Page 456

By -
1
Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has spoken of his satisfaction to see Los Blancos in such great form. In an event with the club’s sponsor Audi, Perez celebrated the team’s record run of 16th consecutive victories.

“I’m proud to be the president of this manager and these great players who have broken a 112-year-old record,” Perez confessed. “Legends arise from the impossible,” he added.

The 67-year-old explained “there could not be a better mood in the squad” at the moment.

During the event, Audi gave every Real Madrid player the last model of the car they had chosen. “Real Madrid and Audi share the obsession in the search of excellence and perfection. Our teams never give up and seek leadership. We face the challenge of improving with commitment and responsibility. Every season we try to win every title for our fans,” Perez said in the press conference.

Los Merengues players enjoyed a leisure day after their training, driving Audi cars in a circuit and playing games.

“This partnership with Audi makes the prestige of both brands grow. We hope this relationship will last for many years,” Florentino Perez concluded.

By -
0

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has hailed Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo as a perfect machine.

The pair played together at Manchester United as youngsters and are good friends, despite now playing for Spain’s two biggest rivals.

Ronaldo has enjoyed a sensational season so far, scoring 26 goals in just 20 appearances so far this campaign. After helping Madrid to success in the Champions League and Copa del Rey last season, as well as the European Super Cup this season, he is one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or award.

One of his main contenders, of course, is Barcelona forward Leo Messi. And when asked to compare the two, Pique said Messi is the more natural, but Ronaldo is a machine.

Speaking to Voetbal magazine, the defender said: “Cristiano is a perfect machine, a hard worker who always wants to improve. He is very demanding of himself, something that he showed at [Manchester] United.

“The most surprising thing is that [Lionel] Messi won four Ballons d’Or in a row and he kept going on there, with the strength to beat him.

“Many times conclusions are drawn based on specific actions without actually getting to know him. He has changed in recent years, I know him from United and he took to me well. He helped me a lot in Manchester.”

By -
0

Jese Rodriguez may make his long-awaited first team comeback against Cornella in the Copa del Rey this week, boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.

The youngster has been missing for eight months now, recovering from a serious knee injury picked up in the Charmpions League quarter-finals in March. Prior to his injury, he had been an sensational form when filling in for any of the front three at the Santiago Bernabeu and was even being talked about as a potential call-up for the Spanish World Cup squad.

Jese has been training with the first team for a number of weeks now and has been closely monitored by the fitness staff at the club who are waiting to give him the green light to play again.

When asked if the 21-year-old will be able to make his comeback this week, Ancelotti said it is possible.

“We are assessing the situation. It depends whether he feels comfortable. In training he has shown that he can play. He may not start, however I might give him a run out or he might need another week. It depends how he gets on over the next few days,” he stated.

Jese tore his cruciate ligament in the second minute of Real’s match against Schalke. His recovery was slowed after an infection developed and he had to go to Germany for an operation.

By -
2

Real Madrid defender has said Michel Platini should not be publicly stated who he thinks should win the Ballon d’Or award as he is in a high position and can have much influence on the outcome.

The UEFA president this week told reporters he believes a German player should win football’s most prestigious individual honour after they lifted the World Cup in Brazil.

His comments angered many Madrid followers and those backing Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award for the second year in a row. The 29-year-old has continued to take his game to a new level, set new goalscoring records and help his team to success in the Champions League, Copa del Rey and European Super Cup.

During a book launch this week, Arbeloa was asked about Platini’s comments. And the Spain international said the former Juventus and France player should shut up.

“With all due respect, I don’t understand how the President of UEFA can express a [personal] opinion about an issue like this, or position himself in this manner.

“This year, the winner of the Ballon d’Or already has a name. To be honest, it’s a shame for the organisers of the Ballon d’Or that there won’t be much debate this year. For the entire football world, there’s no doubt that the best player has been Cristiano, by far,” he said.

By -
1

Real Mallorca wonderkid Marco Asensio finally spoken about the negotiations between his agent and Real Madrid. The 18-year-old has confirmed he will sign a five-year deal with Los Blancos and will move to Madrid at the end of the current season.

Asensio spoke to Spanish radio station Cadena SER and seemed overjoyed with the news: “I have decided to move to Real Madrid and I’m very happy. It makes me proud to catch the interest of the big teams, and Madrid is the best of them. We will sign a five-year contract and I will try to enjoy it,” the player confessed.

The midfielder admitted there are only a few details that need to be sorted out before the clubs can make it official: “I’m eager to see everything closed so we can all calm down; Mallorca, myself and Real Madrid.”

Asensio will finish the season at Mallorca and then move to Madrid. He will most likely leave on loan next summer to a La Liga side. If Mallorca got promoted to the Spanish first division, that would be the most probable destination.

Los Blancos have beaten arch-rivals Barcelona in the fight to sign Asensio. The Azulgranas approached the player last summer for the first time, and contacted him again more recently, as manager Luis Enrique confirmed last week. However, they failed to offer him convincing terms.

By -
0
Fabio Coentrao

Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao has said it will be a disgrace if compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or in January.

The 29-year-old is one of the favourites for the award having helped Los Blancos to three trophies this calendar year – the Champions League, Copa del Rey and European Super Cup. He has also continued to take his own game to more remarkable levels and there are few superlatives left to describe his goalscoring record.

Despite his outstanding form, UEFA president Michel Platini suggested this week that a German player should win the award following their success at the World Cup in the summer. The statement prompted an angry response from Real, who issued a statement saying someone in Platini’s position should remain impartial.

And Coentrao told A Bola that it would be a dsigrace if his club and international team mate did not win.

“Anyone can see it would be an utter disgrace if Cristiano didn’t receive the Ballon d’Or, which is an individual award, not for a team. There has never been a bigger difference between the best in the world and the number two,” the defender said.

“His Champions League record is incredible record and people also need to take into account the mountain of goals he’s scored this season already. He keeps on putting in amazing performances without ever tiring.

“As our coach said recently, let’s talk about next year’s Ballon d’Or, because there’s no point talking about this year’s now; it can only go to Cristiano. In 2014, it’s not hard to recognise that Cristiano was clearly the best in the world.”

By -
0

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has admitted he is feeling tired and is in need of a rest soon.

The World Cup winner has featured in 19 matches for Los Blancos this term, starting 18 of them. He arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu shortly after winning football’s biggest prize in Brazil and didn’t get an extended break away from the game.

Speaking to the German press, Kroos said he was feeling tired during the game against Basel, of which he played all 90 minutes, and called on boss Carlo Ancelotti to give him a rest over coming weeks before the season gets more intensive after Christmas.

“I can’t wait for the summer”, Kroos joked. “This year I played the entire second half of the season with Bayern, then I played the entire World Cup, then I played in the Super Cups with Real Madrid and now I’m not missing a single match”, the midfielder added.

“I haven’t played so much in my whole life. I’m starting to get tired. What makes it worse is that in Spain, there’s no break in January, like there is in Germany. So I’ll have to get used to it. I suppose I will be given rest at some point”, Kroos stated.

 

By -
1
Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said the win over Malaga was a significant milestone for the club and a historic night that the players deserved to celebrate.

Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale got the goals in a 2-1 win for Los Blancos that ensured their winning run extended to 16 matches – a new club record. Although nothing is certain in football, the Champions League and Copa del Rey holders will be confident of extending the run with Cornella next up on Tuesday before they host Celta Vigo in the league on Saturday.

Speaking to the press in the mixed zone after the match at La Rosaleda, Ramos said manager Carlo Ancelotti deserved much of the credit for Real’s form.

“It really is an important day, an historic night. It is a day to congratulate Ancelotti and the whole squad. Now we want to keep on taking three points from every three available. We know that this is always a tough ground to come to. We went out looking to win from the first minute. It was a fair result and we leave here happy,” he stated.

He also went on to add that he liked how the home side welcomed former player Isco with a standing ovation.

“It was a special day for Isco. The ovation he was given was a lovely gesture; that kind of personal and professional recognition always means a lot. It reminds me of when I return home,” he commented.

By -
0

Marcelo has said Real Madrid’s 16-match winning run is down to hard work put in on the training ground every day in the last few months and determination on the pitch.

The left-back played in the 2-1 win over Malaga that saw the 10-time European Cup winners break the club record for consecutive wins. Karim Benzema scored his 11th goal in 11 games and Gareth Bale also got on the scoresheet at La Rosaleda.

Speaking after the game, Marcelo said the players wanted to be humble in their approach and take every victory as it comes, and combine humility with grit and determination. He also praised the hosts for making life difficult for them.

“We have achieved a record that really shows the work we’ve been putting in over a long time, as well as the strength and effort of the whole team. But our objective is to win every match with humility, grit and determination,” he commented.

And he continued: “It was a tough game; it is always difficult to win here. There are days when the ball won’t go in and everything seems more difficult, but we fought hard and worked our socks off to win today. A match can get complicated in the space of three minutes because the opponents can score so we had to concentrate from the first minute until the final whistle.”

By -
0

Iker Casillas has said the Real Madrid players are working hard but have to keep up their form to make it worthwhile at the end of the season.

Los Blancos won their 16th consecutive match at Malaga on Saturday, setting a new club record, and extended their lead at the top of La Liga. They face Cornella in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday and in December take part in the World Club Cup, meaning there is more chance of winning silverware.

And the club captain told journalists that the players are delighted to have set the new record and know they are making the fans happy right now. He added that everything is going to plan because the 10-time Champions League winners tend to finish the season strongly too.

“We are happy with our accomplishment. We knew it would be difficult to achieve the record but we’ve done it. We have been working well for two months. We are making the fans happy, which is what we want to do and is the reason we play. The matches build up, they’re ever more demanding, and teams have extra motivation to beat you,” he told the media.

And he added: “Madrid is always at its best towards the tailend of the season. If there are not good results at the end and we don’t get through the final challenges it will all be for nothing. We have a great manager, we’ve brought in reinforcements and, at the end of the day, with patience and calmness we are reaping the benefits. Everything is going to plan.”

1...455456457...733Page 456 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly