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Italian side Inter Milan will make a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, according to reports in the UK.

The Seria A giants, a former club of one time Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, have recently been taken over by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, who is now intent on building a team that will challenge for honours at home and abroad.

And it is believed the club is keen to sign highly-rated defender Varane from Los Blancos as part of those extravagant plans. Los Blancos would be unwilling to strike a deal though, as the 20-year-old, who signed from Lens two years ago, has become an important part of Carlo Ancelotti’s set up.

Varane burst onto the scene last season, and even ousted experienced defender Pepe from the side. But a serious knee injury meant he missed the tail end of the campaign, and sat out the painful exit in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund and the Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico Madrid. He missed the early part of this season too, but has since made his comeback and has slotted back into the defence with ease.

According to reports, Inter have their eye on a number of targets, including Arsenal captain Thoman Vermaelen.

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Premier League side Manchester City will make a January move for Iker Casillas, according to reports.

The Sunday People and Sunday Mirror published stories claiming Citizens boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to bring in a world class keeper following a dramatic loss of form for his normal number one, Joe Hart. The England keeper has made a number of errors in recent months, leading to him being dropped and replaced with Romanian understudy Costel Pantilimon

With Diego Lopez installed at the number one at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casillas has limited opportunities to impress national team boss Vicente del Bosque in the final few months leading up to the World Cup in Brazil. Although he maintains he does not want to leave the club he as played for all his career, Casillas may have to leave in January if he wants to secure the number one jersey for Spain.

Pellegrini, who knows La Liga well having managed Villarreal and Malaga, also has is eye on Victor Valdes at Barcelona, whose contract runs out at the end of the current campaign. But it is thought he would prefer a move for World Cup winning captain Casillas.

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Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has played down fears that he could be out for a while by describing his substitution early in the second half against Almeria as a precaution.

The 28-year-old, who scored his 25th goal his club this season against the lowly opponents, scared Real Madrid staff and supporters alike when he came off just nine minutes into the second half with a muscle problem.

Speaking after the game, the Portuguese international, the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or following an outstanding 2013 in whiche he has scored 67 goals for club and country, said the injury was not serious.

“It was for precaution,” Ronaldo said. ”It’s nothing special. I was kicked in the first half and had the muscle a little stiff.”

Manager Carlo Ancelotti also relieved fears the star man could be set for a spell on the sidelines, saying Ronaldo will recover soon. He told reporters: “”I don’t think it’s important. He wasn’t in pain. I think he will recover soon.”

Ancelotti had to shuffle his pack yesterday thanks to a string of injuries – Sami Khedira will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while Raphael Varane, Angel di Maria, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao all sat out the game.

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Carlo Ancelotti singled out Real Madrid’s central midfielder partnership of Xabi Alonso and Asier Illarramendi for particular praise after his side’s 5-0 win over Almeria on Saturday evening.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Isco and Alvaro Morata saw off the relegation-battling hosts at the Estadio Juegos Mediterraneos and gave Los Blancos their fourth consective La Liga win, with the team having scored 20 in the process.

But speaking after the match, Ancelotti said Alonso and Illarramendi gave his side a solid platform in which to build going forward, and hailed their efforts in front of the defence too, enabling Diego Lopez to keep a clean sheet.

“I think it was a good game. It was important not to concede goals, and the whole team played well together. It’s important to have a template that the players have no difficulty playing with each other. Illarramendi and Xabi [Alonso] played very well. The team was balanced thanks to these two,” Ancelotti told reporters after the final whistle.

He added that for most of the match he was happy, but admitted they took their foot of the pedal at times. “We only lost a little control in the last 15 minutes of the first half when we played a bit slower, but those are small details. Today was a different game and I think we should be happy,” he stated.

Asked whether the Alonso and Illarramendi axis will be one supporters can expect now this season following Sami Khedira’s injury, the Italian boss said their are plenty of options he will still continue to consider and assess for each game.

“Illarramendi has worked well for two weeks and was in good condition like Isco, who also worked well. Our young players have a lot of quality. Casemiro can replace Khedira in the line-up because they share similar characteristics,” he said.

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Real Madrid press report 24-11-13

Madrid sports newspapers report today that Cristiano Ronaldo’s substitution in yesterday’s match against Almeria was just a precaution, since the Portuguese doesn’t suffer any injury.

“Cristiano scare,” titles As, together with the Portuguese’s words after the game: “It was just a kick, I went off as a precaution”, Ronaldo said.

Both Madrid dailies highlight Los Blancos’ goal fest at Almeria. “Everybody wants to be Ronaldo,” Marca titles, pointing out that Gareth Bale, Isco, Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata scored after CR7 was substituted.

As emphasizes Los Merengues “played a great game” and notes “there were seven Spaniards in the starting line-up and nine at the end of the match,” something that is very unusual at Real Madrid.

Marca also highlights the fact that “five home-grown players ended the game.”

Finally, the most sold Spanish newspaper reports that Cristiano Ronaldo equalised Hugo Sanchez goal record after scoring the 0-1 at Almeria, reaching 164 goals for Real Madrid.

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Gareth Bale has said that he is adjusting to life at Real Madrid. He senses that he has recuperated from the injury that he endured during the pre-season.

“My adaption at Real Madrid is going well,” he said at a promotional event for adidas. “I feel comfortable with my team-mates and with the team. Everyone has made me feel very welcome. Now, after my small injury, I am completely recovered.

Despite a slow start following his transfer from Tottenhsm Hotspur to Los Merengues, the Wales winger has begun to convince any doubters in Madrid.

While Bale was criticized because he was incapable of making an instant impact after his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu, he is now self-assured and leaves his fitness issue in the past.

“It is important that we achieved qualification to the next stage of the Champions League and now we are mathematically there and looking at 100 per cent in the league,” he said.

The Welsh player has mentioned the chances his country has of showing up at major finals and also deems Wales has a opportunity since the manager Chris Coleman coached the young players.

“Wales have the potential to reach the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018,” he said, “I will be watching the event in Brazil at home, but we have a lot of young talent coming through so we will see what is possible soon.”

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Real Madrid put Almeria to the sword with a 0-5 thrashing at Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium. Los Merengues showed their best offensive skills to maintain the six-point deficit with Barcelona in La Liga.

However, Almeria’s goal fest left bad news for Carlo Ancelotti, who saw his best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, came off injured early in the second half.

Almeria’s defence started the game showing a very alarming frailty. In fact, they allowed Ronaldo to shoot on target three times in the first two minutes, and the Portuguese wouldn’t miss his third attempt.

Isco sent a cross from the right and Ronaldo got ahead of defender Angel Trujillo to send the ball to the bottom left corner with the sole of his boot.

The hosts were completely disorientated, unable to bring the ball to Los Blancos half. Real were in control of the game, but an inspired Esteban prevented the visitors from sealing the victory in the first minutes.

The Spanish goalkeeper made a double save in the fifth minute, denying Ronaldo’s long-distance effort and getting up quickly to save Benzema’s rebound.

Suso and Rodri tried to lead the Andalucians reaction. The youth Liverpool player, on loan in Almeria this season, sent a curling strike wide off the post. A few minutes later, Rodri’s volley was brilliantly denied by Diego Lopez.

Ronaldo could have doubled Los Merengues lead after dribbling three defenders and shooting from inside the box, but Esteban was superb to anticipate and catch the ball.

Ancelotti’s men struggled at the end of the first half, with Aleix Vidal sending two clear shots wide off the post.

Cristiano Ronaldo injured

Ronaldo had to be replaced by Jese Rodriguez in the second half after picking up an injury. Far from weakening Real, the Canarian’s appearance brought some fresh air for Los Blancos.

Jese dribbled two defenders and assisted Benzema to make it 0-2 with a powerful strike. Almeria lost all they’re hopes of a come-back and Gareth Bale made the third after intercepting a terrible pass by Sebastian Dubarbier to his goalkeeper.

Isco’s incredible strike from 30 metres and Alvaro Morata’s delightful chip shot in a counter-attack left the hosts with an embarrassing 0-5 in the scoreboard.

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Real Madrid travel to the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos tonight to take on lowly Almeria but facing an injury crisis after the international break.

Sami Khedira was the biggest casualty, rupturing his knee ligaments in Germany’s friendly with Italy, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with a decision to make as to who should replace him – a similar place such as Asier Illarramendi or Casemiro, or a change in formation to fit Isco in.
Madrid also have problems at left-back too with Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao missing. Xabi Alonso should be fit after picking up an ankle knock with Spain, while Angel di Maria has been ruled out.

What is not in doubt will be the front three – the BBC trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano. SInce the loss in the Clasico at the end of October, they have formed a devastating attacking unit, helping the team score 15 goals in their last three league games.

Almeria took until the 11th round of matches to secure their first win of the campaign, and sit in 17th in the table. Since then they have also recorded victories over Valladollid and Osasuna, and will be hopeful of taking advantage of any weakness in Madrid’s somewhat shaky defence of late. Attacking midfielder Suso, on loan from Liverpool, has linked up well with Francisco Rodriguez, and should provide Sergio Ramos and Pepe with plenty to think about.

Probable lineups:
Almeria: Esteban, Dubarbier, Torsiglieri, Trujillo, Pellerano, Oliviera, Suso, Azeez, Verza, Vidal, Rodri

Real Madrid: Lopez, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Arbeloa, Illarra, Modric, Bale, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema

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Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has called for the international breaks to be more organised, and hit out at the Spanish FA in particular for playing two friendly matches in Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of his side’s match away at Almeria, the Italian admitted he was lucky that not many of his players picked up serious injuries – Sami Khedira apart, but that friendly matches in particular should be better organised to avoid tiredness.

“We’re lucky that there aren’t any international matches until March. It’s difficult for me to speak about this, but I don’t think the Spanish organisation was very good because the players slept three nights on the plane. That isn’t good. Barcelona has been unlucky with Valdés. Luckily, we don’t have any injured players. I think you can avoid injuries with better organisation,” he said.

He also revealed he has work to do to get a defensive unit together, with Marcelo and Coentrao already injured, and Raphael Varane being added to the list of absentees.

“We’re looking at what the problem is with Varane’s knee. His knee is inflamed after being with France and he can’t play. It’s a normal problem in players that have had this kind of injury. We need to fix it so that he’s back to full fitness,” Ancelotti said.

He also called on his players to be focused throughout the match, as any drop in concentration will be punished by Almeria. “It’s not going to be an easy match, mainly because Almería is playing well. They’ve had three wins in a row. They feel confident and motivated, and they’ve trained for this match over the last 15 days without any interruptions,” he told reporters.

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Real Madrid press report 23-11-13

Spain’s most sold sports newspaper, Marca, highlights today in its front page that Cristiano Ronaldo could overtake Hugo Sanchez in Real Madrid all-time top scorers’ rankings if he scores today against Almeria.

“Ronaldo is just one goal away from Sanchez’s mark,” Marca reports. “The Portuguese has scored 163 goals in 148 appearances, while the Mexican netted 164 in 207 matches,” they point out.

The other main Madrid sports daily, As, puts its focus today on the latest Joseph Blatter words about Cristiano Ronaldo: “He is an extraordinary commander,” he told the press trying to fix his mistake when he mocked the Portuguese a few days ago.

PRISA’s newspaper also emphasizes that Los Blancos will travel to Almeria today with “five players sidelined due to injury and the doubt of whether Asier Illarramendi or Casemiro” will replace Khedira.

Regarding the injured players, Marca also reports that Raphael Varane has suffered a relapse on his meniscus problems. “His knee forces him to stop,” the Madrid daily reports.

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