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Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid’s defeat against Valencia after 22 consecutive victories in official games will not affect the team.

“The loss comes after 22 straigh wins. We knew it would happen sooner or later. We did well before the defeat, and we will continue doing well,” the Italian manager said at the press conference after the match.

“Valencia is a strong side. We played well, but we lost. We have to congratulate Valencia, but now we have to focus on the next game. We will line-up the best possible team against Atletico Madrid,” Ancelotti explained.

“This defeat is not going to affect us. It had to happen, and now we look ahead because the season is long and we are well positioned in La Liga,” he added.

Speaking in depth about the keys of the match, Ancelotti claims there was “a crucial moment when we could have scored the second goal, but we didn’t. You can’t always be so efficient. We had our chances, and we deserved to draw.”

Los Blancos boss didn’t want to comment the controversial plays of the game: “The referee did a good job, and it wasn’t easy. He had a lot of pressure from the home crowd, and there was lots of kicking.”

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Isco

Real Madrid started 2015 the same way they finished 2014, with a painful defeat that ended a long run of victories.

Los Blancos were unbeaten in La Liga since September, but Valencia broke that winning streak thanks to goals from Claudio Barragan and Nicolas Otamendi.

The game was very intense from the start. Valencia controlled possession at the beginning, but were unable to threaten Iker Casillas.

Before the 15-minute mark, Los Blancos were awarded a controversial penalty after a handball by Alvaro Negredo. Cristiano Ronaldo coolly converted to make it 0-1 for the visitors.

Things became more difficult for the hosts after the goal, especially when Pablo Piatti suffered a muscle injury and had to be replaced by Jose Luis Gaya.

Ronaldo had an incredible chance to score his second as he collected a pass from Gareth Bale and rounded the keeper, but his shot hit the side of the net.

Real dominated the ball during the first half, but Valencia had the best chance before half-time as a shot from Andre Gomes deflected off Daniel Carvajal and hit the post.

Valencia exerted a very high pressure at the start of the second half and they levelled soon thanks to a great play by Gaya. The young left-back assisted Antonio Barragan, whose shot cannoned off the foot of Pepe and ended in the back of the net.

Los Merengues had a stunning chance as Gareth Bale raced clear of the Valencia defence, but he refused to assist Benzema and ended up losing the ball.

In the following play, Valencia completed their comeback thanks to a superb header from Nicolas Otamendi, who met a cross from Daniel Parejo in a corner.

The hosts could have sealed the victory when Barragan had the goal at his mercy after receiving a pass from Andre Gomes, but he sent his shot wide of the far post.

Ramos was close to savaging a point for Los Blancos as he received a cross from Toni Kroos and sent a powerful header to the bottom corner, but his effort dropped wide of the post.

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Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he told the club to sign Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard when the midfielder was at the peak of his game.

The 34-year-old announced this week that he will bring the curtain down on his Liverpool career this summer, ending a 17-year playing association with the club. He admitted he will join a club in the MLS but hasn’t decided which one yet.

Things could have been so different though if Real legend Zidane had his way. Speaking to the media, Real Madrid Castilla boss Zidane revealed he told Florentino Perez to sign Gerrard in 2004 as he wanted to partner him in midfield at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have said in the past that at his peak he was the best in the world,” said the 42-year-old.

“I think it was the summer of 2004 I was having a conversation with Florentino Perez and I told him I wanted him to partner me in midfield for Madrid. I know the club tried twice but he wouldn’t leave Liverpool. Not many players turn down Real Madrid but I think that tells you a lot about the loyalty of the man,” he added.

Gerrard’s loyalty was rewarded as he successfully captained the team to a host of trophies, most notably the 2005 Champions League.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said he will need to rotate his players in and out of the team over the coming weeks due to the punishing schedule coming up.

Los Blancos resume their La Liga campaign today with a visit to Valencia before taking on Atletico de Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Should Real be successful in the two-legged affair with the cross-city rivals, they will face 10 games in just 32 days.

Speaking to the press about his plans to manage his players, Ancelotti revealed he would rotate the team.

“I believe rotations will be unavoidable, because that’s how we prevent injuries and ensure the squad is even more motivated. I can’t think about playing the same team [in each game] during this stretch of the season. All will get to play,” he stated.

When asked to explain further and on specific players, Ancelotti expressed his delight that Jese Rodruiguez is available for selection after overcoming a serious knee injury.

“Now he’s completely recovered, although we have to remember that he’s had ten months without playing and has to adapt again. He doesn’t have any fear and he’s full of enthusiasm. He’ll be very useful to us this season,” he commented.

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Valencia Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid take on Valencia on Sunday looking to start 2015 with a win that would make it 13 consecutive victories in La Liga.

Los Blancos ended a run of 22 win in all competitions by losing to AC Milan in a friendly game at Dubai, and they are eager to make up for their poor performance.

Sergio Ramos and Marcelo are doubts for Carlo Ancelotti. The Spaniard forced to play the Club World Cup final despite having picked a muscle injury in the semi-final. He went on to score a decisive goal to win the title, and has been undergoing a special recovery process since then.

Meanwhile, Marcelo has also been suffering a thigh muscle problem since the Club World Cup final. The club doctors have not determined yet whether he’s fit to play or not. Fabio Coentrao and Raphael Varane could replace Marcelo and Ramos.

James Rodriguez will make his La Liga return after recovering from his calf injury. On the other hand, Luka Modric will remain on the sidelines.

Valencia’s manager Nuno Espirito Santo will miss holding midfielder Javi Fuego, but the Spaniards absence could leave way for new signing Enzo Perez to make his debut. The Argentinian arrived from Benfica this week on a 25-million-euro deal.

Possible line-ups:

Valencia: Alves; Mustafi, Otamendi, Orban; Feghouli, Parejo, Gomes, De Paul, Gaya; Negredo, Alcacer.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao; Bale, Isco, Kroos, James Rodriguez; Benzema, Ronaldo.

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Former Real Madrid player and sporting director Pedrag Mijatovic has said the club always wanted to sign Fernando Torres during his time at the club.

Torres re-joined Atletico de Madrid this week on an 18-month loan after spells at Liverpool, Chelsea and AC Milan.

But had Real Madrid had their way, Torres could have made the short journey from the Vicente Calderon to the Santiago Bernabeu when the first left Los Rojiblancos.

Mijatovic, 45, told Radio Marca: “We considered signing him during my time at the club. You have to look at your options when you’re the director of football and Torres was always on our list. We talked about signing him, but it was always going to be a tough deal to make. It wasn’t a question of money, rather the team he was playing at.”

The former Yugoslavia international also to the radio station about his switch to the club when he was a player himself, saying it was too good an offer to turn down.

“They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. People at Valencia couldn’t understand it, but it was a footballing decision”. “Until I joined Real Madrid, ‘Los Blancos’ were always welcome at the Mestalla… at least that’s what they told me,” he commented.

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Diego Lopez

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has said he felt part of the team that won La Decima last season even though Iker Casillas was the main keeper in the competition.

The pair battled it out for the number one spot at the Santiago Bernabeu for 18 months before Lopez left for AC Milan in the summer. Casillas was used by manager Carlo Ancelotti in the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, with Lopez being used as the main keeper in La Liga.

Los Blancos defeated Atletico de Madrid on a memorable night in Lisbon in May, seeing off their city rivals 4-1 in the final and ending their 12-year wait for the coveted 10th Champions League title.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Lopez said he felt very much part of the side and the win was a team effort.

“La Décima is a title I also felt part of, even though Iker played. It was a victory for the entire team,” he stated.

While him and Casillas were at the club, there was always speculation surrounding their relationship. But Lopez insisted the pair got on fine and there was never any problem.

He commented: “Our relationship was fine, as it is with all my fellow professionals.”

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Swansea City’s striker Wilfried Bony has caught the interest of Real Madrid, according to British newspaper Daily Mail.

Los Blancos are reportedly looking for a forward to back up Karim Benzema, since Chicharito Hernandez is expected to return to Manchester United next summer.

The Ivory Coast international is one of the most talented strikers in Europe, and many big clubs are interested in signing him, including Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Swansea are not willing to let their star player leave easily, and they have placed a 30-million-euro on the striker.

Los Merengues directors are not expected to spend such a big amount of money in a player that will sit on the bench most of the season, unless Benzema suffered an important injury.

Thus, it seems highly unlikely that negotiations with Swansea could come to a good end, especially since many other clubs and willing to pay that price.

Bony has amazed since he arrived at Swansea on the summer of 2013 from Dutch side Vitesse. He has scored 34 goals in 70 appearances for the Welsh club. He’s the top 5 scorer of the Premier League so far this season with nine goals.

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Carlo Ancelotti has said there are no limits for Real Madrid as the club aims for more success in 2015.

Los Blancos enjoyed one of their most successful years in their illustrious history in 2014, winning four trophies, including their 10th Champions League title. They also picked up the Copa del Rey, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

This season, they have continued to set new boundaries, and despite the 4-2 friendly loss to AC Milan this week, Real have won their last 22 consecutive competitive fixtures.

Speaking to Italian website Tuttosport, Ancelotti said his team could still improve this year.

“To win the 11th Champions League title would be a dream because we would be the first team to win two consecutive Champions League trophies since the change of format,” he said.

“The president, Florentino Perez, is wishing for it and we will do everything to please him.

“We do not have limits, we will try to improve ourselves and reach a higher level. We have had a very good season, being the best in the world, and we have confidence to win all the titles in which we participate.

“It is a must for Real Madrid, for its history, its prestige. We have to work and fight to win again.”

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Real Madrid are set to offer central defender Pepe a new deal to fend off interest from Manchester City, according to reports.

The 31-year-old has had a fine season to date, playing a key role in the heart of the defence that has looked solid all season and has allowed the more attacking players to enjoy more freedom.

The Portuguese international has also picked up fewer yellow cards, showing a more mature attitude and better discipline in his overall game.

Spanish sports paper Marca says Los Blancos want to tie Pepe down to a long-term deal that would mean he wlll end his career at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Citizens have been interested in the defender for a while though and could be tempted to make an offer as the look to strengthen their defence. Martin Demichelis is still an important member of the squad, but doesn’t have a long-term future in Manchester at the age of 34 and the Premier League champions would like an upgrade.

Should Pepe stay in the Spanish capital, the future of another defender would be in doubt – Raphael Varane. The highly regarded centre back has failed to dislodge Pepe or Sergio Ramos and is believed to be keen on first team football.

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