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Welcome to Bernabeu Bites where every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we take you around the world of Real Madrid, Liga BBVA and throw in some European Football all in tasty bite size form. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back, relax and enjoy!
Really the biggest news is the injuries to players from the starting XI against that physical tie with Levante UD. Both Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are ruled out ahead of tomorrows match against Racing Santander with hamstring injuries. I wouldn't expect to see them back on the pitch until the next Champions League match-up versus Ajax.
Speaking of hamstring injuries, AFC Ajax defender Nicolai Boilesen will miss at least two of the next Champions League fixtures - including the trip to the Bernabeu. The 19 year-old left back was only on the pitch for a grand total of 17 minutes before coming off with what was diagnosed as a hamstring tear - he's been ruled out for six weeks.
I'm only putting this one in, cause we've talked about it before. But Dallas Mavericks forward Rudy Fernandez has signed a deal with Real Madrid - the basketball team for the duration of the NBA lockout. Being from the Portland Oregon area (and soon to be headed back), I loved watching him with the Blazers as he was part of a trio the fans called "The Spanish Armada".
Now I talked about this specific thing today, Levante's manager Juan Martinez's only option against Real Madrid to was to counter attack.
"Real Madrid are a team of winners so we knew we would have to try to take full advantage of our counter-attacks," Martinez said at the post-match press conference. "It was a difficult game and we tried to make it hard for them. "It's nice to be congratulated, but I would like to be receiving plaudits next May. We've won three points but there is a long way to go yet in the league. We are going to enjoy this moment but without forgetting we have a game on Wednesday."
Seventeen year-old Bruno Andrade of freshly promoted Premier League side Queens Park Rangers says that he goes about the game and tries to model himself after Real Madrid galactico Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Cristiano Ronaldo inspires me," he said. "He is my role model. Even though people compare me with Ashley Young I want to be like Ronaldo but I know I have a long way to go before I get to that level."
"I’m only 17 now and I have had the opportunity to compete in the Premier League. Now I’m hoping for more games this season. "My dream was to in the first team here at QPR and now I have made it. I am a professional and I’ve learned a lot from Neil Warnock who has helped me."
Andrade has been with QPR since the tender age of 13.
Everyone (if you're a FC Barcelona fan or player for that matter) are singing the praises of Cesc Fabregas. He's gone from Arsenal skipper and midfield anchor to super sub. Teammate Dani Alves seems to be the latest in heaping praise on the newest addition to Barca.
"Fabregas has been doing a great job for us and has already made a huge contribution to the team," Dani Alves was quoted as saying by AS. "It really is an honour to play alongside him. Him and Lionel Messi are a great duo on the pitch, and they have a great connection."