Real Madrid Line Up Jose Mourinho as Former United Boss Makes First Public Appearance Since Sacking

Real Madrid are considering a shock managerial return for Jose Mourinho next summer after the Portuguese manager was sacked from Manchester United on Tuesday.

Despite only appointing Santiago Solari as head coach last month, Los Blancos envision making a move for a new manager next season when they have more time to evaluate candidates.

According to reports from Spain, Mourinho is in the running to take charge at the Santiago Bernabeu once again, with the ​Madrid hierarchy believing he has the ideal personality and ability to lead the reigning Champions League holders.

Real Madrid v Espanyol - La Liga

Spanish journalist Diego Torres, who wrote a book on Mourinho’s first spell at the club, reported in the ​El Pais publication that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was personally keen on bringing the club’s former manager back.

The report adds that discussions between the two respective parties have taken place since October, and that Madrid have upped their contract offer from £13.5m a year to £18m.

Los Blancos are also claimed to be interested in appointing the Portuguese manager on July 1, which would allow them to avoid paying a £4.5m compensation fee to ​Manchester United.

Mourinho, who was in charge of the ​La Liga giants from May 2010 to June 2013, was spotted for the first time in public since his sacking from United was confirmed on Tuesday morning.

Having returned to his family home in London, the former United boss was approached by Sky Sports News, but refused to be drawn into speculation over his next move.

Asked about his managerial future, Mourinho said (as quoted by the ​Daily Mail): “No, you know me. You know me. Let me walk. I have nothing to say.

“You know me, if you want to walk with me then let’s walk to Battersea. I have nothing to say.”

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Picking the Best Potential Real Madrid Lineup to Face Kashima Antlers on Wednesday

Real Madrid face Kashima Antlers in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals, as they go for their fourth title of the year. 

Joint leading winners with Barcelona, Santiago Solari has a near fully fit squad to choose from in Abu Dhabi, with Dani Ceballos, Vinicius Junior and Gareth Bale pushing for starts. 

Meanwhile, starters in Saturday’s La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano Luka Modric and Karim Benzema, could be rested.

Here’s how Los Blancos could line up.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Thibaut Courtois (GK) – Madrid’s number one, the Belgium international is expected to get the nod over out-of-favour keeper Keylor Navas.

Dani Carvajal (RB) – Amid injuries to the back line, the Spanish international has started in Real’s last seven games in all competitions as he looks to cement his place in the starting XI again.

Raphael Varane (CB) – Having won the Champions League, the France World Cup winner will look to add another honour to his collection with Real Madrid.

Sergio Ramos (CB) – Captain and big-game player, the Spaniard is a huge aerial threat and could prove the difference on Wednesday. The defender has four goals already this term.

Marcelo (LB) – Recently returning from injury, the Brazilian offers electric pace and exceptional vision in attacking situations.

2. Midfielders

Toni Kroos (CM) – Vastly experienced in domestic and European competition, Kroos will look to unlock an expected stubborn Antlers defence.

Marcos Llorente (CM) – Likened to fellow teammate Casemiro, the 23-year-old has impressed since his inclusion by Solari.

Dani Ceballos (CM) – Limited to substitute appearances, the Spaniard has shown glimpses of brilliance as, demonstrated in Madrid’s win against Celta Vigo in November.

3. Forwards

Gareth Bale (RW) – Expected to feature, the Welsh wizard is seeking a 10th goal in all competitions for club and country this term as he looks to void the gap left by former talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Isco (LW) – Guilty of spurning a goal-scoring opportunity at the weekend, the former Malaga winger will be keen to rectify his miss, whilst staking his place in the first team.

Vinicius Junior (ST) – Having signed from Brazilian giants Flamengo as a 16-year-old, Vinicius Junior is slowly making inroads in his second campaign with Madrid. Now 18, this is his chance to shine on the international stage.

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

Real Madrid face Kashima Antlers in the FIFA Club World Cup semi final looking to defend their title for a third successive year in Abu Dhabi.

After a poor start to the season, Los Blancos have somewhat regained their form – winning their last three games in La Liga and qualifying for the Champions League round of 16. 


Meanwhile, Asian champions Antlers defeated Mexican outfit Guadalajara 3-2 in the quarter finals to set up a mouthwatering tie in what will be a repeat of the 2016 final. 

The winner will face either Argentina’s River Plate or Al Ain in Saturday’s final. Here’s 90min’s breakdown of Wednesday’s clash.


Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off?​ ​Wednesday 19 December
​What Time Is Kick Off? ​16:30 (BST)
​Where Is It Played? ​ZSC Arena
​TV Channel/Live Stream? ​Sky Sports Live Score
​Referee? ​TBC

Team News

Antlers boss Go Oiwa has a near fully fit squad to choose from as his side seek a maiden title.

Scorer of Antlers third goal in the last round, Serginho is set to start, as is former Schalke right back and Japan international Atsuto Uchida. The experienced defender made over 100 appearances for the Bundesliga side across a seven year spell.

Kashima Antlers v CD Guadalajara - FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018

Santiago Solari may rest several key players after Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, with the likes of ​Karim Benzema, ​Marco Asensio and ​Luka Modric expected to miss out. 

Both ​Casemiro and ​Gareth Bale are injury doubts, meaning fringe players Vinicius Junior, Javi Sanchez and Dani Ceballos could start.


Predicted Lineups

Kashima Antlers ​Kwon; Uchida, S.H. Jeong, Shoji, Yamamoto; Endo, Nagasaki, Silva, Leandro; Dio, Serginho. 
Real Madrid ​Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Llorente, Kroos, Ceballos; Bale, Isco, Vinicius.

Head to Head Record

As alluded to, these sides have met just once in all competitions back in 2016, when Madrid narrowly defeated the Japanese side.

Real Madrid v Kashima Antlers- FIFA Club World Cup Final

Despite a spirited comeback, former ​Real Madrid man ​Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick – including two extra-time goals in a 4-2 win.


Recent Form

Antlers ended their J1 League campaign in good form after winning three of their last four league games. 

Narrowly pipped to the J League title on goal difference by Kawaski Frontale last term, they finished behind their opponents again in a domestic league that started in February and culminated earlier this month.

Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - La Liga Santander

Aside from their shock ​defeat to Russian side CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, Madrid have done reasonably well recently, rising to fourth in La Liga to sit five points behind arch rivals ​Barcelona.

The form of Karim Benzema and Bale has been particularly pleasing for Solari – both netting winners in victories over Huesca and most recently Vallecano as they seek a fourth final 

triumph in five outings.

Here’s how each team has faired in their last five fixtures:

​Kashima Antlers ​Real Madrid
​Kashima Antlers 3-2 Guadalajara (15/12) ​Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (15/12)
​Urawa Reds 1-0 Kashima Antlers (5/12) ​Real Madrid 0-3 CSKA Moscow (12/12)
​Kashima Antlers 0-0 Sagan Tosu (1/12) ​Huesca 0-1 Real Madrid (9/12)
​Vegalta Sendai 0-3 Kashima Antlers (24/11) ​Real Madrid 6-1 Melilla (6/12)
​Kashima Antlers 1-0 Ventforet Kofu (21/11) ​Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia (1/12)

Prediction

Having wrapped up their domestic season, Antlers will be fully refreshed in an unlikely attempt to upset the football odds.

Spanish giants Madrid were pushed all the way in the sides’ last encounter, but should Solari name a near full strength lineup, their quality could prove too much for the Japanese minnows.

If the Asian champions are to triumph, they must take any chances presented to them by their illustrious opponents.

Prediction: Kashima Antlers 0-1 Real Madrid

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Real Madrid Set Huge Price Tag for Isco as Reports Differ on Man City Interest

Manchester City will have pay a nine-figure fee to sign out-of-favour Real Madrid star Isco, according to reports.

Isco has played an increasingly peripheral role at the Bernabeu since Santiago Solari took charge. He hasn’t started any of Real’s last six La Liga matches and didn’t even make it off the bench in their narrow win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-VALENCIA

​AS claims that ​Isco could be offered an escape from his current situation by ​Manchester City, who have reportedly sounded the player out via an intermediary.

Isco is under contract until 2022 and has a release clause of 700m, but City are hopeful that the Spaniard’s discontent may persuade Real to part with him for a much smaller fee.

It is claimed that City will test Madrid’s resolve with an 86m bid, but Los Blancos are unwilling to part with Isco for anything less than the €100m Juventus paid for ​Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.

This could be a beneficial move for all parties, as Isco would thrive under Pep Guardiola’s style of play at the Etihad Stadium, and ​Real Madrid could use the money to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea.

However, Goal journalist ​Sam Lee believes that City moving for Isco is unlikely. City decided that they didn’t want him in the summer as he is neither a number eight nor a winger in the mould of Leroy Sane or ​Raheem Sterling, and therefore there would be no place for him in the system.

Lee claims that a defensive midfielder is a higher priority for City, with Frenkie de Jong and Tanguy Ndombele on their shortlist, while they are also in the market for a left back.

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Real Madrid Legend Iker Casillas Fires Back at Jose Mourinho After United’s Defeat to Liverpool

Real Madrid icon Iker Casillas launched a withering shot at former manager Jose Mourinho after Manchester United’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

A Xherdan Shaqiri brace and a strike from Sadio Mane consigned the Red Devils to an embarrassing defeat at the home of their arch-rivals, and left them with the unwanted record of having their lowest points total in the top-flight at this stage of the season (26 points in 17 games).

Liverpool FC v Manchester United - Premier League

The result and the manner of ​United’s performance left the former Spain international unimpressed, who aimed a damning assessment of Mourinho’s ability to manage at the highest level.

Casillas ​tweeted: “According to a Portuguese newspaper someone said that a player like me (37 years) is at the end of his career. Completely agree!

“My question is, for that newspaper: in the case of coaches, when and at what point do you see that they are no longer to lead a team or train?”

Real Madrid Training Session

The 167-cap international, currently at Liga NOS side Porto, had an infamous spat with Jose Mourinho when the Portuguese man was his manager at ​Real Madrid.

In a battle over power and dressing room authority, Mourinho left the Madrid legend on the bench during his turbulent time at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Real Madrid CF v Real Valladolid CF - La Liga

In an interview with Spanish publication ​Vamos, Casillas admitted that given the opportunity to repeat that time, he would have ‘taken the bulls by the horns and faced Mourinho’.

Casillas’ comments prompted Mourinho to claim that the goalkeeper’s words were ‘typical of someone who is at the end of his career’.

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Champions League Last 16 Draw: Remaining Clubs Learn Fate for First Knockout Round

The 2018/19 Champions League group stage concluded last week but the remaining 16 clubs have already been presented with their paths in the draw for the first knockout round.

The eight group winners were seeded for the draw and each was paired with a group runner-up. They also have the advantage of playing at home in the decisive second leg.

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Super Cup

Country protection remains in place for now, while teams who qualified from the same group could also not be drawn against each other at this stage.

Manchester United will have to contend with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after drawing Paris Saint-Germain, while Liverpool are faced with two legs against Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid and Ajax have won 17 European Cup/Champions League trophies between them and will go head to head. Juventus, meanwhile, have a very tough tie against Atletico Madrid.

2018/19 UEFA Champions League Last 16 Draw in Full

​Schalke 04 vs Manchester City
​Atletico Madrid vs Juventus
​Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain
​Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund
​Lyon vs Barcelona
​Roma vs Porto
​Ajax vs Real Madrid
​Liverpool vs Bayern Munich

First legs will be split between 12/13 & 19/20 February, with second legs to take place on 5/6 & 12/13 March. The draw for the quarter finals will then follow on 15 March.

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Sergio Ramos Claims Real Madrid Are Not Much Different Without Cristiano Ronaldo

Sergio Ramos does not believe that fans watching Real Madrid at the Club World Cup will see a much different side from the one which won the tournament last year, despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was sold to Juventus in the summer and Real Madrid have returned to the United Arab Emirates to defend the trophy which they won last year when he scored the winner in the final against Gremio.

FBL-CLUB-WORLD CUP-MADRID-GREMIO

Los Blancos’ semi final opponents are Asian Champions League winners Kashima Antlers, who they beat in the 2016 final when ​Ronaldo scored a hat trick.

Clearly the Portuguese superstar has been an important player for ​Real Madrid in this intercontinental competition, but ​Ramos is backing his team to win the tournament for a third consecutive year without him.

“I don’t think you’ll see much of a difference on the pitch,” Ramos told ​FIFA. “We’ve got quite a similar team, despite losing Cristiano, who was a very decisive player for us. We’ll compete with the same approach that the club has always taken. Winning is always the objective.

“The Club World Cup is a reward for your success in the previous season. It gives you an opportunity to confirm your standing by becoming world champions, and it’s a wonderful experience. 

“We’ve got some really nice memories of it, because we’ve been successful on previous occasions. It’s a short competition and there’s no margin for error. There’s a semi-final and then a final, and we want to bring the Cup back home.”

Real Madrid, who qualified for the Club World Cup by beating Liverpool in the Champions League final back in May, take on Kashima Antlers on Wednesday 19 December.

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Marcelo Insists He ‘Never’ Contemplated Move From Real Madrid to Join Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus

Real Madrid defender has insisted that he ‘never’ entertained the prospect of a move to Serie A giants Juventus, despite being regularly linked with the Italian champions.

Former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo made the switch from the Bernabeu to Turin in a mega-money transfer during the summer and has gone on to establish himself as Juve’s star man in attack.


However, ​Madrid left back Marcelo has insisted that a move away from the European champions was never on his agenda. The 30-year-old told Club del Deportista, via ​FourFourTwo: “It’s never entered my mind to leave and look for another option.

“I have always done everything possible to stay at Real Madrid and I’ve never thought about playing time.

“If I had 15 minutes in every game, I’d give everything in those 15 minutes to play more and win more.”


Since completing a move to the Spanish capital from Brazilian side Fluminese in 2007, Marcelo has gone on to enjoy a trophy-laden spell with Los Blancos. The full back admitted that he struggled to believe the reality of his switch to Madrid at the time of his transfer.

“The move all happened very quickly,” Marcelo admitted. “At first I thought it was a joke.

“I always saw Madrid as a huge club. Then all of a sudden I was part of a team with players I had only seen on the television or in video games. It was pretty amazing.”


Marcelo’s links with ​Juventus come in addition to regular suggestions that ​Alex Sandro could soon be on his way out of the Allianz Stadium. The Real Madrid star may be seen as an ideal replacement for his compatriot at left back in Turin.

The Los Blancos icon has won four La Liga titles and a recorded a corresponding number of Champions League triumphs during a decorated spell with Madrid. 

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Santi Solari ‘Satisfied’ With Real Madrid Win Despite Narrow 1-0 Scoreline Against Rayo

​Real Madrid head coach Santi Solari claimed he was ‘satisfied’ after Los Blancos edged past Rayo Vallecano with a narrow 1-0 win in La Liga on Saturday, courtesy of a Karim Benzema strike on the 13th minute.

The home side dominated for large parts of a generally one-sided encounter at the Bernabeu. Though Madrid failed to add any gloss to the scoreline, they created plenty of chances in the first half especially to reflect their command of the game.

The performance was a clear improvement from midweek, after ​Madrid lost 0-3 at home to CKSA Moscow in the Champions League, and Solari expressed his satisfaction at a comfortable performance on Saturday. The former Madrid winger said, via the club’s ​official website: “I’m satisfied, we put in a very good first-half performance.

“We dominated the ball, made the most of the space, created chances and pressed very well. We should have gone in with a bigger lead at the break. That’s football, when you’re not clinical you know you’ll have to dig in at some point.

“We had chances in the second half as well, [Marco] Asensio’s for instance, and we didn’t give away any chances until right at the end.

“The opposition play some good stuff too, Rayo move the ball well if you leave spaces and they’re capable of playing nice football.

“The pace dropped in the second half but we didn’t give them a sniff until the final minute and Courtois did brilliantly. When you don’t kill the game off, these things will happen.

“The opposition want to score too. I’d be more concerned if we weren’t creating the chances.”

Los Blancos’ next outing will be in the semi finals of the Club World Cup against Japanese side Kashima Antlers on Wednesday.

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Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Los Blancos Edge to Narrow Win

Real Madrid banished any lingering hangover from a humiliating defeat at home to CSKA Moscow in midweek with an assured performance and an authoritative 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

A strong start with good intensity and purpose from the home side paid off as Karim Benzema found space in the box, latching onto a through ball from Lucas Vazquez before hammering a strike into the far corner on the 13th minute to cap a strong start from Madrid.


The home side played out a relatively comfortable second half in which Solari’s side created fewer chances, generally playing in second gear, though ​Madrid had to survive a goalline scramble in stoppage time – a Thibaut Courtois save required to prevent a late equaliser.

Los Blancos have endured a tough first half of the season but rounded off their La Liga commitments for the calendar year with a strong victory and plenty to build upon in the new year.


REAL MADRID

Key Talking Point

After suffering the humiliation of a 0-3 defeat to CSKA Moscow in front of their home fans on a disappointing European night in midweek, much of the agenda heading into Saturday’s match was centred on how ​Madrid would respond.

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-RAYO

Santi Solari’s side made a strong start to the encounter, putting together slick and incisive passes with Luka Modric pulling the strings and Benzema, Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez full of purpose and dangerous intent along the front line.

There was a clear sign of intent from the start from Los Blancos – just what was needed to remedy the disappointment of their Champions League exploits on Wednesday. The home fans were treated to a performance of far greater authority and purpose this time out.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Courtois (6); Carvajal (6), Varane (7), Ramos (7), Marcelo (7); Kroos (7), Llorente (6), Modric (7); Vazquez (8), Benzema (8*), Asensio (7)

Substitutes: Ceballos (6), V. Junior (5), Valverde (N/A)


STAR MAN – Having endured an inconsistent start to the season which has been emblematic of his team’s struggles, Karim Benzema took responsibility in setting the tone for a much improved Madrid performance on Saturday. 

The Frenchman looked lively from the outset, seeking to get himself into dangerous areas with infectious energy whilst also showing good creative intent to link up well with his teammates in the final third. An emphatic finish just 13 minutes in was reflective of a generally resurgent attacking performance from Benzema. The Frenchman was unfortunate to go off injured in the later stages of the match.

WORST PLAYER – Marcos Llorente has enjoyed a rise in form and opportunities so far under Santi Solari, but the young Spaniard was Madrid’s least effective performer on Saturday night. Llorente generally failed to provide the kind of commanding presence which Casemiro usually asserts as Los Blancos’ holding midfielder. 

The home side appeared short on cover for their central defence at times, an area which Llorente must fill more effectively. The Spaniard’s passing was, however, largely up the required standard.


RAYO VALLECANO

Key Talking Point

After falling behind so early in the match, Rayo adjusted their defensive approach early in the first half. The visitors sat deep early on but were unpicked at the back with too much ease by Madrid. Michel’s response from the Rayo technical area was to push his side higher up.

Real Madrid CF v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - La Liga

However, with the trailing side’s packed defensive line pushed up to squeeze Madrid back on the pitch, Los Blancos appeared even more dangerous, as Solari’s side were able to make even better use of their pacy front line with more direct passes in behind the visitors’ back line.

Rayo’s defence became disjointed and unable to hold the line as the likes of Asensio and Benzema breezed through the visitors’ rear-guard at will to latch onto through balls from the home side’s plethora of creative midfielders.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Dimitrievski (5); Advincula (5), Tito (5), Velazquez (6), Galvez (7), Alex Moreno (4); Imbula (6), Medran (5), Comesana (5), Garcia Rivera (5); Embarba (6)

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-RAYO

Substitutes: Bebe (5), Ba (4), Alegria Moreno (4)


Looking Ahead

Real Madrid take on Japanese side Kashima Antlers in the semi finals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday, before returning to La Liga action in the new year with a testing trip to face Villarreal away. 


A home clash against Real Sociedad three days later is Los Blancos’ next outing at the Bernabeu after tonight’s victory.

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