Real Madrid News

The Barcelona midfielder says his side are ready to beat Atletico on Sunday to secure La Liga and has insisted that he has no intention of leaving the club

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has hit back after Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho’s recent opinions about the Catalan club.

The Portuguese claimed on Tuesday that the Blaugrana were not a good team without Lionel Messi but the Spain international has made it clear that he is not of that opinion.

“I never knew that Mourinho is the only person who is allowed to have an opinion on everything…” he told reporters.

Should Madrid fail to beat Malaga on Wednesday, Barca will secure the Liga title but Busquets says his team-mates are prepared for every eventuality.

“We’re ready to win the match on Sunday, but if [the league title] comes before then, it’ll be just as important,” he said.

“Winning a title is special and the league even more so. It’s the tournament of regularity and the most important. What’s more, it would be the fourth league title in five years and that would be spectacular.

“All the Barca fans are proud of this team. They know how important this team is and they want us to win the league and he’s in no doubt that a league championship has to be celebrated with a parade through the city and a party at the stadium.

“We want to do this and more now that the weeks are so long. It’s the best thing to do as we deserve it and so do all the fans.”

Busquets went on to say that he has no intention of leaving Camp Nou in the near future and voiced his delighted with Carles Puyol’s denial of rumours linking him with AC Milan.

“I see myself here in the future and in the present. I’ve no intention of moving from here. I see myself with Barca. [Long-serving players] are an example to me,” he continued.

“Puyol’s already denied these rumours. We’re all delighted with Puyol. Let’s hope he can carry on for many more years. He’s looking good to me and he’s on the mend.

“He’s got a difficult injury but he’s keen to get better as soon as possible. You always have to put a brake on him because he wants to be with the team.

“Right now I can’t imagine Barca without Puyol and [Victor] Valdes, but the day will come. The years go by and everything moves on.”

The Blancos captain continues to be kept out of Jose Mourinho’s side due to Diego Lopez’s performances but the Spain coach has come to his defence

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque says that all “good” Real Madrid fans love the benched club captain Iker Casillas.

An injury to the Spain skipper in January forced the signing of Diego Lopez as cover but, with the 31-year-old having recovered, the former Villarreal man’s form has confined Casillas to the bench.

However, Del Bosque, who spent 14 years as a player at the Santiago Bernabeu as a player and enjoyed three spells there as a coach, says everyone associated with the club should be grateful to the goalkeeper.

“A good Madrid fan must love Casillas a great deal,” he told Colombian radio station W Radio on Tuesday.

“Like Casillas, we are sons of Real Madrid, the club that made us.”

Mourinho is said to have a bad relationship with several of his players and Del Bosque feels it is natural that Casillas would prefer working with other bosses.

He added: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and Iker is within his rights to say he prefers Del Bosque or [former Madrid boss Manuel] Pellegrini as coaches.”

Mourinho said earlier in May that he wishes he had signed Lopez sooner than the most recent transfer window, hinting that he will continue to choose him ahead of Casillas but the former Inter boss is set to return to Chelsea.

With reports suggesting that the Real Madrid boss wants to take him to Stamford Bridge with him, the Borussia Dortmund striker admits that he is flattered by the possibility

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski says that it is “a great honour” to be targeted by Chelsea-bound Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.

With a deal all but confirmed for the Portuguese to return to Stamford Bridge this summer, reports claimed that he intends to bring the Poland international with him this summer.

When asked by SportBild of the links, Lewandowski remarked that Mourinho is “a good coach” and that “to be of interest in his view is a great honour”.

The BVB star played down reports, however, of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, despite meeting the club’s president, Florentino Perez, after his side’s Champions League semi-final triumph in Madrid on April 30.

“I met [Perez] in the locker room after the match but I did not say anything to him, only read in the press what he allegedly has said,” Lewandowski continued.

Having struck 33 goals in 41 games for Dortmund this term, the forward has become one of the most sought-after talents in the transfer market but he insists that he is ignoring discussion of his future as he prepares for the Champions League final.

“That has been going on for so long now. I don’t care about it,” he declared. “I know what I want. First I want the title, then everything will be settled.

“We’ve beaten Bayern Munich several times already. We’re their nastiest opponent. Everyone knows that. I’m sure they have a lot of respect for us.

“Reaching the final is a dream come true. Now we want to win that title as well. I’d love to play right now – unfortunately we still have to wait a few days. Matches against Bayern are very special.”

The Real Madrid star has joined the legions declaring their gratitude for the Manchester United manager’s support, thanking the 71-year-old for his help

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson following the 71-year-old’s decision to retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the season.

The Scot told his players of the imminent decision to end his managerial career during an emotional speech at the club’s Carrington training base early on Wednesday.

And the Portuguese star, who worked with Sir Alex at United for six years, has joined the likes of Paul Ince and David Beckham in thanking the 71-year-old for his mentoring during the important stages of his career.

Ronaldo posted on Twitter: “Thanks for everything, Boss.”

The 28-year-old won three Premier League titles with the Red Devils, as well as lifting one Champions League trophy and one FA Cup.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in 2009 but has always held the Manchester club – and Sir Alex in particular – in high regard.

David Moyes is expected to be announced as Manchester United’s next manager, with the appointment set to be concluded by the end of this week.

Our man in Madrid, Phil Kitromilides, believes the recent run of high scoring games in the capital will continue on Wednesday with the visit of Malaga

Knowing that anything except a win would hand Barcelona the league title, Real Madrid have the utmost incentive to record victory against Malaga this evening.

Although it would almost certainly merely be delaying the inevitable, Madrid will be desperate for the victory and price them at 1/5 (1.20) to claim all three points.

Malaga meanwhile, who beat Jose Mourinho’s side at La Rosaleda back in December, are offered at 14/1 (15.00) with the draw available at 5/1 (6.00).

While Real Madrid are the only side in any of the major European leagues to remain hitherto unbeaten in all competitions at home, it has not been because of their defensive record.

Of the 17 league games played at the Bernabeu, only six have seen los Blancos keep a clean sheet. Backing both teams to score is therefore tempting in theory, but the price of 8/15 (1.53) is not.

Much more attractive is backing over 3.5 goals in the game at 8/11 (1.73) which has proved to be one of the most solid bets in league games at the Bernabeu this season.

It has paid out 11 times so far, including in each of Madrid’s last four home matches, while it has also proved the correct selection in four out of Malaga’s last five away fixtures in all competitions.

For some slightly higher odds, backing Madrid to score four or more at 15/8 (2.88) could be of interest for a slightly smaller investment given that this has paid out nine times this season in their league matches at home.

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