brunt of fans’ anger as he endured a difficult start to the campaign following a tough World Cup with Spain last summer.

Speaking to the press ahead of the game against Levante, a match Real must win to keep pace with Barcelona, Ancelotti said:” I still haven’t decided the starting XI, I am going to decide it tomorrow [Sunday], but I will choose a line-up to try to win, not to single anyone out.  If Keylor plays tomorrow, Casillas will play the Clasico. And if Casillas plays tomorrow, he will also plays the Clasico.”

Asked about the situation within the club at the moment, the Italian commented that working at Real Madrid means you have to deal with the biggest amounts of criticism than anywhere else. But he added the players are working hard to put things right.

“It is the world’s largest club, and when you fail, you have the world’s biggest criticism. It is proportional to the position, and it’s an honor for me. It is normal to be affected by this, but that does not mean that we will give up. We will make more effort and sacrifice to change the situation.

“The players are eager to get out of the situation quickly and resolve the problems that we have had. Everything is open and that gives us great motivation. When the fans are whistling, it is because they are not happy, but I use it to improve my work.”

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David De Gea’s girlfriend, Edurne Garcia, has added to the speculation that the goalkeeper could quit Manchester United and return to Spain by agreeing that the city is ‘uglier than the back of a fridge’.

Former Atletico de Madrid man De Gea is believed to be top of Real Madrid’s wish list as Carlo Ancelotti looks for a long-term success to Ike Casillas in goal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In an interview on Spanish entertainment show El Hormiguero, Garcia, who is Spain’s entrant for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, was asked if she agreed Manchester was as ugly as the back of a fridge.

“It’s not very nice, that’s for sure. You have to hunt out specific places – the nice places. But even then Spain is nicer. The reason I like it is because David’s there. With him being there, everything is wonderful,” she said.

When Manchester councillor Pat Karney heard about the comments, he hit back, saying: “The only thing Manchester has in common with a fridge is that it’s really cool. But Mancunians are renowned as some of the warmest people you could ever wish to meet.

“We attract millions of visitors a year who flock here for our nightlife and celebrations, our world-class cultural attractions, our shopping and of course our football. I’m not sure how much of the city Miss Garcia has seen, but we’d be delighted to take the couple on a tour and show them what they’re missing.”

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Real Madrid fans are a bit depressed after Los Blancos were surprisingly defeated by Schalke 04 last Tuesday in the second leg of the last-16 round of the Champions League. However, Carlo Ancelotti men have a good motive to be happy: The last time they conceded four goals at the Santiago Bernabeu in the European competition they ended up winning the title.

That precedent dates back to February 29th 2000 and it was also against a German team: Bayern Munich. That night, the Bavarians visited the Santiago Bernabeu for a second group stage clash –with the previous format of the competition there were two group stages– and they left Madrid with a convincing victory: 2-4.

However, Los Merengues were able to recover from that blow and ended up lifting their eight European Cup beating Valencia in the Paris final 3-0. Moreover, Real had the pleasure of knocking out the reigning European champions at that moment Manchester United in the quarter finals and take revenge from Bayern Munich in the semifinals.

Will history repeat itself 15 years later? It is said what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and Los Blancos, despite their unexpected poor run, are still alive. You should never doubt a champions with its pride wounded. Iker Casillas is the only man who remains in the squad since that season and he can truly tell his team-mates how a Champions League can be wined despite suffering such a blow.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said it angers him when people call him soft with the players.

The Italian’s long-term future has been cast in doubt in recent weeks with Los Blancos in poor form. Since the turn of the year the club has only won seven of its 15 matches, losing their grip at the top of the table in the process.

Ancelotti has come under fire from some sections of the media for being too soft and not knowing how to manage the egos at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian said: “The relationship with the players is the most important thing, it’s more important than my relationship with the president.  If there isn’t a good dynamic with the players, you’re a dead man.  Some might call it friendship, I simply call it respect, although I like to laugh and joke with them.  Intelligent people know when it’s the right time to be serious.  I get angry when people say I’m ‘too soft’ because it’s not true.”

He went on to add: “My history has helped me since my start with the club.  There’s always been respect for what I’ve done, but later I’ve built a relationship from the day to day work.  I have to be consistent from beginning to end.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Irina Shayk

International supermodel Irina Shayk spoke to the press about her relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since the couple broke up last Christmas.

Shayk confessed things were not as magical as it seemed: “I think a woman feels ugly when she has the wrong man near her. With Ronaldo I felt ugly and insecure.”

In the interview with magazine Hola, the Russian model explained “if you have a relationship, it must be a good one, otherwise it is better to just end it. Relationships are tough, so you need to be sure about the kind of man you want and what your values are, what kind of life you want.”

“If you remain near someone for a long time it must be because you’re both walking in the same direction and looking for the same kind of things. Both need to share the same energy to believe in a monogamous relationship,” she added.

Shayk explained what are the things he wants of a man: “I want a loyal and honest man, a gentleman who respects women. I don’t believe in men who make us fall and feel unhappy, because those are not men, but kids.”

Irina said she thought Ronaldo was that ideal man, “but he wasn’t.” She also told Hola that now she feels “positive and strong” looking at her future.

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Sergio Ramos has said the atmosphere in the Real Madrid squad is excellent despite a downturn in form this year.

So far in 2015, Los Blancos have failed to win seven of their 15 matches – form that has seen them dumped out of the Copa del Rey, lose top spot in La Liga, and only just scrape through to the Champions League quarter finals.

Reports in the press this week suggested that tensions are beginning to surface among the squad as they try to overcome the slump in form.

But speaking at a Microsoft event this week, Ramos said the atmosphere in the squad is as good as always and is the players enjoy a similar togetherness now as they did when they won the Champions League last season.

“If anything characterises this dressing room over the last few years, it’s the joy. Every day in training, whether it be this year or last year, we live unique moments. We’re fortunate to have a great atmosphere here. I don’t acknowledge anything from outside,” he said.

The central defender has returned to full team training and could make a return to the side this weekend after suffering a hamstring injury last month. He is expected to take his place in the starting line up in next weekend’s Clasico.

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