Real Madrid News
Bayern defender expects intense battle against Real Madrid: ‘Have to be better than them’
With the international break finally concluded, Real Madrid’s internationals have returned to training and are now working hard to prepare for the upcoming clash in La Liga.
While the team will indeed face Mallorca with all guns blazing, it is clear that the team’s bigger objective will be to get past Bayern Munich, whom they take on for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal just days later.
Of all the clashes scheduled for the last-eight stage, the fixture between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich is the most hyped, especially given the history between the two teams.
Bayern defender’s verdict
With the high-voltage Champions League fixture now days away, Bayern Munich defender Konrad Laimer was asked about his team’s preparation for the same in a recent interaction with Servus TV On Sport.
He began by explaining that the game would be one filled with quality given the history and stature of the two clubs involved.
“Facing Real Madrid? These are two incredible teams with endless individual quality.”
Elaborating on Bayern Munich’s preparation ahead of the blockbuster clash, Laimer said,
“We’re playing football and training hard every day for these kinds of games. We have every chance to advance. We just have to be better than them on the day.”
As one of the teams on the hottest runs of form, Bayern Munich are the slight favourites ahead of the game. However, as Laimer rightly pointed out, the form will not be as important as one expects.
Eventually, everything will boil down to which team is better on the night, and Real Madrid will thus completely believe in their ability to advance.
If they could make easy work of Manchester City by capitalising on their moments, Bayern Munich is not impossible to get past.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
