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Tag: Real Madrid

  • Mbappe chose PSG, we must respect him – Benzema

    Mbappe chose PSG, we must respect him – Benzema

    Karim Benzema insists his relationship with PSG striker Kylian Mbappe is intact despite not joining him at Real Madrid.

    Benzema, who a few days prior to the Champions League final did not want to talk about the issue, insists that their relationship isn’t affected by the youngster’s choice.

    “I would have liked him to have been able to fulfil his dream of playing for Real Madrid, being together,” Benzema told Telefoot.

    “He chose PSG, we must respect him. It’s his choice, he has a lot of responsibilities.

    “We will enjoy playing together in the national team. Everyone makes their own choices.”

    There was much speculation that Benzema was upset by Mbappe’s renewal with PSG after some cryptic messages he posted on social media.

    However, Benzema has no doubt that the friendship will remain strong between the two.

    “Real Madrid are Real Madrid, I’m not disappointed. We are good friends, it won’t affect our relationship,” he added.

  • Henry mocks salah after Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid

    Former France and Arsenal forward, Thierry Henry mocked Mo Salah for his comment before the Liverpool versus Real Madrid  UCL Final

    Vinicius Junior’s second-half tap-in was enough for the Spanish giants to claim their 14th European crown.

    It was the second time that the Reds have been defeated by Real, following a 3-1 scoreline in Kiev back in 2018.

    Recall that Salah expressed his willingness to go on a revenge mission against Real Madrid, Egyptian forward couldn’t finish the match versus same club 4 seasons ago after suffering from  a shoulder injury following a heavy challenge by then Real captain Sergio Ramos four years ago.

    Ahead of the 2022 rematch between the two sides in Paris, Salah expressed his desire for revenge with the Egyptian forward having suffered a shoulder injury following a heavy challenge by then Real captain Sergio Ramos four years ago.

    Unfortunately, that revenge did not materialize, with Henry now criticizing the Egyptian for his pre-match comments.

    Henry said: “We have said it so many times, it’s about putting the ball into the back of the net. They [ Real Madrid ] have one on target and they score.

    “Liverpool had a lot. But they faced Thibaut Courtois. Remember what I said in the semi-final, people don’t give him the credit he deserves. He’s one of the best keepers in the world and better than Ederson. And he’s shown it tonight.

    “I always say something, don’t talk before a final. Beat Real Madrid, then talk and say, ‘it was revenge and all of that’. When you talk before a final, you have to win it.”

  • Soccer legends Ferdinand, Shearer rue over Real Madrid’s disallowed goal

    England soccer legends, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer have reacted to Real Madrid first half disallowed goal in the encounter versus Liverpool in UEFA champions League final played at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

    Recall that French striker Karim Benzema had scored for Real Madrid at the tail end of the first half but the goal was ruled out for offside

    Benzema controlled nicely in the box and then took a couple of touches before trying to round Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson Becker.

    Benzema lost control of the ball, but Ibrahima Konate and Alisson made a mess of the clearance.

    Three players then challenged for the ball and it came back to Benzema who slotted past Alisson.

    The linesman raised his flag for offside, but replays showed Fabinho got the last touch before Benzema’s strike.

    In his reaction, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand said: “I still don’t understand it. If I am a Real Madrid player, I am going bananas.”

    Also reacting on the disallowed goal Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I can’t work that one out because it looked like it came off Fabinho to reach Benzema.

    “It was typical Real Madrid, they do concede chances and if you don’t take them, they punish you with the ability they have upfront.

    “The run in behind was exceptional and he could have scored earlier. Liverpool got away with one there.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • It’s easier to win Champions League with Madrid – Ancelotti

    It’s easier to win Champions League with Madrid – Ancelotti

    Carlo Ancelotti has admitted it is easier to win the Champions League with Real Madrid.

    Ancelotti was speaking to reporters on Saturday night, after they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final in Paris.

    Vinicius Jr netted the only goal of the tight encounter in the second half, as Los Blancos lifted their 14th title, seven more than any other club on the continent.

    It is also the fourth time Ancelotti is winning the Champions League and the second time with Madrid. He has won it twice as a manager with AC Milan.

    “It’s easier to win the Champions League with Madrid than any other club.

    “It’s the history, it’s everything that’s happened to us, it’s the affinity from when fans were small,” Ancelotti said.

    Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has admitted it is easier to win the Champions League with the club more than any other team.

    Ancelotti was speaking to reporters on Saturday night, after they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final in Paris.

    Vinicius Jr netted the only goal of the tight encounter in the second half, as Los Blancos lifted their 14th title, seven more than any other club on the continent.

    It is also the fourth time Ancelotti is winning the Champions League and the second time with Madrid. He has won it twice as a manager with AC Milan.

    “It’s easier to win the Champions League with Madrid than any other club.

    “It’s the history, it’s everything that’s happened to us, it’s the affinity from when fans were small,” Ancelotti said.

  • UCL final: Hurting Liverpool “will come again” – Klopp says as Real Madrid celebrate

    UCL final: Hurting Liverpool “will come again” – Klopp says as Real Madrid celebrate

    Jurgen Klopp admitted Liverpool’s players were hurting after their UEFA Champions League final match defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday in Paris.

    But he declared the Reds “will come again” after the narrow reverse.

    Klopp added next year’s final in Istanbul was already a target, advising supporters: “Book the hotel!”

    A 1-0 loss to Real Madrid at the Stade de France meant Liverpool were left with FA Cup and EFL Cup triumphs.

    That is what they have to show for a season in which they threatened an unprecedented quadruple.

    Manchester City denied them the English Premier League (EPL) title on the competition’s dramatic final day last Sunday.

    Now, it was UEFA Champions League specialists Real Madrid who toppled them on Saturday to claim their 14th European crown, with Vinicius Junior netting a second-half winner.

    “Everyone in the dressing room, nobody feels it was a great season at the moment,” Klopp said after the loss. “We probably need a few minutes for that, maybe hours.”

    He said two decisions had gone against Liverpool by “the smallest margin possible,” but did not specify which incidents he was referring to.

    “We played a good game, not the perfect game,” Klopp added. “We had a lot of shots but not the clearest, only three or so where [Thibaut] Courtois made top saves.

    “Then we conceded a goal… Vinicius was there and that was it.”

    Klopp said Liverpool tried “absolutely everything” after he had told his players to “be more brave in the second half.”

    Vinicius struck just before the hour mark, and Liverpool huffed and puffed.

    But they were not at their best as Real Madrid repelled the threat of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, with Courtois outstanding as the last line of defence.

    The Belgian made nine saves in the match, the most on record by a goalkeeper in a single UEFA Champions League final (since 2003/2004).

    Klopp added he was alone among the Liverpool contingent in being able to put the game swiftly into perspective.

    “It’s not hard. I have that already, but I’m the only one in the dressing room,” he said.

    “I know it’s not the success you want to have, but I have the strong feeling we will come again. That’s how it is, because the boys are competitive.

    “We have an outstanding group together and will have again an outstanding group next year. Then we go again. We obviously have to try a bit more often than others but no problem.

    “Where’s it next year? Istanbul? Yeah, book the hotel.”

  • Police arrest 68 amid UEFA Champions League final chaos in Paris

    Police arrest 68 amid UEFA Champions League final chaos in Paris

    Police in Paris said that 68 people were arrested in the French capital after the UEFA Champions League final match, which saw Real Madrid defeat Liverpool 1-0 on Saturday.

    In the early hours of Sunday, the Paris Police Prefecture said that it carried out 68 arrests in connection to the match.

    Local media also cited authorities reporting that 238 interventions were carried out by firefighters for minor injuries.

    Earlier the police force had stated that “a number of supporters without tickets for the match obtained fake tickets and disturbed the access to the Stade de France”.

    The police added that these fans’ pressure to make it into the stadium resulted in a nearly 40-minute delay.

    Organisers first explained the delay with security issues and then with fans arriving late.

    UEFA said that “the turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles.

    “This created a build-up of fans trying to get in. As a result, the kick-off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow as many fans as possible with genuine tickets to gain access.”

    UEFA confirmed that police dispersed fans with tear gas.

    It added: “UEFA is sympathetic to those affected by these events and will further review these matters urgently together with the French police and authorities, and with the French Football Federation (FFF).”

    Liverpool meanwhile said they have “officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”

  • BREAKING: Heartbreak for Liverpool as Madrid win Champions League title

    Liverpool’s hopes of being crowned champions of Europe for a seventh time ended in heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid in Paris.

    Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr, who was played onside by Trent Alexander-Arnold, scored the only goal of the final as Real sealed a Champions League-La Liga double.

  • CL Final: Real Madrid releases 26-man squad to face Liverpool

    The coach of Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti, has released his squad that will face Liverpool in the UEFA champions League final on Saturday in Paris.

    Ancelotti named a 26-man squad in a post via Real Madrid’s official website to face Liverpool in Paris.

    The Spanish giants  had defeated Chelsea and  Manchester City two English sides  in the Quarter-final and  semi-final stage respectively before reaching the final

    Meanwhile their opponents,  Liverpool Football Club defeated Inter Milan and Villareal to get to the final of the competition.

    UEFA has fixed the match kick-off for 8pm Nigerian time at the Stade de France.

    Below is Real Madrid’s squad against Liverpool:

    Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Fuidias.
    Forwards: Carvajal, E. Militão, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Marcelo, F. Mendy.
    Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde, Lucas V., D. Ceballos, Isco, Camavinga.
    Forwards: Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Jović, Bale, Vini Jr., Rodrygo, Mariano.

  • Eden Hazard reveals dream with Real Madrid

    Eden Hazard reveals dream with Real Madrid

    Real Madrid star Eden Hazard says his ambitions remain to succeed with the La Liga champions.

    Hazard was signed in 2019 for a club-record fee from Chelsea, however, the Belgian’s career at Real Madrid has never taken off, as injuries have limited him to just 66 appearances.

    “The coach knows that I still have two years here,” Hazard stated in an interview with Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

    “The first three years have not gone well. I want to show everyone what I can do. I am focusing on Saturday – the Champions League final against Liverpool – and continue my preparation for the season that’s coming.”

    The 31-year-old was also asked about how he feels about representing the Real Madrid badge, something he had publicly professed love for.

    “I’m still in my dream, I’ve always dreamed of this,” Hazard responded.

    “My life goal has been to play here. My family has always been happy here, [and] even now they are.”

    In March, Hazard underwent another operation to remove the plate in his ankle that had been entered during the previous surgery.

    The forward stated that the goal was to take time to take care of himself rather than go “too fast,” as was the case in 2021 when trying to speed up recovery times, and that Carlo Ancelotti “fully understood” the situation.

    “I feel good, the operation went well. Everyone knows I needed it, I was lucky to be able to do it. I’m [back] just in time for the Champions League final,” added Hazard.

    Faced with the prospect of the final, he affirmed that he prepares as if it were any other duel, believing that, while it attracts more attention, “it is the same” on the field.

    “I try to laugh and forget about the pressure,” he concluded.

  • Transfer: Tchouameni picks Real Madrid over Liverpool

    Transfer: Tchouameni picks Real Madrid over Liverpool

    Monaco of France  midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni, has finally revealed his destination after agreeing terms with both Liverpool and Real Madrid.

    The French star agreed personal terms with both clubs last week having attracted interest from several clubs across Europe but has now decided to join Madrid.

    Findings show that Real Madrid have agreed to meet Monaco’s €80 million (£68.6m) asking price.

    Meanwhile, the France midfielder has already informed his teammates that he would be heading to Real Madrid.

    He is said to have agreed a five-year contract with La Liga chairman Madrid and is set to be their first marquee signing of the summer.

    Recall that  Kylian Mbappe had agreed terms with Real Madrid before last minute change of heart to remain at   Paris Saint-Germain where he signed a new contract that will tie him down till 2025.