Tag: Real Madrid

Hazard: Real Madrid & PSG? I’ll change clubs when I want to

The Chelsea star insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge but did not rule out a potential exit in the future

Eden Hazard has responded to reports linking him with an exit from Chelsea, insisting he will make the decision over if and when he’ll change clubs.

The 27-year-old winger has long been linked with a switch to Real Madrid, while Ligue 1 big-spenders PSG have also been mooted as a potential destination for the Belgian.

Goal reported in January that Manchester City would also be an interested party in signing Hazard, with the club ready to break the £100 million barrier.

Although Hazard insists he is happy with life at Chelsea, he suggested there could well be a time that he decides it’s time to leave and seek a new challenge.

When asked about a potential move he told Telefoot: “In football anything can happen. But in football nothing can happen too.

“Every year they talk about Real or PSG. And when I want to change clubs, I will. But at the moment I’m good where I am.

“I still have two year left on my contract. I feel very good over here.

“The fans love me, my family enjoys life over here. We will see.”

Hazard has been one of the shining lights in a below-par season for the club, when compared to their title-winning exploits from the 2016-17 season.

The former Lille star has scored six goals in his last six games in all competitions, including two in a 3-0 win over West Brom last time out in the Premier League.

And Blues head coach Antonio Conte took the decision to rest Hazard in Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Hull City in the FA Cup on Friday, with Chelsea facing Barcelona in Tuesday’s crunch Champions League clash.

Source: www.goal.com

Real Madrid prepare €120m Pogba bid

 

Real Madrid prepare Pogba bid

 

Real Madrid want to end Paul Pogba’s stay at Old Trafford by offering Manchester United more than €120m for the midfielder, according to the Sun.

The 24-year-old returned to the Red Devils in 2016 for a world record €105m, but has found his form criticised and has been dropped by Jose Mourinho in recent weeks.

With Real Madrid also underperforming this season, they see the France international as someone who could help return them to the top of La Liga.

 

What Ronaldo told Neymar during Real Madrid 3-1 win over PSG

The detail of a brief conversation between Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo and PSG’s world record signing, Neymar, during their Champions League round 16 clash on Wednesday has been revealed.

During the high tempo match, Neymar was seen around Ronaldo after the Brazilian fired a weak shot towards Real Madrid goalkeeper and both players held hands.

Ronaldo told the former Barcelona ace, in Portuguese, “Continue tentando,” which is translated in English as “keep trying,” rubbing his (Neymar’s) head as both players continued their match.

While Neymar wowed the Bernabeu crowd with some classic dribbling, Ronaldo scored twice to give Real Madrid the advantage going into the second leg on March 6.

Neymar is heavily linked to a possible return to Spain as a replacement for Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu.

MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 14: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Neymar of PSG embrace at half time during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Bernabeu on February 14, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

‘Ronaldo scores with his knee or his belly’ – Heynckes notes Real Madrid fortune against PSG

European experience, the influence of the home crowd and a little luck helped Zinedine Zidane’s side to a notable scalp, says Bayern’s ex-Blancos boss

Jupp Heynckes felt Paris Saint-Germain were the better team against Real Madrid but paid the price for a lack of Champions League pedigree.

Late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo – who earlier equalised from the penalty spot– and Marcelo gave Zinedine Zidane’s side a 3-1 lead from the Santiago Bernabeu leg of the eagerly awaited last-16 tie.

Bayern Munich head coach Heynckes was among the keen midweek observers and, speaking at a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, the former Madrid boss praised PSG’s approach.

Asked whether the match proved Ronaldo to be superior to PSG superstar Neymar, Heynckes replied: “I think that’s a bit superficial. It’s interesting to hear sometimes when you watch TV and listen to experts who summarise games. Usually they talk about the winner.

“My opinion is different. I thought Paris played well for 83 minutes. I think they had a very good tactical plan and were the better team

“However, they were unable to extend that performance for a further 10 minutes.

“Of course, Ronaldo has extraordinary skills. Sometimes he is a bit lucky and scores with his knee or belly or what have you.”

Heynckes, whose side return to Champions League action against Besiktas next week, feels the influence of Madrid’s tradition of success on such occasions, when weighted against PSG’s relative inexperience, should not be underplayed.

“It was a victory based on willpower but, of course, that’s nothing new in front of the Bernabeu crowd,” he added.

“They always believe in winning and that’s what happened in this game.

“Paris, I think, were punished for their lack of experience and lack of tradition in the Champions League. Madrid just have that. That was the difference in the end”

Source: www.goal.com

Bye bye BBC? Zidane’s Madrid moving away from the deadly trio

The presence of the trident was not needed in Wednesday’s gripping late win over PSG, and the days of BBC dependence are long gone

Real Madrid’s last-gasp victory over Paris Saint-Germain was another sign that times have changed at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Merengues’ formerly all-conquering ‘BBC’ front line has lost its privileged place in the club’s eyes, and is no longer needed to deliver goals or wins even in Madrid’s biggest clashes.

Wednesday’s 3-1 triumph might just prove a turning point for Zinedine Zidane’s men, under heavy pressure having underachieved for much of the current domestic season. The result itself, obtained through two Cristiano Ronaldo strikes and a late third courtesy of Marcelo, is huge, but perhaps even more important for the Champions League holders was the manner of victory.

PSG have been in formidable form over the course of 2017-18, and looked more likely to snatch three points for large spells of the last-16 encounter. Madrid, however, pulled away in the final minutes with two hammer blows, courtesy of two switches ordered by Zidane on the sidelines. Most notably, at no point on Wednesday were all three members of the BBC on the pitch, with Gareth Bale left on the bench and only flung into the action as a substitute for Karim Benzema in the ultimately decisive last 20 minutes of the game.

Without that trio from the off, Zidane shuffled his tactics. Madrid lined up with a midfield diamond similar to the set-up that failed spectacularly against Barcelona in the Clasico meeting earlier this season, making room for Isco as the link between fellow playmakers Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and Ronaldo and Benzema in the final third.

Having seen Mateo Kovacic try and fail to mark Lionel Messi out of the game in December, the coach deemed it unnecessary to pay similar attention to PSG’s ace in the hole Neymar. His faith was vindicated by a storming performance from Nacho on the right, as the Brazilian gave Madrid plenty of frights but fell short of stamping his authority on the game in front of a hostile Bernabeu crowd.

Later, with PSG flagging after an intense start to the second half, the introductions of Bale and Marco Asensio gave the home team devastating pace out wide, which they used to full effect. Both of the side’s late goals originated in a burst to the byline and low cross from the latter, as full-back Yuri Berchiche was left panting and cursing his fresh, lightning-quick new adversary.

Ronaldo was logically lauded as the hero of the evening, with a first-half penalty and a neat, unorthodox finish with his knee to tap home an awkward deflection taking him to 101 Champions League goals in Madrid colours. Bale and Benzema, however, were only afforded marginal roles in the game, begging the question: Is this the end of the BBC?

At least publicly Zidane has never doubted his star-studded trio. “The BBC is non-negotiable for me,” the coach fired on one occasion, as the more excitable sectors of the Spanish press linked Bale and Benzema with imminent exits from the club. But actions speak louder than words. Leaving Bale on the bench, and bringing him on only when his colleague could give no more, shows that Madrid are no longer dependent on the trident’s unique talents to prosper in decisive moments.

That might not be good news for two-thirds of the attack – Cristiano, of course, is on another level entirely thanks to his almost unreal knack of finding the net in European competition – but it is testament to the strength of Zidane’s squad, on the mend after a horrific end to such a memorable 2017.

Even with all three members of the BBC fit and ready Zizou can just as easily turn to Asensio, or Isco, giving Madrid an unpredictability that ultimately proved too much for PSG on Wednesday.

Source: www.goal.com

Champions League top scorers: Ronaldo out in front of Neymar & Kane

As Europe’s elite battle it out for team glory, individual players are engaged in a fight to come out on top as the best goalscorer

The 2017-18 Champions League has returned for the knock-out stage and the race to see who will finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer is back on.

Cristiano Ronaldo was last season’s top scorer with 12 goals as Real Madrid clinched their second Champions League title in a row and he narrowly edged out long-time rival Lionel Messi, who scored 11.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and the precocious Kylian Mbappe were also among the contenders last term.

Ronaldo currently leads the way with nine goals in six games, while Tottenham star Harry Kane is up into second place after taking his tally to seven with a goal against Juventus. In joint-third place are Paris Saint-Germain duo Neymar and Edinson Cavani, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Sevilla’s Wissam Ben Yedder on six goals.

Interestingly, Messi is some way off the pace, scoring a relatively paltry three goals in six matches, so he will have to find his scoring boots in the knock-out stage if he is to stand a chance of taking the crown from his Real Madrid rival.

Champions League 2017-18 top goalscorers:

*Correct as of games played on February 14, 2018

Pos Player Club Goals
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid 11
=2 Roberto Firmino  Liverpool 7
=2 Harry Kane  Tottenham 7
=4 Neymar PSG 6
=4 Edinson Cavani PSG 6
=4 Wissam Ben Yedder Sevilla 6
=4 Mohamed Salah  Liverpool 6
=4 Sadio Mane  Liverpool 6
=9 Philippe Coutinho Liverpool 5
=9 Vincent Aboubakar  Porto 5
=11 Kylian Mbappe  PSG 4
=11 Cenk Tosun  Besiktas 4
=11 Raheem Sterling  Manchester City 4
=11 Sergio Aguero  Manchester City 4
=11 Gonzalo Higuain  Juventus 4
=11 Dimitri Oberlin  Basel 4
=11 Anderson Talisca  Besiktas 4
=11 Romelu Lukaku Manchester United 4
=11 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Borussia Dortmund 4

Ronaldo makes Champions League history with 100th Real Madrid goal

The striker converted a penalty to hit the century mark with Los Blancos in the competition, the first player to do so

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached the century mark in goals scored in the Champions League with Real Madrid, becoming the first player ever to accomplish that feat with a single team.

Ronaldo stepped up in the final minutes of the first half to convert a penalty against Paris Saint-Germain after Tony Kroos was pulled down in the area.

That leveled the score at 1-1 in the Champions League last-16 first leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu, canceling out Adrien Rabiot’s 33rd minute goal for the visitors.

And that spot-kick saw Ronaldo become the only player in history to score 100 goals with the same club in the Champions League, adding to the 15 he had scored with Manchester United prior to his arrival in the Spanish capital.

However, Ronaldo may not be alone in that feat for long.

Barcelona star and rival Lionel Messi stands at 97 goals in the Champions League, with Barca squaring off against Chelsea on Feb. 20 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

The goal also continued another impressive streak for Ronaldo as he now has scored at least 10 goals in seven consecutive Champions League seasons.

No other player has reached that mark in more than two consecutive seasons.

The Madrid star added a second for Los Blancos to make it 2-1 in the 84th, running his Champions League tally to 101 with the Spanish giants, while an 87th minute strike from Marcelo handed the home side a commanding 3-1 lead, which they will carry to Paris for the second leg on March 6.

It’s also a reminder that while Ronaldo has struggled at times this season, he has remained a dominant figure in Europe’s premier competition. He has scored 11 times in seven Champions League games this campaign, compared to 11 goals in 18 La Liga matches.

Ronaldo & Real show why they’re champions to leave PSG project in peril

The champions came out on top at the Bernabeu and proved they can never be written off in this competition as their rivals flattered to deceive again

Real Madrid’s season is still alive. Zinedine Zidane’s side came from a goal down to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the teams’ last-16 tie on Wednesday to show why they have such a special affinity with the Champions League.

Los Blancos have won the European Cup 12 times and six of those trophies arrived before PSG were founded in 1970. The next six have come in more recent times, including back-to-back victories in the past two seasons. And sometimes, history has an impact in these ties.

Despite Madrid’s poor form, which had seen them fall out of contention in La Liga and eliminated from the Copa del Rey, there was always the feeling they could produce when it mattered most – even against PSG’s formidable forward line that came into this game rated as the best in Europe.

“I am disconcerted by Real Madrid,” the club’s former player Jorge Valdano said in the lead-up to this match. “I will find it even more difficult to understand if they brush aside PSG, but it wouldn’t surprise me either.”

And ultimately, that is exactly what happened. In truth, it can always happen in the Champions League. Why? Because in these huge one-off games when their future is at stake, and in their competition of choice, Madrid’s players work harder. They give more.

It is for that reason that Madrid have won the Champions League three times over the past four seasons, but more often than not lacked the consistency to claim La Liga (one title since 2012) week in, week out over nine or 10 months.

Madrid were in trouble. Not just before the game, but also in it as PSG took the lead through Adrien Rabiot. Then, the match and probably the tie was there for the taking and there was a chance for Unai Emery’s side to make it 2-0.

Real were all over the place, but they soon settled and were able to get back into the game through a somewhat soft penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to score it and it was his 100th goal for the club in the Champions League – an absolutely astonishing feat.

After that, it looked like it would finish all square as the second half became more and more cagey. A draw would not have been a particularly great result for Madrid, though, with a tough trip to Paris ahead on March 6. So, in the last few minutes, Zidane’s side went for it – and they received their reward.

Zidane was stubborn, first by picking the out-of-sorts Karim Benzema and then by leaving him on the pitch for so long. But he eventually opted for Gareth Bale plus the extra energy of Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio, and those substitutions made all the difference.

Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to knee home a second goal he knew little about with seven minutes left, before Marcelo’s deflected shot made it 3-1 right before the end. It was not the perfect result, but given the circumstances of the night, it was a dream scenario for Real.

There was an element of luck about all three goals, while some of the decisions went their way on the night too (including the penalty and a Sergio Ramos handball the referee failed to spot).

But Madrid had earned that good fortune. PSG had appeared content to stick with what they had, failing again on the big occasion just as they had against Barcelona last season, throwing away the 4-0 lead they had earned exactly a year earlier on February 14, 2017.

“We have to be optimistic ahead of the second leg, and play again as we did today, when we created a lot of chances,” Emery said, putting a brave face on a defeat which could and should have been a better result for side.

It will be a long way back now, however, even at the Parc des Princes, and perhaps Sergio Ramos summed it up best. “You can never take Real Madrid as dead,” he said.

In the Champions League, that has been proven over and again and, as PSG’s project looks on the brink, Los Blancos seem set for the quarter-finals. And despite the pre-match form guide, nobody should really be surprised at all.

Ronaldo v Neymar? It’s Real Madrid v PSG! – Zidane

The two superstars may be dominating the headlines but the French manager is insistent that the collectives should be focused upon

Zinedine Zidane has played down the ‘Ronaldo v Neymar’ billing being given to the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, insisting the tie will be more than just an individual battle.

An encounter between the world’s most expensive player and the world’s best adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a mouth-watering match on paper.

Rumours linking former Barcelona star Neymar with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu only serve to increase the anticipation ahead of the tie, which begins with the first leg in the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

But Madrid coach Zidane is reluctant join in with that excitement, instead stressing the importance of the team effort, and not just those marquee players.

“We talk about two great players but tomorrow it’s Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain, not Neymar v Cristiano,” he told a news conference.

“We can talk about a player like Cristiano, who has done amazing things in the game and won five Ballons d’Or, but everyone can see Neymar’s quality on the pitch.

“He’s a quality player but we don’t want to see a duel between Cristiano and Neymar, we want to see Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain.”

Zidane has come under pressure during a disappointing domestic campaign for Madrid, which sees them sit 17 points adrift of LaLiga leaders Barcelona having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes in the quarter-finals.

But the former France international, whose future will be in serious doubt if Madrid cannot overcome PSG, rejected claims this week’s clash had the feel of a final.

“All the games are important for me and the future doesn’t bother me too much at the moment,” he added.

“It’s not a final for me. It’s a Champions League match.

“We’ve got two legs and what we have to do is go out and play well. The rest I’m not too worried about.

“We’ve got no pressure. We’re happy to play these games.

“People want to see a good game and you’d have to ask PSG if they’re feeling any pressure.”

Source: www.goal.com

Zidane already knows who he will pick to face PSG

While his counterpart has indicated he does not know who will make up his team against the Spanish giants, the Madrid boss is sure of his side

Zinedine Zidane has already decided on the team he will select for Real Madrid’s Champions League home tie with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Madrid warmed up for the last-16 first leg with a 5-2 demolition of Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his first club hat-trick of the campaign.

Zidane left Casemiro out of his squad, while Luka Modric was withdrawn for the final half-hour and Gareth Bale was given 17 minutes from the bench.

But Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes as Zidane instead took off youngsters Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez, who headed a first-minute opener from Ronaldo’s left-wing cross.

“I know [the XI], but we will see on Wednesday,” Zidane told reporters, after Unai Emery suggested he was unsure over the make-up of his PSG selection.

“Everyone is ready to play on Wednesday and I do not want to say who will come out.”

Of Madrid blitzing Sociedad by racing into a 4-0 lead before the interval, Zidane added: “The first half was phenomenal, we scored fast, we pushed, we put intensity in.

“Then we controlled the game and made the changes, thinking about the next game, but I’m happy.

“It makes things easy when you score in the first minute. It was the full first half in this way, intense, determined, motivated. It was a good way to prepare for Wednesday’s game.

“We have to correct certain things, especially in the second half, but I am left with the positive side, with the five goals and our start of the game. Wednesday will be another game and we will have to put in another effort.”

While Ronaldo has hit top form in timely fashion ahead of the PSG clash – he has scored more goals in La Liga in 2018 than any other player – Karim Benzema drew another blank.

 

“The important thing is that he thinks about the next match, which will change his streak.

“You asked me if I was worried about [Ronaldo] and then you have three goals, we know he always wants to score, PSG will have to be careful with him.”

Benzema hit the post in the early stages and missed a fantastic stoppage-time chance to break a seven-game drought in the league, prompting Madrid fans to whistle the French striker.

“I do not know why they whistle him,” Zidane said of Benzema, who has only hit two La Liga goals this term.

“People come to the stadium and can do what they want, he had chances to score and he did not.