Real Madrid News

The Portuguese feels his side lacked the physical strength to deal with the Poland striker, while adding that Tuesday’s game is the “most important match in 10 years” for the club

Jose Mourinho says he is disappointed his Real Madrid side didn’t “foul” Robert Lewandowski once in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Borussia Dortmund.

The striker scored all four of BVB’s goals in a stunning 4-1 win at Signal Iduna Park last Wednesday, and looking ahead to Tuesday’s second leg, the Portuguese coach admitted his players lacked a physical edge to deal with the Poland international.

“In the first leg, we didn’t even foul Lewandowski once. We were way too naive and pure,” the 50-year-old told a press conference on Monday.

“We have to play it minute by minute and goal by goal until the last breath of the match.”

Madrid will need to produce an incredible comeback if they are to advance to the final at Wembley, but Mourinho remains confident his side have what it takes to do just that.

“It’s only football and everything is possible. We have to enjoy ourselves on the pitch, although we are in a difficult situation,” he added.

“I respect Real Madrid’s history a lot. It is difficult to say what mathematical chance we have. I feel this is the most important match in 10 years for Real Madrid, but I also felt that in Dortmund and we played like [it was] a friendly.”

The defender has urged his team-mates to go all out in their bid to pull off a remarkable turnaround in Europe on Tuesday

Sergio Ramos says Real Madrid must believe in themselves if they are to avenge their 4-1 Champions League first-leg loss to Borussia Dortmund.

Four goals from Robert Lewandowski last Wednesday leaves los Blancos adopting the unfamiliar role of underdog on Tuesday night, but despite the size of the task at hand, the defender believes the tie is not over yet.

“It’s complicated for us, but if we want to be in the final we have to defeat the best teams. We have to believe we can get back into it,” Ramos said at a press conference.

“We know our fans will support us from the first minute. We know what we have to do and what happened in Dortmund. We want revenge. We have negative thoughts from the first leg and we want to play well tomorrow.

“There is no bigger motivation than playing in a Uefa Champions League final. I’ve been here for eight years and never played in one. Nothing is more beautiful.”

Tuesday’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.

The Portuguese coach has dismissed reports that claimed he is set to return to the Premier League giants and is focused on the match against Dortmund

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he never told Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp that he will leave Real Madrid for Chelsea at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

German tabloid Bild reported after the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tie between both sides that the Portuguese had told his opposite number that he would return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Klopp already stressed that he never told anyone that the former Inter boss will leave Madrid at the end of the season, though, and Mourinho himself has now added that he did not tell the BVB trainer anything about his plans for the future.

“I never told Klopp that I was going to Chelsea,” Mourinho said at a press conference.

The 50-year-old then went on to state that the outcome of the tie against Borussia Dortmund will not influence his decision on his future.

“My future doesn’t depend on what happens Tuesday,” he continued.

“Will it be my last game? I am only thinking about the match against Dortmund. It’s the most important game of the past 10 years for Madrid. My future is not on my mind.”

Madrid will be looking to overturn a 4-1 first-leg deficit in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan striker’s future at Liverpool appears to be uncertain and Willie Duncan believes that the former Ajax man may opt to leave Anfield this summer

Liverpool proved that they can perform without Luis Suarez as the Reds romped to a hugely impressive 6-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday and speculation regarding the future of the Uruguayan striker continues to mount.

The Reds will be without the striker for the final three matches of this campaign and Suarez will also sit out of the opening six matches of next season following his 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic and
Paddy Power has opened a market on whether, following this latest indiscretion, the 26-year-old forward will ever play for Liverpool again.

The Irish firm go just 8/15 (1.53) that Suarez resumes his Liverpool career next term while the same firm offer 11/8 (2.38) that the match against Chelsea at Anfield proves to be his final appearance for the Merseyside club.

Should the controversial Uruguayan move on in the summer, Paddy Power go 5/2 (3.50) that Champions League finalists Bayern Munich add the striker to their impressive squad.

Suarez’s agent is Pere Guardiola, younger brother of Pep, who will take over the reins at the Allianz Arena from Jupp Heynckes this summer, and the family connection may prove pivotal should the former Barcelona manager wish to bring the striker to Bayern.

Paddy Power go 9/2 (5.50) that Suarez remains in England by moving to Manchester City. The prospect of such a move would certainly be enhanced should weekend speculation linking Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers to the hotseat at Etihad Stadium prove to be true.

However, given that Suarez is reported to be unhappy at what he perceives as unfair treatment from the FA, a move to another English club would surely carry little appeal for the 26-year-old striker.

If Suarez does depart English football, a move to Spain is a possibility offering 6/1 (7.0) that the striker’s next permanent move is to Real Madrid while the same firm go 7/1 (8.0) that the Uruguayan moves to Barcelona.

Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are also rated as a 7/1 (8.0) chance to snap up Suarez, who could form an explosive partnership with Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic should he sign for the French outfit, while a move to Serie A champions Juventus is chalked up as a 12/1 (13.0) shot .

With Suarez’s future uncertain, a move to Bayern Munich appeals at a juicy 5/2 (3.50) but the 11/8 (2.38) quote from the same firm for Suarez to depart Anfield before serving his suspension is a solid selection and should be snapped up accordingly by punters.

Sign up for up to £250 in free bets

The attacker was being plagued by muscular problems in the past few days, but has been deemed match fit again ahead of Tuesday’s game with Dortmund

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to full training ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League semi-final clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The Portugal international netted his side’s only goal in their 4-1 first-leg defeat last week, but then missed this weekend’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid due to a leg injury.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo is not in danger of missing Tuesday’s return at the Santiago Bernabeu as he has resumed regular training action again after a brief lay-off.

The prolific attacker joined his team-mates for the first time for Monday’s early session and participated without any noteworthy problems.

Ronaldo has been in superb form for Madrid this term, netting 51 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, and Madrid will be hopeful he can add to his tally on Tuesday as they aim for a comeback win over BVB in order to make it to the Champions League final.