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Keylor Navas says he loves returning to Levante as the reception he gets their is special thanks to the bond he created with the fans during his time at the club.

The Costa Rica international signed for Los Blancos in 2014 from the Estadio Cuidad de Valencia side after some impressive displays.

On Wednesday, he returned to his former club to help his current side to a 3-1 win to close the gap on Atletico de Madrid in second place and heal some of the wound from Saturday’s defeat to their rivals.

Speaking afterwards, the shot stopper said: “Coming back to the Levante stadium always brings back good memories but with Real Madrid I’m only thinking about us. I have to be extremely grateful to the fans of Levante, when I was here they always supported me. When fans like these have shown you so much affection over the years, one must be grateful. I’d been here for a long time.”

The goalie also had words of praised for young forward Borja Mayoral who impressed on his full debut for the club and could have been rewarded with a goal – he diverted effort in the first half eventually went down as a Diego Marino own goal.

“I told him to enjoy after how he played and continue working in this way. He is young, eager and is a good player. We congratulated Mayoral because scoring a goal, your first goal is a special confidence boost. We are all very happy for him,” he added.

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Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral says he is ready to be called upon when needed by Zinedine Zidane.

The youngster impressed in the 3-1 win over Levante on Wednesday night while he filled in for injured striker Karim Benzema. Indeed, it was his effort that the home goalkeeper Diego Marino turned into his own net to give Real a 2-0 after 38 minutes.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mayoral, who has worked his way up the youth ranks at the club, said he is ready to work hard for the team when given his opportunity.

“Zidane told me to continue working hard as I’m doing. To work in both defence and attack. When I heard that I was going to be a starter I was very excited. The team worked well and won three points in a difficult game,” he said.

And he added: “To make my Real Madrid debut against Las Palmas and starting debut tonight is a dream come true for me. It’s big, its special. The entire team and coaching staff has helped me. I’m grateful to them all.”

The striker also spoke about his effort which will go down as a Marino own goal. But he revealed he asked the referee to award it as his strike – to which the ref said no.

He commented: “I dedicate this goal to my family. I will save this shirt as well. I’m happy but I asked the referee to please give award me the goal but in the end he didn’t.”

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Real Madrid defender Pepe says comments made by Cristiano Ronaldo in the aftermath of the defeat to Atletico de Madrid have been forgotten and the team is pulling in the same direction.

Ronaldo said on Saturday that Los Blancos could be top of the table if everyone was ‘at the same level’ as he was – in what many took to be a insult towards the fringe players who failed to live up to expectations during the 1-0 loss to the city rivals.

The striker cleared up his comments later by saying that he meant any team shorn of the likes of injured trio Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric would find the going tough no matter what the scenario.

Reports have said that Ronaldo has apologised to his team mates in recent days, and speaking after the 3-1 win over Levante on Wednesday, Pepe said the incident has been forgotten already.

“The comments made by Cristiano are old now. It’s passed. We spoke about it and everyone is together on the same boat. We’re all together and going to sweat for the shirt of Madrid because Madrid fans around the world suffer when we lose,” he told TV reporters.

The centre back also revealed his frustration at being sidelined and admitted maybe the team was guilty of coasting through some games.

“We were demanded to work tonight and that’s what we’ve done. There were many who haven’t played regularly so being tired is normal. I missed playing while I was recovering. The fans will always ask us to give our maximum. Maybe in some games we relaxed too much,” he commented.

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Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says he is pleased with the effort everyone put in to secure the 3-1 win over Levante.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted from the penalty spot on 34 minutes and Real’s lead was doubled shortly after through a Diego Marino own goal from a Borja Mayoral shot. The hosts pulled one back immediately, but Isco wrapped up proceedings with a 90th minute strike.

The response was much needed following the disappointing derby day showing at the weekend and the Los Blancos manager said he was pleased for the fringe players and youngsters who featured at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia.

With Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal suspended and Luka Modric and Karim Benzema on the injured list, there was playing time for the likes of Nacho Fernandez, Casemiro, Lucas Vasquez and Mayoral.

At his press conference after the game, Zindane said: “When there are many changes its always more difficult, but we played a good match with much effort by the players. We delivered with much sacrifice tonight. We got the three points. The next home game will be another difficult one. To win is what we always want. The effort is important. Not just by the homegrown players but by everyone to give their all.”

And he was keen to praise the younger players who featured.

“Lucas was very committed. He worked very hard and had cramps at the end. It’s what one must do – that is to run. Mayoral played with confidence and personality,” he commented.

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Nabil Fekir attends in a France national team training session - FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Olympique Lyonnais forward Nabil Fekir has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. According to Spanish website Fichajes.net, the 22-year-old is one of Zinedine Zidane’s favourites and could be in Los Blancos’ wish-list.

The player has recently admitted his interest in signing for Los Merengues. In an interview with French television, Fekir said: “If Zizou calls me, I will gladly go tomorrow.”

A few months ago, Zidane praised the young forward: “He is an amazing player. He has an impressive touch and seems to have great personality. He has impressed me with his technique.”

The France international has caught the attention of many European giants and is expected to leave Lyon next summer, especially if his team fails to qualify for the Champions League.

According to Transfermarkt, the player’s current market value is 12 million euros, but Olympique would expect to get at least twice that ammount.

The latest Real Madrid transfer news have revealed that Los Blancos are eyeing several players to reinforce the forward position, and it seems that Fekir is not at the top of that list for now.

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Lucas Vazquez
Jose luis Morales competes for the ball with Lucas Vazquez - Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Real Madrid are back to winning days thanks to youngsters Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral, who played a brilliant game against Levante, and helped by Cristiano Ronaldo earned Los Blancos a 1-3 victory in La Liga.

The hosts had the first chance to open the score, but Keylor Navas was superb to deny Giuseppe Rossi’s effort from close range.

Vazquez was brilliant in the right wing and he was Los Merengues most dangerous player. After 20 minutes, the Spaniard got to the byline and picked out Ronaldo at the front post. Yet, Diego Marino was there to block the Portuguese’s shot.

Ronaldo missed another major chance as he picked a loose ball in the edge of the box. His volleyed attempt was saved by Marino.

However, in the next play, the Portugal international redeemed himself. Vasquez won the spot kick as he was brought down by Orban, and Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot.

Three minutes later, Mayoral made a brilliant play and managed to drive a shot through Simao’s legs. His effort hit the post before fortunately deflecting off Marino and into the back of the net.

Levante shorten Real’s lead right in the next play as Rossi slipped the ball through to Deyverson, who perfectly picked out the bottom corner out of Navas’s reach.

Zinedine Zidane men were more threatening after the break, especially Ronaldo, who had several chances to secure the win for the visitors.

His best chance went begging, as he got on the end of a fine lofted ball over the top, only for his side-footed attempt to come back off the post.

Navas also save Real in the last minutes as Ruben Garcia’s effort took a slight deflection on the way through. Yet, the Costa Rica international made a superb save to save his team.

Isco sealed the victory in stoppage time after receiving a pass from Ronaldo and sending a precise effort into the bottom corner.

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Levante Real Madrid match preview

Zinedine Zidane has decided to give the youngsters a chance to start and he will line up Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral in the starting eleven to face Levante.

With Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal suspended, and Marcelo injured, Danilo and Nacho Fernandez will be full-backs. Meanwhile, Pepe will return from injury to pair in the centre of defence alongside Raphael Varane.

Luka Modric will also miss the game through injury and he will be replaced by Casemiro. James Rodriguez will play Isco’s role, as Zidane has decided to rest the Spaniard. Toni Kroos and Lucas Vazquez will complete the midfield line.

Youngster Borja Mayoral will get a first-team start for the first time in his career, pairing with Cristiano Ronaldo in the forward line. The 18-year-old played some good minutes last weekend against Atletico Madrid earning Zidane’s trust.

This will be Real Madrid‘s starting eleven: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Nacho Fernandez; Vazquez, Kroos, Casemiro, James Rodriguez; Mayoral, Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Levante will display their usual starting eleven, with the exception of Feddal, who will replace suspended David Navarro.

This will be Levante’s starting eleven: Marino; Ivan Lopez, Feddal, Medjani, Orban; Lerma, Simao Mate, Camarasa, Morales; Deyverson, Rossi.

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Barcelona forward Leo Messi says he respects Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo but has stopped short of admitted they are friends off the pitch.

Between them the pair has won every Ballon d’Or on offer since 2008 and they are widely considered to be two of the best players to have ever played the beautiful game. Much debate has taken place in the media, in pubs and bars and many living rooms around the world as to who is the greatest player between them.

Rumours have long suggested that while there is mutual respect for each other the fact that they play for two of the biggest rivals in world football means they do not get on.

And in an interview with El Grafico, Messi stopped short of labelling Ronaldo a friend.

He stated: “We are professionals that defend our teams, and rivals in this game, nothing more than that. Sometimes it happens that we win or that we lose. There has always been respect and nothing more.”

Messi has been part of the Barcelona side to have won seven La Liga trophies, four Champions Leagues and three Copa del Rey medals. Since moving to Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo has become the club’s all time leading scorer. In terms of trophies, he has lifted the Champions League, La Liga and two Copas del Rey.

 

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Former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman says he never envisaged Zinedine Zidane becoming a manager one day when they played together for Los Blancos.

The pair shared a the Real Madrid dressing room for two years and during that time McManaman said he saw other players such as Fernando Hierro as having what it takes to step up and become a boss one day.

Since retiring, Zidane has had a number of roles at Los Blancos. He was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti for a year before becoming the manager of the Real Madrid Castilla side. He stepped up to the full time job in January when Rafa Benitez was fired just seven months into his contract.

Speaking to the Daily Express, the 43-year-old said: “I didn’t think in the dressing room ‘he’d be a manager’. When he arrived he didn’t speak Spanish and he was very quiet. He was an incredible footballer but he normally spoke French and only French.”

And he continued: “You wouldn’t think he would be Madrid manager because he wasn’t at all vocal in the dressing room. You’d think someone like Fernando Hierro could be a manager because he was a leader and he was Spanish. In some ways Hierro was our manager.

“Vicente del Bosque of course was actually our manager but he was quite quiet. Hierro did the team-talks and f-ed and blinded and shouted ‘come on’. Whereas Zizou was quiet, reserved and very professional. He came, trained and went home.”

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real madrid football tactics

Zinedine Zidane will be forced to make several changes in his starting eleven to face Levante on Wednesday, since six of his regular starters will miss the game through injury or suspension.

Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Daniel Carvajal, Gareth Bale and Marcelo are out of the game, and the Frenchman has included youngters Borja Mayoral, Martin Odegaard, Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Tejero in the squad to replace them.

The only youth who has any chances of making it in the starting eleven is Mayoral, who played a good second half against Atletico Madrid last weekend. However, Zidane is expected to include Jese Rodriguez instead, and probably bring Mayoral in from the bench after the break.

Danilo is expected to feature at right-back, with Nacho Fernandez in the other side of the defence. Pepe and Raphael Varane will most likely be the centre-back pair.

In midfield, Mateo Kovacic should come in to replace Modric, featuring alongside Toni Kroos, Isco and James Rodriguez. Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in the forward line with either Jese or Mayoral at his side.

This is Real Madrid’s projected eleven: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Varane, Nacho Fernandez; James Rodriguez, Kroos, Kovacic, Isco; Jese Rodriguez, Ronaldo.

Levante will miss David Navarro through suspension and injured Pedro Lopez.

This is Levante‘s projected eleven: Marino; Ivan Lopez, Feddal, Medjani, Garcia; Lerma, Mate, Verza, Morales; Deyverson, Rossi.

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