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Diego Lopez

Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has there are many similarities between his old club and his current club – AC Milan.

The shot stopper made the switch to Seria A last month after Los Blancos signed Keylor Navas and it became clear Iker Casillas would be the one to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu rather than him.

Speaking to Milan Channel, the towering goalkeeper said both Milan and Madrid are two large institutions in the football world and there are many similarities, something that is helping him settle in to life in Italy.

“The similarities with Real Madrid are there,” Lopez said, before explaining: “Both clubs are very large, they have a great corporate organisation and infrastructure such as the stadium, the headquarters and the training base. We are talking about two very important clubs in the world.”

He added: “I am settling in well, I’m slowly getting to know the city and my teammates better. I hope that everything is positive for the future and I want to continue like this.”

Talking about what the future holds for him and his team this season, the 32-year-old said he wants the club to push all the way in the league and get back to the European elite where they belong.

“We can fight with the bigger teams. The only way to put things right is to work day by day as we are doing,” he stated.

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Atletico de Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez has said Real Madrid are still one of the strongest sides in the world and that his team will have to be at their best to beat them this weekend.

Los Blancos and Los Colchoneros go head-to-head for the third time already this season on Saturday in the first La Liga clash following the international break.

Diego Simeone’s side already have the upper hand on their city rivals having beaten them in the Spanish Supercopa in August. But according to Suarez, that result will make no difference in the league game, and he is expecting another tough match.

While there has also been much debate among the Madridista following over the club’s transfer business, Suarez said Los Blancos are in the enviable position in that they can sell star players and replace them with new world-class players.

Speaking to AS, he said: “Madrid are still playing well. They have lost important players but great players have signed. They can mix direct football with possession football. Against a team like this you can’t make any mistakes.”

And hie continued: “For me Xabi Alonso has always been a benchmark, one of the best midfielders in the world. They have bought Toni Kroos, who is a great player. They’re both very good. Angel di Maria is gone, but James Rodriguez is there. That’s Madrid’s advantage, they’ve been weakened but they keep fighting for everything.”

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Real Madrid have come to respect Atletico de Madrid and even fear playing them, according to Los Rojiblancos captain Gabi.

Speaking ahead of the derby on Saturday, the midfielder to Cadena Cope that after years of being dominated by the city rivals, Atletico have learned how perform against the 10-time European Cup winners.

Similar to a number of he team mates, he believes Atletico’s best chance against Los Blancos to maintain a high-tempo and aggressive game in which don’t give Carlo Ancelotti’s men any time or space on the ball.

The La Liga champions have the upper hand on their rivals this season having seen them off in a closely-fought Spanish Supercopa last month.

Gabi stated: “Madrid respect us. They don’t like playing against us any longer because we pose them problems. Even so, our style is not going to change after so much success and the players here now will continue that.”

And in a warning to their city rivals, he added: “The best is yet to come and there is room for improvement. However, this game is very important for us because we can put some distance between ourselves and Madrid.”

The 31-year-old was also asked about a potential call-up to the Spanish national side despite his advancing years, and admitted he would love to play for La Roja.

“I can’t do anything else. I’m giving everything and winning titles. However, it’s the coach who decides. But I would love it,” he admitted.

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It’s a huge weekend for Real Madrid who are looking to get back on track in La Liga following their shock defeat to Real Sociedad two weeks ago.

And there’s no better way to overcome a defeat like that by meeting your city rivals. Los Blancos take on Atletico de Madrid tomorrow evening, and it will be another occasion to remember for Real’s goalkeeper Iker Casilas.

The 32-year-old club captain celebrates 15 years in the first team this weekend – he made his debut against Athletic Bilbao on September 12 1999. In all the matches he has started against Los Colchoneros in that decade and a half, he has been on the losing side just once – in last month’s Sopercopa defeat at the Calderon. AS pays homage to the keeper this morning and he features on the front cover of the paper.

Elswewhere, Marca looks at the record of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has netted 13 times in 16 games against Diego Simeone’s men. He should be fit to play from the start having spent the last three weeks recovering from various injury niggles. In contrast, Karim Benzema has struggled against Real’s city rivals, finding the back of the net just twice in 15 appearances.

Finally, Marca says much is expected of Chicharito if he makes his bow tomorrow night. The Mexican forward has a habit of scoring on his debut having done so for Chivas and Manchester United in the past.

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Former Real Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano has hit out at Jose Mourinho in his latest book, claiming the Portuguese boss has said nothing worth remembering.

The pair endured a frosty relationship when Mourinho was manager at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Valdano was sacked from his job, effectively giving the now Chelsea manager more power at the club.

In his latest book, The Eleven Powers of the Leader, the ex-player and manager of Los Blancos lashed out at Mourinho, saying he has no substance but a massive ego.

“I’ve never heard in public or in private a football statement from Mourinho worthy to be remembered,” Valdano wrote.

And he went on to say that Mourinho is perfect for the headline-seeking times we live in now.

“He is a character tailored to these noisy and empty times. I couldn’t understand him because he is in the antipodes of my sensitivity. Intelligence and ego are enemies. And when they collide, the ego wins,” Valdano continued.

In another swipe at Mourinho, who ended last season empty-handed on his return to Stamford Bridge despite having a bottomless pit of money to spend, Valdano said arch-rival Pep Guardiola has achieved much more in the game.

“If Guardiola is Mozart, Mourinho is Salieri. He would be a great musician if there were no Mozart,” he wrote.

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Angel di Maria

Former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria has sensationally claimed that the club asked him not to play in the World Cup final earlier this summer.

Di Maria, now a Manchester United player, was suffering from an injury at the time and claims he would have defied his club orders had he been selected, possibly sparking the breakdown with the Madrid hierarchy which lead to his sale last month.

“Sabella made the decision [Not to play me] and it was for the best. I was getting treatment to try to play and I knew if I played I had a 90% chance of getting hurt,” he reportedly told Radio America.

“A letter arrived at 11. When I got it I ripped it up. I didn’t speak to anyone from the club. I didn’t care,” he added.

The Argentine midfielder then recently penned a letter to the Los Blancos supporters after his British record 75-million-euro transfer.

It contained various digs towards those higher up inside the Madrid club, most probably aimed at president Florentino Perez, who has responded angrily to these quotes.

Di Maria’s statement included: “Unfortunately I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire. I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many things and many lies were spoken.

“I always gave everything. I take forever in my memory that time in the Supercopa when I received the fans immense affection. Thank you.”

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Sami Khedira has undergone knee surgery in Germany, Real Madrid have confirmed.

The 27-year-old midfielder had been recovery from a hamstring problem that was expected to keep him on the sidelines for up to eight weeks – an injury that lead to a public row with the German Football Association.

But the club also confirmed he had a procedure carried out on his knee in his homeland before coming back to Madrid to work on his fitness. No timescale has been put on his recovery yet.

A statement from the club read: “Sami Khedira, who is currently out injured with a left hamstring problem, has undergone an arthroscopic revision on his left knee.

“The procedure went successfully and was conducted by Dr. Ulrich Boenisch at the Hessingpark Clinic in Augsburg with the supervision of Dr. Jesus Olmo. The player will continue to be treated by the Sanitas Real Madrid Medical Services in the next few days.”

The midfielder, who appeared to be on his way out of the club in the summer following the arrival of Toni Kroos, appeared for Los Blancos in the loss at Real Sociedad before linking up with his national side. The German FA accused Real of sending Khedira on international duty after picking up a hamstring tear while Real insist he got injured with the national side.

Khedira missed a large part of last season with a serious knee injury but made a recovery in time to play his part in the Champions League final and help Germany to World Cup victory, although he sat out the final itself through injury.

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Build up to the Madrid derby continues this morning and the main issue is the defensive problems facing Real Madrid.

Regular right-back Daniel Carvajal injured his hamstring while on international duty and is likely to miss the match. Alvaro Arbeloa would the obvious choice to step in, but AS is reporting Carlo Ancelotti is considering playing Sergio Ramos there and Pepe and Raphael Varane in the middle.

Ramos has only played at right-back once under Ancelotti, in the 2-2 draw with Juventus in Turin, but the Italian boss sees Madrid vice-captain as a better option to deal with the aggressive nature of Atletico’s play, and as the taller of the two, better at dealing with crosses.

Elsewhere, Marca has quotes from Carlo Ancelotti talking about the season ahead. He and club president Florentino Perez have come under fire for the sales of Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria. Los Blancos have yet to find top gear yet this season, but the Italian reassured fans he will find the right solution again this year, just like he did last season as he guided Los Blancos to success in the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Finally, AS is critical of Brazil coach Dunga, who called Marcelo up for the friendlies against Colombia in Miami and Ecuador in New Jersey. The left-back traveled a total of 14,000km and only arrived back in Madrid on Wednesday evening and didn’t play a single minute in either match.

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said he hopes Daniel Carvajal recovers from his hamstring injury in time for this weekend’s derby with Atletico de Madrid.

The city rivals meet for the third time already this season, this time in La Liga, with Atletico holding the edge over Los Blancos having seen them off in the Spanish Supercopa last month.

And Ramos told the media after Spain’s game with Macedonia earlier this week that Real need to have their best team available as they will be coming up against one of their toughest rivals.

Carvajal played for Spain in the friendly against France but missed La Roja’s opening Euro 2016 qualifier having sustained a hamstring problem. He left the Spanish camp to return to Real and work on his fitness, but is considered a major doubt for the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

“Without a doubt, the worst part of these international friendlies are the injuries to teammates. I hope Carvajal is able to recover soon and can make it back in time for the derby,” Ramos said.

And talking about the match itself, he added: “The beautiful thing about football is that it always gives you the chance at revenge and we’ll face this derby with the desire and intention to avenge our Super Cup loss.”

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Real Madrid are considering a move for Manchester United forward Robin van Persie, according to reports in the UK press.

Los Blancos already raided Old Trafford on deadline day to sign Mexican forward Chicharito on a season-long loan but the Express claims they have their attention on the Dutchman now.

The paper claims FIFA agent Francois Gallardo has said the 10-time European Cup winners are already working on a deal to sign the forward, who would cost in the region of 25 million euros.

The 31-year-old Holland forward has scored 48 times in 76 appearances for United since he signed for them from Arsenal. In his first season at Old Trafford, he found the back of the net 26 times as the Red Devils won the Premier League.

The arrival of Radamel Falcao in the north west of England means van Persie now has a fight on his hands to retain his place in the first team and Los Blancos could look to take advantage of that by offering him a last big move in his career should he want to take on a new challenge.

Despite being linked with a switch to the Spanish capital, van Persie himself says he is happy in Manchester and is looking forward to playing alongside the new arrivals, that include former Real winger Angel di Maria.

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