Real Madrid News
Ancelotti believes Real Madrid can win the Champions League this season – reports
The 2021/22 season was the best example of Real Madrid’s prowess in the UEFA Champions League. The men in white were written off as a team in transition time and time again during their European campaign and even fell to first-leg setbacks against PSG and Manchester City.
Yet, they pulled off inspiring comebacks at every step en route on their journey to the top. In the end, they were crowned the champions against all odds.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano via AMP, Carlo Ancelotti finds no reason to believe that his men cannot repeat the same feat this season. The Italian tactician is convinced that Real Madrid can win the UCL, and in the process save his job.
Los Blancos have been far from their impeccable best domestically this season. However, teams across the globe have faced their wrath in the UCL.
Drawn against Liverpool in the Round of 16, many felt that the Spanish giants had met their match. Instead of the cagey affair that one expected, the tie ended in an audacious 6-2 win for Ancelotti’s side and sent a resounding statement in Europe.
The Merengues next face Chelsea in the Round of 16 across two legs in April. In the event that they get through, their semifinal opponent would be either Bayern Munich or Manchester City and would make for arguably the biggest clash of the UCL.
Ancelotti’s side will not face as much resistance once they reach the final given that Benfica, Inter Milan, Napoli and AC Milan are the four sides on the other half of the draw. The Galacticos would be the favourites against any of the four aforementioned teams, but it would not be wise to write any of them off.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €3.5 million-rated relegated Premier League striker to reinforce attack
Following a difficult season with troubles in La Liga and the Champions League preventing Real Madrid from retaining their crowns, Los Blancos move towards a transformative summer, full of innovations.
Real Madrid managed to clear plenty of unwanted figures at the club, with a huge relief on the wage bill. However, with an array of exits, the squad has contracted and thus replacements are being inquired.
Apart from the high-profile departure of Karim Benzema, fringe players have also bid their farewell.
Among those names is Mariano Diaz, who was Madrid’s backup striker prior to his withdrawal. Several names have been put on the table to fill his absence as the club largely aim to address their lack of depth.
According to Arancha Rodriguez (via RM4Arab), Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of the names gaining consensus in the Madrid hierarchy. Moreover, Joselu has also been considered as a viable alternative.
The two favourites to replace Mariano have proven to be important figures for their clubs as both strikers maintain a starting role.
Playing for Espanyol, Joselu ended the La Liga campaign as the third top scorer, only behind Benzema and Lewandowski. Considering Espanyol’s relegation, such a feat looks even more impressive. The Spaniard secured 19 goals in all competitions.
On the other hand, Rodrigo Moreno recorded 16 goals last season across all competitions. Similar to Joselu’s case, the Spanish international also suffered relegation with Leeds, in spite of his good numbers.
With both players offering adequate output in struggling sides, Real Madrid’s interest is practical. Moreover, considering both Espanyol and Leeds were relegated, their asking price will undeniably lower, which enables the Merengues to sign one of the two targets at a more convenient rate.
It is claimed that Rodrigo has a release clause worth €3.5 million which Los Blancos would have to trigger to sign him from Leeds United.
It now remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti & co. go after the former Valencia man or move for Joselu instead.
