Real Madrid News

The full-back defended his coach after his side’s 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza, and stressed they would continue to fight to defend their Liga title

Marcelo has praised Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho following the 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza, stressing that the team have complete confidence in his decisions .

Rodri put the hosts 1-0 up after only six minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo scored an equaliser, his 28th league goal of the season, shortly before half time.

Marcelo was keen to praise the performance of goalkeeper Diego Lopez, insisting the side is fully behind the coach’s decision to rotate the man between the posts.

“It was another good performance by Diego [Lopez],” he told the club’s official website.

“In my opinion there is no debate, we have four goalkeepers to help the team. The coach is intelligent and everything he tells us to do we do willingly.”

The 24-year-old insists his side will continue to fight to retain their Liga title as long as it remains a mathematical possibility, and warned of a tough test against Galatasaray in next week’s Champions League quarter-final.

“Each match is hard,” the former Fluminese defender went on.

“We always want to win and a draw is never good for us, but we all ran after the ball in pursuit of victory.

“While it is mathematically possible we will fight for La Liga. I feel good, we must continue to improve and I am available to Mourinho to help the team.

“Now we are focused on the Champions League. We know that it’s a difficult match and that no team is favourite going into the clash.

“Of course I am keen to play in the match and my goal is always to train to play and to win”.

The Italian dismissed speculation the Real Madrid coach had been in touch, although he admitted any advice from his counterpart would be welcome

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Jose Mourinho did not make contact with Ligue 1 leaders ahead of their Champions League showdown with Barcelona.

The Real Madrid trainer has masterminded recent wins over the Blaugrana since the turn of the year, sparking rumours the 50-year-old sent Ancelotti – a close acquaintance – a video containing footage of the Catalan outfit’s weaknesses.

But Ancelotti, though revealing he would be grateful to receive such insight, denied receiving any hints from the Portuguese.

“He has not given us advice,” he told France Football after overseeing their 1-0 victory against Montpellier.

“He’s often won against Barcelona though. If he wants to give us advice, I would be happy to accept it.”

Although rejecting talk he had yet to receive any form of external assistance, Ancelotti did not rule out the possibility that it could arrive, adding: “I don’t know if he might send anything. After all, there are still four days left till the game yet.”

Les Parisiens entertain the Spanish giants at Parc des Princes in Tuesday’s first leg, before traveling to Camp Nou for the return match on April 10.

The Portuguese acknowledged the potential selection headache he could face selecting his first-choice custodian, as captain Iker Casillas nears a return to action

Real Madrid trainer Jose Mourinho says Iker Casillas could find it hard to displace Diego Lopez upon his comeback from injury.

The winter arrival, signed in response to Casillas’ bone fracture in January, has surpassed expectations in the skipper’s absence, putting in a series of assured performances for los Blancos.

And Mourinho’s acknowledgement of such has placed the Madrid captain’s squad status in doubt, when he told reporters: “We must be honest. The way Diego is playing, it will be very hard to get him out of the net.

“I cannot say for certain that he will be stay there till the end of the season, but he is playing very well. For now, it will be difficult for Casillas to be on the bench against Galatasaray, but he will surely be there for Levante.”

The Spanish champions drew 1-1 against Zaragoza on Saturday after Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Rodri’s early opener, prompting Mourinho to lament his team’s scoring touch deserting them this season.

“It is true that all our players except Ronaldo have scored less goals this season, and therefore the team suffers,” the 50-year-old continued.

“But I believe they will come, if not this season, then the next. It is not a matter of winning the league now, but to secure second place.

“Our goals remain the same; to progress to the Copa del Rey final and beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League.”

Madrid host Galatasaray in Europe’s premier club competition on Wednesday.

Real Madrid failed to close the gap at the top of La Liga as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Zaragoza at La Romareda.

On-loan Barcelona B player Rodri gave the hosts the perfect start as los Merengues struggled to get a foothold in the game. Cristiano Ronaldo managed to net an equaliser before the break with his 28th league strike of the season but they could not find another in a lacklustre second.

Things did not go to plan from the start for Jose Mourinho’s men as the relegation-embroiled side took a surprise lead in the sixth minute.

Apono poked the ball off the toe of Luka Modric and straight into the path of Rodri who raced through one-on-one with Diego Lopez. He shaped to hit the ball across the keeper but stylishly placed it in the other corner, finishing with aplomb.

Madrid were extremely rushed in possession but still came desperately close to finding an equaliser soon after. Marcelo’s cross-field pass fell over the shoulder of Ronaldo but he was unable to guide his first-time volley into the top corner.

Los Blancos were struggling for fluency in the final third and a searing Rodri effort that arrowed narrowly over the bar almost doubled their woes.

But the visitors were presented with an opportunity to draw level with 27 minutes on the clock as Roberto Jimenez failed to collect Luka Modric‘s in-swinging free kick. Glenn Loovens‘ sliced clearance presented Pepe with a chance to head in the equaliser, but the Dutchman recovered to poke the ball off the line.

Madrid were resorting to a long-ball game but it paid dividends in the 38th minute. Pepe’s pass from deep was not dealt with by Loovens and Ronaldo bulldozed through the defence before lashing a low shot past Roberto at his near post.

The scoreline would have been completely reversed two minutes later had it not been for a top save from Roberto to keep Michael Essien’s header out of the net.

The reigning Liga champions did not let up after the break but the score somehow remained level as Marcelo hit the post of an open goal after Roberto had done superbly to deny Ronaldo in the 48th minute.

Zaragoza were by no means ready to surrender and they soon returned to the intensity levels that had caused the visitors so many problems in the first half.

In an attempt to revive his team Mourinho added Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil on the hour mark, but the game remained delicately balanced.

In fact it was the Blanquillos who were looked increasingly likely to steal a winner but Lopez ensured the draw as he did brilliantly to keep out a pair of top-drawer headers from Helder Postiga in the closing stages.

The result means Madrid remain 13 points behind Barcelona, who could only manage a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo earlier on Saturday. Zaragoza, meanwhile, will be hopeful that the unexpected result can provide a late surge to safety.

The young defender is being plagued by physical problems and could miss the upcoming match versus the Turkish champions

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has received some disturbing news on the injury front ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Galatasaray as he will possibly have to make do without the services of Raphael Varane due to injury.

The centre-back sustained a back injury on international duty with France, and will consequently miss Saturday’s Liga match against Real Zaragoza.

It’s uncertain as of yet how long Varane will be out of action, but Madrid fear that the 19-year-old could miss Wednesday’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu, too.

Varane has developed into a key player at the Blancos in the past few months as he condemned Pepe to the bench in crucial games against Barcelona and Manchester United.

The youngster has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Madrid so far this season, scoring twice in the process.