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Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the record for number of goals scored in the Champions League in a calendar year as he moved onto 14 for 2013 with his strike against Juventus on Tuesday night.

The Portuguese star cancelled out Arturo Vidal’s penalty, as he smashed in the equalizer against the Italian champions after latching onto a Karim Benzema pass to move onto eight in four Group B games this season, and has now eclipsed Lionel Messi’s record in 2012 of 12.

Ronaldo has now got 59 goals in the Champions League, and is now only behind the 65 goals of Messi and former Los Blancos icon Raul, who is on 71.

Ronaldo can also set another record for goals in the group stage, which he currently shares with Hernan Crespo, Filippo Inzaghi and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with one more goal against either Copenhagen or Galatasaray in Real’s remaining Group B fixtures.

After Ronaldo’s goal, Madrid took the lead through summer signing Gareth Bale, but a goal from Spaniard Fernando Llorente denied Real all three points.

Messi meanwhile scored a double to send Barcelona through, taking his tally for the calendar year to nine as the Catalans sealed their progress into the knockout stage, and is now only six goals off Raul’s all time record.

 

 

 

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Iker Casillas couldn’t hide his delight following Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw against Juventus in the Champions League.

Arturo Vidal netted a first half penalty before Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s second half strikes put the Los Blancos ahead.

The host’s then equalised with a late Fernando Llorente goal, but the Madrid goalkeeper said he was pleased with a point in Italy.

“I’m very happy, it’s always difficult to play in these type of games,” he told reporters.

“You have to be at your very best if the coach is to trust you. I only play once every two weeks.

“We are doing very well, 10 points out of 12 is good. Now we must improve in La Liga and try to reduce the gap with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.”

The result leaves Carlo Ancelloti’s side with 10 points from 4 games, keeping their position at the top of Group B.

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Real Madrid blog

Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti is struggling to find a reliable defensive line. In fact, Los Blancos have conceded seven goals in their last three La Liga clashes. That makes a total of 16 goals shipped so far in the first 12 games of the league, a number that they didn’t reach until the 17th date last season.

Sergio Ramos physical problems after having a busy summer with Spanish national team and Raphael Varane’s injury could be argued by many as the main causes. However, Los Merengues worst defensive performances have happened now that both and also Xabi Alonso seem completely recovered.

Ancelotti is actually having more trouble in finding a balance between the centre-backs, the full-backs and the central midfielders. While he seems to have combined all those pieces to perfectly work in attack, he hasn’t been able to harmonize that with decent defensive structure.

Real has found their best offensive game when Marcelo and Carvajal have started together as full-backs. Nevertheless, in that situation Real Madrid is often left with only the two centre-backs in defence, as both the Brazilian and the Spaniard join the attack frequently –and sometimes at the same time.

That shouldn’t be a problem if the holding midfielders covered the spots left by the two offensive defenders. However, in the last match against Rayo Vallecano, when Xabi Alonso was the only defensive midfielder, that was simply not possible.

The right-back: Arbeloa, Carvajal or Ramos?

Against Sevilla, the main problem was the lack of concentration. Alvaro Arbeloa was at fault for two of the Andalusians’ three goals, making it obvious that Carvajal is in better shape at the moment to occupy the right back position.

In the recent Champions League match in Turin, Real gave away another two goals, with Ramos playing at right-back and Pepe and Varane in the centre. The Spaniard, who had already played in that position for many years, seemed uncomfortable this time, and made several mistakes, especially in the first half.

If we agree that Carvajal and Marcelo are the best two options for the full-back spots, maybe a pair in midfield formed by Xabi Alonso and Asier Illarramendi would bring the desired balance. However, the question then would be how to fit Modric, Isco and Di Maria, since there would be only one place left in the line-up.

With so many high-quality players in the squad, have no doubt that Ancelotti will find the perfect harmony between defence and attack pretty soon.

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Gonzalo Higuain, now Napoli forward, has acknowledged that he felt uneasy with his role in his ex-club, Real Madrid.

“I constantly felt like I had to prove myself again after already showing what I was capable of a number of times before. Everything goes much better when you have the complete faith of your teammates, coach and directors,” Higuain told Cope.

The 25-year-old Argentinean has scored six times for Napoli this season in Serie A. Prior to his switch to Italy, he scored over 100 goals in La Liga with Los Merengues since his arrival in 2007.

El Pipita expressed his tough decision to leave his long-time club. “It was not an easy decision to leave Madrid. I enjoyed many years at the highest level at Madrid, but I needed a new challenge and a change of scenery.”

He is now feeling comfortable with his club and is looking forward to helping them. “I am feeling very well at Napoli now. It’s a major challenge to try and help Napoli back the heights of the past.”

 

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Ivan Campo is a former Real Madrid defender who played for Los Blancos between 1998 and 2003. The moppy-haired enforcer played an integral part in the team’s Champions League success over Valencia in 2000, and also lifted the trophy again in 2002. Campo, who also enjoyed a spell in the Premier League, lifted the La Liga title with Real in 2001. Realmadridnews.com editor Alejandro Gonzalez caught up with Campo for a chat:

How did it feel to play alongside players like Zidane, Figo or Raul?
It was a privilege, because they were world-class stars, and it gave me the chance to learn a lot from them.

How did you cope with the pressure of playing for such a big team?
When you arrive at Real Madrid you try to assimilate everything as fast as you can, because you have the pressure of winning since the first day. It makes you mentally stronger and it makes you try to learn more every day.

You won two Champions Leagues, one league, one Supercup,… Do you feel the press and the fans valued your work fairly?
Everyone has their favourite player. The press criticizes certain players when they have a bad day and support them when they play well. I always think I’ve had fun, I’ve played at the maximum level, I’ve met a lot of great people, and that is what I really value.

From your time at Real Madrid, is there any match you look back on fondly or that sticks in your mind?
There are lots: the derby against Atletico when I scored, the two Champions League finals, the legendary victory at Old Trafford… Only the fact of having played those games stays inside you forever, and I will always remember them.

You must have exchanged shirts with many players, is there any one you keep with special affection?
If you knew how many boxes I have… [he laughs]. Maybe the one I would chose over the rest is Andoni Zubizarreta’s shirt the day he retired from football in the World Cup of France 1998, for what it meant and for what he wrote on it. At that moment I noticed how wonderful and how sad football can be, because when you grow old and have to leave it, it’s really tough. I remember Zubi’s face and it hurts.

Who was the funniest character in that legendary team?
We had many: Ivan Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Guti, Alvaro Benito… The atmosphere was sensational, we had a great group, with young and experienced people, and that helped us achieved what we achieved: that people started talking again about Real Madrid as the best team in the world.

Who took the longest to get ready after the games?
That one is easy [he laughs]. There were two: Pedja Mijatovic and Fernando Redondo. They were always impeccable. They had their way of seeing those things, they took their time on the gym… They always looked their finest.

What did you think when Vicente del Bosque was fired?
I think people should be more grateful. They should have been more gentlemanly for how good Vicente was to the club and its people. I think he should have stayed more years as managers, but at that time Florentino Perez decided to fire him and maybe the way of doing it wasn’t correct. We should all thank Del Bosque and he should have exited through the main gate.

What is your opinion about the current goalkeepers’ debate in Real Madrid?
Real has two of the best goalies of the world. Iker Casillas has been the captain and the starting goalkeeper for years, and nobody can take that away from him. Now Diego Lopez is in great shape and he’s earned a starting spot. But it’s sad to see Casillas in that situation, although he has accepted it and he’s being a great team-mate. We’ll see what he decides to do if nothing changes.

What do you think about Gareth Bale price? Do you think he will succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu?
He’s a great player and I’m sure he’ll do well. As for the price, us players have nothing to do with it. We just play, and it’s the job of the presidents to negotiate the prices. If they are willing to pay those amounts, that is their problem.

Who has been your biggest influence in football?
There are two. One of them is Vicente del Bosque, because he was a very close person, he never talked with anger and that is very positive. And the other one, of course, is Sam Allardyce. After I left Madrid with all the problems I had, he helped me mentally and recovered me for football to play in a position I had never played before. I remember him as a friend, he helped me a lot.

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Carlos Tevez has been one of Juventus main threats for Real Madrid in the last two matches of the Champions League. However, very few people know that he could have played those games wearing the white shirt instead of the black and white.

The Argentinean striker was close to signing for Los Blancos in the summer of 2009. At that time, Tevez was playing at Manchester United and he had decided his days in Old Trafford had come to an end, after seeing his minutes of play significantly reduced with the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov.

Back then, Real was going through a complete renewal of the squad. Florentino Perez had just started his second period in charge as president and was willing to bring the best players of the world to beat Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Thus, after signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Raul Albiol, he thought the team needed a striker. There were three names on the table: Carlos Tevez, David Villa and Karim Benzema. However, Los Merengues finally bought the Frenchman, as they considered he would be cheaper than the Mapache and the Guaje.

That is why Tevez would finally end up moving to Manchester City for 35 million euros and a five-million a year salary. The striker admitted during his unveiling as a Citizen that he had negotiated with Real Madrid: “They made an offer, but there was no agreement. We had conversations, but in the end it was only Manchester City who showed a great interest, and they are trying to grow signing great players.”

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Real Madrid press report 6-11-13

Madrid sports newspapers emphasize today in their front pages the good performance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in yesterday’s Champions League match against Juventus.

The Portuguese and the Welshman scored Los Blancos’ goals to savage a point in Turin, showing their good state of form.

“Pure dynamite,” titles Marca, pointing out “Ronaldo is unstoppable in the European competition, having scored eight goals in four games.”

The Spanish paper claims “Casillas saved Los Blancos when Juve were having their best moment.” Marca states “Madrid played a terrible first half but solved the match in the second.”

“Qualified!” is As’ main headline. The Madrid daily states Casillas good performance and “the two thunders’ goals” were the keys of the match.

“Real reacted well after a poor first half with two great goals by Ronaldo and Bale,” they publish. “Ronaldo has scored a total 222 goals for Madrid, 100 of them away,” As reports.

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Ramon Calderon, the former president of Real Madrid, has slammed manager Carlo Ancelotti and forward Gareth Bale, claiming the are too weak to succeed in the Spanish capital.

Calderon, who was ousted by bitter rival Florentino Perez as president, said the pair do not have strong personalities to make a long lasting impression at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Speaking to Italian website Tuttosport, Calderon said former Tottenham man Bale, who was signed for a 91 million euro fee in the summer, is nowhere near the level of Cristiano Ronaldo, He went on to claim Ancelotti’s tactics are confusing and the team has no identity this season.

“Bale seems to me like the opposite of what ‘The Lion King’ Ronaldo stands for,” Calderon said. He went on to state Bale seems to be “psychologically fragile” and someone who suffers under pressure. “To play for Real, you must have nerves of steel. The pressure is bigger than at any other club in the world,” he is quoted as saying.

Calderon then moved onto the subject of Ancelotti, who was brought to the club to replace Jose Mourinho. Despite having a glittering career in Italy, England and France, Calderon said the Italian manager lacked character.

“It seems to me that Ancelotti does not have the personality and charisma to lead Real Madrid. The team have yet to play a defined, organised and homogeneous football and they concede too many goals.  Among other things, I was surprised when they told me that in the summer he turned just 54. I saw him already close to retirement,” he said.

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Real Madrid secured their qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-2 draw in Turin against Italian champions Juventus.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale scored for the visitors, and although Fernando Llorente and Arturo Vidal got on the scoresheet for the Italians, Los Blancos had Iker Casillas to thank for a number of outstanding saves to help secure the point.

In an even first half, both teams had opportunities to take the lead. Ronaldo flashed a effort inches wide of the post early on, while Gareth Bale also went close having shaken off the challenge of Martin Caceres. Gigi Buffon was on hand to save at the Welshman’s feet however.

At the other end, Iker Casillas showed that despite little playing time in recent months he is still a world class keeper. Claudio Marchisio thought he had scored on the half hour mark when he sent a Carlos Tevez cross goalbound. But the World Cup winner between the sticks for Los Blancos made an extraordinary save with his shin to turn the ball away.

The home side did take the lead however, just before half time. Paul Pogba burst into the box and was felled in a late challenge by Raphael Varane. Referee Howard Webb pointed to the spot and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal made not mistake, blasting his effort into the roof of the net for a 1-0 lead at the break.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men came out of the blocks quickest in the second half though and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Ronaldo scored his 8th goals of the Champions League campaign to date. Karim Benzema sent the Portuguese free with a lovely pass and he finished it off with a right-footed effort past Buffon.

Eight minutes later, the visitors were in front thanks to Bale. After a difficult start to life in Madrid, the 24-year-old seems to have settled down and struck a decent understanding with Ronaldo. The former Tottenham man received a pass from his fellow forward and sent the ball into the back of the net.

The lead only lasted five minutes though as Fernando Llorente, who scored at the Santiago Bernabeu two weeks ago, rose highest to head home a Caceres cross in the 65th minute to draw the Old Lady level.

Both teams tried to look for a winner with Ancelotti introducing Jese and Angel di Maria, but the game eventually petered out and the two sides settled for a draw.

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Juventus vs Real Madrid match preview

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will secure top spot in Group B if they are victorious against an in-form Juventus side in Turin tonight and Galatasaray do not win away at FC Copenhagen.

Juventus, meanwhile, who have not conceded in three matches since the loss to Real, have very different goals. They find themselves third in the group with just two points from three matches.

Since the previous match Los Blancos have also been boosted by the return to form of Karim Benzema, who has scored three in the last two matches, and to full fitness of Gareth Bale.

Bale, the summer world record signing from Tottenham Hotspur, had started slowly in his career at Real but in his last two matches has two goals and four assists as the team put seven past Sevilla and three against Rayo Vallecano.

This, coupled with Cristiano Ronaldo’s scintillating Champions League form this season – he has seven goals in three games – mean even Juventus’ powerful defence will struggle to keep them under control.

But Juve will know an improvement on their very solid performance in the away fixture, along with the added bonus of playing at home could most definitely see them walk away with a least a point.

Los Blancos are still searching for ‘La Décima’, the 10th Champions League title that has eluded them since their last victory in 2002. But as semi-finalists for the past three years, and with the summer additions of Bale, Isco and Asier Illaramendi there are few teams that will be able to prevent them leaving the Estádio da Luz with the trophy come the 24th of May.

Probable line ups:
Juventus: Buffon; Caceres, Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Pirlo; Vidal, Pogba; Marchisio, Tevez; Llorente

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric, Khedira; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema

 

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