Managing Madrid - Deportivo Vs Real Madrid, Liga BBVA 2014-15: All the newsDominating European football since March 6th 1902https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50831/mm-fav.png2014-09-21T17:02:54+02:00http://www.managingmadrid.com/rss/stream/63127382014-09-21T17:02:54+02:002014-09-21T17:02:54+02:00Deportivo - Real Madrid: Stats review
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>For the first time in history, Real Madrid were able to score eight goals away from their stadium in a league game.</p> <p align="justify">It was, definitely, a great game. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid</a> needed to win to keep track of FC <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> and Atlético de Madrid, and so they did. The magnitude of this victory helps the team to forget their recent bad results and cut a losing streak in the Liga BBVA.</p>
<ul>
<li>The team's punch came back yesterday. Scoring eight goals is, obviously, quite a hard thing, and a good shooting precision is needed. To do that, Real Madrid notoriously improved their <b>efficiency</b>, as the following chart shows:<br>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Games 1-3 (average)</td>
<td>Last game</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shots</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shots on target</td>
<td>5,67</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Goals</td>
<td>1,67</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</li>
<li>
<div align="justify">It was somehow clear that <b>Cristiano Ronaldo</b> was the Man of the Match yesterday. In fact, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.whoscored.com/">Whoscored</a> gives him a perfect mark of 10/10, mostly because of the three goals he scored. As he's been doing lately, he appeared in central positions frequently (see his heatmap below, via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.squawka.com/">Squawka</a>) and his collective involvement was remarkable. 60 touches with an stunning <b>86% of accurate passes </b>are great numbers for the deadliest striker in the world. <br id="1411309922181">
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</li>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Heatmap_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/5042782/heatmap_medium.jpg"></p>
<li>
<div align="justify">The flexibility of Ancelotti's system seems to be the key to unleash the full of <b>James Rodríguez</b>'s potential, who was able to move freely between lines. Once again, <span>Toni Kroos</span> was the man with the biggest number of touches (104), but he only exceeded James by one, which clearly explains James's influence on the game. Furthermore, the Colombian #10 scored a goal out of his only shot in the game and <b>stole three balls</b>, one of which led to an assist to <span>Cristiano Ronaldo's</span> third goal.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="justify">The substitutes did a great job yesterday as well. After Deportivo's goal, the match started to look bad, but <b>Illarramendi</b>'s entrance in the 58th minute served to <b>balance</b> the team and keep the possession, and he was really helpful to that due to his outstanding 37/38 passes in 35 minutes. <b>Isco</b>, with <b>two assists</b> in 22 minutes, and <b>Chicharito Hernández</b>, with <b>two goals out of two shots</b>, in 16 minutes, were brilliant as well.</div>
</li>
</ul>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/21/6753035/deportivo-real-madrid-liga-bbva-stats-reviewDaniel Girela2014-09-20T21:17:17+02:002014-09-20T21:17:17+02:00Ancelotti: "We showed all the quality we have"
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>After two ugly La Liga defeats, Carlo Ancelotti finally had reasons to be pleased with his team's performance.</p> <p>Compared to the last two weeks in La Liga, this team clearly improved and <span>Carlo Ancelotti</span> knows there was a bit of a change:</p>
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<p>I think we played with more intensity. We tried to be good on both phases of the game. We didn't succeed during the entire game, but our efficiency on the chances created might've killed the game.</p>
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<p>What did the Italian thought was good about this game:</p>
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<p>We showed all the quality we have in the attack. We have a phenom (Cristiano) and players with great skill that tried to play together and combine each other, and that's what I liked about this game.</p>
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<p>On Isco, Illarramendi, James and Chicharito's performance:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think our substitutions gave the team more intensity. Those players were rested and helped the team end the game sooner. When our first sub (Illarra) entered the game, the game wasn't over yet. Illarramendi gave the team more balance, while Chicharito offered more depth on the attack. Isco gave us more quality. James played well, just like he did against Basel, scoring a fantastic goal.</p>
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<p>On replacing Benzema that soon after his great first half:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I took Karim out to bring on another midfielder to avoid any problems since it was the only moment in the game when we didn't have control.</p>
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<p>Even with such a dominating performance, Ancelotti knows the team has to improve a lot more:</p>
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<p>I think we have to improve. We showed the quality the whole world acknowledges, the ability to score in a number of different situations, but we still have to improve our continuity and our balance. However, after losing two games in a row, we scored 13 goals this week, which is an indication that we reacted well after those losses.</p>
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<p>On the importance of getting closer to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/">Barcelona</a> in the standings:</p>
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<p>We're not thinking about this yet. We're thinking only about our problems and how to fix them and we're doing that well. About narrowing the gap, with such a long season, it's just not a problem for the moment.</p>
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<p>Finally, he shared some thoughts on the performance of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/deportivo-la-coruna">Deportivo La Coruña</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think until the first goal, it was a tight game. Deportivo was defending well until Cristiano's goal, which opened more spaces. That complicates things for our rivals because our attackers are so fast and it becomes a lot harder for the opponent to contain them.</p>
</blockquote>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/20/6661447/carlo-ancelotti-real-madrid-deportivo-post-match-presserMarco Gutiérrez2014-09-20T18:39:07+02:002014-09-20T18:39:07+02:00Deportivo - Real Madrid (2-8): Match recap
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>Los Blancos confirm their improvement with a more than convincing victory against Deportivo back in the Liga BBVA.</p> <p align="justify">After a rough start in the Liga BBVA and a good victory in their Champions League debut game against FC Basel last Tuesday, Real Madrid needed to win and display a good performance in La Coruña to keep track of <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> and Atlético in the league table. Ancelotti sticked to his hybrid 4-3-3/4-4-2 system with Kroos, Modric and James at the midfield and they showed, once again, that this scheme can work.</p>
<p align="justify"><b>The lineups</b></p>
<p align="justify"><b><i>Deportivo:</i></b> Lux; Laure, Sidnei, Diakité, Luisinho; Bergantiños, Medunjanin; Juanfran (Domínguez, 45'), Fariña (Toché, 73'), Cuenca; Postiga (Cavaleiro, 45').</p>
<p align="justify"><b><i>Real Madrid: </i></b>Casillas; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric (Isco, 70'), James; Bale (Hernández, 76'), Benzema (Illarramendi, 58'), Ronaldo.</p>
<p align="justify"><b>The first half</b></p>
<p align="justify">As they have been doing in their last few games, los Blancos dictated a slow tempo at the beginning, giving all prominence to their midfielders. The plan was to keep the possession without assuming any unnecessary risks, hoping that the goal occasions would fall as soon as they were ripe enough. Kroos kept his position as a defensive midfielder, while Modric and James were free to incorporate to <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid's</a> attacks in a box-to-box fashion.</p>
<p align="justify">By the fifteenth minute, Real Madrid accelerated. Ronaldo started to appear in central positions occupying the lanes that a brilliant Benzema constantly opened, and the system naturally changed into a 4-4-2 (or even a 4-2-4, given the weak counterattacking intentions of Deportivo), with James and Bale at the wings. As we've seen in all games this season, Real Madrid's control between the fifteenth and the thirtieth minute was absolute, and there were three clear but non-culminated goal occasions (two shots by Ronaldo and one from Bale) before the first goal arrived.</p>
<p align="justify">It was the 29th minute: Ronaldo appeared in the hole between Deportivo's centerbacks and midfielders and, after faking a long shot, found Arbeloa in the right wing. The Spartan put a great cross in the middle of Deportivo's box and Ronaldo, who jumped higher than anyone, scored with a brilliant header.</p>
<p align="justify">The goal was a heavy blow to Deportivo's players, whose defensive concentration vanished in the blink of an eye. Real Madrid's movements on their side became easier and our players were always found in advantageous positions. This yielded two more goals before the break: a brilliant long shot by James and another by Ronaldo, after Deportivo's goalkeeper Lux abandoned his goal trying to anticipate a control by Benzema and who could have been sent out at that moment.</p>
<p align="justify"><b>The second half</b></p>
<p align="justify">With 0-3 in the scoreboard, it seemed everything was already done and Real Madrid wanted to impose a slow tempo again. However, in their first approach to our goal, Deportivo were awarded a disputable penalty because, according to the referee, Ramos blocked a shot with his hands. Medunjanin did not hesitate in front of Casillas and scored the 1-3.</p>
<p align="justify">This goal was like a wake-up call for Deportivo. They started to believe they could tie and our players could not match their intensity. They controlled the game for ten minutes or so, but they were never able to produce serious trouble near our goal. Ancelotti saw that and sent Illarramendi in instead of Benzema, to add some muscle for the defense and to help his partners with the possession. Bale moved upfront again, to the left winger position, and Real Madrid started to play a clear 4-3-3, with James and Ronaldo constantly exchanging their positions (right winger and false 9).</p>
<p align="justify">Soon enough, Real Madrid scored their fourth goal and cut Deportivo's hopes once again. It was Bale, who received a great pass by Marcelo and, with a subtle shot, got his second league goal this season. He still had time to score the fifth one, after a great pass by Isco (who had come in for Modrić), before leaving his spot for Chicharito Hernández in the seventy-sixth minute.</p>
<p align="justify">The game was over and, apparently, there was no room for surprise, but it seemed that some of our players did not want to leave the pitch. In the last fifteen minutes, Chicharito got a brace and Ronaldo completed his first hattrick since November 2013. Deportivo were also able to score, via a brilliant header by Toché that was unblockable.</p>
<p align="justify">This victory is an oxygen tank for Real Madrid, who finally cut their bad streak in the league. With six points, they are one point below Atlético and three points below Barcelona, who play against Celta and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/levante" class="sbn-auto-link">Levante</a>, respectively. Our next rival will be Elche, on Tuesday, who were beaten by Eibar last night (2-0).</p>
<p align="justify"> </p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/20/6657375/deportivo-real-madrid-liga-bbva-recapDaniel Girela2014-09-20T18:29:06+02:002014-09-20T18:29:06+02:00Player ratings
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>Cristiano Ronaldo gets the Man of the Match after his hat-trick.</p> <p>Overall, a good performance by Real Madrid helped by <span>Cristiano Ronaldo's</span> hat-trick and Karim Benzema's brilliant first half.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span><span>Iker Casillas</span>: 5. He did nothing wrong, but nothing right either. Casillas conceded two goals -one of them from the penalty spot- and his talents simply were not needed.</span></li>
<li><span>Arbeloa: 6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/">Real Madrid's</a> opener came off a good cross by the Spanish defender, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo the one who created that goal with his superb header. Any other striker in the world would've needed to bring that ball down in order to place it in the net.</span></li>
<li><span>Varane: 7. Good game by Varane after signing his six-year extension. He was excellent with his tackles.</span></li>
<li><span>Ramos: 6.5. Ramos played well. Deportivo's first goal came after the referee called a hand-ball by Ramos on Real's box, but it was a wrong call, so Ramos should take no blame for that penalty.</span></li>
<li><span>Marcelo: 6.5. Marcelo is a bit shy, and that's reasonable considering the team's struggles, but that's not how he liked to play and it's easy to tell. He needs to attack more.</span></li>
<li><span>Kroos: 7. Controlled the game and played deep. He's slowly getting used to that position.</span></li>
<li><span>Modric: 7. Yet another decent but not good game by the Croatian. Real need him to step it up and match his last season's performances if the team want to compete for all three titles.</span></li>
<li><span>James: 8. Amazing <i>golazo</i>. And a good recovery+assist on Cristiano Ronaldo's third goal. Brilliant match by the Colombian who is quickly showing signs of improvement.</span></li>
<li><span>Bale: 9. Got a brace and other than that he was quite invisible. Still, he managed to score twice and that's something valuable.</span></li>
<li><span>Cristiano Ronaldo: 10. A hat-trick and Real's opener. The 0-1 was arguably one of the best goal's he's ever scored.</span></li>
<li><span>Benzema: 7.5. He can do better but Benzema's first half was brilliant and one of the main reasons behind Real's 0-3 advantage in the scoreboard at halftime.</span></li>
<li><span>Illarramendi: 7. Came in when Depor scored from the spot and allowed Real Madrid to breathe defensively and control the game much better. He will gain some confidence and be an important player in this roster if Ancelotti gives him minutes.</span></li>
<li><span>Isco: 8,5. Super sub. One expected Isco to have a bigger role this season, but today he assisted twice and played brilliantly. The sky is the limit for this guy.</span></li>
<li><span>Chicharito: 9. Played 13 minutes and scored a brace, the first goal being stunning. The Mexican will have a chance to prove his worth in 90 minutes soon enough.</span></li>
</ul>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/20/6659527/deportivo-real-madrid-liga-2014-ratingsLucas Navarrete2014-09-20T14:57:17+02:002014-09-20T14:57:17+02:00Depor-RM: Lineups and Thread
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Real Madrid face yet another must-win game, this time to stay alive in the race for the Liga BBVA title.</p> <p>Deportivo Starting XI: Lux, Laure, Diakité, Sidnei, Luisinho, Bergantiños, Medunjanin, Juanfran, Fariña, Cuenca, Postiga.</p>
<p><b><a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> Starting XI</b>: Casillas, Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, James, Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see if Kroos, Modric and James have what it takes to dominate away from the Santiago Bernabéu. Other than that, it's true that Real Madrid will at least stay away from the whistles and controversy around the team when they play home, so the players will be able to stay focused throughout the 90 minutes. That's what Ancelotti needs to get the three points his team so desperately need.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/20/6634479/deportivo-vs-real-madrid-la-liga-2014-live-streamLucas Navarrete2014-09-19T23:00:02+02:002014-09-19T23:00:02+02:00Must-win in Riazor (Preview and TV Info)
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Deportivo La Coruña host Real Madrid for the first time since being relegated two seasons ago.</p> <p>Riazor. One of the toughest venues to play in for <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a>, at least historically speaking. Depor promoted to the Spanish first division after spending two seasons in La Liga Adelante. Now, Real Madrid will test their good form showed against FC Basel after two consecutive losses to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/real-sociedad" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Sociedad</a> and Atlético de Madrid, with this match against Deportivo being a must-win in order to compete for the Liga BBVA title.</p>
<p>FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> are already 6 points ahead of <i>los blancos </i>in the table, a significant margin if we also consider that Real Madrid are also 4 points behind defending champions Atlético de Madrid. That's the main reason why Ancelotti and his men can't afford to drop any more points in the race for the title.</p>
<p>The Italian coach will not be able to count on Pepe. <a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6524937/real-madrid-ancelotti-press-conference-liga-bbva-deportivo" target="_blank">Ancelotti confirmed</a> that the Portuguese defender needs to sit this match out in order to recover from a niggle. Therefore, Varane has a chance to celebrate his new six-year deal with Real Madrid by starting against Deportivo. Other than that, <span>Dani Carvajal</span> has recovered from his injury as well, but Ancelotti could opt to start either Nacho or Carvajal in the right back position. Not many more changes are expected, so Kroos, Modric and James will likely be in the midfield, even though Isco and Illarramendi are still waiting for a chance to start.</p>
<p>On Deportivo, Real Madrid-loanee José Rodríguez won't be allowed to play. <a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6530083/la-liga-2014-round-4-scouting-report-deportivo-la-coruna" target="_blank">The Galician team have quality</a>, but if Real Madrid play well enough they should not be a problem. It all depends on which version of Ancelotti's Real Madrid show up. If the defensive line step it up while the BBC and the midfield show the necessary consistency to dominate throughout most of the match, Real Madrid should get the three points.</p>
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<p><b>Real Madrid projected lineup</b>: Casillas, Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Kroos, Modric, James, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema</p>
<p><b>TV Information</b>: Canal+ Liga, GolT (Spain), Sky Sports 5 (UK), BeIN Sports (USA), <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1258899/deportivo-la-coruna-vs-real-madrid/">Others</a>.</p>
<p><b>Prediction</b>: Deportivo 1-3 Real Madrid</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6543807/deportivo-vs-real-madrid-la-liga-2014-tv-online-streamLucas Navarrete2014-09-19T17:36:45+02:002014-09-19T17:36:45+02:00La Liga 2014, Round #4 Scouting Depor(t)
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<figcaption>Denis Doyle</figcaption>
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<p>Fresh from their first victory of the young La Liga campaign, Deportivo La Coruna will welcome Real Madrid to the Riazor tomorrow afternoon for an early kick-off in Galicia. Los Blancos, coming off a rollicking midweek performance against Basel, will seek to correct their surprisingly lackluster league form.</p> <p>Deportivo were able to grind out a gritty 0-1 result against Eibar last time out on the strength of Juan Diminguez goal in the 13th minute. The goal was created by a Juanfran cross, a hallmark of Depor's offensive strategy, that was cleared directly to Diminguez's boot by Eibar defender Eneko Boveda.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.whoscored.com/Teams/59">WhoScored</a>, a handful of patterns emerge through Deportivo's first few matches back in the Primera. These include the tendency of Victor Fernandez's men to favor long-range shots and crosses generated from their reliance on width. Most tellingly, Deportivo have focused their wide play down the right flank in each of their first three league matches. This strategy will likely again be a key determinant in the outcome of the contest against Real. Fernandez's men have been unflinchingly aggressive against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/la-liga/teams/granada">Granada</a>, Rayo and Eibar. If they can keep <span>Dani Carvajal</span> (perhaps likely to regain to his spot in the starting XI) or Nacho pinned back and/or exploit the space in behind him on counters when does break forward they may be able to cause Madrid problems.</p>
<p>Just as Real must constantly face crowded fixture lists, this contest finds Deportivo in the midst of a stretch of three matches in eight days. Squad rotation is likely to some degree for Fernandez who has shuffled his team early and often. For example, <span>Isaac Cuenca</span>, former La Masia golden boy and Depor's marquee summer arrival, started on the bench against Eibar. Joining Cuenca at the Riazor this past window were: Luis Farina, (Castilla's own) Jose Rodriguez, Haris Medunjanin and ex-Benfica man Ivan Cavaleiro. All in all, it was a solid window for a Deportivo side seeking to remain in the top-flight after their recent yo-yoing back and forth into the Segunda. Medunjanin, has been a constant, figuring largely in all three matches and adding a steely, sharp tackling presence. Farina is a doubt through injury.</p>
<p>I would expect to see Cuenca feature from the outset, as the young winger has enough pace to challenge Real down the flanks. Old warhose Helder Postiga is in the side and could figure as the loan striker. Rising young starlet Pablo Insua started against Rayo but did not make the matchday squadlist against Eibar last Monday due to a knock and his status remains up in the air. Depor have veered from a 4-2-3-1 to the creepingly en vogue 4-1-4-1 formation. Whether Fernandez will employ the 4-1-4-1 after the ease with which Real vanquished a Basel side nominally utilizing it is also a question that Ancelotti will have to ponder.</p>
<p>For Real, as Dani <a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6524937/real-madrid-ancelotti-press-conference-liga-bbva-deportivo">noted</a>, Pepe is unavailable for selection which most likely means Raphael Varane will play alongside of Sergio Ramos. Perhaps Isco and/or <span>Asier Illarramendi</span> will be granted starts in the interest of keeping the midfield fresh, particularly with Ancelotti hinting that <span>Gareth Bale</span> and Luka Modric are not yet at full-fitness. Regardless of the lineup it'll be imperative for Real to avoid their third straight league defeat, something that hasn't occurred since 2009.</p>
https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6530083/la-liga-2014-round-4-scouting-report-deportivo-la-corunaDennis J. Seese2014-09-19T15:21:14+02:002014-09-19T15:21:14+02:00Ancelotti: "Pepe is not available"
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<figcaption>David Ramos</figcaption>
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<p>Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media a day before the league game against the recently promoted Deportivo de La Coruña.</p> <p align="justify">After signing his contract extension yesterday, we will likely see Varane as a starter tomorrow, since Pepe is not available for the game against Deportivo:</p>
<div align="justify">
<blockquote>
<p>Pepe will not be able to play tomorrow. He is suffering from muscular fatigue.</p>
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<p align="justify">As he said after the games against Atlético and FC Basel, <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Real Madrid</a> have certain problems to solve, but he is not particularly worried:</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>We need to display a more regular performance during the full games, but I don't think the physical condition of our players is the cause of our worse second halves. Some players are at a great level, like Kroos or Benzema. Others, like Bale or Modric, need to improve their physical condition a little, but we will get through this.</p>
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<p>We are not worried about our distance to FC <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Barcelona</a> or Atlético de Madrid right now. We just need to improve our game and our physical condition and good results will come.</p>
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<p align="justify">There were also comments regarding the roster composition. Ancelotti confirmed he is happy with his midfielders:</p>
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<p>We have had a complicated pre-season, with players that arrived too late, but this was good because we were able to see that Isco and Illarra are great, like some players from the youth teams. We have plenty of good midfielders and they will all be important. We have a big number of games until October 5th, so we will likely rotate a little.</p>
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<p align="justify">Chicharito was a good signing, and he is already helping us. He will start from the bench tomorrow.</p>
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https://www.managingmadrid.com/2014/9/19/6524937/real-madrid-ancelotti-press-conference-liga-bbva-deportivoDaniel Girela