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Midfield general Xabi Alonso has said Real Madrid as aiming to win the Copa del Rey to make up for the disappointment of exiting the Champions League at the semi-final stage.

Los Blancos lost 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund, with the damage done in the first leg in Germany where they slipped to a heavy 4-1 defeat.

In the return game at the Bernabeu, Madrid left it late to score two goals, but couldn’t find the all important third one that would have taken them to the Wembley final.

Speaking to the official Real Madrid website, former Liverpool midfielder Alonso said: “We were so close against Dortmund, which is why we were left with this feeling of sadness for making it so far but not being able to reach our goal in the end, which was to play in the final.

“We have the chance to redeem ourselves with this final and I’m sure that the fans are going to enjoy it.”

But he warned his team mates that Atletico de Madrid would be no walkovers in the final adding that Los Blancos will have to be at their best to secure the trophy.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and we can’t let them feel comfortable. It should be a very exciting match.  It’s a derby against Atletico, in the same city and in our stadium, but it will be different from the games that we usually play at home,” he stated.

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Barcelona midfielder has waded into the debate over Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Iker Casillas by claiming the Spain goalkeeper has been treated like ‘dead wood’ in recent months.

In an interview with Marca, the seven-time La Liga winner said Casillas did not deserve the treatment he has received since January.

The 31-year-old shot stopper broke his finger at the turn of the year and although he has returned to full fitness, he has not won his place back in the side, with Mourinho opting for Diego Lopez.

In a spiky press conference last week, the Portuguese manager said his biggest mistake in his time in Madrid was not signing Lopez sooner.

But Xavi, who is a close friend of Casillas thanks to their time in the national side together, said: “In September, they were touting him for the Ballon d’Or and now it’s like he’s dead wood.”

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Italian giants AC Milan will attempt to lure Luka Modric away from the Bernabeu in the summer after a difficult season at Real Madrid, it has been reported.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Milan are hoping to take advantage of planned clear out at Madrid, and see the Croatian as a key player to reinforce their midfield options.

The paper also claimed Milan would make enquiries for Diego Lopez and Angel di Maria too.

Modric was a high profile signing from Spurs last year when he arrived in a £33 million deal. But he has failed to live up to expectations at the Bernabeu and has found himself in and out of Jose Mourinho’s side.

Spurs and Inter Milan are also reportedly keen to secure the 27-year-old’s signature.

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Europa League-winning manager Rafa Benitez or Swansea boss Michael Laudrup could be considered as candidates to take over at Real Madrid should Los Blancos fail to land Carlo Ancelotti, according to a top Spanish journalist.

Guillem Balague used his Sulia blog to reveal tentative contact has been made with the two managers about their availability and interest in the job at the Bernabeu.

Los Merengues are on the search for a new manager as Jose Mourinho is widely reported to be leaving his three-year stay in the Spanish capital and head back to Chelsea, who he managed between 2004 and 2007.

Both managers have enhanced their reputations this season, with Benitez guiding Chelsea to success in Europe and qualification for next season’s Champion League despite being unpopular with the fans and British media. Laudrup, meanwhile, led unfancied Swansea City to glory in the Carling Cup at Wembley in February.

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Madrid sports daily As claims in its front page that Paris Saint Germain would facilitate Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival to Bernabeu if Real Madrid agree to negotiate Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer.

According to this newspaper, PSG’s owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi feels attacked by Los Blancos trying to sign his manager, and would offer 100 million euros for Ronaldo as a counter-attack.

Both Madrid newspapers fill their front pages with news about the Copa del Rey final, which will take place tomorrow. Marca emphasizes the duel between Ronaldo and Radamel Falcao.

‘The Colombian has won the five finals he has played’, Marca claims. ‘Ronaldo has scored 54 goals in 54 matches’, they add.

Marca also titles ‘Duel for the Crown’ showing a picture of King Juan Carlos, who will support Real Madrid, and Prince Felipe, who will support Atletico.

As highlights the fact that Sergio Ramos trained with his team mates for the first time in two weeks and will play the final, despite risking getting a more serious injury.

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Cristiano Ronaldo believes Real Madrid will end the season on a high and lift the Copa del Rey trophy on Friday night.

The Portuguese forward said Los Blancos are on a decent run of form at the moment, despite the elimination by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Madrid go into the game as favourites to win the trophy against their city rivals Atletico as the match will be played at the Bernabeu, where Los Blancos remain unbeaten this season. In addition, Atletico haven’t beaten Los Merengues since 1999.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Ronaldo said the squad was excited about the prospect of picking up some silverware.

He stated: “Let’s hope that Real Madrid can win. But if we go out on the pitch strong and we play as we know how, we’re going to win. We’re very excited about this trophy and we want to win.”

He also urged the Real fans to raise the roof and replicate the atmosphere produced in the semi-final second leg match against Dortmund in the Champions League.

Ronaldo added: “”As long as I’ve been here I have never seen a reception like that. It was a really special, unique moment that none of us players will ever forget.

“I hope that the same happens on Friday because it motivates us to give our all when we hit the playing field. That’s what we want.”

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Diego Pablo Simeone is absolutely sure of who will be the 11 men to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.

The only doubt has been solved. Spanish midfielder Mario, who returned from injury, has trained at the same level with his team mates and is ready to play.

In a match during the training session, Simeone chose Gabi and Mario as the centre-half pair in the theoretical starting eleven.

The undisputable keeper will be Belgian international Thibaut Courtois, the goalie who has conceded fewer goals in La Liga so far this season.

Simeone will select his usual 4-2-3-1. The defence will be made up of Filipe Luis, Miranda, Godin and Juanfran, who have had an incredible performance in the competition.

The three playmakers will be Arda Turan, Koke and Diego Costa, who will probably exchange their positions during the game. The Turk has promised to shave his head if they win the title.

Falcao will be the reference up front and he will have the special motivation to win his last title with the Colchoneros, as he has been reported to have agreed a deal to sign for Monaco on the summer.

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Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport claims that either Andrea Pirlo or Borja Valero will sign for Real Madrid if Paris Saint Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti takes over as boss at the Bernabeu.

The Italian coach would like to reinforce the playmaker position with someone he trusts, and sees Pirlo as a perfect fit. The two have already worked together during their time at  AC Milan boss.

Pirlo, who has one year left in his contract with Juventus, is reported to have been offered a three-year deal to end his career at Real Madrid. However, the fact that he is already 34 could be a problem for the club’s directors to agree on that transfer.

Florentino Perez and his staff would be open to Valero’s option, since he is only 28 years old, he grew up at Real Madrid and he’s been outstanding at Fiorentina this year.

Both players could fit in the squad as substitutes for Luka Modric, Mesut Ozil or even Xabi Alonso, so for them to sign for  Real they would have to accept the fact that they wouldn’t be starters in the team.

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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho would have felt betrayed by defender Pepe’s recent criticism of him over his treatment of Iker Casillas, according to former Portugal international Paulo Futre.

Futre, who played for Atletico de Madrid, said in an interview with Marca that Pepe was a favourite of Mourinho’s and the manager has always backed him.

So when the 31-year-old central defender gave his support to ousted keeper Casillas, claiming Mourinho has shown a lack of respect towards the World Cup winner, the boss would have been hurt.

Last week, Mourinho responded to Pepe’s criticism by telling him to focus on his own problems, and particularly improving his form to get back into the side ahead of Raphael Varane.

Futre said: “Mourinho has always defended him and didn’t expect that from him in return. I think that’s how he would have felt.

“He gives everything for his players. Pepe was one of his favourites and he might have felt betrayed by his comments.”

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New research has shown tickets for Friday’s Copa del Rey final are more expensive than those for any other domestic cup final in other European countries.

While the cheapest tickets for the final at the Bernabeu are 10 euros cheaper than last year, the best seats in the house will cost between 220-275 euros (£186-£233), the BBC said.

In comparison, the most expensive ticket for this year’s FA Cup final between Wigan and Manchester City was £115 (136 euros), while in Germany, tickets cost between 35-125 euros (£30-£106).

The pricing structure for the Copa del Rey final was arranged by the two clubs –Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid – along with the Spanish Football Federation.

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