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Real Madrid press report 13-12-13

World Soccer magazine has awarded Cristiano Ronaldo the Best Player of the Year trophy, as reported by Spanish sports newspaper As in its front page.

“Ronaldo beat Leo Messi by 149 votes,” the Madrid daily points out.

As also claims “Real Madrid have ensured Ronaldo will attend the Ballon d’Or event” despite rumours saying he wouldn’t travel to Zurich and the footballer claiming he didn’t know what to do.

Meanwhile, the other main Spanish sports paper, Marca, publishes today a special report about Manchester City Spaniards Jesus Navas, David Silva and former Real Madrid players Javi Garcia and Alvaro Negredo.

“They don’t want to play against Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the last 16 round of the Champions League,” Marca highlights.

The most sold Spanish newspaper also publishes a statistical report about Los Blancos improvement in terms of possession. “They’ve win the possession of the ball in 19 of their 22 matches,” Marca emphasizes. “Carlo Ancelotti changes the style of the team,” they argue.

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Real Madrid are willing to offer 59 million euros plus Angel di Maria or Sami Khedira to bring Wayne Rooney next summer to the Santiago Bernabeu, according to a ridiculous rumour made up by Caughtoffside.com.

The British website claims Carlo Ancelotti has asked Los Blancos directors to make a significant bid for Manchester United’s striker, as he thinks the England international would be a perfect fit for his forward line, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Rooney was linked to a Real Madrid move last summer, when Los Merengues were reportedly looking for a number 9. Reports told at that time that Florentino Perez was considering a 39 million euros bid for the Red Devils’ star.

It seems completely illogical that five months later, Real’s president was to double that bid and include a player worth at least 30 million euros in the deal.

Paying 89 million for a player about to turn 29 years old and with only one year to run on his contract is totally nonsense. Either the lack of real news or a false leak from United to increase their player’s value could be the only logical explanation to this piece of news.

The Red Devils are willing to extend Rooney’s contract for a further four years, but the team’s poor performance since the arrival of David Moyes might leave the striker considering a transfer.

If Rooney decided to leave, United would try to earn a decent amount of money next summer rather than letting him go one year later for free. Rumours like this could be just a trick to increase the striker’s market price.

Rooney has been a guaranteed starter under David Moyes management, scoring ten goals and providing ten assists in 20 appearances so far this season.

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Real Madrid’s straightforward win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night saw Luka Modric become the 12th Los Blancos player to get himself on the scoresheet this season.

The Croatian playermaker, who signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012, scored a beautiful finish from 20 yards out to give the visitors the lead in Denmark. It was his first of the season, and Madrid’s 19th in the Champions League group stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo has grabbed the most headlines so far this season with his goalscoring record. His second half effort on Tuesday was his 26th for the club in La Liga and Europe this season, a remarkable record, and his best start to a season in a Madrid shirt. Despite a slow start to season in which some sections of the Madrid faithful booed him, French striker Kaim Benzema is next on the list of top scorers for the club this year, having notched up double figures already with 10 goals in all competitions.

Making up the top three is Gareth Bale – the final third of the BBC front three – Bale, Benzema and Cristiano. Since his 91-million-euro switch from Premier League side Spurs, he has netted nine times, including a hat trick against Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

One of Madrid’s main other summer signings, Isco has found the back of the net seven times, despite finding himself in and out of the side at times. Other players to resgister a goal for Carlo Ancelotti’s troops so far this campaign are Di Maria (4), and Morata (2). Pepe, Sami Khedira, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jese Rodruiguez and Sergio Ramos all have one goal apiece.

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Real Madrid have not made any contact with Real Sociedad about trying to sign defender Iñigo Martínez, the Basque club’s president has said.

Jokin Aperribay said there was no indication the Santiago Bernabeu club wanted to sign him, and no contact had been made about a bid or to inquire about the player’s availability. The claims are in contrast to sporting director Lorenzo Juarros, also known as Loren, who earlier this week said there were indications from the Spanish capital that Martinez was on the radar.

Speaking to journalists about the transfer speculation, Aperribay stated: “Madrid have not enquired to us about Inigo Martinez. So I hope that it is just a rumour and that he will continue with us for next season. My desire is that no player will leave La Real because what we are trying to do is find a team and maintain a structure.”

He added that his aim was to strengthen the playing squad rather than sell key members of the team so they can push on and compete for European places in La Liga.

Los Blancos are on the lookout for a central defender with doubts over Raphael Varane’s long term injury problems and Pepe now into his 30’s. Martinez, a classy centre back, made his debut for Spain earlier this year. He has also attracted the interest of La Liga champions Barcelona.

 

 

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Real Madrid playmaker Isco has expressed his happiness to be at club and says he is comfortable with his role in the team.

The 21-year-old, a 25-million-euro summer signing from Malaga, has experienced a season of mixed fortunes so far since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He got off to a blistering start to the campaign, scoring one and setting up another on his debut, and chipped in with five goals early on. But he found himself out of the team following the return to fitness of Gareth Bale, and the superb form of the Welshman and his attacking partners Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

There was talk in certain sections of the Spanish press that Isco was unhappy at the club and would seek a move if his first team opportunities did not improve. But the Spain Under-21 star has impressed on his last two outings for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and says he is happy with how he is progressing.

Speaking to journalists after the 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen, Isco said: “All players have ups and downs. I feel better, happy, comfortable and available for the coach. I have always worked the same, but there were teammates that were doing better I guess.”

He admitted the match in Denmark had been a tough one, and the side was pleased to come away with the three points.

“Every match is important. We are Real Madrid and we have to win on any pitch. This time we won on a pitch that was tough to play on and that was not in the best condition. The team did well and we got the win. We are playing good football and conceding very few goals, which is important because we’re always going to score with the power we have up front,” he stated.

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Real Madrid press report 12-12-13

Madrid sports newspapers bring to their front pages the latest rumours on Xabi Alonso’s contract renewal negotiations, but they make totally different statements.

As claims “the player has renounced the ten-million bonus and the club wants to close the deal now.”

However, Marca states “there’s pessimism inside the club because of the midfielder’s lack of determination.”

The most sold Spanish newspaper reports “Alonso’s contract extension negotiations have entered a decisive phase” and point out that the Basque “wants a good economic offer but also a guaranteed total commitment.”

Both newspapers also emphasize the fact that Real Madrid already knows their possible rivals for the last 16 round of the Champions League, once the group stage has concluded.

Los Blancos could face Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Arsenal, Zenit, Milan or Schalke 04. Citizens and Gunners are clearly the most dangerous sides.

The draw will will be made on Monday December 16th in Nyon, Switzerland.

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Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s current crop of players go into the club history books having scored the most goals in the Champions League group stage.

Ronaldo’s strike, the final goal of the evening, was Madrid’s 20th in the six group stage matches, a rate of more than three a game. It meant the class of 2013/14 beat the record set in the 2011/12 season, when Los Blancos racked up 19 goals in the group stage. The next best figure in the list is 17, scored in the 1998/99 season.

As well as setting a new club record for the amount of goals scored in the group stage, they also join Manchester United and Barcelona as the teams who have scored the most, in 1998 and 2011 respectively.

Los Merengues started this season’s European adventure with a thumping 6-1 over Galatasaray in Istanbul. They then defeated FC Copenhagen 4-0 at the Bernabeu, before the back-to-back fixtures with Juventus which ended 2-1 to the nine-time European Cup winners at home, and 2-2 in Turin. Another big win was recorded against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu, 4-1, before Tuesday’s 2-0 victory in Denmark.

Cristiano Ronaldo set a new record for individual goalscoring exploits, accounting for almost half of Los Blancos’ goals. His nine strikes means he broke the previous record of eight in the group stages held by the likes of Ruud van Nistlerooy, Filippo Inzaghi and Hernan Crespo.

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Real Madrid left back Marcelo has said the team is progressing well under manager Carlo Ancelotti following an unconvincing start to the season that left some questioning the Italian’s tactics.

Los Blancos came in for criticism after drawing with newly-promoted Villarreal and securing a late win over lowly Elche in La Liga, but the lowest point came following the confusing and tepid display in the loss to Barcelona at the Nou Camp in October.

Since then however, Real have been in outstanding form, and have closed the gap on the La Liga leaders to just three points. They also secured top spot in their Champions League group while all the time playing an attractive brand of free flowing football.

Speaking to the UEFA website after the 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen, Marcelo said progress had been made in recent weeks, with the team finding the right balance between attack and defense.

“Over the past five or six matches we have really improved. We are much better now. Of course, there are always things we can improve, but we are much better now than we were just a few matches ago,” the Brazilian stated.

“We are playing well at the moment and our aim is to win every match and continue to show Real Madrid in a favourable light.The guys up front put a lot of pressure on opponents, and that gives us defenders more space and more potential to relax,” he added.

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Raphael Varane could be set to entering the operation room once again to treat his knee problems. The Frenchman had surgery at the end of last season and made his return in October.

However, he’s suffered knee inflammation after several games, and Los Blancos doctors have decided to rest him at least until January.

Carlo Ancelotti told the press a few days ago that Varane wouldn’t need more surgery. “He just needs to rest,” the Italian stated.

Nevertheless, after three weeks resting, the injury is not improving as doctors expected, and Varane’s options to go under the knife for a second time are increasing.

Spanish sports TV show Punto Pelota claimed yesterday there is an intense debate among the club and Varane’s advisors. While Real Madrid doctors prefer a conservative treatment, the Frenchman’s close people are urging Los Blancos to opt for the surgery, so Varane can be perfectly fit to play the World Cup next summer.

According to digital newspaper ElConfidencial.com Varane would just need an arthroscopy to clean his knee, and he would be ready to make a return in less than two months. Thus, if he was to enter the operation room now, he would be back to playing by February.

Real Madrid are treating this problem very carefully, since they see Varane as a centre-back for the future, and a cartilage injury like this one could end any player’s career.

In the next few days the club doctors and technical staff are expected to make a final decision. If the 21-year-old’s knee doesn’t get better, surgery will be the most probable choice.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has said his main aim is to win trophies with Real Madrid rather than break individual goalscoring records, after he wrote himself into the history books again last night in his side’s 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen.

The 28-year-old became the first player to score nine goals in the group stage of the tournament, overtaking players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Filippo Inzaghi, who had the previous record of eight.

But speaking afterwards, he said although he was happy to score, his main focus in on winning silverware for the Santiago Bernabeu club.

“I feel good and I want to enjoy this moment. I wanted to score today, as I always do. All goals are important for the team to win and it was special today because of breaking the record. But I am not thinking about the records. The main aim is to win trophies,” Ronaldo stated.

Having spent the last two weeks out with a thigh injury, the Portugal international admitted he was still not at his best. Worryingly for defenders across La Liga, the forward said he has plenty of room for improvement.

He said: “I’m gradually getting there. Because of being out for two weeks it took me a while to get up to pace. I played pretty well, not my best, but I helped the team with a goal and I created several dangerous chances. I’m very happy.”

 

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