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Real Madrid Castilla manager Zinedine Zidane has been cleared to resume his duties while the Spanish Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) considers an appeal over his ban.

The legendary former Los Blancos and France playmaker was banned for three months earlier this week by the Spanish Football Federation after they found he didn’t have the right coaching badges to manage at Segunda Division level. Zidane’s assistant, Santiago Sanchez, was also banned after it was heard he used his own qualifications to cover the issue by signing team sheets rather than Zidane.

When the ban was announced, Los Blancos said they would appeal and explore any legal avenue they had open to them. When an appeal to the Federation was rejected, the 10-time Champions League winners turned to TAD to consider the ban.

And in a statement released by Los Blancos on Friday, they said TAD had agreed Zidane and Sanchez could return to the dugout for now.

“The TAD acquiesced to the club’s request for a provisional suspension (of the ban) which allows… the coaches of Real Madrid Castilla, Santiago Sanchez and Zinedine Zidane, to perform their professional activities until such time as a decision is taken on Real Madrid’s appeal against the decision taken by the (RFEF) appeal committee,” it read.

 

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Granada manager Joaquin Caparros has said his team has a mountain to climb this weekend if they are to get anything out of the game with Los Blancos.

Real visit the south of Spain in sensational form, riding high on the back of defeating Liverpool in the Champions League and Barcelona in the Clasico last weekend and enjoying a run of 11 straight wins in all competitions.

Speaking at a sponsor’s event on Friday, Caparros said he was wary of the damage Carlo Ancelotti’s team could do as they have so many attacking outlets it is almost impossible to stop them.

“The problem is Madrid come in their best form. It’s impressive how they have the ability to win games,” he said.

And he added: “They can win by attacking, by counter-attacking, in set-pieces or just individual actions. They’re very balanced, without any cracks in the team. But you never know, maybe we’re coming in just as good a run of form.”

The boss also praised Sergio Ramos, who he gave his debut to at the age of 16 when the pair were at Sevilla together.

Sergio has the ability to be a leader and the ambition to be the best player every day,” Caparros stated. “It’s amazing what he’s done for Real Madrid at his age.

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Real Madrid legend Raul has signed a deal with NASL side New York Cosmos, it has been announced.

The 37-year-old will link up with the team in time for the start of the new campaign in April 2015. The Cosmos play in a league one division below the MLS but have a long-term plan to establish themselves as one of the forces of American football.

The club folded in 1985 having featured the likes of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, but was re-established in 2013.

As well as taking on a playing role, 37-year-old Raul will also be the club’s technical adviser for the youth academy.

Speaking about the deal, Raul said he was excited to part of the new project. “Everyone throughout the soccer world knows the Cosmos name and the legacy of the players that played for this team previously,” he said.

And he added: “They helped establish soccer in America and I’m honoured to follow in their footsteps. I believe in this club’s vision and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Raul remains an icon among Madridistas having scored 323 goals in 741 games for Los Blancos. He won six La Liga trophies and three Champions League trophies in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas has said the team is on the right track having beaten Barcelona last weekend, and aim to be top of the league by Christmas.

Los Blancos got off to an awful start in the league, losing two of their first three matches. But they have won all of their games since those early defeats and now sit just a point behind Los Cules in La Liga.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the 32-year-old said he was pleased with how the season is unfolding so far and that the players have worked hard to get into the position they are in.

“Our aim is what we’ve wanted from the start of the season: we need to try and top the league by Christmas. We took an important step in getting there by beating Barcelona,” he said.

The Spain international also reflected on last season’s success in the Champions League, telling journalists he felt a sense of relief at winning the Decima after a 12-year-wait.

“I felt relieved because we had been aiming to win it for ages. Real Madrid had gone 12 years without lifting this club’s favourite trophy.

“When we finally managed it, winning after such a long and nail-biting wait made our celebrations that much more special, and in the process winning the Decima meant so much more to all Real fans. It took a weight off our shoulders.”

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October 29th marked the 20th anniversary of Raul Gonzalez’s official debut with Real Madrid. The Spaniard played his first La Liga match at La Romareda in which Los Blancos lost 3-2 to Zaragoza.

It was a surprise that Raul was included in the squad to make that trip, since he was only 17 years old and had only made two first-team appearances, in two friendly games against Oviedo and Karlsruhe. “I didn’t expect it. I don’t know what the reason is for this, but it’s what I have always dreamt of,” the player told Spanish newspaper El Pais back then.

“I’m just going to try to enjoy. If I don’t, Valdano will not like it,” he added.

Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid’s manager at that time, explained in a press conference his motives to pick Raul: “I like his playing style, and I get captivated very easily.”

“I told him to leave his instincts free and play normally. Not to examine every little thing that happens during the game. I believe he will take all this situation very naturally,” Valdano added.

Despite not having a great performance at La Romareda –in fact he missed a glittering opportunity to score– Valdano praised Raul after the game: “He was the best player of our attack. He assisted Zamorano in the goal, created three goal chances from nothing and led the most dangerous attacks. He missed the target, but it was an encouraging start. We would have liked that he has scored in his debut, but none of our players were inspired today.”

Valdano really meant what he said, and he continued trusting young Raul. The number 7 did the rest and ended up becoming one of the club’s biggest legends.

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The latest Real Madrid transfer rumours include Manchester City planning a bid for Sami Khedira and Los Blancos trying to sign Chicharito Hernandez on a permanent basis.

The Daily Star has claimed Manuel Pellegrini is keen to bring Khedira to Manchester. The Citizens are having a tough start to the season and are planning to make some moves in the winter transfer market.

Khedira’s contract expires next June and Real Madrid could be open to a January deal, rather that seeing him leave for free at the end of the season. Manchester City could be considering a 10-million-euros offer, according to the British tabloid.

It could signal an intriguing four-way battle for the World Cup winner, with fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all interested in the former Stuttgart man.

Meanwhile, the Spanish press are also reporting that Florentino Perez is working hard to sign Chicharito Hernandez on a permanent deal. The Mexico international arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Manchester United in the summer on a loan move, and he has convinced Los Merengues directors to sign him up long-term.

However, the Red Devils are asking for a 20-million-euros fee, and Los Blancos believe that is not realistic. Negotiations could last until next summer.

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Real Madrid forward Javier Hernandez has said he wants to make the most of the opportunities that come his way to play in the first team.

The 26-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, scored in the 4-1 win over Cornella as Los Blancos started the defence of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

The Mexican has found himself largely playing a substitute role or filling in when the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale are injured or in need of a rest.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Chicharito said he wants to use every opportunity he gets to show boss Carlo Ancelotti what he can do. And when it comes to picking the team, it’ entirely up to the manager to decide.

“The manager asks us to show professionalism and respect for all our opponents, so we played this game the same way as we did El Clásico,” he said, adding “I just try to show my quality when I play.”

Speaking about the goal he scored, he heaped praise on James Rodriguez for providing the assist.

He told reporters: “James sent me the pass, I held back and then the rebound came to me from Benzema, then I just set my sights on goal.”

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Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez says the players had to take a long hard look at themselves and improve their mental strength after losing two of the first three league games this season.

Los Blancos have won the last 10 games in all competitions, and lie just a point behind Barcelona in La Liga following Saturday’s 3-1 win over their arch-rivals. But it wasn’t that long ago that the 10-time winners of the Champions League were stuttering along, losing to Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid.

In an interview with Cadena Ser, the Colombian said the players were at a loss to explain the two defeats having dominated large parts of both games. And they had to improve their mental strength to get back on track quickly.

Speaking about the game at Anoeta, when Los Blancos blew a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2, James said: “It was a very odd game, which was controlled and there are no explanations for what happened.  The atmosphere afterwards was strange, hard.  Of course, that’s normal…they always want to win here, but I was calm, I just wanted to work hard every day in training and improve.”

And about the loss at home to Diego Simeone’s side, he added: “We have players with a winning spirit, that always want to win, always want to compete…It’s true that from that point on, the team changed.”

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Keylor Navas has said he wants to make the most of his opportunities in the Copa del Rey to force himself into Carlo Ancelotti’s first team thoughts at Real Madrid.

The Costa Rican shot stopper, who signed for Los Blancos in the summer from Levante, started at the Power8 stadium against Cornella as the holders won 4-1 in the first leg.

After the match, Navas took time out to speak to journalists, telling them that he was happy to play and with how the team is doing overall at the moment. The win was Madrid’s 11th win on the bounce in all competitions.

The keeper also praised the reserve and fringe players for their performance, highlighting that everyone does a great job in training.

“The fans supported us a lot and I hope they went home happy.  Now we need to show this form on the return leg,” he stated.

And he added: “I need to be prepared for when I’m given the opportunity to play.  Right now I have the Copa and I’m going to take full advantage of it.  If in the future the manager gives me more opportunities, I’ll give my all for Real Madrid.

“The team is doing well.  Those that don’t play as much did very well and that comes with commitment to training.”

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Funding for the revamp of the Santiago Bernabeu has moved a step closer after Real Madrid announced a long-term strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi’s International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC).

The investment will largely go towards a major overhaul of the iconic stadium. Plans include adding a roof, and building a hotel and shopping mall next to the ground. The overhaul is due to be completed in 2017.

The state investment fund will also be used to increase the number of football schools Los Blancos run abroad, as well as creating travelling museum exhibitions across the globe to reach out to more Madridistas.

At the announcement of the deal, club president Florentino Perez, said the partnership between the 10-time Champions League winners and IPIC would keep Los Blancos at the top of the global game and mean the stadium is the best in the world.

“This is the beginning of a long relationship and the start of a powerful alliance that could be key to us meeting one of our greatest challenges: turning the Santiago Bernabeu stadium into the greatest stadium in the world,” he stated.

And he added: “This alliance will also strengthen the club’s heritage. It will help develop the Museum in such a way that Real Madrid can hold international exhibitions so that fans are able to see the Museum’s contents wherever they may be.”

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