Real Madrid News
Malaga midfielder sends warning to Real Madrid ahead of La Liga clash: ‘We stand up to everybody’
Real Madrid have started La Liga with back-to-back victories, a late 2-1 win against Espanyol followed by a 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad.
Los Blancos will now welcome Malaga to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, but it looks like the newly promoted side have no intention of making up the numbers.
As quoted by Defensa Central, Malaga midfielder Dani Lorenzo is approaching the fixture with excitement rather than fear.
Despite being respectful and acknowledging the scale of the challenge facing his side against Madrid, the midfielder remains confident.
Lorenzo relishing Bernabeu return
For Lorenzo, the match carries an additional personal connection, having previously spent time in Madrid’s academy.
“For every footballer, playing in stadiums like this is a dream,” Lorenzo said.
He then sent a message that should serve as a warning for Los Blancos.
“We have to go there looking for the three points,” he exclaimed.
The Malaga player also stressed that his team will not shrink simply because Madrid are on the opposite side.
“One thing this team has is that we stand up to everybody,” he added.
That mentality could make the match more uncomfortable than Real Madrid might expect on paper.
Malaga may not have enjoyed the strongest start on their return to La Liga, but the size of the occasion could bring the best out of them.
Malaga promise bravery against Madrid
Lorenzo also insisted that Malaga will not abandon their identity at the Bernabeu.
He explained that the coaching staff constantly encourage the players to be brave and aggressive in their approach, regardless of whether they are facing opponents in the top flight or lower divisions.
“We gain much more by being brave and daring,” he said.
“Whether it is Primera or Segunda, that cannot change.”
Real Madrid will be wary of the mentality with which Malaga are approaching this game, especially if Jose Mourinho is planning rotations.
The Portuguese coach has already confirmed that Marc Cucurella will start, which would see Alvaro Carreras drop to the bench.
Meanwhile, the manager has also hinted, although not specifically for this game, that he is open to the idea of changing formations, including playing with a back three.
Lorenzo’s words clearly indicate that Malaga will come to the Bernabeu to put up a fight, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho sets his team up to secure victory against the newly promoted side.
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.
