Page 541

By -
0

Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has warned the rest of the squad they will have to be at their very best if they are to defeat city rivals Atletico de Madrid in the Champions League final and end their 12-year wait for the Decima.

Los Blancos take on Los Rojiblancos at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Saturday evening, with Diego Simeone’s team going into the match on a high having been crowned champions of Spain. They secured their first title in since 1996 with a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp on Saturday evening.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men knocked their neighbours out of the Copa del Rey at the semi-final stage this season, but failed to beat them in the league, losing at the Santiago Bernabeu and drawing at the Vicente Calderon. Atletico also won the last final played between the two sides – last season’s Copa del Rey.

And speaking to the media on Tuesday, Arbeloa said the Real players were well aware of the strength of their opponents, even if there are question marks over the fitness of Arda Turan and Diego Costa.

“We are working really hard and we want this week to be over with quickly because we are looking forward to the game,” he told journalists gathered at Valdebebas.

And he added: “They are playing well lately and it’s going to be hard for us because we have some injured players, but we will need to give our best to win this match. We are going to need the fans’ support because they play too, and we hope that Saturday is a great day for us!”

By -
0

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has said the fans who travel to Lisbon will play a crucial role in helping the team win the Champions League.

Los Blancos take on city rivals Atletico de Madrid at the Estadio da Luz – the first time two teams from the same city play each other in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.

Should Carlo Ancelotti’s team be successful on the night, it will end the long wait for the club’s 10th European Cup crown. But attacking midfielder said it would only be possible with the support of the crowd. And he said he wants to see similar scenes to the ones in Valencia when the supporters created an incredible atmosphere at the Copa del Rey final.

Speaking at the media day in Madrid ahead of the final, Isco said: “The atmosphere inside the dressing room is great, we are looking forward! The team knows we want the fans to be just another player like in the Copa del Rey Final. Now I’m calm, but I’m sure I’ll be more nervous at the end of the week. Real Madrid can’t be that much time without playing a Champions League Final and we hope to have that good luck necessary to win it.”

“We’ve been a strong team against Barcelona or Bayern and we need to play that way next Saturday too. We will give our best, everybody dreams about playing this kind of game,” he added.

By -
3

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confessed Karim Benzema and Pepe are not fit to play the Champions League final, although he admitted a decision hasn’t been made yet on whether they will feature against Atletico Madrid or not.

“They’re the two players we have doubts about. I’m a realist and as of today they can’t play. There are four days left and we’ll make our final decision. If Pepe can’t play, Varane can take his place. As for Benzema, we can understand that the player isn’t at 100%, but if he has injury problems, it’s better if he doesn’t play. If we don’t think he’s risking an injury he’ll play,” Ancelotti explained.

On the other hand, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be part of the starting eleven: “They will play. Bale had a minor problem in the pre-season, but he has shown his quality and he’s in good shape. He’s very important for the team and he’s excited to be playing in his first European Cup final. He’ll have a great match,” he added.

Another doubt for Ancelotti is Xabi Alonso’s replacement. The Spaniard will miss the match through suspension and the main candidates to take his role are Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira.

“Illarra looks good, relaxed and confident. I can confirm that he’s available for Saturday. As is Khedira. He has done a fantastic job, with great professionalism. He hasn’t played in many matches and that’s the only problem he has,” Ancelotti said in press conference.

The Italian believes that having Zinedine Zidane with them will help them win the final: “It’s good to think that he scored in Glasgow and that he can bring his positive energy to the team. His charisma and knowledge of how to prepare for matches like this can help the players.”

By -
1
Madrid press report 21-05-2014

Spanish sports newspaper As publish today an exclusive interview with Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, who claims “Spain wants the Colchoneros to win” the Champions League final.

“Most of the country is eager to see us win,” he stated. “This is an incredible team. A team for eternity,” he added.

The Madrid daily also reports that Diego Costa has returned from Belgrade, where he has undergone a horse placenta treatment to recover from his muscle problems. “He believes he will play in Lisbon,” As points out.

The most sold Spanish newspaper, Marca, also emphasizes the fact that Costa will get back to training with his team-mates. “After having travelled 4,000 kilometres in 24 hours, Costa will join the group today,” they explain.

Marca publish a special report on Atletico’s centre-backs Diego Godin and Joao Miranda. “Their goals sealed the last two titles for Atletico,” they highlight.

“We’re ready to win. We want to keep on making history,” they told Marca.

The Madrid-based newspaper also claims that the BBC will return in Lisbon, as Karim Benzema seems fit to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. “Benzema feels ready to play,” they title.

Real Madrid will also have the support of Los Blancos legend Raul Gonzalez, according to Marca. “Madridistas’ icon will travel with the squad to support his team,” they state.

* Follow Realmadridnews.com on Twitter at @realmadridnewsw

By -
0

Atletico defender Juanfran says he is very thankful to his time at Real Madrid, but he will be wanting to win against Los Blancos in the Champions League final in Lisbon this Saturday.

The 29-year-old is a product of Real’s youth system but departed for Osasuna in 2006 after making only six appearances for the Real senior side.

Juanfran broke through at the Bernabeu as a right winger, but despite his Real past, the right back said “All I want and all I think about, above all, is victory for Atletico.

“Of course, matches against Real Madrid are different, the past is behind me.

Juanfran added “I’m very grateful to (Real) Madrid for the years I spent there, how they treated me and trained me.

“But now I’m an Atletico Madrid player and I am aware I’ve been wearing the best colours.

Atletico have already surprised pundits by winning their first La Liga title since 1996, but talking about European success, he says “They are proud of what I have done and what I am doing, but, of course, it would be incredible, for me and my family.

“Being a European champion and being the best team in Europe is as good as it gets.”

By -
0

British newspaper Metro has claimed Real Madrid have offered Ashley Cole a two-year contract worth 12 million euros.

The British international left-back is leaving Chelsea this summer, as his contract expires, and he has reportedly received up to eight offers.

The 33-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as Fabio Coentrao’s replacement, although recent rumours suggest the Portuguese will stay in Madrid, thus leaving no need for Los Blancos to sign another left-back.

Yet, Metro claims Carlo Ancelotti, who already coached Cole at Chelsea, might have offered the Englishman six million euros per season for him to spend two years at the Spanish capital. If this was confirmed, that would mean either Coentrao or Marcelo would leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Cole hasn’t had a good season at Stamford Bridge. He’s made 26 appearances, only 17 of them in the league. Right-back Cesar Azpilicueta has often played on the left, displacing the Englishman to the bench.

Jose Mourinho has apparently decided he will not count on Cole for his future Chelsea project, as Chelsea will not offer him a contract extension.

Cole has admitted in his Twitter account that the West London side is not one of his options for next season. Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs interested in bringing him.

By -
2

Cristiano Ronaldo has eased Real Madrid fan’s worries by stating he feels much better and is looking forward to the Champions League final at the weekend.

The 29-year-old has struggled with injury in recent weeks, and pulled out of the final game of the league season at home to Espanyol last weekend, missing the chance to win the Golden Boot outright.

The Portugal star, who has scored more than 50 goals for his club for the fourth consecutive season, has been hampered by a hamstring problem in recent weeks, while there were also concerns over a tendinitis problem in his left knee.

Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti has already said the Ballon d’Or winner will be ready for the weekend, and speaking at the press day at Valdebebas on Tuesday, Ronaldo also gave journalists an update on his fitness ahead of the big match.

The striker, who helped former club Manchester United lift the trophy in 2008, said the fans would play a key role at the weekend. And he promised the players would be giving it their all to secure the 10th European Cup for the club.

“I feel much better. We are optimistic, we’re training well in order to play well this Saturday. We need the fans because the fan base sometimes can win matches, the players inside the pitch are going to give our best to win this trophy,” he said.

By -
3

We are just three days away from the Champions League final and the nerves and excitement are starting to build now.

Marca and AS are both on top of all the latest news, particularly on the injury front, with the main story this morning that of Diego Costa. The Brazil-born Spain striker has a grade one hamstring tear and is thought to be unlikely to play in Lisbon. But the forward is doing all he can to be available and has opted to have a controversial eastern European treatment using horse placenta to be ready in time.

For Real Madrid, the team news is better. At yesterday’s media day at the training ground, Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself fit, while Carlo Ancelotti seemed confident about Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale also lining up alongside the Portuguese forward.

There is an interesting talk in Marca involving five former Los Blancos players.Paco Gento, Amancio Amaro, Pedja Mijatovic, Fernando Hierro and Fernando Morientes met at the Real Cafe to discuss the final at the weekend. Between them, the five men have 14 European Cup medals and 29 league titles.

And they agreed that none of them were under the pressure the current players are to win the Decima. All of the men said when they were at the club, the European Cup wasn’t a priority and the club wasn’t obsessed with it.

Now though, having waited so long, and with the expectation to win the Decima, the club has become obsessed. Players are now signed with the intention of winning the competition – something that just increases the pressure on their shoulders.

By -
2

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has urged his teammates to give their all in Saturday’s Champions League final and end the season on a high.

Los Blancos have already won silverware this campaign having picked up the Copa del Rey in April, defeating bitter rivals Barcelona 2-1 in Valencia. But their title bid fell apart in the final weeks of the campaign with points dropped against Valladolid, Valencia and Celta Vigo.

The have the chance to end their 12-year wait since their last Champions League win, and Casillas said the players must grab that opportunity with both hands.

Speaking to the press on Real’s media day at their Valdebebas training ground, Casillas, who turned 33 years old, started off by thanking everyone for the birthday wishes. He then said the wait for La Decima had been too long, and the players involved in Lisbon will do all they can to ensure the trophy returns to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Thanks for the birthday wishes! Today has been a different day with all the media here. We are already proud of what we have done this season. We know it will not be an easy game because we are facing a very tough opponent,” he said.

And he added: “I wish we win this Champions League because the fans have been going through a lot these last years in this competition. It’s been so long since our last Champions League title that I almost can’t remember! It would be an amazing way to end this season. The team is ready and focused and hopefully we’ll win it. It has not been an easy road but we all hope to put on a show and win this title.”

By -
0
Diego Lopez

Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has said he has no intention of leaving the club this summer.

Reports in Spain have suggested club president Florentino Perez is willing to let either Lopez or Iker Casillas leave this summer having spent the past 18 months battling for the number one spot at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lopez has been used as the shot stopper in La Liga, while World Cup winner and club captain Casillas has been used for the Copa del Rey and Champions League games.

The decision by Carlo Ancelotti to rotate the keepers between competitions followed on from Jose Mourinho. But with Casillas being a club legend, some sections of the fanbase have called for the 33-year-old to be restored to the team permanently.

Speaking in an interview with Vanity Fair. Lopez said he is happy in the Spanish capital and has no intention to leave anytime soon.

“I arrived a year and a half ago and I have three more years on my contract. Things are going well for me. There is no reason to leave. I want to continue winning at Real Madrid. I hope that I can finish my career here,” he said when questioned about his future.

1...540541542...733Page 541 of 733

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