Real Madrid News
Atletico coach Simeone points out what Real Madrid are missing ahead of derby
Real Madrid will be facing off against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday night at the Civitas Metropolitano on Matchday 8 of La Liga.
Los Colchoneros were the only team to beat Real Madrid in the league last season while they also eliminated Carlo Ancelotti’s men from the Copa del Rey.
Leading up to the match tomorrow, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone spoke about Real Madrid, pointing out that they have lost Toni Kroos this season and are still looking for a player to replace the German legend.
“The opposition have lost a very important player like Kroos, an extraordinary player, admired by all the coaches, and a player that any team needs,” said Simeone.
“They are looking for that player to give them the calm to take advantage of all the attacking power they have,” he added.
However, the Rojiblancos coach stated that he does not expect much to change in terms of how Real Madrid will play, saying:
“I don’t think it’s going to change much from what we saw in the games we played against them. We do have a lot of new players, but I think they’re going to stick with the plan they’ve had.”
Real Madrid will also be without their marquee summer signing Kylian Mbappe for the derby due to injury. But Simeone insisted that Ancelotti has enough options to cope with his absence, saying:
“Knowing the coach, he will look to play with Bellingham as a playmaker, the fourth on the left; with Modric coming on to play behind Rodrygo and Vinicius. I think that’s the way I think our opponents can play.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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.
