Tuesday’s edition of ‘The Real Links’ features a preview for today’s Copa Del Rey match, news of a devastating injury to a key Valencia player, and Paulo Dybala changing slowly changing positions. Let’s jump in!
Goal of the Day
Talk about a screamer of a goal, this beauty from right-back Mattia De Sciglio has so much power, it is a miracle the ball didn’t rip right through the net.
Luckily, the ground in Turin has strong enough nylon to withstand a rip like this.
In back-to-back days, we have seen unreal goals from right-backs. Maybe Dani Carvajal is next?
Real Madrid Links
3 things to watch for in today’s CdR second leg match against Fuenlabrada
Real Madrid carries a 2-0 lead into the Santiago Bernabéu tonight against a clearly inferior side. What should you be looking for in today’s match that could potentially be rather boring?
Squad rotation, the return of injured players, and the amount of focus Los Blancos have.
Here is everything you need to know.
Squad rotation will be prominent in today’s match
It’s clear from the 17-man squad that will take part in the Copa del Rey match today that Zinedine Zidane is wary of his regular first-teamers getting some rest.
📋 Our 17-man squad for tonight's Copa del Rey match against @CFuenlabradaSAD! 👇#RMCopa | #RMMovistar pic.twitter.com/nJYLhMprkb
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 28, 2017
Get ready to see lots of young players in this match!
Keylor Navas looks to be back in form already with unreal save in training
Good heavens, Keylor! Don’t hurt yourself again.
Could he start today? There’s a very good chance yes.
Real Madrid are interested in signing David Luiz, per reports
We are still over a month away from the winter transfer window opening and the rumor mills are already in full swing saying that Real Madrid is going to sign at least 5 big names players from across Europe in January.
I don’t believe the rumors that Madrid is interested in current Chelsea center back David Luiz.
I think the first priority for this team in the winter window is finding some depth at striker so all the pressure isn’t on Karim Benzema. But I can only hope President Perez hears my cries.
La Liga Links
Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes sidelined for a month after foot injury
This is a crazy story, albeit a sad one. Wonder kid Goncalo Guedes, on loan from PSG this season in Spain, suffered a stress fracture in his left foot Sunday against FC Barcelona.
The injury occurred sometime early in the match, yet, the 20-year-old did not come off the field as he played the full 90 minutes. It is clear why Guedes has become a fan favorite in his short time in Spain, as he has been a spark plug for this team.
Goncalo will be sidelined a month after he undergoes surgery today to repair the fracture. He should be back in time for the start of 2018 which is good news.
Typical Luis Suarez goes off on referee after missed call
Isn’t Luis Suarez just the worst person? Whether he’s randomly biting opponents for no reason at all, flopping in the box to draw a penalty, or screaming obscenities, he is always so classy (this is sarcasm if you can’t tell).
In Sunday’s marquee matchup with Valencia, Barcelona were wrongly not awarded a goal that was clearly over the line. However, with no replay technology in place and all the referees claiming to have not seen the ball cross the line, Suarez had some choice words for the head official.
“You s*** yourself. You f****** midget.”
It’s clear in the video that he says exactly this in Spanish. Should we be surprised? No. That’s why no one is making a big deal out of it.
Lionel Messi signs new contract with Barcelona through 2021
Yes, it is for real. There are pictures to prove it.
Champions League Links
Former Swansea City striker, Michu, retires at 31 due to injury
At just 31-years-old, former Swansea and Napoli striker, Michu, has been forced into retirement due to a nagging ankle injury that has hampered him for the last 3 years.
The striker tweeted out a statement about the end of his career yesterday.
"“According to medical reports, the current situation of my right ankle has come to a point where it has forced me to say goodbye as a professional football player today. Even though I am saying farewell to you with so much sorrow, I know that we will always be united. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the magical moments that you have given to me during all this time.”"
A career ended too soon. Wishing the best to Michu in retirement.
Dybala is becoming more of a midfielder for Juventus
“Paulo Dybala is becoming more and more a midfielder and less and less a striker,” former Juve great, Domenico Marocchino explained.
Primarily playing behind Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo has become a hybrid center attacking midfielder for the Italian giants. He has scored just two goals in his last 12 matches, and has been looking to pass and help build up the attack more than ever.
Everton trying to sign new manager Sam Allardyce today
To say this year has gone poorly for Everton after the departure of Romelu Lukaku would be an understatement. The Toffees currently sit 16th in the league table and failed to make it out of the group stage in the Europa League.
The club fired manager Ronald Koeman over a month ago and have since been under the leadership of interim manager David Unsworth.
To try and turn the ship around, Everton want to sign former Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce who has been without a job since resigning from his post at the London-based club.
The club hopes to have the deal done with Allardyce ahead of tomorrow’s match against West Ham United.
Next: Three things Real Madrid should watch out for against Fuenlabrada