Real Madrid News
Militao talks Alaba, Rudiger, Lewandowski ahead of Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane were the backbones of Real Madrid’s defence for several years, and Madrid shook when both players left the club in the same summer last year.
At that time, it seemed difficult to fathom how Los Blancos would forge another central defensive pairing equally as strong.
Yet, it did not even take two months for the baton to be passed. David Alaba and Eder Militao grabbed their opportunities by the scruff of the neck and established themselves as an indispensable part of the Real Madrid defence.
Such has been their consistency and dominance that the UEFA Champions League-winning defender Antonio Rudiger has found himself on the bench after moving to Madrid this past summer.
Speaking to Gustavo Hofman of ESPN Brasil on Friday, Militao opened up on the healthy competition he shares with his competitors and how they gelled together.
The Brazilian first praised David Alaba and elaborated on the chemistry he shared with the Austrian international.
“David’s very helpful, he joined and it already looked like we’ve been playing together for ages,” Militao said.
The former FC Porto ace was then quizzed about the addition of Rudiger to the squad and the competition he faced with the German. Militao responded by acknowledging his teammate’s quality and spoke about how he was an asset to the team.
“It’s always good to have this competition, right? Of course, with all due respect, we know Rüdiger’s potential, we know the player he is and how he will help us. You can already see what he’s been doing. He’s great,” Militao said.
Finally, the centre-back opened up about his dressing room relations and revealed that he shared a great friendship with Alaba even off the field.
“My friendship with David is great. He’s very playful, because of Rafinha in Bayern, he learnt a bit of Portuguese & we always talk a lot,” the Brazilian added.
With El Clasico coming up tomorrow, it will be interesting to see who among Militao, Alaba and Rudiger start in defence for Real Madrid. With the German suffering a facial injury in midweek, there is a good chance that he could be the one left out against Barcelona.
Talking up the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona as one of the greatest, he said: “For sure (it’s the greatest Clasico in the world)! Where everyone to see it, the whole world, because a derby between Real Madrid and Barcelona nobody wants to be left out, nobody wants to miss this game.“
Militao also highlighted the threat posed by Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, saying: “He’s a great player, a great striker, but we also play in our style of play. We also study them a little and we also have to pay special attention to him, because he is a great player.“
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not contemplating rehiring Jose Mourinho with Ancelotti’s future uncertain
Carlo Ancelotti’s uncertain future has caused a severe rise in reports over potential replacements for the manager post at Real Madrid. There is no shortage of options for the administration at the Santiago Bernabeu as they continue to scout the right man to take the team forward.
Jose Mourinho was one of the candidates speculated to be considered internally at the club. However, MARCA has come out to deny such a possibility. As it stands, Real Madrid do not consider the return of the former manager as an option.
Over the past few years, it has become common to see the Merengues look towards managers for a second stint. The formula worked wonders when they brought back Zinedine Zidane in 2019 for a new term and he pioneered a ten-match winning streak to give his side the edge over Barcelona to clinch La Liga.
Their next step led them to Ancelotti, who had already managed the team before, and the result was similar. In the first season of his second stint, he led Los Blancos to the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.
It is thus not surprising that Mourinho’s name has re-emerged as a candidate to arrive next summer. The Portuguese led the side from 2010-2013 and took down Barcelona’s golden generation to win one La Liga, one Copa Del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. The Champions League was the one big void in his achievements in Spain.
The 60-year-old tactician currently serves as the manager of AS Roma in Serie A and has seen moderate success at the club. The Italians sit fifth on the table with 14 wins in 27 games. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 26 in their league run so far.
A second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, is not on the cards for the Portuguese.
