MORE PLAYERS ON THE SIDELINES THAN USUAL FOR REAL MADRID

TOO MANY GAMES ???

Nobody is more surprised by the number of injuries that have ravaged the Real Madrid squad so far this season than the players themselves, especially considering the club boasts a vast medical team.

'Los Blancos' have been outsourcing medical services for over five years with Sanitas overseeing the players' well-being. The man in charge of this operation is Carlos Díez, although he has spent less and less time with the first team recently.

A new medical branch has been in existence since last year, however, which involves more direct contact with the players. Jesús Olmo, who appears in photos of the team celebrating in Marrakech, is the head having joined the club through Jerónimo Farré, who is a cardiologist at the Jiménez Díaz Foundation and a Real Madrid board member.

Within the realms of causes of injury, there are several factors to analyse. Rest time, diet and training methods can have an influence. With regard to player diets, for example, a new team has been in place since Ancelotti's appointment.

Mino Fulco, the Italian coach's son-in-law, is entrusted with that role. Physical training, which is key to preventing injury, is down to Giovanni Mauri, who works alongside his son and Ancelotti's too.

Training methods are Paul Clement's forte, which is of little surprise given the Englishman was Ancelotti's assistant during his time at Chelsea and has not relinquished the role ever since. Jack Nayler is also part of the team as a player data analyst.

PLAYER DOESN'T RESPOND AND WAITS FOR REAL MADRID

player on hold

Real Madrid's signing of Lucas Silva is still a waiting game. According to information from Brazil, there was a meeting between representatives of the Whites and Cruzeiro, though nothing new came of it.

Real Madrid are still offering 12 million euros, whilst the Belo Horizonte team are sticking at 15m euros.

The Brazilian central midfielder is waiting for an agreement between the clubs, although in the absence of clarity from the 'Los Blancos', Cruzeiro have made their move and offered a contract renewal to the player. Since over the course of negotiations, Real Madrid have still not told Cruzeiro whether they want the player now or for next summer, and have also not raised their offer to 15 million euros, the Brazilian team has offered the player the chance to renew on double his old salary and increase his release clause.

Cruzeiro's strategy is clear. They intend to try to keep the player for six months so that he can play in the Copa Libertadores and increase his release clause with a hypothetical transfer next summer in mind. At present, Lucas Silva's freedom is set at around 15 million euros, although Real Madrid are confident of getting him for 12 million euros. However, if he renews his contract, come summer his price tag will not be any lower than 24 million euros.

Lucas Silva, represented in the meeting by his agent, Luis Rocha, did not respond to the offer of a new deal from Cruzeiro.

PORTUGUESE MANAGER BACKS HIS COMPATRIOT

another Ballon D'or on its way

The Portuguese manager André Villas-Boas, who coaches Zenit, has backed his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or and praised the way that he has developed in areas such as his behaviour on the pitch.

"Even his body language on the pitch has changed, and that favours him even more, both as a player and a sports personality", he remarked in an interview with the Portuguese website Maisfutebol and the Portuguese television channel TVI.

Villas-Boas, who has managed Académica de Coimbra, Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham, stressed that his opinion is "sincere", because there have been years when he thought that the Barcelona star Leo Messi was a cut above Real Madrid's Ronaldo.

"In the past two years, I've seen a change in attitude in Cristiano Ronaldo; an incredible dedication to his job, an impressive desire to win, even though his value has been questioned because of the quality of his closest rival (Messi)", he went on to say.

The 37-year-old also revealed that there is no bad blood between him and Mourinho. The pair worked together for five years at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, and he assured that he would be happy to sit down for a drink with his former mentor.

"If the opportunity arose again, why not? I get asked that question a lot, as if there were some animosity. We spoke recently. There's a mutual respect between us and we haven't forgotten the important moments we experienced", he finished by saying.

SECOND CONSECUTIVE AFTER THE ONE AGAINST ALMERÍA IN LA LIGA

back to his best

The captain once again filled his goal to stop a penalty, four days after doing the same thing in Almería.

Cruz Azul could have put themselves in the game. Ramos' challenge on Pavone wasn't a penalty, but the referee blew. Gerardo Torrado took responsibility and he's likely to have felt a lot like Verza did a few days ago. He will have felt very small when faced with Iker Casillas.

This time, Iker dived to his right and got his new gloves to the ball for the second penalty in a row that he has faced. He now has 15 penalty saves as Real Madrid's shot stopper.

REUS TO JOIN REAL MADRID,DUMPS BARCELONA

 to real madrid ???

Marco Reus is in the footballing shop window. The tough time Borussia Dortmund are having right now means they will almost certainly be waving goodbye to the Germany international. Real Madrid are already manoeuvring, with a meeting with the player's agent in Germany scheduled. At the Bernabéu they fancy their chances of sealing his signing after their most recent talks, something which Barcelona and their president Josep Maria Bartomeu have had to watch from the sidelines due to their FIFA transfer ban.

Interestingly the Catalan club was among the first to approach Reus as they see in him someone whose style is closely matched to their understanding of the game. Barcelona now, in view of the fact they cannot make any signings next summer, have asked the player to wait a year until they regain the right which FIFA has withdrawn from them, for their questionable practices in the signing of young players.

Reus, however, has it in mind to move clubs next summer and Real Madrid are well placed to triumph in any auction for his services. The tacit agreement with Dortmund to have the chance to match any offer received for the attacking midfielder leaves them feeling confident of making him one of their star signings next summer.

ANCELOTTI HAPPY THAT REAL MADRID KEEP PLAYING AND WINNING

man with a mission 

Carlo Ancelotti is a small step closer to clinching another title with Real Madrid.

"The team is doing well. We keep playing and winning and that's what's important", said the Italian at the end of the semi-final of the Club World Cup.

He picked Casillas for praise: "At a key point in the game Iker was right on the money and saved the penalty. At 2-0 the game seemed to be over and they could've got back into it".

Cristiano Ronaldo turns provider: "He played very well. He's given assists for his teammates and had a very effective game although he hasn't scored. He's saved a goal for the final, no doubt".

The match: "It's never easy, but the team played well and won. Now we'll see how we do in the final. We were strong, organised, focused and gave our best".

Sergio Ramos' injury: "I don't think it's anything to worry about as it's just fatigue. He should be ok in couple of days and be available for the final".