Real Madrid News
Inter Milan vice-president hoping to avoid Real Madrid in UCL final: “Competition made for them”
Inter Milan became the first team to book a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League this season. They faced local rivals AC Milan in the semifinal of the prestigious event, and the grand derby ended 3-0 in their favour on aggregate.
They will face the winner of Real Madrid and Manchester City in the final and would appear to be the underdogs irrespective. Yet, Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti had a clear preference and did not think twice before naming Manchester City as the team he would like the Nerazzurri to face in the final.
“I’d like to avoid Real Madrid because this competition seems made for them,” he said as revealed by Daily Mail.
He also went on to reflect on how big it was for his group of players to make it this far in the competition, saying,
“However, the most important thing is to have arrived here. It was a difficult path, it’s not easy to play a derby in the semi-finals. I did and I was defeated in 2003.”
The battle between Real Madrid and Pep Guardiola’s side currently sits tied on a 1-1 scoreline. The fixture tonight is expected to bring nothing short of fireworks as both sides look to edge past the other to face Inter in the final.
Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi was asked about his thoughts on the second semifinal and who he thought would progress. His reply, however, was more conservative as he refused to take sides, saying (h/t ESPN):
“It’s normal that when you go to face City or Real you start underdogs, but football is always open: we met Real Madrid last year and we lost two games, but playing well. Manchester City needs no introduction: we will watch and whoever arrives will arrive.
“Whoever we end up with, we will be unlucky, because they are two really great teams with incredible quality.”
The Champions League final will be played in June at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. While the semifinal tie is equally balanced at the moment, one knows that Real Madrid could have a small edge, at least from a psychological standpoint.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
