Page 547

By -
1

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has praised his compatriot Carlo Ancelotti for his achievements at Real Madrid and said he likes his philosophy.

The topic of playing styles has been high in the media agenda in recent weeks after Los Blancos defeated Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. The Germans played a possession game similar to that employed by Guardiola when he was in charge of Barcelona. But Los Blancos went for a counter attacking style, seeing less of the ball but being more effective with it on the break.

After the Champions League semi-final tie between the teams, Guardiola said the possession stats were impressive for his side, but they just did not do enough with the ball.

Speaking to the DPA agency at the Italian FA headquarters, Prandelli said he admired Ancelotti’s tactical know-how.

“The idea of good football should not divide and lead to criticism of the ‘catenaccio’, philosophical, technical or offensive football. Good football can exist in all forms,” he said.
And he continued:”Ancelotti has won everywhere. You must understand that if Real Madrid, who have three players with incredible speed over 50 metres, want to use those 50 metres, it is because they want to take full advantage of the players’ characteristics.
“I think it’s good to watch and inspiring football. When they clear the ball they’re ready to shoot three seconds after”.

By -
0

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has settled a 1.6 million euro tax debt with the Spanish authorities, it has been reported.

The 32-year-old shot stopper, a hero at the Santiago Bernabeu and in Spain after helping the national team win the World Cup in 2010, paid the “fiscal settlement for his image rights”, according to a report in La Vanguardia.

The Catalan newspapers quoted sources close to Casillas’ financial advisers confirming no offence was committed and he did not deliberately avoid paying the tax.

“It was a settlement owing to discrepancies in how the norms were applied. There has not been any problem with the Treasury and it was possible for a settlement to be reached,” the source told AFP.

Casillas, who is set to play in goal in the Champions League final later this month, owns a company called Ikerca. It is now “up to date with their fiscal obligations,” the press reported.

La Vanguardia said a number of footballers have been audited by the tax authorities including Xabi Alonso ad David Villa.

By -
0

There are still two matches left in La Liga, but the Madrid press has turned its attention onto the build up to the Champions League final, given that Los Blancos are essentially out of the title race.

And AS has some bad news this morning for Madridistas: Pepe is unlikely to make the final in Lisbon on May 24. The central defender pulled up injured late on in the draw will Valladolid.

The club gave the player 24 hours to see if the pain in his calf went down, but it hasn’t, and he will have x-rays today to find out the extent of the injury. AS says the club fears the worse and he will miss the big match, while Pepe himself is said to be distraught.

In a boost for Carlo Ancelotti though, Sami Khedira is nearing his way to full fitness and could be in contention for a place in the starting 11 for the final against Atletico de Madrid. The midfielder, who has been named in Germany’s provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup, took part in a training match against the Juvenil B at Valdebebas yesterday. He may get some minutes under his belt in the final two La Liga games.

Asier Illarramendi, Alvaro Arbeloa, Marcelo and Casemiro were the other players who took part in the game as they all need playing time to reach full match fitness again.

By -
0

Real Madrid could sign midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Dani Parejo next summer according to Spanish media.

Journalist Pedro Pablo San Martin claimed at TV show Tiki Taka that Los Blancos have already reached an agreement with the Croatian international.

“Things have drastically changed and, despite rumours that Rakitic was moving to Atletico Madrid, now he’s just one step from signing for Real. Carlo Ancelotti is delighted with this transfer,” San Martin stated.

The 25-year-old’s contract with Sevilla will expire in June 2015, and that could cheapen his 40-million-euros buy-out clause, since the Andalucian club would prefer to sell him for less money this summer, rather than seeing him leave for free next season.

Real Madrid home-grown playmaker Dani Parejo has also been linked with a move back to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spaniard is having a brilliant season at Valencia and Los Blancos have a preference for signing in case the Ches were to sell him.

According to Valencia’s regional newspaper Las Provincias, Madrid could match the best offer for Parejo and exert their preference clause for bringing him to Madrid. That clause will expire at the end of this summer.

Yet, Los Merengues are not particularly interested in Parejo, who has a 25-million-euros buy-out clause. Juventus’ Paul Pogba is Florentino Perez’s first option for that role, but his high price will be an obstacle for him to arrive to the Santiago Bernabeu.

* Follow Alejandro Gonzalez on Twitter at @alejandrognieto

By -
0

Xabi Alonso has said Real Madrid blew their chance of winning the title because of a poor attitude in the second half agsinst Valladolid.

Los Blancos were leading 1-0 thanks to Sergio Ramos’ goal, but conceded a late equaliser that all but rules them out of the title race with two games to play.

In the mixed zone after the game had finished, the veteran midfielder admitted he was annoyed with his perfromance and that of his teammates. And he added they got what they deserved from the game because they took their focus off in the second half.

“We were on top of the game despite the difficulties, because we knew if they scored it would be the equaliser. I’m annoyed with myself and with the team because we did not give the last 45 minutes the respect it deserved. At this point of the season you have to cope with injuries, but the players we had were enough and we should have won the match,” he stated.

The experienced player, who has the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League winners medals amongst his personal collection, said the team would keep on fighting.

“It’s not over, but it is now difficult. There is a small chance left but it is very unlikely. We have to do everything possible until the end. There are a lot of matches in La Liga and it’s complicated. We haven’t thrown it away but we’ve let points slip in certain matches and I don’t think that would have happened if we were playing the football we are capable of,” Alonso said.

By -
0

Sergio Ramos has said Real Madrid’s title bid is an almost impossible mission after their draw with Valladolid, but they would keep on fighting until it’s officially over.

The 28-year-old central defender scored a magnificent opening goal at the Jose Zorilla last night, smashing in a free kick from 20 yards out. It continued a remarkable scoring run for the World Cup winner, his 5th goal in the past 10 days, and also made his 400th appearance for the club more memorable.

But after the match, Ramos said the players were upset with the result and that the La Liga hopes were all but gone.

“The team put in a good performance. We were unlucky to concede that goal from a set-piece. We’re having a great season. As long as there is a mathematical chance, Real Madrid has to fight. It’s a shame because with just two matches to go it’s nearly impossible, he said.

And he added: “We’ve let a unique opportunity slip. We feel like we relaxed after we went 1-0 up and that was a big mistake. Focus has to be at a maximum and against a team whose safety is at stake you have to play it as if it were a final. They made the most of the only chance they had. The team’s attitude was good, but perhaps we could have killed the game off”.

By -
0

A lack of focus at the end of the match has left Real Madrid’s title hopes in tatters after they controlled large parts of the game against Valladolid but conceded late, Carlo Ancelotti has said.

Sergio Ramos scored a spectacular free kick in the 35th minute, but Los Blancos conceded just five minutes from time to effectively end the hopes of winning the league and mean the destination of the title will come down to events at the Nou Camp on the final day when Barcelona take on Atletico de Madrid.

Speaking to the press after the game, Ancelotti insisted his players would keep on fighting in the final two games, but admitted his was admitted with events in Valladolid.

“We had the match under control for 70 minutes, but then we took our foot off the ball, started defending deep and conceded a goal from a dead ball situation.  It wasn’t a case of a lack of attitude because Iker hardly had a thing to do all night,” he said.

And he added that the result was due to a lack of mental energy, something that is a problem at this time of the year when players are competing in various tournaments.

“We made a few mistakes as we lacked the mental energy for a match of this kind, near the end of the season. That mental energy is what we were lacking, but as far as I can see the team is not physically tired,” Ancelotti commented.

He also reassured fans that Cristiano Ronaldo is fine and will be ready for the Champions League final.

“We’ll see how he is over the next few days. I don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury is that serious. He wasn’t in pain and wasn’t complaining of a muscle sprain.”

By -
0

Real Madrid blew any chance they had of winning the title last night when they conceded the 85th minute equaliser against Valladolid.

And the Madrid press this morning, as well as confirming the title hopes are dead in the water, also talk about the prospect of Barcelona winning the league thanks to Madrid’s slip up. In a rather complicated situation, two points for Atletico could be enough, but three still may not win them the title either. If they beat Malaga and Barcelona beat Elche at the weekend, Barcelona will go into the final day knowing a win over Los Rojiblancos at the Nou Camp would hand them the title.

For Madrid to win the league now, they need Atletico to take no more than one point from their remaining two games, and for Barcelona to take no more than four points.

Madridista will be concerned about the state of Ronaldo’s health after the Portuguese came off holding his hamstring after just nine minutes. It was just a precaution though, and his participation in the Champions League final in two weeks time is not thought to be in danger.

Sergio Ramos continued his amazing goalscoring streak last night too. His free kick was his fifth goal in the last 10 days for Madrid. He netted against Valencia and Osasuna in the league and against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. The 28-year-old, who became a father this week too, was playing in his 400th match for the club.

By -
1
Iker Casillas

Real Madrid buried their hopes to win La Liga with a poor draw against bottom team Valladolid. Los Blancos played too relaxed, and despite taking the lead with a brilliant free kick from Sergio Ramos, they let the hosts equalise in the last minutes.

Real are now four points behind Atletico Madrid with two games remaining, so the title is mathematically possible, but they are relying heavily on other results. Either Atletico or Barcelona will be crowned if they win all six points remaining.

Valladolid certainly started the stronger and came close via Javi Guerra in the early moments, but the striker’s header was wide of the post.

Los Merengues were struggling and things turned worse when Cristiano Ronaldo picked up an injury after ten minutes and had to be replaced by Alvaro Morata.

Yet, Carlo Ancelotti men took control of the game lead by a superb Sergio Ramos. The centre-back sent his first effort high and wide of the crossbar and minutes later his header was off target. However, he wouldn’t miss his third attempt. The Andalucian stepped up and whips the free kick up and over the wall into the top corner.

Valladolid improved in the second half and Guerra had another clear chance to score. The Spaniard met a lovely cross from Jeffren and went for the bottom corner with a terrific overhead kick, but his attempt scuffed the edge of the sidenetting.

Los Blancos started to get nervous as the hosts kept on threatening Iker Casillas. And finally Humberto Osorio equalised in a corner kick. The winger levelled with little under five minutes remaining as he angled a header into the bottom corner, albeit via a deflection off Asier Illarramendi.

Pepe had an incredible chance rising at the far post to meet a free kick from Luka Modric, but it just deflected wide of the post.

By -
0

Real Madrid travel to Valladolid tonight knowing that anything less than a win will probably spell the end of any title hopes they may still have.

Los Blancos can close the gap on Atletico de Madrid to two points with two games remaining, and the prospect that Los Rojiblancos will need to travel to the Nou Camp on the final day of the campaign needing to take something from the game.

Carlo Ancelotti has said his players will fight until the end, and they are aware it will be a difficult match tonight against a team battling to save themselves from relegation to La Segunda. Los Blancos have won the last six matches between the sides and will be looking to keep that record going.

Madrid will make a number of changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Valencia at the weekend. Gareth Bale and Daniel Carvajal both have knocks and will not be available. Nacho is the most likely candidate to fill in at right back given that Alvaro Arbeloa isn’t quite ready to make return to the side having overcome a knee injury. Iker Casillas will play in goal tonight as Ancelotti keeps him in top form ahead of the Champions League final.1

The hosts welcome back Alvaro Rubio in place of Fausto Rossi who is suspended. Manucho and Heinze are both doubts as they are carrying slight knocks.

Probable Line-Ups
Valladolid: Jaime; Rukavina, Valiente, Mitrovic, Peña; Perez, Rubio; Larsson, Gonzalez, Jeffren; Guerra
Real Madrid: Casillas; Nacho, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Isco, Alonso, Modric; Di Maria, Benzema, Ronaldo

1...546547548...733Page 547 of 733

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