Real Madrid avenged their 2014 semi-final defeat against Benfica by eliminating the Portuguese side in the last eight to book their place in their second UEFA Youth League final tournament.With Borja Mayoral, already a member of the senior squad, leading the attack, Santiago Solari's group features a number of players tipped to make the grade at the Santiago Bernabéu.Goalkeeper Luca Zidane is the son of first-team coach Zinédine and, in addition to his excellent shot-stopping abilities, his distribution from the back shows that he has some of his father's adeptness on the ball. Cristian Cedrés has proven himself to be an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, while Al...
Tag: real
Zidane urges Real Madrid to look out for Roma
Zinédine Zidane says Gareth Bale and Marcelo will playMadrid lead 2-0 after first leg in Rome, when Cristiano Ronaldo was on scoresheetSpanish side aiming to reach quarter-finals for sixth season in a rowRonaldo became Spanish Liga's second-highest scorer of all time on SaturdayRoma have won last seven Serie A matchesPossible lineupsReal Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modrić, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Mayoral, Ronaldo.Out: Benzema (hamstring)Doubtful...
Varane on Zidane’s Real Madrid impact
A seasoned UEFA Champions League campaigner at 22, Real Madrid's French international centre-back Raphaël Varane tells UEFA.com about playing under boyhood hero Zinédine Zidane and how he went from back-yard football to the greatest competition in the world.UEFA.com: What influence has Zinédine Zidane had on the team so far?Raphaël Varane: He is a coach who loves the game and likes attacking football – he likes movement [in the game], moving the ball around quickly. In training he has added a physical aspect to enable us to play higher up the pitch, which is what he is looking for in our game.He loves to talk and to show video ...
Roma’s Florenzi sounds Real Madrid warning
Roma head to Spain for next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg with a mountain to climb, but with enough belief in their baggage despite going down 2-0 to Real Madrid in the home opener.A deflected Cristiano Ronaldo effort and a Jesé strike appear to have put Madrid firmly in control of the tie. Yet according to right-back Alessandro Florenzi, who had the misfortune of causing that deflection, the Giallorossi can gather a lot from their performance at the Stadio Olimpico."I think it was one of our best displays of the season," said Florenzi, whose stunning goal when Barcelona visited in the group stage was crucial to getting Roma into the knockouts. "We ...
Why Real Madrid look sharp under Zidane
Real Madrid are unbeaten in five games (W4 D1) since Zinédine Zidane succeeded Rafael Benítez; UEFA.com pinpoints what adjustments the new coach has made.Isco centre stageThe 23-year-old had a tough start to the season but has responded brilliantly since being given a start in Zidane's first match, with Real Madrid fans getting a reminder of what the former Málaga midfielder is capable of when playing with a smile on his face. Isco has played 379 minutes under Zidane, as opposed to 12 in Benítez's final six Liga fixtures.James confidence backJames Rodríguez also struggled for playing time in the opening months of the campaign....
What Zidane said at his Real Madrid conference
Presented as Real Madrid's new coach yesterday following the departure of Rafael Benítez, Zinédine Zidane staged his first official press conference this afternoon, the 43-year-old setting out his stall for the rest of the season.On his mission at MadridIt's always been important to see good football here and I want to continue that. I want to play attacking, balanced football and nothing more. We're going to do all we can to play as well as possible.Everyone is going to be important, so James [Rodríguez] and Isco – two formidable players – will be important for me and the fans.We're in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. We have a...
Zidane replaces Benítez at Real Madrid
Rafael Benítez has left his position as Real Madrid coach seven months after his appointment, with Zinédine Zidane taking charge.The 55-year-old's departure was announced today along with the promotion of Zidane to his first head coaching role. The Frenchman, 43, previously worked as assistant to Benítez's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti and, since 2014, had occupied the helm of reserve team Real Madrid Castilla."This is an important day for me," said Zidane as he was unveiled alongside his family on Monday evening. "I'm more excited now than I was when I signed as a player. I am going to put my heart and soul into this job so that everything works out well."We have th...