Latest Football News

Mourinho to serve one match ban with immediate effect

Jose Mourinho has been handed a one match touchline ban by the FA's Independent Regulatory Commission on Wednesday afternoon.

The Portuguese is only fined £16,000.

He was sent to the stands after he kicked a water bottle following referee's decision on Paul Pogba against West Ham on Sunday.

With this ban, Mourinho will have to watch the EFL cup tie against West Ham who returns to Old Trafford again tonight.

Coutinho names the three best players in the world

Phillipe Coutinho has named his choices for the three best players in the world. 

According to the Brazilian, the Barcelona trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar are world's best.

Several fans can disagree with this as he gave Cristiano Ronaldo a miss despite him being favourite for 2016 Ballon d'Or.

"My top three players in the world are MSN trio," Coutinho told FourFourTwo.

"Obviously there are others, at Real Madrid too, like Cristiano Ronaldo.

"But those three complete each other. One is fast, the other is skillful and then there is the top scorer. So they really complete each other."

Ronaldo is rested by Zidane with El Clasico in sight

Cristiano Ronaldo is not named in the Los Blancos squad for the 2nd leg of Copa del Rey match against Leonesa.

Several other first team players are also rested as the first El Clasico of this season is just few days away.

Real Madrid won the first leg 7-1 away, about a month ago.

Gareth Bale had a successful surgery

Real Madrid confirmed on Tuesday evening that the Welshman had a successful surgery to his right ankle as the long injury layoff begins.

The forward targets a speedy recovery from his latest injury setback, which he suffered during the match against Sporting CP in Lisbon.

In a statement on their official website, the club confirmed: "Our player Gareth Bale has successfully come through the operation he underwent today after suffering an injury to the peroneal tendons in his right ankle.

"The operation was carried out at London's King Edward VII Hospital by Dr James Calder and Real Madrid Sanitas' Dr Mikel Aramberri, under the supervision of Dr Jesus Olmo, head of Real Madrid's medical department.''

Gareth Bale injury bolted a big blow on Real Madrid as the season enters a crucial part with the first El Clasico awaiting this Saturday.

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Zinedine Zidane calls for players to show flexibility to fill void left by Gareth Bale

After it is confirmed that Gareth Bale will be out for a significant period of time. Zidane feels the available players should show some versatility to fill up the void left by Gareth Bale's unprecedented injury.

Real Madrid are the current LaLiga toppers and head to Camp Nou for the first El Clasico of the season next weekend.

And Zidane believes it's time, the depth of squad will be tested. With players like Kroos and Morata still on the sidelines, Los Blancos are given some boost as Casemiro and Pepe are back in training and available to play this Saturday against Sporting Gijon.

"It's quite hard to see those injured players miss out," said Zidane, whose LaLiga leaders travel to Barcelona for the first Clasico of the season next weekend. "We do everything in our power, but sometimes that is not enough. Things happen when you play.

"We know we are doing things well. It is upsetting when you see a player out injured – our latest injury for example, Gareth Bale. He is going to be out for quiet a while.

"We are going to maintain our focus on Saturday's game, which is a tough game after two demanding outings.

"Sometimes you may think we might change formations or what our plans are, but we have a set idea and a lot of versatile footballer who can play in many positions That's the benefit of having great players." 

Zidane was asked whether delaying Bale's surgery until after El Clasico was a possibility and he confirmed taking such a risk was never realistically on the table.

"We looked at all the options, we spoke to all the best doctors and they all agreed," he explained.

Following the controversy around James Rodriguez's alleged bad behaviour after being left out on the bench against Sporting CP midweek, Zidane was asked if he would leave the club if he were in his shoes,

Zidane replied: "No, what a question.

"It's not true that he's not playing at all. I'd stay here at the club, a great club, and he will play."

Zidane added: "A player of his standing, of course he wants to play more, but it is down to me to decide.

"I know he is going to be an important player for Real Madrid. He hasn't been playing recently because others have come in and done a very good job.

"There's not much more to say – you look at the rest of the footballers and they are playing very well too, but James is a key player."

The Frenchman tried clearing the cloud over James Rodriguez's move away from Santiago Bernabeu and says he will get time to play.

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Gareth Bale sidelined for a lengthy period

Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale picked up an ankle injury against Sporting CP last Tuesday in Lisbon. He was seen limping off the ground just before the hour mark. 

Madrid revealed on Wednesday that Bale had suffered "a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle", and would be monitored.

The extent of Gareth Bale injury was awaited today and it was initially said that he would miss the El Clasico and remaining fixtures of December.

After diagnosis in Madrid today, club have confirmed that a surgery would be the best option for the Welshman's injury.

"The Real Madrid Sanitas Medical Services have decided that Gareth Bale will undergo an operation following the traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons of his right ankle," a statement read. 

"The operation will take place at King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday 29th November by doctor James Calder, under the supervision of the club doctors Jesus Olmo and Mikel Aramberri."

This will come as a huge blow for Los Blancos as they are still unbeaten this season and are going strong in all competitions.

Gareth Bale has netted 7 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions this season and was a key figure in Real Madrid's victory over Atletico Madrid last Saturday.

This injury puts Real Madrid to real test as they will be hoping to continue their fine form despite the injury concerns.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Massive blow for Real Madrid ahead of next month's El Clasico

​Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale will miss next month's Clasico clash with Barcelona after picking up an ankle injury in Tuesday night's Champions League win over Sporting CP.

The European champions have now confirmed Bale has damaged tendons in his ankle, and according to the ​Star, it's likely he will miss out on the blockbuster clash because of the expected recovery time from his injury. 

The club confirmed in a statement on Wednesday: "After tests our player Gareth Bale today at University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja has been diagnosed with a traumatic dislocation of the peroneal tendons in his right ankle."

Bale has been in excellent form this season and helped Real destroy neighbours Atletico 3-0 at Vicente Calderon in their last league outing.

Los Blancos are already marred by some injuries lately. But this come as a heavy blow for them as the time of season they are heading in is crucial.

The biggest club football game on planet, El Clasico is on 3rd December which will be followed by Champions league encounter with Borussia Dortmund. The match against Dortmund will be a decider as who will top the table. Real Madrid need to win the match.

Tight schedule continues in December as they will travel to Japan for Club world cup.

Zinedine Zidane's squad depth will be put to test as the season enters to a crunch part.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Gareth Bale names his greatest ever teammate

Cristiano Ronaldo may have won Ballon d'or three times but still he misses out.

In an interview to Foot locker, Gareth Bale was asked that who his greatest teammate ever was, and he chose not to give a straightforward answer.

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs may have had an incredibly illustrious career himself, but he failed to win Ballon d'or, something Cristiano managed to do three times.

Greatest teammate ever

Who is the greatest player you have played with or played on the pitch?

"For me the greatest player is Ryan Giggs. He was my hero growing up and is a legend in world football. It also helps he's a fellow Welshman."

Both players have played together on two occasions, and both stars scored in 3-0 win over San Marino in 2007.


©sportskafun.blogspot.com