Real Madrid News
Real Madrid interested in 23-year-old Serie A left-back, could offer €40-50 million – report
Real Madrid have set their sights on Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso and could make an offer to sign him in the summer.
This claim comes from Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, who report that the 23-year-old Juventus ace has managed to impress Carlo Ancelotti and his son Davide Ancelotti, the assistant manager at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid looking for a left-back
It is no secret that Real Madrid are interested in a new left-back in the summer with Alphonso Davies being identified as the primary target.
However, recent reports have suggested that the Canadian international might end up signing a new contract at Bayern Munich, jeopardising any potential transfer to Real Madrid in the summer.
Davies remains a player who is admired greatly by officials at the Spanish capital club, but a renewal at Bayern would make a summer move complicated. As such, alternatives are seemingly being lined up with Cambiaso being one.
Real Madrid could offer €40-50 million for Cambiaso
Andrea Cambiaso started out at Genoa and had loan stints at several clubs in Italy before Juventus snapped him up in the summer of 2022.
The Bianconeri loaned him out to Bologna for the 2022/23 campaign where he enjoyed a solid season and has now become a regular for Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus setup this season. In 21 appearances this term, he has scored twice and assisted four goals.
Cambiaso is a player who is capable of playing on either flanks as a full-back or even as a wing-back, while he is also adept at slotting in the midfield – something that appeals to Ancelotti, after all Real Madrid also need a long-term heir to Dani Carvajal at right-back.
As such, the report suggests that Los Merengues would be willing to offer around €40-50 million to Juventus for Cambiaso in the summer.
At this point, the report needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, considering Davies is the primary target. But if the Canadian signs a new deal at Bayern, Cambiaso could become a serious option for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
