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With Raphael Varane getting to the end of his injury recovery and Pepe far from his best state of shape, there is no doubt that the leader in Real Madrid’s defence is Sergio Ramos. However, that was not the case one year ago, as September 18th will mark the date when Jose Mourinho punished Ramos by banishing him to the bench despite his good performances.

At the time, Los Blancos were passing through a delicate moment, since they have only got one victory in the first four games of La Liga, suffering two losses and one draw.

The last defeat against Sevilla was very painful for Madrid players. Especially because of Mourinho’s words after the match, criticising his players harshly and even declaring that, if it was allowed, he would have made seven substitutions.

These words didn’t please Ramos, who didn’t hesitate in answering in a press conference that the players were not the only ones to blame for Real’s disappointing start. “I always say that we are all to blame, from the first one to the last one. When we win, we all win, and when we lose, it’s the same”, he declared.

Mourinho didn’t like Ramos’ frankness and he left the Andalucian on the bench in the following clash: Real Madrid’s debut in the Champions League against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos won 3-2 with a last minute goal. Ramos didn’t play a single minute.

In the next game, the Spanish international returned to the starting eleven, and he wouldn’t leave it for the rest of the season, despite that ‘punishment’ he received in Manchester City’s visit to Madrid.

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Medical tests have revealed that Iker Casillas has “a rib contusion” and didn’t suffer any serious injury after colliding with Sergio Ramos in the first minute of last night’s Champions League Real Madrid win over Galatasaray.

Real Madrid’s captain started his first official game in nine months, but came off in the 14th minute after the collision with Ramos. Diego Lopez replaced him and had a good performance.

The club’s staff feared Casillas could have a fracture, but a CAT scan has revealed it is only a contusion. Thus, Real Madrid’s captain could be back to work in just a week.

Real’s manager Carlo Ancelotti expects the goalkeeper to be back “in three or four days”. The 32-year-old will be ready to play the next Champions League game against Copenhagen, since the coach has decided Casillas will play the European competition while Diego Lopez will start in the league.

Iker Casillas had played his last official game for Real Madrid last January against Valencia, after Alvaro Arbeloa’s kick caused him a fracture hand. Once he was fit again, Jose Mourinho had signed Diego Lopez, who had taken the starting goalkeeper spot. The Galician’s excellent form has displaced Casillas to the bench again this season.

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Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema has express his delight at Los Blancos’ impressive win over Galatasaray in their opening match in the group stages of the Champions League.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men demolished the Turkish outfit 6-1 in Istanbul – the same stadium where they lost they lost the first leg of the quarter final in last season’s Champions League, just six months ago.

A hat trick from Cristiano Ronaldo – now the fourth highest scorer in the Champions League with 53 goals – along with a brace from Benzema and an Isco strike saw off the Turks in emphatic fashion. The only downside to the evening was an injury to Iker Casillas, making his first competitive start in nine months, but having to be replaced after just 15 minutes.

Speaking to the Real Madrid website after the match, Benzema said the win was as a result of great teamwork. He said: “I felt very good but the most important thing today was winning away from home. We had a great match to start off the Champions League with a win. It is very important for us to win away from home. I work hard to be able to play matches like this and we are happy with the three points.”

He added that he is looking forward to playing infront of the Santiago Bernabeu supporters as he appreciated the Real Madrid fans. Despite continued rumours he may leave the club, Benzema insisted he was very happy.  “I’m good. It was a difficult moment but I will try to change that quickly. Everything is fine, I am very happy at the club, and I work hard to be able to play matches like this,” he stated.

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AS, the second most sold Spanish sports newspaper, highlights today in its front page the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a record 206 in 204 games, thanks to his hat-trick in yesterday’s Real Madrid 1-6 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League opener.

No Real Madrid player has ever had that ratio. “He even surpasses Leo Messi as the Champions League top scorer in away games, with 28 goals”, As points out.

Meanwhile, Marca’s main headline in their front page is “What a festival!”. The most sold Spanish newspaper emphasizes that “Cristiano celebrated his contract renewal with a hat-trick, while Benzema cleared the doubts about his state of shape scoring two goals”.

“Isco played a great game and opened the box with a brilliant goal”, Marca reports. “Carlo Ancelotti made an excellent debut with Real Madrid in the Champions League”, they argue.

Both Madrid sports dailies also highlight Iker Casillas injury. “The good luck abandons Casillas”, titles As. “He came off injured in the 15th minute”, they add. “Iker got injured in a collision with Ramos, but made a brilliant save before leaving”, says Marca.

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The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane will help Gareth Bale become a better player at Real Madrid, the Welshman has said.

The 24-year-old, who scored on his debut for the club, arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in a 91 million euro deal – one of the most expensive transfers in history.

And he believes his switch to the Spanish capital will make him a more complete player due to the type of players and coaches he has around him.

Speaking to beIN Sport, Bale said: “Cristiano’s the most complete player and I’m going to train with him, play with him and learn from the best. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me Cristiano is the best in the world.

“The only way to improve is by having a great coach and a great technical team. Of course you’re going to become a better player in conditions like this working with Zidane.”

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Real Madrid began their quest for their 10th Champions League win with an impressive win over Galatasaray in Instanbul, but the main talking point was the injury to Iker Casillas, who came off just 15 minutes into his first competitive game for Los Blancos in nine months.

The World Cup winner, and Los Blancos captain, has played second fiddle to Diego Lopez since January, with Carlo Ancelotti following Jose Mourinho in preferring the former Villarreal keeper between the sticks.

Earlier this week the Italian confirmed Casillas would be the number one for the Champions League and Copa del Rey, but the 31-year-old lasted just 15 minutes at the Ali Sami Yen stadium. The keeper sustained an injury to his ribs after an innocuous elbow by team mate Sergio Ramos. After receiving treatment on the field, the decision was taken to replace him.

Los Blancos had started the game on the back foot, with former Real winger Wesley Sneijder and Ivorian forward Didier Drogba providing a threat for the home side. But summer signing Isco enhanced his repuation as one of Europe’s finest young talents with a goal on the half hour mark to put the visitors ahead. Controlling a long ball, he held off a challenge, raced into the area and hit a low shot past the keeper the went in off the post.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men extended their lead after the break when French striker Karim Benzema continued his good form in front of goal, finishing off neat play by Angel di Maria. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Galatasaray, usually so formidable at home, and Real took full advantage of the situation.

Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from signing a 17 million euro a year deal, proved his continued value by scored his 204th and 205th goal for Real Madrid in the space of three minutes to give Madrid an unassailable lead and secure the three points, before Benzema grabbed his second of the night with seven minutes remaining. Umut Bulut netted a consolation for the home side, but it was too little, too late, before Ronaldo finished the scoring but completing his hat trick in the final minute.

On a sidenote, Gareth Bale continued his introduction to the team, making his Champions League debut for Real, coming off the bench on the hour mark in place of Isco.

 

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Real Madrid’s 12th attempt to conquer La Decima begins at Istambul, where they’ll find a hostile environment against Galatasaray.

Los Blancos beat the Turkish side in last year’s Champions League quarter final with an aggregate 5-2, and Galatasaray are hoping to take their revenge.

Carlo Ancelotti will miss Xabi Alonso, Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao once again. However, he could bring Alvaro Arbeloa back into the side after missing the last La Liga’s game against Villarreal when he suffered a last minute injury.

The Spanish international could start at the left-back, leaving Daniel Carvajal his spot on the right-back. Isco and Gareth Bale will make their debut in the Champions League with Los Merengues, while Asier Illarramendi could also have his first appearance in this competition. Bale, however, could start from the bench.

The main news is the return of Iker Casillas to the starting line-up in an official Real Madrid match. The last one was nine months ago, when he suffered a fractured hand during a game against Valencia. Ancelotti has revealed that Real’s captain will be the starter in the Champions League.

Galatasaray struggling in the league

Fatih Terim’s side are struggling in the beginning of the Turkish league. Galatasaray have drawn their last three games, and sit in mid-table with only six points from four matches.

The Lions main problem until now has been playing their three stars together: Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder and Burak Yilmaz. Whenever Terim has lined-up the three at the same time, his team has suffered problems in defence.

Los Blancos are obviously the stronger side on paper, and with Ronaldo on a run of 21 goals in his last 19 Champions League appearances, Galatasaray face a tough challenge in pursuing a win.

Yet the Turks are a formidable outfit at home, where they have lost only two of their last 14 European games.

Possible line-ups:

Galatasaray: Muslera; Balta, Kaya, Chedjou, Eboue; Inan, Melo, Colak; Snejder; Yilmaz, Drogba.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Carvajal; Khedira, Modric; Ronaldo, Isco, Di Maria; Benzema.

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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has said tonight’s Champions League match against Galatasaray will be a test of character for his team.

Los Blancos return to the Ali Sami Yen stadium where they lost the first leg in the quarter final of last year’s competition before ensuring qualification to the semi final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With the likes of Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Eboue, and former Real player Wesley Sneijder among their ranks, Ancelotti warned his players it will be a difficult game.

“We’ll need skill and courage because we’re playing in an atmosphere that helps the home team a lot. We’ll come out to win and it will be a really good test to demonstrate the team’s character. It’s the most important competition in the world and everyone wants to win it,” he said.

The Italian also spoke for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo signed his new deal at the club, and he claimed the news has given everyone a boost.

He said: “It’s great news for madridistas because Real Madrid will have the most important player in the world for years to come. Cristiano Ronaldo will be more motivated because of it. I hope that his performance is the same as in past years. The goal is to play well, win and improve the quality of the game.”

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Madrid sport newspapers highlight today the fact that Iker Casillas will play his first official match with Real Madrid as a starter goalkeeper in nine months.

Los Blancos’ captain will replace Diego Lopez in the Champions League kick off against Galatasaray, at Istanbul. “Casillas returns”, titles As.

The Madrid daily claims that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will start again as the second forward line men. “Sneijder and Drogba are Galatasaray’s main threat”, they say.

Marca’s main headline is “Chosen for glory”, pointing out that “Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid begins the 12th attempt to conquer La Decima”.

“The Turkish hell will be the first stage”, they publish.

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Real Madrid playmaker Isco is confident Los Blancos have what it takes for the club to win its tenth Champions League – the coveted Decima.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men begin their campaign with a tricky trip to Galatasaray, where they lost the first leg of the quarter final last season before overcoming the Turkish team at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid haven’t made the final of the competition in more than a decade, and Isco, a summer signing from Malaga, said it is about time they put that right.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, he said: :It is important to start well, with a win and we will try to do that.

“We all know that in the Champions League we have a beautiful challenge ahead. Winning Number Ten is a dream. We have a good enough team to win it. We are going to work very hard to achieve this objective.”

But he admitted their match at the Ali Sami Yen stadium would be tough, and the whole team would have to work hard to get anything from the game.

“At their ground, with their fans and the atmosphere it is much harder. We know what we will be up against. They have great players up front and they are dangerous, but we will play our way,” he stated.

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