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Real Madrid are about to embark on their toughest week of the season to date, according to boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Los Blancos play Malaga in La Liga this weekend before welcoming Italian champions Juventus to the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday night. And they round off the week with a trip to the Nou Camp for the first El Clasico match of the league campaign

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Malaga game, Ancelotti said he was confident of having a successful week given that players are on their way back from injury, including Gareth Bale. But he admitted his side would have to be at its best to get anything from the games.

Ancelotti said: “I will give priority to those players who have not played internationals. Illara trained here and Khedira and Isco didn’t play. The players have come back without any problems. The team is ready. We are facing an important week and we are focused in order to try and win the three matches against Malaga, Juventus and Barcelona.

“I am quite self-critical with my team. We haven’t played well, but we have showed a lot of character and we have changed a lot of matches. We had a problem with our play, but we have character, personality and experience. For this reason I have confidence in the team.”

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Both Madrid sports dailies report today in their front pages that Karim Benzema could miss today’s game against Malaga due to problems in his ankle. “Morata waits for his opportunity”, As says. “The Morata alternative”, titles Marca.

Real Madrid home-grown striker could finally have the chance to start a match, after the fans have been requesting it for days.

AS main headline is “Test for Bale”. Alfredo Relano’s newspaper states Carlo Ancelotti will give the Welshman some minutes in order to test his fitness looking at the next La Liga game, which will be El Clasico against Barcelona.

The Madrid paper also reports that La Liga directors have recognised the clubs have a debt of 3600 million euros. AS claims Real Madrid’s debt is 541 million.

Marca puts their main focus today on Ancelotti’s promise of “a different Madrid”. “The Italian has promised the team will play the beautiful game the fans demand,” they publish.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s work ethic and desire to win are two of the key components that have made him into one of the best players in the world, according to Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.

The pair will go head-to-head next week in the first Clasico of the season in La Liga, and ahead of the match, Pique has been praising his former Manchester United team mate. In an interview with Spanish daily, Marca, Pique said Ronaldo’s desire to keep improving even though he is already considered by many to be the best player in the world is admirable.

He said: “He is a player that I have always admired because he is a hard worker that always wants more and more. He is a real machine and very ambitious. He never ever stops trying to improve. Some say he is the best but he still wants to get better, and for that reason I admire him.”

The defender also spoke about the importance of the famous La Masia academy that he believes has helped Barcelona catch up with Real Madrid in the last decade having seen Los Blancos dominate Spanish football in the 20th century.

Pique stated: “Barcelona have always been behind Real Madrid, but in the last 10 or 15 years we have turned the situation around. We are talking about a Real Madrid that has dominated football for 90 years and that has always been ahead of us.

“We have brought through a great crop of youngsters at the club and this has helped us to compete. Real Madrid go one year without winning a title and they spend €160 million on three players: Illarramendi, Isco and Bale. Barcelona can sign Neymar for €60 or €70 million but not three players. The day we do not have La Masia, things won’t be the same.”

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he is surprised by how big a story Gareth Bale’s start in the Spanish capital has become, with reports the Welshman has a serious back problem.

The Spanish press claimed earlier this week that the Welshman faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a slipped disc in his back which needs operating on.

But the 24-year-old summer signing returned to full training this week and is set to play in some part in his side’s match against Malaga at the weekend. And Ancelotti said Bale’s only problem is a lack of match fitness because didn’t take part in a full pre-season programme, meaning he is playing catch up now.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ancelotti said: “It was a surprise as it is not the truth. Bale does not have a problem – it is just that he did not do a good pre-season and is not fully fit.

“If he had a slipped disc he could not have played over 100 games in the last four seasons. His problem is just the pre-season, but he is training well and he is available, maybe for the full game or part of the game. I want to give him some minutes tomorrow as he needs to play.”

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Manchester United, Juventus and Monaco are on on the trail of Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao, according to reports in the UK press.

The Daily Star claimed the three clubs could all make their move in January for the unsettled Portuguese defender. David Moyes’ side was close to agreeing a loan deal on the final day of the transfer window in the summer, but the move collapsed when it became apparent Los Blancos couldn’t sign a replacement in time, so he remained at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But Coentrao, who signed for Real in 2011 in a 30 million euro deal from Benfica, remains keen on a move away from the Spanish capital. He is currently the second choice left back behind Brazil international Marcelo and has also had his share of off field problems, with questions raised about his lifestyle having caught out smoking under former manager Jose Mourinho.

Juventus and Monaco are willing to match Real Madrid’s asking price, while Moyes is understood to be keen to return for the defender having given up hope of signing his preferred option of Leighton Baines from his former club Everton.

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Marca highlights today in their front page yesterday’s words by Iker Casillas. “If in three months this situation hasn’t changed, I might tell you that I’m considering leaving,” the goalkeeper said.

“He could go,” titles Marca, together with a picture of the first day Casillas was picked for a first team squad in 1997. They publish a summary of Real Madrid’s captain career at the club: arrived at 9 years old, picked for the first team at 16, started his first game at 18, and faces “the dilemma of his live” at 32.

The most sold Spanish newspaper also publishes Gerard Pique’s statement on Cristiano Ronaldo. “I admire Ronaldo, he always wants more and he’s an adding machine,” Barcelona’s defender said yesterday.

As also publishes Casillas’ words in a corner of their front page, but their main headline is for Carlo Ancelotti, who claimed “Real Madrid can’t play worse.” The Italian affirmed that is the reason why he’s sure the team is going to improve in the next matches.

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Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando Hierro has claimed Raphael Varane is the best defender in the world.

The young French centre back made a huge impression for Los Blancos last season, playing a key role in the side that went all the way to the final of the Copa del Rey. But injury curtailed his campaign and he has just returned from a five-month lay off.

So impressive was Varane last year that he kept more experienced players such as Pepe out of the team,  something the Portuguese defender didn’t like, prompting an angry war of words with former boss Jose Mourinho.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Hierro said Varane has an incredible understanding of the game for someone of just 20 years in age.

He said: “There is no central defender in the world like Varane. For his age, his understanding of the game is amazing. He has the maturity of somebody who has been playing for 20 years.”

Hierro, who spent 14 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and is still a crowd favourite, also spoke about Iker Casillas and the never-ending debate on who should start in goal for the team.

“Anyone who thinks Iker will be happy on the bench is wrong, He needs to be loved and the club should declare their faith in him publicly,” he stated.

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has given a juicy interview to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera in which he admits his team “will improve” because they “can’t play worse”. The coach was very self-critical regarding Real’s performance:

I’ve tried to change things, such as having more posesion, but it takes time to adapt to changes. We haven’t played well and the problem is worse because Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have won all their matches. We have to play better, the fans are demanding it and they are right. I think we’ll do better in the next games, if only because it’s imposible to play worse than we did against Elche and Levante”.

Regarding the debate surrounding Gareth Bale and his injuries, Ancelotti showed optimism:

His only problem is that he hasn’t had a pre-season. He’s taken advantage of the international games break and he’s fit again, so he will get back to playing. Are 100 million euros too much money? It can seem they are, but the market is like that. Plus, Real Madrid have deposited a lot of money in sales.”

When asked about the goalkeepers situation at Real, Ancelotti tried to explain his decision of benching Iker Casillas in the league:

Rotating goalkeepers isn’t normal, but the situation at Madrid is special. We have two great goalies, one with less experience and another one who is an icon of Real and Spanish football. Diego started his preparation for the season before Iker and that is why I chose him. After that I decided to give Casillas the chance of playing the Champions League because he’s still very reliable.”

Los Merengues’ boss also spoke about the controversy surrounding the hiring of his son and his future son-in-law as part of the team’s staff. “All managers want to have competent and trustworthy people surrounding them. My son is both, and regarding the nutritionist, I’m not to blame for him being engaged to my daughter,” he said.

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Real Madrid are having a shaky start to their La Liga campaign so far, and have already been left with little room for manoeuvre due to the fact Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have won all eight matches to date. However, despite their unconvincing game, Los Blancos sit only five points behind the Azulgranas and Colchoneros. So don’t be surprised if they manage to take the lead before Christmas. These are the five crucial dates that can help Real reach that objective:

1. October 19th. Osasuna-Barcelona: 
El Sadar has been a difficult place for Barcelona in their last visits. There is always a special atmosphere when either Real Madrid or Barca pay a visit to Pamplona. The crowd roars and the players are encouraged by their supporters. Last season, the Azulgranas avoided a loss with two goals in the last minutes. It was a very controversial 1-2 win, since the first goal should had been disallowed for an offside. The previous season Osasuna beat the Catalonians 3-2, and one year before they had also lost 1-2 in a very close game. With the Rojillos in good shape since the arrival of their new coach Javi Gracia, Barcelona could be in trouble.

2. October 26th. Barcelona-Real Madrid:
The first Clasico of the season will be a crucial event to test Los Merengues’ title credentials. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have a difficult challenge at Camp Nou, where their arch-rivals feel very comfortable. Nevertheless, they can go into it with optimism taking a look at their last two visits: last season’s 1-3 victory in the Copa del Rey semifinals and a 2-2 draw in La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo have been especially inspired against the Azulgrana and his goals could be decisive to secure a victory that would completely end the rumours of crisis at Bernabeu.

3. November 10th. Villarreal-Atletico Madrid:
Unbeaten Atletico Madrid will face a difficult challenge at Villarreal, where the hosts haven’t lost a single match so far this season. In fact, they only dropped points against Real Madrid, with a 2-2 draw. The Amarillos are playing beautifully and they’ll take advantage of the fact that the fans are close to the players, creating an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. Diego Simeone’s men will have one of their toughest clashes in Castellon.

4. December 1st. Athletic Bilbao-Barcelona:
Barcelona’s first visit to the new San Mames isn’t likely to be pleasant. The Azulgranas have only picked one victory in their last four trips to Bilbao, and this season Athletic has turned into one of the league’s revelations with a number of quality signings, such as Benat and Mikel Rico. No team has yet beat them at their new stadium, with only Valencia being able to steal a point in a 2-2 draw.

5. December 15th. Barcelona-Villarreal and Atletico Madrid-Valencia:
Villarreal have great memories of their matches against Barcelona since they first got promoted to the first division in 1998. In their first league confrontation against the Azulgranas, that humble team from a small town in Castellon embarrassed one of the greatest clubs in the world with a 1-3 victory at Camp Nou. They won again in their second visit to Barcelona (1-2) and after that they consistently put the Catalans in trouble at their stadium: four more draws and one win, almost always in thrilling games. The way the Amarillos are playing this season, their next trip to Barcelona could be a repeat of the first one.

On that same date, Atletico hosts Valencia, a tough rival that has recently disappointed the Colchoneros. Last season, Simeone’s side were unable to beat the Che, picking up a 1-1 draw at Vicente Calderon and losing 2-0 at Mestalla. Since the year 2000, Valencia has defeated Atletico 11 times in La Liga, while the Rojiblancos have only earned five victories. Dropping some points in this match could allow Real Madrid to overtake their city rivals in the table.

Nevertheless, for Los Merengues to benefit from all these possible positive results, they will have to succeed in a few complicated clashes they’ll have before Christmas, such as their visits to Osasuna and Valencia. But even if they haven’t managed to come back by then, the match between Barcelona and Atletico in January will also help them add points to the board before the mid-season mark. Surely reaching the top of the table would give Ancelotti’s men the confidence to fight for all titles this season. Of course, they will have to improve their game first.

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Real Madrid and Spain’s Iker Casillas will continue to be one of the finest goalkeepers in the world for years to come, international team mate Santi Cazorla has said.

The 28-year-old told AS newspaper that despite a difficult year so far, Casillas is one of the best in his position. The World Cup winning goalkeeper was dropped in January by former Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho, and current manager Carlo Ancelotti has stuck with Diego Lopez in goal this campaign.

Although national team manager Vicente del Bosque has said his place in the squad is all but safe, he has stated the competition between Victor Valdes, Pepe Reina and Casillas is intense. Valdes started the World Cup qualifier against Belarus ahead of Casillas last Friday.

Cazorla, who played alongside Lopez in their time at Villarreal said it was a difficult choice to choose who should be the starting at Real Madrid and for Spain, but he supported Casillas to reach the top level again.

He stated: “Iker is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he has demonstrated it and will continue to do so in the future. I played with him [Lopez] at Villarreal and saw how good he was then, just like I’ve seen Casillas with the national team. Diego is an example in many aspects.

“You can only really give your opinion on it if you are inside the dressing room and I’m far away from the Madrid dressing room.”

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