In spite of the alleged feud surrounding star player Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Rafa Benitez, Real Madrid’s president firmly supports the latter.
During a press conference on Monday, club president Florentino Perez said that he and the team’s board stand behind Benitez while also stating that some media outlets are spreading false information.
“Nobody in the Board of Directors has made any mention of a dismissal,” Perez said. “Furthermore, the note that I read represents the unanimous view of all members of the Board. It is necessary to let him work.”
Following Real Madrid’s most recent 4-0 drubbing against rival Barcelona on Saturday, Ronaldo allegedly issued an ultimatum, saying that either he or Benitez should leave the club. Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the Spanish league in recent weeks, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain being the two likely candidates to sign the Portuguese star.
“Rafa Benítez was the manager chosen for his professionalism, for his trajectory, for his experience and he has proven his ability at getting the best performance out of this squad, which as we all know, suffered a gradual wearing out from January onwards this year,” Perez added.
“I understand the anger of our fans following the game on Saturday but we believe that this is the time to keep working, with rigour, with calmness, with maximum intensity, and with all of the Madrid fans united together.”
Real Madrid will play Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday before playing away at Eibar in Liga BBVA action on Sunday.
Here are some more news and notes:
RAFINHA EXTENDS BARCA STAY UNTIL 2020
He may not be playing at the moment, but Rafinha will now be a part of Barcelona for years to come.
The Catalan club announced that the 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder signed a new contract which will see him stay with Barcelona until 2020. His buyout clause is set at $79.9 million (€75 million).
“I’m very happy,” Rafinha said of the new deal. “It’s very nice to be enjoying this. Barça is my home. I came here when I was just 13 and I’m very happy to be here.”
Rafinha has been recovering from a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg, which was suffered during a UEFA Champions League match against AS Roma in September. He is not expected to return until 2016.
REPORT: COUTINHO MIGHT RECOVER IN TIME FOR EPL CLASH
Liverpool has had its fair share of injuries this season, and one of its best players to date has caught the injury bug.
After having scans on his hamstring, Philippe Coutinho will likely miss the Reds’ Europa League game with Bordeaux on Thursday. However, the scans revealed that the midfielder, who currently has five goals and three assists in 12 English Premier League games, will not be out for long.
The good news for Coutinho and head coach Jurgen Klopp is that the Brazilian playmaker might be available for selection three days later when the Reds play Swansea City in EPL play.
So far this season, Liverpool has had to manage with injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings, Jose Enrique, Mamadou Sakho, Jordan Henderson and more.
QUICK KICKS:
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos doesn’t want to risk another shoulder injury, so he has reportedly decided to sideline himself for three-to-four weeks. (REPORT)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he won’t be disappointed if Paris Saint-Germain doesn’t win the UEFA Champions League this campaign. (REPORT)
The English Football Association released new concussion protocol guidelines. (REPORT)
Michel Platini’s lawyer, Thibaud d’Ales, says FIFA’s Ethics Committee wants to hand the UEFA president a lifetime ban. (REPORT)
Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini joined Manchester United’s Tuesday training ahead of the team’s UCL clash with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. (REPORT)