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Sergio Ramos has said Real Madrid showed how strong they are in attack after dismantling Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon.

David Moyes’ team took an early lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Los Blancos responded with four goals, with Ramos himself getting on the scoresheet.

Speaking to the media after the game, Ramos said the players were unhappy to concede an early goal, but that they were able to respond quickly and get a positive result to keep their place at the top of La Liga.

“Despite conceding an early goal, the positive thing is that the team knew how to respond well, quickly and turn the scoreboard around. We once again saw a good performance from the team, dominating and playing effectively up the field,” he stated.

And he added: “We have to use this to improve and go on a good run of results. Sometimes you make mistakes in football and we have to use that to improve and grow as a team.”

The defender also touched on his contract situation, with reports saying he’d like a move to the Premier League when he contract at Los Blancos is up. Those rumours were dismissed directly by Ramos.

He stated: “We have not talked to the club about any extension. I have two years left and I am happier than ever because I cannot imagine myself in any other shirt apart from this one.”

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Carlo Ancelotti has said he wants to see his side improve how they start matches after seeing Real Madrid recover from an early deficit to beat Real Sociedad 4-1.

Los Blancos fell behind after less than a minute on the clock at the Santiago Bernabeu, before James Rodriguez levelled soon afterwards. Sergio Ramos gave the 10-time Champions League winners the lead before Karim Benzema added gloss to the scoreline with a brace.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Ancelotti said his team has got into the habit of starting slowly – something that he wants to see change.

“In the first half, as has happened in other games, we didn’t start well and we conceded a goal. The same happened at Córdoba and against Atlético in the Copa. We have to improve that. Then we defended well and we pressed up front. We played very well in the second half. We sorted it out and the match improved,” he told reporters.

And he added:”Benzema put in a fantastic performance. The goal he scored was top quality. He has a fantastic strike, but we also have to appreciate the way he helps the team’s play. He isn’t just a striker who plays in the box, he is very good in every area and has a lot of quality. We had a lot of chances and shots on goal.”

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Javier Hernandez looks set to have a move to Lazio blocked thanks to FIFA rules.

The on-loan Real Madrid forward, who is contracted by Manchester United, has been linked with a move to the Seria A side where he hoped to get regular first team football.

But FIFA rules state that a player can only play for two clubs in any given season. The Mexican featured twice for the Red Devils prior to his summer deadline day move to the Santiago Bernabeu, meaning he would not be able to compete a switch to Lazio until the end of this season.

The 26-year-old joined Los Blancos after Van Gaal signed Radamel Falcao for the Old Trafford outfit. But the striker, who goes by the name Chicharito, has found life tough under Carlo Ancelotti and has had to make do with a role on the bench behind regulars Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

With Jese Rodriguez returning to full fitness, Hernandez’s chance of first team football at the Santiago Bernabeu look even more remote between now and the end of the campaign. The striker ideally wants the next six months to play regularly and put himself in the shop window to secure a move away from United at the end of the campaign.

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Real Madrid reacted perfectly to Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence with a great victory against Real Sociedad thanks to a superb performance by Karim Benzema, who scored a brace.

The Basques threatened Los Blancos during the first minutes scoring an early goal, but Carlo Ancelotti men reacted perfectly and ended up trashing their rival.

The game had a thrilling start with two goals in the first three minutes. The visitors took the lead as Aritz Elustondo headed a Ruben Pardo corner into the back of the net. However, James Rodriguez levelled with another header after receiving a precise cross from Marcelo.

Real Sociedad suffered a blow as their top scorer Carlos Vela fell injured and had to be replaced after 15 minutes. Striker Imanol Agirretxe replaced the Mexican.

Benzema was close to giving Los Blancos the lead with a wonderful strike to the bottom corner, but goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli made a brilliant save.

The Argentinian denied a powerful shot from James a few minutes later, but he wasn’t lucky in the next play. Marcelo found Benzema with an outstanding cross and the Frenchman shot straight to Rulli. However, Ramos picked up the rebound and made it 2-1.

Los Merengues scored early in the second half to calm the fans nerves. Benzema lashed a precise effort into the back of the net after a one-two with Gareth Bale.

The France international would seal the win with one of the most stunning goals of the season. He picked up the ball in the corner of the box and executed a perfect give-and-go with Isco before latching a superb strike to the top corner.

Real Madrid controlled the game until the end and Carlo Ancelotti even gave Benzema and Toni Kroos some rest. They will need to be perfectly fit to face Sevilla on Wednesday.

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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has ruled out a switch to Manchester United, insisting he is happy winning trophies in Madrid.

The Welshman has been linked with a move back to the Premier League in recent weeks, with some of the UK pres suggesting Louis van Gaal would make a 120 million euro move at the end of the season.

Bale played a key role in Real’s success in the past 12 months, scoring in the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals last season and also helped the team pick up the European Super Cup and World Club Cup this year.

He has been criticised by some sections of the Madrid support though since the turn of the year with people saying he is too greedy and doesn’t pass. It stems back to an opportunity in the defeat to Valencia when Bale opted to shoot rather than pass to Ronaldo.

Speaking to the Spanish media, Bale said: “I can’t see myself at Manchester United. In an interview recently I was asked if I was happy in Madrid and I said that I was very happy here. I have a long contract still to go, I am enjoying myself and we are winning trophies. I want to continue doing this at Real Madrid.”

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Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad La Liga preview

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad this afternoon in La Liga and will be looking to avenge the shock 4-2 defeat they experienced back in August.

Los Blancos will have to do so without Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits out the first of his two-game ban for his sending off against Cordoba last weekend. Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of options to choose from including Jese Rodriguez, who is looking to build up his match fitness having overcome a serious knee injury.

The Italian boss did give some team news on Friday and suggested Asier Illarramendi will play against his former club. The midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu but Ancelotti insists he is very much part of his plans. Meanwhile, new arrival Lucas Silva could make his Real debut, most likely from the bench.

“He’s in good physical shape although he’s not at peak fitness yet because his season only began on January 7,” Ancelotti told reporters.

The only absentees other than Ronaldo are the injured Luka Modric and Pepe.

David Moyes brings his Real Sociedad team to the Spanish capital in somewhat erratic form. His side beat Barcelona last month, but have won just one game since then – a 1-0 win over Elche. Former Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero should take his place in the starting 11.

Probable line-ups:Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; James Rodriguez, Benzema, Bale
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Elustondo, Gonzalez, Martinez, Yuri; Granero, Pardo; Vela, Prieto, Canales; Agirretxe

 

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Athletic de Bilbao have made an official offer to sign Asier Illarramendi, but the player has decided to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

When asked about the player’s situation in the press conference prior to Real Sociedad’s match, Ancelotti said Illarra will start on Saturday against his former club and also explained the Athletic situation: “They made an offer, but he’s comfortable and happy at Real Madrid. He assessed the situation and decided he would like to stay, and myself and the club are happy with that. He hasn’t played much but he has always done well.”

The Italian manager also commented on the chances of new signing Lucas Silva making his debut with Madrid: “He’s made it in the squad because he’s in good shape, and although he’s not completely fit, he might get some minutes of play.”

Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence and how it will affect the strategy, Ancelotti explained “Gareth Bale will play on the left side, but nothing else will change. We will display a 4-4-2 in defense and a 4-3-3 in attack, with James Rodriguez playing forward.”

Carletto admitted the team needs to change the attitude they showed in Cordoba: “We need to be more intense and exert a higher defensive pressure. We left too many spaces in Cordoba and allowed many counter-attacks. We have to improve in that sense.”

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Reports in Spain have said Everton boss Roberto Martinez is keen to take Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez on loan for the rest of the season.

The Toffees a striker light now having seen former Barcelona forward Samuel Eto’o – who was on Real’s books as a youngster – leave for Sampdoria this week.

And Spaniard Martinez is keen to add Jese to his squad as Everton look to have a strong second half to the season after a disappointing campaign at Goodison Park so far.

Marca and AS say Everton may find it tough to persuade Carlo Ancelotti to part with the young forward as he sees him as an important part of the squad who will play a role as back up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema as the season hots up and the race for La Liga and Champions League gets more intense.

The 21-year-old has made seven appearances for Los Blancos this campaign having recovered from a serious knee injury in March last year. Prior to his injury he had impressed many with his vibrant displays and there was even some talk that his late surge could see him called up to the Spanish squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

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Real Madrid blog

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the next two La Liga games against Real Sociedad and Sevilla following his red card in Real Madrid’s victory over Cordoba. The Portuguese is surely a great loss for Carlo Ancelotti and his absence will have a major impact on the team. These are some of the consequences of Ronaldo’s suspension:

1. Gareth Bale will have a new role. Without Ronaldo, Ancelotti is expected to move Bale into the striker position alongside Karim Benzema. The Welshman will play closer to goal and he will become the main target of James Rodriguez crosses from the wings. He will need to step up and become the scoring leader –Ronaldo has netted 28 in 18 appearances in La Liga– and also prove that he can shoot the free kicks as good as anybody in the squad.

2. A more balanced midfield. With Bale moving to the striker position in a 4-4-2 formation, there will be a free spot in midfield aimed to Sami Khedira, Asier Illarramendi or even recent signing Lucas Silva. Any of them will help Los Blancos gain balance. When Isco and Toni Kroos have paired in midfield the team has benefited from their creativity in attack, but they have shown more weakness in defense.

3. Jese Rodriguez will have a chance to shine. The young winger had a great impact on the team last season, but he has lacked minutes of play since he recovered from his knee injury. Los Blancos will face the crucial part of the season and they will need Jese in his best state of shape coming in from the bench. Cristiano’s absence will be good for him in order to get more action and have a more important role.

4. Ronaldo will finally get some rest. The Portuguese is in better physical shape than any footballer of his age –he will turn 30 years old next week– but still it would be unwise to make him play two games a week in such demanding competitions. He will surely benefit from having a few days of rest and he will come back stronger for the crucial games against Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Schalke 04 in the Champions League.

Certainly Ancelotti won’t like missing Ronaldo for two games in a row, but still there are some positives outcomes of this ban. If Los Blancos manage to succeed against Real Sociedad and Sevilla they will be a much stronger team when Ronaldo returns.

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Colombian football legend Carlos Valderrama has said on a visit to Madrid that the whole South American nation is behind James Rodriguez.

The former midfielder, famous for having his long curly blonde hair, was in the Spanish capital attending a tourism fair and decided to pop into the Real Madrid training ground to see his compatriot.

And speaking on the club’s official website, Valderrama said the 23-year-old summer signing from Monaco had impressed many with how quickly he has settled into life at the 10-time Champions League winners.

James, a star at the summer’s World Cup for Colombia, has netted 10 times in all competitions and helped the side to top place in La Liga.

Valderrama stated: “We are at the Tourism Fair, representing Colombia and we wanted to come and see him, give him our support and tell him that Colombia is really behind him. We have to congratulate him for everything he is doing.”

He continued: “He adapted quickly to the group and has done really well.That puts him at ease so he can show all of his quality. He is young, he is learning and he arrived at a club where he can learn a lot more, in a great team, and at a great club. He has shown his quality. We belong to different generations. He was a child during my time and now he is our star and we will always follow him. We are shared idols, and we really hope that he can continue to grow and make our country happy.”

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