Galatasaray 0-1 Real Madrid: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Early Kroos Goal Proves the Difference

Real Madrid got their first win in the Champions League this season as a hard fought 1-0 victory over Galatasaray moved them up to second place in Group A.

The hosts started the game well and had the better of the opening 15 minutes, creating two clear cut chances for Florin Andone – but Thibaut Courtois saved well from both efforts. The Turkish side were to rue these two misses, with Eden Hazard teeing up Toni Kroos to side-foot home via a deflection minutes later.

Toni Kroos

Both teams continued to create a number of chances, with ​Karim Benzema and Younes Belhanda guilty of fluffing their lines in great positions. Half time came, with the Turkish champions knowing that they were well in this game if they took their chances.

The second half continued in the same vein. Hazard had a guilt-edge chance to make it two, but somehow hit the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Incredible scenes erupted around the Turk Telekom Arena midway through the second half, as the Turkish faithful collectively booed Belhanda when he was substituted off following another shocking performance, with the Moroccan seemingly responding with some abuse back towards the crowd.

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Chances came and went thereafter, but Real hung on for a crucial three points to finally get their Champions League campaign up and running.

Here’s 90min’s breakdown of the game.


GALATASARAY

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Muslera (7); Mariano (5), Luyindama (7), Donk (6), Marcao (6), Nagatomo (6); Seri (6) Nzonzi (8*), Belhanda (4); Babel (7) Andone (6)

Subs: Feghouli (6), Bayram (6), Mor (6)


REAL MADRID

Key Talking Point

​Real Madrid were yet to taste victory in the Champions League this season, and needed three points to relieve the pressure of manager Zinedine Zidane.

Sergio Ramos

They got the victory they were looking for in a heated Istanbul atmosphere, but yet again, the performance was far from convincing. Defensively they were all over the place, and gifted so many clear chances to Galatasaray. 

They were perhaps lucky that Radamel Falcao was out injured for the hosts, otherwise it would have been a different story. The result may have lifted some of the pressure, but if they continue playing like this, it won’t be for long.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Courtois (7); Carvajal (5), Ramos (5), Varane (6), Marcelo (6); Kroos (8*), Casemiro (7) Valverde (7); Rodrygo (7), Benzema (6); Hazard (7)

Subs: Jovic (6), Vinicius Junior (6), Rodriguez (6)


STAR MAN

​Toni Kroos has received a lot of criticism from Los Blancos fans of late, but on his 100th Champions League appearance, he put on a masterclass in the middle of the park.

The German ran the show, showcasing his sensational passing ability alongside some driving runs from the heard of midfield. The winning goal in the early stages of the game was a fitting reward for a high class performance.


Looking Ahead

Galatasaray look like they are in a battle with Club Brugge to scramble into the Europa League, and with a home fixture against the Belgian side still to come, they will be confident that they can get into Europe’s second tier competition.

Madrid will be delighted to finally get a win, but the manner of victory will be a major cause for concern. They take on Galatasaray once more in the next group game, and know a win will almost certainly guarantee their place in the next round.​

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Galatasaray v Real Madrid: 7 Key Facts & Stats to Impress Your Mates Ahead of Champions League Clash

It’s fair to say that Real Madrid’s last La Liga outing against RCD Mallorca didn’t exactly go to plan.

A surprise 1-0 defeat robbed Los Blancos of their unbeaten start to the season, and perhaps unmasked some of the problems currently engulfing Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Alvaro Odriozola

For now, though, Madrid’s attention must turn towards Europe and the Champions League, where a win over Galatasaray is imperative.

Despite heavy investment in the summer, the Turkish giants haven’t started the season well, currently occupying sixth in the Super Lig and taking just one point from their opening two Champions League group games.

So what better way to prepare for the game than a dip into some Opta powered pre-match stats? And begin…


Goals, Goals, Goals

This is the seventh Champions League meeting between these two sides and the first since the 2013/14 group stage.

Galatasaray will be looking for a different outcome this time around, however, as back in 2013, Los Blancos won the two fixtures by a 10-2 aggregate scoreline.

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Usually, when these two sides come together, goals tend to be on the menu.

Among Champions League fixtures to be played at least five times, this fixture has produced the highest goals per game figure (4.67), with 28 goals scored in six meetings.


Bogey Nation

Galatasaray have struggled against Spanish opposition in years gone by. So much so that their only win in their last 17 European matches against a Spanish outfit was their 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the 2012/13 Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Other than that, it’s four draws and 12 losses noted down in the history books.


Drought

Real Madrid are winless in their last three Champions League clashes, with a draw against Club Brugge and a defeat to PSG representing a pretty dismal start. Chuck in that mauling at the Bernabeu from Ajax last season, and the recent memory bank is full of disheartening images.

UEFA Champions League - Olympiakos v Real Madrid

Things have been worse though, once upon a time. Between November 2005 and September 2006, Real went five matches without a win – a run that, ironically, Zidane featured in as a player.

He won’t want to break that record, you can guarantee that.


Still Have Faith in Fatih?

Galatasaray boss Fatih Terim will take charge of his 50th Champions League game against Real MadridHowever, Terim has lost 25 of his 49 matches so far, making him the only manager to lose as many as 25 in fewer than 50 matches in the competition.

An unwanted record, to say the least.

UEFA Champions League"Galatasaray AS v Paris St. Germain"

Terim has overseen just two wins from Galatasaray’s last 22 Champions League matches (W2 D6 L14). Both wins were at home in the group stages – Benfica 2015 and Lokomotiv Moscow 2018.


Karim the Dream

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Karim Benzema generally likes to put the ball in the back of the net.

That doesn’t change in the slightest when it comes to facing Galatasaray. In his last three appearances against the Turkish outfit, the Frenchman has five goal contributions – scoring three.

Tasty.


Open-Play? Nah…

Neither side have scored a goal in open-play in the competition thus far. 

Florin Andone,Oemer Bayram

The home side have failed to score in their two openers, attempting 10 shots from open-play. Real have scored twice so far – both in their last game against Club Brugge – but have failed from all of their 23 attempts at goal in open-play.


Second Half Specialists

Since scoring four first-half goals against Viktoria Plzen in November 2018, Real have failed to score in the first half of six Champions League matches, while conceding eight in the opening 45 themselves.

Sergio Ramos

Last time out, Zidane’s side came back from a 2-0 first-half deficit to draw 2-2 with Club Brugge – the seventh time that they have come back from 2 or more goals behind, three more than any other club.


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Creating a Starting XI of Recent Players Who Burst Onto the Scene During the U-17 World Cup

​With the U-17 World Cup slowly approaching, it’s time to get excited about some future stars who are set to put on a show for the world to see in Brazil.

A number of current top class players emerged onto the scene through the U-17 system, even some you may not have expected.

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Here is a starting XI of some of the best players to have appeared and made a name for themselves through the U-17 World Cup.


Jordan Pickford (GK)

Jordan Pickford

The current England number one came up through the Sunderland academy, and started for the U-17 team before be made his debut for the Black Cats.

Now ​Everton’s first choice goalkeeper, Pickford is likely to be the man in between the sticks for England next summer, and his ability to play out from the back will be crucial to Gareth Southgate’s way of playing.


Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold only played one game for England during the 2015 U-17 World Cup. However, despite that, the right-back is now one of the world’s best defenders, and at the ripe age of 21, has forced his way onto the 30-man Ballon D’or shortlist.

The ​Liverpool defender has been nothing short of sensational over the past 12 months, but he is still yet to knuckle down a place in the England senior starting XI. However, with the form of Kieran Trippier far from impressive at international level since the 2018 World Cup, he will be confident that he will get his chance soon.


Eder Militao (CB)

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Brazil were knocked out in the quarter-finals to Nigeria in 2015, but Militao was hugely impressive throughout the tournament, and went on to become the main man at Sao Paolo. He soon made a move to FC Porto, before signing for ​Real Madrid for £42m.

The centre back has all the attributes to be one of the best defenders in the world, and with Madrid seemingly in need of a refresh, he should be given a prolonged chance to show he’s worthy.


Aymeric Laporte (CB)

Aymeric Laporte

Laporte was unable to start for the French team, with Kurt Zouma and Raphael Calvet both starting ahead of him. However, the ​Manchester City man has gone on to become a far better footballer than both of them, and has confirmed himself as one of the world’s best defenders.


Benjamin Mendy (LB)

Benjamin Mendy

While Laporte didn’t play a huge part, ​Mendy was a key man for the France side back in 2011, and learnt his trade at Marseille under the management of Marcelo Bielsa. However, since signing for Manchester City, he has had terrible luck with injuries, and as a result, has failed to make his mark in the ​Premier League.


Raheem Sterling (RW)

Raheem Sterling

Another City man who took part in the 2011 edition,​ Raheem Sterling started for England U-17s, and even scored against Argentina in the knockout rounds. The forward has now become one of the world’s best players after leaving Liverpool to join City, and was crucial in the side’s back-to-back Premier League titles.


Emre Can (CM)

Emre Can

​Emre Can starred for Germany in 2011 as they got to the semi-finals, and has had a fantastic career since then. After winning the treble with ​Bayern Munich, he joined Liverpool before moving to ​Juventus for some more game time. However, he has seemingly fallen out of favour with manager Maurizio Sarri, and a move back to the Premier League is a possibility. 


Aleksandr Golovin (CM)

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The impressive 23-year-old announced himself to the world after leading Russia to the quarter finals of the World Cup last year, and has a huge amount of quality in his locker. 

However, now at Monaco, the French side are seriously struggling in Ligue 1, and he will need to do something special to save their season.


Memphis Depay (LW)

Memphis Depay

Holland were terrible in the 2011 U-17 World Cup, finishing bottom of their group. However, Memphis Depay has since gone on to become a crucial member of the senior squad under Ronald Koeman, and even had a brief stint at ​Manchester United.

Now at Lyon, Depay is one of the best players outside Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, and could command a hefty fee should he leave someday.


Sebastien Haller (CF)

Sebastien Haller

Haller was not a regular in the 2011 France team, but went on to become a clinical striker for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, before moving to ​West Ham for £45m. He has made a bright start to life in the Premier League, and already become a fans’ favourite.


Victor Osimhen (CF)

Victor Osimhen,Loic Remy

Osimhen had a sensational 2015 U-17 World Cup, claiming the Golden Boot with 10 goals. Following that tournament, he moved to Wolfsburg, but injury and health issues meant his time in Germany ended abruptly. 

After a brief spell at Belgian club Charleroi, he signed for Lille this summe, and he now sits second in the Ligue 1 goalscorer standings with seven goals.


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Matthijs de Ligt, Jadon Sancho & Matteo Guendouzi on 10-Man Shortlist for Kopa Trophy

​Premier League stars Matteo Guendouzi and Moise Kean are among the ten nominees for France Football’s Kopa Trophy, the Ballon d’Or equivalent for the best performing player under the age of 21.

In addition to Arsenal’s Guendouzi and Everton’s Kean, the other names on the shortlist are: Villarreal Samuel Chukwueze, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, Valencia’s Kang-in Lee, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Andriy Lunin and Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.


20-year-old De Ligt may be the early frontrunner after an outstanding calendar year for the Netherlands defender who captained Ajax to a domestic double as well as reaching the Champions League semi-final.

As one of the transfer window’s most courted players, the wonderkid completed a €75m move to Italian champions Juventus, for whom he has featured eight times so far.

19-year-old Felix – the world’s second most expensive teenager after last year’s winner Kylian Mbappe – is another frontrunner, while Britain’s only nominee Sancho (19) also enjoyed a fine year in which he scored his first senior England goals and was the Bundesliga’s top assist maker.

Jadon Sancho

Named after former France star Raymond Kopa, the winner of the trophy is voted for by a panel of former Ballon d’Or winners. The 2019 award will be only the second since the trophy was created with Mbappe winning the inaugural prize in 2018. Curiously, the France forward is absent from this year’s nominees despite still being under 21.

In addition to the Kopa Trophy, France Football also released the shortlist’s for their men and women’s Ballon d’Or awards and Yachine Trophy, for best goalkeeper of the year.

The awards are among the most coveted in football and stand alongside FIFA’s own The Best as the most prestigious of individual honours in the sport. 

All of France Football’s awards will be given out in a ceremony in Paris on 2 December.


​See here for the full list of Ballon d’Or nominees.

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Liverpool & Manchester City Stars Dominate 30-Man Ballon d’Or Shortlist

France Football have released their 30-player shortlist for the 2019 Men’s Ballon d’Or award, with the winner to be revealed by the famous publication on 2 December in Paris.

The 2018 award was won by Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric and marked the first time that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi had received the accolade since Kaka won it 11 years earlier in 2007.

Luka Modric

Champions League winners Liverpool boast the most nominations, with seven names on the list. Virgil van Dijk, who was named 2019 UEFA Player of the Year, is joined on the list by Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Gini Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

15 of the total 30 nominees are from the Premier League, as Manchester City boast five players, including Raheem Sterling who is the only English player selected.

Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo was named in the third batch of nominees, while UEFA Men’s Player of the Year and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi is also, of course, among those in contention.

​Nominee Teams​
Hugo Lloris​ Tottenham​/France
​Sadio Mane Liverpool​/Senegal
​Sergio Aguero Manchester City​/Argentina
​Dusan Tadic Ajax/Serbia​
Frenkie de Jong Barcelona/Netherlands​
Kylian Mbappe​ Paris Saint-Germain/France​
​Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool/England​
​Donny van de Beek Ajax/​Netherlands
​Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsenal/Gabon​
​Marc-Andre ter Stegen Barcelona/Germany​
Gini Wijnaldum​ Liverpool/Netherlands​
​Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus/Portugal​
​Alisson Liverpool/Brazil​
​Karim Benzema Real Madrid​/France
​Matthijs de Ligt Juventus/Netherlands​
​Virgil van Dijk ​Liverpool/Netherlands
​Bernardo Silva ​Manchester City/Portugal
Son Heung-min ​Tottenham/South Korea
Robert Lewandowski Bayern Munich/Poland​
​Roberto Firmino Liverpool/Brazil​
​Lionel Messi Barcelona/Argentina​
​Riyad Mahrez ​Manchester City/Algeria
​Kevin de Bruyne ​Manchester City/Belgium
​Kalidou Koulibaly ​Napoli/Senegal
​Antoine Griezmann ​Barcelona/France
​Mohamed Salah ​Liverpool/Egypt
​Eden Hazard Real Madrid/Belgium​
​Marquinhos ​Paris Saint-Germain/Brazil
​Raheem Sterling ​Manchester City/England
​Joao Felix Atletico Madrid/Portugal​

Notable absentees from this year’s shortlist include Champions League finalist Harry Kane, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and Chelsea star Ngolo Kante.

The 30 nominees have been chosen by the editorial staff at France Football, while the winner will be determined by the votes of an international panel of journalists – one per country.

There are three main criteria that nominees are judged on. These are: individual and team achievements over the last 12 months, a player’s talent and flair, and a player’s wider career.

Every voting journalist will get five picks, each worth a different value. A top pick is worth six points, with subsequent choices getting four, three, two or one point. In the event of two players getting the same number of total points, the number of first place votes will be taken in account, followed by second place votes, third place votes, and so on.

Lucas Modric,Kylian Mbappe,Ada Hegerberg

France Football also oversees the Women’s Ballon d’Or, which was new in 2018 and won for the first time by Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg, as well as the ​Kopa Trophy for players aged 21 or under, and the new ​Yachine Trophy to recognise the best goalkeeper of the calendar year.

The Ballon d’Or was briefly partnered with FIFA from 2010 until 2015, but the world governing body has already held its own separate 2019 award ceremony, during which Messi and USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe scooped the two main individual 2019 awards.


For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!

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Real Madrid: The XI That Should Start Against Galatasaray

What a strange start to the season it has been for Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has once again found himself under huge pressure at the Bernabeu, with this sense of crisis only growing as Real Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat at RCD Mallorca on Saturday. 

That result, together with Barcelona’s 3-0 victory against Eibar, saw Madrid fall behind their rivals, ending the weekend in second place. That is despite it being their foes’ worst start to a season in 25 years.

Champions League fortunes have been even worse for Real Madrid. They sit rock bottom of their group (on goal difference) behind Paris Saint-Germain, Club Brugge and Tuesday night’s opponents Galatasaray. Their last European outing saw them scrape a 2-2 draw against Brugge, coming from behind and equalising late on.

Sergio Ramos

Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Turkey, Madrid will be without three influential figures with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez all unavailable. However, Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal and Toni Kroos will all return having missed out against Mallorca at the weekend. 

A victory could see Los Blancos move up to second place in Group A and put pressure on ​PSG, who currently sit on top.

Here is how​ Real Madrid could line up against ​Galatasaray:


Goalkeepers & Defenders

Marcelo

Alphonse Areola (GK) – While ​Thibaut Courtois remains Madrid’s number one keeper, his dismal run of form has seen his position between the sticks come into jeopardy. Areola, who arrived in the summer, is surely worthy of a starting place, at least for the short term.

Dani Carvajal (RB) – Despite having not played against Mallorca on Saturday, Carvajal’s stock managed to rise as his replacement Alvaro Odriozola was sent off. Carvajal’s return to right-back will undoubtedly improve Madrid’s leaky defence.

Sergio Ramos (CB) – One of the few players in the Madrid lineup who can’t be dropped has to be club captain ​Ramos. His experience and wisdom will be essential for Madrid who face a difficult trip to a hostile stadium.

Raphael Varane (CB) – The Frenchman found himself on the bench against Mallorca, but his replacement Eder Militao hardly covered himself in glory with a shaky performance. While ​Varane has failed to match his own high standards so far this season, he is definitely in line to return to Zidane’s starting eleven.

Marcelo (LB) – ​Marcelo has missed both of Madrid’s ​Champions League fixtures through injury, but his return to fitness all but guarantees his place in the starting eleven, with Ferland Mendy failing to make an impression so far for Real Madrid.


Midfielders

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Casemiro (CDM) – The Brazilian has staked his claim as one of the world’s finest defensive-midfielders and his screening of the back four makes him one of Madrid’s most vital assets in any game they play.

James Rodriguez (CM) – Undoubtedly Madrid’s best player in their lacklustre defeat to Mallorca, ​James Rodriguez has worked hard to fight his way back in to Zidane’s team after two years out on loan. His creativity and attacking intelligence may just be Madrid’s most threatening weapon.

Federico Valverde (CM) – ​The 21-year-old Uruguayan has offered ​Real Madrid great composure for such a young individual. With Toni Kroos still a doubt, despite being included in Tuesday’s travelling squad, Valverde has a fantastic opportunity to get more minutes under his belt.


Forwards

Eden Hazard

Isco (RW) – With injuries in wide positions, Isco has been somewhat forced to play out of position at times this season. Whilst being more suited to a central role, ​Isco has been used in wider positions, with varying degrees of success. However, a lack of options may give​ Zidane no choice but to feature Isco in Madrid’s front three.

Karim Benzema (ST) – ​Benzema has been the only consistent source of goals for Madrid this season with six in total. The French forward has been in fine form and will be looking to add to his tally against Galatasaray.

Eden Hazard (LW) – Having grabbed his first competitive Madrid goal against Granada prior to the international break, ​Hazard was rested against Mallorca. The Belgian has not had the easiest of transitions in Spain, but his performances are already improving for Los Blancos and an upturn in form could be of great benefit to Madrid.

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Galatasaray vs Real Madrid Preview: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

​Galatasaray welcome Real Madrid to Türk Telekom Stadium on Tuesday night, with both teams searching for their first Champions League Group A victory. The pair prop up the group, with just a point apiece after two matches.

Real come into the game on the back of a demoralising defeat away to RCD Mallorca – another sign of the patchy form they’ve shown in both La Liga and the Champions League. 

Their Turkish counterparts are unbeaten in seven Super Lig fixtures, but a habit for drawing games has left them fourth in the table.

Casemiro,Ante Budimir

Here’s 90min’s preview of the showdown.


Where to Watch?

When Is Kick Off? ​Tuesday 22 October
What Time Is Kick Off? ​20:00
Where Is it Played? ​Turk Telekom Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? ​BT Sport ESPN
Referee? ​Daniele Orsato

Team News

​Real Madrid are in the midst of a mild injury crisis, with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos among those on the treatment table. Zinedine Zidane’s team selection against RCD Mallorca was partially dictated by his absentees, but his decision to play an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation was completely his own decision and ultimately backfired. 

Eden Hazard

The Frenchman will likely revert to a 4-3-3 on Tuesday evening, which will herald the return of ​Eden Hazard and enable James Rodriguez to fill a more natural role in the team.

Galatasaray’s most notable absentee will be former Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, but otherwise Fatih Terim’s squad is almost at full strength.


Potential Lineups

Galatasaray ​Muslera; Mariano, Donk, Marcao, Nagatomo; N’Zonzi, Seri; Feghouli, Belhanda, Babel; Andone.
Real Madrid Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Rodriguez, Valverde; Isco, Benzema, Hazard​.

Head to Head Record

In six previous ​Champions League meetings, Real have won four and Galatasaray two. However, the Turkish side’s pair of victories both came at home and they will be quietly confident of adding a third given the current form of the two teams.

They’ve twice met in the quarter-finals of the competition, with Los Blancos progressing on both occasions. 


Recent Form

Zinedine Zidane

So, how inconsistent has Real’s form been? Zidane’s team have won just two of their last five fixtures, including the 2-2 draw with Club Brugge that they looked worryingly capable of losing. That point followed an abject performance in their first group game, in which PSG easily dispatched them 3-0.

As mentioned, their opponents have a penchant for drawing games and otherwise could be top of their domestic table. They’ll be hopeful of more than just a point here, if they are to stand any chance of progressing in either European competition.

Galatasaray Real Madrid
​Galatasaray 3-2 Sivasspor (18/10) RCD Mallorca 1-0 Real Madrid (19/10)​
​Galatasaray 3-2 Istanbulspor (12/10) ​Real Madrid 4-2 Granada (5/10)
Genclerbirligi 0-0 Galatasaray (5/10)​ ​Real Madrid 2-2 Club Brugge (1/10)
​Galatasaray 0-1 PSG (1/10) ​Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid (28/9)
Galatasaray 0-0 Fenerbahce (28/9)​ ​Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna (25/9)

Prediction

The current Group A table would mean that, if PSG beat Club Brugge as expected, failure to win here wouldn’t make much difference to Real’s hopes of qualifying, but they need to start building momentum. A few less square pegs in round holes and a return to a more familiar formation should see them over the line here.

Prediction: Galatasaray 1-2 Real Madrid

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PSG Enter Race for Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen Ahead of Contract Expiry Next Summer

​PSG appear poised to enter the race for Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, despite continued interest from Real Madrid.

With Eriksen yet to agree fresh terms ahead of the expiry of his current contract, the Dane is a wanted man among Europe’s elite – and can sign a pre-contract agreement with non-British clubs in January.

Christian Eriksen

Eriksen has been a long-term target for Real Madrid but with a bid yet to materialise, MailOnline Sport now report that Thomas Tuchel’s PSG are ready to swoop in as they bid to revamp their midfield for next season.

The Ligue 1 champions are hardly short of midfield options, especially after adding Ander Herrera and Idrissa Gueye, but capturing Eriksen from ​Spurs would freshen up their attacking midfield options and provide more depth to the Parisians squad.

Julian Draxler and Leandro Paredes have both been tipped to head for the exit door come the end of the season, with Paredes appearing just three times and Draxler limited to just two showings.

Unsurprisingly, Tottenham would prefer to sell the Dane in January and recoup some funds – a Daniel Levy never changes its spots – but this looks increasingly more unlikely as the clubs linked seem happy to wait for their man.

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So, the ball is firmly in ​Eriksen‘s court and he has plenty of time to mull over his options, with Mauricio Pochettino pushing him to the fringes of the Tottenham starting lineup and even dropping him from matchday squads.

Bayern Munich and Juventus have been linked in recent weeks too, meaning he really could have his pick from Europe’s big guns. However, Eriksen’s come-get-me plea to ​Real Madrid in the summer was far from subtle – he even name checked them – so perhaps his dream move remains to the Spanish capital.

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Zinedine Zidane Denies He Is Worried by Real Madrid’s Form But Admits Consistency Must Improve

Zinedine Zidane has insisted he isn’t worried about Real Madrid’s recent struggles, but confessed that his side must find consistency in their game if they are to make a serious challenge for La Liga this season.

Los Blancos slumped to a bitterly disappointing 1-0 defeat away at RCD Mallorca on Saturday, in turn relinquishing their place atop the league table and falling a point behind Barcelona.

Despite failing to dazzle so far this season, workmanlike performances from ​Madrid had seen them capitalise on other side’s failings and lead ​La Liga heading into their most recent loss, which saw Lago Junior’s seventh minute strike prove to be the winner – while Álvaro Odriozola was sent off late on for two yellow cards.

The gruelling nature of playing every three days appeared to be the area of concern for Zidane, who revealed that consistency has become Madrid’s Achilles heel this season. Nevertheless, while admitting there are failings in his side, the Frenchman surprisingly insisted he isn’t worried at the current state of affairs.

“The problem is that we have to show every three days that we’re good,” Zidane said after the game, as quoted by ​Marca. That’s the difficulty, we don’t do it. I won’t say that I’m worried because I don’t like the word, but if we want to win something this season, we need consistency.”

Riddled with injuries throughout the squad – and without ​Eden Hazard on Saturday whose partner gave birth to a fourth child – the 47-year-old refused to use the absentees as reason for the loss. Instead, Zidane praised the Mallorca players and confessed it’s down to the players he has available to step up.

FBL-ESP-LIGA-MALLORCA-REAL MADRID

“The injuries aren’t an excuse,” Zidane added. “There are players who aren’t injured, we have more good payers too. When it comes to their turn, they have to show that they’re at the level to be here. We can’t do anything about the injured players.

“We can’t be surprised by a team playing in their own stadium, we knew what would happen. They surprised us because they scored, but then they backed down and we didn’t find a solution.”

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Twitter Reacts as Dreadful 10-Man Los Blancos Slump to First League Defeat

​It was all going so well in the league. Not anymore.

Real Madrid put in a woeful display as they lost 1-0 to Mallorca on Saturday evening, with Lago Junior bagging the all-important goal. 


Zinedine Zidane named an exceedingly attacking lineup, with Casemiro the only notable defensive-minded midfielder starting the game. 

And it only took Mallorca seven minutes to exploit this gaping hole in midfield, before the ball was eventually played out to Lago, who cut inside and fired home to give his team the lead.

It was a famous goal for the hosts, but it was pretty shoddy defending from Los Blancos. And plenty of blame was put on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – he just can’t catch a break, can he?








Well, at least things couldn’t get worse.

Oh, but they could. 

Madrid were caught out again and Mallorca doubled their lead only moments later. Luckily, it was ruled out by VAR. 






Although Real came into the game unbeaten in the league, this isn’t to say that the club hasn’t had its fair share of drama already. 

And following a woeful first half display, it’s fair to say fans weren’t in the best of moods… 




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​​Ok, well, at least NOW things couldn’t get any worse? Surely?

They can. Alvaro Odriozola thought it would be wise to lunge in while on a yellow card. As it turned out, it wasn’t a good idea.

Red card. Off. Ten men. Queue the meltdown… 




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The away side lacked belief and never really troubled Manolo Reina after the sending off, with the team looking lost. 

Each second seemed like an eternity for Mallorca fans, but when the referee blew the final whistle, the stadium erupted with joy. 

But enough of the happiness, already. Let’s get back to the angry Real Madrid fans, shall we?










Anyway, back to the Champions League in midweek for Real – so far so good in Europe. 

Oh, it’s not? Back to the drawing board for Zidane then, work to do.

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