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☆ Jude Bellingham: How a 20-year-old Englishman fueled Real Madrid’s record-extending La Liga title
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Jude Bellingham celebrated winning his first ever La Liga title with his mother, posting a picture on Instagram of the two hugging with the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium stretching out behind them. We had a lot of continuity from the first to the last game.”When Bellingham joined Real Madrid, expectations were high for the young Englishman. Jude Bellingham celebrates with Real Madrid fans after winning the Champions League quarterfinal against Manchester City. He scored 10 goals in his first 10 games, won La Liga’s player of the month for August and quickly displayed his knack of finding late winners, rescuing Real late on against Getafe in September. It isn’t just his goalscoring that has proven so effective for Real Madrid.

Persons: CNN — Jude Bellingham, Santiago, Rodrygo, Ballon, Carlo Ancelotti, ”, Realmadrid, “, Jude Bellingham, Molly Darlington, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappé, “ Jude Bellingham, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Zidane, Steve McManaman, “ There’s, I’ve, Cádiz, CNN’s Amanda Davies Organizations: CNN, Liga, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, La Liga, Bellingham, El, Barcelona, League, Manchester City, Reuters, Champions League, La, Real, Getafe, Spanish, Marca, TNT Sports, TNT, Warner Bros . Locations: Bellingham, La, Spanish, Madrid

☆ Real Madrid earns crucial draw against Bayern Munich in Champions League semifinal
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“We didn’t see the best Real Madrid today,” he told reporters after the game. “Let’s hope we see it in the second leg. Bayern, cheered by the ever-passionate Allianz Arena, roared back in the second half and equalized through a moment of solo brilliance from Sané in the 53rd minute. Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesWhile Madrid will be happy with the result, there were concerns over star player Jude Bellingham who came off in the second half. “We caused Real a lot of problems, especially in the second half.

Persons: Carlo Ancelotti, Blancos, Ancelotti, ”, “ It’s, Vinícius Jr, ’, Bayern’s Leroy Sané, Harry Kane, Vinícius, “, ” Harry Kane, Angelika Warmuth, Toni Kroos, Kim Min, jae, Kroos, Andriy Lunin, Jamal Musiala, clumsily, Lucas Vázquez, Dani Carvajal, Kane, Kim, Madrid’s, Alex Pantling, Jude Bellingham, He’ll, hasn’t, he’ll, ” Kane, Germain Organizations: CNN — Real Madrid, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Bayern, Allianz Arena, Madrid, ”, Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint, Wembley Locations: Santiago, Germany, Spain, Real Madrid, Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris

☆ Pep Guardiola’s $1.26m watch makes headlines after Champions League match
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —While Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was watching his team play Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, his watch was making headlines around the world. Guardiola was wearing an extravagant Richard Mille watch worth £1 million ($1.26 million) on his wrist at Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, according to TNT Sports, which is owned by Warner Bros. The limited-edition timepiece — one of only 50 ever made — is the lightest mechanical watch ever made, according to the designer, weighing only 18.83 grams including the strap. It was originally designed for 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal to wear while playing and so every element was carefully engineered to minimize its weight. Guardiola's Manchester City won the Champions League last year.

Persons: Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Richard Mille, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Rafael Nadal, Oscar J . Barroso, Antonio Miró Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Champions League, Estadio, TNT Sports, Warner Bros, Europa Press, Barcelona FC Locations: Spanish

☆ Real Madrid earns Champions League draw against Manchester City in ‘amazing’ all-time classic encounter
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Stunning goals, frantic action and moments of pure quality; Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Manchester City simply had it all. “Amazing and that is exactly what the Champions League is about,” former Liverpool star and CBS pundit Jamie Carracgher said after the game. “We probably are looking at the two best teams in the competition, the history of Real Madrid and Manchester City, the champion at the moment. Exactly 10 minutes after Silva gave City the lead, Madrid had equalized after Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Rúben Dias. In the 66th minute, City superstar Phil Foden produced one of the all-time great Champions League goals.

Persons: Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Jamie Carracgher, Bernardo Silva, Silva, Andriy Lunin, Eduardo Camavinga’s, Rúben Dias, Rodrygo, Vinícius Jr, Stefan Ortega, Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden, Clive Brunskill, “, ” Foden, I’m, Joško Gvardiol, wasn’t, Merengues, Federico Valverde, Carlo Ancelotti Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Madrid’s Estadio, Champions League, Liverpool, CBS, City, Silva, Madrid, League, Real, TNT Sports, ” Locations: Madrid’s, Real Madrid, Ukrainian, Madrid, City, ” Madrid

CNN —Paris police will “considerably boost security measures” for the Champions League quarterfinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona this week, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told journalists Tuesday. The heightened security presence follows a threat from the Islamic State terror group against the Parc des Princes and other European soccer stadiums hosting Champions League matches, Darmanin said. “We’re aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London. Tightened security in the Spanish capitalIn Madrid, Spanish security forces are reinforcing security measures ahead of the city’s two Champions League games at the Bernabéu and Civitas Metropolitano stadiums, police sources told CNN. On Wednesday, 1,275 security personnel are expected to be deployed for a match watched by around 68,000.

Persons: Germain, Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, ”, Ade Adelekan, “, Clive Mason, Santiago Bernabéu, Francisco Martín Organizations: CNN, Paris, Champions League, Paris Saint, French, League, European, UEFA, London’s Metropolitan Police, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Emirates, ” Arsenal, Metropolitan Police, Police, Bayern, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Santiago, PSG, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, ISIS, Civitas Metropolitano, Spanish Locations: Barcelona, Parc des, London’s, London, Europe, Moscow, Spanish, Madrid, England

☆ Is Soccer’s Model Club Actually … Real Madrid?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Florentino Pérez had a contented smile on his face, and with good reason. He had just watched Spain and Brazil share a thrilling, freewheeling draw at the stadium he has expensively, lavishly, reappointed. Now, Pérez, Real Madrid’s all-powerful president, found himself in a whitewashed tunnel, presented — completely by chance, obviously — with his favorite kind of photo opportunity. To one side stood Vinícius Júnior, Real Madrid’s standard-bearer and main event, dutifully introducing the man who pays his wages to his Brazil teammates. But Pérez’s focus was on Endrick, the 17-year-old star-in-waiting who will complete his long-awaited move to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer.

Persons: Florentino Pérez, —, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Pérez, “ We’re, ” Locations: Spain, Brazil, Santiago

CNN —Brazilian superstar Vinícius Jr. broke down in tears in an emotional media conference on Monday while speaking about his experience with racist abuse while playing for Real Madrid in Spain. This comes after a series of instances of racism that have been directed towards Vinícius in Spain. Racist slurs have also been caught on camera during Real’s matches at Osasuna, Mallorca, Real Valladolid and Atlético. Notably, some Spanish journalists say Vinícius has only himself to blame for the abuse he’s received. Aitor Alcalde/Getty ImagesDespite the criticism that Vinícius has received in Spain, many in other countries remain firmly in support of the talented Brazilian.

Persons: Vinícius Jr, “, ”, Vinícius, Spain, –, Pierre, Philippe Marcou, I’ve, he’s, Jude, Eduardo, Camavinga, David Bernabeu, Javier Tebas, backtrack, ” Vinícius, Aitor, Troy Townsend, ‘, ’ ” Townsend, Rio Ferdinand, @vinijr Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Spain, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Reuters, Valencia, Atlético Madrid, Osasuna, Real, Getty, Liga, CNN Sport, Royal Spanish Football Federation, ESPN, Estadio Mestalla, Aitor Alcalde, ” Former Manchester United Locations: Spain, Madrid, Vinícius, Mallorca, Real Valladolid, Atlético, AFP, Bellingham, Rodrygo, ESPN Brazil, British, England

☆ Brahim Díaz scores ‘incredible’ goal to hand Real Madrid advantage in Champions League round of 16 tie
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Brahim Díaz scored a sensational goal on Tuesday to earn an injury-plagued Real Madrid a 1-0 win and the advantage in its Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig. After the host had kept the 14-time European champion at bay in the first half, Díaz broke the deadlock in the 48th minute. He scored a spectacular goal, it was incredible,” Carlo Ancelotti told reporters, speaking about Díaz’s performance. Madrid goalkeeper steps upIn truth, a depleted Los Blancos looked far short of their fluent best and can thank its third-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin for helping win the match. Elsewhere in the Champions League, reigning champion Manchester City beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 in the first leg of its last-16 tie.

Persons: Brahim Díaz, Díaz, Jude Bellingham, ” Carlo Ancelotti, Alexander Hassenstein, Bellingham, Antonio Rüdiger, ” Bellingham, Andriy Lunin, Amadou Haidara’s, Andriy, Lunin, Benjamin Šeško’s, Šeško, Benjamin Henrichs, –, Santiago Bernabéu, Kevin De Bruyne Organizations: CNN, Real Madrid, Champions League, RB Leipzig, Santiago, Italian, AC Milan, Twitter, Madrid, Reuters, ”, League, Manchester City, FC Copenhagen, English Premier League Locations: Madrid, Leipzig, Ukrainian, ” Leipzig, Belgian

☆ England's Bellingham and Colwill withdraw with shoulder injuries
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Champions League - Group C - Real Madrid v S.C. Braga - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - November 8, 2023 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after the match REUTERS/Juan Medina/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 14 (Reuters) - Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill withdrew from the England squad with shoulder injuries on Tuesday ahead of their last two Euro 2024 qualifier matches. Midfielder Bellingham and defender Colwill will return to their clubs to continue their rehabilitation, the English FA said in a statement. Colwill missed Chelsea's Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday, while Bellingham has been out of Real Madrid's last two matches. England, who sit atop Group C with 16 points from six matches, have already qualified for Euro 2024. Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Juan Medina, Levi Colwill, Midfielder Bellingham, Colwill, Chiranjit, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Soccer Football, Real Madrid, S.C, Braga, Santiago Bernabeu, REUTERS, England, FA, Chelsea's Premier League, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Bellingham, Real, Malta, North Macedonia, Bengaluru

☆ Jude Bellingham: Why Real Madrid has fallen in love with a 20-year-old Englishman
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid’s return to the Santiago Bernabéu after vacating its home stadium due to building works was supposed to be a celebration for Madridistas but, as time ticked away, the Spanish giant was being pegged to a 1-1 draw by Getafe. Enter Jude Bellingham who, deep into added time, was fastest to a rebound off goalkeeper David Soria, prodded the ball into the net, and secured Madrid’s fourth consecutive victory – and his second late match-winner in a row. Already, Jude Bellingham’s goalscoring celebration in Real Madrid’s famous white shirt is omnipresent – after just four La Liga games, he has scored five goals, the most in the league. Bellingham is the second Real Madrid player in history – after club legend Cristiano Ronaldo – to score in his first four La Liga games. Bellingham has scored five goals and given one assist in his first four La Liga games for Real Madrid.

Persons: Santiago Bernabéu, Jude Bellingham, David Soria, –, tugged, “, Jude, Bellingham, ‘ Hey Jude ’, ”, Jude Bellingham’s, Cristiano Ronaldo –, Carlo Ancelotti, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, ” Bellingham, Alberto Gardin, Zinedine Zidane, Ancelotti, …, ” Ancelotti Organizations: CNN, Getafe, Real Madrid TV, La Liga, Bellingham, Real Madrid, €, Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund Locations: Spanish, Bellingham, Real, Madrid’s

☆ Bellingham fever fuels Real Madrid hopes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Real Madrid present new signing Jude Bellingham - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - June 15, 2023 Real Madrid's new signing Jude Bellingham during the presentation REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File PhotoMADRID, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid are banking on the arrival of England midfielder Jude Bellingham to regain the LaLiga title from Barcelona andchallenge seriously for a record-extending 15th European Cup. Bellingham has made an instant impact in the dressing room with his coach and team mates delighted by his performances in pre-season matches. For now, however, Real are lacking a top-level striker to replace Benzema and coach Carlo Ancelotti is relying on the versatile Bellingham, changing the system he used in his former spells at Real Madrid when they won the Champions League in 2014 and 2022. "Bellingham is a complete midfielder and different from the others we have," the Italian told reporters during Real's pre-season trip to the U.S."He is a fantastic player. Real Madrid start their bid for a record-extending 36th Spanish title on Saturday at Athletic Bilbao.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Violeta Santos Moura, Ballon, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Joselu, Kylian Mbappe, Paris St Germain, Carlo Ancelotti, Ancelotti, Vinicius Jr, Vinicius, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, Borussia Dortmund, Spain, Espanyol, France, Paris St, Benzema, Champions League, Real's, Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Thomson Locations: Santiago, Madrid, Spain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bellingham

☆ Summer transfer window: The biggest moves so far as Saudi Arabia becomes major factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —European soccer’s summer transfer window is in full swing, with several household names already moving to pastures new. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid to Al-IttihadIn the first major coup of the summer for the Saudi Pro League, Karim Benzema has agreed to join Al-Ittihad once his contract expires with Real Madrid. After a disappointing season, Real Madrid will be hopeful that Bellingham will be a star midfielder for years to come once the ageing Luka Modric and Toni Kroos depart. The 32-year-old midfielder has signed a contract worth around £86 million ($109.8 million) a year, according to UK media. Rice, who was in the youth ranks at Chelsea and then West Ham, was voted Conference League player of the season.

Persons: Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Al Nassr, Karim Benzema –, Karim Benzema, Ittihad, Benzema, Frenchman, Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid Jude Bellingham, Florencia Tan Jun, Bellingham, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, N’Golo Kanté, Ittihad N'Golo Kanté, Justin Tallis, Kanté, Christopher Nkunku –, Chelsea Christopher Nkunku, Annegret Hilse, Germain, Chrisopher Nkunku, Nkunku, Todd Boehly, Kai Havertz, Germany's, Maja Hitij, Kai Kavertz, Mikel Arteta, Havertz, Boehly, Declan Rice –, Declan Rice, Richard Heathcote, Rice, West Ham’s, Mateo Kovačić –, Mateo Kovačić, Pep Guardiola’s, İlkay Gündoğan, Bernardo Silva, Alexis Mac Allister, Alex Pantling, Lionel Messi, Mac Allister, Jurgen Klopp, Mac, Roberto Firmino’s, Rúben Neves, Al Hilal Rúben Neves, Naomi Baker, Al Hilal, Neves Organizations: CNN, Super League, CNN Sport, Saudi Pro League, Al, Real Madrid, League, La Liga, Real, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Birmingham City, English, Ittihad N'Golo, France, Getty, Benzema, Chelsea, Premier League, FA, Europa League, UEFA Super, Leicester, Leipzig, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Reuters, Paris Saint, Arsenal, Ukraine, Gunners, Manchester City, football’s, Europa Conference League, Gent, Manchester United, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Manchester, Argentina, Brighton, Liverpool, Anfield, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves, Everton, Molineux, Portugal Locations: England, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Portuguese, Saudi Arabian, Karim Benzema – Real Madrid, Al, Ittihad, Bellingham, Dortmund, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Leicester, Paris, Leipzig, Bremen, Germany, Declan Rice – West Ham, West Ham, Mateo Kovačić – Chelsea, Madrid, Spain, Croatian, Brighton, Argentina, Qatar, Barcelona

☆ Barcelona to begin LaLiga title defence at Getafe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, June 22 (Reuters) - Barcelona will begin their Spanish league title defence away to Getafe on Aug. 13 while Real Madrid visit Athletic Bilbao the same weekend, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said on Thursday. Both teams will meet again at Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 32, on the weekend of April 21, 2024. LaLiga's final weekend could be a high-tension climax to the season, with Barcelona visiting Europa League champions Sevilla, Real Madrid hosting Real Betis and Champions League side Real Sociedad hosting Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. The Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia will take place between Jan. 10-14 with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Osasuna and Atletico the four participants. The 2023-24 LaLiga season will kick off on Friday, Aug. 11 and will end on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Persons: Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Getafe, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Spanish FA, Clasico, Santiago Bernabeu, Europa League, Sevilla, Real Betis, Champions League, Real Sociedad, Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, Spanish, Osasuna, Atletico, Copa, Rey, La, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Barcelona, Catalan, Saudi Arabia, Real, La Cartuja, Seville

☆ Brazil to play Spain at Santiago Bernabeu in anti-racism campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rubiales and his Brazilian FA (CBF) counterpart, Ednaldo Rodrigues, met in Madrid to launch their joint movement to combat racism under the slogan "One skin". "It is important to understand that harder punishment needs to be applied in cases of racism by the football authorities," Rodrigues told a news conference. "We need to lead a campaign worldwide to fight against this virus that ashame everyone in football." Last month, the CBF also launched a national campaign against racism in Brazilian league matches with the slogan "There is no game with racism". "There is no place for racist insults in our football," Rubiales said.

Persons: Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Ednaldo Rodrigues, Spain's Ansu, Read, Vinicius Jr, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Vinicius, LaLiga, Rodrigues, Fernando Kallas, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Sports City, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Brazil soccer, Spain, Bernabeu, Real Madrid, Spanish FA, Brazilian FA, CBF, Valencia, Guinea, The Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: Spain, Brazil, Madrid, MADRID, Barcelona, Senegal, Lisbon, Iberia, Valencia

☆ Benzema's Real exit 'surprise to everyone', says Ancelotti
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - June 4, 2023 Real Madrid players throw Karim Benzema in the air after the match REUTERS/Juan MedinaJune 5 (Reuters) - Karim Benzema's decision to leave Real Madrid after 14 trophy-laden years was a surprise, manager Carlo Ancelotti said, but insisted that the Ballon d'Or winner has earned the right to choose. The 35-year-old striker will exit Real as a free agent in the close season, with the Frenchman linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad. "His departure has come as a surprise to everyone, but it has to be understood. It was a last-minute decision," Ancelotti told reporters after Real's clash against Athletic Bilbao. He's earned the right to choose, and we all thank him for everything he's done for this club.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Juan Medina, Karim Benzema's, Carlo Ancelotti, Ballon, Frenchman, Ancelotti, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, I've, He's, he'll, Real, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, Florentino Perez, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Soccer, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Santiago Bernabeu, REUTERS, Bilbao, Sunday, Bernabeu, Atletico Madrid, Real, Olympique Lyonnais, Juventus, Thomson Locations: Real, Madrid, Spain, Saudi Arabian, Al Ittihad, Bengaluru

☆ Vinícius Jr.: Spanish soccer's inaction over racist abuse of Real Madrid star could prove costly for LaLiga
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Except, this week, nobody is talking about the ‘beautiful game’ after the shameful racist abuse of Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. sent LaLiga into crisis management mode. Instead, it must pass investigations into incidents of racist abuse onto local prosecutors, who deal with them as legal cases. 10 when nine previous incidents of racist abuse seemingly were not enough to spark meaningful action? Vinícius Jr. points to a fan in the stand who allegedly racially abused him during Real Madrid's match at Valencia. Fort says CEOs called Sepp Blatter to ask him to step down as FIFA president.

☆ Champions League semi-final: Manchester City vs Real Madrid set for 'thrilling game' with final spot on the line
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In perhaps the most eagerly anticipated club game of the season, Manchester City and Real Madrid go head-to-head for a place in the Champions League final on Wednesday. While Man City is the form team in Europe at the moment, Madrid has serious pedigree when it comes to the Champions League with five titles in the past nine years – and a record 14 overall. Erling Haaland (center) trains ahead of the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid. The Champions League is the one trophy that has so far eluded Pep Guardiola’s side, which fell short against Madrid in the semifinals last year and against Chelsea in the final the year before that. “We are not stupid to [not] know how important tomorrow’s game is, maybe one of the most important games since we have been here, we cannot deny that.

☆ Guardiola backs Haaland to fire when Man City host Real
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 14 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed striker Erling Haaland to rediscover his best form when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final after the Norwegian failed to find the net at the Santiago Bernabeu. But Erling, we cannot forget, is 22 years old and it was the first time he played in the semi-finals of the Champions League," Guardiola told reporters. He was speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against Everton. "The Premier League title is so important even though I know the Champions League is so special. It's many, many months and many, many tough games, incredible effort; this is the most important thing," Guardiola added.

☆ Xavi relies on flawless defence mechanism to lead Barcelona back to glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The change in mentality may not have sat entirely comfortably with Xavi who said Barca's style was "non-negotiable" when he was appointed coach in November, 2021. A former Barca player himself, Xavi was a symbol of their attacking style as a flamboyant midfielder who won every major title with the club and with Spain. They have conceded 13 goals in the league, by far the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. The trio hold the key to stifling their rival's attacking threats, particularly Araujo who has arguably been Europe's top defender this season. Barcelona were last champions of Spain in 2018-19 when they still had club greats Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading their attack up-front.

☆ Real Madrid lose $440 million sponsorship battle with Abu Dhabi fund
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, May 13 (Reuters) - Spanish soccer's Real Madrid have lost a $440 million court battle with Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala (MUDEV.UL) over the proposed sponsorship of its stadium in Madrid, sources with knowledge of the case told Reuters. Real Madrid had claimed 400 million euros ($440 million) from Mubadala because it said the Abu Dhabi sovereign investor failed to honour a sponsorship deal under which it would acquire rights to name the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for 20 years. In 2014, Real agreed a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi fund International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC), now Mubadala, to help finance a planned stadium overhaul. However, in 2015, a Madrid court halted the original modification of the stadium. The court ruled the sponsorship contract had expired by the time the second expansion was agreed in 2017.

☆ The Premier League Crucible Produces Something New: Ideas
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Manchester City had been in possession of the ball for a minute, no more, but to the denizens of the Santiago Bernabéu, it felt like an hour or more. Pep Guardiola’s team moved it backward and forward and then backward again. They would have known as they prepared for their Champions League semifinal that there would be phases when there was little they could do beyond watch City move the ball around. The idea that a visitor, no matter how talented, should come to the Bernabéu and look as comfortable as Manchester City did, in that spell on Tuesday night, was clearly one of them. Guardiola’s team looked so thoroughly at home that it might as well have had its feet on the coffee table and a wash in the machine.

☆ Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti aggrieved by 'small details' in Manchester City's Champions League goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was left to rue the “small details” after the ball appeared to leave the field of play in the buildup to Manchester City’s equalizer in the teams’ Champions League semifinal. The ball was subsequently recovered by Madrid defender Eduardo Camavinga, who then lost possession with a stray pass in the lead up to De Bruyne’s goal. Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesDe Bruyne’s goal canceled out Vinícius Jr’s stunning opener for Real Madrid – a right-footed rocket from outside the Man City box. Writing on Twitter, Haaland, a former Man City player, said Madrid fans were “not happy” with him for celebrating De Bruyne’s goal. All happy.”Madrid next faces Getafe in La Liga on Saturday, while Man City plays Everton on Sunday.

☆ Champions League semifinal: Can Real Madrid stop Manchester City, the 'best team in Europe?'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Real Madrid and Manchester City face each other in a highly-anticipated Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, pitting the defending champion against a team on a sensational run of form. Erling Haaland has broken record after record since arriving at the club last year and has scored 12 Champions League goals this season – four more than anyone else in the competition. It will be a difficult game against City because City is, at the moment, the best team in Europe,” former Madrid manager Fabio Capello told CNN Sport on Monday. Ancelotti admitted on Monday that City is a “more complete team” compared to last year, particularly with Haaland on the pitch. “We’re not setting out just to stop Haaland, but to stop a team that seems unstoppable,” Ancelotti told reporters.

☆ Real Boss Ancelotti hopes to get mental edge over Man City at Bernabeu
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We need to play a complete game tomorrow and be aware that the decisive match will be the second leg. So our aim is to travel to Manchester with a small advantage," Ancelotti told a press conference on Monday. "As for an advantage I mean it’s not only about the result, it’s attitude, the mental part of the game too. "If you play well, give trouble to your rival, put them in an uncomfortable position, it’s a mental advantage. "Manchester City didn't change their style to accommodate Haaland, they have more options vertically with him using long balls and a more direct approach," he said.

☆ LaLiga loss shrinks as ticket revenues recover after pandemic
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LaLiga expects the current season to produce a net profit of just below 30 million euros, "still far from levels reached in the pre-COVID years", with revenues adding a little over 1%. COVID restrictions hit ticket sales and player transactions in 2020-21, leading to the Spanish league's first loss since 2012. Revenues reached almost 4.84 billion euros in 2021-22, landing just short of the record of nearly 5.07 billion in 2019-20. However, the amount of money spent on infrastructure jumped to 430 million euros, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Last month, the club secured a financing deal worth 1.45 billion euros with 20 investors, including Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, after having renegotiated the initial terms.

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