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Cristiano Ronaldo is firing on all cylinders again after recovering from his hamstring injury, according to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian watched his talisman score two spectacular goals on Saturday evening in the 4-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu – something that would not have gone unnoticed in Munich too, where Champions League holder Bayern await on Tuesday night.

At his press conference after the game, Ancelotti said the 29-year-old former Manchester United player is back to his best and will be ready for the big test at the Allianz Arena.

“Everything went well for Cristiano and for all of the players. There were no problems and some have had a rest. The match was good, not high intensity, and Cristiano showed he is fine. He played with more security and confidence than on Wednesday,” the boss stated.

Switching his attention to the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, in which Real Madrid hold a 1-0 lead, Ancelotti expressed his confidence in the players and urged them to be calm on the night.

“I’m sure that I am going to pick an XI with a lot of desire and illusion. Everyone needs to be calm as we are going to prepare well. I have a lot of confidence in the players and they all need to have it. The objective is to score and not defend. This is the line we’re going to work along,” he commented.

Ancelotti also paid tribute to Tito Vilanova and echoed Florentino Perez’ comments but saying everyone connected to the club offers their support to those at Barcelona as such a sad time.

“We are saddened because he is a colleague that has left is. Now all our support goes to the family and Barcelona, because they’ve lost an important figure for the club,” he stated.

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Real Madrid put pressure on leaders Atletico Madrid with an emphatic victory over bottom side Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo made a brilliant return to the Spanish competition with a brilliant performance, including two superb goals.

It was easy for Los Blancos since the first minutes, as Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth with an incredible strike from 25 metres. The Portuguese fired a powerful shot to the top corner, making it impossible for Andres Fernandez to reach the ball.

The visitor’s goalkeeper made some quality saves that kept his team alive in the first half. Osasuna were very passive, and Ronaldo threatened Fernandez constantly. Real were in total control of possession and had several chances with shots from Ramos, Ronaldo and Modric, but the keeper denied all of them.

However, the second half started just like the first. In the seventh minute, Ronaldo grabbed a ball on the left side of the attack, dribbled past one defender and dribbled an unstoppable strike to the top right corner.

Ramos, who also had a magnificent performance, made it 3-0 in the 60th minute. Angel di Maria clipped a ball into the box and the Spaniard rose above everyone to bullet a header home underneath Fernandez.

With the game under control, Carlo Ancelotti sent Ronaldo, Modric and Di Maria to the bench, giving them some rest for the crucial match in Munich.

Yet, Real were able to score more goals. Madrid had their fourth as Isco sent a cross into the box and Daniel Carvajal headed the ball over Fernandez to the back of the net. Alvaro Morata also scored, but his goal was disallowed as the referee blew for a free kick.

It was a brilliant game from Los Blancos, who earned an easy victory letting their best players rest for the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

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Real Madrid Osasuna match preview

Real Madrid have enjoyed success in the Copa del Rey and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in recent games, but now the attention switches back to the bread and butter of the league.

This weekend could prove to be a pivotal one in deciding the destination of the title. Los Blancos are up first against Osasuna this evening, while Atletico de Madrid face a difficult trip to Valencia. Barcelona, meanwhile, travel to Villarreal. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are six points adrift of Los Colchoneros, but have played a game less.

They should pick up three points against an Osasuna side struggling at the foot of the table. The visitors arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu just three points above the drop zone and with one win in the last nine fixtures.  Madrid, on the other hand, have won their last three league games, scoring 13 along the way and not conceded a single goal.

Los Blancos will be wary Javi Garcia´s men though, having been held to a 2-2 draw back in December, when the nine-time European Cup winners had to fight back from 2-0 down.

Talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is fit and available for the fixture having returned to the side against Bayern Munich. But Madrid do have some injury concerns and Ancelotti will rotate ahead of the crunch match in Munich on Tuesday. Pepe, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are all doubts with various knocks and illness. The lines of Asier Illarramendi, Raphael Varane and Alvaro Morata could all be given game time.  For Osasuna, midfield duo Roberto Torres and Francisco Silva are suspended.

Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid

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Real Madrid Osasuna betting preview

Sandwiched between the Champions League semi-final clashes with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid face a pivotal weekend that could have a significance on the destination of the La Liga title.

Los Blancos take on Osasuna at home on Saturday evening and will look to put pressure on Atletico de Madrid before the league leaders face a tricky trip to Valencia on Sunday afternoon. Barcelona, meanwhile, also have a tough task away at Villarreal.

With a huge game on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena, Carlo Ancelotti may rotate a few players and they won’t take any risks on Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness. The likes of Asier Illarramendi, Alvaro Morata and Casemiro may have the opportunity to get some more minutes under their belt.

That said, Real should have enough quality to see off an Osasuna team lying just three points above the drop zone. And the bookies seem to agree with that, with the hosts at 1/20 to pick up the three points. A draw is available at 11/1, while the visitors from Pamplona are complete outsiders at 25/1 to win.

Madrid are unlikely to go too gung-ho looking for goals. It will be more a case of building a lead and closing out the job and conserving energy levels for Tuesday. For that reason, fans probably shouldn’t expect too many goals, and odds of 5/4 of there being under 1.5 goals in the opening 45 minutes look a decent shout for those interested in placing a wager on it.

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Former Real Madrid president Juan Roman Calderon has told a sports radio programme in England that he is confident that Carlo Ancelotti would snub an approach from Manchester United.

The Old Trafford hotseat is currently vacant after manager David Moyes was sacked on Tuesday morning following a disappointing campaign.

Alongside bookies favourite Louis Van Gaal, Ancelotti is linked with the United vacancy, with the Italian’s job status  reportedly rather insecure despite Real’s Copa Del Rey’s triumph.

However, former president Calderon was quick to dismiss those rumours, and told Talksport “I believe Carlo Ancelotti will be with Real Madrid next season.

“We don’t know what’s happening with Manchester United, but he’s got a contract (at Real).

Calderon then moved onto say although it must have been a difficult decision, Manchester United made the right decision after several unsatisfactory results and performances this season.

“It’s always a pity when you have to sack a coach. I had that problem with Fabio Capello.

“Sometimes you have to take those decisions though. Manchester United’s results have not been normal so it’s a decision they had to take.”

He is the third manager to have been ruled out of the job, after Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s public rejections.

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Carlo Ancelotti has said his Real Madrid players have put the semi-final clash with Bayern Munich out of their minds for now as the concentrate on the fight for La Liga.

Los Blancos take on Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu, and will be hoping Atletico de Madrid and Barcelona slip up on their travels to Valencia and Villarreal this weekend.

Speaking at his press conference after training on Friday morning, the Italian admitted his side was low on energy levels but the aim between now and the end of the campaign is to win every game.

“We are trying to get our energy back. We have to focus because we are in the fight for La Liga,” he said, before continuing ““I’m not thinking about Tuesday. We have a very important match against Osasuna and we have to try and win. It’s very important for the league. I don’t think we’ll change much for the match with Bayern.”

Ancelotti admitted he had a number of injury concerns ahead of the match and would likely rotate some of his players.

“We’re unsure about certain players, such as Karim (Benzema), who picked up a knock to his knee, and Pepe. Some players are a little tired. Bale started training today and he is feeling a little weak. I’ll decide tomorrow whether to play him or wait for Tuesday. I’m unsure about Benzema I’ll definitely play Morata, who is working well and has scored when he’s come on,” he said.

Finally, the boss also had words of support for ex-Barcelona boss Tito Villanova, who is in hospital. Villanova, who won the title with Los Cules, stepped down last year after a recurrence of his throat cancer, and he has taken a turn for the worse.

“We’re all concerned. We are very sorry to hear about it and hope that everything turns out well. We’ll all try to be near him,” said Ancelotti.

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Football takes a back seat today and it’s importance was put into stark reality after news emerged that former Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 45.

Vilanova had been in hospital in Barcelona as his conditioned had worsened over recent days, and the club confirmed their ex-boss died yesterday afternoon. Immediately, messages of support came flooding in from across the world, and fans, managers and players alike were united in grief.

Many Real Madrid players took to social media to send their condolences. Club captain Iker Casillas lead the tributes and said: “A very say day for the world of football. Rest in Peace Tito, you are an example of strength and courage for everyone.”

Los Blancos president Florentino Perez also sent a message of support on behalf of the club. “I want to express my deep sorrow at the death of Tito Vilanova and express, on behalf of Real Madrid, our condolences, love and support to his family, to FC Barcelona and most especially his wife and children. Today is a day of great sadness for all football fans and recognition of his personal and professional career. ”

Elsewhere, Real Madrid take on Osasuna today in La Liga, with Carlo Ancelotti confirming leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo will start alongside Alvaro Morata up front.

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hailed the club’s supporters for their passion and energy, and believes they will have a vital part in how successful the team is as they aim for the treble.

Los Blancos have had a good week, winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, followed by the 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League sermi-final clash. The return match at the Allianz Arena will take place on Tuesday evening.

For now, attention switches back to La Liga, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men take on Osasuna n Saturday and hope to make up ground on Atletico de Madrid in the title race.

Speaking at an event to unveil the Classic Corazon Match to be played in June, Perez said the supporters have been superb all season long and in recent weeks in particular.

“I would like to thank all our fans, who passionately supported the team on the streets of Madrid and in the stadium, as they did a few days ago in the Copa del Rey final on the streets of Valencia and in the Mestalla. As the president of Real Madrid it is of great pride to have such loyal and enthusiastic fans. It was very emotional,” he said.

The president also had some very positive words about the management team and players for beating the current Champions League holders.

He stated: “I would like to congratulate our players and coaches for the significant performance. Thanks to all of them for the enormous effort and for winning what was a big clash, as it always is in the Champions League in the Santiago Bernabéu. We know that there is one last big push left and that it will not be easy.”

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Real Madrid’s first leg win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night marked yet another incredible milestone for Iker Casillas – he is now equal with Raul as the player with the most wins in the history of the club.

Karim Benzema ensured Los Blancos will go to the Allianz Arena with a slender lead to protect, and also ensured a 427th win for Casillas at club level. Manuel Sanchis is second on the list behind Raul and Casillas with 412 victories in the famous white shirt.

The 32-year-old Casillas first broke into the first team squad at the tender age of 19 and has been a pivotal of sides that have won La Liga titles, the Champions League and Copa del Rey trophies. On the international stage, he has helped Spain win two European Championships as well as the World Cup.

Up until January of last season, he had been the number one choice, but had to make do with playing just cup matches after Jose Mourinho signed Diego Lopez from Sevilla. When Carlo Ancelotti was appointed, he decided to stick with the same policy, with Casillas playing in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

Lopez will return to the line-up for the La Liga clash against Osasuna on Saturday, before Casillas goes for the outright victory record on Tuesday night in Germany.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hailed his team’s togetherness and desire after seeing off Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Despite defending for much of the game as the Germans enjoyed 64% possession, Los Blancos head to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday with a 1-0 lead thanks to Karim Benzema’s first half strike.

At his press conference after the match, Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League twice as a manager, said he was delighted with the spirit in his squad, and also failed the Madridistas in the stadium for creating an amazing atmosphere.

“Everyone had a great game. The fans’ support was significant, and the atmosphere was spectacular. Our job is to do everything possible to take our fans to Lisbon,” he said, before continuing “We worked well as a unit, the players were unselfish and mentally strong. The team is full of desire, and while we might not play well all the time, the commitment among the squad members is great. The atmosphere is very positive.”

The Italian admitted that he likes his teams to have possession, but against teams like Bayern, you need to alter your tactics slightly and that the counter attack is the best approach.

“It makes sense to counter attack against Bayern. I don’t like to concede possession but against some sides it can be more difficult to have the ball. I like to hold onto possession because as long as you have it your opponent can’t score,” he said.

And looking forward to the return match, the boss said it would a tough match, but that his players would do all they can to reach the final in Lisbon.

“The second leg will be very difficult. We have a slight advantage and will have to play as confidently as we have done tonight. There’s no telling what might happen there, but I am confident. We know we’ll be made to suffer, but we’ll be full of fighting spirit and give it our all, just like we have done today.”

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