Why Real Madrid will win the UEFA Champions League and become the first team to retain the title in modern era?

11 UCL titles including two in last three years speaks itself for the success Real Madrid have in the UCL. The teams may have not performed well in the league in those seasons but winning UCL is something which runs in the blood of this capital club from Madrid.

This year's team is as complete and deep as any team could thrive for. The quality of the players, their importance and how they benefit the team is simply outstanding. This team has shown their will and attitude time and again on the ground. Every player has contributed for the success and deserve every bit of that UCL crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 8 goals in the knock-out stages so far. © Getty images

Not forgetting to mention the coach, Zinedine Zidane, the ultimate tactician. He was criticized earlier this season, sometimes, for lacking sharpness in his team, but the way he tamed his team to first achieve a Liga title  in 5 years and into the final of UCL is something to be applauded. He was able to instil that hunger for success in the team and the never say die attitude.

Real Madrid stand on the brink of history and the night in Cardiff is going to be an unforgettable one. Every player is ready to go and give it all on the pitch. The Old Lady from Turin, will try to complete the treble, they were deprived off a couple of years ago, but Los Blancos won't give in so easily. The defence of Scudetti champions has been impenetrable but they are up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco, Morata etc.

It will be a treat to watch for football fans  around the world.

Real Madrid let two goal lead slip away, as they finish second in the group

It was a frustrating night for Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu as Dortmund sealed the first place in the dying moments of the Match.

Karim Benzema scored a goal in either halves to give Real Madrid a two goal lead. He also reached 50 goal mark in the club continental competition and could have scored a hat-trick but his header was cleared off the line by Marco Reus.

Real Madrid spurned a few chances to put the game beyond reach of the German outfits. Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by the post but everyone in the stadium felt he should have done better.

Dortmund punished Real Madrid for there missed chances as they hit back, courtesy of the goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus. 

Reus scored in the 88th minute to to complete a brilliant comeback and seal the top spot in the group.

Zidane echoed his frustration after the Match but remained positive as his side's unbeaten run reached to 34 match.

"When you see how the second half went you get a bit angry," Zidane told reporters after the match.

"We had the game in our hands but this is football. You need to carry on right to the end. 

"We had chances to score a third, but that's in the past now. We couldn't do any more. I'll analyse the game and we will see when things have calmed down a bit what we can take away.

"I have mixed emotions. Things happen. We missed a few chances to seal the game but we drew and came second in the group. 

"We gave our all to come first, but didn't do it. I'm very proud of the players, their hard work, the things they did.

"Now we need to rest. The second half saw us lose a bit of intensity but we had chances to score a third."

Zidane congratulated Dortmund on finishing first and felt they deserved it across the six matches.

He said: "They are a strong side who make life difficult and at the end of the day we needed to be a bit more on it, but it is in the past now. 

"The group is probably fair with us second and them first.

"There were a lot of chances to score the third goal. Instead, we got Dortmund back into the game. Dortmund deserved first place and they demonstrated how strong they are.

"We gave our all to come first. We didn't achieve it. We wanted to do it but couldn't. 

"We won't go over it again. We came second and we'll now see who we get in the draw."

Real Madrid could face table toppers like Juventus or Arsenal in the last 16, which will take place in February next year.

The draws will be out on 12 December as some mouth watering fixtures are surely on the cards.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

"I'll underline the team's hard work" - Zinedine Zidane hails team spirit after El Clásico draw

Real Madrid scored a late equalizer to take away a point from the Camp Nou.

Sergio Ramos, the captain, rescued Los Blancos in the 90th minute as Barcelona managed to take the lead earlier in the 53rd minute.

It was a hard fought match and Zidane believed that it was not easy to come to Camp Nou and win.

Excerpts from the post match interview -

Speaking to the Real Madrid ​official website, the French legend said: “We have to highlight the spirit shown by this team yet again, the way we worked together and the belief we showed until the end to clinch this important point.

"I don't know whether or not [a draw is] fair, but it's the way it's gone. It's a point, we keep picking them up, and in the first half we had chances to hurt them.

"They scored their goal in the second half, we let up a bit and they grew in confidence. It's a point but it doesn't feel like a win. We can be very happy with how we played against a very tough opponent. Now we have to rest up because we've got another match in no time at all," Zidane continued.

He also emphasized on the fact that the title race is far from over and there is still long way to go.

"We've got a six-point advantage, but that won't change anything. This is a long-run thing and we have to work hard until the end. We're pleased with the point but we know that La Liga will be tough right to the finish.

“We can mix things up and we have a lot of different players who add something new within different tactical systems. That is the good thing about this team and today we saw the importance of each player. We are going to need all of these individuals right up until the end”.

Zidane also heaped praise on the captain and saviour of the match, Sergio Ramos.

"It was a real collective effort. It's not an easy place to come and we were under pressure, but it's difficult for anyone.

"I'll underline the team's hard work. At the end, as always, Ramos is there to score and I'm happy for him, and we've managed to get something thanks to our belief until the final moment.

“It doesn't surprise me anymore. It's the way he is. He's got real personality and you can always count on him in these game. He never lets his head drop and he's motivated until the final minute. It's great for us, Zidane concluded.

Zidane overtook Carlo Ancelotti's record of 32 games unbeaten streak with the draw.

Real Madrid play Borussia Dortmund next at Santiago Bernabeu for the top place finish.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

El Clásico - It ended all square at the Camp Nou

Sergio Ramos cancelled Luis Suarez opener in the dying moments and rescued a point for Real Madrid.

With this draw Real Madrid increased their winning run to 33 games and maintain six points lead over 2nd placed Barcelona.

The match had all the drama. An early penalty shout by Real Madrid denied by the referee, niggling fouls by both the teams, some nervy moments and of course the two headed goals.

As it all happened, both teams dominated either half of the game and in the end the draw was an apt result.

Real Madrid had fair number of chances in the first half and could have gone up but somehow it remained nil nil.

Barcelona took the lead under 10 minutes into the second half through Luis Suarez after Varane fouled Neymar on the left flank, after the goal they had 3-4 chances gone begging and ultimately paid the price, when Luka Modric's delivery found Sergio Ramos header who saved the day for Los Blancos.

Messi has now gone 6 Clásicos without finding the back of the net. He had a chance in this game but he dragged his shot wide. 

Barcelona needed a win to revitalize their dull season, however for Real Madrid it's job done as they would be happy to leave away with a point.

The draw keeps Los Blancos on top of the table and their streak intact.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

12 hours to the biggest game in club football- 12 facts to know

With the biggest game just 12 hours away. Read 12 facts about the El Clásico which every enthusiast should know.

Some records are in the sight for both teams and it will be a treat for football fans all around the world to witness them being broken or created tonight.

Barcelona have lost just three of the last 13 Clásicos they have played at home in all competitions (W7 D3). 

Real Madrid have won five of their last nine games aganst Barça in all competitions (L4), including their last trip to Camp Nou (1-2). 

Zinedine Zidane could become the first Real Madrid manager to enjoy consecutive wins in Clásicos at Camp Nou since Miguel Muñoz in 1965 (four in all competitions). 

Should Barcelona win this game, it would be their 50th victory over Real Madrid at home in La Liga.

No Barcelona manager has ever lost two Clásicos in a row at home. 

Barcelona and Real Madrid have not drawn a game without scoring and conceding in La Liga since November 2002, the worst La Liga season for the Culés in the 21ST century (6th).

Messi has gone five games without scoring against Real Madrid in all competitions, his worst such run in El Clásico. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored ten of Real Madrid’s last 16 goals at Camp Nou in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored all five Real Madrid goals in his last two league games (one hat-trick and one brace).

Benzema has assisted more goals than any other current Real Madrid player in all competition Clásicos (5), with three of them scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Zidane have gone 25 games in a row without a defeat in La Liga (W22 D3), with his team scoring in all of them (an average of three goals per game).

27 points after the opening 13 league games is the worst start for Barcelona since 2007/08 (also 27), when they finished the season in third place.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Zinedine Zidane, Claudio Ranieri and Fernando Santos are the three shortlisted for FIFA MEN'S COACH Award

FIFA announced the three contenders shortlisted for the FIFA Men's Coach Award earlier today.

The three coaches named are the most successful coaches of this year. All 3 have succeeded under odd circumstances and led their teams to the glory.

Claudio Ranieri has been named for his success with Leicester City. The Italian led Leicester to their first ever Premier League title. Ranieri beat the odds of 5000/1 to win the title.

The 65 year has managed clubs like Chelsea, Valencia in his long career but he tasted his first league success with the Foxes.

Leicester City had an incredible run of form last season as they finished 10 points above Arsenal.

With his incredible success Ranieri has good chance of winning the award.

Second is Zinedine Zidane, who led Real Madrid to their 11th Champions League title and second place in La Liga just a point behind winners Barcelona.

Zinedine Zidane is also few of them who has won the coveted UCL title both as a player and a manager. 

Real Madrid were suffering when they appointed the Frenchman as the head coach. Under his guidance, Real Madrid won the La Undecima. 

He also became the first coach for Real Madrid who beat Barcelona in Camp Nou in his first Clasico.

Real Madrid suffered just one defeat since Zidane has taken charge and their unbeaten run is still on.

Zidane has also his chance of winning this award.

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos complete the trio of shortlisted contenders.

Fernando Santos led Portugal to their first ever major International title, winning the Euro Cup in July.

Portugal beat hosts France in the final, thus claiming their hands on the covered trophy.

Fernando Santos has his own style of play and till now has succeeded with his method.

The shortlist for Women's coach are USA's Jill Ellis, former Germany coach Silvia Neid and Sweden's Pia Sundhage.

The winners will be announced in Zurich on January 9.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Arsenal out of the EFL Cup, Real Madrid thrash Leonesa in CDR and other results

Massive aggregate win for Real Madrid

It was a comfortable outing for the Los Blancos as they scored 6 past Cultural Leonesa at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane named a team which had many young players and they romped to victory.

Real Madrid won the tie 13-2 on aggregate. 

Enzo Zidane scored a goal just in18 minutes after coming on to the pitch. James Rodriguez too showed his class as he found the back of the new from a close range header.

Madrid took the lead in the first minute of the game through Mariano Diaz.

Real Madrid advanced to the next round of the Copa del Rey with ease. Zidane must be really happy and proud, both as a father and a manager, as Enzo made a lovely finish on his debut. 

In other CDR First leg matches Atletico Madrid thrashed Guijuelo 6-0 away. Yannick Carrasco scored a brace.
While Barcelona held for a 1-1 draw by Hercules.

Arsenal out of the EFL Cup

Arsene Wenger made a tough call by naming a team with 10 changes from the weekend clash against AFC Bournemouth and not enough strength on the bench, in the quarter final tie against Southampton at the Emirates.

Mohammed Elneny was the only one to retain his place while Rob Holding, Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Perez made a rare start. 

Two first half goals from Southampton handed Gunners the second defeat of the season in all competitions as they bid goodbye to the League Cup.

Jordy Clasie and Ryan Bertrand scored the goals for Saints in the 13th minute and 38th minute respectively.

Arsenal had their chances but they fell short on the night against the opponents they had struggled in recent times.

Southampton played really well and deserved to win.

Manchester United hit 4 past the Hammers

West Ham returned to Old Trafford in just 3 days time after drawing the Premier League fixture, which saw José Mourinho sent to the stands after kicking the water bottle and was serving a one match touchline ban in the quarter final tie.

Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini were also suspended for the game after accumulating 5 yellow cards.

Mkhitaryan made a start and had a great game. As he assisted the first goal for the Red Devils. Mkhitaryan also assisted Anthony Martial's second and United's third in the 2nd half.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic poked the ball home after being teed up by the Armenian in the 2nd minute of the game.
West Ham equalised when De Gea failed to hold on to the shot of Dimitri Payet from outside the box and the rebound fell into the path of former Red Devil Ashley Fletcher to finish home from a close range.

Manchester United looked like a team the mission in second half. As Anthony Martial scored two goals to take the game away from the Hammers. The Frenchman found his lost mojo against his favourite opponents.

Bastian Schweinsteiger came on to the pitch in the 86th minute in the place of Anthony Martial as the Red Devil fans burst into an uproar. He made his first appearance since March.

The German, in the night's short stint, had a shot on the goal from outside the box and then later played a part in United's fourth goal of the night as he found Herrera with a neat pass.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the 4th goal to cap off a win with virtually the last play of the game.

Manchester United are the 4th team to advance to the semifinals after Liverpool, Hull City and Southampton.

EFL Cup semi-final fixtures are out

​The EFL Cup semi-finals will see Southampton pitted against Liverpool while Manchester United will face Hull City.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

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.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

James Rodriguez eyes move away from Real Madrid

James Rodriguez has been an outcast at Real Madrid this season.

One doesn't know the reason but he somehow is not able to make into Zinedine Zidane's line-up.

James has only made six appearances this season and majority of them came from the bench, despite some of the recent injuries to the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

One of the brightest talent in the footballing world, Real Madrid are lucky to have a player of his quality but he is only wasted on the bench, struggling to get some playing time.

According to ​Spanish news outlet ​Marca, being overlooked has had a detrimental effect on the player's relationship with coach Zidane, who appears to have exiled the player.

The pair's toxic affair came under even more scrutiny following the club's Champions League 2-1 victory over Sporting CP. While Rodriguez was an unused substitute for the tie, his attitude and general negative presence on the bench was picked up on by the television cameras.

This has led to strong rumours suggesting that Rodriguez will demand to leave the Bernabeu either in the winter or summer transfer window, with Manchester United said to be keen to take on the Colombia international to boost their attacking options.

However, the club's hierarchy, including president Florentino Perez, are said to be keen to keep the player in Madrid, and are eager for Zidane to find a place for him in their starting XI.

Los Blancos injury woes have risen as Gareth Bale recently picked up an ankle injury in Lisbon and if possible Zinedine Zidane may now hand James some playing time.

©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