Today’s fixture against Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu is the last of the La Liga campaign for Real Madrid, and while it is a dead rubber itself, there should be a good atmosphere at Madridistas give the players a send off as they prepare for the Champions League final in Lisbon.
In his press conference on Friday, Carlo Ancelotti spoke of the importance the fans played in the success the club enjoys, and the last home game of the season is also a chance for the players to thank the followers for that.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to play, and the Portuguese needs just one goal to secure the Golden Boot for being the top scorer across the main leagues in Europe. He is currently tied with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez on 31, but the Premier League season finished last weekend. On the subject of Suarez, long linked with a move to the Bernabeu, the Uruguayan has stated he has no clause in his contract allowing him to move to La Liga sides Real or Barcelona. And he added he is very happy playing at Anfield. One senses it could be another long summer of speculation still though.
Meanwhile, Asier Illarramendi is the favourite to replace Xabi Alonso in midfield in the Champions League final next week. Despite some poor displays recently, Ancelotti confirmed once again the former Real Sociedad man will likely start ahead of Casemiro or the fit again Sami Khedira.
And finally, Alvaro Arbeloa has taken to social media to joke about the number of visits the players have received from UEFA’s drug testers. Yesterday morning a team from European football’s governing body arrived at Valdebebas to take blood tests on a number of players – standard practice ahead of a major final.
Arbeloa said on Twitter that the club should build a house or offer them a permanent suite in a hotel because they are in town so often.
