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Real Madrid captains Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have warned of Champions League rivals Schalke 04’s strength in an interview with Real Madrid official website.

The goalkeeper believes the Germans “are very strong physically and play well on the break”.

The 31-year-old stated it will be important to play the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu: “We have that advantage, but we’ll go to Germany to win and try to go through to the next round.”

“They might not be one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but we will have to play very professionally and respect the other team. We hope to go through to the next round,” Casillas added.

Ramos also emphasized Schalke “are dangerous on the break”. “They are not as famous as others, but it will be a tough game against a team who have deserved to qualify for this stage,” he said.

The 27-year-old centre-back highlighted the benefits of playing the second leg at home. Ramos affirmed “that helps, but German clubs defend very well and are organized”.

“We’re looking forward to the game because it’s a competition that we really love. Like all Real Madrid fans, we’re hoping to go as far as possible in the competition and we’ll take this game seriously and respect our opponents,” Ramos concluded.

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An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t hide his joy nearing the opening of his CR7 Museum in his home town of Funchal, Portugal.

The 29-year-old donated more than 55 objects to contribute to an exhibition aimed towards celebrating the midfielders career so far.

Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueno, Director of Football, Miguel Pardeza and teammate Pepe accompanied the player on a special visit to the Museum.

Ronaldo told Real Madrid TV: “It’s really wonderful and a source of pride and excitement. I’m happy, excited and thrilled.

“I hope to win many more titles and trophies. I’ll always have a place for the Décima. Hopefully it’s this year”.

The Museum holds a special meaning to the number 7, who feels proud to see his career go noticed in the place he grew up.

“It’s a chance for everyone who likes Cristiano Ronaldo to get to know me better: my fans and the people of Madeira where I grew up and where I spent my childhood.” He said.

“It’s really wonderful and a source of pride and excitement.”

The Museum, that displays 26 signed hat-trick balls, opens on the 17th December.

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Real Madrid Institutional Relationships Director Emilio Butragueno has stated Schalke 04 will be a tricky rival for Los Blancos in the Last 16 round of the Champions League.

The former Los Blancos striker represented the club at the UEFA Champions League draw in Nyon, and he attended the media after the event.

“We’ve always struggled against German teams, so we’ll have to be careful,” he told Spanish TV channel Canal+.

In a reference to Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez past in the German club, Butragueno said “we could surely call him for some advice, but I’m sure our technical staff will prepare the match pretty well.”

The first leg will be played in February, and Butragueno believes “the team will improve” after showing a worse game last weekend against Osasuna.

“I’ve seen them get better every game, but it is true that in Pamplona everything turned against us,” he concluded.

This will be the first time Schalke 04 and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League. Los Blancos have played in Germany 25 times, earning only one victory. It was in the 2000-2001 season, against Bayer Leverkusen.

The last two years Los Merengues have been knocked-out in the semifinals of the Champions League by a German side: Bayern Munich in 2012 and Borussia Dortmund last season.

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Real Madrid Schalke 04 Champions League draw

Real Madrid will face Schalke 04 in the Last 16 round of the UEFA Champions League.

Los Blancos have learned their next rival in their way to conquer La Decima after UEFA today held the first knockout round in Nyon.

As group winners, Madrid will play the first leg of their tie away and the secong leg at home. The first matches will be played on February 18, 19, 25 and 26 while the second legs are scheduled for March 11, 12, 18 and 19.

Former Real Madrid player Luis Figo opened the balls that paired Real and the Germans. His pick prevented Los Merengues from facing more dangerous teams such as Manchester City and Arsenal.

Schalke are struggling in the Bundesliga this season, as they sit sixth in the table trailing Bayern Munich for a 17-point difference.

The Germans finished second in the group E of the Champions League first stage. They were emphatically beaten by Chelsea with a double 3-0, but they benefited from the other rivals’ weakness, leaving Basel and Steaua Bucaresti out.

19-year-old promising midfielder Julian Draxler will face the team he’s been strongly linked to in recent months.

Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez will watch these two games with an especial interest, since his two former sides will face off.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will play Manchester City in a difficult test for the Azulgranas, while Atletico Madrid will face Milan. The other knock-out pairings are Olympiacos-Manchester United, Galatasaray-Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen-Paris Saint Germain, Arsenal-Bayern Munich and Zenit-Borussia Dortmund.

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Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said he is not concerned about who his side is drawn against in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Los Blancos topped their group after winning five of their six matches, and set a new club record of 20 goals – to stand alongside Barcelona (2011) and Manchester United (1998) as the the joint highest scorers in the group stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new goalscoring record though, with his nine goals in the six matches taking him above the likes of Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Hernan Crespo, and Filippo Inzaghi, who had all scored eight in previous years. PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic also scored eight in the group stage this year.

Los Blancos, who are chasing their Decima (10th) European Cup crown, could face any one of seven teams in the next stage. These include the likes of Manchester City, who they faced at the group stage last year, and Arsenal, the only English club to win at the Santiago Bernabeu (in 2006), and where Mesut Ozil now plays his football. Other teams they could face Bayern Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Schalke, Zenit, or AC Milan.

But speaking to journalists, Italian boss Ancelotti said he is unconcerned about the opponents and that Madrid can beat anyone on their day.

“It isn’t that important because the round of 16 is always difficult and any team can make it tough for you. There are teams with different levels of quality: some more dangerous than others, but there are no easy matches,” he stated.

 

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Real Madrid press report 16-12-13

Madrid sports newspapers emphasize today the fact that the Champions League last 16 round draw will take place today, and they both agree Real Madrid most difficult rivals could be Manchester City and Arsenal.

“The danger comes from the Premier League,” titles Marca, claiming “City and Arsenal are the worst rivals Real, Barcelona and Atletico could get.”

“Spanish teams seek to avoid Manchester City and Arsenal,” titles As. The other possible rivals for Los Blancos are Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Zenit, Milan and Schalke 04.

As also publishes Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest statements on the Ballon d’Or. “I’m analysing with the club whether to attend the event or not,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marca main story in their front page is a complaint on the referees’ mistakes that have harmed Real Madrid. “Ramos and Madrid are sick of the referees treat,” they state.

“The centre-back feels harassed, while the club directors think there’s a double standard for Los Blancos and Barcelona,” Marca points out.

The Madrid daily reports that Los Merengues will appeal to the Discipline Committee and “they believe Ramos’ second yellow card against Osasuna will be nullified.”

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Carlo Ancelotti has given an update on the various transfer rumours emerging in the press ahead of the January window opening.

Much of the talk this week has focused on Angel di Maria who has been linked with a number of clubs, the latest being French club Monaco. Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea are also believed to be interested in signing the Argentine winger, while his former club Benfica is also said to be an option.

But speaking to journalists, Ancelotti said he has no intention of selling the 25-year-old. “”I talked with him because I did not hear the press conference in Copenhagen. He hasn’t been to knock on my door and so he is happy.”

He also gave an update on Xabi Alonso’s situation and stated he does not want the midfielder to leave the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid are keen to keep hold of the 32-year-old Spain international, but from January he will be able to talk to other clubs about a free transfer as he has just six months remaining on his deal in the Spanish capital. Former club Liverpool and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are thought be leading the chase for the star.

“I spoke with him just to let him know that everyone wants him stay with us, but he is the one who has to make the right decision for himself,” Ancelotti said.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez has claimed decisions by referee Carlos Clos Gomez changed the course of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium.

Clos Gomez received criticism after sending off Los Blancos defender Sergio Ramos and failing to award the team a penalty for a foul on Luka Modric.

“Things were influenced by the referees’ decisions. A penalty and then sending off a centre back changes a game and especially at this ground. When the score is against you, it’s hard to come back from there,” the Spaniard said.

“They tell me that one of the cards shown to Ramos wasn’t even a foul, and what I did see clearly was the penalty on Modric. Sergio made two fouls and they weren’t brutal. They were just the typical fouls you make fighting the ball,” he added.

Madrid were 2-0 down when Sergio Ramos was sent off just before half-time, but an Isco goal a minute later gave the visitors hope, and Los Blancos were eventually rewarded with a goal from Pepe ten minutes from the end.

Lopez told the media: “We had some very clear chances to go ahead but then a lot of things went against us and that made it very complicated. In the second half, when it was 2-1 and we had ten men, we fought for the game until the end.”

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Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti coach has dismissed reports that Monaco’s Radamel Falcao and Los Blancos were linked since he doesn’t believe the striker is right for his team.

“I don’t think at the moment Falcao would be the right player for us,” Ancelotti said.

The Colombia international is discarded because of a thigh injury. The ex-player of Atletico Madrid, who last season was transferred for 60 million euros, may be heading out of the Ligue 1 club according to speculation in recent weeks.

“He is a great player but at the moment we are very happy with the strikers that we have as they are scoring a lot of goals,” Ancelotti said regarding reports merging Los Merengues with a January move for the 27-year-old. In the 14 matches that he played, Falcao had only scored nine goals. He has not played since November 24th.

Real Madrid played Osasuna on Saturday and ended with a 2-2 draw, sitting now five points behind Liga BBVA leaders Barcelona.

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Real Madrid press report 15-12-13

Madrid press highlights today the crucial role that referees played yesterday in helping Barcelona increase their La Liga lead to five points.

“The referees made the difference,” As titles, claiming “Clos Gomez stole Real Madrid a penalty and sent Sergio Ramos off, while Iglesias Villanueva gave Barca an easy penalty.”

As emphasizes Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match reactions, stating “Ramos red card is difficult to understand.”

Meanwhile, Spain’s most sold newspaper, Marca, claims “Madrid dropped two points due to a disastrous refereeing.”

“Clos didn’t concede a clear penalty to Modric and unfairly sent Ramos off,” they add.

Marca publishes Diego Lopez statements about their draw against Osasuna: “The referee has changed the game.”

“It makes you cry,” is Marca’s main headline. The draw at El Sadar not only leaves Los Blancos trailing five points to Barcelona in the table, furthermore it leaves Ancelotti with only one centre-back to face Valencia next week, since Ramos and Pepe will be sidelined due to suspension unless the Refereeing Committee nullifies any of their yellow cards.

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