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Athletic Bilbao Real Madrid betting preview

Real Madrid visit the new San Mames for the first time this evening to take on high-flying Athletic Bilbao in what is always a passionate and fierce encounter.

The Basque outfit have a formidable record in their new stadium, which is located next door to their former home, and lies on the banks of the river in the heart of the city.

With nine wins from 11 home games in La Liga this season, it is a tough task for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. But Los Blancos are also in a rich vein of form, winning their last 11 matches in all competitions, and not conceded a goal in their last eight games.

For that reason, the visitors go into the game as 4/6 favourites to come away with the three points. But Los Leones look a decent bet to at 7/2.

Despite Madrid’s impressive clean-sheet run, the betting markets lean towards this match seeing plenty of goals, with odds of 2/5 that both teams will score. Five of Athletic’s last six games at home have seen three or more goals scored, and the odds are at 4/11 that the match will see a minimum of 2.5 goals.

Your best option many be a high scoring away win.

Follow Paul Collins on Twitter: @pabmundo

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Gareth Bale does not have any serious injury problems, according to Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The Welshman has endured a stop-start first season in the Spanish capital with various strains and niggles. After a slow start to life with Los Blancos following his transfer from Tottenham Hostpur – he missed the first few weeks of the season with a foot injury – he burst onto the scene by scoring on his debut at Villarreal.

He picked up a thigh injury in the warm up of the game against Getafe at home in September, but returned to the first team at the end of October and enjoyed his best spell as a Madrid player in November and December, forming a key part of the devastating front three alongside Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 24-year-old has missed the last four Real games, prompting fans and media alike to question the player’s long-term fitness.

But speaking to the press, Ancelotti said Bale is suffering from a minor problem and will be back in the side soon.

“He’ll train tomorrow and he’ll be ready for Wednesday. He doesn’t need another preseason, the problem he had was very small, he just needs to train and gain confidence. I’m not worried about his problems. He got injured and was out for 20 days. Then he played well and he had a small issue now, but not an injury,” he stated.

Follow Paul Collins on Twitter: @pabmundo

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said his side needs to be on top form to beat Athletic Bilbao at San Mames tonight.

Los Blancos have the chance to move two points ahead of Barcelona in La Liga after the Catalans lost at home to Valencia on Saturday afternoon, and the Italian said he wants his side to keep performing as they did in January.

But Los Leones will be a tough nut to crack. Despite their defeat to Atletico de Madrid in the Copa del Rey during the week, they remain unbeaten in La Liga at their new home, having won nine of their eleven fixtures there to date. Only Valencia and Elche emerged with a point – even champions Barcelona were defeated there.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of the match, Ancelotti said: “Athletic are a great team, I like how they’re playing because they’re a dangerous team that plays really dynamic football. Valverde is doing a fantastic job. We’ll have to do our best. They’re an energetic team that gives their all. We’ve won a lot of matches in January and tomorrow we have to give 100% of everything, of energy, focus and good football. Athletic are one of the teams playing the best in Spain.”

He went on to add: “They’re a strong team and they don’t need to prove it. We have a period of important games ahead. January was a really good month and if we’re able to repeat what we did in January in February we can have a really important future.”

Follow Paul Collins on Twitter: @pabmundo

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Real Madrid press report 02-02-2014

There is only one thing dominating the back pages in Spain today – the death of former national team manager Luis Aragones.

The 75-year-old, who enjoyed a career of more than 50 years in the game as a player and manager, is most famously remembered for ending Spain’s barren run at international level and guiding them to success at Euro 2008. That tournament win kicked off an historic period for Spanish football, which has seen them go on to be the first nation to win three successive international tournaments.

The won the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, followed by success again at the European Championship in 2012. Current manager, Vicente del Bosque, who has managed Real Madrid in the past, lead the tributes to Aragones, who passed away at a medical centre in Madrid.

Del Bosque said Aragones was the father figure of La Roja, and he was responsible for building the foundations to the success that followed.

Tributes also come flooding in from Real Madrid players and staff. Various players, including Sergio Ramos, posted messages on Twitter. Meanwhile, captain Iker Casillas spoke about Aragones in the press conference ahead of today’s game at Athletic Bilbao.

He said: “On behalf of the first team and the coaching staff I want to express our sincere condolences to the family of Luis Aragonés, may he rest in peace. I want to give our condolences to his family and to Spanish football, to all the teams, and especially to Atlético de Madrid.”

Asked about the impact he had on Spanish football, Casillas responded: “He was the one that changed the history of Spanish football, we all have to thank him for it. De Bosque himself was always thankful for the legacy he left. Luis made some decisions at the time and some commitments for the good of Spanish football. We have to thank him for what he gave us in 2008 because that changed everything we’ve won from there.”

Club president Florentino Perez released a statement offering his condolences to the family and friends of Luis Aragones, and to Atletico de Madrid, where he spent a large part of his career.

It read: “The loss of Luis Aragonés saddens all of us who love football. Today is a day of mourning for this sport, but it should also be day of recognition for a legendary figure who was vital towards giving us a glorious period with our Spanish national team.

Luis Aragonés always demonstrated his grand personality and overwhelming passion for football. He ennobled this sport and all Spanish fans owe him gratitude and respect.His personal and professional career was always characterized by honesty and hard work.

I would like to open my arms and extend my condolences to his friends and entire family, and particularly to Atlético de Madrid, his lifelong club.”

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could launch a raid on his former club Real Madrid to sign midfielder Sami Khedira in the summer, reports have said.

Although the winter transfer window has closed, the rumour mill is never ending, and Infoticker.ch claims preparations are already being made for the summer by a number of clubs. The website said Premier League title chasers Arsenal are also keen on Khedira’s signature, and could make their move at the end of the current campaign too.

Khedira signed for Real Madrid when Mourinho was in charge of the Spanish giants, and the Portuguese remains a big fan of the 26-year-old, it is reported. Chelsea have a number of midfielders already in their squad, but the likes of Frank Lampard aren’t getting any younger, and Mourinho could see Khedira as the perfect replacement for the England veteran.

The Germany star had been a regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield earlier this season, forming a good understanding with Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric. But a cruciate ligament injury picked up during an international friendly against Italy in November ended his season prematurely, and put his participation in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil in doubt.

Should clubs be interested in signing Khedira, it is though Madrid would demand a fee of around 25 million euros.

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For the second consecutive year, Real Madrid will take part in the International Champions Cup, a summer pre-season tournament in the United States.

Although it won’t be officialy announced until next Tuesday, it has been revealed that Los Blancos will be among eight European teams taking part in the Cup.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Inter Milan, AS Roma, AC Milan and Olympiacos have also been confirmed.

The matches will be played in 12 across the US: Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Hartford, Miami, Denver, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Phoenix and Ann Arbor.

The tournament will last from July 26th to August 4th. Real Madrid is expected to face Inter Milan on the 26th at Phoenix. They’ll move to Dallas to play Roma on the 29th and they’ll meet Manchester United on August 2nd.

If Los Blancos were to reach the semifinals, they would play on August 3rd at Miami, whilst the final and the third place match will be the following day, also in Miami. However, all these dates are subject to future changes.

Real Madrid won the International Champions Cup 2013, beating Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the final.

* Follow Alejandro Gonzalez on Twitter at @alejandrognieto

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We start today with news that broke early this morning – former Spain manager Luis Aragones has died at the age of 75.

The ex-La Roja boss enjoyed a successful career as a manager, with the highlight being the Euro 2008 win with his country – a success that led to them going on to win an unprecedented three major international tournaments in a row. Although Vicente del Bosque was in charge, Aragones laid the foundations for success in the World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.

The thoughts of those at Realmadridnews.com are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Real Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao tomorrow night at the new San Mames, the first time Los Blancos will visit Los Leones’ new stadium.

The Basque outfit have a formidable record there, and only lost for the first time in any competition there on Wednesday night, where they slipped to defeat against Atletico de Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

New stadiums is the theme of the day in the Spanish press, with Marca opting for an image of what the new Santiago Bernabeu will look like on its front cover. Club president Florentino Perez announced the companies in charge of the make-over at a presentation on Friday afternoon in which the designs were revealed.

And Marca says when the work is complete, Real Madrid will be moving into not just a new century, but a new galaxy, with their futuristic stadium.

Elsewhere, Jese will start for Real Madrid tomorrow, the first time he has started a La Liga game for Real Madrid this season. To date, he has made 12 appearances, all from the bench. But with Gareth Bale still out injured, the youngster will be thrown in at the deep end, with San Mames a notoriously tough place to go.

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new bernabeu

Real Madrid aim to have the “best stadium in the world” according to club president Florentino Perez, after he revealed the identity of the companies chosen to revamp the stadium.

At a press conference on Friday, the Real chief revealed German architect firm GMP will lead the resign of the iconic stadium, along with L-35 and Ribas and RIbas. The stadium expansion, which reports say will start at the end of the current campaign, will cost 400 million euros.

Designs for the stadium were revealed at the announcement, and the work includes a new exterior being build, along with a retractable roof being added. It is thought the stadium would be completed in three years.

Funding for the project would come via two main sources – selling the stadium naming rights, with Coca Cola and Microsoft already reported to be interested parties. Such a move would almost certainly ensure Real Madrid would top the football money league for the foreseeable future. The club would also issue a new share order, it is believed.

Speaking at the presentation, Perez said it was time to improve the Santiago Bernabeu to ensure it is the best stadium in world football.

“It’s time to face another challenge has come, we want to make the Santiago Bernabeu is the best stadium in the world. Our commitment is to continue increasing the heritage of our club, thus gain in economic strength, so we can continue to lead in an environment of increasing competition. We believe in a project that will enhance our image, brand and city that we also feel proud of,” he said.

GMP owner, Volkwin Marg, expressed his delight at having won the tender process, and promised the company would do a great job.

“(We aim to) transform the Bernabeu into the most advanced and developed stadium of the 21st century. This building is undoubtedly the most important project of our careers,” he stated.

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Spanish media sources have claimed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is weighing up a summer move for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – currently on loan at Atletico de Madrid.

One of Diego Lopez or Iker Casillas is expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer, and Marca claims Ancelotti wants to raid his former club for the Belgian shot-stopper. Courtois has impressed in his three years on loan at the Rojiblancos, and there has been talk Diego Simeone’s side would be prepared to sell Diego Costa to Chelsea and keep the 21-year-old goalie on a full-time basis.

But Madrid daily, Marca, claimed a host of other clubs are interested in Courtois’ services, including the big two in La Liga. Ancelotti will want an experienced goalkeeper to come in and rival whoever stays out of Lopez and Casillas. And Catalan giants Barcelona face losing Victor Valdes in the summer, so need a top-class replacement.

Courtois has yet to be given a first team opportunity at Stamford Bridge, with long-serving keeper Petr Cech proving to be immovable between the sticks. In his three seasons at the Vicente Calderon, Courtois has lifted the Copa del Rey, Europa League, and Supercopa.

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Real Madrid’s visit to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday will be one of the most attractive clashes of the weekend in European football. Carlo Ancelotti expects to see Gareth Bale perfectly fit for this match, since the Welshman already missed the previous league game against the Basques and was sidelined due to injury last Tuesday against Espanyol.

However, Bale already knows what if feels like to face Athletic and defeating them. On August 6th 2011, Tottenham Hotspur hosted the Leones in a friendly match at White Hart Lane, where Bale was playing at that time.

Athletic controlled the game in the first half. The Basques, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, earned a 0-1 lead thanks to a goal by defender Mikel San Jose. However, in the second half Spurs put Bale on -he had started from the bench- and the Welshman completely changed the game.

Bale assisted Peter Crouch to equalise in the third minute of the second half. Minutes later, Jermain Defoe sealed the hosts come-back picking-up the follow-up after Gorka Iraizoz’s save.

That 2-1 loss was the first defeat of Bielsa as Athletic’s boss. Luka Modric also featured in that game, who could also repeat next Saturday that victory they earned against the Basque team in 2011.

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