SPORTS - Ajax stun Real Madrid with 1-4 win at Bernabeu

Ajax produced one of the greatest Champions League comebacks as they stunned reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu to knock them out at the last-16 stage.

Madrid were heavy favourites to go through to the quarter-finals after taking a 2-1 lead from the first leg but were outclassed by the Dutch side in their own stadium.
Dusan Tadic provided a masterclass at the La Liga giants providing two assists before scoring the third goal himself.
Hakim Ziyech and David Neres scored the opening two goals after some superb build up play from Tadic.

Marco Asensio scored 20 minutes from time but it was not enough to secure a comeback as Lasse Schone scored two minutes later to end any hopes.
Sergio Ramos may have been regretting his decision to pick up a yellow card late on in the first leg so he would be suspended for the second tie.
Raphael Varane’s header rattled the crossbar early on but Ajax raced into an early lead through Ziyech after being set up by Tadic.

Ajax stun Real Madrid with 1-4 win at Bernabeu

He then provided the chance for David Neres to scored the second in the 18th minute.
Real Madrid were forced into two changes when Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior went off injured, with substitute Gareth Bale hitting the post just before half-time.
Ajax looked to have put the tie to bed when Tadic swept in a brilliant third goal just after the hour – which was eventually given following an extensive Video Assistant Referee review to check if the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Substitute Marco Asensio briefly gave Real hope when he put the ball in off the post with 20 minutes left.

Lasse Schone, though, capped a brilliant night for Erik Ten Hag’s side when he curled in an angled free-kick over Thibaut Courtois on 72 minutes.
Real finished with 10 men after Nacho picked up two needless late cautions.
The defeat was a fourth successive home loss for Los Blancos following on from being beaten by arch-rivals Barcelona in LaLiga on Saturday – and will see pressure mount on manager Santiago Solari.
Ajax, meanwhile, go on to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2003.

LA LIGA: Barcelona to hijack Real Madrid top target from EPL

Barcelona is set to hijack Real Madrid target from the English Premier League, according to report. Real Madrid is enduring a slow start to the season after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo and they have been liked with top-notch forward to replace the Portuguese international.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona has also emerged as a shock competitor for the signature of the English forward, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo via SkySports.

Barcelona is seeking a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez and has looked towards the direction of Kane,the Catalan based team is equally ready to knock off Real Madrid from the race. Kane has been exceptional over the last few seasons and had a good outing with England at the World Cup having won the golden boot in the tournament in Russia.

It is also reported that Kane's astronomical price tag of £175 million could prove detrimental to Barcelona's plans but Real Madrid might meet up the valuation in order to shapen up their squad. Barcelona is considering other options as the likes of RB Leipzig's Timo Werner and Ajax's Kasper Dolberg are linked with the Camp Nou outfit.

Real Madrid Star, Luka Modric admits to tax evasion in Spain

Modric has reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors, admitting he evaded taxes and agreeing to an eight-month jail sentence likely to be converted into a fine, daily El Mundo reported Saturday.

The Croatian star, one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or in December, has been accused of evading 870,728 euros ($1 million) on revenue fromhis image rights in 2013and 2014 via a shell company set up in Luxembourg.In January, the 33-year-old gave evidence to a court that he had already paid tax authorities close to one million euros — the sumhe allegedly evaded plus interest, a judicial source told AFP at the time.According to El Mundo, which is consistently well-informed on tax fraud issues involving footballers, the deal reached with prosecutors involves him paying a fine that represents 40 percent of the amount allegedly evaded — or just under 350,000 euros.

Modric can also convert his jail sentence to another fine of 250 euros a day, which would total around 60,000 euros, the report said.That would come on topof the one million euros he already paid, it added.Neither prosecutors nor the court involved in thecase would comment when reached by AFP.The news comes just two days before football’s world ruling body FIFA awards its best player of the year prize, for which Modric is a finalist along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah.

Modric is also a firm favourite for the Ballon d’Or, the prize awarded by France Football magazine to the world’s top player as voted on by journalists around the globe, in December.

Real Madrid has released his team list ahead of Champions League

Julen Lopetegui has released his squad list that will face A.S Roma in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

This is our 19-man squadfor our first Champions League match of the season!#RMUCL pic.twitter.com/yRZVq7Q7IY— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)September 19, 2018

Real Madrid will begin their title defense with A.S Roma.

Ex Real Madrid Coach, Zidane breaks silence on Manchester United link

Former Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that he would be back to coaching soon, according to report in Spanish Media.

Zidane led Real Madrid to three Champions League titles in a row before resigning as Los Blancos coach during the last summer and he is been linked with the coaching job at Manchester United.

Zidane has refueled the talk with a report suggesting that he would like to sign the likes of Toni Kroos, Thiago Alcantara, James Rodriguez and Edinson Cavani, according to a report in football Espana.“Certainly I’ll be coaching again soon because it’s what I like doing and what I’ve done all my life,” he told TVE.

during his visit to La Rioja in Spain, where his son Elyaz played forLos Blancos’ Infantil A side, managed by Xabi Alonso.

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Christiano Ronaldo blaming Real Madrid President Perez for Luka Modric Winning Best Player

Juventus new signing Cristiano Ronaldo is blaming Real Madrid President Florentino Perez for Luka Modric winning the UEFA Best Player of the year.

The 33-year-old Portugal international won the best forward of last season with 15 goals to his name but lost the player award to former teammate Modric after Croatian star claim the midfielder of the campaign, part of a Los Blancos clean sweep that also saw Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos trophies.

According to Tuttosport, Ronaldo was due to attend the event the ceremony in Monte Carlo, Monaco but changes his mind last minute and cancel his private plane because he heard rumours that Perez was pressuring UEFA to reward Modric instead.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Why didn’t Ronaldo come? Only Ronaldo knows you should ask him. We expected him to come but then, a couple of hours before, Juve told us he wouldn’t.

"I'll only say this: there was a vote by 55 journalists and 80 Coaches, so they decided the winner and therefore the result must be accepted."However, I don’t know about Ronaldo and perhaps there were other reasons behind his absence. It’s better to be optimistic…”

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SPORTS - Real Madrid break new record under Julen Lopetegui

Real Madrid has surpassed the previous record they had under their former manager Zinedine Zidane and has now set a new height in the 4-1 win against Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid has taken their game to a new height under Julen Lopetegui and they have now broken the club’s overall passing record in the match against Leganes on Saturday.

According to Opta stat, the EuropeanChampion made 798 successful passes against Leganes a record Real Madrid has never attained sinceOpta started collecting data.

Real Madrid managed more passes than the game Leganes just once and that was against Kashima Antlers in the World Club Cup finals and the game went to extra time.

Real Made completed 882 passes against the Japanese team, compared to 869 against the Pepineros, with a 91.82 per cent success rate in their last match.
Real Madrid lead the passing statistics with 1,505, just ahead of Barcelona who has 1,470 and a game in hand. Los Blancos are also ahead in terms of completed passes as well, at 90.76 per cent to 87.89 per cent.

Lopetegui has introduced a more pressing game at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid breeze past Leganes in a fashionable style with a 4-1 scoreline. Lopetegui’s men have now recorded three wins in three games.

After Christiano Ronaldo Left, Marcelo reveals the best player

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has revealed the best player in the World,he admitted that he misses CristianoRonaldo after the 4-1 demolishing ofGirona in the La Liga on Sunday.
Marcelo revealed that his former teammate Ronaldo remains the best player in the World

“Cristiano is the best player in the world and of course he’s missed, but Bale and Benzema are also very good. Marcelo was a surprise substitute in the game against Girona in the La Liga at the Montilivi Stadium.

SPORTS - Real Madrid face up to life without Christiano Ronaldo

Following up Zinedine Zidane ’s treble Champions League success with Real Madrid was always going to be a difficult job for Julen Lopetegui .
But having to do it without Cristiano Ronaldo is a monumental challenge .

Real Madrid finished third in La Liga last season after a thoroughly disappointing campaign , 17 points behind arch - rivals and champions Barcelona.  However , Zidane papered over the cracks by guiding the team to a third European cup in a row.
The coach decided to walk away while he was on top and his surprise departure in May was followed by another , as Ronaldo joined Juventus .

Over the previous nine years Ronaldo was crowned the best footballer in the world five times , helping Real Madrid to four Champions Leagues, with 450 goals in 438 games for the club.
However, in that period Ronaldo only won La Liga in 2012 and 2017 , often losing out to Lionel Messi ’s Barcelona.

While Barcelona have reinforced in the transfer window, Real have not replaced Ronaldo and have found it hard to secure their reported targets.
They have only added Real Sociedad defender Alvaro Odriozola and Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian is expected to replace Keylor Navas in the team and they can also use young Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, although he is primarily expected to feature for the B team .

Los Blancos need both Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to step up a level to cover for Ronaldo ’s absence and Marco Asensio will also be given a more prominent role .
Lopetegui , sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup after Madrid announced he would take over from Zidane , was reportedly not one of the club’ s top choices for the role .
Other coaches turned Madrid down, conscious of the difficulty of following in Zidane ’s footsteps , but Lopetegui said taking over was the happiest day of his life .

“It’ s an exciting challenge reinventing the team without Ronaldo , making it competitive and capable of winning titles , ” said Lopetegui .
“I have no doubt that it will happen with these players that we have. ”
Madrid president Florentino Perez has not proved patient at the best of times and if Lopetegui does not deliver on those words his time in the Spanish capital may be quickly curtailed .

An early test against crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup on Aug . 15 may set the tone for the Spanish coach.
Win and the transition begins smoothly , lose and worries will surface .

SPORTS - Manchester United beat Real Madrid 2-1

Jose Mourinho was finally given something to smile about as a tempestuous trip to the United States ended with Man United’ s 2 - 1 win over former club Real Madrid thanks to first - half strikes from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera .

Mourinho has cut a miserable figure during their two week trip to the United States , lashing out at a lack of transfer activity while reserving stinging criticism for a number of first team players .

But seeing his side establish a two goal lead in the first half was encouraging , as was holding Real at bay after Karim Benezema ’s goal just before the interval gave the Spanish side hope of mounting a comeback .

“I didn ’t learn anything (from this tour),” said Mourinho. “I know what Ander Herrera , Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez are .
“I know the kids are very young and need time to grow up, I know my players gave everything and in the last 15 mins we are dead and they bring on Toni Kroos and Asensio and Isco and I thought we wouldn ’t resist but we did.
“That ’s the spirit we need because our first two or three weeks in the Premier League are going to be really hard for us because we didn ’ t prepare for that . ”
The Portuguese has been without 12 key players for most of the tour with many enjoying an extended break following the World Cup .
In front of 64 ,141 at Miami ’s Hard Rock Stadium , United were finishing off their pre - season preparations against a Real Madrid side just starting theirs .
La Liga starts a week later than the Premier League so new Real manager Julen Lopetegui was able to name the likes of Gareth Bale to start while Germany star Toni Kroos was on the bench.
Spanish international David de Gea was making his first start since returning from the extra time given to him following the World Cup and he was almost beaten in the eighth minute – Bale starting a move which saw Benzema fire just wide from close range .
Brazilian Fred , who was signed earlier this summer for £ 52 million , was making his first United start and looked comfortable in his new surroundings .
And on 18 minutes , United were ahead . Herrera fed Matteo Darmian and teed up Sanchez who clinically swept the ball home.
– Taken superbly –
It was Man United’ s first real opportunity – and it was taken
superbly .

“Alexis Sanchez is fresh, the way the man is running , I think he is in a fantastic condition ,” said Mourinho.
The second goal which arrived on 27 minutes was equally impressive .
Darmian lifted the ball to Mata and once the Spaniard had regained his composure he crossed for Sanchez who was able to divert the ball into the path of Herrera who made no mistake.

Bale curled wide soon after but just before the interval , Benzema tapped in an excellent Theo Hernandez cross to give the vast amounts of Madrid fans in Miami something to cheer.
Bale , a one time target for Mourinho, was withdrawn for the second half as Lopetegui shuffled his pack and one of the substitutes, Martin Odegaard should have levelled on 56 minutes when he blazed over the bar from eight yards.

The Norwegian saw a free - kick saved by De Gea late on but United held firm to lift Mourinho’ s mood .
It was their first victory in regulation play this pre - season – AC Milan were defeated on penalties in Los Angeles last week .

LUKA MODRIC to quit Real Madrid to join Ronaldo

Croatia captain Luka Modric has reportedly started to consider a surprise exit from Real Madrid to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A.

The 32-year-old midfielder has spent the last six years at Santiago Bernabeu making 245 appearances in all competitions and winning La Liga and four Champions League crowns.

According to Sky Italia, Modric has entered talks with Italian giants Inter Milan over a stunning summer exit from Real Madrid to San Siro.

There have been some major changes at the Spanish club with manager Zinedine Zidane and star attacker Ronaldo leaving the club and former Tottenham Hotspurs star may insist that his future lies elsewhere.

Modric only has two years remaining on his contract with Los Blancos and he could team-up with his fellow countrymen Sime Vrsaljko, Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic at Inter Milan.

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JOSE MOURINHO wants Manchester Utd to sign Real Madrid midfielder

Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United to sign Real Madrid midfielder before the end of the summer transfer market.
Mourinho has been a huge fan of Toni Kroos and he wants the Red Devils to sign the German midfielder, according to report.

Kroos has spent four years in Madrid and has helped the Bernabeu outfit to win three Champions League titles, three World Club Cups, two European Super Cup, one Spanish Super Cup and a La Liga since his arrival in 2014.

The former Bayern Munich star has been vital in Real Madrid recent success under ex-coach Zinedine Zidane, he is also a key figure in the German national team.

Left to Mourinho, Kroos’ time in Madrid will be coming to an end this summer with Manchester United keen on bringing him to replace Michael Carrick at the Old Trafford.
According to AS, Mourinho has dumped his interest in Gareth Bale, as the former Tottenham Hotspur is set to be a key part of Julen Lopetegui plan this season at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho is now trying to see if he could secure a deal to bring Bale’s teammate to England.
Real Madrid has no interest in selling the German midfielder as they are not set to negotiate a deal for the German. The only option for Manchester United is triggered his release clause which £446million (€500m).

Mourinho is also focused on getting new centre-half before the end of the transfer window, Leicester City defender Harry Maguire tops his list of priority, with the Red Devils considering a £65million move for the 25-year-old.

Ex-Real Madrid Star Player, Cristiano Ronaldo out of ICC

Juventus new boy Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the Italian side's pre-season tour of the U.S.A in the International Champions Cup, instead of making his debut in the Villar Perosa friendly.

The Ballon d’Or has joined the Bianconeri from Real Madrid, but has been given extra time off after the World Cup.

The Portuguese captain will return for pre-season on July 30, but ESPN is reporting that CR7 will not take part in the International Champions Cup.

It was initially thought he could be available to face his former side in Maryland on August 5, but the players involved in the World Cup latter stages will stay in Italy to prepare for the coming season.
Mario Mandzukic, Marko Pjaca and Blaise Matuidi will join the squad in August, as they were all involved in the World Cup final.

Ronaldo should therefore make his first appearance in the traditional Villar Perosa friendly against the Primavera side.

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Real Madrid launch €28.5m bid for French record-holder

Champions League title holders, RealMadrid and Zinedine Zidane are keenon strengthening their team this season as they launch a fresh bid fora French record-holder.

Tottenham Hotspur star Hugo Lloris is all set to be the subject of a concerted move by Real Madrid to bring him to Spain, according to a report in British news outlet, the Sunday Mirror (Via Sportskeeda).

Florentino Perez is reportedly unhappy with Keylor Navas and is seeking a replacement that will not break the bank, having been thwarted in moves for David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois.Los Blancos are hoping to take advantage if Spurs fail to win a trophy this season, as Lloris has grown frustrated with the Lilywhites' lack of success, and has reportedly confided in French national teammate Raphael Varane.

Real Madrid won the 2017 UEFA Super Cup after beating Manchester United 2-1

Real Madrid has won the  2017 UEFA Super Cup after beating Manchester United 2-1.

Goals were scored by Carlos Casimiro andIsco for Madrid while Romelu Lukaku scored United’s only goal.