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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas spoke about Los Blancos rival in the Club World Cup final San Lorenzo de Almagro.

The goalkeeper confessed he doesn’t know much about their opponent. “We don’t know San Lorenzo well, apart from their name and what they have won. I’m convinced the manager has already studied them.”

Madrid are favourites to win their first World Cup title, but Casillas warned “all Argentinian sides are tough”, and it won’t be easy to defeat the South American champions.

Los Blancos already lost an Intercontinental Cup against an Argentinian club. It was in 2000, when Boca Juniors beat Real 2-1. “I had bad memories from that match. In the first 15 minutes we were losing 2-0 and we couldn’t win the title. At least two years later we amended it beating Olimpia Paraguay,” Casillas said.

San Lorenzo manager Edgardo Bauza also commented the upcoming match: “We have fought hard the whole year to arrive to this match and we made it. We are going to give our best against the best team in the world. We would have liked to have 24 hours more to prepare the game, but it hasn’t been possible,” he explained in a press conference.

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Liverpool are lining up a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to reports in the UK press.

The Reds have struggled for goals this season since losing Luis Suraez to Barcelona in the summer. Daniel Sturridge has spent a large part of the campaign on the sidelines so far, while Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli have all failed to hit the net on a consistent basis.

The Express claims under-fire Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is hoping to boost his side’s attacking prowess with a 70 million euro bid for Benzema. It isn’t the first time the Frenchman has been linked with a move to the Anfield side, while he has also attracted the attention of Arsenal in the past.

The forward has enjoyed a fine season to date playing a key role in the side as they have won the last 21 games in a row. He should take his place in the starting line up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Saturday night as they look to win their fourth trophy of the calendar year – the Club World Cup. Benzema scored in the 4-0 semi-final win over Cruz Azul.

Since arriving in the Spanish capital from Lyon, the France international has won La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa and European Super Cup.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Florentino Perez has said winning the Club World Cup would be a great end to the year after one of the Real Madrid’s most memorable years in its history.

Los Blancos play San Lorenzo in the final on Saturday evening as they aim to win their fourth trophy in the calendar year. The highlight was undoubtedly the Champions League win over Atletico de Madrid in Lisbon with Carlo Ancelotti guiding his team to a 4-1 win. They also lifted the Copa del Rey and European Super Cup, while are also currently enjoying a 21-game winning run in all competitions.

Speaking in an interview Cadena Ser, Perez said the players and staff want to end 2014 on a high.

“Rounding off this year, which has been a good one, with a trophy like the Club World Cup is important for us and for what we want to send out. The fans are delighted. We have a good team, a good atmosphere, a coach who treats the players as if they were a family. All of that leaves its mark, and we’re experiencing a special, good period and all I ask is that it lasts for a long time,” he stated.

He added that the team is loving being in Morocco as it is a football mad country where they have been warmly welcomed.

“In Morocco in general and in Marrakech in particular, there is great love for football. And even if it’s rude to say so, there is great love for Real Madrid. It’s like we’re at home. The players are their idols, seeing them up close is a dream that they have been able to realise and it’s a spectacular atmosphere. We’ve come with great enthusiasm, aware of what football represents in Morocco.”

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Real Madrid are continuing to monitor Manchester United’s David de Gea as they line up a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas, according to reports in the UK press.

The Daily Express said the Red Devils are bracing themselves for a bid from the 10 time Champions League winners, although it is thought Los Blancos would have to offer a world record bid for a goalkeeper to prize him away from Old Trafford.

The paper said Carlo Ancelotti would need to bid more than the 40 million euros paid by Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon from Parma.

The former Atletico de Madrid man, who was United’s player of the season last campaign, has established himself as one of the best keepers in the world and has been in fine form for Louis van Gaal’s team this season.

He has 18 months to go on his current deal with the Premier League giants and the club is keen to tie him down to a new deal.

When asked about his future plans previously, De Gea has always been evasive, saying his is happy in Manchester but never ruling out a return to the city he was born in. He rose through the ranks at Los Colchoneros before switching to United in 2011.

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Marco Reus

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed Los Blancos are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus.

In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena SER, explained they are eyeing the Germany international. “We’re eyeing him the way we eye other great players. I’m good friends with Borussia Dortmund president. We talk because we are friends, but we don’t talk about Reus,” Perez admitted.

Asked about the possible arrival of the 25-year-old, Perez claimed “if I was the manager of Real Madrid I wouldn’t know who to take out for lining-up Reus.”

Perez also spoke about Los Merengues target Lucas Silva, who is close to signing for the Santiago Bernabeu club according to reports. “We only make winter signings in exceptional circumstances, and there is nothing exceptional right now,” he stated.

Florentino explained they are not “talking about contract renewals right now”, and when asked about Sergio Ramos contract extension he explained the defender “wants to retire at Real Madrid, and the club wants him to continue.”

“Ramos is the best centre-back in the world and he came here when he was 18 years old,” Perez concluded.

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Real Madrid’s preparations for the Club World Cup final have been boosted by the return of James Rodriguez to first team training.

The Colombian star has been missing for the last 10 days after injuring his calf in Los Blancos’ win over Celta Vigo in La Liga. He sat out the 4-0 win over Cruz Azul in the semi final in Marrakech, with Isco once again stepping up to the plate with another good performance capped by a goal.

But Carlo Ancelotti now has a selection headache after the 22-year-old former Monaco playmaker returned to training with the first team. Sami Khedira and Jese Rodriguez also trained on Wednesday, meaning the manager has an almost full squad to choose from as he plots to win Real’s fourth trophy of the calendar year.

The only big name absentee is Luka Modric, who isn’t expected to return until late February or early March.

Sergio Ramos, who came off with what appeared to be a thigh problem on Tuesday is also expected to be fit for the final. Ancelotti told reporters the defender is fine and was only suffering fatigue against Cruz Azul.

“It’s just fatigue. He should be ok in couple of days and be available for the final,” the boss said.

The Madrid boss also laughed off concerns that superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo looked below his best in Tuesday’s victory over the Mexican side.

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Edgardo Bauza, the coach of San Lorenzo, has said he team will do all they can to beat Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final and take the trophy back to South America.

The Argentinean side was widely expected to beat New Zealanders Auckland City by a big margin in their semi final clash on Wednesday. In the end though, San Lorenzo sneaked through 2-1 thanks to an extra time winner from Mauro Matos.

The Latin Americans now take on the 10-time Champions League winners in the final which takes place on Saturday. And they will need to improve dramatically if they are to cause any problems for Real, who have won their last 21 matches in all competitions.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Bauza admitted his side had been sluggish against Auckland. But he vowed his players would improve and compete with Los Blancos for the title.

“We’re delighted we achieved our aim of reaching the final,” Bauza stated.

He continued: “It was a difficult match against a side that was very well-organised defensively. We didn’t play well in the first half; we were nervous and didn’t show enough determination. On top of that we gave the ball away too often. The game didn’t pan out as planned for us, which is why I made some changes. After that we were able to get into it better.”

And he added: “Now we’ll start preparing for the final and will do everything we can to win. We’ll try to play to the best of our ability and to meet expectations, even if we are going up against one of the best teams in the world with a lot of quality individuals.”

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Marco Reus

Former Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder has suggested Los Blancos and Marco Reus would be a perfect match.

The Borussia Dortmund playmaker has long been linked with a move to one of Europe’s big clubs, with the likes of Real, Barcelona and Manchester United all thought to be keen on his services.

And in an interview with German sports paper Bild, the ex-Los Blancos central defender said Madrid would be the perfect fit because they give young players a chance and look to bring in the best players from across the world.

“If Reus had to choose between Real and Barcelona, Real would be the easier alternative,” Metzelder told the paper.

The former Madrid defender added: “Madrid are more global than Barcelona. Barcelona means Catalunya, they’re more insular and prefer their own youth.

“Sure, there is not much space in Real Madrid’s attack according to many. But I know that they Real Madrid would push somebody out to accommodate a player like Marco Reus. Just like Angel di Maria had to leave for Toni Kroos.

“Everyone talks about how enrooted in Ruhr that Marco Reus is, but that is no reason to not play in Spain,” he went on to say.

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Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has heaped praise on team mate Iker Casillas after the goalkeeper saved a penalty in the 4-0 over Cruz Azul.

Los Blancos eased into the final of the Club World Cup final thanks to goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Isco and Gareth Bale. Club captain Casillas also saved a penalty to ensure the clean sheet. It was his second penalty save in the past five days having also saved one in his last match.

And speaking after the game, Marcelo said recent criticism of Casillas had been harsh and people have forgotten how good a keeper he is. The 33-year-old’s reputation took a hit following his 18 month spell playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez, and then forming part of the Spanish squad that performed so badly in Brazil at the World Cup.

Marcelo stated: “A lot of people forget that Iker has done well for quite some time and won the World Cup, two Euros, the Champions League… In my opinion, he’s very, very good and gives us incredible confidence.”

The Brazilian then went on to say the players are determined to win the trophy having made it to the final.

“We want to keep going, working hard and fighting, just like we have over the last few games.  This is our objective. Right now we want to think about the final, which is important for us and the club.”

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Karim Benzema has said he would love to play under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid one day – but doesn’t want boss Carlo Ancelotti to leave just yet.

The Frenchman got the chance to work with the 1998 World Cup winner when he was assistant boss under the Italian last season. But Zidane left that role to take his first steps into management by taking over at the number one at Real Madrid Castilla.

It is widely considered that when Ancelotti eventually leaves the Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane will be the man to step into his shoes.

And speaking to France Football, Benzema said working under Zidane would be a dream come true. “One day, I’d like to train under Zidane at Real Madrid.  I had a little preview of it last year, when we worked closely.  We spent a lot of time together.  He supported me a lot in both sporting and human aspects.  Zizou is a great person.  I consider him as a brother…I sincerely hope that one day he’ll train the first team,” he stated.

But he added that Ancelotti is the right man for the job now. “He removes the pressure that the players can feel playing for a club like Real Madrid.  He has a calmness that he transmits to the team,” the forward said.

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