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Luka Modric

Luka Modric has said sometimes the Real Madrid team has to suffer in order to enjoy more the times when they win.

Los Blancos lost 4-3 to German side Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night but scraped into the Champions League quarter finals after a 5-4 aggregate win. Former Real forward Klass Jan Huntelaar netted six minutes from the end setting up a frantic finale but the holders saw the game out – just.

Modric, who made his comeback from a three month injury lay-off in the game, admitted the players were relieved to have made it into the next round and admitted if was an uncomfortable evening for all involved.

“It’s very important that we qualified for the next round,” he told reporters afterwards. And he added: “We did not play well but sometimes you have to suffer. I don’t look for reasons, it’s very early now. I’m with the team now and I’m very happy.

“We need to play as a team and hopefully we’ll return to how we did it at the beginning of the season. We have the quality and I think we’ll see the best version of Madrid in the next game.”

Los Blancos has had a difficult 10 days in which a damaging draw at home to Villarreal and a defeat to Athletic Bilbao have also seen them knocked off the the top of La Liga.

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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said the side has hit rock bottom after a slump in form over the past 10 days.

Los Blancos lost 4-3 at home to Schalke on Tuesday night, but scraped through to the quarter final of the Champions League 5-4 overall thanks to that positive display in Germany three weeks ago.

Not much has gone right for the club since, with Los Blancos losing the lead at the top of La Liga thanks to a disappointing draw at home to Villarreal and a defeat to Athletic Bilbao.

Speaking after the game, the club captain admitted the side was not in a good place, but had to remain positive about the rest of the campaign.

“It’s true we have hit rock bottom in a most resounding way. But the positive is that we will be in the draw next Friday. When that draw is made we will forget what has happened over the past 10 days – they have been dramatic. We must think about tomorrow, we cannot look back, nor dwell on the 22 successive wins [earlier in the season] or anything else we have achieved,” he stated.

And he admitted he wasn’t pleased with his own performance on the night, saying: “I believe a goalkeeper is always to blame [after conceding four times]. This was not one of my best games but it’s not the moment to think about myself.”

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Real Madrid played a terrible game and were close to being knocked out of the Champions League as they lost 3-4 against Schalke.

The German side were one goal close from completing a historic comeback and qualifying for the quarter-finals, but goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema saved Los Blancos from a great disaster and Carlo Ancelotti moved into the next round.

The visitors threatened Iker Casillas from the start, and the Spanish goalkeeper didn’t have a good night. He reacted poorly after Christian Fuchs sent a powerful short-range effort allowing Schalke to take the lead after 20 minutes.

Los Blancos were unable to take control but at least Ronaldo was inspired and he levelled the game with a superb header to the top corner after meeting a corner from Toni Kroos.

The hosts were disastrous in defence and that allowed Schalke to earn confidence in attack. Former Los Merengues striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar hit the crossbar with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box. And he wouldn’t miss in the following play.

Casillas fumbled an effort from Max Meyer and the Dutchman picked up the rebound to send it to the back of the net.

Schalke were only one goal away from qualifying at that moment, but Ronaldo appeared again to bring Madrid back to life with another terrific header. Fabio Coentrao sent a precise cross from the left and Ronaldo rose over the defenders to make it 2-2 before the break.

Los Blancos game didn’t improve in the second half, but at least they were able to play more calmly as Karim Benzema gave the hosts the lead. The Frenchman dribbled past two defenders and the keeper and fired one into the bottom corner.

However, Madrid’s problems were not over. Casillas failed again as Leroy Sane sent an effort from 25 metres that ended in the back of the net.

Luka Modric made his return after a four-month injury and Los Blancos game improved, but he was unlucky in a key play. As he tried to steal the ball from Sane, the Croatian assisted Huntelaar, who raced past Madrid’s defence and lashed a powerful strike to the top corner.

Schalke were one goal away from the quarter-finals again with just five minutes to go. Sane had the best chance to complete the German’s heroic deed, but this time Casillas made a brilliant save as the youngster shot from 30 metres.

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Real Madrid will look to get back to winning after their recent La Liga blows against Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal as they host Schalke in the second leg of the Last-16 round of the Champions League.

Luka Modric will make his return after three months on the sidelines due to a thigh injury. The Croatian has long been expected to return by the fans, since Los Blancos have lost their creativity in attack since he’s been out.

After last weekend’s defeat at Bilbao, Carlo Ancelotti confessed they need to improve their attacking, and Modric is seen as the piece that could make the offensive work again.

The Croatia international is expected to come in from the bench in the second half, although he could also feature from the start pairing with Toni Kroos in midfield. In case he sits on the bench, Ancelotti will have to choose between Lucas Silva and Asier Illarramendi for a spot in the line-up.

With Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez still injured, Ancelotti will display almost the same starting eleven that featured against Athletic. The only change could be the right-back, as Alvaro Arbeloa could come in to give Daniel Carvajal some rest.

Los Merengues obtained a 0-2 victory in the first leg in Germany and they should easily qualify for the next round.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Bale, Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.

Schalke: Wellenreuth; Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Fuchs; Barnetta, Neustadter, Meyer; Huntelaar; Choupo-Motin.

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Schalke boss Roberto di Matteo has said he hopes the media is right and the BBC fails to perform once again tonight.

The Germans visit the Champions League holders tonight and go into the game with a 2-0 deficit and somewhat of a mountain to climb. But the hosts have come under fire in recent days after their defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday that put a huge dent in their title hopes.

The focus of much of the anger and criticism is on the forwards – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano – and di Matteo says he hopes the trio have another off night.

It is going to be difficult for us but we are going to attempt it. Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in the world, very successful. He has worked for very prestigious clubs and won many trophies. I met him when I played for the Italian national team and he was the assistant coach. Real Madrid are a very strong side and it’s very difficult to play at their level – we will try our best. We need to be well organised. I hope the media are right and their forwards are having a tough time – it’s impossible to stop them altogether,” he said at his press conference.

Asked about whether he thought Los Blancos were a club in crisis, the Italian said: “Three weeks ago I was asked about the crisis at Madrid – but I don’t think there is a crisis. It would be a sensational experience for us to win. If we start scoring, it could get interesting.”

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Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said forward Gareth Bale isn’t happy with his performances in recent games but is trying hard to improve.

The Welshman has come under criticism this season for being selfish at times, opting to shoot rather than pass to team mates who were in better positions to score. In recent weeks, Bale has stopped scoring, perhaps having taken the criticism on board and is trying to hard to make his overall game work.

The 25-year-old has been the focus on fans’ anger this week, along with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, as the BBC have contributed little in the home draw with Villarreal and the defeat to Athletic Bilbao, results that have derailed Los Blancos’ title bid.

Speaking to the press ahead of the Champions League game against Schalke, Ancelotti said Bale isn’t happy at the moment but wants to put things right.

“I trust Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo, no doubt. If they’re ready, as I said weeks ago, they will always start, this is non-negotiable. We will not change our identity, that’s why they will play in the same position as well, that’s where they feel comfortable. I don’t think Bale is happy about his recent performances, he will try to improve,” the Italian said.

Asked about what went wrong at the weekend and where the weaknesses in the team are, Ancelotti stated: “I tried to explain them what happened during the match, and I think they understood and agreed with what I said. We know what our problem is and every game is a good chance to improve. We are passing the ball too much and our ball movement is not quick enough.”

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has returned to training with the first team squad, providing Carlo Ancelotti with a timely boost ahead of the Clasico.

The centre back injured his hamstring last month in the win over Sevilla and has been replaced in the team by Raphael Varane. But given Real’s indifferent form of late and having lost top spot in La Liga to Barcelona, the 29-year-old will be confident of getting his place back in the side.

Los Blancos followed up a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at home last weekend with a 1-0 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday evening. It means the 10-time Champions League winners will most likely have to go to the Camp Nou on March 22nd and win if they are to maintain any hope of winning the league.

As well as Ramos’ return, boss Ancelotti will be buoyed by the progress of injured playmaker James Rodriguez. The Colombian broke a bone in his foot last month but is already back running on the training field. He and Croatian Luka Modric could both be in line for returns in the next couple of weeks, meaning Real will go into the game with their fierce rivals with a near full squad to pick from.

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Karim Benzema has said he gets an unfair amount of criticism from the fans and press when the team loses.

Los Blancos fell to a 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, seven days after they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal. That slump in form has seen the 10-time Champions League winners lose their place at the top of the table to Barcelona.

And the Frenchman has come under fire from the media and Madridistas for not firing on all cylinders and not scoring enough in recent weeks.

Speaking to BeIN Sports, Benzema said he’s had to get used to the criticism as it always seems to come his way whenever Real lose.

“That’s what you sign up for when you come to Madrid and I’m not allowed fail during a match, not even with a pass,” he stated.

And he added: “At first it was hard but when you gain experience you start to get used to it. If affects my family more because they are my biggest supporters. They watch and read everything. I don’t need the Press to tell me if I’ve played well or not. There are people who are allowed to comment that don’t know anything about football because they’ve never played the game, but that’s the life of a footballer.”

He also invited anyone who thinks he is lazy to spend a week with him watching him train.

“You need to spend a week here to realise what I do. I’m the first to arrive and the last to leave. I also work at home with a machine that allows me to gain more muscle and more strength. It doesn’t mean I’m going to score more goals but it’s important for my physique. I don’t need to hear from elsewhere that I am a great player. I know what I’m worth and I work towards that,” he commented.

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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has said the Santiago Bernabeu must be a fortress if the club is to retain the Champions League.

The 10-time Champions League winners take on Schalke in the second leg of their last-16 tie holding a 2-0 from the trip to Germany. Los Blancos will be confident they can put their domestic woes behind them and progress to the quarter finals once more and take another step on the road to Berlin.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Casillas said the team would need to make the Bernabeu an intimidating place for visiting teams. He added that for the team to retain the trophy, every player in the squad needs to be hungry for success.

“We have desire and a strong team full of experience, from last year and previous years. We also have the experience of three semi-finals where we were very close but did not reach the final. Now we have greater maturity and things have gone better. If we play well at the Bernanbéu and make it our fortress, away from home if we play like we did last year, then we have the chance to go far,” he stated.

Asked about the chances of lifting the cup two years in a row, the club legend added: “Real Madrid is the only team that can do it because we won last year. We know that it will be very difficult but we will fight to achieve it. We are ambitious, with a mixture of youth and experience, why not?”

 

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Mesut Ozil took the easy option when he decided to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal, says former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

The former England international claimed the German could have worked harder to fight for his place in the side at Madrid and been in with a chance of winning titles on a regular basis.

And despite the facts showing Ozil has covered more ground than any other Arsenal player since his return from a three-month injury lay off, the Mancunian jumped on the bandwagon saying he is lazy.

In his column in the Independent, Scholes, who took the easy option throughout his career by opting to foul opponents rather than ever learn how to tackle properly, said: “Over the years, the big players who were really ambitious – Vieira, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie – have all left. They left for the simple reason that Arsenal are not in it to win league titles any more. Those players have realised that if they want to win championships then they have to move elsewhere.

“It’s why I think Mesut Özil took the easy option joining Arsenal. Since he has been there you cannot doubt his quality but at times he looks like he is going through the motions, however much ground he covers. He needs a leader around him to get him going. At Real Madrid he had a chance of winning league titles. At Arsenal that is not on the cards.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger responded by saying: “Scholes would have loved to have played with a player like Mesut Özil.”

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