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Real Madrid boss has hailed his side’s defensive record after Los Blancos secured their ninth consecutive win to move top of La Liga on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema grabbed a goal each as Madrid ran out 2-0 winners over Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Ancelotti picked out central defensive pairing Pepe and Sergio Ramos for their outstanding performances so far in 2014.

Speaking at his press conference after the game, Ancelotti was asked about his team’s defensive stability. And the Italian responded expressing his delight.

“I like it, but you forget that I won three cups in preseason, although the most important one was the European Cup. The record is very good, I have to thank all the players because they are focused on recovering the ball right now. Ramos and Pepe have been perfect in 2014, but everyone has worked hard to get this record,” he stated.

The Italian boss also spoke about the current state of affairs at the top of the league. And in an ominous sign for Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, Ancelotti feels there is still more to come from his team.

“Tonight we will sleep better than the other Saturday, much calmer. We will keep fighting. Playing every match and preparing well is not straightforward. The first half showed that the team are not in top physical condition. To always play at a high intensity is not easy, but all of the players are making a big sacrifice and are doing very well,” he said.

 

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Real Madrid are top of the league – for a day at least – following a hard fought win over Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Second half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were enough to see off the Andalucian side, and crank the pressure up on Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, both of whom play tomorrow evening. Another clean-sheet for Carlo Ancelotti’s men means they have also equaled the club record for the number of consecutive shut outs – seven. And they will break the record should they keep Espanyol at bay in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter final match on Tuesday.

Ahead of the match, Portugal forward Ronaldo displayed his Ballon d’Or award which he won at a glitzy ceremony in Switzerland two weeks ago. But the first half here in Madrid was less than glamorous, perhaps as a result of Los Blancos having played so many games in such a short space of time this year.

The opening period saw three chances of note. Sergio Ramos headed over with the goal gaping in the opening minutes as Granada’s goalkeeper went AWOL. Midway through first half, Karim Benzema volleyed just wide after Marcelo had sent in an inviting cross. And right before the break, Ronaldo tried a spectacular bicycle kick but keeper Roberto pulled off a great save just as it looked like the ball would fly into the net.

Madrid upped their game after the break, and just before the hour mark, had the lead. Luka Modric carried the ball forward from midfield and laid it on for Ronaldo who swiveled and sent a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net. It was the 28-year-old’s 22nd league goal and 40th overall in another remarkable campaign so far.

With 15 minutes to go Karim Benzema wrapped up the points for the hosts when he finished a nice move and pass from Marcelo. Los Blancos made some changes in the final few minute as they ran the clock down, knowing that they will sleep easily tonight, top of La Liga.

 

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Granada may be in for a shock today at the Santiago Bernabeu when they come up against a Real Madrid team that will be motivated knowing a win will take them top of the league.

Los Blancos will move above Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid for 24 hours at least, with the other two in action on Sunday.  Although it may only be temporary, it would be a huge lift for the players, knowing they’d have turned around a five point deficit into a two point lead in just three weeks.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men come into the fixture in fine form having won six out of six so far in 2014, and conceding no goals along the way. Another clean sheet today would equal the club record seven shut-outs set in the 1994/95 season.

Granada have suffered heavy defeats on their last two visits to the Spanish capital, losing 5-1 and 3-0. With just 19 goals in 20 matches in La Liga so far, it is hard to see them getting out of today’s fixture despite the fact they have lost just three times away from home so far this campaign. Of the seven victories they have notched up in the league this season, four have come on their travels.

In terms of team news, Sami Khedira remains a long-term absentee. Other than that, Ancelotti has a full squad to pick from, but will likely stick with the side that beat Betis so convincingly.

Tiago Ilori, the central defender who signed on loan from Liverpool this week, could make his debut for Granada.

Probable line-ups:

 

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Real Madrid are aiming for a number of targets this weekend when they take on Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Firstly, they could go top of the league, albeit for just a day, should they beat the Andalucian side, as Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid don’t play until tomorrow. Secondly, they will look to equal the club record of seven successive clean sheets – set almost 20 years ago.

Last time out in la Liga, Los Blancos destroyed Real Betis 5-0. The bookies have little doubt as to will win this encounter today, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men overwhelming favourites at 7/100. Granada, who sit comfortably in midtable, can be found at 25/1 for the win while a draw is priced at 9/1.

There are rarely many attractive options when backing Madrid at home to win, so delving into the goalscorer market may be more profitable for those looking to place some money on the game. As in most matches, Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to score at odds of 11/10. It will be his first match at home since he picked up the Ballon d’Or award and with the trophy on display at the Bernabeu, he will be motivated to put on a good show for the home fans.

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Real Madrid take on Granada at home this afternoon and today’s Marca goes with the headline “Dream Land” on its front page, as a win for Los Blancos would take them top of the table – the first time in 20 months.

Madrid go into the match on the back of 11 successive victories and six clean sheets in a row, so will be confident of taking the three points. Manager Carlo Ancelotti warn of complacency at his press conference though, and urged his players to be switched on for the entire 90 minutes.

Both Marca and AS also have coverage of comments made by Zinedine Zidane, Ancelotti’s assistant at the Santiago Bernabeu. The World Cup winner with France in 1998 said he is ready to be a manager, and although he feels he still has a lot left to offer Ancelotti, he would like to become a boss sooner rather than later as it is “in his blood”.

Indeed, Ancelotti praised the work done by Zidane since they started working together last summer. “The work of Zidane is also important, because he has a lot of charisma and speaks with the midfielders and strikers. He also does important work with the younsters. But I think the head coach is doing a good job too,” he said.

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Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller has played down reports of a transfer to Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old rose to prominence four years ago at the World Cup in South Africa, where he finished the tournament as joint top-scorer. Since then, he has become a key part on Bayern’s team, and played an intergral role in their success last year when the Bavarians lifted the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League.

Speculation had suggested Muller could be subject of a bid from Los Blancos in the summer, where he would join up with compatriot Sami Khedira in the middle of the park at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Xabi Alonso having signed a new deal recently, and Asier Illarramendi waiting in the wings, Madrid have plenty of options already.

And Muller said talk of a move was absurd as he is happy at his current club, where he is coached by former Barcelona boss Pep Guariola.

Speaking to AZ, Muller stated: “Real Madrid? There has been a lot of speculation about my future in the past few weeks, months and even years. We have all seen what has come from those rumours so far.

“It’s not a bad feeling when you hear about interest from abroad.  However, at the moment there is absolutely no reason for me to leave Bayern Munich for another club.”

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has stated Los Blancos have “a great chance” as they face Granada on Saturday with the possibility of reaching the top of the table in La Liga, as leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid won’t play until Sunday.

“It would feel good to go to bed being leaders, it means we’re doing things well,” the admitted. “Leading the table for a night after having trailed Barcelona for six points could have an impact on the rest of the season,” he added.

Nevertheless, the Italian warned on Granada’s danger. “They’re doing very well, they’ve earned good results in the last games and they’re in a good state of shape. We need to be careful, because all the teams that come to the Santiago Bernabeu always try special things,” he said.

When asked about the improvement of Real Madrid’s defence -they’ve had six clean sheets so far in 2014- Ancelotti explained he “would like to think that what has improved is team work, rather that only defence.”

“After Christmas, the players are working harder for each other on the defensive side of their game and that’s positive for us. We’ve kept our good offensive level, scoring goals, and our solid defence has blocked the rivals,” he argued.

Ancelotti also revealed some of the players that will start against Granada: “Di Maria will start, he’s doing well and I’ll line-up Xabi Alonso, Modric and him again in midfield. Varane has started training normally, but he’s not in the squad because he needs to work more with the team. Carvajal will also start.”

Speaking about the right-back position, Ancelotti explained “there’s no particular reason to line-up Arbeloa or Carvajal, because I trust both and they’re both playing well.”

Regarding Isco’s lack of minutes in the last matches, Los Merengues’ boss admitted “the new system doesn’t give him many chances. He’s played as a ‘false striker’ in one game, but that’s not an appropriate solution. At this moment I’m very confident with this system, but it might change in the future.”

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Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Espanyol in the first leg of the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night was Los Blancos’ sixth consecutive match without conceding a goal, and moves them closer to breaking a club record.

The last time the 32-time La Liga winners went this long without scoring was back in the 1994/95 season, when the Whites went seven matches without conceding – something Carlo Ancelotti’s men can equal this Saturday when they take on Granada at the Santiago Bernabeu. Should they overcome that hurdle, they could break the record at home to Espanyol next week in the return leg of the Copa.

The current record was made up just league fixtures. Oviedo (2-0), Valladolid (0-5), Barcelona (5-0), Deportivo La Coruña (0-0), Celta Vigo (4-0), Real Betis (0-0) and Sevilla (2-0) were the opponents in that run of results twenty years ago.

Real Betis and Celta Vigo have featured in the current run of clean sheets for Los Blancos, along with Osasuna twice (Copa del Rey) and Espanyol twice (one La Liga, one Copa del Rey).

The fact that over the course of the past six matches Madrid’s opponents have mustered just 10 shots on target between them shows just how impressive the defensive performances have been.

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Manchester City are targeting the capture of Real Madrid shot-stopper Diego Lopez in the summer, claim reports in the Daily Mail.

The Spaniard will provide cover for first choice keeper Joe Hart and will offer some much needed competition for the number one jersey at the Etihad.

Current reserve team keeper Costel Pantilimon is expected to leave come the end of the season after failing to impress Manuel Pellegrini since the managers arrival at the club.

Lopez, who’s contract at Los Blancos runs out in June 2017, has appeared in 46 matches in all competitions since returning to the club from Seville last January.

The 32-year-old has impressed many within the game, a number of key performances kept out club favourite Iker Casillas at the Santiago Bernabau last year. In total this season, Lopez has kept seven clean sheets from 21 games, and conceded 22 goals overall. Casillas has played 11 times for Los Blancos in this campaign, keeping eight clean sheets along the way. He has broken his own club record of not conceding, which currently stands at 592 minutes.

Should the blues  sign Casillas, they know they’ll face stiff competition in the race for Pantilimon’s signature, with German giants Borussia Dortmund rumoured to be interested.

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The Collins Column

There has been more talk this week about the future of Wayne Rooney at Manchester United, with the Daily Telegraph reporting Real Madrid could look to the England forward to bolster their forward line in the summer.

Rumours of a Rooney exit from Old Trafford have rumbled on for months now. Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed at the end of last season that the 28-year-old striker had handed in  a transfer request having played second fiddle to Robin van Persie for large parts of the campaign. It was the second time he had asked to leave the club, having done so a couple of years before that, citing United’s lack of ambition in the transfer market as his reason to leave.

There would be no shortage of takers for Rooney should he leave the 20-times Premier League champions, with city rivals Manchester City, French powerhouse PSG, and German side Bayern Munich all mentioned as possible destinations.  With just 18 months to go on his current deal, and it being unlikely that he’ll lift the Premier League trophy this year, things could get interesting in the summer. Don’t forget, while Rooney may not be a champion come May, you could be a part of the Winner Betting for the Premier League 2014 – William Hill. Should Rooney decide to test himself in Spain, how would he fit into the Real Madrid side?

Madrid are known to be on the look-out for a striker, with Sergio Aguero and Falcao mentioned as possibilities too. While those two already know La Liga, and are native Spanish speakers so would find it easier to slot back into the Spanish lifestyle, Rooney could be an interesting option thanks to his on-field understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair formed a devastating partnership at Manchester United, winning numerous league titles, and the Champions League in 2008. Indeed, Ronaldo had an outstanding season in 2007-08, setting all sorts of club goal scoring records, largely thanks to Rooney’s willingness to do more defensive work to allow his strike partner to roam wherever he wanted.

Rooney is also very adaptable and could fit in anywhere along Madrid’s front line. He can play behind the frontman in a more deep lying role – something he had to do last season while van Persie was the focal point of the attack. He is equally effective playing on his own upfront, and has played on the wing in his time at Manchester United too. Such versatility would allow Ancelotti to mix up the forward line, and would give another dimension to an already potent attack.

Off the field, Rooney would have no trouble settling in at Madrid. If he did sign, he would be surrounded by familiar faces – Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso have all played in the Premier League, while assistant manager Paul Clement is another fellow English speaker who could help him settle while learning the new language and culture.

Madrid fans don’t seem so keen on a move for Rooney, and would prefer and out and out goalscorer. But the lad from Liverpool would add so many things to Madrid’s game that a bid in the summer would make sense for Los Blancos.

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