Author: index
Max Allegri Looking To Avoid Real Madrid And Barcelona In Champions League Quarter-Final
Juventus managed Max Allegri is hoping that his side avoid Real Madrid and their La Liga rivals Barcelona during the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. The Bianconeri progressed into the last eight of the elite competition after they picked up a hard-earned 4-3 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur, which included a 2-1 triumph at the Wembley Stadium.
The Turin giants have followed it with a 2-0 home win over Udinese, which took them to the top of the Serie A, and Allegri is now hoping for some good news during Friday’s Champions League draw at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. He said: “I hope to avoid both Barcelona and Real Madrid,” said Allegri after a 2-0 home win against Udinese on Sunday sent Juve top of Serie A. I think Madrid are the favourites to win the competition. They’re focusing solely on the Champions League and there’s nobody else that deals with games in this competition like they do.”
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Zinedine Zidane open to discussing fresh Ronaldo contract
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to focus on Saturday’s El Clasico versus Barcelona as contract discussions could be delayed until after the winter break. The Portugal international is deemed to be unsettled at the European champions after overseeing the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar earn bumper deals at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Speaking in the lead-up to the Barca clash, Zidane stressed that Ronaldo is fully fit for the encounter, and he expects the Portugal international to maintain his focus on the fixture. Meanwhile, the Frenchman added that the 32-year-old deserves every bit of respect from the Bernabeu giants, and he is prepared to discuss a suitable extension after the turn of the year.
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Lampard: Nothing changes for Eden Hazard despite Real Madrid interest
Chelsea great Frank Lampard sees no difference in Eden Hazard’s attitude despite the constant speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The Belgium international has been closely monitored by the European champions over the past month after he admitted that he would like to work under Zinedine Zidane in the future.
Speaking on BT Sport, Lampard insists that Chelsea will have no issues keeping hold of their talisman, so long as he keeps performing at the same level, he said: “If you are Eden Hazard or any top player in the world, the talk of Real Madrid and Barcelona will always hang over you whether it’s spoken about out loud in the newspaper or whether it is just a fact they go after the best players in the world.
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Zinedine Zidane Praises Isco after Victory over Espanyol
Real Madrid finally ended their poor run of form at the Santiago Bernabeu by getting a 2-0 victory over Espanyol during the weekend.
The club had drawn the first three matches of the season at home and this was the worst start to a home campaign for the club in almost 2 decades. There was a lot of negativity surrounding this match and it was only amplified by the absence of Gareth Bale due to a fresh injury. However, Real Madrid were able to get a comfortable victory thanks to a brace from Isco. After the match, manager Zinedine Zidane praised the midfielder for his performances.
Isco’s future at Real Madrid had been under a major doubt for several months, but he recently signed a new contract after finally establishing himself as a regular first-team place at the club. In Zinedine Zidane’s first few months as the manager, Isco was largely on the bench. He has been used in a central midfield role of late and Isco has found excellent form in this position. The 25-year-old was able to get his first goals of the La Liga season in this victory over Espanyol. (more…)
Zinedine Zidane Signs New Contract with Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been able to agree a three-year contract with manager Zinedine Zidane, who has not instant and immense success to the club in a very short spell.
After being appointed as the replacement for Rafa Benitez – likely on a temporary basis, Zidane has gone on to achieve incredible success in the last 18 months. He won the Champions League in just a few months after being appointed as the manager. After having experienced incredible success as a player and a widely being regarded as one of the greatest in the world, Zidane has set about carving out a space for himself in the managerial world.
He helped Real Madrid end a five-year wait for the league title by beating Barcelona to the La Liga last season. This was also immediately followed by another Champions League success. This success, though, was even bigger as it helped Madrid become the first club to retain the title in the modern era. Zidane also became the first manager to lift the Champions League honour in back-to-back campaigns. (more…)
RAMOS THEATRICS ENOUGH TO BEAT THE DRUMS OF RULES’ REVISITAION
Professional football is like a bubble.
Outside it you will meet every laissez-faire form of it; Street football, beach soccer, indoor futsal, you name them. Inside it though houses a different kind of animal mainly bothering on corporate culture.
And as with cultures, they tend to they evolve. This is based on the constant need to improve rules of engagement and the overall well being of all stake and shareholders.
Real Madrid on Saturday ran out winners in Cardiff denying Juventus the chance to lift the trophy for the third time in their history and at the same time condemning them to a 7th champions League final loss.
Sadly for the corporate soul of the beautiful game, a certain Madrid player called Sergio Ramos made mockery of the rules and regulation tablet of soccer’s governing councils.
It is one thing to cook up antics during a do or die football match in a bid to entrap anybody silly enough to be controlled by his emotions. But when leading 3-1 with 6 minutes to go?Absolutely not. Ramos’s theatrics that lead to the sending off of Juan Cuadrado on Saturday was absolutely diabolical. (more…)
Zinedine Zidane Remains Silent on Gareth Bale’s Involvement
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has refused to confirm whether Gareth Bale will earn a starting spot for the Champions League final against Juventus on Saturday.
The Wales international has already declared himself fit for the clash at the Principality Stadium, and he will be hoping to put up a strong display in front of his home fans in Cardiff.Bale has not featured for the European champions since his calf problem in the El Clasico in April, and the former Spurs man admits that he may have rushed his return following a surgery in November.
During the Welshman’s absence, Isco managed to shine in the Los Blancos shirt, and his influence was key to the club’s first La Liga triumph since the 2011-12 season.When asked about Bale’s potential inclusion in the starting XI, Zidane remained coy hinting that he may make a late decision on who starts on the right side of the attack.
“I’m not going to tell you who’s going to play tomorrow,” Zidane told PA Sport. “Isco and Bale are two players who can also play together; in the long run, anything can happen (more…)
