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Real Madrid will continue their attempts to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool in this summer’s transfer window, say the Daily Express.

The interest from Los Blancos in the Uruguayan striker has been persistent for over a year, and if the move was to occur it would most probably need to be funded by the sale of another player.

That, in all likelihood, would be Karim Benzema, a man who is just now starting to approach his peak years as a footballer who would not be keen to be a back-up striker at this stage of his career.

Benzema suffered that fate in the past few seasons, occasionally moving in and out of the side with Gonzalo Higuain, and would be disappointed to leave after an impressive 2013/14 season.

Arsene Wenger would dearly love to take fellow countryman Benzema at Arsenal, a club who have suffered without truly top-class forwards in recent years.

Suarez, however, cannot be ignored. He has propelled his game to dizzy new heights at Liverpool this season, scoring 30 goals and adding 25 assists in the league alone to, most probably, lead his side to their first ever Premier League title.

A team consisting of Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale would be something to really be feared by all opposition sides, and would surely make Los Blancos the most powerful attacking side in Europe.

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With the return leg of the Champions League semi-final still five days away, and a league fixture to complete before that, you’d have thought there were other issues to cover in the press this morning.

But Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has turned up the heat ahead of the clash at the Allianz Arena by saying Los Blancos will experience what hell is like. In comments picked up by Marca, Rummenigge told an audience that Munich awaits the nine-time European Cup winners.

He said: “I didn’t get the feeling the Real Madrid directors were happy with the result at home. They know what awaits in Munich. The match they played in Dortmund wasn’t good, and Bayern at home have the quality to make it feel like hell for the opposition.”

Meanwhile, AS has carried out a poll amongst its readers about whether they think the 1-0 lead will be enough to reach the final in Lisbon. And 53% responded positively, saying that although Madrid could have scored more, the lead in the first leg will be key in helping them progress. It does of course mean that a big proportion – 47% – thinks the lead is not enough. Whatever happens, there will probably be a few nerves shredded on Tuesday night.

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The latest Real Madrid transfer rumours include Los Merengues targeting two Chelsea defenders, Mattia de Sciglio being considered as a second option for the left-back and Ezequiel Garay’s move leaving some money at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos are eyeing centre-back David Luiz according to reports by Football Direct News. http://www.footballdirectnews.com/premier-league-news/47202-real-madrid-join-chase-for-chelsea-star.php This website suggests Carlo Ancelotti would be willing to offer youngster Raphael Varane in exchange for the 26-year-old.

The Brazilian has had a brilliant season at Stanford Bridge, playing both as midfielder and centre-back. Varane, on the other hand, has barely been included in the team’s rotation due to injuries. Despite being one of the most promising defenders in Europe, the Frenchman’s physical problems are a cause of concern for the Madrid club.

Spanish digital newspaper El Confidencial also claims that Real have offered Chelsea’s left-back Ashley Cole a two-year contract worth eight million euros. The Englishman’s contract with the Blues ends in June, so he would be the cheapest option for replacing Fabio Coentrao when the Portuguese leaves. Ancelotti, who coached Cole in his years at Stanford Bridge, has reportedly given the OK to the transfer.

Fichajes.net reports the second option for the left-back is Italian Mattia de Sciglio. The Milan man has recently has affirmed he would be open to a summer move and Los Blancos are keeping tabs on him.

Real Madrid could also get some profit next summer from Ezequiel Garay’s move. Los Merengues own 50% of the Argentinian rights, and Napoli are very interesting in signing him, Goal.com reports. Benfica’s centre-back is also in Manchester United’s radar, and it seems clear that he’s going to leave Portugal soon, leaving a few millions in the Santiago Bernabeu.

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Sergio Ramos was very satisfied with Real Madrid’s performance against Bayern Munich in the home leg of the semi-finals of the Champions League. “It’s a good result to take to Munich and go through to the final,” he told the reporters after the match.

“It was a well-played, tough and intense game. They kept possession but we put in a solid performance. We had a lot of chances,” he added.

When asked about Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics, Ramos confessed Real “didn’t renounce to control possession, but Bayern have world-class players, much quality, and they like to have the ball. We were able to threaten them with counter-attacks, and I’m very happy with the team’s performance, because we gave our all.”

The 28-year-old also encouraged his team-mates for the away leg: “If we want to hurt them, we have to go all out for the win. We have a poor record in Germany but I’ve always said statistics are there to be broken and that’s what we’ll go to Munich to do.”

Ramos had thankful words for the fans, who created a very hostile atmosphere for Bayern: “With their support it’s much easier for us, and we are happy to get a good result they can enjoy. It’s been amazing. As a Madridista, I’ve been here for almost ten years and this has been an unforgettable night,” the defender admitted.

The centre-back also praised team-mate Iker Casillas, who saved the equaliser with a brilliant save in the last minutes. “We are used to it. We have two great goalkeepers, Diego in La Liga and Iker in the Copa. He has already given us that title. He always appears in the crucial moments,” he concluded.

* Follow Alejandro Gonzalez on Twitter @alejandrognieto

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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was afraid he may have come back too soon following his hamstring injury after playing a starring role in his side’s win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Los Blancos take a 1-0 lead to Germany next week in the second leg of the semi-final tie with the Champions League holders after Karim Benzema netted for the nine-time European Cup winners. Ronaldo played a sublime pass to Fabio Coentrao, who crossed the ball for Benzema to score. The 29-year-old was then given a rousing ovation when his night’s work was done and he was removed in the 73rd minute.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Ballon d’Or winner admitted he was afraid he had come back too soon from his injury. “I was afraid – it was my first match after three weeks out,” he said. “Some people didn’t want me to play and some people did. I felt well and ready for the next few games.”

Discussing the match itself, he said he was pleased with the win, and Los Blancos would look to score an early goal in the Allianz Arena to make things more complicated for Pep Guardiola’s side.

“One-nil is a good result. We have a good advantage and if we score next week it will be so difficult for them to qualify for the final. The second leg will be a tense match. We have a little advantage so let’s see if that is enough,” Ronaldo stated.

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Sami Khedira will play again for Real Madrid this season, according to manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The 27-year-old central midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament injury while on international duty with Germany last November. At the time, the prognosis was that Khedira would miss the rest of the season with his club, and was unlikely to play for his country at the World Cup in Brazil this summer.

Madridistas were given good news last week though when the club confirmed the former Stuttgart man was back in training with the first team squad and making good progress in his attempt return to match fitness.

And speaking at his press conference before the semi-final tie with Bayern Munich, Carlo Ancelotti said Khedira could be back in the team soon.

“Khedira is training very well, has recovered well,” Ancelotti said. He continued: “I feel that he will play again before the end of the (club) season.”

Khedira, who was signed for Los Blancos when Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club, has won 44 caps for his country. If he returns to the Madrid side before the end of the campaign, he will hope to add to that number in the summer. Germany have been drawn against Portugal, Ghana and United States in Group G.

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Real Madrid defeated Champions League holders Bayern Munich last night 1-0 to take a slender lead to Germany next week as they look to qualify for the final for the first time in 12 years and win the club’s decima European Cup.

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game – which Marca describes as a golden goal. There is also much praise for the Frenchman who has come under fire at times this season from some sections of the media and fans.

The 18th minute goal was Benzema’s 24th of the season – his most prolific campaign to date in a Madrid shirt. It was his fifth in the Champions League this campaign, having scored doubles in the games against Galatasaray and Schalke away from home.

There is some debate in the press too about the importance of possession. The visitors enjoyed 64% of the ball during the game, but until the last five minutes, never really tested Iker Casillas. Pep Guardiola spoke afterwards about how proud he was of dominating the game, while many Munich players spoke of their surprise at how Madrid set up to counter and didn’t look to control the match through possession.

Elsewhere Ronaldo came through the game unscathed, and while there was an injury scare for Pepe, the Portugal defender came off with just a knock and should be fit for the weekend match against Osasuna.

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Real Madrid will take a slender lead to the Allianz Arena next week after defeating Champions League holders Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to Karim Benzema’s close range finish.

But they will rue missing a host of chances that could have seen the nine-time European Cup winners take a more comfortable advantage to Germany as they look to reach the final and win the coveted Decima in May.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the starting 11 having missed four games through injury, but Gareth Bale was left on the bench having suffered with flu this week. Los Merengues lined up in a 4-4-2 formation much like they did last week when they defeated Barcelona in Valencia to lift the Copa del Rey.

The first half was dominated by the visitors in terms of possession, Pep Guardiola’s team enjoying a remarkable 79% of the ball, but never really threatening the Madrid goal.

From the off, Munich pressed high up the field and Madrid could not get out of their own half, having to endure wave after wave of Bayern attack. The closest the visitors came through was through ex-Los Blancos player Arjen Robben who created some space in the area but saw his effort go wide of the target.

Madrid’s game plan was clearly to soak up pressure and hit the Germans on the counter. and they did that to perfection on 18 minutes. Having barely had a touch of the ball, fit again Ronaldo played an inch perfect pass for Fabio Coentrao to run onto. His low cross took out two defenders and Karim Benzema was at the back post to tap home from close range and send the home support delirious.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side then had three other opportunities to score before the break. Ronaldo proved he was human when he blazed over the bar with a half volley having been set up by Benzema. That came just two minutes after the opening goal and had he converted, the Champions League holders would have been hanging on by a thread. The Portugal international went close again with a header that was saved by Manuel Neuer.

And just before the interval, Angel di Maria could have doubled the hosts’ lead but sliced his effort over when he was left unmarked at the back post.

The game continued in similar fashion after the half time break, with Bayern enjoying long spells of possession by never really threatening Iker Casillas in the Madrid goal, with Pepe and Ramos marshalling the defence expertly.

Ronaldo had a left footed shot saved on the 70 minute mark before being removed for Gareth Bale. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich made changes to try and force an equaliser, and Thomas Muller sent in an effort that whistled past the post.

Five minutes from the end Iker Casillas made a superb save from Mario Goetze. The German international looked set to score but his shot from 10 yards out was kept out by the World Cup winner.

Hearts were in mouths in stoppage time when Thomas Muller went to ground under a challenge by Xabi Alonso, but referee Howard Webb waved away the calls for a penalty. With that the game was over and Los Blancos take a slender lead to hold onto next week.

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The tension in Madrid has been building all week as Los Blancos await the visit of Champions League holders Bayern Munich.

Now managed by former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, the German outfit have been considered favourites all season long to retain the crown they won last season at Wembley.

The two teams last met in 2011/12 season, when Bayern won on penalties. The two teams couldn’t be separated after 210 minutes of football saw them level at 3-3.

Madrid will want to avoid a similarly painful exit this time round – their fourth consecutive semi-final appearance. And the latest betting odds suggest Los Blancos are slight favourites to win the first leg and take an all important lead to defend in Germany next week. They are available at 7/5 to win, with Munich at 19/10. A draw is priced at around 13/5.

Whatever happens, there will hopefully be plenty of goals in the game. The home side are averaging more than three a game this season, while the visitors are undefeated in this years competitions. Both teams have so much attacking talent that it is hard to see them not scoring.

Fit again forward Cristiano Ronaldo is favourite to open the scoring at 7/2. Copa del Rey hero Gareth Bale is priced at 6/1, along with Karim Benzema and Mario Mandzukic – Munich’s leading scorer this season.

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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich match preview

Real Madrid will look to take a step towards the final of the Champios League as they host reigning champions Bayern Munich in the first leg of the semi-finals at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti isn’t still sure of whether he will be able to line-up the two most expensive players in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo might start from the bench as he will return from a three-week injury, and Gareth Bale hasn’t trained this week with flew.

On the other hand, Marcelo is perfectly fit to play again. Yet, Ancelotti has decided to line-up Fabio Coentrao at left-back, given the Brazilian’s worst state of shape and the Portuguese’s recent good performances. Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira and Jese Rodriguez also remain in the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola will face Los Blancos for the first time as Bayern Munich’s manager with the absences of Thiago Alcantara and Xherdan Shaqiri. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez, who missed the last European match through suspension, will very likely return to midfield, sending Philipp Lahm back to the right-back.

Bayern have visited the Santiago Bernabeu in ten occassions, earning only two victories, the last of them back in 2001. This will also be the seventh time Ancelotti faces the German club. He met them in three Champions League knock-out rounds as AC Milan manager and he’s unbeaten against them: four victories and two draws.

The Germans come into the game in better physical condition, as they sealed the Bundesliga title a few weeks ago. Yet, they have lost two of their last three games, against Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund. Los Merengues have only lost one of their last five games, also against Dortmund. The Madrid team have knocked two German teams out of the competition so far this season and they will look to make it three in a row.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Modric, Alonso, Di Maria; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinsteiger; Kroos, Robben, Ribery; Mandzukic

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