Monday’s edition of ‘The Real Links’ features an update on Gareth Bale, a wrongly disallowed goal in the FC Barcelona – Valencia match, and an update on several managers across Europe. Let’s jump in!
Goal of the Day
Dani Alves is not a fullback. There is just no way.
This guy has scored some of the craziest goals I’ve seen in the game. Yet, he is considered a defender. This goal from Wednesday’s 7-1 win over Celtic is just another in a long line of unreal long-distance shots from the Brazilian.
This is a goal 95% of forwards or midfileders would score. But then there’s Dani Alves. This ball had eyes and somehow squeaked in off the post. What a shot.
Real Madrid Links
Gareth Bale expected to return to play this week in the Copa Del Rey
Finally! Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale looks like he will make his first appearance for the Royal Whites in their second leg match against Fuenlabrada Tuesday in the Copa Del Rey.
Bale has suffered two separate leg muscle injuries in the past couple of months which has held him out of action for an extended period of time. Zinedine Zidane said he wants to be careful with bringing Bale back, but he said there’s a very good chance he could feature in this match.
“Gareth will be with us tomorrow, we will see how long he plays for,” he said. “But he will play. I want to see Bale doing well, he just needs to play now.”
Dani Ceballos continues to struggle for minutes
Since arriving over the summer, Dani Ceballos has featured in just 5 league matches, playing 167 minutes and scoring 2 goals. It has gotten to the point where many Real Madrid fans are growing anxious to see the young midfielder get regular playing time.
But like many media members and Zizou himself has said, there are just too many quality players in front of him right now.
His time as a starter or a regular in the lineup will come, but when?
Will Real Madrid actually pursue Anthony Martial this summer?
Reports out of Spain are that Zidane and club president Florentino Perez are interested in spending the big bucks to bring in talented Manchester United forward, Anthony Martial this summer.
Martial has burst onto the scene in England this year with his efficient finishing abilities and regular minutes from manager Jose Mourinho.
No player has been involved in more Premier League goals per minute this season than Anthony Martial #MUFC https://t.co/BBZPnvP2ft pic.twitter.com/okoZuawohH
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 25, 2017
Would this be a good move for Los Blancos to make? And where exactly would Martial fit into the squad if he did come in?
The Benzema-Ronaldo scoring train is starting to pick up pace
In the last two matches, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have combined for six goals and helped the team to consecutive victories.
Ronaldo leads the team in goals across all competitions with 11, and Benz has now scored 5.
This is a good sign ladies and gentlemen. Let’s hope this success continues.
La Liga Links
Barcelona robbed of clear goal in match at Valencia
Being the hardcore Real Madrid fan I am, I often don’t sympathize with the team from the northeast. However, on this occasion alone, I will.
In Sunday’s crucial La Liga match against Valencia, a clear goal from Leo Messi was not awarded despite countless replays showing that the ball had crossed the goalline by a noticeable margin.
Just when we thought the clear goal vs Real Betis was one of the biggest robbery of the century, la Liga was like: 'hold my beer' pic.twitter.com/GodvYorcPq
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) November 26, 2017
It is truly hard to believe a clear goal like this was not awarded. Not to mention, this makes fans even more excited about the implementation of VAR next season.
More from The Real Champs
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- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
- PSG want €100 million Real Madrid player to replace Kylian Mbappe
Despite draw, the gap remains between the top two and the field
The wrongly disallowed goal resulted in a 1-1 draw between Barca and Valencia, meaning the team from Catalonia and Valencia sit first and second with 35 and 31 points respectively.
However, the gap between second place Valencia and the two team even on points in third and fourth, Atletico and Real Madrid respectively, is still a wide margin.
The two teams from the Spanish capital both have 27 points through 13 matches this season and need somewhat of a miracle to make a run at the league table.
But nothing is in impossible as we have seen in the past.
Messi and Ronaldo will never be friends
To say I am not surprised by this comment would be an understatement. Why would two of the biggest rivals in football history be friends?
Messi said in an interview just days ago, “I don’t know if we will be. Friendship is built through spending time together and getting to know each other. We have no relationship, mainly because we only see each other at awards ceremonies and that’s the only time we speak.”
Let the feud happen people!
Champions League Links
Here’s why Peter Bosz should remain as Dortmund’s manager
If you thought Real Madrid was struggling, take a look at why Borussia Dortmund has been doing this season. The German powerhouse club, who usually battles it out with Bayern Munich atop the Bundesliga table and is a usual contender in the Champions League, is neither this season.
Sitting in fifth in the league table with 21 points (8 behind first-place Bayern) and eliminated from making it to the UCL knockout stage, Peter Bosz is clearly having a tough time with his players.
That continued Saturday as the yellow and black blew a four-goal first-half lead against third-place Schalke 04, drawing 4-4.
Yet, Dortmund fans and journalists want to keep Bosz around. Here’s why.
AC Milan fires manager Vincenzo Montella
After a slow start in the league, AC Milan has sacked their manager. Currently sitting in seventh place with just 20 points, AC Milan has appointed Gennaro Gattuso to try and right the ship.
Obviously, after spending as much money as they did during the summer, Milan should be doing better than they currently are. Maybe a new man in charge will help the team get back on track.
A new ball will be used during the 2018/2019 UCL season
This is a pretty cool looking ball. It was leaked that the new ball will be primarily blue with white stars instead of the other way around.
What do you think of the new look ball? Are you a fan? Let us know!
Next: Could Gareth Bale make his return for Real Madrid against Fuenlabrada?