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Iker Casillas

Real Madrid front man Cristiano Ronaldo has backed club captain Iker Casillas by saying he thinks the goalkeeper has always been world class.

Casillas is set to regain his place as the number one keeper at the club following the departure of Diego Lopez to AC Milan, although Keylor Navas will push him for his place. But the 33-year-old is looking to put a difficult 18-months behind him.

He was dropped by former boss Jose Mourinho in January 2013 and failed to regain his spot at the main keeper under Carlo Ancelotti last season, playing in the Copa del Rey and Champions League but hardly featuring in La Liga.

He was then part of the Spain squad then underwhelmed at the World Cup in Brazil. The 2010 champions lost 5-1 to Holland in their opening game and 2-0 to Chile in the second match to be sent home early.

But despite the negative headlines in recent months, team mate Ronaldo has said Casillas is the best.

“Iker has never stopped being one of the best keepers in the world,” Ronaldo told reporters. “He has always been world-class,” he added.

Since being appointed as captain of club and country in 2008, Casillas has lifted nine trophies. Previous to that, he had already won 11 honours.

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Real Madrid lost their final warm up game of the season going down 2-1 to Fiorentina in Warsaw last night.

Summer signing Keylor Navas was named in goal while Sami Khedira and Angel di Maria were both selected despite doubts over their futures at the club.

And it was the Argentine who put in an eye catching display and reminding boss Carlo Ancelotti and president Florentino Perez that he still has plenty to offer. In the 4th minute of the match, Los Blancos took the lead after a devastating counter attack that started from a Fiorentina corner.

Ronaldo collected the clearance and picked out di Maria who continued charging forward. The 26-year-old then slid through a perfect ball for the Portuguese to finish off.

The Italians grew slowly into the game, and Mario Gomez went close in what was a warning of further things to come. The former Bayern Munich man netted the equaliser just before the half hour mark, heading home a cross from Alberto Aquilani.

Before the Seria A found the winner in the second half, Los Blancos had two goals disallowed. Before half-time, di Maria collected Khedira’s pass and slotted the ball home only to be ruled offide. And shortly after the interval, France striker Karim Benzema has the ball in the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside too.

Marcos Alonso showed the Real players how it should be done with 20 minutes left on the clock. The midfielder beat two men on the left side of the box before sending a right-footed finish past a helpless Navas in goal.

With one eye on the Spanish Supercopa first leg against Atletico de Madrid on Tuesday, Los Blancos hardly pressed for an equaliser after going behind and the Italians went home with the win.

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The main story in Marca and AS today is the performance of Angel di Maria in Real Madrid’s loss to Fiorentina 2-1 in Warsaw.

Los Blancos had taken the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo but, with one eye on Tuesday’s Spanish Supercopa match in mind, took their foot of the peddle and allow the Italian side back in.

Di Maria has been subject of speculation all summer long, with PSG and Manchester United keen on the Argentina winger. The player himself though is happy in Spain and not keen on a move elsewhere. When he was not picked for the European Super Cup match against Sevilla, it lead to speculation his future lay elsewhere. But in last night’s match, di Maria reminded the Real directors and coaches that he has plenty to offer.

He put in an all round performance, full of energy, and was by far the best Los Blancos player on the pitch. He was rewarded with an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo to open the scoring.

Elsewhere, AS claims Real want to sign Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as the long-term replacement for Iker Casillas. The club captain is heading into the last year of his contract and the paper links him with Bosman transfer to Arsenal, meaning Los Blancos would be on the lookout for another world class shot stopper.

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Real Madrid could be missing duo Gareth Bale and Pepe for the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday, according to reports.

Copa del Rey winners Real take on La Liga champions Atletico de Madrid in the two-legged affair, with the first match played at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

And according to AS, Real forward Bale and central defender Pepe could miss out after being unable to complete Friday’s training session nursing slight injuries. Welshman Bale, who has enjoyed a productive pre-season having missed out entirely last year, did the warm up with his team mates but then spent most of the session working on his own with one of the club’s fitness coaches.

Pepe started with some light stretching but then sat out the training session altogether. The Portugal defender is slightly behind schedule in his pre-season as he joined later, along with other players who took part in this summer’s World Cup.

Should they miss the game against their city rivals, it would present an opportunity for two others to step up. Raphael Varane would be the logical choice to replace Pepe, and the Frenchman is keen to make an impression in order to get regular first team football. Isco could fill the void left by Bale should the 24-year-old not be ready to face Los Colchoneros.

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Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero has said he dreamed of played for Real Madrid forever.

The 29-year-old comes up against his old side today as the Seria A outfit take on Los Blancos in a friendly in Warsaw. And it’s a fixture Valero says he is relishing because it brings back memories of his time at the club.

Valero grew up in the youth teams at the Santiago Bernabeu but went on to make only two appearances for the first team. Prior to his move to the Italian league, the midfielder enjoyed spells at Real Mallorca and Villarreal.

But speaking to journalists ahead of the game, Valero said his dream was to play for his boyhood club forever.

“For me it’s a special game because I grew up there, they taught me everything I know,” he told journalists.

And he continued: “It will be a great feeling. My dream was to play in that shirt my whole life – ultimately that has not been possible but I’m happy with what I’ve done in football. For now, I’m satisfied.”

He said his aim now is to help Fiorentina get back into the Champions League – something that is more difficult in Italy as Seria A has only three places available.

“We’ve tried for three years. It’s more difficult in Italy because there are only three places. All teams are improving. We’ll try, but it’s very difficult,” Valero said.

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Real Madrid take on Fiorentina this evening in Poland in the final pre-season match before the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday and La Liga beginning next weekend.

And the papers look at a number of selection issues facing boss Carlo Ancelotti. New signing Keylor Navas is set to start in goal and have the chance to impress his manager ahead of the clash with Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Costa Rica international arrived a couple of weeks ago in a 10 million euro deal from Levante.

Another issue is that of Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira. Neither featured in the European Super Cup win over Sevilla during the week, and should they not be selected today or against Atletico, it would give a clear indication their futures lie away from the Spanish capital. Di Maria has been attracting the interest of Manchester United, while Sami Khedira is on the radar for both Arsenal and Chelsea.

Elsewhere, AS held a poll among its readers as to who should win UEFA’s Best Player Award for the 2013-14 season. The three candidates are Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer. Unsurprisingly, the Real Madrid man took 86% of the vote. The German keeper Neuer picked up 8%, while former Los Blancos winger Robben took the final 6%.

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Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has said he feels wanted by the club and is happy to stay in the Spanish capital.

The Portuguese left back seemed to be on the verge of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu 12 months ago, with former club Benfica and Premier League side Chelsea showing an interest. And it was reported that Coentrao broke down in tears on deadline day last year when a loan move to Manchester United collapsed at the 11th hour.

The 27-year-old then struggled to hold down a place in the side last season, playing second fiddle to Brazilian Marcelo. But having overcome a hamstring injury sustained in the World Cup, Coentrao has shown impressive form in pre-season.

He started the European Super Cup against Sevilla earlier this week, a match Los Blancos won 2-0 to secure their first piece of silverware for the season.

And speaking to sports paper Marca, Coentrao admitted he is happier now than in the past because he feels appreciated.

“We’re going to fight for all titles. Now the work for the other five begins. When Madrid play, they play to win. I’m in a better moment than when I arrived. I have the confidence of the fans and so it’s easier,” he said.

And he continued: “I hope to have continuity. This is my fourth year in Madrid, I’m enjoying it and I hope to continue. I feel I’m valued more.”

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named on the three-man shortlist for UEFA’s Best Player of 2013/14 Award.

He is joined by former Los Blancos winger Arjen Robben, and the Dutchman’s current Bayern Munich team mate Manuel Neuer. The voting for the award was carried out by journalists from UEFA’s 54-member associations and the winner will be announced on August 28 in Monaco – the day of the group stage draw for the Champions League.

Ronaldo has been on the shortlist for the award for the past three years previous to this year, but has never won it.

Last season, the Portuguese forward scored more than 50 goals for his club – hitting that number for the fourth consecutive season. He also set a new record of 18 goals scored in one season in the Champions League, beating Lionel Messi’s previous best of 16. Ronaldo scored the fourth goal in the Champions League final as Los Blancos defeated Atletico de Madrid 4-1 to win the European Cup for the 10th time.

Robben helped Bayern Munich to success in the Bundesliga, German Cup and European Super Cup last season before playinga key role in Holland’s run to the semi-final of the World Cup.

Manuel Neuer went all the way in the competition in Brazil, lifting the Jules Rimet trophy as Germany beat Argentina 1-0.

 

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Real Madrid defender Pepe has said the club can dominate European football for years and could be at the start of a new era after winning the European Super Cup.

Los Blancos followed on from the Copa del Rey and Champions League success last season by picking up the European Super Cup on Tuesday, defeating Europa League winners Sevilla 2-0 in Cardiff.

The 10-time European Cup winners could still win a further five trophies this season. As well as La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will also attempt to win the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico de Madrid, and the World Club Championship.

And speaking to reporters after the game in Cardiff, Portuguese defender Pepe said the club is well placed to push on from last season. He also hailed the signings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, saying they add incredible quality to an already impressive squad at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both players made their debuts in the games and put in strong displays. The other summer signing, Keylor Navas, was an unused substitute.

Pepe commented: “The quality that Kroos and James possess is incredible. I hope that it is a good year for everyone. We have to fight for everything because Madrid fights for every title. Perhaps this will be a new cycle or a new era for Real Madrid.”

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Real Madrid have just one more pre-season game before the start of the new campaign – against Fiorentina tomorrow.

And as the new season approaches, the Madrid-based papers are full of confidence. Marca’s headline today is ‘Reason to Dream’ and the paper looks at the number of factors why Madridistas should be confident of their team.

It says the players are hungry to win titles, which is a good thing as they’ll be playing for six this season. Marca also says after the arrivals of Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas, the 10-time European Cup winners have the best squad in the world. And betting companies seem to agree, making them the favourites for the competitions they’ll be involved in this campaign.

The other Madrid-based sports paper, AS, says just 1,000 tickets remain on sale for the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday. The city rivals face each other in two matches with the first taking place at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The papers are linking Sami Khedira with a move to Fiorentina today. FA Cup winners Arsenal and trophyless Chelsea are in the hunt for the player but it is believed the World Cup winner’s partner would prefer a move to Italy as it would be better for her career too.

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