Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Modric, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Hazard following Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis
Real Madrid were made to work hard for their win against Real Betis on Saturday. The clash was much anticipated, given that it featured the first and second-placed teams facing off.
Los Blancos got the early lead via a Vinicius Jr stunner but were pegged back when Sergio Canales blasted the ball past Thibaut Courtois in the seventeenth minute.
Eventually, the hosts regained their lead through a smart play by Rodrygo that saw him win the ball in a dangerous area before he calmly tucked it past Rui Silva.
Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the press after his side’s fourth consecutive win and covered topics ranging from the goalscorers to the bench-warmers. Here are the snippets from his interaction with the media.
On the result against Los Verdiblancos: “We’ve started well and played difficult matches. We deserved to win.”
On Hazard and Asensio not seeing minutes: “It’s hard to answer this, I know I can count on him and Asensio but I don’t know how many minutes they will play.”
On Luka Modric: “Modrić continued at the highest level with consistency.”
On failing to maintain a clean sheet: “We’ve taken into account the goal we conceded today and that it shouldn’t be repeated. We have to improve in these situations.”
On the difference-makers on the night: “Vinicius and Rodrygo played an amazing match.”
On his philosophy for the team: “The aim is to play effective, winning football. We have the quality to play in transition and score goals.”
Source: Real Madrid twitter
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
