..::Football III::..

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I have no problem with James Rodriguez - Benitez

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has dismissed suggestions that James Rodriguez is unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in just one game across all competitions so far this season - partially due to injuries - and was substituted in Madrid's most recent La Liga games against Barcelona and Eibar.

A number of recent reports have subsequently suggested the Colombia international does not feel valued by Benitez and is considering his options.

Nevertheless, the Madrid coach has insisted he does not have a problem with James, adding the attacking midfielder is slowly getting back to his best after overcoming a muscular problem.

"James has my full support and confidence. There is no problem with him," Benitez said at a news conference.

"He is an excellent player. But he has been out of action for almost two months due to injury. The more he trains and plays, the closer he gets to being the James we all know.

"James is an excellent player, a very good footballer. But this is Madrid. There is a lot of competition for places. Like I have said before, though, I was very happy with his performance against Eibar.

"I always want to see him at his best. I want to see the best James each week."

Benitez somewhat surprisingly opted to bench Karim Benzema against Eibar after he had featured for the full 90 minutes in the defeat versus Barcelona, but the Madrid coach was quick to stress the Frenchman remains a key figure.

"We see him as a fundamental player for Madrid. He is a great guy and has our full support. He is a real point of reference, because he helps other players improve," Benitez added.

"We are bringing him slowly because he is so important to the team and only just coming back from injury."

 

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Klopp: It’s normal to have Gerrard at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp joked that Steven Gerrard won’t be in Liverpool’s matchday squad against Southampton, but revealed his presence around the club is customary.

The former captain was back at Melwood on Monday, where he took part in a full training session as he keeps fit during LA Galaxy's off-season.

His old teammates were visibly delighted to be in his company again, while the manager engaged in some witticism with the 35-year-old at the complex.

When asked for an assessment of Gerrard in the workout, Klopp said: “He won’t play, but he was in good shape!

“I said to the team before training, when Stevie was with us in the dressing room, that it’s completely normal and it should always be like this.

“If you’re a player like Steven Gerrard in Liverpool then the doors are always have to be open. That’s how it is at this moment.

“It’s an important sign for all players – if you behave like him for the, I don’t know, 50 years he was at the club, if you always give everything you have then it is easy to come back.

“For us, it’s a good situation because he was a very important player at this club – and at this moment he is a very important player because he is in training.

“He trains well, but we don’t have too much training because we always play – and I am sorry for this.

“It’s a good situation. Everybody had a smile on their faces when they saw Stevie. It’s good to have him here and we hope we can help him, and he can help us for sure with being in the dressing room. It’s cool.”

 

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Martial and Depay unhappy under 'selfish' Van Gaal - Parker

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial are unhappy under Louis van Gaal due to the Dutchman's strict management style.

Van Gaal guided United to fourth place in the Premier League table last term, while they sit third in the table this campaign, trailing leaders Manchester City by just one point.

The Old Trafford side have received plenty of criticism, though, and Parker has blamed Van Gaal's lack of flexibility for his attacker's underwhelming form.

"Sir Alex Ferguson knew how to manage his players. As his side changed, he too had to alter his management style," Parker wrote for Eurosport.

"He did – and that's why he was able to drag Manchester United to the Premier League title in 2013. Did he enjoy it? No. But he did it anyway.

"When Louis van Gaal arrived at United, I thought he too would be flexible. But we now have a situation where there are a lot of discontented players and we have to question why they are playing badly.

"I look at Martial and worry for him. He looks like a boy who doesn't smile anymore. He doesn't look like he's enjoying himself.

"The form Depay is showing hasn't just happened because he's playing in the Premier League. That boy probably feels like a scapegoat. He's in a country relatively close to where he's from, but feeling a million miles away."

Parker then went on to stress that Van Gaal is not getting the best out of his players due to his poor man-management.

"Van Gaal puts the fear of God into players," the former England man added.

"It has to be his way. He selfishly manages the team. And no one enjoys it. He may be a successful manager, but he must learn – even at his age – to become a good man-manager.

"At the moment we have to say he's not man-managing that team. All those players he's got are not bad players, and they've not played negative football all their lives.

"He's being incredibly stubborn. Any player who doesn't conform to what he wants is chopped. He looks for a player who's made a mistake, then drops them for the next game."

 

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Real Madrid interested in Moreno, claims agent

Real Madrid are among several teams interested in Liverpool full-back Alberto Moreno and it would be "a joy" if they made an offer, according to his agent Javier Moya.

Moreno admitted he was "angry" to be kept on the fringes of the first team under Brendan Rodgers earlier this season but he has become the Reds' first-choice left-back under Jurgen Klopp.

His performances have led to links with Madrid, who could look to strengthen their defence in January on the back of an injury crisis which has sidelined the likes of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal.

"It's logical that they ask about such an important player," Moya told Radio 4G. "They are asking about him. Important teams from Spain and other places are asking.

"If a team like Real Madrid speak with us and Liverpool are satisfied with the operation, they could talk. If a team with the substance of Real Madrid makes an offer, it would be a joy for him.

"It's difficult. Everyone knows the importance of Real Madrid but Liverpool have five European Cups. You have to give the first step to Liverpool."

Despite the attraction of a return to La Liga, Moya insists Moreno is once again enjoying life at Anfield after returning to the fold.

"He loves it," he said. "He's getting to know another culture and playing in one of the most important leagues. And, above all, he's in the first team."

 

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Reus 1-2 Atletico Madrid: La Liga side come from behind to avoid shock

La Liga high-flyers Atletico Madrid came from behind to beat Reus Deportiu 2-1 in the first leg of their fourth-round Copa del Rey tie at the Estadio Camp Nou Municipal on Tuesday.

Atletico - 10-time winners of the competition - made a number of changes from their weekend victory over Espanyol and pushed hard by their third-tier hosts, who acquitted themselves well.

Deportiu, leaders of the Segunda B's Group 3, made the most of some sloppy Atleti defending half an hour in as Fran Carbia tucked home the opener.

However, Diego Simeone's men ensured they stretched their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions courtesy of headers either side of half-time.

Luciano Vietto levelled before the break while Saul Niguez scored the winner on the hour to earn Atleti an advantage ahead of the second leg at the Vicente Calderon in 16 days' time.

Simeone named an entirely different defence from Saturday's league win and brought midfielder Thomas Partey in for Tiago, who suffered a broken leg at the weekend.

And Simeone's men should have led six minutes in when Vietto was thwarted by Edgar Badia inside the area, having been played in by some intricate passing play.

Miguel Angel Moya, making his first Atleti appearance of the season, was required to deal with a looping cross that veered goal-wards before Badia was called on to deny Angel Correa at the other end.

However, Deportiu took the lead with their first shot on target half an hour in, as Fran pounced on a mistake by Lucas Hernandez before prodding the ball past Moya.
The lead proved short-lived as Atleti drew level nine minutes before the break when Vietto connected with Oliver Torres' cross to beat Badia with a header low to his left.

Captain Koke tested Badia early in the second half but the hosts continued to make life difficult for Atleti, limiting space and causing problems on the break.

Correa skewed a shot wide on the hour before Atleti's pressure eventually told, Saul connecting with Koke's corner to beat Badia with a looping header the home goalkeeper was unable to keep out.

Deportiu had negotiated ties with Asco, Arandina and Lleida Esportiu to reach the fourth round, while avoiding defeat in all competitions since their loss to Sabadell in mid-October.

Despite a spirited effort to find an equaliser late on - Ricardo Vaz glancing a header over the crossbar - the visitors held firm to begin a sequence of six games in 20 days with a hard-fought win, taking a narrow advantage back to the capital.

 

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Middlesbrough 0-2 Everton: Deulofeu & Lukaku strike for Toffees

Gerard Deulofeu stole the show as Everton cruised into the League Cup semi-finals courtesy of a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

The Spaniard netted a delightful opener before assisting Romelu Lukaku's header on Tuesday as Roberto Martinez's men booked their spot in the last four.

Martinez showed his respect for a team sitting second in the Championship by making just three changes to the XI that drew 3-3 at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

His decision paid dividends during the early stages, with stunning goals from Deulofeu and Lukaku putting the visitors 2-0 ahead inside 28 minutes.

Middlesbrough pressed forward menacingly in the second period as Stewart Downing and Cristhian Stuani spurned good opportunities, but Everton were able to keep their opponents at bay and progress with a minimum of fuss.

And the Premier League side's perfect night was capped by Leighton Baines coming off the bench for his first appearance of the campaign following an ankle injury.

Everton began brightly and almost took an eighth-minute lead as Gareth Barry nodded Ross Barkley's corner across goal the six-yard box for Lukaku, who headed narrowly wide.

The hosts responded impressively, with Downing's curling free-kick forcing a smart save from Joel Robles.

Aitor Karanka's men were given an illustration of true Premier League quality as Deulofeu netted a superb goal in the 20th minute, though.

The 21-year-old picked the ball up near the centre-circle and drove powerfully at Boro's defence before showing real class to beat Ben Gibson and curl a pin-point effort into the bottom-left corner.

Not content with one, Everton pushed for a second and got it just eight minutes later.

Deulofeu was the provider this time, jinking his way down the right wing and sending in a fine cross to the front post, where Lukaku glanced a stunning header in off the inside of the upright.
Middlesbrough responded in decent fashion as Stuani forced a smart stop from Robles, before Kike's clever chip flew narrowly wide.

Martinez will have likely warned against complacency at half-time given Everton's disappointment on Saturday, but those calls appeared to fall on deaf ears early in the second period as Boro impressed, Downing seeing a powerful strike turned over by Robles.

The England international was looking an increasing threat and almost teed up a goal when Stuani headed his centre narrowly over.

But Everton weathered the storm prior to their supporters being given a major boost when Baines was introduced.

The left-back was booked just four minutes after his introduction, although that did not take the shine off an impressive performance from the visitors, who reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2007-08.

 

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Manchester City 4-1 Hull City: De Bruyne at the double as hosts reach last four

Kevin De Bruyne scored two late goals to help Manchester City to a 4-1 victory over Hull City in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Wilfried Bony struck early in the first half at the Etihad Stadium and the Premier League leaders rarely looked like surrendering their advantage before substitutes Kelechi Iheanacho and De Bruyne clinched the victory in the closing stages.

Championship high-fliers Hull battled well in front of a strong contingent of travelling fans but Willy Caballero was rarely troubled at the rear of a strong City side that featured De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho and the excellent Nicolas Otamendi from the start.

Andrew Robertson went some way to atoning for his error for City's third with a well-taken late consolation, but the 2014 League Cup winners ultimately booked their place in the semi-finals with little fuss.

City assumed control from the off as Hull looked to sit deep and frustrate Manuel Pellegrini's team, but they contributed to their own undoing with just 12 minutes played.

Chuba Akpom and Sone Aluko left a loose ball for each other, allowing De Bruyne to take up possession before rifling a left-footed shot off the base of the near post. The rebound fell kindly to Bony, who side-footed home into the unguarded net.

Akpom forced Caballero into a low save before Aluko curled a shot into his arms from distance as the Championship side grew in confidence in the closing stages of the half.

As a result, City looked eager to kill off the contest sooner rather than later, De Bruyne forcing Eldin Jakupovic into a strong save with a well-struck shot from 25 yards just after the break.

Silva's deep cross fell kindly to Jesus Navas and he rasped a left-footed shot just past the far post as Pellegrini's side continued to push for a killer second goal.

Fabian Delph had a golden chance to secure the victory, drilling straight at Jakupovic after turning well from Silva's pass, but it wasn't much longer before City finished the tie with two goals in two minutes.

Substitute Raheem Sterling fizzed a dangerous cross in from the left and Iheanacho arrived to poke the ball in at the near post despite pressure from the home defence.

And Hull gifted City their third on 82 minutes when Robertson's weak header back was pounced on by De Bruyne, who finished clinically past Jakupovic from close range.

City looked in the mood to add gloss to the scoreline and De Bruyne did just that with 87 minutes on the clock, firing a free-kick into the roof of the net from 20 yards that Jakupovic will have been disappointed to not to have saved.

Robertson clipped a fine shot over the head of Caballero after linking up with Abel Hernandez on the edge of the area but it was scant consolation for the Tigers.

 

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KDB patta​

 

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AC Milan 3-1 Crotone (AET): Bonaventura stunner spares Rossoneri's blushes

Giacomo Bonaventura spared AC Milan's blushes as his stunning extra-time free-kick helped seal a 3-1 win over Crotone and a place in the last-16 of the Coppa Italia.

The Rossoneri had struggled to break down Serie B high-fliers Crotone, who had opportunities to win the game themselves only for Christian Abbiati to make important first-half saves from Giuseppe Torromino and Pietro De Giorgio.

Luiz Adriano put Milan in front just after the break, staying calm to round Alex Cordaz and finish neatly into the open goal after a perfect throughball from Andrea Poli.Ante Budimir and Matteo Paro both then missed terrific chances from superb Mihai Balasa crosses as Crotone fought hard to pull off a shock.

Budimir made amends by levelling the scores midway through the second half, firing a powerful low shot into Abbiati's bottom corner, and the striker could have had a penalty towards the end of the 90 minutes when he went down under Cristian Zapata's untidy challenge.

But Bonaventura settled matters just before the interval in extra time, beating Cordaz with a sumptuous 20-yard free kick, before Niang beat Cordaz from close range to seal Milan's place in the next round.Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic made 11 changes from Saturday's 4-1 win against Sampdoria and the first ever meeting between these clubs almost started with a bang as Suso cut inside to shoot, but his powerful effort fizzed off target.

Crotone were more than holding their own, though, and veteran Milan goalkeeper Abbiati made the first save of note on 19 minutes, diving low to his left to deny Torromino before then saving De Giorgio low shot with his legs.

Suso almost scored after being given too much room in the box, but Cordaz made a fine stop with his left leg and Antonio Nocerino could not convert the rebound.
Budimir, on as a substitute for the injured Raffaele Palladino, should have put the visitors ahead just before half-time but he headed Balasa's cross just wide with Abbiati well beaten.

That missed chance proved key as Milan took the lead within two minutes of the restart. Poli was given the freedom of San Siro to slip in Adriano, who rounded Cordaz to slot home.Balasa delivered another brilliant cross from the left flank for Paro, who got up well but headed over, before Cordaz saved an ambitious bicycle kick from Nocerino.

Crotone's reward for their superb performance finally arrived on 67 minutes when Budimir turned Zapata on the edge of the box and fired a low shot beyond Abbiati.

Budimir could have won a penalty on 79 minutes when he again got the better of Zapata, but referee Michael Fabbri decided against giving a spot kick against the Colombia defender for bundling the striker over as extra-time beckoned.

And on the stroke of half-time in the additional 30 minutes, Bonaventura curled in a delightful free-kick after Adriano was fouled on the edge of the box.Niang, who scored his first Milan league goals at the weekend, then tapped in the third to end Crotone's brave attempt at an upset.

 

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Neymar will sign new Barcelona deal, promises father

Neymar's father insisted his son will renew with Barcelona but added that the forward is in no rush to sign a new deal.

There are three years remaining on the Brazil international's existing contract but there has been mounting speculation that the Catalan club are struggling to find sufficient funds for a lucrative extension amid reported interest from Manchester United.

However, Neymar Sr has reassured Barca fans that his son, who is on the three-man shortlist to win the Ballon d'Or after a stellar 2015, is happy at Camp Nou and has no desire to depart any time soon.

"We are going to renew with Barcelona, that's for sure," the attacker's father said following the La Liga awards.

"He has three more years at Barca, so there's no need for urgency. There's no rush.

"We are relaxed and sure that Neymar will continue here for many more years. He is happy in Barcelona and there's no need for a change."

Neymar leads the Liga goalscoring charts with 14 goals, with defending champions Barca currently four points clear at the top of the table.

 

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Arsenal hopeful of Alexis return within a month

Arsenal are hopeful that Alexis Sanchez will be out of action for no more than a month as they continue to assess his hamstring injury.

Initial tests suggest that the injury that forced Alexis off during Sunday’s draw with Norwich is not as serious as first feared, with further assessment expected to reveal the full extent of the injury on Wednesday.

The Gunners hope that Alexis might even return for the big Premier League match against Manchester City on December 21, but it is most likely that the Chilean will miss the entire festive period.

Alexis, 26, will certainly be unavailable for next week’s crucial Champions League clash away at Olympiakos, as will Santi Cazorla after the Spaniard suffered a knee injury at Carrow Road.

Cazorla’s injury means that Aaron Ramsey is expected to return to his preferred central midfield role. There is a hope that Theo Walcott will return from a calf problem in the next week to compete for a wide place in the team with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and Kieran Gibbs as the north London club try to cope with their injury crisis.

Arsene Wenger has 10 players either injured or doubtful for Saturday’s home fixture against Sunday, with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere all long-term absentees.

The Arsenal manager admitted last week that Alexis had been struggling with “a little hamstring alarm” before the forward pulled up clutching the back of his leg an hour into Sunday’s match.

 

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Liverpool open talks with Mignolet over new deal

Liverpool have opened talks with Simon Mignolet over a new contract after Jurgen Klopp's glowing assessment of the Belgian goalkeeper.

Klopp described the 27-year-old as “one of the smartest I’ve ever had” on Tuesday, while dismissing speculation that the club were in the market to sign a new goalkeeper to rival him.

Mignolet swapped Sunderland for Merseyside for a fee in excess of £9 million in June 2013.

The Belgian still has two years remaining on his current deal, but contact talks have already been initiated with his representatives over an extension, which should be a simple negotiation.

Mignolet, who has kept the most Premier League clean sheets in 2015 along with Joe Hart, would expect to see his reported £60,000 a-week salary rise under the new arrangement.

Mignolet has no shortage of critics, with large swathes of his spell at Liverpool coming under attack.

In December last year, former manager Brendan Rodgers dropped the 27-year-old due to a string of poor performances.

However, Klopp removed any doubts over his position in his press conference ahead of Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie against Southampton.

“We are not looking for another goalkeeper. We have enough high quality ones here,” said the German.

"I’ve worked with a lot of goalkeepers over the last few years and Simon Mignolet is one of the smartest I’ve ever had.

“He is open, completely open and young enough to develop and improve.

“Since I’ve been here, there’s nothing to criticise. He is a good footballer and everything is okay with him.

“Everyone is watching for the new Manuel Neuer or something like this, but we’ve got to help our goalkeeper and give him the ball in the right situations and not hope he’ll play the final pass for a goal or something!”

“The goalkeeper situation is a very comfortable one for us.”

 

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'Higuain is Serie A's version of Lionel Messi'

Inter boss Roberto Mancini believes Gonzalo Higuain is Serie A’s version of Lionel Messi.

Two goals from the Argentine secured a 2-1 victory over Inter on Monday to fire Napoli to the top of Serie A.

“[Maurizio] Sarri said we had one chance in 90 minutes? It didn’t seem to me that it went like that,” Mancini told Corriere dello Sport.

“Napoli were very good and Higuain made the difference with an extraordinary goal after a minute.

“Higuain in Italy is like Messi to the rest of the world. He’s giving something to Napoli that the other teams don’t have.

“Going behind straight away put us in trouble in the first quarter of an hour, then the match was normal and balanced.

“I think it was one of our best performances of the season and there were several positives.”

 

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Rio Ferdinand reveals the hardest striker he faced for Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand insists Sergio Aguero is the best No.9 in the world and admits the Argentine was trickier to play against than Luis Suarez.

Both the Manchester City striker and Barcelona forward found the net in the games they played against Ferdinand, but the former Manchester United defender believes the Argentine’s ability to finish with either foot edges him ahead of the Uruguayan.

“For me now, at the moment, when he’s fit, Augero’s the best No.9 in terms of playing against, he’s a nightmare,” Ferdinand said in a motivational talk with England’s Under-19s which has been revealed by the FA.

“Because he’s small, stocky, strong, quick as well and will go both ways. He’ll go left and shoot with his left, or go right and shoot.

“Normally, like [Luis] Suarez, I’ll push him on his left all day long and say ‘go on’, because I know he’s going to cut back on his right.

“But with someone like Aguero, he’ll take that left and push it, and it’s hard to get back a yard, especially against someone so quick in the box, and he bangs it with both feet, so for me he was the hardest to play against for a long time.”

 

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Gary Neville takes charge of Valencia


Gary Neville has been named the shock new manager of Valencia until the end of the season, the La Liga club have confirmed.

The former Manchester United and England full-back's first game in charge will be the Champions League clash with Lyon on December 9, as he takes his first steps in football management.
In a statement on the club's official website, Neville said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity with Valencia.

"Valencia are a huge football club of immense standing and I know from my time as a player the passion and dedication of the Valencia fans.

“I am really looking forward to working with the club’s talented group of players and am excited about the challenge ahead.
Valencia president Layhoon Chan added: “We are delighted to have secured Gary so quickly. He combines top level coaching experience through his role as a senior coach with the England national team and a world-class playing career with England and Manchester United.

“Throughout his career Gary has always shown great leadership both on and off the pitch. He is hugely respected in English football and it was his personal qualities which persuaded us that he was the right choice to lead Valencia until the end of the season."

Neville replaces Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked following the club's 1-0 defeat to Sevilla on Sunday.
He has combined work as a television pundit with a coaching role for England under Roy Hogson since May 2012, but will remain a part of the Three Lions' backroom staff.

The former Manchester United and England defender's brother, Phillip, who has been Valencia's assistant manager since June, will take charge of the Copa del Rey clash with Barkaldo on Wednesday and their league meeting with Barcelona.

The two brothers have links with the Spanish club through los Che's owner Peter Lim, who also has a 50 per cent stake in non-league side Salford City, who were bought by the Nevilles and their former United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes in March 2014.

 

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Congratulations & Good Luck Neville!​

 

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Benitez leaves Odegaard in the dark at Madrid

Real Madrid face Cadiz in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday with over half of their first team squad missing.

Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Dani Carvajal are all injured for the game at the Ramon de Carranza, while Rafael Benitez has decided to rest Keylor Navas, Danilo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. With so much space to fill, the Spanish coach has turned to the academy - but, surprisingly, he has not found room for Martin Odegaard.

It’s difficult to understand why. Odegaard has been a key player for Zinedine Zidane’s Castilla side so far this season having arrived for a considerable transfer fee amid much fanfare in January, Madrid seeing off competition from many of Europe’s top clubs. The 16-year-old, who is already a full Norwegian international, was unveiled in a presentation at Valdebebas which drew media from all around the globe. He’s supposed to be the face of Madrid’s future and he regularly trains with the first team, including on Tuesday ahead of the squad announcement for the Cadiz game.

Even Carlo Ancelotti - who at first refused to indulge the narrative by not using the youngster in the Champions League - gave Odegaard a chance in the the last league game of last season, bringing him on for Ronaldo for the final half an hour of the win over Getafe. However, judging by his absence from a squad which features five Castilla players, it would seem Benitez does not view Odegaard as the flagship of La Fabrica. Strange.
Instead, that title is awarded to Borja Mayoral. A Spain Under-21 international, the 18-year-old is as professional as they come. He’s a forward who can play inside or outside the area and he boasts a goal tally of 128 from his last three seasons - not including the current campaign. In October he made his first team debut against Las Palmas and comparisons have been made with Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, another Los Blancos academy project. He’s an excellent choice for a first team call-up - even if they don’t understand Odegaard’s omission in Norway.

The other youngsters who travel to Cadiz are goalkeeper Carlos Abad, defenders Philipp Lienhart and Alaro Tejero and midfielder Marcoa Llorente. That means, as well as Odegaard, there is also no Mariano Diaz. Diaz - the top scorer in Madrid’s second team this season (11 goals) - is out of contract next summer, which could be the reason why he’s been omitted from this squad. The club are in talks over a new deal and won’t want to draw too much attention to a young player they are keen to tie down following his form this season. An understandable decision.

 

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Cristiano Ronaldo to rest for the first time this season

Calling Cristiano Ronaldo’s importance to Real Madrid into question would be absurd. The presence of one of the decade’s best two goal scorers will be key to the side’s quest to win trophies this season.

The Portuguese forward rarely misses a minute. He’s a machine, almost super-human and fortunately he has managed to avoid any significant injuries throughout his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, the news is that Rafael Benitez will rest him against Cadiz. Madrid go into the Copa del Rey game against the third division side as massive favourites, allowing the Spanish coach to rotate his squad and to give some minutes to those who don’t feature as frequently.

Five Castilla players have been called up for the encounter at the Ramon de Carranza, but Ronaldo, 31 in February, has not been included in the 17-man squad.

Voracious each time he steps on to the pitch, Ronaldo has never hidden his hunger or his desire to play in every match. He doesn’t differentiate between friendlies, La Liga games or Champions League finals.

“I don’t know how to lose, it really winds me up,” he said recently during the promotion of his new biopic.

Watching a game involving his team from the bench or the stands is an illusion for Ronaldo. It’s not something he does. The last time he missed a match for his club was in February, a 2-1 win over Sevilla - he was suspended.
With the curtain coming up on this season’s Copa del Rey, Madrid are presented with the chance to start again. The Clasico defeat to Barcelona was humiliating and has immersed the club in a sea of doubt, but the trip to Andalusia can provide fans with a glimpse of the future.

Segunda B side Cadiz will face a team whose pride has been hurt, although the wounds have been tempered by a Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk and victory over Eibar last weekend in the league.

December will be a a key month if Los Blancos don’t want to throw away any titles. For the good of the team, if Benitez is able to rest Ronaldo in the second leg, too, it will only be a good thing.

 

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'Messi is an artist...but Ronaldo is a machine'

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Everybody has their favourite and the debate as to who is the best player goes on and on.

But rather than pick a winner, Rio Ferdinand explained the differences between the two players to the England Under-16 squad in a recent Q&A session filmed by FA TV.

Ferdinand describes Messi as an 'artist' and a 'genius', while his former Manchester United team-mate is painted as a 'well-oiled machine'

"It's two different superstars," Ferdinand said. "The best way to describe it is Messi is like a genius. He shouldn't be that good.

"He's small. If you're going to build a footballer you're going to build Ronaldo, so Messi is working from a disadvantage straight away, and he's doing ridiculous things. He's like an artist, he's just a genius.

"Ronaldo is like a driven, well-oiled machine, who has made himself that superstar.

"Messi seems like he's more natural. Its just been given to him. Someone looked down and said 'You're the man'. And he went out there and did it, and he's just a beautiful footballer.

"There's two different players, but the respect for both of them is huge. I just think it's great that we're in this time where we can appreciate these two ridiculous footballers putting up numbers that noone has ever even seen."

Ferdinand also breaks down the amount of time and effort Ronaldo put into improving his game during his time with United.

He said: "You've got Cristiano Ronaldo who came to the club as a good player, as a talented player. You think he was what he is today? He wasn't. He has worked. "He didn't have a great shot when he came. He had a powerful shot but it went everywhere.

"He used to go out after - he was embarrassed - pick up a bag of balls, walk around to another pitch right over the other side [of the training field] so he could hide behind the trees.

"'Ronnie, where are you going man?'

"'I'm just going over there.'

"After a few months you'd see. 'Where's Ronnie going? He's doing shooting, he does stepovers.' He used to put these mad things on his feet, these weights, and do mad stepovers.

"I used to think 'Are you mad? What are you doing?' Until he started bamboozling people.


"You'd get to that stage where he was flying for Manchester United but it wasn't enough. He wants to be the best. He's not getting the ball and doing these mad tricks all the time; he wants efficiency, goals, assists. That's all he cared about."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern will not sell Benatia - Sabatini

Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini believes Bayern Munich have no intention of selling Medhi Benatia in January amid ongoing speculation the defender could be on his way back to Serie A.

The Morocco international left Roma for Bayern in August 2014, but has since been linked with a return to the Stadio Olimpico on more than one occasion.

However, Sabatini has ruled out a transfer in the upcoming window.

"Benatia is one of my idols and I really like him," Sabatini said at a fans' event.

"It took most people at Roma about two to three months to realise how good he was. Some said he was too slow.

"Bayern Munich will not sell him, though. You can remove his name from any lists. Bayern will not let go of him now.

"He is already thinking about the transfer window at the end of the season.

"Benatia is thinking about July, because Bayern will not sell in January."

The 28-year-old, who has a contract with Bayern until June 2019, has made eight appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga champions so far this campaign.