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Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is a shock candidate to take over the Santiago Bernabeu hotseat should Carlo Ancelotti be fired at the end of the season.

In a somewhat peculiar report by Spanish website El Confidencial, the 41 year old Argentine, capped 20 times by his country, is on a three man shortlist drawn up by Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez in case Ancelotti’s services are dispensed of at the end of the season.

The other two believed to be the list are Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde, who directed his side to a 1-1 draw against ten man Real, and current Real Madrid director of football Zinedine Zidane.

However Pochettino would be a big surprise appointment for Los Blancos, as for any critic would look at the fact he has only managed two clubs, both not in European competition and nowhere near the size of Real.

That would be very harsh on the Murphy-born manager though, who enjoys a growing reputation as a boss, having dealt with high amounts of debt and departures of key men at Espanyol, before keeping Southampton up and leading them to a top half place so far, allthewhile earning plaudits for his trademark high pressing style.

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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down suggestions that Gareth Bale has suffered a recurrence of his calf injury after he left the Welshman out of his side for the Copa del Rey win over Atletico Madrid.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea boss Ancelotti insists the 24-year-old was merely being rested before this weekend’s La Liga clash against Villarreal at the Bernabeu.

Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to be the subject of many World Cup bets to be the top scorer in Brazil, will miss the match against the fifth-placed Yellow Submarine as he will be serving the first game of a three-match suspension.

His absence will open the way for Bale to return to the team, with Ancelotti confirming: “There is no relapse, (Bale) is fine and I just preferred to rest him for Saturday seeing as Cristiano cannot play.

“Gareth being fresh will be good. He’ll probably play.”

Former Southampton and Tottenham star Bale has not played since being substituted at half-time in Real’s 2-0 La Liga victory over Granada on 25th January, and has missed the last three matches in all competitions.

Bale has struggled with a succession of minor injuries since moving to the Spanish capital last summer, although he has managed to find the net eight times in 11 starts and three substitute appearances for Real so far this season, including a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory against Valladolid in November.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has warned that Real are not yet in the final of the Copa del Rey despite beating Atletico 3-0 in the first leg of their semi-finals thanks to two own goals by Emiliano Insua and Miranda, and Jese Rodriguez’s strike.

“It’s a good result,” Ancelotti added. “The match was really good but we have to be careful because there is another match on the way at Vicente Calderon.”

(Article provided by Chris Peters, with thanks)

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The fall out from the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg continues in the press this morning with plenty of coverage in both Marca and AS of the game still.

One of those who impressed on Wednesday night was young forward Jese Rodriguez, and his performances this season seem to have caught the eye of none other than national team boss Vicente del Bosque. Both Marca and AS lead with quotes of his on their front pages today in which he suggests the 21-year-old could get a call up to the Spain squad for the World Cup.

Speaking at a medical conference in Madrid, del Bosque was asked about a number of fringe players in his thoughts for the tournament in June and whether there were any who could make a late surge and play their way into the team. He responded by saying: “All of the players who we have been looking at and who have been playing well are potential candidates for the national team. I don’t like to single out any one player in particular or mention any names but in general, a number of players have the possibility of being called up and Jesé is amongst them.”

Elsewhere, Pepe and Ramos have said they would like to be rested for the second leg of the semi final as a booking for either of them would mean they miss the final, should Madrid make it.

And finally, the referee caught up in the furore over Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card at Athletic Bilbao last weekend has been given a month off duty by the Spanish FA.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players the Copa del Rey semi-final isn’t over yet, despite the thumping 3-0 win over city rivals Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos take the big lead to the Vicente Calderon next week thanks to goals from Pepe, Jese and Angel di Maria. But the Italian urged his players not to be complacent and allow Los Rojiblancos back into the tie.

“The result is very good and the match was too, but we have to be careful. We have to do the same in the second leg, but it will not be easy because Atlético Madrid will do their best to turn things around. We have to prepare well for the match, like we did for tonight’s,” he told journalists at a press conference after the game.

Ancelotti expressed his delight at the way in which his team played, and for beating a side that had lost to twice in a row at the Bernabeu. Speaking about the Copa del Rey match compared with the La Liga clash, which Atletico won 1-0 back in September, the Italian stated: “A lot has changed, we are playing more naturally, the team is more compact and playing together better. The players have been working very hard and today they had a good match. The loss in La Liga hurt us and we had the awareness to do things better this time.”

The manager also confirmed Gareth Bale will be available for selection against Villarreal at the weekend and had just been rested for the Copa del Rey game as he will need to step up and cover the absence of Ronaldo in the next three La Liga games. Speaking about the Portuguese’ suspension, Ancelotti stated: “No one is happy about it. Not being able to play for three matches is not normal. That is why we appealed. It would be normal for him to have the suspension reduced because three matches for what he did is not normal.”

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Real Madrid is a club whose signings strategy is often criticised. There is no doubt that spending a combined 97 million euros on Kaka and Jonathan Woodgate was an expensive mistake, moreover after both left the club almost for free.

It’s undeniable that Los Blancos have wasted a lot of money in bringing players whose market price has significantly devalued at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, there are many other cases of footballers whose value has increased as their game has grown while playing for Los Merengues.

Here are the members of the current squad whose current value -according to TransferMarkt.com– is higher than the price Real Madrid paid for them. The total potential profit on these players would be 106 million euros:

real-madrid-infographic-players-value

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE THE INFOGRAPHIC IN FULL SIZE

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Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueño has said the 3-0 win over Atletico de Madrid in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final was the team’s best match of the season to date.

Goals from Jese, Pepe and Angel di Maria (although the latter two came via huge deflections) easily saw off Los Blancos’ city rivals and ensured revenge for the final heatbreak of last May, when Diego Simeone’s men triumphed over Real.

On the day he celebrated the 30 year anniversary since his own debut for the historic club, Butragueño said it was the best match he had seen the team play this season. Now the club’s Director of Institutional Relations, he added that he could think of no better way to mark his own landmark by winning in the Madrid derby.

“It was a really important day, not in my career, but in my life, and I’ve been able to celebrate today feeling even happier because the team has played an outstanding game. The players have given us a sensational match. Atlético had just one attempt on goal and that was from a set-piece. They’ve been amazing”, he enthused.

Butragueño added: “It has definitely been their best game as a group, with an attitude of solidarity coming from everyone, against a team that knows how it needs to play. The players have kept their heads in a very hard-fought and intense game and the team was up to the job.”

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Real Madrid might join the fight to sign 20-year-old Tenerife’s promise Ayoze Perez next summer, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

The young forward hasn’t renewed his contract with his hometown club, since Tenerife cannot reach the conditions the player is requesting. Both Ayoze and his agent know that there are many European clubs interested in signing him, so they won’t settle for a small deal to stay in the Canary Islands.

Thus, the club has reportedly broken negotiations, paving the way for the youngster to leave next summer. Real Madrid, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Schalke 04 are the most likely destinations for Ayoze at the moment.

Since the player doesn’t have a professional contract yet, Tenerife will probably be forced to sell him for a small amount next summer, and Los Blancos could try to take advantage of it.

Ayoze is a talented forward who is having a terrific season in the Spanish second division. Last year, with Tenerife’s reserves team, he scored 14 goals in 38 appearances, and this season he has become a guaranteed starter for the first squad.

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Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has said he will always give his very best for the team whenever he steps out onto the pitch.

The Argentine scored Madrid’s third goal in Los Blancos’ 3-0 win over Atletico de Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu. The win exorcised the ghosts of last season’s final when Real, managed by Jose Mourinho, slipped to a 2-1 defeat to their city rivals. Barring a disaster in the second leg next week, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be in their third Copa del Rey final in four years.

Di Maria spoke to journalists after the game and expressed his delight at the win. He also stated how happy he was to hear the crowd chant his name – just a month after he was booed by the home support for what they considered a below par performance. He then landed himself in hot water for making an apparent rude gesture towards them.

But after his goal and the win over Atletico, he vowed to always wear the shirt with pride. “I am very happy with the ovation that the crowd gave me and I keep showing them I’m giving my all for this shirt. The goal was a bit lucky but the important thing is that things keep going well,” he said.

And the winger praised the team for the overall performance against Diego Simeone’s men. He said: “We did a great job. We did what we’ve been working on in training; pressing up front and giving one hundred percent. We are happy because we got the result that we wanted. We knew that their game is all about intensity and running, and we had to do the same or more than them. We did a great job and we still have to do a good job in their stadium.”

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Jubilation for the Madridista half of the Spanish capital this morning after the 3-0 semi-final first leg win for Real Madrid over city rivals Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last night.

Goals from Pepe, Jese and di Maria sealed the win and ensure Carlo Ancelotti’s men have one foot in the final. Barring a disastrous second-leg, it looks likely to be a Real Madrid vs Barcelona final – with the Catalans beating Real Sociedad 2-0 last night.

Marca and AS both go for the revenge angle in their coverage today, with Los Blancos making up for the Copa del Rey final last May and the 1-0 home defeat to Los Ronjiblancos back in September.

There is also a focus on some of the darker aspects during last night’s match. Pepe was caught on camera laughing at Diego Costa as the Atletico picked up a yellow card, meaning he is suspended for the return leg next week. There are also images in the papers of Alvaro Arbeloa stamping on Costa, for which he could easily have seen red for his actions.

Finally, a word for Jese, the young forward making huge inroads at the Santiago Bernabeu. His goal last night means has has now scored against Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia and Atletico de Madrid this season – a sure sign he is a man for the big occasion.

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Real Madrid took revenge for last year’s defeat in the Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid by emphatically beating their city rivals in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Youngster Jese Rodriguez, who started thanks to Gareth Bale’s injury, lead his team in a fantastic match from the home side. Los Blancos were in total control at all moment, and they had chances to earn an even better result. Nevertheless, with a 3-0 victory, Real have one foot in the final.

The first half was very intense, with a tremendous battle between Diego Costa and Real’s defenders, who constantly tried to make the Brazilian lose his cool and pick up a yellow card that would get him out of the second leg.

Madrid dominated possession during most part of the game. Luka Modric was superb in organizing the attacks and a brilliant Jese was constantly causing danger in the right wing.

Atleti showed their usual solid defending, but they got unlucky in a shot from 30 metres by Pepe that deflected off Emiliano Insua and ended up in the back of the net.

Los Merengues gained even more confidence after the goal and continued threatening Atletico. Modric was close to making it 2-0 as he met a high ball on the edge of the box, but Thibaut Courtois denied the Croatian’s effort.

Diego Simeone tried to get more intensity from his side bringing Cristian Rodriguez on after half-time. However, Real were in total control and got their second just before the hour mark. Courtois was taken by surprise as Jese softly poked home a brilliant assist from Di Maria.

The Santiago Bernabeu was celebrating a great match from their men, and it got even better when Diego Costa fell into Di Maria’s trap to pick up an undeserved yellow card. Pepe unsportingly laughed at the Brazilian, knowing he will miss the away leg.

Madrid got lucky again when Di Maria fired in a poor effort from more than 30 metres and his shot deflected off Joao Miranda and into the bottom corner.

It was cruel for Atletico to concede two goals that way, but it was a deserved win for Madrid, who only lost concentration in one play, just before Di Maria’s goal, as Modric cleared the ball off the line after Godin’s header.

With the visitors looking depressed after Madrid’s third goal, Ronaldo had a couple of chances to completely seal Los Blancos qualification for the final.

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