Zinedine's Galactico's

[Tobey Mason]

Zinedine Zidane Appointed Real Madrid Boss!

Carlo Ancelotti has today announced that he will step down as the Real Marid manager. The italian who has enjoyed a fantastic tenure at the current European champions has explained that due to health concerns regarding a family member he feels unable to commit his time to the club. Admitting that it was a hard decision to make he stated that it was indeed the correct decision to make for himself and for his family.

Ancelotti wrote an impassioned statement on the Real Madrid website thanking the club, the fans, the staff and the players for making his time in Madrid one of the most memorable times he has experienced during his time in management.

He stated that he was unsure if this would be his last ever role in management and that he would have to decide if and when going back into the game would ever be an option again in the future.

It seems that delivering 'La Decima' the tenth European title for Real Madrid could well be the last act Ancelotti will ever make in his footballing career.

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With Ancelotti leaving his position as manager of Real Madrid this has left the position available. Many people have been linked over the last few days with the job. Names such as Andre Villas-Boas, Joaquim Löw, Jürgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger have all been linked to the vacant role. It has however been announced that club legend and the clubs current Castilla manager Zinedine Zidane will step up and move into the first teams management role at Los Merengues.

The fans are delighted that such a superstar has taken over and with Zinedine a former 'Galactico' he will firmly be held in high esteem by not just the fans but the footballing world. Zidane has some management experience but nothing this high profile, It will be interesting to see if the Frenchman can deliver the success that Real Madrid are accustomed too.

Zidane who knows the club president Florentino Perez well has already had face to face discussions with the hierarchy at the club and has voiced his opinions of how he can take the club forward in the future. He has stated that he wants to review the back room staff and the players and that he wants to have full control over decisions regarding the first team. Zidane has asked the club for at least £70million to spend on transfers and for all revenue made from player departures to be ploughed back into the club.

As the Madrid fans wait to see how Zidane copes as the clubs first team manager there are certainly many excited people involved with the club hoping that the success can continue and that Real Madrid remain as dominant as they are..


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[Tobey Mason]

Real Madrid Go Transfer Crazy


Zinedine Zidane has certainly made his mark at Real Madrid. The former global superstar has already spent a whopping £65 million on ten players. How many managers can say they have spent that much in their debut season as a manager. Zidane seems focused on youth and all ten players are players who if performing well could carve out fantastic futures for themselves at Madrid.

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The most expensive transfer in is Jose Gaya from Valencia at £13.5 million followed by Memphis Depay who joined from PSV, he cost the club £10 million. He has a bright future and nearly joined Manchester United before Real Madrid snuck in with a late bid. All of the incoming transfers have add on fee's with the majority of them with fee's to be paid over a number of months. This means although the initial costs may seem low, in fact some transfers will be more expensive than first revealed.

By far the most exciting player coming into the club is Gabriel Barbosa who joins from Brazillian side Santos, following in the footsteps of former team mate Neymar by moving to Spain the youngster has all the makings of a potential world class player. Zidane was so keen to sign Barbosa that he himself flew to Brazil to negotiate the deal. Barbosa will hopefully live up to his billing and could become a 'galactico' in the future.


TRANSFERS IN
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Players such as Lucas Boye, Hachim Mastour and Ruben Neves are more than likely to play for the under 19's or be farmed out on loan. They will initially receive tutoring over pre-season before taking up a role either in the lower squads or elsewhere away from Madrid. Zidane wants to see them playing reguarly and sees this best for their development. If they shine throughout pre-season they could even manage to get themselves in the first team plans.

TRANSFERS OUT
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As you can see Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira are two of the biggest names leaving the club. Zidane sending fellow Frenchman Benzema off back to his homeland where he'll now play for PSG who spent a whopping £48 million on the striker. Chelsea stumped up an impressive £46 million for Khedira. Madrid remained strict on his fee and eventually Chelsea and Manchester City placed bids but the German chose to work with Mourinho who he has played under before over Pellegrini. With pre season about to begin in a few days time we look forward to seeing how Real Madrid play and who features in these games.

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[xJamieWilliams]

Really nice start mate, graphics are brilliant! I will be following this one closely as Zidane was one of my idols as a kid, got a signed photo of him on the wall!

 

[bobitoo10]

Sold Dani Carvajal ?!?!?!

 

[Tobey Mason]

Sold Dani Carvajal ?!?!?!

Never been a huge fan. I was looking at Jonny from Valencia but I think but Ramos will probably be my right back.

 

[Tobey Mason]

Will update Pre-Season tonight as well as hopefully the Two cups, UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup. I'm looking to at least get to a few games into the season! I have some exciting graphics to show off!

 

[Tobey Mason]

Real Madrid Pre-Season Underway

Zinedine Zidane finally gets to see his team in action soon. The club a game against Rio Ave away before the squad travels to America for three games, There they will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies, New York and L.A Galaxy in a whirlwind tour of the states. On their return back to Spain the squad will make a slight detour to the south of England to play Bournemouth before then playing their first competitive football of the season against Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup.

Zidane will be looking to experiment in these matches with some of the younger players expected to make appearances. Zidane can also study who he feels his best eleven players are and ready Madrid for the upcoming campaign.

Pre-Season Friendly Match day 1

Monday 7th July 2014 - 19:00
Estadio Dos Rio Ave
Attendance 5,629

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Real Madrid Squad - Casillas, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Gaya, Modric, Rodriguez, Isco, Bale, Ronaldo, Barbosa

Subs Used - Mastour, Kroos, Hernandez, Medran, Goretzka, Depay

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A brilliant managerial debut game for Zinedine as he saw his side thump Rio Ave 3-0. Although Madrid never bossed possession, when they did have the ball they certainly punished their Portuguese opponents. A total of 35 shots and 11 on target saw Madrid run away with the game. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both scored in the 7th minute after some furious football from the European Champions.

The Madrid fans will be extremely pleased that Gabriel Barbosa scored too. The youngster who has been touted as the next Neymar certainly has big boots to fill as Benzema left the club in the summer. The Brazillian who looked cofortable in the team will be hoping that he can return the faith Madrid have shown in him by scoring on a regular basis.

Jose Gaya, James Rodriguez, Gabriel Barbosa, Hachim Mastour, Toni Kroos, Javier Hernandez, Leon Goretzka and Memphis Depay all made there non competetive debuts for the club. The standout performers were James Rodriguez with two assists and Gabriel Barbosa who nodded in a goal and made the assist for Gareth Bale's goal.

Zidane sould be pleased with this result and will be looking forward to the 3 upcoming games in the United States.

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[Tobey Mason]

Real Madrid Arrive In Tampa

Zinedine Zidane's team arrived in Tampa earlier ready for the match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Spanish team are clear favourites for the match but Tampa Bay will know that Pre-Season does have it's shocks and that Madrid may not be at their optimum due to travel and the extreme heat that Tampa is experiencing at the present time.

Pre-Season Friendly Match day 2

Monday 14th July 2014 - 19:30
Al Lang Stadium
Attendance 6,682

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Real Madrid Squad - Casillas, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Gaya, Goretzka, Tielemans, Kroos, Bale, Ronaldo, Barbosased

Subs Used - Rulli, Rodriguez, Jese, Modric, Neves

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Zidane will always have known what a player Cristiano Ronaldo is but after seeing his performance today he will have alot more confidence about what his squad are capable of with the Portuguese playing. Ronaldo was simply outstanding today scoring 4 first half goals and simply splitting the Tampa Bay Rowdies defence wide open with his clever runs and his ability to break the offside trap. He was substituted at half time but that didn't stop both sets of fans chanting his name throughout the second half.

Gareth Bale was again a star perormer laying on 2 assists for Ronaldo and generally causing troble wherever he wet with the ball. Young Youri Tielemans squared a ball towards Ronaldo who marched of through the Rowdies defence to score. The young Belgian looked delighted especially as Ronaldo celebrated with him.

Madrid will now focus their attention to New York who they face in 5 days time. Zidane will want the confidence to remain but won't want his side to become complacent.

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[Tobey Mason]

New York City Mayhem For Real Madrid

Talk about causing a stir! As soon as the Real Madrid squad landed in New York the city was in a buzz. The airport was filled with hundreds if not thousands of screaming fans who had travelled far and wide to meet their heroes. The players signed autographs and posed with fans as they exited the gates and toward the awaiting team coach. Throughout the streets of New York banners were displayed and posters of the players decorated many walls of the city. This match will certainly have many eyes watching it, meaning it to be even more so of a must win game. Ronaldo who scored a quadruple of goals 5 days ago is likely to start but will most definitely not last 90 minutes.

Pre-Season Friendly Match day 3

Monday 19th July 2014 - 21:00
Yankee Stadium
Attendance 26,191

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Real Madrid Squad - Rulli, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Gaya, Goretzka, Neves, Isco, Ødegaard, Ronaldo, Barbosa

Subs Used - Marcelo, Rodriguez, Boye, Silva, Modric, Depay

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New York were no match for Real Madrid in this match. 36% possession surely shows you just how little they had the ball. To be fair to the American team, they defended well and only conceded 2 goals. Zidane decided to start Martin Ødegaard today who played ok but was over shadowed by Leon Goretzka in the middle of the pitch today. Although he wasn't player of the match his passing and vision were brilliant as he simply passed the ball over all areas of the pitch today with such ease and grace. The German is fast becoming a contender to hold down a first team position.

Gabriel Barbosa once again scored and looked happy to lead the line up front on his own. His technique is extraordinary and he is already a huge talent. He was replaced though however by young Argentinian Lucas Boye. He too managed to score which meant that Madrid won the match courtesy of two teenage young men.

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[Tobey Mason]

Los Angeles Welcomes Real Madrid

L.A the place of a million of dreams, most of them, shattered and reality restored. This will hopefully not be the case for Zidane who'll be dreaming that his team can keep a third clean sheet in a row as well as win their third match in as many games. Los Merengues have been in scintillating form as of late and are full of confidence. L.A Galaxy however are no pushovers and are renowned for being one of the United States top football teams. David Beckham once played for Galaxy as he did for Madrid and it's rumoured that he and hisfamily afe in town for this match. Robbie Keane who is well known in the Barclay's Premier League currently plays for them and he will be a tricky player to defend against. It will be interesting as to what team Zidane puts out for this match.

Pre-Season Friendly Match day 4

Monday 24th July 2014 - 19:30
Stubhub Centre
Attendance 22,445

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Real Madrid Squad - Rulli, Varane, Laporte, Marcelo, Modric, Rodriguez, Isco, Mastour, Bale, Barbosa

Subs Used - Gaya, Ronaldo, Jese, Ødegaard, Tielemans, Goretzka, Kroos

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An extremely one sided match and Galaxy were utterly useless in attack, there was no Robbie Keane due to injury. However Galaxy made up for their woeful attacking with some sublime defending. Madrid has 18 shots on target and if it wasn't for the Galaxy keeper Pablo then Madrid would probably have had a handful of goals.

Madrid weren't at their best either. They looked lacklustre and it didn't help that their star man came off the bench today. Ronaldo perhaps being rested as it seems the whole squad are now showing signs of fatigue. Zidane will take comfort that this is the fourth clean sheet in a row. Casillas has played 2 games and so has the youngster Geronimo Rulli.

So with one more pre-season game ahead against Bournemouth Zidane will surely be putting the pieces together working out his strongest first team 11.

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[Tobey Mason]

Real Madrid Prepare For Their Last Pre-Season Game

Real Madrid will play their last Pre-Season friendly against Bournemouth who currently play in the English Sky Bet Championship. Zidane will want to get his team back into winning ways and will expect his side to beat Bournemouth. Madrid should be able to win against Bournemouth their size in statures are almost polar opposites with Bournemouth only recently enjoying some success and good form. Stranger things have happened in football and although this is a non competitive match if Bournemouth were able to pull of an upset it would mark a famous day for the South Coast club.


Pre-Season Friendly Match day 5

Wednesday 30th July 2014 - 19:45
Goldsands Stadium
Attendance 11, 964

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Real Madrid Squad - Rulli, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Marcelo, Modric, Rodriguez, Isco, Bale, Ronaldo, Barbosa

Subs Used - Tielemans, Silva, Ødegaard

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Back to winning ways for Los Merengues who looked a well oiled machine again in this match. Gabriel Barbosa and Ronaldo played some extremely pleasing football and they linked up well together too. Barbosa made two assists in the match and scored a sublime goal himself which will have pleased Zidane who now looks more certain than ever to have Barbosa as his number one striker for the upcoming campaign. Barbosa was so pleased with his goal that he removed his shirt which subsequently got him a telling off from the ref. Ronaldo once again made some simply breath taking runs completely confusing the Bournemouth defence.

Geronimo Rulli conceded his first ever goal as a Real Madrid goalkeeper. Bournemouth took advantage of a Madrid attack and countered down the right wing, a low cross was driven in by Yann Kermorgant which found Callum Wilson who slid in from close range.

Zidane will now take his side into competitive football as Madrid's next match is against Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup.

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[Tobey Mason]

UEFA SUPER CUP

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Here we go! Today's the day. Real Madrid's first competitive fixture under Zinedine Zidane and what a doosey! Real Madrid last season's Champions League winners face of against last season's Europa League winners Sevilla. Both teams will want to oust the other and win this trophy and set a bench mark for the upcoming season. The fans have been piling in to the Cardiff City Stadium for quite some time now and there is a real air of excitement around the place.

Madrid have been made slight favourites but on a windy night in Cardiff it could be anyones. Real will feel they have enough about them to win this trophy and Zidane will be elated if he can get his hands on it after managing just one competitive game in charge of Los Merengues.


Uefa Super Cup Final

Tuesday 12th August 2014 - 20:00
Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance 33,316

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Real Madrid Squad - Casillas, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Marcelo, Modric, Goretzka, Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo, Barbosa

Subs Used - Isco, Depay, Ødegaard

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Kick Off - 20:00

2nd Minute - Both teams look nervous at the moment, no team has found any rhythm and Madrid concede a throw courtesy of Marcelo who loses control of the ball at the byline.

11th Minute - Real Madrid are starting to take control of the game, a shot well wide from Bale but Los Merengues are starting to take a hold of the match.

17th Minute - View attachment 286301GOAL

- Gareth Bale takes a corner on the right hand side, swings in a decent cross... straight to the head of Aymeric Laporte who was waiting at the back post. Great corner and a great goal.

Sevilla 0-1 Real Madrid (Aymeric Laporte)

22nd Minute - View attachment 286300YELLOW CARDView attachment 286300 - James Rodriguez clatters into Ever Banega giving away a dangerous free kick just outside of the Real Madrid box.

22nd Minute -

GOAL

- The subsequent freekick is taken quickly by Jose Antonio Reyes who slices open the Madrid defence to find Carlos Bacca inches away from goal with an easy tap in.

Sevilla 1-1 Real Madrid(Carlos Bacca)

23rd Minute - View attachment 286300YELLOW CARDView attachment 286300 - Vincente Iborra booked for a rash challenge on Sergio Ramos

22nd Minute -

GOAL

- A goal out of nowhere really, Gabriel Barbosa has a long range shot which cannons of the upright but there in wait is Leon Goretzka who scores his first ever Real Madrid goal.

Sevilla 1-2 Real Madrid (Leon Goretzka)

30th Minute - Cristiano Ronaldo is trying all his tricks today but Sevilla are having none of it The Portuguese has just landed on his behind after being muscled off the ball after some failed trickery.

42nd Minute - View attachment 286300YELLOW CARDView attachment 286300 - Vitolo booked for a dive in the Real Madrid penalty box

HALF TIME 1-1

50th minute - It seem's that half time has killed off any momemntum these teams had in the first half. The game has been slowed right down again.

60th minute - Iago Aspas narrowly misses out on levelling the scores for a second time. He ran past both Varane and Laporte and squeezed in a shot on target but a smart save from Casillas denies him a goal.

66th Minute - Carlo Bacca goes close this time but Madrid are saved by the woodwork. Casillas is starting to get annoyed with his defence as leaks are starting to appear.

78th Minute - Zidane has made some substitutions and is trying to slow the match down again. Madrid are happy to play keep ball and ebb this game away now. Sevilla are getting frustrated and there are some tough tackles going in.

FULL TIME 1-2

Real Madrid win the Uefa Super Cup! In what was a tough match Zinedine Zidane walks away with a win in his competitive debut match and a trophy. The Frenchman looked delighted come the final whistle and I imagine it will be a few days before that smile is wiped off. The club now have to prepare for the two legged Super-Copa final matches against their fiercest rivals Atletico Madrid.

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[mask0991]

Great start.
I am really liking the layout.

 

[toddzy]

Great results and fantastic layout.

Keep it up.

 

[Tobey Mason]

Spanish Supercopa: Madrid Derby

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Zinedine Zidane will manage his first match at the Santiago Bernabeu this evening when Real Madrid take on their fierce rivals from across town Atletico Madrid. The Supercopa pits last years Liga BBVA winners (Atletico) against the Copa Del Rey winners (Real).

The atmosphere in the Bernabeu is bound to be electric. These games are never the cleanest so expect some fireworks to come out of the game. Zidane has warned his team about complacency and has geared them up for a physical encounter. Real haven't lost a game under Zidane's leadership so far; winning 5 and drawing 1 out of his 6 games he has managed them in. Real have only conceded 2 goals in these 6 games and with Geronimo Rulli playing well it will be interesting to see if he has pipped Iker Casillas for a place in the first team goal.

Spanish Supercopa Final - Leg 1

Wednesday 20th August 2014 - 22:00
Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance 80,354

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Real Madrid Squad - Casillas, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Marcelo, Modric, Goretzka, Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo, Barbosa

Subs Used - Isco, Gaya, Ødegaard

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Despite the scoreline this was a very even match. The possession was split straight down the middle and if it wasn't for a wasteful Antoine Griezmann then Atletico would have scored more than the solitary goal that they actually obtained courtesy of a fabulous Koke freekick deep into the second half.

Real Madrid played ok and the fans will have been happy to see 4 goals go into the Atletico net especially with the match inside the Bernabeu. It was indivdual players who really shone through again. Ronaldo as always was in splendid form scoring 2 goals and looking lively whenever he had the ball, Gabriel Barbosa was fantastic leading the line again and he looks to have settled in fine in Spain and in the Real Madrid solo strikers position.

Martin Ødegaard also got on the scoresheet as he cut inside from the right, skipped past Guilherme Siqueira and fired in a low shot which krept under Atletico's keeper Jan Oblak and nestled nicely into the net. This goal sets a significant milestone at Real Madrid as Ødegaard now oficially becomes the youngest ever player to score for Real.


RECORD BROKEN
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[Tobey Mason]

Liga BBVA Starts Today!

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It's the day all footballing fans in Spain have been waiting for, the start of the domestic campaign. Real Madrid fans will be wanting their club to keep Barcelona and Atletico from taking the BBVA crown as Atletico did last season. This year marks the inaugural year of Zinedine Zidane's fully fledged managerial career too,

The opening game of the season for Real Madrid is against Cordoba at home in the Santiago Bernabeu. Many fans and critics around the world will be expecting Real Madrid to pick apart their opponents who are not renowned for their giant killings or really anything of note actually.

Liga BBVA - Matchday 1

Sunday 24th August 2014 - 17:00
Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance 73,114

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Real Madrid Squad - Rulli, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Gaya, Tielemans, Goretzka, Kroos, Ødegaard, Depay, Barbosa

Subs Used - Ronaldo, Neves, Bale

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An extremely disappointing match today. Real Madrid had most of the upper hand today but couldn't take their chances. It took a last minute header from Player Of The Match Aymeric Laporte to secure the three points. Zidane who had given some youngsters an opportunity to shine looked bemused on the touchline and was seen yelling instructions to his players throughhout the match.

Cordoba to be honest played with heart and determination, despite not registering a shot on target the minnows did peg Madrid back into their own half on several occaisions. Laporte again shone as he broke up the majority of Cordoba's build up play with plenty of well timed challenges to keep them at bay. He scored his goal well too powering in a Bale corner right at the death.

Even with Madrid facing 10 men which they spent the whole second half doing, Los Merengues couldn't make the player advantage amount to anything. Zidane will no doubt be reviewing today's match and will ensure his team know that this is not a great result nor even a good one at that.

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