Real Madrid
Sanchez, Herrera Score, Manchester United Beats Real Madrid 2-1
MIAMI, Fla. — Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera both netted and Manchester United beat Real Madrid 2-1 in an International Champions Cup game at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Tuesday.
Karim Benzema scored the lone goal for Real Madrid which was managed by new head coach Julen Lopetegui for the first time since he replaced Zinedine Zidane.
Manchester United took the lead in the 18th minute through Sanchez, who clinically converted with a one-time finish past Kiko Casilla, following a pass from Matteo Darmian, who darted behind the Real Madrid backline and delivered a great ball back to the penalty spot for his teammate.
The English Premier League side went up by two goals in the 27th minute after Sanchez turned provider for Herrera.
A great run by Juan Mata saw him picking up a long pass inside the Real Madrid area before floating a cross towards Sanchez, who expertly knocked down the ball with his head into the path of the traveling Herrera, who struck a sweet left-footed shot through the legs of Casilla to make it 2-0.
The Champions League holders pulled a goal back before halftime when Benzema beats Eric Bailey and Timothy Fosu-Mensah to a cross from Theo Hernández and poked home past David de Gea three minutes into stoppage time to make it 2-1.
Manchester United, which is without several players, including World Cup winner Paul Pogba and leading forward Romelu Lukaka, was bouncing back from the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in the last International Champions Cup.
Real Madrid was playing in the 2018 preseason for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rly1asfvFTk
Manchester United v Real Madrid International Champions Cup Live
MIAMI, Fla. — Manchester United and Real Madrid will continue their preparations for the upcoming season when they battle each other in an International Champions Cup game live on ESPN2 on Tuesday.
The game, which will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, will kick-off at 7:00 pm ET and can be streamed live on WatchESPN.
Manchester United enter this contest hoping to sign off the USA tour on a positive note, following a disappointing 4-1 loss to fellow English Premier League rivals Liverpool in Michigan on Sunday.
Prior to that, Jose Mourinho’s men were held 1-1 by Club America, finished goalless with San Jose Earthquakes and edging Italian Serie A side AC Milan 9-8 in an entertaining penalty shootout in Carson, California, after the two sides finished 1-1 in regulation time.
The Red Devils are still without several key players who were involved in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia, but the likes of David de Gea and new recruit Fred, who linked up with the club recently, are both in contention to make his first start for Manchester United in this preseason.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will aim to add further misery to what has been a very challenging preseason for Mourinho by beating Manchester United in Julen Lopetegui’s debut at the helm.
The European champions are also starting the post-Cristiano Ronaldo cycle, but Lopetegui, who replaced Zinedine Zidane, believes his squad, which includes Gareth Bale, who has been strongly linked to United, has the potential to still dominate.
It will be the third time that Manchester United and Real Madrid will face-off in the International Champions Cup.
The two rivals met during last season preseason and also in 2014.
Real Madrid will also face Juventus and Roma in the coming days in the International Champions Cup.
Also in International Champions Cup action on Tuesday are, English Premier League side Tottenham against Serie A club AC Milan, live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN, while Spanish champions Barcelona will meet Italian club Roma.
Pirlo: Cristiano Ronaldo Boosts Champions League Chances
TURIN — Cristiano Ronaldo move to Juventus will make a big difference for the Serie A champions in the Champions League, former Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo said.
Ronaldo completed his reported £105million switch from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer transfer window.
The Portugal international had a successful career at Real Madrid since his move from Manchester United in 2009.
Ronaldo won four Champions League titles with the Spanish giants, including the last three, two league titles, two Spanish Cups and three Fifa Club World Cups and Pirlo believes ‘will make the difference’ for Juventus in the European tournament.
During his time at the San Bernabeu, the 33-year-old also became the club’s record scorer with 451 goals across 438 games.
“Cristiano Ronaldo can bring that something extra, which Juventus need,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“I’m happy that a great champion has joined Juve. Buying a player like him doesn’t win you the Champions League alone, but you get a lot closer to it.
“Ronaldo is a player who tilts balances, and he can help Juventus win the Champions League.
“He’s a top player, he’ll make the difference and we’ll see something beautiful.”
Sarri Spoke About Courtois, Willian, Hazard Futures
AUSTRALIA – New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri spoke at his first English press conference on Monday, following Chelsea’s victory over Perth Glory in Australia.
Sarri was discussing his team’s performance in the opening pre-season and he also took the time to spoke about three of his players who have constantly been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard, Willian and Thibaut Courtois are all targets of Spanish teams and reportedly seeking moves away from the London club.
Sarri spoke to the press about the media reports and he said he will talk to the players face-to-face about their futures.
It is understood Real Madrid are interested in signing Hazard and Courtois, while Manchester United and Barcelona are hoping to sign Willian.
“I like to talk to a person face-to-face,” he said. “I do not like to talk to a person by telephone.
“I do not know, it depends on the club. It is clear that for me, it is a pleasure to have Courtois, to have Willian, to have Hazard.
“But it does not depend on me, so we have to wait, I am confident.”
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News understands on Monday that Chelsea have rejected a third Barcelona bid, believed to be in excess of £55m for Willian.
Sarri is hoping to keep the Brazilian winger and is backing him to stay.
Willian, who fell out of favour under last manager Antonio Conte this past season, has also been attracting interest from English Premier giants Manchester United who are coached be former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid Not Signing Mbappe, Spanish Club Claims
MOSCOW — Real Madrid are definitely in the market for a top player this summer.
However, the Spanish giants have denied making an offer for France forward Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
It has been widely circulated in the media that the Champions League title holder want to sign a player to replace star man Cristiano Ronaldo, who apparently is frustrated with life in Spain and is ready to leave.
But despite admitting that they are looking to bolster the squad for the coming season, Real Madrid issued a statement denying that an agreement has been met to sign Mbappe.
“Real Madrid has not made any offers to PSG or the player and regrets the dissemination of this type of information,” a club statement read.
The statement continued: “Given the information published in the last hours referring to an alleged agreement between Real Madrid CF and PSG for player Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid says they are flatly false.”
According to Spanish publication AS on Wednesday, which cited tweets by a French journalist, an offered of £240 million was agreed to sign the 19-year-old Mbappe from PSG.
Mbappe and France will take on Brazil in the highlighted quarterfinal game of the tournament.
Now, this comes only a couple of days after the club rejected a report suggesting that it made an offer to purchase Neymar from PSG for a world-record transfer of over £300 million
Real Madrid hired Spain coach Julen Lopetegui to take over after the World Cup, but the announcement was made on the eve of the start of the tournament and the Spanish FA summarily fired him, claiming that the proper protocol was not followed.
Lopetegui, who replaced Zinedine Zidane as the new boss at Real Madrid, is looking for reinforcements and he believes his main area of interest is in the forward line.
Real Madrid v Barcelona El Clasico 2017: Watch Live, Lineups
MADRID, Spain — Cristiano Ronaldo is “feeling good” and starts for Real Madrid in today’s El Clasico clash with the Lionel Messi led Barcelona, live on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A.
However, fellow forward Gareth Bale, who was hoping to start, is only on the bench to start this game, with Karim Benzema to support the free-scoring frontman in that attack.
Ronaldo had been missing training with a calf problem he suffered against Gremio in the Club World Cup final last Saturday, but manager Zinedine Zidane confirmed that the forward is “100 percent” fit and ready to play.
📝🏃 #RMClasico
Our starting XI for the CLÁSICO! Let's do this!#HalaMadrid | #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/5BhAxKjdGj— Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) December 23, 2017
The Portugal international scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in the 1-0 win over Gremio and had played the full 90 minutes.
“He is feeling good and is 100 percent,” Zidane told his press conference on Friday.
Isco is also on the bench as Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric all start in midfield.
Meanwhile, Gerard Pique and Thomas Vermaelen start at centerback for Barcelona, as Samuel Umtiti is out.
In midfield, Paulinho comes in to replace Alacer from the side that won over Deportivo, while Messi and Luis Suarez lead the attacking line.
Listen El Clasico: CLICK HERE TO LIVE El STEAM REAL MADRID V BARCELONA COMMENTARY ON talkSPORT2, KICK-OFF 7AM ET.
With a win on Saturday, Barcelona would go nine points clear at the top of the La Liga standings.
A defeat for Real Madrid would see Zinedine Zidane’s side trailing its arch rivals by 14 points.
Barça XI
⚽️ #ElClasico
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/bEgxxGsRIU— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 23, 2017
Real are sitting fourth in the La Liga standings, but have played one game less than Barcelona, so if they win at the Santiago Bernabeu in this fixture and beat Leganes in their game in hand against would see the champions cutting the gap with Barca to five points.
“We aren’t feeling anxious, it doesn’t matter how many points we have dropped this season, now we have to put in a great performance against a very good side,” said Zidane.
Despite sitting comfortably at the top of the standings Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde isn’t expecting an easy trip to Madrid.
“I don’t think we are favourites, the league table has no influence on games like this because of the tension there always is,” he said.
“Madrid are such a powerful team that they can strike you down even when you’re in your best moment of form. Also, they will be at home.”
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid Team to play El Clasico: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Kovacic, Ronaldo, Benzema. Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Theo, Vazquez, Asensio, Isco
BARCELONA TEAM NEWS
Barcelona Team to play El Clasico: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic, Paulinho, Suarez, Messi. Subs: Cillessen, Semedo, Denis Suarez, Mascherano, Digne, Andre Gomes, Vidal
Watch Manchester United v Real Madrid Super Cup Live; TV Channels
SKOPJE, Macedonia, Sporting Alert — Manchester United and Real Madrid will battle for the UEFA Super Cup, which is contested by the winners of the Champions League and the title holders of the Europa Cup from the previous season.
Live stream coverage of this game in Skopje, Macedonia is available in the United States on ESPN3, WatchESPN and Fox Sports Go, starting at 2:45 pm ET. Click here for a full list of television channels. Fox Sports 1 USA will be the television channel with live broadcast.
These two teams met earlier in the United States leg of the International Champions Cup preseason fixtures with Manchester United coming out on top on penalties.
However, both teams, for the most parts, were just experimenting, with Real Madrid even playing without its best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was still on extended leave.
Come Tuesday, though, both managers will name their strongest current lineups as they seek to jump-start their respective season by winning a trophy at the Philip II Arena.
“I’m excited to be playing the Super Cup and to be playing against the European champions,” said Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho at his press conference on Monday.
“It’s an honour when it’s the European champions and, even more so, when they are the team with the most history and trophies.
“We have to play and to enjoy a special moment because there are not many times a player has the chance to play in the Super Cup. We are going to try to win and we believe it is possible.”
Meanwhile, after missing the preseason schedule, former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to face his old club after taking part in Monday’s training session.
Ronaldo was named in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the game and could even start, while Gareth Bale, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, seems to have recovered from the ankle injury that has been affecting his preparations.
Real Madrid v Juventus: 2017 Champions League final LIVE STREAM!
CARDIFF, Wales, Sporting Alert — Gareth Bale starts on the bench for Real Madrid for today’s Champions League final against Juventus at the National Stadium in Cardiff.
Bale, who is coming off an injury, was hoping to start in front of his hometown supporters in Wales, but will have to watch as a reserve to start this one, as boss Zinedine Zidane opted to give Isco the nod in the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Spanish defender Dani Carvajal, who was questionable for the final, is fit to start and he comes in for Brazilian Danilo at full-back.
Joining Iso in the attack are Cristiano Ronaldo, who starts on the left and Karim Benzema, who will lead the line from the center.
Besides Bale, striker Álvaro Morata, who is being linked with a move away from the Spanish champions, also starts the game on the bench but is expected to play a part before the final whistle.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, seeking his first Champions League title, will start between the sticks for Juventus.
Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli will be among the protectors for Buffon.
Former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuaín leads the attack for the Italian Serie A champions, who are hoping to stop Zidane from becoming the first manager to win back-to-back Champions League titles.
Alex Sandro, Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic are also among the starters today for the Old Lady, who have the likes of Claudio Marchisio and Juan Cuadrado among the substitutes.
Raphael Varane, who is being linked with a move to Manchester United, will play alongside captain Sergio Ramos in the heart of the defense for Real Madrid, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos starting in the middle.
Meanwhile, the possibility of James Rodriguez, who cost Real Madrid over £71m three years ago, making a move this summer looks likely after the Columbian was not even named on the bench for this game.
Today’s clash is a rematch of the 1998 final, which was won 1-0 by Real Madrid.
It’s also the 19th all-time meeting between the two sides.
Live television coverage is on Fox Network and Fox Network HD. You can also stream today’s final on Fox Sports GO and Fox Soccer 2GO.
Real Madrid v Juventus Starting Lineups
Juventus: Buffon, Alves, Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli, Sandro, Khedira, Pjanic, Mandzukic, Dybala, Higuaín.
Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric, Isco, Kroos, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Watch El Clasico 2017 Live: Real Madrid v Barcelona
MADRID, Sporting Alert — Leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona will battle in El Clasico 2017 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and you can watch live coverage from almost anywhere in the world.
You can find a complete list of TV channels and live streaming options for this El Clasico. Game time is set for 2:45 PM ET.
Real Madrid, coming off their impressive victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinal, enter this matchup as the informed team, and as expected, they will start as slight favourites to collect the win.
Zinedine Zidane’s team will begin El Clasico 2017 this Sunday three points clear of Barcelona atop the La Liga Standings with a game in hand after 31 Weeks.
In terms of the game, according to FiveThirtyEight.com Soccer Power Index, Real Madrid have a 43 percent chance to pick up all three points, while Lionel Messi and Co. start with a 37 percent chance.
FiveThirtyEight.com SPI has the game at 20 percent chance of finishing as a draw.
Meanwhile, football experts believe another defeat for Barcelona, who will be without forward Neymar on Sunday, could very well end any hope the Catalan giants have of lifting the league title this year.
But Zidane isn’t quite thinking the same way.
At least, not just yet.
“We’ll need to start the game strongly and give it our all,” Zidane said.
“Whatever happens, this will not be a decisive clash. We’ve got seven finals still to play and tomorrow is the first of those. We’ll take it game by game because every single one is crucial.”
The Frenchman added: “There are people who think we’re over-confident but that’s not the case. We’re fully focused and not looking any further ahead.”
“I don’t think about our opposition, I focus on us. There’s always pressure, but it’s the pressure of knowing [Sunday] is a crucial clash, nothing more. We’re very confident in what we’re doing.”
Video Highlights and Recap: Real Madrid Beat Bayern Munich, 2-1
MUNICH, Sporting Alert — Watch video highlight from Fox Soccer, as Real Madrid edged Bayern Munich 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal game in Germany on Wednesday.
Watch Video Highlights of Real Madrid at Bayern Munich (YouTube)
A brace from attacker Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Spanish La Liga leaders the advantage in the two-way tie on the road.
Bayern Munich took the lead in the 26th minute when Arturo Vidal hammered home a powerful header into the top of the net from a corner kick.
Vidal also squandered the chance to put his team 2-0 up before the break after he missed a controversial penalty kick when he blasted the spot-kick over the crossbar and into the stands.
Ronaldo and Real Madrid made sure the home side paid.
The Portugal forward first guided home a cross past Manuel Neuer in the 47th minute to even up the scores at 1-1 before sealing the win later.
With 13-minutes left in the game, Ronaldo stabbed the ball past Neuer to take his tally to 100 European goals and left Bayern Munich on the verge of elimination.
“We showed the willingness to get a good result after the first half and if we had gone in at 2-0, it may have been a different match,” said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane.
“But we showed patience and managed to get an equaliser, from then on, it was a different game as we showed more personality and won the ball back better.”
Zidane, though, dismissed suggestions that the tie, which now heads to Madrid, is already over.
“A tie is never decided in the first leg, but we played a good match,” he noted. “We probably could have scored one or two more goals, but we’re very happy.”
He added: “It is not easy to play here, Bayern have great players and are a great team, but we still needed to play well in the second half and we also have to acknowledge how many saves Neuer had to make.”
The German champions also played the final 30 minutes of the game with 10-man after midfielder Javi Martinez picked up two quick yellow cards and was sent off.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich played the game without leading scorer Robert Lewandowsi, as the Poland forward did not recover from the shoulder injury he suffered over the weekend.
German attacker Thomas Muller was asked to lead the forward line by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Despite the defeat, Ancelotti remains positive ahead of the return trip to the Bernabeu next week.
“We had no luck tonight and it was the small details which made the difference,” the Italian said.
“We missed the penalty when we could have made it 2-0, then we conceded right at the start of the second half and that changed the match.”
Ancelotti continued: “It will be more difficult in Madrid, but we still have a chance, we are still alive.
“We will look to take our chance. We will try to do our best.”
Two other Champions League quarterfinal games were played on the day.
Spanish side Atlético Madrid edged out English Premier League champions Leicester City 1-0, while Monaco also beat Borussia Dortmund by the odd goal, following the French side’s 3-2 victory in their rescheduled encounter.
The matchup between Monaco and Borussia Dortmund was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but was forced to rescheduled following a security incident on Tuesday, which saw the German side’s team bus attacked and one player left seriously injured.
Real Madrid Drop Ronaldo, Benzema For Deportivo Visit
MADRID, Sporting Alert – Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has named his 19-man squad for the La Liga clash against Deportivo but there are Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema.
Manager Shows Confidence In Squad
Zidane, who is already without the injured Gareth Bale, has opted to leave out Ronaldo and Benzema for this clash – heading into the game with Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez and Mariano as his only strikers.
The game on Saturday is the last La Liga game of the year and the star forwards have clearly been given a rest to prepare for the busy fixtures ahead.
Midfielder Luka Modric was also rested.
“[Benzema] was at the team’s disposal but we’re going to give him some rest,” Zidane said. “We have a lot of games and tomorrow we will rest him and other players.”
The French boss also revealed that Morata will return against Deportivo at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend.
“Tomorrow Morata’s going to play,” he said. “Every day he is better and he really wanted to play. He’s training very well.”
James Not Leaving Real Madrid – Zidane
Also included in the Real Madrid 19-man squad is midfielder Toni Kroos, as well as attacking playmaker James Rodriguez, who has been linked with a move away from the Spanish leaders in January.
It is still uncertain whether Rodriguez will play on Saturday, but Zidane is sure he won’t be leaving the Bernabeu in the next transfer window.
“James is not leaving here, I do not want him to,” his manager said. “We will have to wait until tomorrow to see if he is playing against Deportivo.”
Zidane admits that he’s expected a “difficult match” against Deportivo, despite the visitors struggling at 16th in the table standings.
He said the aim is to win the last league game of the year.
He said at his press conference: “It will be a difficult match and not only because of their last result.
“Maybe seeing Deportivo where they are in the table is a little strange, with what they are doing and the team that they’ve got.
“We know it will be a very difficult match. It is the last game of the year in the league and we will try to be well prepared and go into it well.”
Isco, Sergio Ramos, Pep, Marcelo, Raphael Varane and Mateo Kovacic are also named in the squad.
Real Madrid, who lead rivals Barcelona by six points in the La Liga standings, haven’t lost in 34 consecutive matches, which equaling a club record.
TV Channels: beIN SPORTS USA, beIN SPORTS CONNECT USA, Sky Sports 3/HD UK
Live Stats: www.livescore.com will provide full update.
REAL MADRID SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Navas, Casilla and Yáñez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Casemiro, Kovacic, Asensio and Isco.
Forwards: Morata, Lucas Vázquez and Mariano.
