Casillas still the man at Madrid

Iker Casillas was provided with something of a vote of confidence following Real Madrid's decision to offload Diego Lopez to AC Milan.

The Spain No.1, who lost his place to Lopez for the majority of the 2013-14 campaign, is seemingly still in favor at the Bernabeu despite his struggles with his national team at the World Cup.

The signing of Keylor Navas has further pushed Lopez out the door, with the 32-year-old furious at the way he has been treated by the Champions League winners, while Casillas now looks certain to finish his career in Madrid.

Sunday, August 10, 2014 12:00

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Xavi calls time on Spain career

Xavi has retired from international football after winning the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

The 34-year-old was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, while Vicente del Bosque admits the national side will struggle to find a replacement for the Barcelona midfielder.

"We have lost a unique player in the national team and it will be difficult to find another one like him,” said the 63-year-old.

"Xavi has been key in Spain's style and in all the success achieved. We'll miss him so much on and off the pitch."

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:00

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Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees

You can read about it via this link by Chris Myson: 

Ozil, Modric & the Goal 50 absentees
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Stark reality bites in Spain's Roja wedding

It's over, it's finally over. Spain, reigning world and European champions have been dumped out of the World Cup thanks to a colossal performance from Chile.

Jorge Sampaoli's side, also nicknamed La Roja, scored twice in the first half in a frantic end-to-end game of football in Rio de Janeiro.

And for Vicente del Bosque's team it was very much a case of one tournament too far for a group of players who have defined an era. There will be casualties from this exit, not least if they fail to even take home the wooden spoon in their final game against Australia.

Thursday, 19 June 2014 12:46

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Van Persie and Robben tuck into Spanish feast

Spain endured a miserable start to their World Cup 2014 campaign after being thrashed 5-1 by Netherlands on Friday night.

Xabi Alonso gave the holders the lead from the penalty spot but Louis van Gaal’s men scored a stunning equaliser from Robin van Persie to ensure the two sides went in level at the break.

The second half was one to forget for the Spanish, with goals from Stefan de Vrij, another for Van Persie and an Arjen Robben double sealing an incredible win. 

Saturday, 14 June 2014 11:51

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A tribute to Spain 2014

Don't forget to watch the animation of Spain's history in the World Cup:

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Real Madrid claim La Decima

Real Madrid finally claimed La Decima with a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in Lisbon.

Diego Simeone’s men came within a whisker of denying their city rivals Champions League glory with Real needing a 93rd minute header from Sergio Ramos to take the game into extra-time.

Los Blancos then ran away with the game in the second period with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a 4-1 victory and a 10th European Cup.

Sunday, 25 May 2014 10:34

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Real Madrid have a snail of a time in the Bernabeu

Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 over Bayern Munich on Wednesday night after shutting up shop and keeping Pep Guardiola's boys away from Iker Casillas's goal.

The Bundesliga champions were criticised for their style of play, often for the lack of tempo and incision in their build-up and drew a blank on the night.

Though Real sacrificed possession, their counterattacking threat was evident and were unfortunate not to at least score a second through either Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria. The story though, was of a sluggish Bayern.

Thursday, 24 April 2014 12:30

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Ancelotti wages war to keep Casillas

He may no longer be the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti is determined to keep Iker Casillas.

The Spain international lost his place in the starting XI under previous boss Jose Mourinho during the 2012-13 season to Diego Lopez.

Lopez continues to be a regular fixture in the starting XI under Ancelotti, but the Italian is adamant that he does not want Casillas to leave.

"It was not an easy decision, I have two goalkeepers of high quality, the best two in the world," the Italian trainer told RNE.

"I started with Diego as my No.1, but then did not consider that Casillas would not play. Rotating goalkeepers is not the most desirable thing, it is not easy, but they have understood.

"I'll fight the same way I did for Xabi. This team have key players representing the club and I will wage war for Casillas to finish his career here, in Madrid."

Ancelotti has also suggested Casillas could be in the starting lineup to face Espanyol on Sunday as Lopez is struggling with a stomach bug.

Saturday, 11 January 2014 12:45

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Commander Cristiano shows Blatter who's boss

He may alledgedly spend more time in the hairdresser's, but boy does that Ronaldo know how to score goals!

After being satirised by Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who claimed Ronaldo was a commander on the pitch before doing a silly walk, the Portuguese made sure he had the last laugh by bagging a hat-trick on a crazy night in Madrid.

Gareth Bale scored twice, and set up another two, on a fine night for the Welshman (even if there was a comedy dive thrown in for good measure), while Karim Benzema hit two of his own.

Ronaldo, backed by the cheers of every home fan at the Santiago Bernabeu, marked his first goal of the night with the kind of salute fitting of a true field commander - over to you, Sepp!

Thursday, October 31, 2013 12:00

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Isco in the doghouse over pet Messi

 

Real Madrid officially announced the arrival of Isco on Wednesday but the 21-year-old may get a few scornful glances from his new team-mates if he ever brings his dog to training.

It had been revealed that the midfielder's dog is named after Lionel Messi and the Spain Under-21 star insists it will remain that way - despite signing for Real Madrid.

"I also had another dog called Figo. It's just an anecdote," Isco said.

"I'm not going to change my dog's name from Messi now because if I did, he would ignore me." 

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Casillas reduced to tears by Mourinho

 

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta was one of many to be glad to see the back of Jose Mourinho when the former Real Madrid coach departed Spain for a return to Chelsea.

But one player much closer to home was even happier for the Special One to exit the Bernabeu this summer.

Iker Casillas lost his place to Diego Lopez after an injury, and found himself sat on the substitute's bench over a difficult period which he admits reduced him to tears.

"I've cried," Casillas told the Fifa website. "I've suffered, I've been unwell, I've had sleepless nights."

With Mourinho gone, however, the Spain international - who is closing in on a Confederations Cup final appearance - believes he is a new man.

He continued: "I have regained happiness. It was not easy but I'm another Iker Casillas now.

"After five months, it takes some time until everything comes back to you, but, luckily, I have had a great deal of help of my team-mates and coach [Vicente del Bosque] and that's important when it comes to having to start over again." 
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Ancelotti in the driving seat at Real Madrid

 

Carlo Ancelotti has been unveiled as Real Madrid head coach on Wednesday after a short and successful spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti replaces Jose Mourinho, who 'damaged' La Liga, according to several figures in Spanish football, including Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Club president Florentino Perez insists Mourinho did not sully the image of the Bernabeu side during his stint in Madrid.

"I always give the example of F1, Ferrari does not always win, but they are the team that everybody knows," Perez said. "In football, that brand is Real Madrid."

But it is now Ancelotti who takes the driving seat. 
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Casillas' birthday wish comes true as Mourinho leaves Madrid

 

And so the Special One finally departs the Bernabeu. What better day to do it on than the birthday of club captain, and feud-er in chief, Iker Casillas?

The pair had a rocky relationship this season, with Casillas' Spain team-mate and Barcelona rival Xavi lambasting Mourinho for his "terrible" treatment of the keeper.

But late on Monday, Real Madrid announced that they were parting company with Mourinho by mutual consent, and the manager is set to join Chelsea within the next two weeks.

So, happy birthday to Iker Casillas, who got exactly what he might have wished for. 

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Goodbye Bernabeu! Mourinho welcomed back at the Bridge

 

Jose Mourinho gave the biggest indication yet that he is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after watching is side suffer elimination from the Champions League to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

"I know I'm loved in England," Mourinho said after Madrid won 2-0, but were beaten 4-3 on aggregate by the Bundesliga side. "Loved by the fans, the media. I know I'm loved by some clubs - especially one."

Goal.com understands the Special One has agreed a deal to return to Chelsea, with Falcao set to follow him to Stamford Bridge.

And while Branislav Ivanovic has admitted the Blues 'cannot wait' for Mourinho to return, the likes of Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas might be pleased to see the back of him at the Bernabeu.

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Mourinho tries to make his birthday wish come true

 

Jose Mourinho doesn't seem to be enjoying himself in Spain at the moment!

Not only are his Real Madrid side all but certain to surrender the Liga title due to languishing so far behind Barcelona, but earlier this week Madrid daily Marca reported that Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have threatened to leave Santiago Bernabeu in the summer if their boss is allowed to remain.

But it's not all bad for the Special One. Club president Florentino Perez has come out and backed his coach until the summer, which left Mourinho free to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday with some degree of peace, and contemplate how to salvage a turbulent season by winning the third Champions League crown of a stellar coaching career. 

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Perez's picture perfect Real Madrid masks the reality in Mourinho war

 

Life at Real Madrid is rarely dull and so it proved again this week as Jose Mourinho's men hogged the headlines once more.
Reports earlier in the week claimed that there were deep divisions within the squad, with players telling supremo Florentino Perez that he had to choose between them and Mourinho.

The president quickly called a press conference where he insisted all was well in the Spanish capital while Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas released a statement supporting their coach, for now at least.

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You're free to go - Mourinho forced to concede defeat in Casillas bench row

 

Jose Mourinho's battle with Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas took another twist on Sunday night, when the Portuguese boss was forced to call upon the Spanish goalkeeper to replace Antonio Adan after his red card in the 4-3 win over Real Sociedad.

In the build-up to kick-off, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd cheered the shot-stopper's name as it was read out on the tannoy, which was in stark contrast to the greeting that welcomed the manager, who was roundly booed by his own fans.

After being pegged back twice, a Cristiano Ronaldo double ensured victory for the Liga champions, yet for Mourinho, he was forced to concede a notable defeat as Casillas returned to the fold..

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Happy New Year! Stars prepare to bring in 2013

 

Spain secured their place in the pages of football history, Chelsea marched to an unlikely Champions League triumph and two of the greatest players of all time have smashed yet more records. 2012 will be difficult to match.

With the fixtures in the world's major leagues wrapped up for the current calendar year, the game's biggest and brightest can celebrate a job (mostly) well done.

But there's plenty more to look forward to in 2013. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will carry on and, in all likelihood, reach a few more remarkable landmarks. A mouthwatering last 16 of the Champions League awaits. And, when all else fails, there's Mario Balotelli.

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Bad Santa Mourinho leaves Casillas out in the cold

 

In just the latest in a long list of controversies, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho chose to drop Iker Casillas from his side to face Malaga on Saturday.

The pair have a notoriously frosty relationship, and the Portuguese boss' plan spectacularly back-fired, with los Blancos going down to a 3-2 defeat in Andalusia to leave his side a whopping 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

Mourinho has been heavily linked with a departure from the Bernabeu at the end of the season, and may have sealed his own fate with his latest headline-grabbing mishap.

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