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Real Madrid Celta Vigo match preview

Real Madrid host Celta Vigo knowing they cannot drop any points if they want to continue their chase of leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Both have won this weekend and have an eight point lead over Los Blancos, having played one more match.

Los Blancos are clear favourites, taking in account Celta have only earned four victories this season. Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo will face one of his favourite victims, as he has scored seven goals in four games against the Galician team.

Gareth Bale has made it in the squad for the first time since he picked up a calf knock on December 17th, but Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the Welshman might not play.

The Italian manager has also decided to rest Fabio Coentrao, despite the Portuguese is back to normal training since Friday. Raphael Varane and Sami Khedira are still sidelined due to injuries.

However, Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Luka Modric are fit to play, despite having suffered some physical problems after last week’s friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Santiago Bernabeu crowd will put special pressure on the visitors, since manager Luis Enrique in a public enemy for Los Merengues. A former Madrid player, Luis Enrique signed for Barcelona and he used to emphatically celebrate his goals when scoring against Real.

Celta’s coach will only miss centre-back Andreu Fontas, on loan from Barcelona, who has suffered a sprained ankle.

Vigo’s team come into the game after a poor run of two losses and one draw, and are in desperate need of points to avoid falling on relegation positions.

However, it seems very unlikely that they can start taking off against Real Madrid.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema.

Celta: Yoel; Mallo, Costas, Cabral, Aurtenetxe; Lopez, Oubina, Rafinha; Fernandez, Charles, Nolito.

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Real Madrid press report 06-01-2014

Madrid sports newspapers have picked the same headline for their front pages today: “This one’s for you, Eusebio.”

Portuguese football legend Eusebio passed away yesterday, and both Spanish dailies highlight the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo “wants to honour the memory of his friend and compatriot with goals” in today’s La Liga match against Celta Vigo.

“Cristiano wants to dedicate a goal to the ill-fated legend against one of his favourite rivals: he has netted seven goals in four games against Celta,” Marca points out.

“Gareth Bale will sit on the bench,” the Madrid daily highlights. Meanwhile, As emphasizes Carlo Ancelotti’s words on the Welshman: “We might wait a little longer so he is in better condition to return.”

Former Real Madrid player Luis Enrique, who is hated at the Santiago Bernabeu due to his switch to arch-rivals Barcelona, will return to Madrid as Celta’s coach. Marca publishes the manager’s words: “I know my reception will not be a celebration.”

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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has said that close friend Xabi Alonso has not been allowed to renew his contract over concerns over his physical fitness and susceptibleness to injury.

Arteta grew up with the Real Madrid midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move back to the Premier League, including Chelsea, former club Liverpool and Arteta’s current employers Arsenal.

And the Arsenal midfielder believes that if his friend is not wanted by Carlo Ancelotti, as Alonso has only made eleven appearances since returning from injury, he will receive plenty of offers for his services when his contract expires.

Arteta told Spanish newspaper Cope “I’ve known him since we were both kids. If he has any doubts about renewing his contract, I’m sure it won’t be just for sporting issues, it will be because he has concerns about being physically up to it.”

Arteta added “He is a very noble guy. I am sure that he has looked at it from every possible angle and he will have his decision clear in his mind. Over here (England), there are a lot of teams interested in him, he could take his pick.”

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Raphael Varane has said in his Facebook account that he’s been “working hard in the last two weeks” to recover from his knee problems.

“I hope to be 100 per cent fit soon to return to competition with Real Madrid,” the Frenchman wrote on his wall.

Varane underwent a meniscus surgery at the end of last season, but his knee hasn’t completely recovered. He’s been suffering from inflammation after the games, and Real’s doctors have decided to rest him.

Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti said in a press conference that Varane “will return to normal training in two weeks if everything goes as expected.”

The club’s personal trainers “are putting more weight on his knee and it’s improving,” Ancelotti told the reporters.

The French international could return to action at the end of January, against Granada or Athletic Bilbao. If his knee becomes inflamed again, he would have to enter the operating room again.

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Robert Lewandowski will not play for Real Madrid, despite reports linking him with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of the Polish striker. Lewandowski will join Pep Guardiola’s club in July, when his contract with Borussia Dortmund expires.

The forward has signed a five-year deal with the reigning Champions League holders, and he’ll become the second Borussia player to move to Munich in less than one year, after Mario Gotze’s transfer last summer.

Bayern Munich announced the deal in their official Twitter account: “Official: #FCBayern have signed Robert Lewandowski (25)! The striker has signed a 5-year contract until 2019.”

Thus, Real Madrid will have to look for another player if they want to reinforce the striker position next summer. Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata are the only pure number 9s at the moment, and the youngster is expected to leave on loan next season in order to get more minutes of play.

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero seem like the most likely options, despite both having recently agreed a contract extension with their clubs.

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Madrid press report 05-01-14

Spanish sports daily As claims today that Carlo Ancelotti has not decided yet whether Gareth Bale will return to Real Madrid’s line-up in tomorrow’s game against Celta Vigo.

“Bale conundrum,” they title. “The Welshman trained with his teammates for the second consecutive day,” As reports.

“Ancelotti will announce today his decision on Bale’s return,” they claim.

The other main Spanish sports newspaper, Marca, puts its focus on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the Santiago Bernabeu. “The reencounter,” they title.

“The Portuguese will return to the Bernabeu tomorrow after two months,” they point out.

Both papers highlight Atletico Madrid’s 0-1 victory over Malaga, pointing out the Colchoneros sit at the top of the table now with 49 points.

“Atleti make it tough for Barcelona and Real Madrid”, Marca states. “2014’s leader,” As titles.

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Inter Milan are interested in signing Real Madrid star youngster Jese Rodriguez, according to French website Le10sport.

According to reports, the Italian club will make a bid to bring the Canary Island-born this month, and if they don’t reach an agreement, they will go back to Madrid next summer for a second attempt.

The 20-year-old has lead Los Blancos in their last victories against Valencia and Paris Saint-Germain, and many European clubs have put their eyes on him.

Apparently, the new owner of Inter, Indonesian millionaire Erick Thohir, wants to create a stronger team signing world-class stars, and he has made Jese’s transfer one of his priorities.

However, it seems almost impossible that Jese would agree to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, and Real Madrid directors will be reluctant to let their most promising young player go.

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Gareth Bale and Fabio Coentrao are back to regular training with Real Madrid after having recovered sufficiently from their injuries.

The Welshman, who has been sidelined since December 17th due to a knock to his calf, could make his return in next Monday’s La Liga clash against Celta Vigo.

After missing the last two games, Bale, who has already suffered three minor injuries this season, could send Angel di Maria back to the bench against Celta. The Argentinian had been rumoured to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in January, but his good performances as Bale’s replacement made him chance his mind, according to reports.

Coentrao, who has been out since November, also completed his first full training session with his team mates. The Portuguese had sprained his ankle during Portugal’s game against Sweden.

Meanwhile, Luka Modric and Alvaro Arbeloa stayed on the gym due to physical problems after Thursday’s 0-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. They both are expected to be fully recovered to face Celta.

Raphael Varane and Sami Khedira are still working to get fit. The Frenchman should make his return in the next few days.

Iker Casillas also missed the training session, as he was given permission to stay at the hospital with his partner Sara Carbonero, who has just given birth to the couple’s first child.

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Cristiano Ronaldo is to receive one of the most prestigious awards in the Portuguese honours system.

The 28-year-old will be made Grand Officer, an accolade awarded to those who “render outstanding services to Portugal”.

The Portugal captain, who is already an Officer of the Order of Prince Henry, became his nations all-time joint record goal scorer in November.

He also went third on the nations all time appearance list, notching an impressive 109 caps, and is up for the 2013 Ballon d’Or.

A statement on the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic website revealed: “The President of the Republic will award Cristiano Ronaldo, football player and captain of the national soccer team, with the grade of Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator.

“The decision of President Cavaco Silva aims to distinguish this internationally renowned sportsperson who has been a worldwide symbol of Portugal.

“Thus contributing towards the country’s international image, and an example of perseverance for the new generations.”

Ronaldo will receive the award at a ceremony in Lisbon on Tuesday.

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Former Spain and Real Madrid player Raul has told the club’s official website that it will be a special play-off for him when the team face German side Schalke, where he played for two seasons.

The Real Madrid legend and all-time club top goalscorer has told his former team that they must be wary of the opposition in the Champions League round of 16 and ensure they do not take them for granted.

The Los Blancos great had a short spell in Gelsenkirchen after departing the Spanish capital and has told Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti that the German team will “fight right to the end”.

Raul said: “It’s going to be a special for me. It’s great for Schalke and I’m really happy that my [former] team-mates and the fans will get the chance to experience this.

“Real Madrid are a better team than Schalke, although they have a good team as well, but you have to be careful with German teams because they fight right to the end.”

By the first leg of the tie, which takes places next month, Schalke will hope to be boosted by the return of Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The Dutch striker has been given the all-clear to make his comeback after a knee injury suffered early in the season.

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