The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Real Madrid

  • Manchester City in tricky Euro group

    Manchester City in tricky Euro group

    … Meet Bayern Munich, Roma, CSKA Moscow

    .… Liverpool to play holders in Group B

    English champions Manchester City landed in a tough looking group in the 2014/2015 European Champions League draw conducted Thursday at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, France.

    The Manuel Pellegrini tutored team will have to navigate past Bayern Munich, Roma and CSKA Moscow to reach the knockout stage, Goal reports.

    Last season semi finalists Chelsea will face Schalke, Sporting Lisbon and Maribor.

    Arsenal overcame Besiktas in a nervy play-off clash thanks to Alexis Sanchez’s first goal for the club to reach the Champions League proper for the 17th consecutive season and will square up against Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlecht in Group D.

    Liverpool mark its return to the competition for the first time since 2009 with clashes against Real Madrid, Basel and Ludogorets in Group B.

    The Anfield outfit has never lost to the Spanish giants in three previous meetings.

    The pairings:

    Group A: Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Olympiacos, Malmo

    Group B:  Real Madrid, FC Basel, Liverpool, Ludogorets Razgrard

    Group C: Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco

    Group D: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasary, Anderlecht

    Group E: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, CSKA Moscow, Roma

    Group F: Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Ajax, Apoel

    Group G: Chelsea, Schalke, Sporting Lisbon, Maribor

    Group H: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, BATE Borisov

     

  • Real Madrid contact Onazi over injury

    Real Madrid contact Onazi over injury

    Spanish giants Real Madrid has written to console Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi over his injury.

    Onazi suffered a fractured ankle when he was stamped on by France midfielder Blaise Matuidi during the round of 16 match between Nigeria and France at the World Cup, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    In a show of solidarity, Madrid wrote to console the player.

    “We have learned about your serious injury during the game you played against France. On behalf of our president Florentino Perez and those who work for Real Madrid, we’d like to wish you a smooth and speedy recovery,” kickOffNigeria.com quoted Real Madrid official, Emilio Butragueno, as saying in the letter  to the Lazio midfielder.

    “As a former professional footballer, I know you are going through a difficult time but I’m utterly convinced that eventually, you’ll be back to full fitness to help your team achieve its goals next season.”

    Onazi has since returned to light training and is expected to join the rest of the Lazio squad for pre-season.

  • Real Madrid completes Rodriguez’ signing

    Real Madrid completes Rodriguez’ signing

    Real Madrid has announced the signing of World Cup star James Rodriguez on a six-year deal.

    Madrid said on its official website that it has completed the transfer of the Colombian international from Monaco for €88 million.

    The European champions had been linked with the creative midfielder since his impressive performance at the World Cup and he has now signed a contract until 2020 with the club after passing his medical, Goal reports.

    Rodriguez started his professional career with Envigado and also wore the Banfield and Porto jerseys before joining Monaco for €45m last year.

    He impressed in his first season at the Ligue 1 side, scoring nine goals in 34 league appearances to help Monaco to second place in the table and qualification for the Champions League.

    The attacking midfielder was also one of the stars of the 2014 World Cup as he picked up the Golden Boot and the Goal of the Tournament award following his sublime performances for Colombia, earning himself a move to Madrid in the process.

    He is the Madrid’s second signing of the summer after the previous capture of Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich.

     

     

  • Kroos reveals he is set for Real Madrid switch

    Kroos reveals he is set for Real Madrid switch

    Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has revealed he is set to swap Bayern Munich for European champions Real Madrid.

    The subject of Kroos’ future has been a hot topic in Germany for some time, with the 24-year-old – who is out of contract at the end of the upcoming season – refusing to sign a new deal.

    The Bayern man enjoyed an impressive FIFA World Cup for winners Germany, starting all seven of their matches and chipping in with two goals – both scored in their 7-1 semi-final humiliation of hosts Brazil.

    And after his team’s 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the final on Sunday, the in-demand midfielder announced that his future would be in the Spanish capital.

    “We’ve finished the World Cup in the best way possible,” Kroos was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

    “Now I’m going to Madrid, so that’s two dreams achieved.”

    Whether Kroos immediately joins Real – which would involve a transfer fee – is unclear, with the UEFA Champions League winners also able to sign him for free when his Bayern contract expires.

    Kroos made 49 appearances for Bayern in all competitions last term, scoring four goals.

  • Lukaku: I don’t understand why Ozil left Real Madrid for Arsenal

    Lukaku: I don’t understand why Ozil left Real Madrid for Arsenal

    The Germany international has been criticised for his performances since the record-breaking move from Real Madrid, with below-par displays continuing into the World Cup

    Romelu Lukaku has questioned Mesut Ozil’s decision to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal in a playful dig on Twitter.

    Arsene Wenger brought the Germany international to the Emirates Stadium last summer, smashing the club’s transfer record with a €53 million move.

    After starting strongly at Arsenal, Ozil’s form in the Premier League came under the microscope and he has again been criticised for below-par displays in Brazil.

    The 25-year-old was one of Germany’s poorest performers as Joachim Low’s side stunned hosts Brazil in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday and Lukaku has jokingly questioned Real Madrid’s reasons for selling him.

    No dissrespect to Arsenal who is also a big club but i don’t understand why ozil has left real madrid…. I guess will never know..

    Lukaku was also the subject of criticism at the World Cup and lost his place in Belgium’s starting line-up to 19-year-old Lille striker Divock Origi, but did play a key role as Marc Wilmots’ side beat USA in the last-16.

  • Cannavaro to take Real Madrid role

    Cannavaro to take Real Madrid role

    Fabio Cannavaro has revealed he would jump at the chance to return to Real Madrid as coach Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant.

    The 40-year-old former Italy captain is reported to be in contention to replace Zinedine Zidane, who took over as Real Madrid Castilla coach last month.

    Cannavaro has gained experience as assistant coach at Dubai club Al Ahli since calling time on his playing career – which included a three-year stint at the Bernabeu – and was linked with the Italy job after Cesare Prandelli resigned.

    The World-Cup winner has not had any contact with European champions Real, but he would welcome the opportunity to work alongside Ancelotti.

    He said: “I read in the press that my name is being considered, but I really don’t know anything else.

    “Everyone knows I have a really good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, and I spent three fantastic years in Madrid. Beyond that, I don’t know any more. I have my coaching qualification, I want to be coach and we’ll see what happens.

    “I’ve been working as an assistant coach for a team in Dubai. There wasn’t any pressure, but it has been very useful.

    “Now I watch matches more as a coach than as a former player. It’s a small step in my career. Then if I got the call from Ancelotti, I would have to make the most of the opportunity and of course I would go.

    “The important thing is to get experience. Especially if you’ve been a good player. Then everyone thinks that you’ve got to win everything in your first year. And it’s not like that, you have to take it step by step.”

  • Real Madrid rule Europe

    Real Madrid rule Europe

    Real Madrid on Saturday won the 2014 UEFA Champions League, beating Atletico Madrid 4-1 in the final played in Lisbon.

    Uruguayan international Diego Godin’s 34th minute header put Atletico ahead in the final played before a capacity crowd in the Portuguese capital.

    Spanish international Sergio Ramos equalized for Real Madrid in the 93rd minute to force the match into extra time.

    Welsh international Gareth Bale who scored the winning goal against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final in April broke Atletico supporters’ hearts with a headed goal in the 110th minute.

    Although he was particularly profligate in the match, wasting three clear chances, his goal ultimately settled the encounter and put Lo Blancos on the brink of 10th UEFA Champions League title.

    Thereafter the Spanish giants put their La Liga rivals to the sword, scoring the third and fourth goal through Marcelo in the 118th minute and  Ronaldo from the spot in 119th minute.

  • Bale joins Madrid for £86m

    Bale joins Madrid for £86m

    Gareth Bale is free to join Real Madrid after Tottenham agreed a world record £86million deal with the Spanish giants on Sunday night, Daily Mail reports.

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy signed off the staggering move for the PFA Player of the Year following talks with directors in the boardroom at White Hart Lane.

    Bale’s transfer to Real beats the previous world record of £80m which the Spanish giants paid to Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

    Levy returned from talks in Madrid with Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett and Tottenham director of football Franco Baldini to watch his club’s 1-0 victory over Swansea City after agreeing the deal.

    It is understood that the decision to travel to Madrid to meet Perez — who is known to revel in these situations — was part of a tactic designed to get the highest possible price.

    The fee represents an extraordinary return on the £7m Spurs paid Southampton six years ago and will only add to Levy’s reputation as the toughest negotiator in the game.

    It also brings to an end one of the most protracted transfer sagas in the history of the game following a summer of talks.

     

  • Real Madrid ‘hooks’ dropped Eaglet

    Real Madrid ‘hooks’ dropped Eaglet

    Spanish giants Real Madrid has snapped up Abuchi Obinwa, a United States- born Nigerian, who was dropped by Golden Eaglets’ officials for failing the MRI test, futaa.com reports.

    The parents of the young Nigerian had sent him to the Nigeria Football Federation to undergo trials with the Eaglets, and according to reports, the youngster had dazzled the technical crew.

    However, some expressed doubts about his real age and the parents promptly shelled out about N100, 000 to have an MRI scan done on him.

    Obinwa reportedly failed the test, but is now heading to Real Madrid who had earlier expressed interest in him.

     

  • Ancelotti gets Real Madrid’s job

    Ancelotti gets Real Madrid’s job

    Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as the new coach of Real Madrid on a three-year deal, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

    “Carlos Michelangelo Ancelotti would be the coach of Real Madrid next season,” said a statement on the club’s website.

    “Experience, success and reliability in all the countries in which the Italian has worked, he arrives in the Spanish capital after being chosen as coach of the year in France.”

    “Ancelotti would be formally presented to the media on Wednesday afternoon, it added.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the 54-year-old Italian’s protracted move from Paris Saint-Germain was finally confirmed after the French champions also appointed Laurent Blanc as coach for next season on Tuesday.

    That cleared the path for Madrid to announce Ancelotti as  new boss after it was announced Jose Mourinho would not be continuing at the club on May 20.