Page 531

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said all of the Spain team needs to take responsibility for the 5-1 defeat to Holland on Friday and put things right against Chile.

The reigning World Cup champions were humiliated against the finalists from four years ago, with former Los Blancos winger Arjen Robben grabbing a brace along the way. Although noone from the Spanish team showed up on the night with a big performance, Iker Casillas has taken much of the blame following an error strewn show.

But Ramos, who was caught out of position on more than one occasion, told the media afterwards that everyone needs to share the blame for the defeat.

He also insisted La Roja is not at the end of an era, and that they have much to play for still. Vicente del Bosque’s side lost their opening match four years ago against Switzerland but went on to win the trophy.

Ramos said: “It was difficult. It wasn’t the start we were after but it isn’t the end of things. We are all at fault. We wanted another result. We must not take anything away from Holland, who were inspired.”

He went on to add the players win and lose as a team. He stated: “When we win, we all win. We don’t highlight anyone in particular and we must change what we didn’t do well. At 1-0 we could’ve made it 2-0 and we didn’t. But the success that this side has comes from lifting itself up from difficult moments.

“We have to self-criticise. We also need to have the same humility that we have always had. Things happen quickly in football and we shouldn’t fill ourselves up with negative energy.”

By -
0

Napoli defender Raul Albiol has said he has no regrets leaving the Bernabeu, a year on from his €12m move from Real Madrid to Italy.

The Spanish international says that despite seeing his former teammates lifting La Decima last month, he feels that he has now got the feeling of being an important player back.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, the 28-year-old made clear that he had made the right personal choice, saying “I have no regrets.

“I would have liked to raise the tenth Champions League trophy with my friends, but I’m happy for Real Madrid.

“I wanted to feel important, and at Napoli I am. I wanted a team and a place that could bring new excitement and joy from playing,and I have found the right environment where I can express myself, thanks to coach Rafa Benitez.

“I have indeed gotten everything I wanted in this Azzurri shirt.”

Albiol was the first signing of Florentino Perez’s second presidential campaign, signing from Valencia in 2009 for €12m, and played 118 times for Los Blancos over four seasons. In that time he also won the World Cup with Spain, and is in the squad for Brazil in the defence of that trophy.

By -
0

Spain and Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas had one of the worst nights of his career on Friday as an error prone performance allowed Holland to rout the reigning World Cup champions 5-1.

Vicente del Bosque’s side had taken the lead after 27 minutes when Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso converted a penalty, Diego Costa having been fouled in the area. Robin Van Persie equalised just before half time with a brilliant header.

And the Dutch, with former Los Blancos winger Arjen Robben in inspired form, ripped Spain to shreds in the second half to get revenge for the defeat in the final four years ago.

Robben put Holland 2-1 up after the break with a cool finish, although Sergio Ramos didn’t exactly cover himself in glory having been found out of position. Stefan de Vrij forced in a third from Wesley Sneijder’s free-kick, and Casillas will feel he should have done better there, succumbing meekly to a challenge at the back post by van Persie.

But the fourth goal was the most horrendous for the 32-year-old Los Blancos legend. Taking a routine back pass, he took a heavy touch, and a delighted van Persie stole the ball from his feet to poke it into an open goal. Robben scored a brilliant solo effort moments later to complete the humbling.

Speaking after the game, Casillas said he was to blame for the loss and hie performance was not up to scratch.

“I wasn’t at the level I needed to be. I have to accept all criticism,” admitted the Copa del Rey and Champions League winner.  “I didn’t do things like I should have, especially to start a World Cup. It wasn’t one of my best games.”

Former Real Madrid manager del Bosque refused to blame Casillas, saying everyone had to look at their performances.

“When a team loses a match it’s not just the performance of one single player, its a weakness in the total squad. We can’t blame anyone, least of all Iker Casillas,” he stated.

And he continued: “I feel sick, ill at ease, but with the courage a defeat must not sink us. It is not a happy moment, but first of all I want to congratulate the Dutch team, who were superior to us. We have been overwhelmed. We are a team of good professionals and good lads – everyone hurts. There will be time to talk.”

By -
0

Spanish football is in mourning today after last night’s 5-1 humiliation at the hands of Holland, so it’s probably better to focus on what’s happening at Real Madrid.

Marca says that a new name has been added to the list of striker targets by the Real Madrid hierarchy – Antoine Griezmann. While Madridistas want a stellar signing such as Luis Suarez, the board are looking more to replace Morata with a similar player – someone who is young and will be able to come into the side when Bale, Benzema or Ronaldo are missing, and who will grow into the role at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Griezmann scored 20 goals in 50 games this season for Real Sociedad to earn himself a place in France’s World Cup squad in Brazil. The 23-year-old has a 30 million euro release clause, and the Madrid directors are hopeful of doing successful business thanks to the good relations between the two clubs.

AS is already looking forward to the pre-season tour of the USA, and says the match between Manchester United and Real Madrid in Michigan could set a new national record for the number of spectators at a football match.

The Michigan stadium holds 109,901 spectators, and tickets for the match have already been sold out. It would beat the current record of 101,799 spectators who watched France vs Brazil in the 1984 Olympic Games. At club level, the record is 93,137 between LA Galaxy and Barcelona.

By -
0

Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland is being touted as a possible replacement for Alvaro Morata at Real Madrid, according to reports in Germany.

Sports newspaper Bild claims the 21-year-old, who scored 12 goals and provided nine assists for his team this season, could be heading to the Santiago Bernabeu to link up with compatriot Sami Khedira.

Volland is not part of the Germany squad for the World Cup having not made the final 23-man cut for the tournament after being included in the preliminary squad. It means the semi-finalists from 2010 only have veteran Miroslav Klose as their only recognised striker.

After his excellent season in the Bundesliga, Volland is thought to be attracting the interest of a number of big clubs including Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool.

But Bild says Champions League winners Real could swoop in with a 15 million offer to secure his services and replace Morata.

The Spain under-21 forward is keen to leave in order to get more first team football, and has been told he can look for a new club. Los Blancos are looking for any potential buyer to accept a buy-back clause in his contract.

By -
1

The 2010 World Cup final win over Holland means nothing for Spain as the two teams prepare to face each other again in their opening game of the tournament in Brazil this evening, according to Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas.

The skipper for club and country told a news conferences that the two games would be very different, and the extra-time win for La Roja four years ago would have no bearing on events tonight.

Many of the same players who wrote themselves into Spanish folklore on that famous night in Johannesburg should take to the field again tonight, including Los Blancos trio Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso.

Casillas stated: “The final and this match are two very different games and have nothing to do with one another, but they’re both very important. We beat them in South Africa. Holland has three experienced players up front and they will be a difficult opponent.”

The 32-year-old also dismissed suggestions the World Champions would not reach the heights they did four years ago because of a lack of motivation having won all there is to win at international level.

“We have the excitement and desire to have a good campaign. I hope we can repeat the success we had in South Africa,” he commented.

And he continued: “We know it won’t be easy because ever since we won, we’ve played the role of favourites and all of our opponents want to do the best they possibly can. Having already won is a great motivator, because our goal, with all due respect to the opponents we’ll face, is to get the second star. Spain has been the best in the world for four years and we’re all doing our best to win.”

By -
0

Two Real Madrid players were involved in the opening match of the World Cup last night as Brazil overcame Croatia 3-1 – Marcelo and Luka Modric.

And for the Los Blancos left back, the evening could not have started any worse, as he put through his own goal in front of an expectant home crowd in Sao Paulo.

With Barcelona full-back Dani Alves wondering further up the field, Ivan Olic had all the time in the world to canter down the left side of midfield and towards the Brazil area. His low teasing cross found Nicola Jelavic who got the slightest of touches, enough to put Marcelo off balance. He could only watch aimlessly as the ball bounced off his ankle and beyond Julio Cesar in goal.

Brazil got themselves level before half time through Neymar, and they went on to win 3-1 in a controversial second half. Neymar scored the second with 20 minutes to go via a penalty. Replays showed though that Dejan Lovren made very little contact, if any, on Fred. Chelsea midfielder Oscar secured the points in the 91st minute.

Although at the end of the wrong result, Modric stood out in midfield, his intricate passing a joy to watch, and they will be hopeful of progressing having got their hardest match out of the way.

Speaking after the game, Marcelo thanked his teammates for digging him out of a hole.

He said: “The first thing I thought was just to stay calm and not make it worse for the team. If I’d let my head drop, I might have ended up making life even more difficult for us. The fans were right behind me after I scored the own-goal and they were chanting my name. My team-mates also came up to me and that helped me clear my head straightaway. I got back into the game immediately.”

By -
1

Former Real Madrid player Mesut Ozil has spoken about the difference in responsibility he has at Arsenal compared to his role when he played at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Germany international spent three years in the Spanish capital before making a 50 million euro switch to the Emirates Stadiium, where he won the FA Cup in his first season on north London. In Madrid, he had to play second fiddle to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, who took most of the headlines.

The 25-year-old also believes he is a different player now than the one he was when he joined Los Blancos following the World Cup in South Africa four years ago. The attacking midfielder was signed by Jose Mourinho in a 12 million euro deal from Werder Bremen.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Ozil said: “I am 25 years old, and all players at this age play differently than what they dd when they were 21.

“My role at Arsenal is different to the one I had at Real Madrid because I am given more responsibility.”

He also hit back at critics saying he is lazy and has been underwhelming since joining the Gunners, saying he has gained the trust of club boss Arsene Wenger and national team boss Joachim Low, which is all that matters.

By -
0

Real Madrid players Marcelo and Luka Modric were both involved in the opening match of the World Cup last night as hosts Brazil ran out 3-1 winners over Croatia.

Today, Spain get their World Cup under way with a repeat of the final of 2010 against Holland. Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso will all likely be involved.

But from a Real Madrid point of view, the main stories are all transfer related. Starting with Marca, the paper claims club president Florentino Perez has given the green light to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Ramires.

The Brazilian has worked with Carlo Ancelotti before as it was the Italian who took him to Stamford Bridge. Reports have suggest a potential swap deal involving Ramires and Modric, but Los Blancos are keen to the central midfielder without having to lose a member of their playing squad either.

AS says the outgoing Alvaro Morata will not be allowed to leave until another forward has been signed. The youngster wants to leave he club in search of more regular first team football and Los Blancos are willing to let him go.

Meanwhile, another potential departure could be English assistant manager Paul Clement. According to AS, he was wanted by both Southampton and West Brom to be their new manager. Clement has worked with Ancelotti since their time at Chelsea, and he has followed him to PSG before moving to Madrid last summer.

By -
0

New research carried out by high net worth intelligence firm Wealth-X has reveal Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo is the wealthiest player at this summer’s World Cup.

The Portugal captain, who helped his club win the Copa del Rey and Champions League this season, is worth an estimated 170 million euros, according to the firm.

Barcelona’s Leo Messi, who will lead Argentina in the tournament in Brazil, is second on the list with an estate worth around 133 million euros.

Manchester United forward and former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, is third, with a net worth of 71 million euros.  Wealth-X only looked at players taking part in the tournament in Brazil, and defines an until-high net worth individual as someone with assests worth more than 22 million euros.

Other players to feature on the list of wealthiest players in the tournament include 36-year-old Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, estimated to be worth 66.5 million, while his teammate Yaya Toure is said to have assets worth around 52 million.

With Frank Lampard (44 million) and Steven Gerrard (40 million) on the list, England is the nation with the most representatives in the top 10. Spain only has one player to feature – former Atletico de Madrid striker Fernando Torres (37 million).

Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, also worth 37 million, was the only goalkeeper to feature on the list, largely made up of midfielders and forwards.

1...530531532...733Page 531 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly