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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has revealed in an interview that he is loving life in Spain and is feeling settled after having a proper pre-season this year.

The 25-year-old signed from Tottenham Hotspur last summer in a 91-million-euro deal but took his time to make an impact as he was hampered by injury early on and was still adjusting to life in the Spanish capital.

He ended the season on a high though, scoring in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, paying back a large slice of the fee Madrid shelled out for him.

In an interview with ESPN, Bale said he was settled at the club now and is happy with how things are going on and off the field.

“Obviously I feel a lot physically stronger and more prepared now. This time last year I was still at home in my house in London. It is nice to not have that saga going on, to be just able to relax and concentrate purely on your football. I am already settled in here in my house, and the surrounding area. I feel a lot more comfortable now,” he stated.

And he continued: “I know the city a lot better – I can actually find places without the sat nav now. I am still learning about the city, but I am enjoying it. It has been a good pre-season and off to a good start winning the [UEFA] Super Cup and the first La Liga game. Now we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

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The main news in the Madrid press this morning is the revamped Spain squad which was named by Vicente del Bosque ahead of the start of Euro2016 qualifying in September.

La Roja was knocked out early at the World Cup and many of the aging players who had guided the nation through the golden generation to win the World Cup and two European Championships have seen the curtain fall on their international careers.

In terms of Real Madrid news, the major story is Cristiano Ronaldo and his chance to get a proper break from the game. Los Blancos take on Real Sociedad tomorrow night and the 29-year-old is likely to sit out the game.

Portugal team boss Paolo Bento has left the forward out of the squad too due to fitness concerns, allowing Ronaldo two-week break from playing altogether.

Marca once again links Real Madrid with a move for Alvaro Negredo, and these stories keep running on a daily basis now, meaning perhaps the club could pull of his signing before the transfer window closes. The paper claims a bid of 25 million euros would be enough to tempt Manchester City into parting with the striker and allowing him to arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Iker Casillas has said the Real Madrid players are determined to help the club with their 11th Champions League title – the Undecima – this season.

After a 12 year wait, Los Blancos won La Decima in May, beating city rivals Atletico de Madrid 4-1 in Lisbon. The scoreline doesn’t tell how close the game was though – or indeed how close Real were to losing, with Sergio Ramos netting the equaliser in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes to send the game into extra time.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men find out today who they will be playing in the group stages of the competition – with the draw taking place in Monaco.

But speaking at an event earlier this week when the new Real Madrid kit was launched, Casillas said the players want to defend the title they won last season.

“We experienced it with the strength we have always had. We came very close to one or two more finals, but in the end we won our tenth European title last season,” the club captain stated.

And he continued: “It’s difficult to defend the title, but we have more desire and determination than last year. We have a very good squad and a spectacular team, which is also more experienced and more mature. I hope we can win the Undecima.”

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Real Madrid are interested in signing Luis Gustavo in the wake of Xabi Alonso’s departure, it has been reported.

A number of media outlets in the UK have claimed Carlo Ancelotti wants to sign the Brazilian midfielder from Wolfsburg to provide competition for the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It comes as Alonso dropped the bombshell on the club that he wanted to join Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, believing he would only play a bit-part role in the Spanish capital this season. Alonso, who arrived at Los Blancos in 2009, will fill the hole left by Javi Martinez at the Allianz Arena. The Spanish midfielder is expected to miss the whole of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

Luis Gustavo has been linked with Real Madrid in the past and was close to signing for the club last summer. He is believed to be keen on a move to the 10-time European Cup winners to test himself at a Champions League club and make the step up to a more competitive level.

Los Blancos have been active in the transfer market this summer, having already signed the likes of Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the winner of the UEFA Best Player in Europe award following his exploits for Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

The 29-year-old was on a three-man shortlist along with Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben and was announced as the winner at a ceremony in Monaco on Thursday following the draw for the Champions League group stage.

The voting was carried out by a number of UEFA-accredited journalists from across Europe. Ronaldo takes over from Frank Ribery as the holder of the trophy.

It follows an exceptional season in which the Portuguese star netted a record 17 times in the Champions League as he fired Los Blancos to their 10th European Cup in May, something Madridistas around the world had to wait 12 years for. In total, the forward scored 51 goals for his club, the fourth season in a row he has surpassed 50 goals for Madrid.

Speaking after the draw was made, in which Los Blancos were drawn with Liverpool, Basle and Ludogorets, Ronaldo said he believes his team can defend the trophy they won in Lisbon.

“Why not – everything is possible. I had the opportunity to do it when I was at Manchester United and now for Real Madrid – the biggest clubs in the world, so I am looking forward to getting a second chance,” he stated.

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Real Madrid have announced the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.

In a statement on the official club website, Los Blancos said an agreement had been reached with Pep Guardiola’s side and the veteran midfielder would be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 32-year-old, who announced his retirement from international football this week, will give a press conference alongside Emilio Butragueno later on Friday.

The statement read: “Real Madrid C.F. and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Xabi Alonso. The player will speak to the media today (Friday) at 11:00h in the Santiago Bernabéu press room, alongside director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño.”

News of Alonso’s surprise departure broke on Tuesday evening, and it was all but confirmed on Wednesday when the midfielder was seen in Munich arriving for his medical examination and to tie up final contract talks with the Allianz Arena club.

The transfer is set to earn Madrid around 10-million-euros, while Alonso is thought to have agreed a two-year contract worth five million euros a year with the Bavarian giants. He joins a growing number of Spanish players at the club, with Thiago, Pepe Reina and Javi Martinez already on the books.

Alonso played a key role in helping Los Blancos win the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, but wanted to move after having his chance of first team football restricted following the arrival of Toni Kroos.

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The main focus in the press this morning is the Champions League draw and the reaction in the papers is one of happiness and relief that all four Spanish clubs have a great chance to qualify from their groups.

Real Madrid have been draw with Liverpool, Basle, and newcomers Ludogorets, in a group that should in theory provide few problems for the holders. Marca and AS pay more attention to Liverpool than the other two teams, and say Madrid will want revenge for the 4-0 humiliation they suffered at Anfield in 2009.

At the event in Monaco yesterday, UEFA also paid homage to Los Blancos after they won their 10th European Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo was named as Europe’s best player, prompting headlines along the lines of ‘Europe loves Real’.

Elsewhere, Real are still in the hunt for a new striker to provide competition to Karim Benzema. Monaco forward Radamel Falcao has been strongly linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in recent days, and some reports suggest Florentino Perez used his trip to the Principality to discuss a move with club officials.

But AS is also linking Los Blancos with a 20 million euro move for Alvaro Negredo. The Manchester City forward started his career with Real and is believed to be keen on a moved back to the Spanish capital.

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Arsenal and Chelsea are ready to fight for the signature of Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, according to reports.

The 31-year-old is believed to be unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu and was upset at his substitution against Cordoba on Monday evening. He also does not see eye-to-eye with goalkeeper Iker Casillas and could be shown the exit door before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Arsenal, who have been linked with Arbeloa earlier this summer, are thought to be keen to push through a deal as they need cover for at right-back and central defence. The Gunners have signed Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy this summer, but lost Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen, and look short at the back at the moment.

Arbeloa is also attracting the interest of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. The Blues want cover for the aging John Terry in the heart of the defence and the Portuguese boss likes the fact that Arbeloa can play across the back four and offers a number of options.

The defender is already familiar with the Premier League having played at Liverpool for a couple of years under Rafa Benitez. Since signing for Los Blancos in 2009, Arbeloa has made 190 appearances for the club and won six trophies including La Liga and the Champions League.

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Champions League trophy

Real Madrid will face Liverpool, Basle and Ludogorets in the group stage of the Champions League as they set out to defend the trophy they won in May.

Los Blancos will be happy with the teams in Group B, with a match up against five-time winners Liverpool being the glamour tie. Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his team performs better at Anfield this time round after they lost 4-0 in the knock-out stages of the competition in 2009.

Many of the Los Blancos squad will be familiar with the famous atmosphere on Merseyside, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Alvaro Arbeloa having played in the Premier League.

Swiss side Basle and Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets should be easier games on paper for Real, who will be happy to have avoided the likes of Manchester City, BVB Dortmund, and PSG.

The group stages will begin in mid-September with the final match taking place in early December.

Real, one of the favourites for this year’s competition, are setting out to become the first club to defend the trophy since it was revamped more than 20 years ago.

On a memorable night in Lisbon, Real defeated city rivals Atletico de Madrid 4-1 to secure their 10th European Crown.

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Real Madrid defender Pepe has said he is delighted to have reached 250 appearances for the club and he wants to continue winning trophies with the club.

The 31-year-old Portugal defender played in Real’s 2-0 win over Cordoba in their opening La Liga match of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu. Team mate Cristiano Ronaldo was also making his 250th appearance for the club and marked the occasion by netting the second goal just a minute from time. France striker Karim Benzema had opened the scoring for the hosts.

Speaking to journalists after the game, Pepe said he was delighted to have pulled on the famous white shirt so many times and thanked the fans for their support over the years.

“I’m very happy to play so many matches with Real Madrid, and for the affection shown by the people, and to help the team for another day,” he said.

He went on to add that the whole group is excited about the upcoming campaign and want to be as successful, if not even more so, compared to last season, when the team won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

“We’re coming off the back of a great season and we’ll try and do the same this year, so that we and the fans are happy at the end of it.The signings are adapting very well. James and Kroos contributed a lot to this match and they help the competitiveness in the group,” Pepe stated.

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