Page 458

By -
0
Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has been named on the five-man shortlist for the goalkeeper position in the Fifa Pro XI team of the year.

The 33-year-old shot stopped is joined by former Atletico de Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo, Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon.

Pundits have said Casillas is a shock inclusion on the list and he is unlikely to actually be named in the Fifa Pro XI. He has appeared twice before. in 2008 and 2012.

Despite not featuring in La Liga much last season, he played a key role as Los Blancos won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season as well as the European Super Cup at the start of this campaign.

He has also overcome much criticism from the media and fans alike for some below par performances to claim back his place in the starting eleven this season and help Madrid to top spot in La Liga.

Unfortunately for Casillas, Spain’s performances at the World Cup in the summer mean it is unlikely he’ll be named in the team. La Roja were beaten 5-1 by Holland in their opening fixture and followed that up with a 2-0 loss to Chile as the 2010 winners were sent home early.

By -
1
Isco

Real Madrid playmaker Isco has said he’d be willing to play anywhere in the team as long he’s getting game time at the club.

The 22-year-old has been a revelation this season and has been a totally different player from the one that struggled to look comfortable whenever he played last season.

In the absence of the injured Luka Modric, the Spaniard took his place in midfield against Basel and once again put in a very strong performance that will do him no harm as he looks to make the central slot his own while the Croatian is sidelined.

Speaking after the game, Isco said he was pleased with how things have gone so far this campaign.

He stated: “I told the coach that I am willing to play anywhere, I just want to play. I am very happy. The team is playing well and I hope that it can go on like that for as long as possible. Basel pushed us quite a lot and we were brilliant. It was a day to obtain the three points.”

Los Blancos head to Malaga this weekend, and Isco told reporters he loves returning to the club he played for prior to his switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It is always very special to return home. Malaga gave me everything but now I am playing in another shirt and I am happy. I hope we can get another victory and keep up the run,” he commented.

By -
1

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has said he is always ready to play and is keen to impress whenever he gets the opportunity.

The Costa Rican, who arrived at the club from Levante in the summer, kept a clean sheet on his Champions League debut for Los Blancos as the defeated Basel 1-0 to make it five wins out of five in the group and secure top spot.

The win also saw the team equal the club record winning streak of 15 in a row – something they will look to extend this weekend when they take on Malaga.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Navas said: “I expect opportunities and when they come, you have to try and take advantage of them through your work. I’m calm, working little-by-little and gaining my chances. I want to be ready to play when I get the call and I think we all want to play a little more.

“The manager told me I was going to play today (before the match). I always think that I’m going to play so I was happy. I train throughout the week with the idea that I’ll be out there.”

He added: “Things didn’t quite go as we would have liked but the victory helps us to continue the streak. It’s something important, we work to win games. We always like to win and we want to continue to do so.

“There is commitment from all the players, we all contribute and play our part, and I think that can be seen in every game we play.”

By -
0

Carlo Ancelotti has hailed his Real Madrid players after the beat Basel 1-0 to seal the 15th consecutive win in all competitions – equaling the club record.

Los Blancos won thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal to take the three points and confirm first place in the group as they look to defend the trophy they won in May.

Since losing at home to Atletico de Madrid in their third league game of the season, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have swept aside everything put in front of them in La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. The remarkable 15 game winning streak includes two wins over Liverpool and a comfortable 3-1 win over Barcelona in the Clasico.

Speaking to journalists after the game in Switzerland, Ancelotti said: “I’m very happy. Everything that we can do to make history with this fantastic club is good. The players deserve the credit, they are having a fantastic season.”

On the game itself, he admitted Real weren’t at their best, but they did enough to return with the win.

“We didn’t play to our usual level because we were slower than normal, but after the goal we controlled the match well and were committed at the back. All the players fought hard and that is why we won.”

“We struggled a bit more in the second half. The opposition played with a lot of intensity. At this stage of the season it is normal to not always be at your best but we were able to win quite easily and that is good,” he commented.

By -
0

Real Madrid earned their 15 consecutive win in all competitions and sealed the first spot of their group in the Champions League thanks to a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal international moved level with Los Blancos legend RaulGonzalez in the tournament’s all-time leading scorers ranking.

Los Blancos dominated from the start, with almost all the regular starters in their line-up. Carlo Ancelotti was expected to rest many players, but in the end he only rotated the defenders and the goalkeeper.

The visitors took the lead ten minutes before half-time following a great play from Karim Benzema. The Frenchman dribbled past two defenders and linked up with Ronaldo, who bundled home from close range.

It was Ronaldo’s 71st goal in the Champions League. The Portuguese is now the second goalscorer in history, levelled with Raul and trailing Leo Messi by three goals.

Ronaldo was denied a second goal after half-time as Tomas Vaclik made a good save. The hosts had chances to equalise, but Keylor Navas put in a great performance to keep a clean sheet.

Gareth Bale could have made it 0-2 with 15 minutes remaining but he hit the bar with his shot.

By -
0
Basel Real Madrid preview

Real Madrid will look to seal the first spot in Group B as they pay a visit to Basel. Only a disaster would prevent Los Blancos from finishing the group stage in first position, as they would have to lose for at least four goals in Switzerland.

Any other result would be enough for Carlo Ancelotti men, so the Italian will have a chance to rotate the team and let some of the regular starters rest.

Thus, Daniel Carvajal and Marcelo are likely to sit on the bench, leaving the full-back positions for Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao, who returned from injury last weekend. In goal, Keylor Navas is expected to get a chance to prove his value.

Raphael Varane will also return to the starting line-up, replacing Pepe, who will be out due to muscle fatigue. Sami Khedira and Luka Modric will also miss the game through injury.

In midfield, Asier Illarramendi could come in to pair with Toni Kroos, replacing either Isco or James Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Chicharito Hernandez should feature up front, with Karim Benzema most likely being picked to get some rest.

Basel will look to deny Liverpool the chance to qualify for the next round. The will earn the remaining spot if they win and Liverpool fail to beat Ludogorets. It’s a difficult task for the hosts, since they will have to break Los Merengues run of 14 consecutive matches won.

Paulo Sousa will miss Ivanov and Streller due to injury, while Sio and Xhaka are a doubt.

Possible line-ups:

Basel: Vaclik; Degen, Frei, Samuel, Safari; Delgado, Schar, Zuffi; Kakitani, Embolo, Gashi.

Real Madrid: Navas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Bale, Illarramendi, Kroos, Isco; Chicharito, Ronaldo.

By -
1
Marco Asensio blog post

Real Madrid have sealed an agreement to sign young Marco Asensio, a talented 18-year-old midfielder from Mallorca.

The deal was revealed by the player’s agent Horacio Gaggioli, and it only took a few minutes for Barcelona fans to start harassing Asensio through social networks.

The youngster confirmed last week both Spanish giants had shown an interest in signing him, and the Azulgrana fans were upset about the player’s choice.

“You’re easily bought,” a Twitter user told him. “We don’t want subnormal people like you,” another Barcelona supporter posted.

These people became even angrier when they learnt Asensio had been a Barcelona supporter in his childhood. The player posted a few messages on Twitter back in 2011 celebrating Barcelona’s victory in the Champions League.

Azulgrana fans started retweeting those messages and insulting Asensio, so the player ended up deleting those tweets.

Asensio is not the first wonderkid signed by Los Blancos who used to support Barcelona as a child. Isco also confessed years ago he liked the Azulgranas, but he has ended up succeeding at the Santiago Bernabeu and becoming a big Madridista.

More recently, Atletico Madrid signed Mexican striker Raul Jimenez, who was well known for his love for Real Madrid, as he would tweet some support message every time Los Blancos had an important match. He also deleted those tweets when he signed for Atletico and some Colchoneros fans criticized him.

By -
0

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said his team wants to win in Basel tonight to keep their fine run of form going and secure top place in the group.

The Champions League holders are already through with four wins out of four and a win over the Swiss side would mean they top the group and head into the next round with the advantage of playing the first leg away from home and the second leg back at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Italian told the media at his press conference that it won’t be an easy game as the hosts need the points as they look to progress to the next stage too.

“It’ll be a good match and it’ll be played with intensity. It’s true that we are already through, but we need to play the best possible match in order to win and ensure first place,” he said.

And he added: “The team is in good shape right now and it’ll be an interesting game. We need points to ensure top spot in the group and they need them to qualify. We need to put in a good performance and win the match to ensure first place in the group as early as possible.”

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has said the players aim to win every game they go into, and tonight’s clash with Basel is no different.

Los Blancos have already qualified from their group so could be forgiven for taking it a bit easier tonight especially with other challenges just around the corner such as the World Club Championship.

But the French defender told journalists at a press conference that the players are determined to win every game they play no matter what the scenario.

“It’s going to be a difficult game, because Basel need to win the match and are going to give their all, but we have to be prepared. Real Madrid always go out to win and tomorrow our aim is to carry on winning and ensure top spot.”

“We’re not thinking about equalling the club record for consecutive wins. We’re only thinking about winning. We take each game as it comes and we always play with the same level of motivation. It’s very important to be top of the group,” he commented.

The young defender captained France last week against Sweden and lead from the from, scoring a late winner for Les Bleus. When asked how he enjoyed the experience, he said he loves playing for his country and wants the same level of responsibility at his club too.

“It’s different. I play more minutes with my national team and I have more responsibility. My aim is to have the same level of responsibility at Real Madrid,” he stated.

By -
1

Gareth Bale has said he is delighted to be playing at Real Madrid as playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo has made him a better player.

The Welshman joined Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur 15 months ago and scored 22 goals in his opening season at the Santiago Bernabeu. Two of those will go down as some of the most important goals ever scored by a Real player – the first was an incredible solo effort against Barcelona while he also scored the crucial second goal for Los Blancos in the Champions League final.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Bale said he has improved a lot in his time in the Spanish capital and much of that is down to playing alongside Ronaldo.

“To learn from the best player in the world is incredible. He has helped me to become a better player and his attitude towards me since I arrived in the Madrid dressing room has been fantastic. He also advised me on where to live in Madrid,” the 25-year-old said.

He also revealed how he’s watched his Champions League final goal many times over and also loves living in Madrid because of the weather.

“Winning the Champions League was a unique feeling. I’ve seen my goal against Atletico Madrid several times and ask myself how I didn’t break my knees in celebration.

“I’m also enjoying the weather here, although when you go onto the training ground in summer you are already sweating.”

1...457458459...733Page 458 of 733

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