Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ‘need to be careful’ heading into El Clasico, warns Barcelona summer signing
Speaking to Movistar+, Barcelona summer arrival Raphinha has told Real Madrid that they are the team who need to be careful heading into this weekend’s El Clasico.
Real Madrid host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are currently trailing their bitter rivals in the La Liga table, level on points but behind on goal difference.
So, apart from the usual pressure that comes with El Clasico, there will also be the added pressure of the top spot in La Liga being on the line.
However, Raphinha reckons that it is Real Madrid who need to be worried heading into the game as Barcelona are at the top of the standings.
“We are the leaders. If there’s a team that needs to be careful, it’s them,” Raphinha said.
While they are yet to lose a single game in La Liga this season, neither team is in the best moment heading into Sunday’s blockbuster clash, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona somewhat losing their momentum after the international break.
Los Blancos go into the contest on the back of a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk that helped them qualify for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, Barcelona played out a 3-3 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday that left them on the cusp of another group-stage exit from Europe’s premier competition.
Despite the result in midweek, there will be some confidence in the Catalan camp, considering that they had thrashed Los Blancos 4-0 on their last visit to the Spanish capital in March earlier this year.
Needless to say, there will be intense pressure on both teams come Sunday and the atmosphere at the Bernabeu will be like a cauldron. Whoever clinches a win could get an early headway in the title race.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
