Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane offered shocking Bernabeu exit

The Frenchman has won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues since taking over the reins in 2016.

But this season has started disastrously as they trail league leaders Barcelona by 19 points.

Real Madrid sit fourth in the table and are at risk of missing out on the Champions League places if they continue their current form.

Stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have not hit the heights of previous seasons and now Zidane has come under increasing pressure to turn results around quickly.

According to Spanish outlet Diario Gol, the 45-year-old has the option to leave the Spanish capital in the summer.

It is reported that Zidane’s national side France could offer him their head coach position after the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Current boss Didier Deschamps’ future will not be decided until after the tournament.

Real will then look at either Germany manager Joachim Low or Chelsea’s Antonio Conte to replace Zidane.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/905768/Real-Madrid-Zinedine-Zidane-Bernabeu-La-Liga-news-France-football

ZIDANE LAMENTS REAL MADRID'S LATEST LOSS: IT'S JUST VERY F****** UP

The Madrid manager knows the confidence of his side is shaken after another disappointing loss in league play

Zinedine Zidane said confidence is low at Real Madrid after the struggling Spanish and European champions crashed to a shock defeat to Villarreal.

An 87th-minute counter-attack saw Villarreal silence the Santiago Bernabeu as the visitors claimed a remarkable last-gasp 1-0 La Liga victory Saturday.

Madrid – fourth in the table – have only won once in their past five games as they face the prospect of falling 19 points behind runaway leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona.

"It's very difficult for the confidence," said head coach Zidane, who guided Madrid to UEFA Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and Club World Cup glory earlier in the season.

"We had chances to score but in the end... we couldn't avoid the counter and... it's just very f****** up for all the players.

"What we have to do is keep working, because there will come a time and we have to be there.

"Within all the negative things that are happening to us, we are going to look for something positive."

Read More: http://www.goal.com/en/news/zidane-laments-real-madrids-latest-loss-its-just-very-f-up/1j0g4jwociwy1gxy0qzrrx6sr

Kroos says Madrid must focus on qualifying for Champions League

Toni Kroos insisted Real Madrid have to focus on finishing fourth in LaLiga and qualifying for the Champions League following Saturday's shock loss to Villarreal.

Madrid conceded with three minutes remaining as Villarreal upstaged the struggling Spanish and European champions 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The result left Madrid fourth and 16 points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who could extend that advantage to 19 with victory at Real Sociedad on Sunday, and only a point ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal.

"We have to focus on qualifying for the Champions League next season," Kroos told BeIN Sports USA. "We have to think about our current position.

"I think this should be our goal for the remainder of the season."

Read More: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/kroos-says-madrid-must-focus-qualifying-champions-league

Real Madrid: What Zinedine Zidane had to say after the 0-1 loss to Villarreal

Real Madrid had chance after chance but was unable to find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss to Villarreal Saturday. Here is what manager Zinedine Zidane had to say after yet another disappointing defeat.

“It might be a mental aspect that is stopping us from winning. When we are on a bad run there are always negatives to pick up on. We shot on target but didn’t score, when there were rebounds we were not on the end of them. This can wear you down mentally. We need to keep plugging away in search of the next win. We did everything possible to win and I honestly cannot reproach my players for their actions. I am not happy but nor do I feel beaten. This is another chance to show that we can turn this situation around. After a game like this, things are tough, but we can turn this around.”

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but we’ll keep on because we’ve still got something to prove. We’re here and don’t write Real Madrid off because there’s still life and hope in this team. There’s a game every three days in football. When things aren’t going well, you’ve got the chance to change it, and when they’re great, to keep that going. We’ll change it by sticking together and helping each other out. That’s what we need to do to get out of this rut.”

Read More: https://therealchamps.com/2018/01/14/real-madrid-zinedine-zidane-say-0-1-loss-villarreal/

Barcelona news: Lionel Messi is such a luxury, Jordi Alba reveals why

JORDI ALBA has reserved special praise for Lionel Messi after his performance for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona thrashed Celta Vigo last night 5-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi grabbed a double, scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes to take his tally to 21 goals in all competitions this term.

After drawing 1-1 in the first leg, Barca named a stronger line-up to secure a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Alba, who set up both of Messi’s goals, got on the scoresheet in the 28th minute as Messi repaid the favour to put the win beyond doubt.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/903608/Barcelona-Lionel-Messi-Jordi-Alba-Copa-del-Rey-Celta-Vigo-reaction

Conflicting Reports Claim RB Leipzig May or May Not Have Sanctioned Early Keita Move

A mooted Thomas Lemar to Liverpool transfer was so the Monday that just past, like, 72 hours ago. With Jürgen Klopp and FSG valiantly wading back into the frigid January transfer waters after the sucker punch of Philippe Coutinho’s graceless departure for the Camp Nou, Liverpool fans have been entertained by links to every footballer with a pulse. And now, barely a third of the way through a winter silly season that is mercifully only a month long, we’re back on the Naby-Keïta-Right-Bloody-Now train. Toot toot, yah bastids.

Things have been progressing swimmingly to this point in the quest to bring the RB Leipzig dynamo to Anfield earlier than planned. However, in the last 24 hours, the German club seem to be putting out mixed signals. On the one hand, there have intimations that a pot-sweetner in the range of €20 million on top of the already agreed fee would be enough to close an early deal; while at the same time discouraging statements have emerged from both the ED Leipzig coach stubbornly maintaining that, “There is no reason to let [Keïta] go now,” and the club themselves stating “Nothing has changed and our position hasn’t changed from before regarding the transfer.”

Let’s recap: £48m-£60m has already been agreed for the Guinean midfielder to join in July. Awesome. Except here’s the thing though: he’s really good. Really, really good. So good, that it would be great to have Keïta driving the Reds to league glory ASAP.

ED, currently sitting fifth in the table but only two points off of second (hey! the Bundesliga looks kind of fun!) obviously weren’t too keen at first on the prospect of their best player leaving in the middle of their own fight for Champions League places.

Read More: https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2018/1/12/16881518/conflicting-reports-claim-rb-leipzig-may-or-may-not-have-sanctioned-early-keita-move-jurgen-klopp

Messi’s 2 Goals Help Barcelona Advance in Copa del Rey

BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi scored twice in the span of three minutes during a 5-0 win over Celta Vigo on Thursday that sent Barcelona through to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.

Messi, who also created Barcelona’s third goal for Jordi Alba, set his team on its way to a 6-1 aggregate victory with his 21st and 22nd goals in all competitions this season.

Alba had provided the assists for Messi’s strikes in the 13th and 15th minutes, and Messi returned the favor by setting up Alba in the 28th.

Luis Suárez made it 4-0 before halftime, and Ivan Rakitic headed in a corner kick by Dembele in the final minutes to complete the rout.

Philippe Coutinho, Barcelona’s new acquisition, watched from the Camp Nou stands following his club-record transfer from Liverpool earlier this week. He will make his debut after he recovers from a right leg muscle injury.

Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde took no chances after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, starting Messi in his first appearance in the tournament this season — he had rested for the first three cup games.

Messi quickly quashed any chance of Celta springing an upset. He swept Alba’s cross past goalkeeper Sergio Álvarez, who got a hand to the ball, and he followed up by firing home after another exchange of passes with Alba.

Read More: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/11/sports/messi-barcelona-copa-del-rey.html