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Álvaro Morata said recently in an interview with an Italian newspaper that it was a mistake going back to Madrid after his stage in Torino. The striker says now that he doesn’t regret anything but he’s living a dream with Chelsea and right now is very happy in London.

The striker wanted to explain again why he decided to leave Real Madrid, his beloved club: “At the end, the only decisive factor is that I needed something that Real Madrid couldn’t deliver and I couldn’t have there: playing every Sunday, no matter if I was well or bad. Now I’ve been three games far from my best and I kept playing. It’s what I needed. Real Madrid is Real Madrid and every player wants to be there. Why would I want to leave? I needed to play. Nothing else. People said that I didn’t want to fight. I fight my whole life for playing at Real Madrid, for trying to be in the line-up. All my life, but I needed to play and at Chelsea I found what I needed”, Morata explained in an interview with the Spanish newspaper MARCA.

He left the club although Zinedine Zidane wanted him to stay. The striker keeps a good memory of Zizou: “At the end I will be thankful to Zidane all my life because he gave me the opportunity of winning another Champions and play at Real Madrid. He told me: ‘Álvaro, I understand that if you want to play and have continuity, I understand that you leave’”, Morata remembers.

However, he explained that the competition with Los Blancos was very high: “He told me that if I wanted to stay, I could stay, but there were also many options in the attacking line. I decided that the best for me was to leave because I had a World Cup ahead and I wanted to be there. I want to be important for Spain and for that I needed to have the continuity”.

Álvaro Morata said now that he doesn’t regret any decision he’s taken: “I will never regret going to a club like Chelsea. Hopefully I can stay there all the time. You shouldn’t regret anything in your life. Every steps I’ve done in my career were useful for something. I learnt”, the player said.

Besides, he wants to make history in Spain: “I won in Italy, I won at Real Madrid and I felt important. Now the challenge I have ahead is being champion in Spain, Italy and England. No one or few Spaniards have reached that. This is my goal. Winning the Premier League and be in the history as the Spaniard who has won in the three countries”.

Now Morata is looking forward to playing the first World Cup in his life: “We are very motivated. The national team is playing very well and we have a lot of players with great excitement. Some of us we haven’t played a World Cup, others did… there is a good mix”, Morata finished.

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Real Madrid scouters are still looking for a new goalkeeper for the next season. Right now, the best option is Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is still closer to the Spanish capital because he hasn’t reached an agreement with his current club, Athletic Club, and his contract expires in June 2018.

Kepa is one of the best goalkeepers in Spain and he is still very young, 23 years old. Despite his age, he has made his debut with the Spanish national team and right now is one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga. Athletic Club is struggling this season, but Kepa is one of the great news, saving many points for the Basque team.

Recently, Bahia Internacional, the agency representing the player, had a meeting with Josu Urrutia, Athletic Club chairman, to try to reach an agreement to extend the goalkeeper’s contract. However, the positions are still very far and the deal is not close to be sealed. The club wanted to include a €100M release clause in his contract and the player refused. Now it looks like there is an agreement for €75M, still a very high release clause.

But the main problem is the money. Always the money. Athletic Club usually pay very well to their players, but they are offering Kepa less money than other stars of the team, like Aduriz or Laporte, according to the Spanish newspaper MARCA. This is the main issue in the negotiations and the parts are still far from each other.

Florentino Pérez is being looking for a new goalkeeper during the last two years. Initially, he wanted to sign David de Gea and the deal was almost done but the paperwork didn’t arrive on time. Keylor Navas stayed and won two Champions League, so the club decided to back him, especially Zinedine Zidane. However, there is still a problem in the goal, especially with Keylor Navas injured and Kiko Casilla far from the level of a goalkeeper at Real Madrid. Perhaps this summer Real Madrid fans can welcome one of the best goalkeepers in Spain.

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The captain of Real Madrid has to speak when the things are not going well. Sergio Ramos always shows up, he doesn’t hide behind other footballers and he has the personality to disagree with Cristiano Ronaldo in public. The defender spoke about Real Madrid situation, the squad and the problems of the team in the radio station Cadena Ser.

Some days ago, Cristiano said that last season Los Blancos had a better squad, with Morata, James or Pepe: “I don’t agree with Cristiano about the squad being weaker. I think it’s an opportunist opinion. Nobody thought that when we won the Supercups. I don’t miss anybody. We’ve won everything we the players we have. The squad changed, but some players add something and others other things”, Sergio Ramos explained.

He also talked about Cristiano Ronaldo’s problems with the goal: “If he doesn’t celebrate Isco’s goals… everyone can like it or not. I know him for many years and I know about his ambition and when he goes home sad. Perhaps it’s not the best, it could be. Some of us don’t like it. I don’t care who scores, even if it’s Keylor scoring… But it’s true that Cristiano has other role, others goals like the Golden Ball… but he gives us a lot and we cannot be angry”.

The defender also spoke about the crisis in the team: “Real Madrid are results. We had a bad run in the Champions League and La Liga, but we shouldn’t turn on the alarms. We have to learn and keep improving. We left important points but the way is very long and we will recover and we will be lucky in front of the goal. This is not a physical problem, the data is there. It’s true that we had important injuries with Bale, Carvajal… We cannot blame any player for the lack of goals, they will arrive”.

The captain also spoke about the possibility of winning La Liga: “We can comeback. Seeing how is La Liga and the level of the teams is always better. Every day is more difficult to beat the rivals. We are hopeful to shorten the gap, go back to our reliability. We have also to take in consideration the Clásicos”.

Finally, Sergio Ramos spoke about Zidane as a coach: “The talent he had as a player he kept it as a coach. He learnt from Ancelotti how to handle the dressing room and then the rotations… nobody relied on this and it went well. And also how close he’s with the players. How to handle a squad is not about the tactics, but about the dressing room. If a manager gives you, you are pushed to give him”, the captain explained.

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Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. The three stars of Real Madrid haven’t played a single game together in this season. Finally, the three of them are fit to be included in the list of the derby and Zinedine Zidane has to decide whether to put them in the pitch or leave a card on the bench. What would you do?

We have to look back at the Spanish Supercup in August to see them in the same list. However, they didn’t play together because Cristiano Ronaldo came in replacing Benzema. After that, Cristiano was suspended, Benzema got injured and Bale started with his physical problems. As a result of this, Zidane had never to decide if he wants them in the starting eleven.

Surprisingly, Zidane could only count with his three stars in 28 games out of 106, the 26% of the games he’s been on the bench. This low number reflects the problems with the injuries of the stars, able to win two Champions League (2014 and 2016) as the main stars of the club.

The situation has changed dramatically since then. Bale’s injury allowed Isco to start the games. Now, the playmaker is the best of the team, forming a great society with Marco Asensio. Besides, Zidane changed the formation to 4-4-2 gaining in balance and controlling more the games in the midfield.

“The BBC is no negotiable”, Zidane said in press conference when he was unveiled. However, now it’s very hard to think that this statement is still in his mind. In the derby against Atlético Madrid he will have all the squad available with the exception of Mateo Kovacic. We will see his choices, but Benzema and Bale should fight for the only available position in the starting eleven. Actually, we should add Marco Asensio to the possibilities as he’s deserving more minutes with his performances in the pitch.

If you were Zidane, would you include the BBC in the starting eleven at Wanda Metropolitano?

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It’s not very common not seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in the topscorer list in La Liga. After 11 games in the championship, the Portuguese has only scored one goal, although he missed the first four games due to suspension. Meantime, Leo Messi has scored 12 goals, Simone Zaza 9 or Cedric Bakambu 8 nets.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustration keeps growing in these days. In the game against UD Las Palmas he was completely desperate as he couldn’t find the net. Some of the players tried to cheer him up and even Zidane tried to hide the star’s feelings: “Cristiano gave the assist, and I know he was very happy with it”, the manager lied.

The Portuguese wasn’t happy at all after the game and he had the serious face. “If he doesn’t score, he goes home in a bad mood”, Sergio Ramos said after the game. And this is indeed what happened and the numbers don’t lie. Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with more shots in La Liga, 48, but he has only found the net once, against Getafe.

In the half time, even Jesús Vallejo, who was making his debut in La Liga, dared to cheer him up: “It will go in, we’re nearly there. You’ll get one. Patience.” But Cristiano Ronaldo has no patience and this is why he’s one of the best players of the world, because he’s always finding the net and trying to improve his performances.

Fernando Santos has not called him to play with Portugal, so he will have two weeks to rest and train to prepare the derby against Atlético Madrid. Hopefully, he recovers the calm and the serenity to score and make the difference. No one doubts that Cristiano Ronaldo will go back in track, but the team needs him as soon as possible and the desperation only prevent him to play at his best.

This situation changed when Cristiano Ronaldo listen to the Champions League music. The Portuguese is the topscorer in this competition this season, with 6 goals. The curse is not valid in Europe and he keeps making the difference in the best competition of the world.

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Zinedine Zidane gave two days off to his players before starting to prepare the crucial derby against Atlético Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano. The coach cannot count with 13 players, who have been called by their national teams to play before the World Cup. Luka Modric has still to earn his ticket to Russia.

Croatia: Luka Modric

Undoubtedly, Luka Modric has the most challenging games in this international break. Croatia has still to win their ticket to the World Cup and they face Greece in the European play-off. The Croatian team beat Ukraine (0-2) in the last game to finish second in their group. Unfortunately, Mateo Kovacic cannot help his team-mates because he’s still injured.

Germany: Toni Kroos

The German midfielder s qualified for the World Cup but his Federation have organized two challenging friendly games. The current world champion will face England and France.

Spain: Sergio Ramos, Isco, Asensio and Nacho

Spain also won their group beating Italy, so they can sit back and relax. Spain will face Costa Rica and Russia, both teams are also qualified for the World Cup.

Spain U-21: Vallejo, Ceballos and Mayoral

They are not enjoying many minutes with Real Madrid but they have an important role with the U-21 national team. They will play against Iceland and Slovakia,

France: Raphael Varane

Although he’s missed the last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and UD Las Palmas, Didier Deschamps called him to play against Wales and Germany.

Brazil: Casemiro and Marcelo

Both are important pieces for Zinedine Zidane and Tite. The ‘Canarinha’ is one of the favourites in Russia and they will prepare the World Cup with games against Japan and England.

Morocco: Achraf Hakimi

He’s becoming an important part of Real Madrid team, but he’s also enjoying a lot of minutes with his national team. They need to qualify yet for the World Cup and they face Ivory Coast.

Some other players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Keylor Navas or Gareth Bale will stay in Madrid and rest for the important derby against Atlético Madrid.

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Two of the best news for Real Madrid fans in these first months of the season are the performances of Isco and Asensio. The two Spaniards get along very well outside the pitch and they understand each other inside, shining every time they have the chance of playing. The latest example was the game against UD Las Palmas, where both found the net.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema struggling to find the goal, and Gareth Bale injured, Francisco Alarcón ‘Isco’ is taking the responsibility of guiding the team. The playmaker is, without any doubt, the best footballer of the team in this start of the season, keeping his level achieved last season.

As a result of his performances, Isco is now the topscorer of the club in La Liga with 4 goals and he’s given also three assists to help the team win against Real Sociedad, Getafe or Eibar. Apart from the numbers, the feelings also made quite clear that he’s essential in the team, no matter if the BBC is now available.

Another team mate is also pushing back to earn a spot in the line-up. Marco Asensio is struggling to start the games, but he’s also showing his quality when he has the chance. He started the season very strong, but we could see him worse in the last games. However, at Wembley he highlighted when he came in in the second half and against UD Las Palmas he also took advantage of the minutes with a superb goal. With 4 goals in La Liga, he is also the topscorer in this competition and he gave two assist, becoming one of the most important players of the club.

Apart from associating inside the pitch, both are also friends outside the stadiums. Zinedine Zidane should take advantage of their great level and trust them more. Isco and Asensio are the greatest news in this start of the season and hopefully they’re able to keep the level throughout the year.

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Real Madrid try to leave the crisis behind triggered by the two defeats in La Liga and the Champions League against Tottenham Hotspur. Zinedine Zidane keeps saying that the situation is not than harsh, but Los Blancos are 8 points behind the leaders, FC Barcelona. At least, the team could beat UD Las Palmas in the last game and now they have two weeks to rest and prepare the next game, the first derby at Wanda Metropolitano.

This game against Atlético Madrid, who is also struggling this season, might affect the whole year. Los Blancos need to win and wait for Barcelona to lose points against CD Leganés. Luckily, Zinedine Zidane will have available most of his players with the exception of Mateo Kovacic.

Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane, Keylor Navas and Daniel Carvajal should be back to the pitch on Saturday against Atlético Madrid and three of them could even start the game. Keylor Navas got injured with his national team and he had problems again after his great game against Tottenham Hotspur at Bernabéu. Kiko Casilla has replaced him, but the difference of quality between both is quite big.

Even more important is Carvajal’s return. The right back has been out of the team for two months after being diagnosed with a problem in the periocardium. He’s been resting this time and little by little going back to the training ground, because it’s not recommended to rush in these situations. Real Madrid supporters are missing him, because Nacho Fernández or Achraf cannot cover his gap. Varane, out the last two games, is also available and he has travelled with the French national team.

Gareth Bale should also be available, although he should have minutes in the second half and wait for his opportunity. The Welshman got injured at Dortmund and, since then, he’s been unable to play a single game. Real Madrid also need the best Bale to face this season.

Therefore, if any of the players get injured with their national teams, only Mateo Kovacic will be absent at Wanda Metropolitano. The Croatian midfielder has been unavailable most of the season and hopefully he can be back soon because he’s the perfect replacement for Toni Kroos or Luka Modric.

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Real Madrid fans are tired of Karim Benzema and they showed it again in the game against UD Las Palmas at home. The French striker missed a very clear chance in the second minute and he was unable to hit the ball with the head after a great cross from Marco Asensio. It wasn’t again a good game for him and he was substituted while was booed by the supporters.

The patience of the fans is running out. Benzema is much more than scoring goals, but his performances are really poor, also in his way of playing. If we add the problems with the goal and that there are no competitors, the fans get nervous with Karim Benzema.

Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have only scored one goal in La Liga. This is a serious problem for the team. Asensio and Isco are the topscorers in this competition with only four goals. This is a rara avis in the recent history of the club and it’s affecting the performance in La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch very angry because he was unable to score again. However, he did a good match, giving one assist and participating in the game. Obviously, when he doesn’t score he leaves the pitch angry, as Zidane or Sergio Ramos admitted, but it’s a matter of time that this situation changes.

The issue comes with Karim Benzema. Supporters still miss Álvaro Morata and his goals, especially when Benzema seems completely stuck with the rival goal. He’s going to stay in the Spanish capital to train and hopefully he can improve his performances. Besides, Gareth Bale should also be back to face Atlético Madrid, so it’s another option for the attacking line.

Right now, Casemiro, Ceballos or Gareth Bale have scored more goals in La Liga than Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema. Do you think Mayoral should have more opportunities or Zidane should still be confident with Benzema?

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Zinedine Zidane was happy with the performance of his team against Las Palmas, where his team bounced back after two defeats in a row: “After what happened in the last two games it was important to win. We needed it”, the French manager commented in press conference.

The coach doesn’t want to raise the voice and he’s quite happy with the start of the season despite being 8 points behind FC Barcelona in La Liga: “Everybody is not going to rest, there are many of them going with their national teams. It’s going to be positive these two days of rest and then think in the next game. It’s not a bad start of the season. If you see the last two games, yes, it’s hard, but we know we can improve. Today it was important to win. We started with difficulties, but in the second half we played quickly and I’m happy because the players needed it”.

Zidane wanted to highlighted Vallejo’s debut: “It was important to play for them, especially for Vallejo, because this is his second game in the line-up and he did great. And for everybody else. Asensio does it well when he plays, Ceballos was unlucky because he suffered a hit, but I’m happy for everybody’s situation”.

The manager wanted to analyze Cristiano’s performance: “You always think in the negative things and I can tell you that he’s very happy for the assist to Isco. We know he enjoys to score, but I and He are convinced that he’s going to make the difference. In La Liga he’s not doing it, but he’s useful in the team and finally he will make the difference”.

With Cristiano out, Isco and Asensio are the topscorers of the team: “It’s the moment. Cristiano and Benzema do the things right in the pitch. Isco’s goal comes after a cross from Cristiano Ronaldo. Now he’s giving assists”.

Finally, Zidane spoke about the next game, the derby against Atlético Madrid: “All the games are different, but we are going to have time to prepare that game. I don’t know how we are going to arrive or how we are going to play. Until now, we did some very good games”, Zidane finished being too positive.

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