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Karim Benzema has Real Madrid can still win all three competitions they are in this season.

Los Blancos face Borussia Dortmund in a two-legged Champions League quarter final his month, and also take on Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey. And despite recent setbacks in La Liga against their Catalan rivals and Sevilla, the team is just three points off the top of the table.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with UEFA.com, the France forward revealed the squad is confident they can win the treble. He said much of the belief in the team has been brought about by the calming influence of Carlo Ancelottii, who encourages his players and gives them confidence.

“The goal is to win all three titles and I think we can do it. We have a good team, a strong enough squad to do it. He has brought stability to the team and that is important,” he said. And speaking about the Champions League in particular, he stated: “We have reached the semifinals for the last three years. We’ve played in three consecutive semifinals. We are doing well this year. We still have to play a number of games to reach the final, but we are getting closer.”

When asked what he dream end to the season would be, the former Lyon man said scoring the winning goal against PSG would be the ultimate. “A winning goal in the Champions League final. A final between Real Madrid and PSG, as it is a French side,” he stated.

The 26-year-old also discussed his devastating partnership with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, but added that the trio known as the BBC is only able to score so many goals because of the work the rest of the team does.

“They are great players and we have a very good understanding of each other, both on and off the pitch. It is easy to play with players like them, who are skillful, fast and technical. We are a team, it is not all about us three forwards. We have the support of the whole squad. We play an attacking style of football and, like I said, we have great players in attack and its great for us to score loads of goals, which ultimately helps the team win games.”

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Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp says his side is capable of repeating history and knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League.

The Bundesliga side visit the Spanish capital on Wednesday night with a much changed side from 12 months ago when they beat Los Blancos 4-3 overall at the semi-final stage. Star playmaker Mario Goetze has been sold to Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski is suspended from the first leg, with Dortmund are also missing the injured Ilkay Gundogan, Marcel Schmelzer and Jakub Blaszczykowski.

But speaking to journalists ahead of the game, charismatic boss Klopp says the Schwarzgelben have enough to beat the nine-time European Cup winners.

“There is no doubt that we are the underdogs, the Cinderella of this tie. But I always say we don’t have to be the best team in the world, we just have to be able to beat the best team in the world in a head-on clash and Dortmund can beat the best,” he said.

And Klopp added: “That’s the most important thing for me. Dortmund will take their chances and, who knows, we might even win! I don’t think we’re worse than last season. It’s been a very difficult season from the beginning. We have faced extraordinary challenges and an unprecedented injury crisis. I’ve never seen anything like it. But, in spite of everything, we are on the road to achieving all the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season. So you can’t talk about us playing worse or not being as strong as we were.”

He went on to admit Los Blancos are looking a stronger outfit than they were last season, and have bought well in the transfer market.  They have bought some good players like Bale and Isco,” he added. “They have tremendous strength in every position, a full team of skilled players capable of success in all the competitions they play in.”

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The spotlight is now on Real Madrid after Atletico de Madrid and Barcelona played out a highly entertaining 1-1 draw in their Champions League quarter-final first leg last night.

Los Blancos welcome Borussia Dortmund, the team that defeated them at the semi-final stage in last year’s competition.

AS runs a piece on stats and all you want to know about the game. And of course, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to reach yet another personal landmark in tonight’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu. It will be his 100th appearance in the Champions League, and he’ll become one of just 21 players to reach that figure.

Luis Figo is the only Portuguese player to hit 100 Champions League games (103), and should he score, Ronaldo will be just the third to do so on his 100th appearance. Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also managed the feat.

Elsewhere, Marca brings its readers the latest in the fitness news ahead of the match. Marcelo was ruled out yesterday with a hamstring strain that will keep him out for two weeks. But having sat out training on Monday, Xabi Alonso rejoined the group and trained as normal, meaning he should be fit to line up against the Bundesliga outfit.

And finally, speaking to reporters before the match, Luka Modric said Gareth Bale still doesn’t have the confidence he had when he was at Spurs, and that Madridistas will see an even better version of him next season.

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Real Madrid right back Daniel Carvajal has said he improved as a player in his season in Germany.

The 21-year-old grew up in the Los Blancos youth teams but spent a year with Bayer Leverkusen before rejoining his boyhood club last summer. And now with the nine-time European Cup winners set to take on German opposition in the shape of Borussia Dortmund in the next stage of the Champions League, Carvajal spoke to UEFA.com about his time in the Bundesliga.

“I improved a lot defensively, because there was almost no transitional play in the Bundesliga and I had to close things down a lot,” he said. And he added: “As well as that, we were a team that always had to take the initiative in every game and as a wide player I had to cover a lot of ground. That helped me develop physically in order to remain fresh in the final few minutes of matches.”

He admitted he was happy to be back at the Santiago Bernabeu and enjoying the trust of manager Carlo Ancelotti. “I have always been ambitious and have wanted to train and play more, but I am very happy with things at the moment. Especially because of the amount of trust the manager has placed in me from day one,” he commented.

When asked to give his advice to any youngster looking to follow in his footsteps and make it to the top, Carvajal said the key to success is patience. “It’s the training. It’s a marathon that starts at a young age and sacrifice is the base of it. You have to arrive home with the sensation of having given your all at training or in the game and having done the best you can. Also I think genetics help.”

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Italian side Napoli are looking at the possibility of securing Real Madrid’s Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez in the summer transfer window, claim reports in Spain from Mundo Deportivo.

Napoli have yet to secure a long-term replacement for Morgan De Sanctis, who left Naples to join Roma last summer, as they only acquired Jose Reina on a season-long loan deal.

Although Aurelio De Laurentiis, owner of Napoli, has recently hinted at the possibility of Reina’s stay at the San Paolo being extended, no formal offer has been made for the Spaniard.

Lopez arrived at Los Blancos in January last year under Jose Mourinho, who opted to place the 32-year-old in year the starting line-up ahead of fan favourite Iker Casillas – causing much unrest amongst Real Madrid supporters.

Many believed that with the addition of a new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, Casillas would return to the starting eleven this season. However, that has not been the case.

Casillas has continued to be nothing more than a substitute goalkeeper, only receiving occasional appearances in cup competitions, but has consistently performed well when called upon.

With Casillas still at the club Lopez’ future will always be uncertain, as although the former was subject to many transfer rumours in January, he continued to stay at the club, who may eventually, to appease fans, see fit to cash-in on Lopez and re-install Casillas as their number one goalkeeper.

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Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has said he will never forget the day he signed for the club and that he now feel like he is a true Madrileño.

The 26-year-old Brazilian arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in January 2007 from Fluminese as a teenager, but has worked his way up to become the established left-back for club and country, and is the third choice captain at Los Blancos.

Coming from a very poor background back in his native Brazil, he says he owes everything to the La Liga giants for giving him his big break.

Speaking to the official club website about signing and his responsibilities, Marcelo said: “That was an unforgettable moment in my life. I couldn’t believe it until I actually signed [the contract].As well as being an honour and very satisfying, it is a big responsibility because you are a role model to children all over the world”.

He added that he feels at home in Madrid and that the locals have always been friendly and welcoming towards him and his family. “People in Madrid are very friendly. When you’re out on the street or with your family in a restaurant, people show you their affection. My wife, my brother-in-law and I have been here for a long time and now feel like real Madrid natives.”

Away from football, Marcelo admitted he has many hobbies, but enjoys playing table tennis the most. And he stated: “My dogs are my biggest weakness. When I come home they go crazy and make me really happy.”

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Marco Asensio

Manchester City has joined Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the fight for young Spanish player Marco Asensio.

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid have approached the 18-year old Real Mallorca midfielder, who supposedly has a five million euro release clause.

In 2015, Asensio’s clause will rise to around 10 million euros and according to Majorca’s local television, Los Blancos have attempted to quickly tie up a deal to avoid paying a higher price in 12 months time.

The Spanish giants are considering to sign the midfielder and then loaning him back to Real Mallorca so that he can get some first team experience what with Carlo Ancelotti having a number of midfield options at his disposal. Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric and Angel di Maria are the familiar names in the starting 11, while Asier Illarramendi, Isco, Casemiro and Sami Khedira are also on the books.

A year back on loan at Mallorca would allow Asensio the chance to gain more first team experience.

Yet, Manchester City is also interested in the player since they sent scouts to watch Asensio play earlier in the season. If he were to join the Eastlands side, Asensio would join a host of players familiar with La Liga, including David Silva, Alvaro Negredo, Kun Aguero and Yaya Toure.

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Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of of the Champions League quarter-final tie.

Los Blancos are out to avenge their defeat in last year’s competition against the Bundesliga outfit, whose boss, Jurgen Klopp, admits Madrid are much stronger this year compared to 12 months ago.

There are various stories in Marca and AS about the team news. Xabi Alonso sat out training on Monday, but should be fit for the game. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas will start in goal in what will be one of six ‘finals’ for the goalkeeper. The 32-year-old will only appear a maximum of six more times for Los Blancos should Carlo Ancelotti stick with his policy of using Diego Lopez for La Liga games and Casillas for cup games.

The World Cup winning captain will be keen to impress then and secure his place in the Spain squad as the look to defend their trophy in Brazil this summer.

Sticking with the Champions League theme, Marca runs a piece on the cost of going to games across Europe and finds that tickets for matches in Germany are almost half of those in Spain. For Wednesday’s match, the cheapest ticket is 70 euros and the most expensive priced at 240 euros. Fans in Germany going to the second leg will pay 36 euros for the cheapest ticket and 90 for the most expensive.

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Luke Shaw

Real Madrid are said to have joined the long list of clubs reported to be interested in signing 38 million euro rated Southampton wonderkid Luke Shaw.

Shaw, who has played over 50 games in the Premier League before his 19th birthday, is seen by many as England’s star left back for years to come, and many believe he will be the star of his generation.

And his manager at Southampton Mauricio Pochettino, who used to play and manage in La Liga with Espanyol, believes that he could play for Real Madrid or anyone in the world.

When asked whether Shaw was good enough for Real, Pochettino answered “He can play in the world starting 11. For Madrid or any team in the world.

“The fact he was called up by the England national side to be among the senior team is already quite an amazing achievement.

“The question to you would be who is better equipped to be the best left-back in the world, if not him. I am not sure he is not already the best left-back in the world.

If he did move to the Bernabeu, he would be the second Southampton academy graduate in the squad alongside record signing Gareth Bale.

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Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar says he would love to see Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich in this season’s Champions League.

Madrid face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals after a rampant display helped them see off Schalke 9-2 on aggregate, while Bayern face Manchester United after beating    Arsenal 3-1 over their two last 16 games.

Huntelaar, who played for Los Blancos in 2009, claims a meeting between the two European super-clubs would prove a fascinating encounter.

The 30-year-old told Goal: “It’s hard to say who’s better, but I think the midfield of Bayern is stronger then the one of Real.

“It would be exciting to see them battle in the Champions League. Real is very quick with counterattacks and Bayern always want to dominate the game. But they first have to deal with Dortmund and Man United.”

Having played in Schalke’s 0-0 derby draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Huntelaar   still believes the El Clasico remains the most mouthwatering rivalry in world football.

“Every derby is special, especially the atmosphere on the stands. But El Clasico is very special because of the atmosphere.” He said.

“I have watched that game on Sunday [Barcelona’s 4-3 win]. I was supporting Real, but I also just enjoyed the football. I watched as football fan. It was a great game.”

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