Real Madrid News
Real Madrid academy forward may continue at La Liga club next season – report
Alvaro Rodriguez was one of many Real Madrid youth talents that left the club on loan last summer in order to gain game-time elsewhere.
Rodriguez joined Getafe on a season-long loan deal. It was a last-minute deal which wasn’t finalised until the final days of the transfer market.
During his one-year loan spell at Getafe, Rodriguez’s numbers might not make a big impression, as the forward only played 800 minutes of league football, scoring two goals in 22 matches.
However, a deeper-look at the statistics show that Rodriguez started in three of Getafe’s last four matches, during the club’s fight for survival.
The young striker also featured in four of the five Copa Del Rey matches, notably scoring in the first round against Manises.
Alvaro Rodriguez may remain at Getafe
As such, according to Mundo Deportivo, there is a possibility Alvaro Rodriguez may continue his spell at Getafe next season.
It appears the club’s president Angel Torres likes the player and so does manager Jose Bordalas, who is expected to lead Getafe for another season.
Despite a slow start, Rodriguez was able to eventually gain the trust of Bordalas, as evidenced by the player’s prominence during the final stretch of the campaign.
One would, therefore, think that Rodriguez could play an even bigger role for Getafe next season, which bodes well for the player and for Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants, after all, are unlikely to be opposed to an extended loan deal for the player as he looks to make his big breakthrough in La Liga.
The report does, however, mention that other first division Spanish clubs have also started inquiring about Alvaro Rodriguez.
But given Getafe’s trust in the player, it won’t be surprising to see him continuing at the club next season.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
