Real Madrid round-up: Sevilla in the Copa, Ramos, Asensio...
Real Madrid are back in action on 4 January in the Copa del Rey against Sevilla at the Bernabéu, with Granada also visiting Madrid, on LaLiga business, on 7 January. Juventus-Real Madrid live
Real Madrid host Sevilla in the Copa del Rey
Real Madrid were back in training on Tuesday, as Zidane's squad prepare for the visit
of Sevilla to the Bernabéu on Wednesday 4 January (21.15) in the last 16 of the Copa
del Rey. The return leg is on 12 January, also at 21:15.
Real Madrid looking to avoid second-half of season dip
Zidane is desperate to avoid the slump that Ancelotti's Real Madrid side suffered in
2105 after triumphing in the Club World Cup, when they lost their winning run, ran
completely out of gas and ended up winning nothing (with Ancelotti losing his job as a consequence).
The French coach has therefore had physical trainer Antonio Pintus put together a
training plan for the festive period to ensure the side are in tip-top shape for the
second half of the season. And yesterday saw them face up to a demanding training run.
Real Madrid injuries
Pepe was on the side-lines at training, recovering from the injury that kept him out of
the CWC, and Keylor, Ramos, Kovacic and Licas worked out in the gym. Bale, the only
long-term injured player, continued his recovery.
Ramos supports Yeray
Sergio Ramos has sent a message of support to Yeray, who underwent surgery for
testicular cancer on Tuesday: "Stay strong Yeray. The countdown to your return has
started. See you at the corners, central defender!"
Asensio on the TV
Marco Asensio starred in a documentary on his life on Balearic TV (IB3), Marco Asensio,
una historia Real, covering his career from the under-10s at Mallorca to the Real
Madrid first team. Asensio is from Palma de Mallorca.
Colombian coach Maturana on James
Pacho Maturana, former Colombia coach, gave his view on James' problems at Real Madrid, saying he's struggled to find his place in such a structured set-up.
Real Madrid charity race
The Real Madrid Foundation is organising a charity race on 15 January. There will be
races over 5 and 10km, plus mini runs for the little ones.
Odegaard close to Heerenveen loan deal
Norwegian 18 year old Odegaard looks to be about to arrange a loan deal to the Netherlands with Heerenveen, (though some sources say a move to Ajax may also be on the cards). The youngster is desperate to get first team experience, something he's not had at Real Madrid.
Isco renewal
Real Madrid and twinkle-toed midfielder Isco have begun talks on a contract renewal. The player's deal is up in the summer of 2018, and while Real Madrid recommended to Isco last summer that he should look for a move elsewhere (Tottenham and Málaga were heading the queue of clubs keen to land him), Madrid definitely don't want a chance of his contract running out and the player going for free. The question then is what salary Isco is looking for to renew...
Bernabéu queues
With the Christmas holidays, the Bernabéu tour is proving incredibly popular. The queues are around the block (the block being the stadium itself).
