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Alvaro Arbeloa has hailed James Rodriguez as an incredible player and said he is delighted the Colombian is a team mate rather than opposition player.

The summer signing from Monaco scored twice for Los Blancos in their 4-0 win over Granada on Saturday to help the team to three vital points that saw them overhaul Barcelona in La Liga.

The 22-year-old joined the team in an 80-million-euro deal in the summer after starring for his country at the World Cup, where he ended up as the tournament’s top scorer. Since his arrival in the Spanish capital, Rodriguez has earned rave reviews from the press and fans alike.

And in Arbeloa, he has another big fan. The full back told reporters: “Players like James fit into any system and team in the world. He is world class, an absolutely brilliant player, and it’s a blessing for any coach to have players like him. We’re very happy with him.”

The defender went on to speak about the team’s form in recent weeks, adding that the players are aiming to win their 12th consecutive match by beating Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

“We’re on a very good run. We’re working really hard, scoring goals and we have to continue in this vein. We have won 11 games in a row and now we’re thinking about Liverpool and making it twelve. Let’s hope that what happened to Carvajal is nothing. He picked up a niggle and preferred not to risk it,” he stated.

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Real Madrid’s director of institutional affairs Emilio Butragueno has hailed the team’s midfield trio of Isco, Luka Modric and Toni Kross.

All three once again impressed for Los Blancos as the side wracked up their 11th consecutive win on Saturday in the 4-0 rout of Granada. Although none of them got on the scoresheet, the trio displayed their range of long and short passing and covered plenty of ground going forward while helping the side to another clean sheet.

Speaking about the midfield men, former Los Blancos player Butragueno said: “Isco is playing well and helping us a lot. Modric has played many months in a key position and has formed a partnership with Kroos that gives great security in the game. And when they get the ball they improve the play, passing short or long. They are essential, a fantastic pair.”

In quotes published by AS, he also discussed Madrid’s overall performance, and said he was pleased with what he saw.

“We were very effective in the first half. The second goal gave us peace of mind and the third decided a game that was played at a difficult place to come. We’re playing well, no matter who is on the pitch,” he stated.

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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has said Cristiano Ronaldo can be a great role model for one of The Reds brightest stars – Raheem Sterling.

Los Blancos and Liverpool face each other again in the Champions League on Tuesday night in the return match at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti’s men put in  superb performance at Anfield two weeks ago, winning 3-0.

And ahead of the game in the Spanish capital, the Liverpool boss has been praising Ronaldo for his fighting spirit and professionalism down the years. He added that Sterling, himself linked with a move to the 10-time Champions League winners, could do a lot worse than watch how Ronaldo handles himself on and off the pitch.

“You could argue that, at 19, Raheem has had a similar impact as Ronaldo had when he came to the country; that game when he first came on as sub and made an impact,” Rodgers told journalists.

He added: “Certainly in these past couple of years, Raheem has made a similar impact at the beginning of his career. It’s now about going to those next levels with the second part of his curve.”

And the Northern Irishman went on to say how much he admires Ronaldo for working hard every day and eventually becoming the best player in the world.

“He’s super-efficient. What I’ve loved about Ronaldo is that you talk about persistence and professionalism in life — this is a guy who turned up for the Ballon d’Or four years on the trot, probably thinking on a couple of occasions that he’s going to be close to winning it.

“The little guy [Messi] is a genius and I’m a massive admirer of his talent, but Ronaldo kept going, kept fighting and then deservedly won it last year. And if you’re talking about the last year, you have to say Ronaldo has been the best player in terms of club and, arguably, international football.”

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo has said the team can still improve after Los Blancos earned their 11th straight win by seeing off Granada 4-0.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, along with a brace by James Rodriguez ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s men returned to the Spanish capital with all three points and sitting top of the table after Barcelona slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Celta Vigo.

Talking to reporters after the game, the Brazilian defender said the players were happy with the win and are pleased things are going well right now. But he added that no one in the camp can become complacent as it could cause problems.

Having scored midweek against Cornella, Marcelo also added that while he enjoyed scoring goals, his main job is to defend and he’ll let others higher up the field do the goalscoring.

“My first job is to defend.  Today, I was playing higher up but I didn’t get a chance to score.  The three points we earned are the best part, because they’re very important to us,” he told journalists.

He added: “We may well be in our best moment, but we have to improve and we cannot afford to relax.  We need to sacrifice in order to continue improving. How much more can we approve upon? The coach tells us every day what we have to do in order to improve.”

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Real Madrid are planning a bid for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, according to reports in the UK.

The Daily Mirror claims Los Blancos are still in search for a long-term successor to Iker Casillas despite the signing of Keylor Navas in the summer.

Casillas has won his place back in the side after 18 months in the wilderness towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s reign and the start of Carlo Ancelotti’s. But he has faced criticism from the Spanish press and fans alike in recent months for what some consider to be some below par performances.

The Mirror reported the 10-time Champions League winners could make a 30-million-euro bid for Lloris in January but would be happy to wait until the summer should Spurs not be willing to negotiate in the winter transfer window.

The France number one has impressed for his current club since his arrival from Lyon and has made 73 appearances in the Premier League to date. He is believed to be concerned at the lack of progress at the club though, with the north London side consistently failing to break into the top four and challenge for major honours.

Should Los Blancos get their man, he would be the third high profile player to leave White Hart Lane for the Santiago Bernabeu, following in the footsteps of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.

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Carlo Ancelotti has said he was pleased with his players after watching them beat Granada to move top of the table, but warned them they must keeping fighting hard.

Los Blancos moved ahead of Barcelona in the table thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and two from James Rodriguez, while Los Cules lost at home to Celta Vigo.

At his press conference after the match, Ancelotti told reporters his players had worked hard to get themselves into the position they are in. Now the hard work starts as they aim to stay top of La Liga and enjoy another successful campaign filled with trophies.

“We played with concentration, a lot of effort and sacrifice. If we fight, everything turns out well. We must continue to play like this to keep up ouR run. We are playing well and winning,” he commented.

The Italian also words of praise yet again for Ronaldo, who netted his 17th goal of an already incredible season for the Portuguese.

“James scored a fantastic goal and Cristiano Ronaldo provided a perfect assist for Karim. It is becoming difficult to find words to describe Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a fantastic player. It is normal that with that scoreline, they will have chances, but we do not have to make it possible for them to score,” he stated.

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Iker Casillas says Real Madrid have all he right ingredients to win trophies this season and make more history at the club.

Los Blancos won their 11th consecutive match in all competitions with the 4-0 win over Granada on Saturday afternoon thanks to a double from James Rodriguez and a goal each for Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Speaking to reporters after the game, 33-year-old Casillas said the team is playing well at the moment and needs to keep working hard in order to stay at the top of the table. Looking forward to the objectives at the end of the campaign, the club captain told reporters he feels there is a good mix between youth and experience in the squad.

“We’re enjoying a great period and I hope that at the end of the season we pick up major silverware like we did last year. We have good young players and more experienced guys who help the youngsters so that they know what Real Madrid is all about. We have the ingredients to win major trophies and make history, and I hope that’s the case,” he commented.

And he added: “This Madrid side is a team that began to be created after winning the Copa del Rey and the European Cup last year. We know that important players have left, but other important players have joined and you have to gel. The new players are doing well and we’re getting positive results.”

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said Gareth Bale is not for sale and will be remaining at the club for the long-term.

Some media outlets in the UK have suggested Manchester United could be preparing a 100-million-offer for the 25-year-old, with a wage packet of 400,000 euros a week as part of the contract.

Bale has missed the last few Madrid games through injury but will have a fight on his hands to win his place back in the side given the outstanding form of Isco and James Rodriguez.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Ancelotti dismissed any possibility of the Welshman leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Bale deserves to play. He is one of the best players in the world and a very important player for this team,” he stated.

And he added: “Isco is playing well and we hope he can prolong the good moment he’s in until the end of the season. But he is also compatible with Bale. He’s proved that already: they’ve played together and played well.”

Bale is a favourite among Madridistas after he scored in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals last season, playing a key role in the double success enjoyed by Los Blancos.

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Real Madrid coasted to a comfortable 0-4 win against Granada, extending their winning run and putting pressure on La Liga’s leaders Barcelona and Sevilla.

James Rodriguez was without a doubt the man of the match, as he scored a brace, including wonderful volley that could be picked as one of the best goals of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real the lead in a brilliant start for Los Blancos. The Portuguese scored for a 12th consecutive game, and he did it after just two minutes, slicing a shot into the bottom corner.

James doubled Los Merengues lead with a superb goal. The Colombian received a pass from Karim Benzema and dipped a technically perfect volley from 15 metres out into the top corner.

Los Blancos continued to look stronger in the second half and made it 0-3 after just ten minutes. Ronaldo back-heeled the ball to Benzema, and the Frenchman sent it to the back of the net.

Marcelo hit the bar a few minutes later with a long-range effort, and Ruben Rochina was also close to scoring for Granada, with Sergio Ramos brilliantly blocking his shot.

James would seal his brilliant performance with the closing goal, scrambling home at the far post after Ronaldo failed to connect with the ball properly.

Real continue to look as the strongest team in La Liga at the moment, and could seat at the top of the table if Barcelona and Sevilla drop points this weekend.

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Granada vs Real Madrid match preview

Real Madrid will look to continue their excellent run in La Liga, hoping to take La Liga’s lead if Barcelona drop points against Celta de Vigo.

Los Blancos will seek their seventh straight win in the competition as they face Granada. The Andalusians are struggling in this first phase of the season, and even earning a point against Real would be an unexpected success for them.

Carlo Ancelotti will miss Gareth Bale one more time, so Isco will have another chance to show his great state of form. Fabio Coentrao and Jese Rodriguez will also remain on the sidelines. Pepe and Luka Modric are a doubt due to muscle problems.

Raphael Varane, who scored a brace last Wednesday against Cornella, could make it in the starting eleven, sending Pepe to the bench.

Asier Illarramendi or Sami Khedira could also come in to give Modric or Toni Kroos some rest. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas will return to the line-up after Keylor Navas got his chance in the Copa del Rey.

Isaac Success and John Cordoba will lead Granada’s attack, since captain Piti has been left out of the squad by manager Joaquin Caparros.

The home side are having serious problems in attack, but they are strong in defence and will surely fight hard to get a clean sheet against Los Merengues.

Possible line-ups:

Granada: Roberto; Nyom, Babin, Murillo, Foulquier; Sissoko, Rico, Iturra, Rochina; Success, Cordoba.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; James Rodriguez, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo.

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