Page 609

By -
0

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira may be subject to a move back to the Bundesliga with Borrusia Dortmund, but only if highly coveted Ilkay Gundogan moves the other way.

German news daily Bild reports that after the high profile departures of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski, who will leave on a free at the end of the season, to Bayern Munich, there may be further exits for Dortmund’s prize assets.

Gundogan, who scored from the spot for Dortmund in last season’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern in the Champions League Final, has earned rave reviews after his performances for the Black-and-Yellow, and is said to have ambitions of playing in Spain.

And if Klopp prioritises Khedira as a replacement in the midfield position, a swap deal may be agreed. Khedira would be playing alongside Nuri Sahin, who is back at the Westfalenstadion after a unsuccesful move to the Bernabeu in 2011.

Khedira is out of action after suffering a anterior cruciate ligament tear on international for Germany, and questionably could be out of not just this La Liga season, but possibly the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer, where he would likely be Die Nationalmannschaft head coach Joachim Low’s first choice holding midfielder.

By -
0

This weekend’s round of matches in La Liga mark the half way point in the season and there is plenty of talk in the main Madrid papers about who is the ‘Champion of Winter’ – the Campeon de Invieno.

The top two, Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, go head-to-head this evening in the stand out fixture, but Los Blancos face a tricky task away at Espanyol on Sunday as they seek to close the gap on the leaders.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has spoken in recent weeks about taking each game one by one, and the need for the senior players to use their experience and help the younger players around them. Marca points out that the renewal of Xabi Alonso’s contract will be key for Asier Illarramendi, who signed from Real Sociedad in the summer.

The young central midfielder has seen his path to first-team football blocked this season, but Marca says having Xabi Alonso around for another two years will help rather than hinder the player as he looks to cement his place in the Real midfield for years to come.

Away from the build up to the match there is also attention on the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony. And in a further indication that Cristiano Ronaldo will be awarded the prize, he was named as the best player in the world by newspaper Le Bateur, which carried out a vote by media representatives from 22 Arab countries.

By -
0

Real Madrid could make a winter move for Monaco star Radamel Falcao to bolster their attacking options, according to a new report.

SportsDirectNews reported that Madrid are in competition with Chelsea to lure the 27-year-old away from Monaco after only half a season in the French league.

Falcao had been a target of both giants in the summer transfer window, but he snubbed them for the newly promoted Ligue 1 side, which went on a spending spree backed by rich ownership upon returning to the top flight.

Madrid could use with another true striker — the summer sale of Gonzalo Higuain left only Karim Benzema and 21-year-old Alvaro Morata as distinguished centre forwards, and the latter has been linked with loan moves to Arsenal and Tottenham for the rest of the season.

Los Blancos originally targeted Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayan signed a contract extension in December and appears settled at Anfield. Paris Saint-Germain’s Edison Cavani is another option, but Falcao is rumoured to be unhappy at Monaco and has drawn the attention of Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Madridistas are all too familiar with the man known as “El Tigre” from the two seasons he spent at Atletico Madrid. He was part of the squad that defeated Real for the first time in 14 years to hoist the Copa del Ray trophy in May.

By -
0

Angel di Maria will not be punished by Real Madrid after he was caught on camera grabbing his crotch when substituted at the weekend against Celta Vigo in La Liga.

There has been much controversy this week about whether the action was deliberate towards the home support who had booed and jeered di Maria after he put in a below par performance. But an internal inquiry carried out concluded there was no need to punish the player.

Speaking about the incident earlier this week, di Maria, who was replaced by Gareth Bale in the match, said the action was a natural gesture as he was adjusting his shorts. He also apologised if anyone was offended.

A club statement read: “It is not possible to conclude that Di Maria was responsible for any offensive gestures and lack of respect towards the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 6 and therefore he committed no offence worthy of disciplinary action.”

Manager Carlo Ancelotti said in his press conference ahead of the side’s match with Osasuna in the Copa del Rey that the matter was storm in a teacup and that he wanted everyone to move on so the 25-year-old could focus on playing football.

By -
0

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has spoken to journalists for the first time since signing his new two-year deal at the club and said he never looked for any reason to leave the Spanish capital.

The 32-year-old was linked with a number of clubs in recent months including former side Liverpool and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. But the experienced midfielder put pen to paper on a contract extension to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2016.

Speaking to the media, Alonso, who has enjoyed a glittering career on the international stage too, said he feels at home in Madrid. “Real Madrid is the best place I could be. I feel at home here,” he stated. He added: “There was no reason to look for alternatives. There have not been any offers because I decided I wanted to be here.”

When asked about the key factors in his decision to stay, Alonso said Carlo Ancelotti had played a big role and that their relationship was key. “He was a midfielder and knows what this position means. It has been very important and I thank Ancelotti for his words and support,” he said.

Having signed the deal, Alonso said he is focusing on securing more silverware with Los Blancos. He said: “I won the Champions League with Liverpool but I want to win it with Real Madrid.”

By -
0

Young Real Madrid forward Jese has said he is learning from the very best players in the world at Real Madrid and is grateful for the advice they give him.

The 21-year-old scored Real’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the last-16 tie of the Copa del Rey. Karim Benzema grabbed the opener on a comfortable evening for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Speaking after the game, Jese said players like Cristiano Ronaldo have helped his progression this season, and added he will continue to listen to those around him to become an established player in the Spanish capital.

You have to go into every match with a lot of enthusiasm. In this team you learn something every day by playing and training with these great players. I’m happy with how I’m doing,” he said. And talking about the influence Ronaldo has had, he stated: “When he has something to tell me, it does as nicely as possible so that I learn. It is important to have confidence, good team spirit, to talk on the pitch and be together as a unit.”

Looking forward to the second leg, Jese called for his team mates to concentrate and not lose focus on the job at hand. “I would have liked the team to score another goal because taking a 2-0 lead there is dangerous. If we play with intensity and speed, I’m sure we will get a good result and get through the tie.”

By -
0

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has told his team to take nothing for granted when it comes to the second leg of the last-16 tie with Osasuna despite holding a 2-0 advantage.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Jese Rodriguez secured a comfortable win for Los Blancos on an evening on which they were rarely troubled and could have scored more at the Santiago Bernabeu. But the manager warned things may not be so easy next time out and they will need to be alert when the second leg takes place.

Speaking at the press conference after the match, Ancelotti stated: “It was a good match, better on the defensive side, without taking risks. The two centre-backs did well; they are in very good form. The team is stronger at the back and we are recovering more balls higher up the field.

“2-0 is a good result, we tried to score the third and came close. We need to go out there to play because the second leg will not be easy. It is a good result but we will not be thinking about getting a 0-0”.

The boss also had special praise for youngster Jese, who showed he can play an important part in the team as Los Blancos chase glory on the home and European front. “He played well, worked hard, scored and was involved in the match. He is an important player and is in good form and we have to enjoy that. He only came off because of a cramp.”

By -
0

Madrid eased to a comfortable 2-0 win over Osasuna in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu last night, and today’s paper have plenty of coverage of the match.

The centre of attention this morning for once is not Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale, but Jese Rodriguez, who has earned plenty of plaudits for his performance against the Navarra outfit.

The 21-year-old scored Madrid’s second goal of the night and proved why he can play an important part in the squad for the rest of the campaign as Los Blancos chase glory at home and on the continent.

The papers also mention Angel di Maria’s reception when he was announced as one of the subs. Despite being cleared by the club of any wrongdoing over an apparent gesture towards the Madrid faithful in the La Liga match against Celta Viga at the weekend, he was greeted by boos and jeers. Having long been linked with a move away from the club, a deterioration in his relationship with the fans could hasten a departure to this month with Benfica and Manchester United waiting in the wings.

Finally, the Ultras Sur, the group of supporters that sat behind the goal in the south stand but were removed by Florentino Perez in a bid to allow a more family-friendly atmosphere in the stadium managed to get into the ground for the match, this time making camp in the third tier of the north stand.

 

By -
0

Real Madrid are confident of being able to secure their place in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey after defeating Osasuna 2-0 in the first leg of the last 16 round.

The visitors fought hard during the first hour, but at the end of the game, when Real’s better physical condition prevailed, they got lucky as the hosts missed clear chances to close the tier.

Osasuna showed audacity in the first minutes of their visit to the Santiago Bernabeu. After having upset Los Blancos last month at Pamplona with a 2-2 draw in La Liga, the Rojillos were confident of repeating a feat.

The seemed to take control of the ball at the beginning of the match, and Alvaro Cejudo tested Iker Casillas from inside the box. Real’s captain claimed the winger’s effort.

The hosts took could have taken the lead when the referee conceded for a tackle on Jese. But he changed his mind and decided to book the youngster for diving.

Nevertheless, a couple of minutes later, Karim Benzema made it 1-0 after heading Luka Modric’s free kick.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men started dominating possession, but Osasuna recovered soon and had a chance to equalise as Oier sent a header wide of the post.

Jese showed his great state of shape in a brilliant play, but Alejandro Arribas came from nowhere to make a fine diving challenge and prevent Cristiano Ronaldo from sending the youngster’s cross to the back of the net.

Ronaldo could have scored again in the hour mark, but he fired his effort straight to the goalkeeper from close range. Nevertheless, one minute later, Jese made it 2-0 taking advantage of some horror defending from Osasuna.

Gareth Bale could have increased the host’s lead but his effort striked Ronaldo and dropped wide of the post. Pepe also sent a strike from 25 metres close to the post, and Alvaro Morata’s great chance was denied by Asier Riesgo in the last minutes.

Bad luck prevented the Santiago Bernabeu from seeing a goal fest, but a 2-0 win should be enough for Los Blancos to move into the next round of the Copa del Rey.

By -
0

It has been confirmed that Los Blancos midfielder Xabi Alonso will not be moving on from the club anytime soon, as he has signed a new two-year deal at the Madrid club, with an option for an extra year.

In recent games fans had been calling out for Alonso to stay as he continued to not renew his contract, but the extension, which includes a wage increase for Alonso, meaning he now earns a reported €6 million per year in the Spanish capital, will please fans, and manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The 32-year old’s contract had been due to expire at the end of the season, meaning clubs could negotiate with the player since the first of January, but the Spaniard has shunned the reported interest from Chelsea and Liverpool to continue his career in Spain.

Alonso, an experienced Spanish international will not take part in tonight’s Copa Del Rey tie against Osasuna for the club as he is sidelined with an ear problem.

He has won many honours throughout his career, including a Champions League, FA cup and Community Shield whilst at Liverpool, before moving on to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.

In Madrid he has added a La Liga title, the Spanish Supercup and the Copa Del Rey to go with his three major honours for Spain – a World Cup and two European Championships – and will be looking to add to the tally in the next few years.

1...608609610...733Page 609 of 733

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