Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid to face Bundesliga giants in FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals
Real Madrid booked their place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus.
It was a gritty game for Los Blancos, with Gonzalo Garcia’s 54th minute header becoming the only difference between the two sides.
With Real Madrid’s win, many expected Los Blancos to take on Monterrey in the quarterfinal as it is now home to defensive legend Sergio Ramos.
Ramos himself was reportedly hoping to face his former club in the quarterfinals.
Real Madrid to face Borussia Dortmund in quarterfinals
Unfortunately, Monterrey and Ramos’ hopes of facing Real Madrid in the quarterfinals are now dead in the water following the club’s defeat in the Round of 16 stage.
The Mexican outfit lost to Borussia Dortmund 2-1, with two goals from Serhou Guirassy making a huge difference, despite German Berterame’s early second half goal.
Thanks to the win, Dortmund have also booked their place in the quarterfinals, where they will take on Real Madrid.
This will be a rematch of the 2023/24 campaign’s UEFA Champions League final, where Real Madrid were able to clinch their 15th UCL title.
Dortmund, though, are heading into this game on the back of stellar form, having managed a tremendous turnaround during the backend of last season.
Even in the Club World Cup, the Black and Yellows have gone from strength to strength after a dismal performance against Fluminense in the opening game.
Not too long ago, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen were humbled by Dortmund in a 4-2 scoreline. It now remains to be seen whether or not the Spanish tactician can exact revenge on the Black and Yellows.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
