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REAL MADRID KEEP PRESSURE ON AT THE TOP FOUR WITH 2-0 WIN OVER EIBAR

Real Madrid kept their LaLiga title challenge on track with a 2-0 home win over Eibar.

Goals in each half from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema saw Real go above Barcelona into second, three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Lowly Eibar had the first opportunity when Pape Diop’s shot from outside the box was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Moments later Benzema’s effort was kept out by Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Real, without injured defender Sergio Ramos, soon began to dominate and Benzema put a header wide from an Isco corner.

Asensio was inches away from giving them the lead when his free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The Spain forward also had a goal disallowed for offside, but he made the breakthrough four minutes before half-time, taking Casemiro’s pass and slotting past Dmitrovic from the 18-yard line.

Asensio was denied by Dmitrovic and Benzema planted a header over before Real doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.

Vinicius Junior was the provider with the cross for Benzema to head home his ninth goal in his last seven appearances.

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UCL 2021 QUARTER FINAL DRAW: LIVERPOOL DRAW REAL MADRID, BAYERN FACE PSG

UEFA held the draw for the 2020-21 Champions League quarterfinals Friday, with defending champion Bayern Munich receiving a matchup with last year’s fellow finalist Paris Saint-Germain.
Here’s a look at the full results from the draw:

Quarterfinal 1: Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund
Quarterfinal 2: Porto vs. Chelsea
Quarterfinal 3: Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Quarterfinal 4: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool

And here’s the semifinal bracket order:

Winner of Quarterfinal 3 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal 1
Winner of Quarterfinal 4 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal 2
The quarterfinal matches will take place April 6-7 and April 13-14. The complete fixture schedule will be released later Friday.

A two-leg rematch of last season’s final between Bayern and PSG should be a treat for football fans with both clubs coming off dominant performances in the round of 16.

The German side cruised to a 6-2 aggregate triumph over Lazio, while the French team eased past Barcelona 5-2 on aggregate on the strength of a 4-1 win in the first leg.

Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski explained coming into the campaign the club faced a lot of pressure to live up to the high standard it set by winning the treble last term.

“If you play so good in the last season, then everyone is looking at you now and how you will be in the new season,” Lewandowski told reporters in September. “And if you are on the top you have to work harder to stay longer on the top. And I think so for us that is the big challenge for this season.”

So far the Bavarians have lived up to those expectations as they sit atop the Bundesliga table with 58 points, four points clear of second-place RB Leipzig, while also having captured the DFL-Supercup in September and staying alive to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The matchup with Paris Saint-Germain represents their toughest test to date, though.

While the winner of the Bayern-PSG quarterfinal may be viewed as the tournament favorite heading toward the semifinals, this is a deep field littered with legitimate title contenders.

Six of the eight clubs have clear title hopes and even the two longer shots, Dortmund and Porto, have enough attacking firepower to make a run to the final.

It sets the stage for an entertaining, highly competitive finish to this year’s Champions League over the next two months.

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REAL MADRID EASE PAST ATALANTA TO REACH FIRST UCL QUARTER FINAL IN THREE YEARS

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Atalanta.

The LaLiga side had been 1-0 up from the first leg and, after the Italians missed a couple of early chances, Karim Benzema fired them ahead on the night in the 34th minute.

A penalty from captain Sergio Ramos on the hour all but ended the tie, with Luis Muriel clipping in a fine free-kick to pull a goal back for Atalanta before substitute Marco Asensio wrapped things up late on.

With Casemiro suspended, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos came back into the Real Madrid side, as Isco dropped to the bench.

Atalanta had a great chance to level the tie, but Robin Gosens failed to make enough contact with Muriel’s cross from the left and could only knock the ball straight at Thibaut Courtois.

Defender Berat Djimsiti fired over from a corner and the Italians were made to pay as Real Madrid started to take control.

It took a fine block from Djimsiti to deny Vinicius Junior after a clever exchange with Benzema in the penalty area to prevent the opening goal which eventually arrived in the 34th minute.

Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello made a hash of his clearance, which fell to Modric and the Croatian chased the ball down before cutting a pass back for Benzema to fire the Spaniards in front.

Los Blancos almost doubled their lead early in the second half following a fine run from Vinicius but, after powering into the penalty area, the Brazilian stabbed wide from six yards.

As the hour mark approached, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty.

Again, Vinicius was the instigator after he took possession from Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskiy and charged forwards before being tripped by Rafael Toloi.

Although contact looked to have been just outside the area, Dutch referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot and captain Sergio Ramos powered in a penalty past the diving Sportiello.

Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata finally called Courtois into action in the 67th minute, before at the other end Benzema’s header was saved and then the Frenchman nodded the rebound against the post.

With seven minutes left, Muriel clipped a well-worked 25-yard free-kick up over the wall into the top corner as several Atalanta players peeled away.

Real Madrid, though, soon restored their two-goal cushion when substitute Marco Asensio drilled the ball into the bottom corner after being picked out by Lucas Vazquez.

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REAL MADRID’S TITLE HOPES SUFFER FURTHER BLOW WITH SHOCKING DEFEAT TO LEVANTE.

Real Madrid suffered a huge dent to their LaLiga title ambitions following a surprise 2-1 defeat by Levante.

The home side were reduced to 10 men after just nine minutes when defender Eder Militao was shown a straight red card.

Marco Asensio put Real 1-0 up just moments later, but Jose Luis Morales levelled for Levante before the interval, with Roger Marti netting the winner 12 minutes from time.

Real remain seven points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid who travel to Cadiz on Sunday with two games in hand.

With manager Zinedine Zidane sidelined after contracting coronavirus, David Bettoni took charge of a Real side bidding to win back-to-back victories.

But they faced an uphill task when Militao was given his marching orders after he brought down Sergio Leon.

A delightful pass from Toni Kroos sent Asensio away and his cool finish put the hosts into the lead four minutes after Militao’s dismissal.

But the visitors were undeterred by Real’s opener and, following a number of chances at both ends, Morales netted past Thibaut Courtois with 32 minutes played.

Marti then had the opportunity to put Levante into the lead but his penalty kick was saved by Courtois shortly after the hour mark.

However, Marti made amends when he converted Enis Bardhi’s pass with 78 minutes played to give Levante all three points.

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REAL MADRID MANAGER, ZINEDINE ZIDANE TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONA VIRUS.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for COVID-19 , the Spanish club announced on Friday.

The positive test comes a day before Madrid travel to Alaves in LaLiga seeking to bounce back from an embarrassing midweek Copa del Rey exit.

Real Madrid C.F. report that our coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for COVID-19 ,” the club said in a statement.

Zidane already had to self-isolate this month after coming into contact with a person infected with the virus.

He tested negative at the time and was able to oversee the team.

After successive defeats in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, the second a shock loss to third-tier Alcoyano, Zidane is again under pressure as Real Madrid try to reignite their LaLiga title challenge away to Alaves.

Zidane’s side are playing catch-up to Atletico Madrid after draws against struggling Elche and Osasuna, two of the league’s bottom three, in recent weeks.

Alaves beat Madrid 2-1 in the capital in late November but have won just once in eight matches since, their slide into a relegation scrap costing coach Pablo Machin his job last week with former Spain international Abelardo Fernandez returning to take charge.

Real assistant coach David Bettoni said that Zidane was “fine” after his positive test, although “sad” not to be among the players.

“I spoke with the coach this morning and he is fine,” said Bettoni.

“He was a little sad this morning not to be with us. He will not physically be with us, but we all know that he will be with us supporting.

“He will not be with us physically during tomorrow’s game, but he will be with us to support the players, give his energy and help everyone.”

Bettoni also played down talk of Zidane’s future after their Copa del Rey embarrassment.

“You know the boss, he likes football, it’s his passion. He is fortunate to coach this great club. In football it is a complicated time, but he is in good spirits,” said Bettoni.

“I see him every morning with a smile, with joy, wanting to train. We want to carry on, we are fortunate to train at this club, so we enjoy them every day with our players.

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MADRID CLIMB TOP OF LA LIGA TABLE AFTER EASY WIN AGAINST CELTA VIGO.

Real Madrid moved one point clear at the top of the La Liga table on Saturday after their 2-0 win over Celta Vigo at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. It’s a league lead that could last little more than 12 hours, though, with Atletico Madrid (who have three games in hand) travelling to Alaves on Sunday with visions of returning to Spanish football’s summit.

Sergio Ramos sat out the visit of Eduardo Coudet’s men with a reported stomach illness, but the hosts maintained their stout defensive form behind Raphael Varane and Nacho as Thibaut Courtois claimed his seventh clean sheet of the league season.

Following the match, Zinedine Zidane said: “They’re the most in-form team we’ve played. We had difficulties, but we controlled the game. We pressed them high up, we didn’t let their good players play.

“We’re always better when we go for the game. We have more problems sometimes when we’re in our half. Our style is to go for the game, and the pressing of the front three is important.”

Madrid needed just six minutes to take the lead, but did so in a series of events that could have changed the complexion of the game.

With Courtois beaten by a chipped effort from Iago Aspas, Nacho cleared the goal-bound attempt off the line, starting a rapid Madrid counterattack. The ball found its way to Marco Asensio on the left wing, from where he stood up a cross to the far post that was met by the head of Lucas Vazquez to open the scoring. It was the latter’s 15th La Liga goal with Los Blancos, and the former’s 15th league assist for the club.

Celta thought they had a route back into the contest in the 28th minute when Renato Tapia’s flick struck the arm of Ferland Mendy in the Madrid box, but when video replay confirmed that the left-back’s arm was tucked tightly against his body, the VAR denied the visitors’ penalty appeals.

Madrid put the result beyond doubt in the 53rd minute, with Asensio and Vazquez again combining for a goal, this time reversing roles — Asensio the goal scorer, Vazquez the provider — after Luka Modric intercepted a loose pass in midfield and sprung a devastating counter.

“We said before the game that after slipping up against Elche we wanted to show our usual aggression and win the ball back high up the pitch,” said Vazquez.

“Right now every game is key, we are on a good run, we didn’t expect to draw the other day but the team is in good shape and if we keep playing like this we’ll be fighting for everything.”

Real Madrid are next in action on Jan. 9, when they visit Osasuna, while Celta Vigo visit Ibiza on Tuesday for the second round of the Copa del Rey.

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LA LIGA: MARCO ASENSIO GUIDES REAL MADRID TO WIN OVER GRANADA.

Substitute Marco Asensio helped lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Granada on Wednesday, keeping it level on points with Spanish league leader Atletico Madrid.

Two minutes of inspired attacking by Asensio culminated in his pass for Casemiro to head in the 57th-minute opener at Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Karim Benzema scored Madrid’s second goal in the game’s final seconds with Granada caught off balance while searching for an equalizer.

Madrid’s fifth league victory in a row left it in second place behind Atletico on goal difference. The title chase is shaping up to be a contest between the two capital city rivals. They are both six points ahead of Real Sociedad and Villarreal. Fifth-place Barcelona is eight points back.

Atletico also has more games in hand to play than the pursuing pack. Atletico has played 13 games, Barcelona 14, Madrid and Villarreal 15, and Sociedad 16.

Asensio replaced forward Rodrygo Goes in the 38th when the 19-year-old Brazilian grabbed his right thigh and asked to be substituted.

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LA LIGA: REAL MADRID BEAT SEVILLA TO EASE PRESSURE ON ZIDANE.

Real Madrid beat Sevilla 1-0 in La Liga to alleviate some pressure on manager Zinedine Zidane.

An own goal by Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou secured all three points for Los Blancos.

Madrid, who rise to third in the La Liga table, are four points away from league leaders Real Sociedad, while Julen Lopetegui’s Sevilla are fifth in the division.

Zidane went into the match under pressure following two successive defeats, to Shakhtar Donestk in the Champions League and Sevilla in La Liga.

Zidane’s side almost took the lead inside a minute after Vinicius Jr. was played through on goal by Rodrygo, but the winger shot wide from a tight angle.

Sevilla missed their chance to go ahead in the 33rd minute after Jesus Navas’s cross found the head of defender Jules Kounde, but the defender missed the target and couldn’t guide it past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But after the break Vinicius Jr.’s shot was turned in by Bounou to send Real into the lead.

Bounou is the first goalkeeper to score an own goal in La Liga this season and the first Sevilla goalkeeper to score an own goal in the competition in the 21st Century.

After the match Vinicius Jr. claimed that the goal should be awarded to him and not for Bounou.

“It’s mine, of course! I took the shot,” he said. “The win today is really important for our confidence.

“It’s a difficult place to play against a good team. We had some games where we played well but didn’t win, and today we won… We didn’t have any doubts today.”

Meanwhile, manager Zidane said that his team deserved to win and praised the performance.

“They’re three really important points. But beyond that, it’s the game we played, from the first minute to the last. We suffered a bit in the second half but our first half was really good. We deserved it, against a really good opponent who can cause you problems,” he said.

“It’s important for the next game. It’s been a complicated moment lately, today we have to enjoy it and be happy. They’re three points, now we have to rest well and think about what comes next.”

Zidane spoke about the criticism both he and his team have received despite claiming victory against Sevilla.

“It’s like that. It won’t change much. When you lose, there’ll be criticism. Today we have to think positive. We have to keep looking for consistency. The rest won’t change.”

Real next face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

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SHAKTAR 2-0 REAL MADRID: SHAKTAR GRAB COMFORTABLE HOME WIN AS ZIDANE’S MEN DROP TO THIRD ON GROUP B TABLE.

Real Madrid’s Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance after they lost 2-0 at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, leaving them third in Group B with one round of games remaining.

The 13-times European champions went behind in the 57th minute when Shakhtar substitute Dentinho capitalised on a lapse in concentration by Raphael Varane to score in an empty Olympic Stadium, where Madrid won their last Champions League in 2018.

Israeli forward Manor Solomon then wrapped up the home side’s shock win over the Spaniards in the 82nd with a solo run on the counter and finish into the bottom corner.

Dentinho came on in the first half to replace striker Junior Moraes, who was injured after being hauled down by Varane in a bid to prevent the forward racing towards goal unchallenged.

Shakhtar, who beat Madrid 3-2 away in October, are second in Group B on seven points, level with Zinedine Zidane’s side but above them due to their superior head-to-head record.

Real host leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach next week in their final game when Shakhtar visit bottom side Inter Milan.

Madrid’s run of qualifying from the group stage for a record 23 consecutive seasons is in serious danger but Zidane vowed to fight on, dismissing suggestions he could resign as he did in May 2018 after lifting a third straight Champions League crown.

“I’m optimistic. This is a difficult moment but we need to show our character now and stand tall,’ he said.

‘What happened today is a real shame because we did not deserve it but we have to win our next game. We’re going to believe in ourselves and we’re going to fight, you can be sure about that,’ he added at the post-match news conference.

The Spanish champions pulled off a 2-0 win at Inter in their last European game while the Ukrainians were hammered 4-0 away to Gladbach, though Zidane’s side were brought back to earth with Saturday’s shock 2-1 home loss to Alaves in La Liga.

Real were missing record signing Eden Hazard after another injury to the Belgian and were still without captain Sergio Ramos, though they were boosted by the return of Karim Benzema.

They looked the better side before the interval and nearly scored an early goal when Marco Asensio hit the post from a tight angle, but the second half belonged to Shakhtar who savoured another upset win over the kings of European football.

Shakhtar’s Solomon said: ‘It’s been a great match and great result for us. Six points in two games against Real is a dream come true. Now we have a good chance to qualify for the knockout stage but we have a very tough game with Inter ahead of us.’

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I’M NOT QUITTING: ZIDANE VOWS TO REMAIN AT MADRID DESPITE RUN OF POOR FORM.

Zinedine Zidane says he wants to fight on as Real Madrid manager after a 2-0 Champions League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk left the team’s chances of qualifying for the round of 16 in serious doubt.

Second-half goals from substitutes Dentinho and Manor Solomon saw Madrid beaten for the second time by the Ukrainians, after they opened their European campaign with a 3-2 home defeat in October.

The result in Kiev put Shakhtar level on points with Madrid, with both teams nervously eyeing Tuesday’s other Group B match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Inter Milan.

The final matchday on Dec. 9 sees Madrid host group leaders Monchengladbach, and Shakhtar travel to Inter.

“No. Not at all. I won’t resign,” Zidane said in his postmatch news conference, when asked if he was considering his future. “We’ll keep going. … In the first half we were really good. I think we deserved to score first, that would have changed things. Their goals hurt us a lot.”

Madrid have now lost five of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with La Liga defeats to Cadiz, Valencia and Alaves combining with home and away Champions League losses to Shakhtar to leave Zidane under significant pressure.

“We’ve had complicated moments and we always will,” Zidane said. “We’re on a bad run of results. That’s the reality. But we have to keep going. … I think we prepared well, we played a great first half. We have one game left and we have to win and think about going through.”

Madrid now face a testing run of fixtures, as they go away to top-four contenders Sevilla in La Liga, face Monchengladbach in a must-win Champions League clash, and then face Atletico Madrid in the derby, all in a week.

“I feel strong. I’ll give everything, as always, I think the players will too,” Zidane said. “The other day [against Alaves] we didn’t deserve to win. I think today we played a good game, but that’s football. We have to keep our heads up and think about the next game. When you’re on a bad run there’s no alternative … we have to show our character and our pride.”

While Karim Benzema returned to the team Tuesday night, Madrid are still waiting for captain Sergio Ramos to recover from injury, and Eden Hazard was ruled out for three weeks Monday because of a thigh muscle problem.