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Tag: Real Madrid

  • UCL: Jurgen Klopp sends warning to Real Madrid, says Liverpool will be ‘on fire’

    UCL: Jurgen Klopp sends warning to Real Madrid, says Liverpool will be ‘on fire’

    Jurgen Klopp has demanded his Liverpool players to be on-top of their game ahead of Champions League final tie against 12-time winners Real Madrid.

    The two sides will meet in Kiev, Ukraine on May 26 after Liverpool survived a “crazy” semi-final against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday to win 7-6 on aggregate.

    Real Madrid are bidding for their third-straight Champions League trophy, while Liverpool manager Klopp will be in search of his first silverware at the club following defeats in two finals since he joined in 2015.

    “We were in a League Cup final and didn’t win it,” Klopp said. “People don’t tell me in the street since then: ‘Thank you for bringing us to the final.’ We were in the Europa League final too. Nobody tells me, thank you. I see no trophies after these games.

    “They don’t hang silver medals at Melwood. That’s a pity, but that’s the game. There’s still a job to do.

    “Going to a final is really nice but winning is even nicer. We will be ready but it is Real Madrid. You cannot be more experienced in this competition than Real Madrid. I think 80 per cent of their team played all these finals. They are four times in the last five years and still together.

    “They are experienced, we are not, but we will be really on fire.”

    Liverpool have received 16,626 tickets for the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium – which holds a capacity of 63,000.

  • BREAKING: Real Madrid through to three consecutive finals after beating Bayern

    Defending champions, Real Madrid are through to the third consecutive finals of the UEFA champions league after defeating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate at Santiago Bernabua.

    Joshua Kimmich scored early on for the German champions from six yards out, before Karim Benzema headed in for Real from Marcelo’s fine left-wing cross eight minutes later.

    A second for Benzema, after a horrendous mistake from Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, put Real in control, although Bayern’s on-loan James Rodriguez then scored against his parent club to set up a dramatic finale.

    Bayern had chances to win it, but Corentin Tolisso and Thomas Muller’s efforts were saved by Keylor Navas and Mats Hummels headed wide as the Spanish side held on.

    Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos made six clearances in the first half, more than all of Bayern Munich’s players combined (five).

    Real will face either Liverpool or Roma in the final in Kiev, Ukraine, on 26 May with Jurgen Klopp’s side leading 5-2 before Wednesday’s second leg in Rome.

    Navas produced heroics at the other end to turn a vicious deflected Alaba effort behind, and Ramos was again fortunate not to concede a penalty after another challenge on Lewandowski.

    The tie should have been put to bed by Ronaldo, but he blazed Marcelo’s cross wide with a close-range volley.

    And that miss soon loomed large as James gave Bayern hope once more, following up his blocked volley from Nikas Sule’s cross and firing through Navas’ legs at the near post.
    Navas had to get down low to keep out a Muller header as Madrid’s nerves were further jangled, but a defence that never looked secure withstood the pressure to put Los Blancos within 90 minutes of a fourth European crown in five seasons.

     

  • Cristiano Ronaldo surpass Xavi to set another Champions League record

    Cristiano Ronaldo surpass Xavi to set another Champions League record

    Real Madrid forward, Cristiano Ronaldo set yet another Champions League record on Tuesday when he made his 152nd career appearance in the European competition.

    The Portugal star started the second leg of Real Madrid’s semi-final against Bayern Munich, with the Blancos carrying a 2-1 lead from the first leg.

    With the appearance, Ronaldo broke the record previously held by arch rivals Barcelona legend Xavi, for the most games played by an outfield player in Champions League history.

    Former Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has the record for most appearances by any player with 167, meaning Ronaldo is on course to beat that mark in the 2019-20 season.

    Cristiano Ronaldo set another Champions League record just last week, becoming the player with the most wins in competition history.The 33-year-old did, however, see his remarkable run of 11 straight Champions League matches with a goal snapped in last week’s game at the Allianz Arena.

    Overall in 2017-18, Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions.

    Goal.com

  • Champions League: Real Madrid v Bayern preview, stats

    Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said his side will look to attack Bayern Munich quickly in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, second leg as they seek to remain on course for an unprecedented third consecutive European Cup.

    “The key for us is think about winning the game and go onto the pitch wanting to do that. We need to go out to score quickly and that’s what we’ll try to do,” Zidane told a news conference.

    Meanwhile, Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes has defended top-scorer Robert Lewandowski following his lack of Champions League goals.

    “Lewy has my complete support. Every striker, including myself, has phases where they don’t score,” said Heynckes at his pre-match press conference.

    “But he has scored a lot of goals this season and you can’t forget that he once scored four goals against Real in the semi-final of the Champions League for Dortmund.

    “So who knows what’ll happen tomorrow?”

    Real should have playmaker Isco available after the Spain international trained on Monday having recovered from a shoulder problem.

    But right-back Carvajal is set to miss out after injuring his hamstring in Wednesday’s first leg at the Allianz Arena.

    Meanwhile, Bayern will be without wide man Robben and defender Boateng after the duo picked up injuries in last week’s first leg.

    However, both left-back Alaba (thigh) and midfielder Martinez (head) should feature after recovering from thigh and head knocks, respectively.

    Meanwhile, Bayern will be without wide man Robben and defender Boateng after the duo picked up injuries in last week’s first leg.

    However, both left-back Alaba (thigh) and midfielder Martinez (head) should feature after recovering from thigh and head knocks, respectively.

    Opta stats

    No team has ever overturned a 2-1 home first-leg defeat in the Champions League, in seven previous such occurrences.

    Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will meet for the 26th time in European competition, more than any other fixture. Real Madrid have now won 12 of these encounters to Bayern’s 11 victories (2 draws).

    Bayern Munich have lost their last six games against Real Madrid (all in the knockout stages of the Champions League), their longest ever run of defeats against one opponent in European competition. Their last away win against Real was in May 2001, in the Champions League semis (1-0, goal by Giovane Elber).

    Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 41 Champions League games at the Bernabeu, last failing to find the net in April 2011 against Barcelona (0-2). In that run, they’ve won 34 games, drawn five and lost only two, including their latest outing against Juventus in this year’s quarter-finals (1-3).

    Under Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid have never been knocked out in the Champions League, progressing in all eight of their two-legged Champions League ties as well as winning the two finals they’ve appeared in. They’ve also won seven of their eight knockout games at home.

  • UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid snatch comeback win in Munich

    Real Madrid came from a goal down to snatch a precious 2-1 victory at wasteful Bayern Munich on Wednesday

     

    The result means the defending champions carry a considerable advantage into their Champions League semifinal second leg in Spain.

     

    Real, eyeing a third straight title, needed a 44th-minute equaliser by Marcelo against the run of play to cancel out Joshua Kimmich’s opener after Bayern, chasing three trophies this season, had missed a hatful of chances.

     

    A perfect break allowed Real substitute Marco Asensio to beat Sven Ulreich with a fine effort and grab the winner in the 57th minute.

     

    The result was identical to last year’s quarterfinal first leg between the teams before Real won the return game as well on the way to the first successful Champions League title defence.

     

    Liverpool crushed AS Roma 5-2 in the other semifinal first leg on Tuesday.

     

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  • Champions League: Real Madrid cruise past Bayern in semi-final first leg

    Defending champion Real Madrid took control of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich with victory in the first leg at the Allianz Arena.

    The holders, attempting to win the competition for the third successive season, struggled defensively but were clinical in attack – and Marcelo and Marco Asensio scored either side of half-time.

    Marcelo smashed home a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area to level matters before Asensio capitalised on an error by Rafinha to score a breakaway goal.

    Joshua Kimmich had put Bayern in front when he slotted past Keylor Navas at the near post.

    The German champions missed a host of chances in an error-strewn encounter, while Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out for handball as his run of scoring in every game of this year’s competition ended.

    Bayern must now score at least twice at the Bernabeu next Tuesday to prevent Real reaching a fourth final in five years.

  • Bayern v Madrid: Rodriguez revenge, Madrid have suffered at the hands of ex-players

    Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez wants to add his name to the list of Real Madrid players who have been jilted by the Spanish club and taken their revenge in the Champions League.

    The Colombia midfielder faces the club that let him go out on loan last summer and what better way to show them what a mistake they made than to knock them out of their favourite competition?

    Rodriguez won two Champions League medals with Madrid and a league title but he fell out of favour with Zinedine Zidane last season and Bayern Munich have taken him on a two-year loan deal that they look set to make permanent.

    If Rodriguez puts Madrid out he will be following in the footsteps of Fernando Morientes and Alvaro Morata who did the same when at Monaco and Juventus.

    Spain centre-forward Morientes was a big favourite with team-mates and fans at the Santiago Bernabeu but he was loaned to Monaco in the 2003-04 season.

    He faced Madrid in the quarter-finals and scored a late goal in the first leg at the Bernabeu to make the score 4-2 in Madrid’s favour.

    The goal was generously applauded by home supporters still fond of Morientes – little did they know he would go on to knock them out.

    He scored again in the second leg and with a 3-1 home win Monaco went through and Real Madrid, with Ronaldo and Raul up front, went out.

    History repeated itself in the 2014-15 season with Morata. He had been sold to Juventus with a buy-back clause and the two teams met in the semi-final.

    Morata scored in the first leg that ended 2-1 to Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Real Madrid in the second leg but Morata scored an equaliser on the night that sent the Italians through on aggregate.

    Madrid often put what is called in Spain: a fear clause, into loan deals in La Liga that prevent players who have been loaned out to other clubs playing against them.

    But that cannot happen in the Champions League and the Spanish club are now hoping Rodriguez does not make them pay for letting him go last summer.

    Real Madrid say the midfielder they signed in 2014 could end up costing the German club 42 million euros (51 million dollars) if they sign him permanently, plus 13 million euros in loan fees.

    But his form this season suggests he will be worth the money.

    He has six goals and 12 assists in 34 games in all competitions and has won over new Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes.

    Real Madrid are hoping anything Rodriguez does, Cristiano Ronaldo can do better.

    He has scored 26 goals in 22 matches against German opposition with nine of those goals coming in six games against Bayern Munich.

    Bayern defender Jerome Boateng is well aware of the threat. He told Kicker: “No striker could be more complete than Ronaldo. He can score with his right, his left or his head. He is a machine.”

    Ronaldo and Rodriguez were team-mates at Real Madrid last season. Whoever comes out on top in the next two games could decide which team reaches the final.

    dpa

  • BREAKING: Ronaldo’s late spot kick lift Madrid to Champions League semi-final

    Cristiano Ronaldo showed nerves of steel to score an injury-time penalty and send holders Real Madrid into the semi-finals of the Champions League in dramatic circumstances.

    The Spanish side progressed to the last four despite losing 3-1 to Juventus on Wednesday but won a thrilling tie 4-3 on aggregate.

    Juventus looked to have staged a stunning revival at the Santiago Bernabeu to force extra time after Mario Mandzukic scored twice in the first half.

    Blaise Matuidi added a third on the hour mark after a goalkeeping clanger from Real’s Keylor Navas.

    The goals cancelled out Real’s resounding 3-0 win in Turin a week earlier but Lucas Vazquez won a disputed injury-time penalty.

    Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon was given a straight red card for pushing English referee Michael Oliver as he vented his fury at the decision.

    The Italian veteran was given a standing ovation from the home fans as he walked off the pitch in what is likely to be his last act in a long and eventful career in the Champions League.

    Buffon is set to leave Juventus at the end of the season.

    Juve’s substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny came on but Ronaldo blasted into the top corner in the eighth minute of stoppage time to score for the 10th game running in this season’s competition.

    The goal sent Real into the semi-finals for a record-extending eighth year in a row.

    Real were missing influential captain Sergio Ramos through suspension and Mandzukic headed Juventus in front when the game was only 76 seconds old, meeting a sumptuous cross from former Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

    The early strike offered the visitors hope of repeating compatriots AS Roma’s incredible second-leg turnaround against Barcelona the previous night.

    The Croatian struck again in the 37th minute, heading beyond Navas, who got a hand to the shot but could not prevent it going in.

    Real had plenty of chances in the first half but Buffon made three strong saves to thwart Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Isco, who was also denied a goal by the offside flag.

    Raphael Varane also sent a header crashing against the bar from a free kick at the end of the half.

    Real settled down after the interval, taming the visitors and twice firing at Buffon.

    But down the other end Navas spilled a cross from Douglas Costa right at the feet of Matuidi who rolled the ball in to level the tie.

    Madrid soon woke up and produced their best spell of the game as Isco, Varane and Ronaldo all went close while Giorgio Chiellini narrowly avoided scoring an own goal.

    Ronaldo finally got the vital goal they had craved to pile more misery on the Italians, who were beaten 4-1 by Madrid in last season’s final in Cardiff.

  • Zidane says Isco will remain at Real Madrid

    Los Blancos boss, Zinedine Zidane reveals he has no issue with Isco’s comments over game-time this week and insists he will remain at the Bernabeu.

    Isco, who is reportedly at target for Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham, said he felt more confidence playing for Spain than his club, after a scoring four goals in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina.

    Zidane in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Week 29 game against Las Palmas admitted that although Isco does not get the same role he gets at the national team in Madrid.

    Zidane also believes “what he said is open to interpretation” and says the 25-year-old, who has scored seven goals in 40 appearances for Real this season, remains an important part of his squad.

    Real Madrid will also continue the defence of their Champions League title on Tuesday when they face last year’s finalist Juventus in Turin.

  • La Liga: Ronaldo hit double in Real Madrid win

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid followed up their Champions League win at Paris St-Germain with victory at Eibar in La Liga.

    The hosts started well but Ronaldo opened the scoring with a neat finish from Luka Modric’s ball.

    Former Wigan defender Ivan Ramis headed in an equaliser for Eibar and it looked like they would secure a point.

    But a defensive error allowed Dani Carvajal to cross and Ronaldo headed in.

    Ronaldo, who scored in the 2-1 win at PSG on Tuesday as Real Madrid moved into the Champions League quarter-finals, has now scored 13 goals in his last seven games.