Sunday, June 4, 2017

Ronaldo fires Real to CL final win

Real Madrid won a record 12th Champions League/European Cup trophy courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's double against Juventus.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid defeated 10-man Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff to retain their Champions League crown.
Madrid became the first team in the Champions League era to successfully defend the trophy with their sixth triumph in the competition - and 12th when you include it in its former guise of the European Cup - three of those victories coming in the last four years.
Cristiano Ronaldo
A thrilling first half saw Ronaldo put Madrid ahead, becoming the first player to score in three different Champions League finals in the process.
Mario Mandzukic equalised for Juventus with a spectacular overhead kick that will live long in the memory.
But Madrid dominated the second half as Juve collapsed, Casemiro scoring with the help of a huge deflection before Ronaldo made sure of the victory from close-range, ensuring he finishes above Lionel Messi as the competition's top scorer this season.
Any hopes of a Juventus comeback were ended when substitute Juan Cuadrado was sent off 18 minutes after coming on, the winger receiving a second yellow card for a clash with Sergio Ramos, before Madrid substitute Marco Asensio put the icing on the cake in the last minute.
Having also secured LaLiga glory, the win seals a famous double for Zinedine Zidane in his first full season at the helm, with Madrid the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to win back-to-back European crowns.
Juventus, who had been seeking a treble after winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia, have now lost five straight finals since last tasting continental success back in 1996, including two of the last three, having also lost to Barcelona in Berlin two years ago.
Former Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain tested Keylor Navas early on with a 25-yard drive, before the goalkeeper had to make a terrific one-handed save to keep out a powerful Miralem Pjanic strike from a similar distance.
It was Madrid, though, who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, Ronaldo capping a slick passing move.
Karim Benzema and Ronaldo were both involved in the build-up before Dani Carvajal's cut-back led to the Portugal international producing an impressive first-time finish, finding the far corner from the edge of the area with the help of a slight deflection off Leonardo Bonucci.
The lead lasted just seven minutes before Juve hit back in magnificent fashion.
Bonucci's pass from defence was helped on by both Alex Sandro and Higuain – the ball not leaving the ground throughout – to set up Mandzukic and the Croatia international took one touch and unleashed a magnificent overhead kick into the top corner, with Navas not close to it
Ronaldo had a chance to hit back, but he misjudged an attempted diving header from Isco's cross as an entertaining first half ended level.
Luka Modric tested Gianluigi Buffon with a left-footed strike from outside the box as Madrid made a faster start to the second half.
And Zidane's men retook the lead just after the hour mark when Toni Kroos had a shot blocked and Casemiro latched on to the loose ball 35 yards out, firing in a shot which took a huge deflection off Sami Khedira to deceive Buffon.
With Juve shell-shocked, Madrid struck again just three minutes later. Modric played a one-two with Carvajal, latching on to the full-back's return pass down the right and digging out a superb cross, allowing Ronaldo to nip ahead of a stationary Bonucci and prod in from inside the six-yard box.
Juve brought on Cuadrado, Mario Lemina and Claudio Marchisio as they attempted to reverse the momentum, wThe Italian champions needed a superb intervention from Bonucci to stop Bale from tapping in a Ronaldo cross, before coming close themselves when Alex Sandro's glancing header fell just wide from Dani Alves' free-kick.
A miserable night for Juve got worse with six minutes to go when Cuadrado, already booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo, saw red after Ramos went down dramatically, the Colombia international having lightly pushed him and made minimal contact with his foot.
Madrid wrapped up a famous triumph in the final minute when Asensio – eight minutes after coming on - slotted in left-footed from eight yards after superb work from Marcelo down the left in an emphatic triumph for Zidane.
Key Opta stats:
- Real Madrid have won their last six European Cup finals, last losing one in 1981 versus Liverpool.
- Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich, Juventus) became the third player to score in a European Cup/Champions League final for two different teams after Velibor Vasovic (Partizan Belgrade, Ajax) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd, Real Madrid).
- Ronaldo has now scored at least twice as many Champions League goals as any other player in the quarter-final stage (20), semi-final stage (13) and final of the competition (4).
- Ronaldo made his fifth European Cup/Champions League final appearance - only Paolo Maldini, Paco Gento (8) and Alfredo Di Stefano (7) have played in more.
- Juan Cuadrado became the third player to be sent off in a Champions League final, after Jens Lehmann (2006) and Didier Drogba (2008).
- Gianluigi Buffon was the third oldest player to feature in a European Cup final (39y 126d) after Dino Zoff and Edwin van der Sar.

- Juventus (4) conceded more goals in this game as they had in the rest of the campaign (3).hile Gareth Bale was introduced for Madrid in his home city.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Champions League final team news: Isco starts ahead of Bale as Real take on Juventus

The Spaniard has been given the nod over the Wales star in Cardiff, while James Rodriguez has not been included for the showpiece event
Gareth Bale Real Madrid Champions League
Isco has been named in the starting lineup ahead of Gareth Bale as Real Madrid take on Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final
The Spaniard played a key role in helping the Blancos see off rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, scoring in the second leg at the Vicente Calderon.
However, with Bale returning to fitness ahead of the showdown, there was uncertainty over who Real boss Zinedine Zidane would opt for out of the two men.
But Zidane has decided to put his faith in Isco from the start with Wales ace Bale named amongst the substitutes in his home city Cardiff.
James Rodriguez, however, has not been included for the showpiece event.

Real Madrid starting XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Real Madrid substitutes: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Kovacic, Asensio, Morata, Danilo.

Friday, June 2, 2017

ARSENAL JOIN MBAPPE CHASE

Kylian Mbappe Monaco
Arsenal are in the race to sign Monaco star Kylian Mbappé, according to L'Equipe

The young forward has drawn interest from several sides, with Real Madrid and Manchester City the clubs with the strongest links to the player so far. 
But with Arsene Wenger under contract again, it seems the Gunners are willing to offer up €100 million to bring the youngster to Emirates Stadium. 

MAN UTD MAKE LACAZETTE MOVE

Alexandre Lacazette Lyon Nice Ligue 1 20052017
Manchester United have made an approach for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to L'Equipe.

The France international was all set to join Atletico Madrid, but the Liga outfit's failure to overturn their transfer ban has seen that move fall apart.
And now United have moved ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal in the race for the 26-year-old.

REAL MADRID TARGET £100M HAZARD

Real Madrid are prepared to break the transfer world record to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea, according to the Sun .
Eden Hazard Chelsea
The Liga side have already met Hazard's entourage three times as they look to bring the Belgium international to Santiago Bernabeu for a record £100 million fee. Madrid believe that Zinedine Zidane's presence can help entice Hazard to leave Chelsea, but Antonio Conte does not want to sell his star player.


Saturday, May 13, 2017

'Bale's not even training with us' - Zidane suggests Real Madrid star not close to return

The winger will miss the Blancos' La Liga match against Sevilla on Sunday and his coach admits he does not know when he will be available again
'Bale's not even training with us' - Zidane suggests Real Madrid star not close to return
Zinedine Zidane remains unsure when Gareth Bale will be available for Real Madrid again but hopes it will be soon.
Wales international Bale sustained a calf injury in the Champions League quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on April 12 and lasted less than 45 minutes on his return against Barcelona 11 days later.
The 27-year-old has not featured since that 3-2 defeat and he has just four more chances to feature this season with Madrid chasing glory in Spain and Europe.
Zidane revealed Bale's condition is improving, but admitted he is unsure when the forward will be in a suitable condition to return to the pitch.
"We have to see day to day with Gareth Bale," he told a news conference ahead of Sunday's La Liga match against Sevilla. "He is continuing in the gym, working, trying to get rid of his discomfort.
"It's getting better, but you have to go day by day. But he's not even training with us. I cannot tell you when he will return, but hopefully it is soon."
Another player who will not feature at Santiago Bernabeu this weekend is Pepe.
The experienced centre-back has been struggling with a rib injury and has been linked with a move to Inter or AC Milan when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
Zidane paid tribute to Pepe's contribution to the club since joining in 2007 but said he is unable to clarify what the 34-year-old's future holds at the moment.
"Pepe's career has been spectacular," said the Madrid coach. "It's been 10 years where he's done fantastic things, but with this I'm not telling you what is going to happen next year because I do not know.
"He will not be in the squad tomorrow because of his rib. He trained with us, but it's not quite right."
Madrid sit second to Barcelona in LaLiga due to an inferior head-to-head record, but Zidane's side possess a game in hand which they play against Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
With Juventus in the Champions League final following their final league outing away to Malaga, Zidane called for concentration to ensure the season does not fall apart.
"We have done phenomenally so far. We look very good in La Liga and are in the Champions League final, but it does not mean anything," said the Frenchman.
"We have three finals in La Liga remaining and we are going to start with the first one.
"The three matches are very difficult. The one in Seville because they are always high up in the table and are a very good team.
"Look at what Celta are doing, and Malaga are in impressive shape at the moment. But we are only thinking about tomorrow."

Conte was wrong - Pochettino says Chelsea spending key to title win

The Blues boss said Tottenham should have had an advantage in the battle for the league crown, but the Argentine pointed out a flaw in his logic
Conte was wrong - Pochettino says Chelsea spending key to title win
Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Antonio Conte's suggestion that Tottenham had an advantage in the Premier League title race, insisting Chelsea's big spending had more of an influence.
Chelsea were crowned champions on Friday thanks to a 1-0 win over West Brom, which came about thanks to a late goal from substitute Michy Batshuayi.
Head coach Conte had previously suggested that Spurs should have had the edge over his side given that Pochettino is in his third season at White Hart Lane, whereas Conte is in his first in English football.
But Pochettino has rejected the notion, suggesting that Chelsea's significant spending in the transfer market has been critical to their success.
"I understand him. It's difficult for him because he was always a manager who liked to work with and to develop young talent," the Spurs boss said.
"It's difficult when you sign for a club like Chelsea and you have the pressure to win and you spend the money that they spent on David Luiz, Marcos Alonso, Batshuayi and [N'Golo] Kante. I totally understand but I don't know if I agree with him that it's an advantage.
"[Arsenal manager] Arsene Wenger should win the league every season because he is 20 years in charge, if that is the right way to measure our advantage. I think it's not fair to measure with me, as it is to measure with Wenger. Twenty years is a massive advantage. Why not win every season?
"It's not a criticism [of Wenger]. It was not the best comment from him [Conte]."
Spurs host Manchester United on Sunday knowing that a victory will ensure that they finish second in the Premier League for the first time in their history.
It is also the last match to be played at White Hart Lane before the stadium is demolished to make way for the club's new 61,000-seater venue, which is due to be ready for the 2018-19 season.
"I am very sensitive person and so emotional, so it will be difficult not to cry," Pochettino said. "I think for the fans it means a lot but in the same way – and I don't want to be wrong – I think our fans are so excited to welcome the new stadium, too.
"That doesn't mean they are happy it is the end of White Hart Lane, but that they are excited towards the progress. They are excited to the future of the club. Be sure it will be very, very emotional but at the same time it will be very, very exciting to welcome the new stadium."