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Real Madrid sleep leaders on this Saturday after beating Alavés (1-2) with a lot of effort under the rain at Mendizorroza. Los Blancos continued with their good streak and Zinedine Zidane keeps giving chances to new players with great result. The clash between Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona anticipate a good week for Real Madrid.

After the tough battle against PSG, Zizou needed to do some changes in the team. Areola, Militao, Modric and Bale were the new players in the starting eleven, whereas Isco had another opportunity and he’s responding to the manager with good performances. On the other hand, Bale was completely irrelevant in his first game in the starting eleven after the controversy with the Welsh flag.

This was a very tough game for Real Madrid, the one that they were unable to win the last past months. Actually last year Los Blancos lost in the very last minute of the game. And Alavés is a strong team at home, with good team balance and pressure. That’s why Real Madrid were very uncomfortable from the beginning. Even Alavés could have taken the advantage in the scoreboard but the referee didn’t consider a penalty committed by Militao. Bale had the best chance of the first half with a header to the post.

In the second half, Real Madrid took the lead with a header by Sergio Ramos after another perfect assist by Toni Kroos. However, the captain committed a stupid penalty right after it and Lucas Pérez didn’t miss it. The game was again in a difficult situation. Luckily, Los Blancos were able to take again the lead thanks to Carvajal who tapped in a ball after hitting the post and the keeper, a play lead by Isco.

By then, Bale was already on the bench with Rodrygo attacking the wing with more danger. Real Madrid didn’t suffer a lot in the last minutes because another piece of good news is that the team defends much better right now. Zidane has been able to form a very consistent team in the last weeks and now there is space to dream.

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There were two bad news in the great game against PSG: The result and Hazard’s injury. Luckily the result is almost irrelevant because Los Blancos are qualified for the Last 16 Round of the Champions League as second of their group and Hazard is in good conditions and he only suffered pain in his ankle, but nothing is broken so he should be ready to face Barcelona in the important Clásico.

Eden Hazard is in the best moment since his arrival to Real Madrid. After some initial months trying to adapt himself to the club and be fit, now Hazard is one of the key players of the team, especially when he finds Karim Benzema in the attacking line. He had to abandon the pitch in the second half against PSG and everybody thought that the Belgian playmaker could have a serious injury.

However, medical test revealed that Hazard only suffer a perimalleolar bruising in his ankle and no bone is damaged. However, he cannot participate in the match against Alavés during the weekend. He could be expected to participate in the game against Valencia in Mestalla and for sure should be ready for El Clásico on the 18th of December.

Zinedine Zidane can also count with Nacho now, recovered after his physical problems, although the Spanish defender has no room in the team right now, with Militao ahead to give some rest to Sergio Ramos and Varane, probably the weakest part of the team right now.

The manager is repeating what he did three seasons ago, when the team was able to win the Champions League and La Liga. All the players are really involved in the dynamic. We could see that with Isco, who started against PSG and played a good game. Also Marcelo is again making the difference.

Now it’s time for Gareth Bale. After his controversial week with his national team, Bale should start against Alavés, especially with Hazard injured. Therefore the Welshman should show his quality and tell Real Madrid supporters that he’s also ready to contribute to the team

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Real Madrid played the best game of the season against a strong team as PSG in the fifth game of the Champions League group stage, but Los Blancos only got a point (2-2) to earn the qualification to the Last 16 Round. Zidane’s men were much better during the whole clash but they gave away the victory in two minutes when the three points were in the pocket.

Zinedine Zidane always has a surprise in the big evenings and this time was the inclusion of Isco, a player who looked completely out of the team. However, Zizou wants to add all the players of the squad to the good dynamic and he was right again also with Isco. The playmaker was one of the best of the teams and was even close to score a goal.

It was in the first minutes actually, when Benzema was able to open the scoreboard after the Isco’s post. The good start of the game was due to the high pressure of Valverde, Kroos, Casemiro, a great midfield built by Zidane. PSG arrived also with danger when they had the chance with Mbappé and Icardi as main threats.

Neymar came in in the second half, booed by Bernabéu stadium. Los Blancos were controlling the game although they could have been in danger if VAR won’t help with the penalty and red card shown to Courtois. The referee consulted with VAR and whistled a previous foul to Marcelo.

Therefore we arrived to the last minutes of the game with Real Madrid in advantage, and it was Benzema who got the brace with a perfect header. Karim is also there in the big evenings as he showed once again yesterday. It looks like the victory was going to stay home, but Varane allowed Mbappé to tap the ball only two minutes later. With Los Blancos still shaking Sarabia put the ball on the net again in the 83rd to get the draw.

Gareth Bale, again booed by the supporters, could have been redeemed in the last minute but the free kick hit the post in the very last minute. Keylor Navas came back to Bernabéu as a hero and was received with a big applause by his former supporters. It was a great evening for Los Blancos, despite the unfair draw.

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Real Madrid great performances in the last weeks will be challenged by PSG. Los Blancos want the revenge after the tough result at Parc des Princes early in the season and get the ticket to the Last 16 round of the Champions League before the last game, when they have to travel to Brugge, the other team fighting to get through the group stage.

Los Blancos started really bad the Champions League with a clear defeat in Paris and a draw against Brugge at home. However, the victory in Istanbul was a turning point in the season and since then, they are looking better and better, with Valverde and Rodrygo as the main news in the starting eleven.

Zinedine Zidane should put in the field his best team in a very important game. Therefore, Marcelo and Kroos, who rested against Real Sociedad, should be back to the starting eleven, whereas Rodrygo should repeat in the right wing, leaving Gareth Bale on the bench again. Modric, who was the best player last Saturday, is the main doubt as he could also start the game.

The match brings also some curiosity because Kylian Mbappé will visit Santiago Bernabéu stadium again. The French striker is the main target of Florentino Pérez but his signing is very difficult. It will be a great moment to see him live in Chamartín, but as a rival this time. The French team is already qualified to the Last 16 round, so they should travel to the Spanish capital more relaxed.

After this clash, Los Blancos travel to Vitoria to face Alavés in a tricky game, because they lost last season in that very same stadium. After hosting Espanyol, they will travel to Valencia and Barcelona in December and will finish the year at home against Athletic Club. Therefore, the exigence is huge in this last month of the year but Zizou has obtained the best of his player once again, so Real Madrid fans are much more optimistic now.

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Despite a bad start of the game, Los Blancos were able to complete a great comeback and beat Real Sociedad (3-1) at Santiago Bernabéu in another great performance of the team. Real Madrid are getting better and better during the season, with Luka Modric as a director this team. Zidane’s men are not yet leaders of the table, because FC Barcelona got a lucky victory at Leganés only some hours earlier but the team is looking sharper than ever and ready for all the challenges during the season.

Only some weeks ago, Real Madrid were a completely nervous team, unable to wrap up the games at Bernabéu and suffering after having three goals of advantage. Right now, they are able to overcome a bad start, with another big mistake from the captain, and complete a great performance against a dangerous team at home. Now they need to keep going with this positive streak.

Real Sociedad was an uncomfortable guest at Bernabéu. Everybody knew that, with Odegaard as the main threat, a young player who should be one of the Real Madrid stars in the next few years. Same as Rodrygo, who started again the game leaving on the bench Gareth Bale, one of the main protagonists of the game after his controversial week.

Even if the game was dangerous, it couldn’t start worst. Sergio Ramos tried to pass Courtois, but Willian José intercepted the ball and scored easily in the 3rd minute of the game. Real Sociedad could widen the gap, but again Courtois was great saving the team. Another good news for Zidane. Luckily the team reacted and pushed Real Sociedad, getting the equaliser before the half time. It was again Karim Benzema with a perfect touch with his chest.

After the half time, Los Blancos kept attacking and the second goal was the prize. This time was Fede Valverde with a lucky shot from outside the box. Now the Uruguayan midfielder, one of the best players of the team, can even score. The good news were completed with the great performance of Luka Modric, an excellent player whose physical conditions were not at the best during the past weeks. The Croatian midfielder was the best player of the game and scored the last goal in the 74th minute.

By then, also Gareth Bale was on the pitch. The Welshman was booed by Santiago Bernabéu supporters even when he was closed to score a great goal at the end of the game. The club needs the Welshman to achieve the goals, so all the past stuff should be forgotten as soon as possible. Despite the booes, it was a great evening for Real Madrid, who now look better than even during the season.

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More than one month later, Gareth Bale could train with his team mates at Valdebebas. The Welshman came back to Madrid after qualifying his national team to the Euro 2020 and was able to train normally, so he should be fit to face Real Sociedad on Saturday. However, Bale is again involved in a huge controversy after showing a flag in Cardiff where we could read: “Wales, Golf, Madrid. In that order”. What would be the supporters reaction? And Zinedine Zidane’s?

Gareth Bale got injured on the 14th of October, in a game against Croatia with Wales. The Welshman has been out of the team the last month, when Zinedine Zidane found his team and Rodrygo shone with a hat-trick in the Champions League. For this reason, it would be very hard to see Bale back to the starting eleven, even if his performances were quite brilliant at the start of the season.

However, now we have to see how Zinedine Zidane reacts after the past weeks. Bale has not played with Real Madrid in the last month, but he went with his national team and played both key matches to qualify Wales. Besides, he doesn’t look very involved in the group, leaving the games before the final whistles, or travelling to London.

In addition, Gareth Bale was clumsy celebrating the qualification of Wales to the Euro with a flag where we could read “Wales, Golf, Madrid. In that order”. Pedja Mijatovic said in an interview that these were Bale’s preferences. Since then, Welsh supporters sign this anthem in the Cardiff Stadium, and Bale showed disrespect to the club by getting pictures with that logo.

We don’t know how the supporters will react. Press in Spain is very tough with Bale, attacking him without reason many times and even distorting his words. We could read many headlines attacking the Welshman, so the supporters might react against Bale. Again, the former Tottenham player has to regain Zidane and the supporters’ trust. Will he be able to succeed?

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James Rodríguez suffered a sprained internal ligament on his left knee, so he will miss the next three weeks of competition. Basically, the Colombian player will be out the remaining of 2019, unable to participate in important games against PSG in the Champions League or El Clásico in La Liga.

Again, Real Madrid suffered major injuries during the international break, something known as FIFA Virus. It´s especially painful in the case of James Rodríguez, because he also suffered physical problems in the last international break and his last game with Los Blancos was on the 19th of October at Mallorca. Since then, he has been absent but James decided to travel and join his national team, suffering again another injured.

After a promising start of the season, starting four games and scoring one goal in La Liga, James Rodríguez has returned to his initial problems. He doesn´t look as motivated with the club that pays him as with his national team. As a result, he didn’t rest enough and got again injured with his national team, in this case in a training session.

James Rodríguez is a footballer loved by Real Madrid supporters, but he’s not consistent in the way of playing. The Colombian playmaker convinced Zinedine Zidane in the first months of competition, even if the French coach wanted him out of the club. He was one of the best in these first months, but the injuries are punishing him. Gareth Bale lives a similar situation.

Meanwhile, Zizou is finding his ideal team with Fede Valverde in the midfield. Right now, Kroos, Casemiro and Valverde are the ideal midfield, with Luka Modric working hard to come back to the starting eleven. Therefore, James Rodríguez is the fifth midfielder in the squad and he would need to work very hard to gain more minutes. Luckily for him, Isco Alarcón is not a threat, because his level is even poorer and looks impossible for him to start playing more often.

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The season for Luka Modric has not been easy so far. The Croatian midfielder has been injured most of the time and he has lost his position in the midfield, with Fede Valverde overtaking him with his strength and his pace. Modric shows his quality every time he has the chance, but the physical condition is preventing him to give the best. Now he has declined to play with Croatia a friendly game to focus in the next important weeks for Real Madrid.

Luka Modric helped Croatia to qualify to the next Euro after beating at home Slovakia. His national team will play this week a friendly game against Georgia, but Modric asked his Federation to skip the game and he’s back to Madrid, ready to prepare the next two key games at Santiago Bernabéu against Real Sociedad and PSG.

Modric has not missed a game with Croatia and played all 8 qualifying matches with his national team. However, this effort was paid with two injuries in the last two international breaks, preventing him to play with Real Madrid. As a consequence, he has lost his spot in the starting eleven, with Casemiro, Valverde and Kroos forming a strong midfield, with pace and good physical conditions.

Modric is already 34 years old and his best days seemed past. Last season, he paid the effort of leading his national team to the World Cup Final and was able to win the Golden Ball. However, with Real Madrid his performances have been quite poor. When he steps in the pitch, he shines thanks to his quality, but his physical condition is not as his best, as the numbers show.

Modric has only played 364 minutes in La Liga, starting only 3 games and scoring one goal. Last season he was in the starting eleven 31 games, so he was involved in most of the games, but his level was very poor, same as the other colleagues. Real Madrid need the best Luka Modric, especially because there aren’t enough players in the midfield to replace him. Hopefully he can recover himself from all the effort and be ready to play against Real Sociedad.

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At the age of 31, Karim Benzema is probably living the best days of his career. Since his arrival to Madrid in 2009, his performances have been brilliant, but in the last two years he has changed his role, being much more effective in front of the goal. Right now he’s the top scorer of La Liga, and there is a big debate in France about whether Benzema should go back to the national team or stay out of ‘Les Bleus’.

Once criticized, especially in the season 2017/18, when he only scored 5 goals, now Benzema is one of the fixed players in the starting eleven. Zinedine Zidane has always trusted him, even when the things didn’t work out, but time proved that Zizou was completely right. Benzema is a leader in the team, a role model for the youngsters, and now a great striker scoring goal after goal.

Benzema is now the top scorer in La Liga with 9 goals, scoring some very important goals like the one at Sánchez Pizjuán against Sevilla. In the Champions League he has also scored two goals, both against Galatasaray. With this level, Benzema can easily be over the 21 goals scored last season or even the 24 goals scored in 2015/16, his record at Real Madrid. Who knows where is his limit?

Now that we are suffering the international break, there are many people in France that ask why Benzema is not in the national team. With Giroud far from his level -although he’s never been as good as Karim-, and with Griezmann and Dembélé not at his best, French supporters don’t understand why Benzema is not included in the list. Since his problems with Valbuena in the scandal, Deschamps decided to leave him out of the team. The World Cup in France stopped all the controversy, but the topic is still on the streets.

It’s difficult to understand, especially looking at Benzema’s behaviour during these 10 years at Real Madrid. In opposition to some colleagues, Benzema has never raised the voice, asked for more money, or behaved unprofessionally. On the contrary, Karim is helping the youngsters, showing character on the pitch, and playing at his best even without Cristiano Ronaldo. Right now, Benzema is leading this fenomenal attacking line with Hazard and Rodrygo.

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) decided to change the format of the Spanish Supercup and the draw was celebrated this week. Real Madrid got a ticket to the tournament and will face Valencia CF, Copa del Rey champion, in the first semifinal on the 8th of January. Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid will play the other semifinal on the 9th of January. The final will be held on Sunday 12th of January.

The new format of the Spanish Supercup has raised many criticism. First of all, the tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia, a country where the women rights are not secured and where the weather conditions will be hard. Second, the dates are very unusual. After the Christmas period and not in summer, as usual. And now there are four team involved, not only La Liga and Copa del Rey champions, so there are two games for the fans.

Real Madrid were invited to the tournament as semifinalist of Copa del Rey and third in La Liga, whereas Atletico de Madrid are in the new tournament for finishing second in La Liga. With this decision, the Federation secure the best four teams in Spain in this competition and try to get more money holding the tournament in the Middle East, where there are many fans of La Liga.

The new format means also that we will see three interesting games in the middle of the season. Before, we had only two games (the Spanish Supercup was held in two legs) or one game (recently they changed also the format) between the two domestic champions in summer, with the teams not ready yet for high competitions. Changing the dates and the format the Federation is looking for a more interesting tournament.

Another controversy is the election of Saudi Arabia as the location. Last year the tournament was held in Tanger (Morocco) and many supporters also complained. Now it’s pretty clear that almost no one will travel to Spain, but it will be exclusive for Saudi fans. Besides, the country doesn’t allow women to attend to the stadiums, but the Federation has already declared that they will have full access to the event.

The main reason of this change of location, dates and format is money, of course. Real Madrid and Barcelona will receive around €9M for TV rights, whereas Valencia CF will get less than €3M. Of course, the Valencian club has criticised this decision.

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