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Tag: Real Madrid

  • Arsenal identify Arteta replacement amid Real Madrid concerns

    Arsenal identify Arteta replacement amid Real Madrid concerns

    Arsenal are concerned about interest in manager Mikel Arteta and have a contingency plan drawn up.

    That’s according to Tuttosport, which are reporting Arsenal’s board is worried about interest from Real Madrid in their manager.

    As such, the Gunners have identified Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi as a replacement should Arteta be tempted to leave.

    Arteta has taken the Gunners eight points clear in the Prem as they chase their first title since 2004, although champions Manchester City have a game in hand.

    And his impact has brought him to the attention of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who could seek to replace coach Carlo Ancelotti this summer amid confirmed interest from the Brazilian Federation.

    Ancelotti has a contract with Madrid to 2024.

  • Copa del Rey: Benzema hat-trick against Barca fires Real Madrid into final

    Copa del Rey: Benzema hat-trick against Barca fires Real Madrid into final

    Real Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014 on Wednesday night in Barcelona.

    A Karim Benzema hat-trick and a Vinicius Junior strike earned a 4-0 Clasico victory over FC Barcelona at Camp Nou and a 4-1 triumph on aggregate.

    Eder Militao’s own goal at the Bernabeu had Barca heading into Wednesday’s second leg with a 1-0 advantage.

    But Vinicius’ goal in first-half added time got Real Madrid back into the tie.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s men then took over after the break, Benzema putting them ahead with a sublime finish before coolly converting from the penalty kick spot after Vinicius was felled.

    The reigning Ballon d’Or winner clinched his hat-trick late on to dump the 31-time winners out and set Real Madrid up to meet Osasuna in the showpiece match on May 6.

    Barca started brightly with Sergi Roberto and Raphinha seeing early efforts foiled, though alert defending was needed by Ronald Araujo at the other end to deny Vinicius.

    Tempers were starting to fray in a typically high-charged encounter, Xavi booked for dissent before Gavi and Vinicius were cautioned for a fracas in midfield.

    The visitors remained focused, though, to level the tie just before half-time.

    After Courtois made a superb stop to deny Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid flew up the other end.

    Even though Jules Kounde initially blocked Vinicius’ shot, it crept over the line to make it 1-1 on aggregate.

    Ancelotti’s side took the lead shortly after the break, Luka Modric teeing up Benzema to expertly stroke into the bottom-left corner.

    Real Madrid then landed a killer-blow shortly after, Franck Kessie bringing Vinicius down in the box for a penalty kick before Benzema stepped up and ruthlessly slotted into the bottom-right corner.

    Benzema sealed his hat-trick with 10 minutes to play, delicately dinking over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to send his team cruising into the final.

  • Why I chose Real Madrid over Barca – Ozil

    Why I chose Real Madrid over Barca – Ozil

    Mesut Ozil has revealed why he chose Real Madrid over Barcelona when leaving Werder Bremen.

    At the age of 34, Ozil announced his retirement on March 22, 2023.

    He told Marca: “It was a decision between Real Madrid and Barcelona. And in the end it was not a matter of money.

    “I don’t know if this is known, but I visited Madrid and Barcelona at that time and the difference was José Mourinho. Mou gave me a VIP visit to Real Madrid. He took me to see the stadium and all the trophies they had won. That gave me goosebumps.

    “The visit to Barcelona was less enthusiastic and what was more disappointing is that Pep Guardiola didn’t bother to meet me. Before that trip I really liked Barcelona’s style of football and I could really imagine playing with them, but Madrid went all out. So José Mourinho was without a doubt the most important factor in my decision.

    “After my visits, my decision was one hundred percent clear: I wanted to be a Madridista.”

    Ozil also said: “The Madrid fans are really incredible. Even ten years after leaving Madrid, I continue to receive spectacular support and affection from the fans. It’s really amazing. I think we spent three very good years together, three years in which the fans enjoyed themselves and saw that I gave everything for the club. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t expect this support to continue for so long, so I can only thank the madridistas.”

  • Real Madrid to play Chelsea, Bayern trade tackle with Manchester City in UCL quarter-final clash

    Real Madrid to play Chelsea, Bayern trade tackle with Manchester City in UCL quarter-final clash

    The UEFA Champions League Quarter-final draws were made on Friday afternoon, with holders Real Madrid drawn against Chelsea, Bayern Play Manchester City while Napoli trade tackles with AC Milan.

    The winners of Real’s tie against Chelsea will go on to face either City or Bayern in the semi-finals, throwing open the possibility of an all-English last-four tie.

    That also increases the chances of seeing an Italian team reach the final for the first time since Juventus in 2017, as Inter will play either Milan or Napoli in the last four should the Nerazzurri beat Benfica.

    Inter were drawn to play Benfica at home initially but will now travel to Lisbon for the first leg to avoid a clash with AC Milan’s meeting with Napoli at San Siro.

    The semi-finals will be played in May with the final in Istanbul scheduled for Saturday, June 10.

    FULL FIXTURES

    Real Madrid vs Chelsea

    Inter Milan vs Benfica

    Manchester City vs Bayern Munich

    AC Milan vs Napoli

  • Why Liverpool lost again to Real Madrid – Ferdinand

    Why Liverpool lost again to Real Madrid – Ferdinand

    Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand has stated reasons Liverpool lost 0-1 to Real Madrid last night in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

    The Reds were eliminated from the competition  after losing both legs 6-2 on aggregate.

    Recall that Madrid  came from behind to win 5-2 in the first leg at Anfield three weeks ago.

    Ferdinand described Liverpool’s display in Spain as “flat”.

    He said on BT Sport: “This never became the game we really hoped for.

    “We were hoping for a fast and frantic start and put Real under pressure.

    “They didn’t seem like they believed they could win this before a ball was kicked.

    “It was a flat performance in the main.”

  • Militao own goal gives Barca advantage in Cup semi-final first leg

    Militao own goal gives Barca advantage in Cup semi-final first leg

    FC Barcelona take a slender advantage to Camp Nou after they beat Real Madrid 1-0 in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.

    An Eder Militao own goal was all that separated the two Spanish giants, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men having a lot of the ball.

    But they were unable to craft much in the way of goalscoring chances.

    Militao’s own goal was only the fourth this century in a Clasico.

    Three of them have favoured Barca, after Ivan Helguera’s in May 2002 and Raphael Varane’s in February 2019.

    Real Madrid may consider themselves fortunate not to lose by more, however.

    Ansu Fati inadvertently denied teammate Franck Kessie a certain goal in a second half largely dominated by the hosts.

    Karim Benzema had the ball in the net early on when he chested down a cross from Vinicius Junior and volleyed home, only to be flagged offside.

    In spite of Real Madrid dominating early on, it was FC Barcelona who took the lead in the 26th minute.

    Ferran Torres played in Kessie, whose shot went in off Militao after Thibaut Courtois had initially saved from the Barca midfielder.

    Vinicius saw an effort blocked by Ronald Araujo early in the second half, while the visitors should have doubled their lead 18 minutes from time.

    Kessie met Torres’ cut-back but saw his goal-bound shot deflected wide by substitute Fati with Courtois stranded.

    Nevertheless, Xavi’s men held on in spite of Real Madrid’s desperate late onslaught.

  • Ancelotti reveals Real Madrid agreement for next season

    Ancelotti reveals Real Madrid agreement for next season

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced he’s staying at the Bernabeu next season.

    The Italian was speaking today ahead of the weekend derby against Atletico Madrid.

    And he said, “Yes, yes. And I don’t have to renew, it’s something that’s done.

    “I’m calm. The only thing I have to do is win games (laughs).”

    Ancelotti added: “We are fine, in a good dynamic. Tomorrow is special; Atleti come to fight and try to win. Just like us. It will be a nice game, like the Copa.”

  • UCL: Why we defeated Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield – Ancelotti

    UCL: Why we defeated Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield – Ancelotti

    Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has stated reasons why his side defeated English club side, Liverpool by 5-2 at home.

    Liverpool had gone ahead 2-0 in the first 15 minutes before Madrid rallied back to score 5 goals past them in a thrilling encounter.

    Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored Liverpool’s two goals while, Vinicius Jr,. Karim Benzema and Elder Milotao all scored for Real Madrid.

    But Madrid fought back to level in the first half with a Vinicius Jr brace.

    “We improved our defensive game because in the first half we suffered a lot of pressure from Liverpool.

    “Their players up front were very dangerous. Our players were very accurate,” Ancelotti said.

  • Liverpool fans give Modric, Benzema standing ovations after defeat

    Liverpool fans give Modric, Benzema standing ovations after defeat

    Liverpool fans gave Real Madrid veterans Luka Modric and Karim Benzema standing ovations at the end of last night’s Champions League defeat.

    The pair were outstanding in Real’s 5-2 win at Anfield.

    According to Tribaltfootball, 87 minutes into the game, Carlo Ancelotti decided to replace Modric and Benzema and the ovation from Madrid’s supporters was joined by the applause of the local fans themselves.

    Before the game the English club honoured the late Amancio Amaro by placing a wreath next to the visiting fans; during the game, Modric became master of the midfield, dominating every instance at will.

    In addition, his assist as soon as the second half began changed the game and the movement of Éder Militao from a set piece was excellent. For his part, Benzema’s numbers speak for themselves: two goals and an assist in 87 minutes for the current Real Madrid captain.

     

  • Lewandowski helps restore Barca’s 8-point cushion in LaLiga

    Lewandowski helps restore Barca’s 8-point cushion in LaLiga

    Robert Lewandowski on Sunday scored just his second Spanish LaLiga goal since October as FC Barcelona beat Cadiz 2-0 to restore their eight-point lead over title-holders Real Madrid.

    The 34-year-old added to Sergi Roberto’s opener as two goals late in the first half undid the Cadiz side.

    Cadiz had held their own for much of the Camp Nou clash and had two goals from Roger disallowed.

    Another clean sheet, FC Barcelona’s 17th shutout in LaLiga this season, puts Xavi’s side a step nearer the title.

    This was a seventh consecutive league victory, the third time they have had such a run under the leadership of their former midfielder.

    It sealed a double for the season, too.

    FC Barcelona had won 4-0 in September against the team who are now fighting a relegation battle, sitting just two points outside the bottom three.

    Cadiz thought they had made a 19th-minute breakthrough when a delicious pass over the top from Santiago Arzamendia, with the outside of his left boot, found Roger.

    The striker finished well but had strayed a foot offside, to FC Barcelona’s relief.

    Lacking service, Lewandowski barely had a sniff of goal until the 41st minute.

    This was when a cross from Ferran Torres on the right looked ideal for him to nod in at the far post.

    He was under pressure, though, and could not make a clean connection.

    The same duo combined as FC Barcelona struck two minutes later.

    Lewandowski’s stooping header from Torres’ clipped cross was kicked off the line by Isaac Carcelen but only as far as Sergi Roberto.

    He slammed it back into the back of the net from eight yards.

    Lewandowski drove in FC Barcelona’s second goal in first half stoppage time, a clinical low strike from 16 yards taking his haul to 15 in the league this season.

    The former Bayern Munich striker prodded a shot against the top of the bar early in the second half.

    Thereafter, Cadiz’s Roger had a second goal disallowed after finishing well from a corner, with team-mate Fali penalised for a nudge into Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

    The visitors perhaps had reason to feel aggrieved, and Cadiz kept pushing.

    Ter Stegen saved well from substitutes Fede San Emeterio and Chris Ramos late in the game, before Anthony Lozano headed against the left post.

    It was not to be their night.