Real Madrid keen to avoid hosting cup final

Barça lifted the 1996/97 Spanish Cup title at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Betis were the opposition that day, and the Catalans beat them in an entertaining game thanks to a world-class performance by Figo.

However, the enduring memory of that final was that of thousands of Barcelona fans celebrating inside the Bernabéu. Footage of Joan Gaspart celebrating and stepping out onto the pitch wearing a club scarf went down in history.

It would be tough for Real Madrid to potentially watch their 'old enemy' celebrate winning the cup in their own backyard. Although 'Los Blancos' have yet to comment,it looks highly unlikely that they will be able to allege - as they did three years ago - that the Bernabéu is unavailable due to maintenance work being carried out inside the ground.

There are other options, but these are not without controversy because the Spanish Football Federation still waits to assign a stadium for the final until both finalists are known. Athletic and Barça both favour the Bernabéu.

Modric, the second coming

COMING SOON

The Real Madrid squad is a little happier now they have one of their teammates back training alongside them. Happy for him, but also for themselves. Because Luka Modric's long-awaited return seems heaven sent now that 'Los Blancos' are heading into the crucial final stretch of the season.

Thursday is D-day for making the decision as to whether the Croatian player can travel to Bilbao with his teammates for the San Mamés showdown. The plan was for Luka to play next Tuesday against Schalke, a game which represented a good prospect for his return, being played at the Bernabéu, in front of a home crowd, and with the first leg 0-2 already secured. Modric, however, is so keen to get back to business that he could be included on Ancelotti's next squad list.

The Real number 19 has now completed a full week's training in step with his teammates - playing practice games, going in to tackle, passing, shooting - proving that his torn tendon is now nothing but a bad memory. He was given the all-clear from the Sanitas La Moraleja centre last Friday, having passed his final medical.

Ancelotti is chomping at the bit to get his chief playmaker back, badly missed by 'Los Blancos'. While Lucas, Illarramendi and Khedira have all tried to fill the void, none - except the Brazilian newcomer - has been able to establish themselves as a permanent fixture in the team.

No one in the squad is in any doubt about Modric's importance as one of Real Madrid's best players of last season - the most consistent at the very least.

Real-Danilo deal done and dusted

ON THE WAY TO REAL MADRID

Spanish TV channel La Sexta claims that Real Madrid and Porto have agreed a deal for Brazilian full-back Danilo.

The negotiations have reportedly gone so far that contracts have been drawn up and are just awaiting signatures from all the relevant parties.

It is believed that the deal does not include Casemiro, who is on loan at Porto this season, as a makeweight.