Page 580

By -
4

The focus in the Madrid press this morning is on the friendly internationals that took place last night.

Much of the attention is on Spain’s 1-0 win over Italy, and the signal that sends out to other World Cup contenders, as La Roja look to defend the trophy they won four years ago in South Africa.

Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for Portugal against Cameroon, and he is accustomed to doing now, broke yet another record. The 29-year-old is now the highest scorer in Portugal’s history with 48 goals in his 110 games. He overtook Pauleta’s 47 strikes in the national shirt.

Speaking after the game he said he his eye on another national record. Marca and AS both carry quotes from the Real Madrid star in which he says he’s proud of the goalscoring record, but now wants to overtake Real legend Luis Figo for the most appearances. He should do that with ease – FIgo’s record is 127 caps, just 17 ahead of Ronaldo.

Elsewhere, Marca looks at the performance of Karim Benzema against the Netherlands and said he continued his recent fine form in front of goal. He netted the opener in a 2-0 win over the 2010 World Cup finalists, and had a hand in the second too.

By -
1

Former Real Madrid forward and manager Jorge Valdano has said he believes club legend Raul is destined to return to the Santiago Bernabeu one day, and could be Los Blancos’ answer to Pep Guardiola.

Raul is currently playing in Qatar having spent two seasons in the Bundesliga with Schalke since leaving Real in 2010.

But speaking at a question and answers session with Sid Lowe in Madrid on Tuesday evening, Valdano said he can see Raul returning to the Spanish capital in the future and having as big an impact at Los Blancos as Guardiola did at Barcelona.

Pep, now boss of Bayern Munich,  was held in iconic status at the Nou Camp as a player, and returned as boss in 2008. In four year in charge, he oversaw one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning La Liga three times, the Champions League twice and the Copa del Rey twice. He also led the club to glory in the SuperCopa de España (3), UEFA Super Cup (2) and FIFA World Club Cup (2).

“Raul is destined to become the Guardiola of Real Madrid,” said Valdano. He continued: “But, obviously, in his own way and with his own style. He cannot be compared to Pep.  I have no doubts that he is readying himself for a return as coach and I can hardly wait for it. He would really add something to Madrid again.”

By -
0

Karim Benzema has said it would be too difficult to decide what he would prefer – winning the World Cup with France or the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Los Blancos are fighting on three fronts at the moment – they top La Liga by a point, are in the final of the Copa del Rey, and made easy work of Schalke in the first- leg of their last-16 tie. The 6-1 win in Germany sent a strong message to other contenders for the European title.

Meanwhile, France will head to Brazil in the summer looking to add to the World Cup crown they last won in 1998 on home soil – in which current Real assistant Zinedine Zidane scored two goals in the final. France are not considered one of the favourites for the competition, with the likes of Spain, Brazil, Germany and Argentina considered to be the main contenders for the title, and you can find plenty of information on World Cup odds via Sports Betting Dime.

In an interview with Marca, Benzema said: “I can’t choose. They’re both so important. They’re both possible.

“Club and country are very different. You work with one every day, but not with the other one. The World Cup is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a play. You must be on top form when it arrives.”

The former Lyon man, who has six goals in his last five games, admitted he is delighted with his form and the trust shown in him by Carlo Ancelotti.

He stated: “I’m in good form and that shows on the field. Players go through good periods and tough ones. Ancelotti has transformed my game, but for a striker it is good to have confidence when you go through a period without a goal, don’t play well or are booed.”

By -
1

Carles Puyol has recently announced one of the most surprising news of the year in La Liga: on June 30th he will leave Barcelona after having spent his whole career at the club. However, very few remember that the Catalan defender could have signed for Real Madrid back in 2004.

At that time, Los Blancos were looking for a centre-back, and after ruling Ricardo Carvalho out due to the excessive price Oporto was asking for, they decided to look at other options.

One of those possibilities was the signing of Carles Puyol. Spanish sports newspaper As reported Madrid was upset for being forced to sell Samuel Eto’o to Barcelona, since they had his rights shared with Mallorca, and Los Merengues wanted to hit back at the Azulgranas with that move, reinforcing one of the team’s weakest lines.

The transfer was approved by Jose Antonio Camacho, Real’s manager at that time, who knew Puyol well as he had given the defender his debut with Spain’s national team and had taken him to the World Cup of 2002. Thus, Madrid made the 26-year-old an offer, doubling the 4.8 million euros he was earning at Barcelona.

Yet, Puyol declined the offer, stating that he would not negotiate with Real unless they reached an agreement with Barca, something that never happened. Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona back then, confirmed the offer in an assembly that summer, although he never mentioned Madrid.

“It is fair to recognise Carles commitment to Barcelona. We can be proud of our captain. Puyol rejected an offer that doubled his salary. It was a few days ago, when we were about to close Etoo’s deal. I think there’s no need for me to say which club Puyol said no to,” Laporta said.

Real Madrid had ruled Puyol’s signing out two years before

However, that was not the only occasion in which Puyol could have joined Real Madrid. In an interview with Spanish daily As, Zoran Vekic, football agent, admitted that Los Blancos had dismissed Puyol’s signing back in 2002 because they thought he was “too expensive.”

“It was during Japan and Korea’s World Cup. Puyol told Fernando Hierro he fancied the idea of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu. Hierro spoke to Jorge Valdano about it, but the player’s buy-out clause was 24 million euros and the Argentinian replied that was too much for a centre-back,” Vekic confessed.

By -
2

Real Madrid youngsters Isco and Alvaro Morata lead Spain’s Under-21 national team in a 2-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday night in Palencia.

Six Los Blancos players featured in the game, but Isco and Morata took all the headlines thanks to their goals and their great performance.

Morata scored early in the second half following a mistake from a German defender. Only two minutes later, Isco netted a brilliant shot from outside the box to make it 2-0 for the Spaniards.

Both players showed great state of form and could have netted a couple more. However, Morata hit the post after a great play and Isco sent another effort from 25 metres wide of the post.

Jese Rodriguez also had a good performance before being replaced by Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu at half-time. Real Madrid Castilla’s Fernando Pacheco played the whole 90 minutes on goal, as well as right-back Daniel Carvajal.

Castilla’s centre-back Derik Osede came in for Gomez at half-time and put in a decent performance during the second half.

Spain Under-21 team have won their last 14 games, including last summer’s European Championship, and are looking to qualify for the next European tournament in the Czech Republic.

By -
0

Despite all of their recent on-pitch pushing and shoving, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has high hopes for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa.

Ramos told AS this week that his new Spanish national teammate can have a great impact on the squad. The Madrid defender also played down any alleged tension between the two after several tussles in a heated Madrid derby on Sunday.

“I think Costa is a great choice and can bring many things,” Ramos told AS. “There’s no problem between us. It’s part of our sport, we defend our interests.”

Costa became the source of some controversy in October when he declared that he wished to play international football for Spain, where he resides as an Atletico player, instead of his native Brazil. He had made two appearances in March 2013 friendlies for the Selecao before requesting a shift.

Those in the Spanish camp were pleased to have a player of his quality to call upon, but those in Brazil, including national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, condemned him. Costa is sure to receive some jeers in Brazil if he makes the Spanish World Cup squad for his decision.

The 25-year-old could line up with Ramos as early as Wednesday because both made the squad for a high-profile friendly against Italy. If Costa makes an appearance, it will be his first for his new nation.

“Football is to unite, not separate,” Ramos, who has more than 100 caps to his name, said. “We’re teammates now.”

In the same interview, Ramos said he relishes Los Blancos seeing a title challenge from their crosstown rivals.

“We know [Atletico] have a strong character and heart and that’s part of their style,” he said. “Madrid’s is to control the ball more. They defend their thing and we defend ours … It’s good to have another team that can challenge for the title. They are doing very well and are at a high level.”

By -
1

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has said he has no date in mind as to when he will make his comeback from a serious knee injury.

The Germany star suffered a knee ligament injury while on international duty last November. The 26-year was playing against Italy in Milan when his fell in pain after coming off worse in a challenge in the middle of the park.

He was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season as well as this summer’s World Cup. But last week, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti suggested Khedira could be back by the end of the season and travel to Brazil with his national side, for who he has already represented on 44 occasions.

Speaking to the German Football Association website, Khedira dismissed those claims, and said he is still taking his recovery one day at a time.

He stated: “I’m doing my best not to get ahead of myself. I am trying to look as little as possible into the future.Right now I’m focused on working hard and conscientiously every day. That’s my main concern, not announcing when I’ll be fit again. I believe that it is the right way to fully concentrate on the rehab. Everything else comes after that.”

Khedira joined Real Madrid from Stuttgart after the last World Cup in South Africa, where Germany were knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual winners, Spain.

By -
0

Cristiano Ronaldo is a ‘friendly guy’ who is not arrogant, according to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.

The 29-year-old Portugal captain is often perceived in the press to be an arrogant and flashy individual, only concerned with his own image. But speaking in an interview with Marca, Pique says that image couldn’t be further from the truth.

“He may have been a bit too sincere when he said that people are jealous of him because he’s handsome, rich and a great player,” he stated. And he added: “I know him very well and he is a friendly guy. His public image does not correspond with how he is in real life.”

The pair were teammates at Manchester United for four years between 2004 and 2008 and struck up a close friendship. Pique left Old Trafford a year before Ronaldo made his 96 million euro switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, but despite the intense rivalry between the two La Liga giants, Pique and Ronaldo remain good friends off the field.

The pair enjoyed a successful spell at Old Trafford, winning Premier League titles in 2007 and 2008, and the European Cup against Chelsea in Moscow in 2008. Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or for his outstanding season that year, and picked up the prize for a second time this year.

By -
0
Real Madrid blog

Football fans enjoyed one of the most exciting matches of the season as Real Madrid and Atletico took a point home in the last Madrid derby. Carlo Ancelotti’s men showed great character to salvage a point in a tough game that left a number of interesting factors to look at for Los Blancos. Here are our top five deductions from the Madrid derby:

1. Real Madrid lack attacking potential without Marcelo and Carvajal in the line-up. Carlo Ancelotti tried to counteract Atletico’s intensity by lining-up his bravest full-backs –Coentrao and Arbeloa. However, that resulted in a lack of offensive depth, as none of them can produce as many crosses and goal chances as Marcelo and Carvajal.

That strategy seemed to work in the Copa del Rey tie against their city rivals, but analysing it carefully, it seems clear that despite winning 5-0 overall, Real didn’t play as fluidly in attack as they did on Sunday with Marcelo and Carvajal on the field. In fact, of those five goals, two of them were lucky shots deflected off a defender, and another two were penalty kicks.

2. Sergio Ramos is not the world’s best centre-back –as many claim. The best centre-back of the world wouldn’t have tripped Diego Costa inside the box in that play, when the striker wasn’t even in a good angle to shoot on target and the ball was going out. Ramos touched Costa, as he later admitted, but luckily the referee didn’t award the penalty. Nevertheless, that is a mistake a world-class player should never make, as it could have completely changed the game. Ramos’ form has improved in 2014, but Pepe is performing a lot better this season.

3. The debate on Arbeloa not being called for Spain’s squad is senseless –he’s simply not at that level right now. The Spartan has served decently when needed, both in his club and in the national team. Despite lacking a great technical ability, he’s always put in good performances, showing more courage and spirit of sacrifice than anyone. However, he has turned 31, and it seems clear that he’s not as fast and fit as he used to be. Vicente del Bosque has chosen wisely calling Juanfran and Cesar Azpilicueta, and if any other right-back should be contending for Spain’s right-back spot, that is Carvajal.

4. Isco can have a very important role in the team. Despite having lost his spot in the starting eleven to Angel di Maria, Isco proved in the second half against Atletico that he can bring light when Real is surrounded by darkness. The new 4-3-3 system might have made things more difficult for him to get minutes of play, but his good performance at the Vicente Calderon showed he’s the man to turn to when the team needs inspiration and impetus in attack. The season is very long, and with Los Blancos still fighting for all competitions, Isco will surely have things to say.

5. La Liga’s winner will be the most meritorious champion of the last seven years. The fight for the title hasn’t been so close since 2007, when Real lifted the trophy thanks to their best head-to-head record, after ending in a 76-points tie with Barcelona. That season, Sevilla trailed the two giants by only five points, and it seems like Atletico can even improve that this year. Although many had ruled them out after their defeat in Pamplona, their brilliant game in the derby has silenced critics. They might not have a squad as depth as those of their rivals, but none of them will beat them in intensity and sacrifice.

By -
0

Six Real Madrid young prospects have been picked for the Spanish national team squad that will face Germany tonight in a friendly match, as part of their preparation for the European Championship qualifier.

Four first squad players have been called by Julen Lopetegui: Isco, Jese Rodriguez, Daniel Carvajal and Alvaro Morata. All of them are expected to feature in the starting eleven. Two Real Madrid Castilla players have also made it in the squad: centre-back Derik Osede and goalie Fernando Pacheco, who could also be the starting keeper.

Sevilla’s left-back Alberto Moreno, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, will be in the starting line-up as well.

Thus, Lopetegui’s team to face the Germans could be the following: Pacheco; Carvajal, Amat, Gomez, Moreno; Sergi Roberto, Pardo, Isco, Muniain; Morata and Jese.

Spain attempts to defend the Under-21 European title conquered last summer. Six of the men that won that championship will be in Palencia to face Germany: Carvajal, Moreno, Isco, Morata, Muniain and Getafe’s Sarabia, who also grew-up in Real Madrid’s youth teams.

With Morata and Jese playing up front, the Spaniards are favourites to win the game as they start their way to lift their fifth European Under-21 crown in the Czech Republic in 2015.

Isco, Jese and Carvajal will also be willing to put in a good performance. Despite not being called by Vicente del Bosque in this ocassion, the three of them aspire to make it in the squad that will play Brazil’s World Cup next summer.

* Follow Alejandro Gonzalez on Twitter at @alejandrognieto

1...579580581...733Page 580 of 733

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