A derby of duels

The clash at the Bernabéu promises to be a blockbuster. Not just because a place in the Champions League semi-finals is on the line, but because it will contain numerous intriguing subplots.

Who will come out on top in the battle of wits between Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone, the goalscoring showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann, and the creative confrontation between Arda and James? These are just some of the key duels that could make all the difference.

Chalkboard contest

Simeone has got under Ancelotti's skin, particularly this season. In seven games against Atlético this term, Real Madrid have yet to claim a solitary win, which is the worst run of derby results in the club's history.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Bale and Modric, broken

A subdued Gareth Bale and Luka Modric both left the Bernabéu on crutches after being forced off during the Málaga match. Neither will be available against Atlético.

Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear among the Real Madrid ranks with just days to go until the second instalment of the Champions League derby double-header. The team have been hit right where it hurts, with a man down from their usual trios across the middle of the park and up front.

The Welshman has a muscle problem in his left calf, while it is feared that the Croat has sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. Not until they have undergone thorough tests will the length of their layoffs be confirmed, but Modric could face five or six weeks out.

The injury to Bale got Saturday night off to a sour start for Real Madrid. Just two minutes into the game the Wales international began hobbling conspicuously, before plopping himself down on the turf and receiving treatment. It soon became obvious he would be unable to continue.

Bale's absence will be a big blow in Wednesday's clash, in which Carlo Ancelotti's side know they will have to score. The 25-year-old has now been sidelined six times since joining 'Los 

Blancos' in 2013, though it is true that he had been enjoying a good run of fitness in recent months, having not picked up a major injury since October.

SOURCE : MARCA.COM

Ancelotti: Madrid must win every game to overhaul Barcelona

The Blancos currently sit second in the Primera Division standings, two points adrift of their great rivals with just six rounds remaining

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that Real Madrid will probably have to win all of their games in order to beatBarcelona in this season's Liga title race.

The Blancos currently sit second in the standings, two points behind their Catalan rivals with six rounds remaining.

With Barca in fine form, having won 22 of their last 24 games in al competitions, Ancelotti feels that Madrid will most likely require a flawless finish to the season in order to come out on top.

“Our aim is to keep the race alive for as long as possible," he told reporters. "Both sides have difficult games left.

"At the moment both sides are playing for a lot, and that means that every game is difficult. 

"Barcelona have an advantage. We have to try and win all our games to force them to also win."

Ancelotti was speaking after his side's 3-1 victory over Malaga on Saturday, which came courtesy of goals from 

Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Roanldo.

The Italian was pleased with his side's collective performance but he singled midfielders James, Isco and Toni Kroos out for special praise.

"They played well," Ancelotti added. "James was the best, he gave a lot of quality to the side. 

"Isco did not have such a great first half but then he played very well in the second half. 

"What I most liked is that the players fought and gave everything they had, that is what we needed this match."

Madrid now turn their attention back to the Champions League and Wednesday's quarter-final, second-leg clash with Atletico, which is beautifully balanced after last week's scoreless draw at the Vicente Calderon

SORUCE : GOAL.COM

Benzema out of Málaga game

Karim Benzema won't play against Málaga but should be fit for the derby second leg, according to Carlo Ancelotti.

Benzema bowed out of Real Madrid's Friday morning training session just minutes after the squad took to the pitch at Valdebebas.

The Frenchman initially appeared sporting a large bandage over his upper right leg and knee and began doing passing drills together with his teammates, but in no time he realised that he wasn't right to continue.

After exchanging a few words with Carlo Ancelotti, Benzema trudged off the training pitch together with one of the club's physios.

Both Benzema and Gareth Bale had been confined to the gym on Thursday, but the Welshman seemed unhindered during the Friday morning session.

Read more: MARCA.COM

The Premiership woos Khedira

It would seem Sami Khedira is still mulling over his future.

Whilst Schalke are undoubtedly the club to have shown most interest in the anchorman to date, to the point that there is already a verbal agreement with the German club, this isn't the Real Madrid player's first choice.

 Although Schalke's offer is an attractive one, especially in terms of money, Khedira is going to wait until June in case a more interesting suitor 

comes along.

Khedira's agent is currently juggling various offers from Germany, Italy and, above all, the Premier League - this is the most interesting proposition as far as the player is concerned. Manchester United and Chelsea both seem prepared to up the stakes in an effort to steal 

Khedira away from Schalke, although there are several other clubs in the hunt.

Arsenal, where Khedira's close friend Mesut Özil plays, are also keeping a keen eye on the midfielder, who is set to leave Real Madrid at the end of the current season - since last July the Madrid club has made no formal offer to extend the 28-year-old's contract.

Khedira is looking for a club that will pay him a higher salary than the one he is currently on at the Bernabéu as well as giving him the chance to win trophies. Schalke's offer is most definitely a serious sporting proposition, but the player is acutely aware of the fact that 

Bayern Munich are the dominant force in the German Bundesliga and therefore he would most likely not be fighting for the title, which is the main reason he is keeping his options open.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Varane going nowhere

Raphaël Varane knows that his future lies at Real Madrid, beyond even his current contract, which expires on 30th June 2020. There is absolutely no chance of the 21-year-old being allowed to leave.

The Bernabéu hierarchy have long held such a view and the centre-back's performance at the Calderón on Tuesday only served to reinforce it. They have told Varane as much over the last few days, hammering home the fact that they consider him a key asset for the club both now and in the years to come.

The likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City have all enquired after the 

Frenchman, with rumours in some circles that a 50 million bid has already been submitted. The Real Madrid suits, though, simply turned a deaf ear. They have no interest in discussing a possible deal, let alone doing one.

Though there have been some doubts surrounding Varane's commitment this term, fuelled by his sustained absence from the starting XI, the starlet's thinking has changed, as he recently told MARCA.

Carlo Ancelotti has also identified a transformation in the France international's attitude, feeling that he has added a bit of the mean streak every top-class defender needs.

Varane's presence in the line-up against Atlético confirmed the way the wind has been blowing over the last few weeks. The doubts have faded, and the defender is convinced he'll be best served by staying at Real Madrid.

This development will doubtless be welcomed by Florentino Pérez, who is a big believer in Varane's talent. On the other hand, it will be a massive blow for Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho, who view the young centre-back as a world-beater and would love to sign him.

Read more: MARCA.COM

Real Madrid completed their last training session ahead of the game against Málaga

Real Madrid completed the last training session ahead of the game against Málaga.

Real Madrid carried out their last training session ahead of the game against Málaga, that will be played this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu (8pm CEST). Bale joined up with the group and Bezema went to the indoor training facilities once the session had begun. Ancelotti was also joined by the Youth A Team keeper Marcos Lavín.

Casillas, Keylor Navas, Pacheco and Marcos Lavín carried out specific training exercises. The outfield players who joined the Italian coach, did warm up and muscle strengthening exercises before some ball work. One and two touch group circle exercises were used to practice moving the ball around quickly.\

SOURCE : REALMADRID.COM