Page 461

By -
0

Real Madrid pay a visit to Ipurua, on the first time they visit Eibar in La Liga. Los Blancos will try to avoid the disaster they lived against Getafe, the last time they played a against a debutante. It was at Getafe, who beat Los Blancos at their stadium.

In the 2004-05 season, Getafe started their history in the first division and on March 13th they hosted Real at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. The Los Blancos team managed by Vanderlei Luxemburgo came into the game trying to hunt leaders Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Getafe, managed by former Los Merengues player Quique Sanchez Flores, were having a great first season in the first league. Something they confirmed by beating Real 2-1 and making it more complicated for Los Blancos to win the title.

As a curious statistic, Raul Albiol was one of the players who scored that night for Getafe, a player that would end up signing for Madrid and moving to the Santiago Bernabeu. That game was also key for Valencia making the decision of signing the defender.

Thus, Real Madrid shouldn’t relax at Ipurua if they don’t want to repeat an unexpected upset. They should better follow the example of what they did at Chapin in 2010, when they beat Xerez 0-3 in their first match agaisnt the Andalusians in La Liga.

By -
0

Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has praised boss Carlo Ancelotti for bringing a winning mentality around the club while being a humble and approachable person.

Los Blancos have won three titles since he Italian took charge in the summer of 2013, with the most significant being the Champions League. They also lifted the Copa del Rey last season and started this campaign by winning the European Super Cup.

In an interview with RealMadrid TV and Realmadrid.com, the Brazilian defender said Ancelotti was a master tactician who lets his players know exactly what they need to do on the field. He added that away from the dugout, the boss is humble and kind, making the dressing room a more relaxed place than under previous managers.

He has allowed us to enjoy the games and also to improvise. He knows we are very confident. We do everything for him, for all the help he has given us and for what he tells us in every game. He is a very easy-going person, who says everything to your face and that is key. I’m sure that even those who have played very little would say the same,” he stated,

And he added: “He is a winner and he instils that humility and the desire to get started and do everything in order to win. We knew that we had to be extremely united in order to win something.”

By -
1
Marco Asensio

Mallorca’s wonderkid Marco Asensio has confirmed Real Madrid have shown an interest in bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu. The 18-year-old playmaker is one of the most promising young talents in Spain, and has been linked with a move to both Spanish giants: Madrid and Barcelona.

Asensio, who has been named Player of the Month in the Spanish second division, spoke about his future after receiving the award: “It’s true that some clubs have shown an interest in signing me, but I’m committed to Mallorca now to keep helping and learning here.”

“Catching the interest of Real Madrid and Barcelona is a dream come true, but for now I’m focused on working for Mallorca. Whether I’ll continue in the club or not, depends on them and on whoever wants to pay my clause,” he added.

“You never know where you’ll end up. One day you’re here and the next you could leave. I only think about Mallorca and I trust my agent will deal with this issues,” Asensio explained.

The Spaniard also admitted Mallorca are trying to extend his contract, but he confessed “there have been no progresses in the negotiations.”

When asked if he would pick Barcelona over Real Madrid, he didn’t give any clues: “Everybody makes jokes about that, but I will make that decision myself.”

By -
0

Marcelo has claimed winning the Champions League final with Real Madrid has been the highlight of his career so far.

The left-back played a key role in Los Blancos’ success to lift the Decima, and netted the third goal in the famous 4-1 win over Atletico de Madrid in May when the Madrid rivals clashed in Lisbon.

The win ended the 12-year wait for the the club’s 10th European crown, and Marcelo told Realmadrid.com and Realmadrid TV that a huge weight was lifted on the player’s shoulder after that win.

He also told the official club website and TV channel that he broke down with emotion at the end because it was the highlight of his career. The Brazilian has enjoyed a trophy-laden eight year spell with Real, including winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Supercopa and the European Super Copa. He also represented home home nation as they hosted the World Cup in the summer.

Marcelo stated: “At the beginning we had those nerves and the focus that allow you to walk out onto the pitch full of self assurance and confidence so as not to make any mistakes and to do our jobs well.

“That day we knew it would be a joyous final because we didn’t stop fighting and everyone was supporting us from the dugout. We wanted to give the fans and our families something to be happy about, and we knew that it had to be that way. We had to give it our all.”

And he added: “Winning the Champions League was really important. It is the most important title I have ever won. I have been here eight years and it was an enormous source of happiness. When Zidane came in and hugged me after the match had ended I broke down and cried and felt an immense sense of happiness. It was indescribable.”

By -
1

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said he is keen to try playing Isco in midfield in the absence of the injured Luka Modric.

The Croatian maestro is expected to be missing for up to four months with a groin problem picked up in international duty this week. The issue is much worse than first feared and poses a problem for boss Ancelotti who now needs to work out who is the best pick to go alongside Toni Kroos in the heart of the midfield.

Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira are other options, as our editor Alejandro Gonzalez mentioned earlier this week, but speaking to Radio Gaceta de los Deportes, the manager said he wants to try Isco.

“Isco is another option for midfield.  I’d like to try him out there.  The only thing I’m worried about is the defensive aspect but he’s an option just like Khedira and Illarramendi,” he said.

“I’d really like to try him out because that gives us much more quality.  He did very well on defense when he was on the left side and I think he can do it in midfield too.  Isco is really in-form and I’m sure he will continue to be,” the Italian added.

 

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has spoken of his pride at captaining his nation after France beat Sweden in a friendly this week.

The 22-year-old, who signed for Los Blancos from Lens and has become of of the world’s leading young centre-backs, took the captain’s armband for Les Bleus in the absence of regular captain Hugo Lloris.

And Varane marked the occasion by scoring the winner with just six minutes remaining, powering home a header from an Antoine Griezmann corner.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Varane said he was delighted with how the match went. He also spoke of his pride at France’s excellent form in 2014 – they have lost just one match all calendar year – the defeat to Germany in the quarter final of the World Cup.

He went on to state that his focus now switches back to Real Madrid and continuing the great form the side is in right now.

“I am taking advantage of this moment to the maximum. To be captain, it is the cherry on top of the cake, but what matters is the team. The aim is to win continuously with Real Madrid. I am very happy to finish the calendar year on a good note,” he commented.

By -
0
Luka Modric

Luka Modric has admitted he was ‘shocked’ when he learned about the expected length of his recovery process.

The 29-year-old picked up a thigh injury during Croatia’s clash against Italy on Sunday. Despite the first examination suggested he would be out for four weeks, further medical tests revealed that he will miss between three and four months of action.

“It’s a shame. It was a shock when doctors came and told me I would be sidelined for three months. I was speechless. Ancelotti has asked me to listen to the doctors and not to speed up my recovery. I will do my best,” the midfielder told Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti.

Modric has received lots of support messages through social media networks. The Los Blancos playmaker sent the following reply through Real Madrid TV:

“I want to thank all the fans and team-mates for the support they’re giving me. I’m going to work hard to recover as soon as possible and come back fit and strong. Thanks again and Hala Madrid!”

Carlo Ancelotti is yet to decide who will replace Modric in Los Merengues’ starting eleven, although Spanish newspaper AS has claimed he has made his decision and will pick Sami Khedira.

By -
0

Real Madrid and computer giants Microsoft have announced a four-year deal that will see the American firm create a digital platform to connect Madridistas worldwide.

The deal, believed to be worth around 20 million euros, is set to revolutionise the online presence of Los Blancos and provide fans around with world with all sorts of digital content.

According to Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, the agreement will allow the club to help fans worldwide feel closer to the club and the players as well as get to know more Madrid fans across the globe.

“In every country, on every continent, there will always be millions of Madridistas connected by a feeling that knows no borders,” he told reporters at a pres conference on Tuesday.

Orlando Ayala, a vice president of Microsoft also spoke at the press conference to explain more about the project.

“Powered by Microsoft’s cloud solutions, we will offer fans exclusive, personalised and customised content and digital services,” she said.

She added: “So fans will be able to choose not only what content they want to access but also create their own customised versions of an experience whenever, however, and from wherever. And because sport is intrinsically community oriented, we’re setting up social and other digital ways for fans to share these experiences with friends and family in real time.”

By -
0

Colombia team boss Jose Peckerman has hailed midfield star James Rodriguez for his improvement and leadership since he joined Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old captained his country at the weekend as the South American side defeated the United States in an international friendly.

Speaking afterwards, Peckerman said he had been impressed by how mature Rodriguez is and how he’d developed into a leader in recent months.

“James has grown and matured very quickly as a 23-year-old, every new step that he takes surprises me. He’s a winner”, Pekerman stated. “That’s why he was the captain, both the coaching staff and the players have plenty of confidence in him. He assumed the captaincy with responsibility.”

James joined Real Madrid from Monaco in the summer for a fee of around 75 million euros. He has impressed Madridistas and pundits alike in Spain with a number of eye-catching displays as Los Blancos have overcome a poor start to the league campaign to rise to the top of the table.

The attacking midfielder was one of the stars of the World Cup in Brazil in the summer. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in his five games, and also netted the goal of the tournament – a stunning long range half volley against Uruguay.

 

 

By -
0

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has said he is proud of how Wales are performing in the qualifying stages for the Euro 2016 championships.

The 24-year-old captain his country as Chris Coleman’s team held out for a very creditable 0-0 draw in Brussels against Belgium. The Welsh withstood heavy pressure at times but defended resolutely to come away with a valuable point.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur man said the result would be a massive confidence boost for Welsh player, who are looking to take part in a major international tournament for the first time since 1958.

“It’s fantastic for our confidence and something for us to build on. It’s all down to our hard work. No luck has been involved,” he said.

And the Copa del Rey and Champions League winner added: “I think in previous years we would have definitely caved in towards the end. We feel we’re getting everything we deserve out there.”

“We showed what we’re made of and what true team spirit we’ve got. I’m massively proud. To come to a team ranked fourth in the world away from home and draw is a good achievement. It’s fantastic for our confidence and something for us to build on.”

1...460461462...733Page 461 of 733

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