Real Madrid News
Kroos on target as Real Madrid play out 1-1 draw vs Leganes in friendly – report
Real Madrid continued their preparations for the restart of the 2022/23 campaign later this month with a friendly match against Leganes earlier today.
It was a behind-closed-doors friendly encounter that saw Carlo Ancelotti give game-time to the players who were not part of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. And as reported by El Chiringuito TV, the contest ended in a 1-1 draw.
It was a training match with two halves of thirty minutes each as per the report and Toni Kroos was the player who found the back of the net for Real Madrid on the day.
What will please the fans is that Karim Benzema was seen back in action for Real Madrid. The French centre-forward has not played a game for Los Blancos since November 2, when he made an appearance against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.
Benzema receiving some valuable minutes ahead of the resumption of the 2022/23 season later this month will certainly come as a boost for the Merengues.
Along with Benzema, David Alaba, who also rejoined training only recently, was also involved for Real Madrid in the training match against Leganes.
Journalist Hugo Cerezo reports that Real Madrid started with Andriy Lunin in goal, with Lucas Vazquez, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernandez and Ferland Mendy forming the backline.
Kroos started in midfield along with Dani Ceballos and Alaba. Alvaro Odriozola played as a winger, partnering Benzema and Mariano Diaz in the frontline.
Benzema was taken off at half-time for Sergio Arribas while fellow Castilla prospects like Carlos Dotor and Rafa Marin also received minutes.
The reigning La Liga champions will return to action in the league on December 30 when they visit Estadio Jose Zorrilla to take on Real Valladolid.
Real Madrid are currently trailing arch-rivals Barcelona by two points in the La Liga table. Therefore, it is important that they make a winning start when the campaign resumes in a couple of weeks.
Ancelotti’s team are expected to play a few more friendly matches before facing Valladolid on December 30, by which time the manager should have the full squad at his disposal.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
