Real Madrid News
Real Madrid misfit set to seal €3 million deadline day move to La Liga rivals
A breaking report from MARCA reveals that Alvaro Odriozola is set for a last-minute departure from Real Madrid.
The 27-year-old defender will leave the Spanish capital on deadline day and sign for his boyhood club – Real Sociedad.
Carrusel Deportivo adds that the Merengues will receive €3 million in transfer fees.
Los Blancos and La Real have been negotiating his transfer for a while now, but it finally appears that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs.
Destination never in doubt
Odriozola has been at the exit door for a long time now. The Spanish international is aware that he will not see minutes under Carlo Ancelotti and has been willing to make a move away from Madrid.
However, he has always remained firm in his desire to return to the club of his life – La Real.
It was at the Basque setup that he made his name as one of La Liga’s most promising full-backs, and it is poetic that he returns to his former employers as he seeks a fresh start.
Real Sociedad have maintained the right-back on their radar for a long time and even reached an agreement over personal terms with the player.
All that remained was for a formal agreement to be reached between Real Madrid and La Real. Now, that detail appears to be sorted.
Imanol Alguacil’s coy stance
Real Sociedad have not shied away from being linked with the Real Madrid star in recent days. In fact, the club president himself openly acknowledged the interest in Odriozola earlier this week.
Real Sociedad coach, Imanol Alguacil, spoke to the media earlier today in the buildup to his team’s Matchday 4 clash. When quizzed about whether Odriozola’s signing would improve his squad, he cryptically responded by saying:
“I don’t expect anything, but the market is open, and anything can happen. What is needed is for us to improve the ones who are here.”
But now, it appears that Sociedad are indeed on the verge of signing Odriozola, with Real Madrid set to pocket €3 million from the departure of a player in the final year of his contract.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid retain total confidence in Carlo Ancelotti despite derby disaster – report
Sunday night was a disappointing one for Real Madrid as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano.
The Merengues suffered their first defeat of the 2023/24 season as former striker Alvaro Morata scored a brace for the Rojiblancos while Antoine Griezmann was also on target.
Real Madrid might be feeling aggrieved by some of the calls made by the referee on the night but they were just not good enough to secure all three points at the Metropolitano.
Real Madrid retain full confidence in Ancelotti
Despite the disappointing performance and outcome, Real Madrid retain their full and total confidence in manager Carlo Ancelotti, reports Jose Felix Diaz (via RM4Arab).
There had been question marks about the team selection made by the manager for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
After all, the Italian opted to bench Joselu from the starting XI to bring in Luka Modric and shift the tactics.
Aurelien Tchouameni was also left out despite being one of the team’s strongest performers this season with Toni Kroos being preferred.
The Real Madrid hierarchy wishes for the manager to trust the next-gen midfield for the big games but Ancelotti’s selection indicated that he is still not ready to do so.
Despite there being some differences, the board retains full confidence in Ancelotti.
Ancelotti accepts blame for defeat
It was a disappointing performance from Real Madrid in their biggest test of the 2023/24 season so far and speaking after the match, manager Ancelotti accepted the blame for the outcome.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility. It’s my fault,” Ancelotti said.
With the game done and dusted, Real Madrid now turn their focus towards producing a strong comeback when they face Las Palmas later this week.
