Page 715

By -
2

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria has said in an interview that he wants to stay with the club.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Los Blancos, either to big spenders Manchester City or Jose Mourinho’s new club Chelsea.

But speaking to Ole newspaper in his home country, di Maria said he sees his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I’m very happy in Madrid, I’d love to stay because I’m very happy with my teammates and with the way people treat me. The president and the new manager will decide between them what happens to me,” he stated.

He also reserved special praise for Mourinho, saying the Portugues boss made him a better player during the time they worked together.

He said: “I felt very sad when I found out he was leaving the club. When a coach like him leaves a club, it’s not nice for anyone. But he wanted to try his luck elsewhere and I wish him all the best. I’m grateful to Mourinho and I think I made a good impression on him too.”

By -
0

The Confederations Cup is set to get underway in Brazil next week and Spain continue their preparations for the tournament with a friendly against Haiti in Miami later today.

As AS uses its front page to hail the return of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, controversially dropped from the Real Madrid starting line up by former boss Jose Mourinho. “La Roja returns, Casillas returns,” screams its headline.

National team boss Vicente del Bosque is set to start the 32-year-old, and has previously said he has no concerns over his fitness or form despite his lengthy absence.

Marca uses its front page to pay tribute to Spain’s domination at Roland Garros, with Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer set to meet in the final on Sunday.

On the inside pages there is plenty dedicated to Real Madrid though – and the continuing search for a world-class striker. According to the paper, Zinedine Zidane has told Florentino Perez the search does not need to be that extensive as they already have one on their books – Karim Benzema. Marca says Zidane believes the Frenchman should lead the attack next season.

Marca also reports on Xabi Alonso’s fitness situation. The midfielder underwent an operation in Munich on Friday morning to correct a long-term groin problem. He will miss the Confederations Cup but should be fit to return to pre-season training in mid-July.

By -
0

Carlo Ancelotti would easily adapt to Real Madrid’s philosophy, according to former Italy coach Arrigo Saachi.

The current PSG boss has express his desire to leave the French champions and replace Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu and is the odds-on favourite to land the job.

Saachi said appointing Ancelotti would be a wise move as he would be able to take the club forward as they seek to challenge for honours domestically and secure the Champions League title for a 10th time – La Decima.

Speaking to Madrid sports paper AS, Saachi said: “Ancelotti’s biggest quality is his ability to adapt to his surroundings. He plays a different style of play depending on the players he has.

“A coach’s job always depends on the squad he has. It’s going to be very complicated if you don’t have the right players. Ancelotti has the ability to adapt, though. Carlo is a great person.”

By -
0

Premier League side Everton may make a move for young Real Madrid winger Denis Cheryshev, according to media reports.

The 22-year-old, currently taking part in the European Under-21 Championships with Russia, was subject of a bid from the Toffees back in November last year, but Jose Mourinho told former Everton boss David Moyes he wanted to keep hold of the player.

Now, it appears new Toffees boss Roberto Martinez may revive the club’s interest in the winger with talkSport Radio suggesting a six million euro bid will be made.

Cheryshev made his senior debut for Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey win over Alcoyano.

When asked if he would like to play in the Premier League, he said: “Maybe, I don’t know. I can’t say. I have a contract with Real Madrid for one more season, and I have to wait because I don’t know what the club want to do with me.”

By -
0

Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol admitted in an interview to Spanish radio station Cope that during the the last months of the season “there was no good feeling between the manager and some players”.

“However, there was never a lack of respect for anyone. Everybody do their work. Mourinho took his decisions and Iker Casillas trained as a professional”, he added.

Albiol also gave his opion about the recent Arbeloa critics to Real players: “Some team mates might have not liked it, but if you know Arbeloa you have to understand that it was just a moment of exasperation”.

“Inside the locker room, there have been no sides. The team was always united. We would sit all together in the club meals”, Albiol said.

‘Cristiano Ronaldo closer this season’

Albiol also spoke about the relation between Ronaldo and the rest of the team: “Cristiano has been closer to us [the players] this season. He was never distant, but this year he’s been more sociable”.

“We all want him to stay at Real for many years. A guy who scores 200 goals… It’s just madness”, he said.

Speaking about the future of the club Albiol said that whoever comes as new manager “whether it’s Ancelotti or other one, he will find a very familiar group, and a team who is hungry for trophies”.

Regarding his own future, Albiol admitted he would like to stay at Real “because it’s the best club in the world. I don’t know if the next manager will want me. I just have to wait and be calm”.

By -
0

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has said the team’s elimination from the Champions League at the semi-final stage this season was a bitter pill to swallow but the players must work harder to win the trophy next year.

In an interview published on UEFA.com, the 32-year-old stopper admitted the players had disappointed on all fronts in the 2012/13 season and wanted to make amends for it.

Los Blancos lost 4-1 in the first leg of the semi-final against Borussia Dortmund, with striker Robert Lewandowsky scoring all four. Madrid won the second leg 2-0 to restore some pride but it was a case of too little, too late.

Casillas said: “We have to continue working hard so we can take that extra step and make the final.”

He added that the squad was motivated to make the fans proud. “On the street people always ask you about it. In fact they demand more and empower you to give your best in this competition and to become kings of Europe again,” he stated.

By -
0

Real Madrid will have to pay four million euros to buy out the final year of Carlo Ancelotti’s contract if they are to appoint him as manager.

French sports paper L’Equipe said PSG will demand the fee before realising him from his contract.

The Italian boss, who guided the Parisian club to their first league title in 18 years this season, expressed his desire to leave the Parc de Prince on order to complete a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to Madrid daily Marca, Los Blancos’ directors are keen for the appointment to be made at the weekend and for progress to be made over the club’s transfer dealings ahead of the new season.

Ancelotti will also need to appoint an assistant manager, Marca says, with Zinedine Zidane looking to take on a more executive role. Hernan Crespo and Fabio Cannavaro are currently the front-runners.

By -
1

With the close season upon us, it’s time for silly season and much speculation as to the movers and shakers in the transfer market.

And Madrid sports paper Marca dedicates a number of pages to Real Madrid’s search for a new striker. With Gonzalo Higuain set to leave Los Blancos, the club needs another world class forward to aid Karim Benzema.

According to Marca, the man in charge of finding the solution is Zinedine Zidane. And the paper says he has identified the man he wants and has spoken to president Florentino Perez. This list of players mentioned as possible signings includes Luis Suarez, Carlos Tevez, Robert Lewandovsky and Edison Cavani.

Marca also reports Los Merengues will have to stump up around four million euros to secure the services of PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The other Madrid daily, AS, dedicates its front page to potential trouble at Barcelona next season with claims that new signing Neymar will be on a higher salary than four-time World Player of the Year Leo Messi.

The paper also reports Real Madrid legend Raul will be back at the Santiago Bernabeu in August with his club Al Saad to play in the Trofeo Bernabeu. He’ll play for one half for his current club, and then appear for 45 minutes in the famous white shirt again.

By -
0

Napoli manager Rafa Benitez is keen to sign Real Madrid forward Jose Callejon, according to reports.

The 26-year-old has found his chances limited this season often playing second fiddle behind Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema. In total, he made 20 appearances for Los Blancos during the campaign.

And reports suggest Benitez, recently appointed as manager at the Seria A club, could be ready to make a move and bid around 10 million euros.

He faces competition from former club Liverpool, who are also keen to add some firepower to their squad ahead of the new campaign.

Callejon is a youth product of Real Madrid but moved to Espanyol in 2008 to further his career. He made the switch back to the Spanish capital three years later.

By -
0

Newly-promoted French League 1 side Monaco are considering a bid for Real Madrid left back Fabio Coentrao, it has been reported.

Portuguese paper A Bola said the club – who are bankrolled by Russian billionarie Dmitry Rybolovlev – are ready to test Los Blancos’ resolve with a big money offer.

The French club has already secured the services of former Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho, along with striker Radamel Falcao from Atletico de Madrid, and Porto’s midfield duo James Rodriquez and Joao Moutinho.

Coentrao, 25, has previously expressed a desire to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and Monaco could face competition from Premier League side Chelsea to secure his signature.

The Portugal international scored one goal for Madrid in La Liga this season, in 16 appearances.

1...714715716...733Page 715 of 733

www.gambleaware.co.uk or www.gamcare.org.uk
Please gamble responsibly