CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Real Madrid Champions League final news: Ramos, Marcelo...
With Saturday's final fast approaching, we take our daily look at how Zinedine Zidane's side are preparing for the Cardiff clash with Juventus.Real Madrid-Gremio: Club World Cup final 2017
Real Madrid squad back in training on Tuesday
Before embarking on their final preparations for the Champions League decider, the Real Madrid players have been enjoying a couple of days off to recharge their batteries. Zinedine Zidane's men return to training at Valdebebas tomorrow, with Los Blancos also hosting a pre-Cardiff 'open media day' at their training complex.
Real charges relax together
Several of the Real players got together during their short break, taking to social media to show their followers what they'd been getting up to. Captain Sergio Ramos and his partner, Pilar Rubio, enjoyed an evening with Lucas Vázquez, Keylor Navas and the pair's other halves (see image above), while Danilo posted a photo of a spot of 'football-table tennis' with countryman Marcelo and two other pals.
Marotta: Juventus aren't afraid of anyone
Speaking ahead of Saturday's match, Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta was in bullish mood as he weighed up the Serie A winners' hopes of denying Real an unprecedented second Champions League title in a row: "There's optimism. We're up against a side who we respect, but we're not afraid of anyone. We're better prepared than two years ago [when Juve lost the 2015 final to Barcelona]."
Ravanelli: "Juve can put Madrid up against it"
Former Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, a goalscorer the last time the Bianconeri won Europe's premier club competition, in 1996 - beating Ajax on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate - has admitted to Diario AS that "no team are favourites against Real Madrid". But, in comments similar to Marotta's, the 'White Feather' added: "Juve won't be afraid. They know they can put them up against it."