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Carlo Ancelotti praised Gareth Bale in the press conference prior to Wednesday’s La Liga clash against Sevilla.

The Welshman has taken a more important role with Cristiano Ronaldo banned for two games and he has been criticized by a sector of the fans.

However, Ancelotti defended Bale claiming he’s playing great: “He’s doing everything to help the team, and he’s having a fantastic season. We’re quiet about this controversy because he’s doing well. I don’t think he heard any booing [against Real Sociedad], he made a couple of great plays that were applauded.”

The Italian manager confirmed Fabio Coentrao will be a loss for Sevilla’s match. “He’s not available because he has had a problem in a tendon. He won’t be in the squad, just like Ronaldo and Pepe,” he explained.

Ancelotti believes “tomorrow’s match is more important than the derby against Atletico Madrid.” “We have a chance to increase our lead in the table, so I’ll line-up the best team possible,” he added.

“Sevilla are a dangerous team. They have quality and good organization. They compete, they are good in counter-attacking and playing with reduced spaces. If we don’t play our best it will be a risky match,” the Italian concluded.

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The agent of Cristiano Ronaldo has said any club wishing to buy him from Real Madrid would have to pay at least 300 million euros.

Jorrge Mendes said the Los Blancos forward is the best sportsman ever and that it would take a massive amount of money should anyone wish to sign him. However, he added the 29-year-old is keen to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for the rest of his career.

“He is the best player ever in the world. You can’t compare him with anybody else,” he told the BBC.

“Cristano Ronaldo? One billion. His buyout clause one billion, so it is one billion. It is impossible to buy someone like him. If for any reason the club decide to sell him tomorrow for 300 million, someone will pay,” he said when asked how much a club would have to pay to sign him.

The super agent went on to add that his client wants to see out the rest of his playing days at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portugal international, who won the Ballon d’Or for the third time in his career last month has scored 36 goals in 32 appearances for his club this season. He will sit out the match against Sevilla through suspension.

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Real Madrid keep planning their future in the goalkeeper position knowing that Iker Casillas might leave the Santiago Bernabeu next year.

The Los Blancos captain confessed a few days ago that he would like to play in the Major League Soccer, and sources from the club have suggested he might be thinking of the summer of 2016 as the date to start his American adventure.

A number of goalkeepers have been linked with a Real Madrid move, with David de Gea being the main option as his contract expires in 2017 and Manchester United could sell him cheap in 2016.

However, Spanish digital newspaper Estrella Digital has claimed Los Merengues’ first choice is former Atletico Madrid man Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian keeper is Florentino Perez’s favourite and Real’s president would be willing to bid high for him.

Chelsea are not interested in selling, and Jose Mourinho will surely fight to keep him, but the player’s will to live in Madrid could be crucial in the negotiations. According to Estrella Digital, Perez would offer 30 million euros and the Belgium international could become the most expensive goalkeeper in football history.

Courtois was first linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu one year ago, but Los Blancos ended up signing Keylor Navas. Apart from Courtois and De Gea, Espanyol’s Kiko Casilla is another option Los Blancos are considering.

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It’s been the topic of many pub debates across the UK, Spain and many other parts of the word – who is better out of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo or Barcelona’s Leo Messi.

And now a nun in Spain has had her say, describing the Los Blancos frontman as “cocky and unfriendly” and Messi as being “a reflection of God’s perfection.”

Sister Lucia Caram – an Argentinean but living in Spain – drew no punches in her criticism of the 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner. It’s hardly unsurprising though, giving that she’s a Los Cules fan.

Speaking to Cataluna-based paper Sport, the nun said: “For me the evidence for the existence of God is manifested in goodness and beauty, and when I see Messi play I see that. One looks entranced, like by a beautiful painting or a sunset, when one faces Messi. I’m not saying he’s God, but he’s a reflection of God’s perfection. He dazzles everyone.”

She was less positive in her appraisal of Ronaldo, claiming: “Cristiano plays football very well, but he has a very cocky and unfriendly attitude. He’s not my greatest enemy, I think he plays very good football, but there is not harmony in him.”

When questioned whether that meant Messi was an angel and Ronaldo the devil, the nun responded: “Is Messi an angel and Ronaldo the devil? Well Messi has the virtue of being a great player but he is also a good person. He is humble.”

 

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Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno, has defended Gareth Bale against the boo boys.

The Welshman came on for some stick from some sections of the Santiago Bernabeu support at the weekend after missing a couple of good chances to score in the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad.

At one point he took the ball from James Rodriguez’ feet and somehow managed to miss the gaping goal from six yards out. And he also missed a straightforward one-on-one later in the game against David Moyes’ side. He did however set up a goal for Karim Benzema and put in a performance full of running and energy throughout.

And speaking to reporters, former Los Blancos player Butragueno said the fans need to get off the 25-year-old’s back and give him their full support instead.

“Bale had a real presence in the game and in the way the team played,” he stated.

The ex-striker went on to add: “He could have got a few goals. Sometimes he gets it right and sometimes he doesn’t but the important thing it that he is very involved and creating chances.”

Bale has netted 14 goals in all competitions for Los Blancos this season and provided six assists.

 

 

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Real Sociedad boss David Moyes has leapt to the defence of Gareth Bale after the Welshman was booed by some Real Madrid fans on Saturday afternoon.

Los Blancos beat the Basque outfit 4-1, and Bale grabbed an assist for Karim Benzema. But the 25-year-old forward was guilty of a couple of glaring misses.

The first was from six yards out, in front of goal. He took the ball from James Rodriguez’ feet and somehow managed to put his effort wide with the goal gaping. In the second half, Bale raced clear with just the keeper to beat but once again failed to hit the back of the net.

Some sections of the crowd decided to jeer Bale for missing those opportunities despite putting in a performance full of running and effort.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti defended his player in his press conference after the game, and Moyes also commented on the former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur man.

“Gareth Bale is a fantastic player,” said Moyes. “He had a couple of chances to score and there is nothing to worry about him. I’m sure he will be someone great.”

Bale has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Los Blancos this season and has played a key role in helping the side with the European Super Cup and Club World Cup.

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Manchester City are increasingly hopeful they can sign Real Madrid defender Pepe in the summer, according to reports in the UK.

The Portuguese centre back has contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until the summer of 2016 but Los Blancos are willing to cash in on the 31-year-old this year instead of risk losing him on a free 12 months later – giving City hope they can secure his signature.

The Premier League champions already have a host of options at centre back, and spent 40 million euros to bring Eliaquim Mangala to the Etihad Stadium last summer. But boss Manuel Pellegrini, who used to be in charge of Los Blancos, has been unconvinced and remains in the market for another defender.

Should City make their move for Pepe, they may face competition from cross-city neighbours Manchester United. Louis Van Gaal is keen to add to his defensive options and United miss the experience of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who both left last summer. The Red Devils have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.

Pepe joined Los Blancos in 2007 and has played a major role in the side’s success in recent years – helping them to the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.

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Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has urged his Real Madrid team mates to stop conceding early goals and making life hard for themselves.

Los Blancos fell behind within 40 seconds on Saturday to Real Sociedad but recovered from the early setback to win 4-1 and hold onto their place at the top of La Liga. The Frenchman scored the side’s third and fourth goals on the day – his second goal an a gem as he curled it into the top right hand corner.

The 10-time Champions League winners take on Sevilla during the week at home and will be looking to extend their lead over second-place Barcelona to four points ahead of a mouth-watering clash at Atletico de Madrid at the weekend.

And speaking to the media, Benzema said the players must concentrate harder, especially at the start of games,

“I’m pleased with the goal, but more for the win,” the striker tcommented. “We had to win because it was a tough game against a great team. But we were fine.

“We have to be careful of conceding early goals, because it is not the first time, but at least we are reacting to them.With my second goal, I knew I hit it well but I did not know it would be quite that good! We have secured these three points and now we will prepare for Wednesday,” he added.

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Daniel Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal has said he was pleased to get the three points against Real Sociedad on Saturday and get off to a good start in an important week for Real Madrid.

Los Blancos take on Sevilla during the week at home before heading to the Vicente Calderon next Saturday in what will be crucial clash in the title race. The 10-time Champions League winners haven’t beaten Los Colchoneros in five attempts – since their famous win in Lisbon last May. They were recently dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Diego Simeone’s men.

Speaking to the media after the 4-1 over David Moyes’ side, Carvajal said it was important to get off to a good start this week.

“This is a very important week for us with three matches, two of them at home. Today was the first round and we won. Although we started with a slight lack of concentration, we were then able to make a comeback. Sometimes you have bad days, we are human, but today we got our form back,” he said.

He also defended team mate Gareth Bale, who was booed by some section of the home crowd after his missed a couple of easy chances.

““He is an ambitious player who contributes a lot. Last weekend he practically gave us the three points and today he provided an assist. He is really important for us. We all want to score and do well and of course James understands that,” he stated.

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Real Madrid defender Marcelo has said the game against Real Sociedad was tough despite the 4-1 scoreline.

Los Blanos fell behind after just 40 seconds at the Santiago Bernabeu but equalised minutes later through James Rodriguez – assisted by Marcelo. Sergio Ramos put his team ahead and Karim Benzema scored twice to make it a comfortable looking scoreline in the end.

Marcelo told reporters at the final whistle that the game was difficult and the players will have to expect that in every game now as they seek to maintain their place at the top of the table.

“They scored with the first move of the game. We scored soon after and that made the comeback easier. We did not start as we would have liked to but then we had the ball and we played well. It was crucial to win today. It was a very difficult game despite the result and now we have another extremely tough game against Sevilla,” he stated.

The Brazilian also explained the situation between Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez that saw the Welshman take the ball from the midfielders toes and miss a glorious chance to score.

“I like to see the team doing well and winning. If I can help out with assists or goals then even better, but the important thing is that the team manages to win. The move between James and Bale is something that happens on the pitch. A forward has to score and perhaps Bale saw scoring as the best option,” he commented.

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