News for 'rafael-benitez'

Bale 'disappointed' with sacking of Benitez

Bale 'disappointed' with sacking of Benitez

Rediff.com11 Jan 2016

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale has expressed disappointment over the sacking of Rafael Benitez as a manager, saying that it was really sad to see him go. "I had a very good relationship with Rafa, obviously it was a big disappointment to see him go," Bale was quoted as saying by goal.com. Benitez was replaced by former French great Zinedine Zidane after just seven months in charge due to club's recent slump in form in the La Liga. Zidane's appointment seemed to be in favour of Real as they thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in La Liga match.

The 'Real' problem behind Ronaldo's topsy turvy form

The 'Real' problem behind Ronaldo's topsy turvy form

Rediff.com11 Dec 2015

Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that his 'personal problems' have been affecting his form this season but insisted that he will not be leaving the La Liga giants this summer.

Champions League: Napoli down Marseille, move to 2nd in group

Champions League: Napoli down Marseille, move to 2nd in group

Rediff.com7 Nov 2013

Italian side Napoli has moved into second place in their Champions League Group F on Wednesday with a 3-2 win over French side Marseille at Sao Paolo.

PIX: COVID-hit Liverpool beat Newcastle; Chelsea held

PIX: COVID-hit Liverpool beat Newcastle; Chelsea held

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold scored with a spectacular strike as they overcame the loss of three players to suspected positive COVID-19 tests and conceding an early goal to beat Newcastle United 3-1 in the Premier League on Thursday.

The door is shut on Mourinho at Real Madrid

The door is shut on Mourinho at Real Madrid

Rediff.com19 Dec 2015

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out an immediate return of the recently sacked Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho despite having `good memories` under the Portuguese's tenure in the club.

Miracle-worker Zidane saves Real Madrid

Miracle-worker Zidane saves Real Madrid

Rediff.com13 May 2016

Real Madrid defender Marcelo says the club needed new direction after stuttering under Rafael Benitez and has praised Zinedine Zidane for 'breathing life back' into the team since taking over as coach in January.

Real Madrid stars in pain and determined to fight back, says Solari

Real Madrid stars in pain and determined to fight back, says Solari

Rediff.com30 Oct 2018

Real Madrid's interim coach Santiago Solari says the squad are hurting but determined to turn around their dismal start to the season.

EPL: Liverpool frustrated, Arsenal stroll past Brighton

EPL: Liverpool frustrated, Arsenal stroll past Brighton

Rediff.com1 Oct 2017

Images from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday

Zidane likely to replace Benitez at Real Madrid

Zidane likely to replace Benitez at Real Madrid

Rediff.com16 Dec 2015

Zidane is currently in charge of Real's B team Castilla, and has for some time been linked with the manager's post.

First Look: France football legend Zidane in Mumbai

First Look: France football legend Zidane in Mumbai

Rediff.com9 Jun 2016

The French coach, who took over Real Madrid following Rafael Benitez's sacking in January is in the city to promote a Mumbai-based real estate brand Kanakia Group, known for its themed residences.

EPL: Leicester leave it late to salvage point

EPL: Leicester leave it late to salvage point

Rediff.com28 Oct 2018

Wilfred Ndidi netted a dramatic late equaliser on Saturday to help Leicester City secure a 1-1 draw with West Ham United, who played more than half the game with 10 men after Mark Noble was shown a straight red card.

Valencia sack manager Neville, appoint Ayestaran

Valencia sack manager Neville, appoint Ayestaran

Rediff.com31 Mar 2016

Gary Neville was sacked as Valencia manager on Wednesday as the club brought an end to his fraught four-month spell in charge after the former England and Manchester United defender had delivered only three league wins.

Real Madrid fan Nadal backs Zidane appointment

Real Madrid fan Nadal backs Zidane appointment

Rediff.com7 Jan 2016

Real Madrid fan Rafael Nadal has extended his support over the appointment of new manager Zinedine Zidane, saying that he deserves to lead one of the most important clubs in the world.

Serie A: Hat-trick for Gonzalo Higuain, stormy win for Inter Milan

Serie A: Hat-trick for Gonzalo Higuain, stormy win for Inter Milan

Rediff.com27 Oct 2014

Gonzalo Higuain burst into life by scoring a hat-trick in the final half hour, his first league goals of the season, to help Rafael Benitez's erratic Napoli thrash Verona 6-2 in Serie A on Sunday.

Lazio knock out holders Napoli from Coppa Italia

Lazio knock out holders Napoli from Coppa Italia

Rediff.com9 Apr 2015

Senad Lulic scored a late goal to give Lazio a 1-0 win at Napoli which sent them into the Coppa Italia final and added to Rafael Benitez's problems on Wednesday.

PIX: Wolves shock City; United down Inter

PIX: Wolves shock City; United down Inter

Rediff.com20 Jul 2019

Rui Patricio saved three penalties as Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated English Premier League champions Manchester City to claim the Premier League Asia Trophy 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

Zidane unsure of long-term future at Real Madrid

Zidane unsure of long-term future at Real Madrid

Rediff.com13 Mar 2016

Zinedine Zidane cast doubt on his long-term future at Real Madrid by saying he is unsure if he will be in charge of the club next season. The former midfielder was named as Rafael Benitez's successor in January when he signed a contract until June 2018. But when asked what role he would have in the Liga club's transfer dealings for next season, Zidane said he did not know if he would still be at the Bernabeu. "I can't know what role I'm going to have if I don't know if I'm going to be here. We'll see what happens at the end of the season," Zidane was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Marca. The 43-year-old was also asked if Madrid would make another attempt to sign David de Gea after their move for the Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper fell through on the last day of the transfer window last August.

EPL PHOTOS: Arsenal go third with victory over Newcastle

EPL PHOTOS: Arsenal go third with victory over Newcastle

Rediff.com2 Apr 2019

IMAGES from the EPL match played between Arsenal and Newcastle on Monday

La Liga: Battle for fourth spot heats up after Valencia win

La Liga: Battle for fourth spot heats up after Valencia win

Rediff.com28 Apr 2015

Valencia recaptured fourth place in La Liga from Sevilla when Sofiane Feghouli scored the pick of the goals in a 4-0 stroll at home to second-from-bottom Granada on Monday.

'Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life'

'Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2017

Zinedine Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life, club President Florentino Perez said on Saturday, after the Frenchman became the first manager to win the Champions League two years in a row with a dominant 4-1 win over Juventus.

Ozil inspires Arsenal to victory over Napoli

Ozil inspires Arsenal to victory over Napoli

Rediff.com2 Oct 2013

Mesut Ozil guided Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over Napoli while a late Cesc Fabregas header gave Barcelona a laboured 1-0 win at 10-man Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Ronaldo fit but Benzema and Casemiro out against City: Zidane

Ronaldo fit but Benzema and Casemiro out against City: Zidane

Rediff.com3 May 2016

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Cristiano Ronaldo "is 100 percent" and will face Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg but striker Karim Benzema and midfielder Casemiro will miss the game. Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury which forced him to miss Madrids last three games in all competitions and has resumed full training. But Benzema is yet to recover from a hamstring problem and Casemiro is still out after a knock to the hip sustained in Saturday's 1-0 win at Real Sociedad. "Cristiano is fine, he is 100 percent. He has trained and will be with us tomorrow, there is no risk," Zidane told a news conference. "We need a 100 percent Cristiano," he said. "He's a different player. His numbers show that and I'm happy he's with us tomorrow. I'd have liked Karim and Casemiro to be there too, but others will play and that's that," added Zidane. "Karim's situation is different. He still has a problem and we don't want to take any risks," he said.

Zidane reacts to Real Madrid loss

Zidane reacts to Real Madrid loss

Rediff.com7 Apr 2016

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane urged his side to remain calm after their Champions League hopes suffered a setback with a shock 2-0 loss at VfL Wolfsburg in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Serie A: Three own goals as Napoli slump to 4-2 defeat

Serie A: Three own goals as Napoli slump to 4-2 defeat

Rediff.com1 May 2015

Three own goals were scored as Napoli's spectacularly inconsistent season continued with a 4-2 defeat at Empoli on Thursday.

Champions League Semis: It's Barcelona vs Bayern; Juventus vs Real

Champions League Semis: It's Barcelona vs Bayern; Juventus vs Real

Rediff.com24 Apr 2015

Barcelona have been drawn to play Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals. The other last-four tie will see Juventus, in their first semi-final since 2003, take on Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid, the defending champions.

Real Madrid not in crisis, says Zidane

Real Madrid not in crisis, says Zidane

Rediff.com3 Oct 2016

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane denied his side were facing a crisis after they drew 1-1 at home to La Liga minnows Eibar and racked up a fourth consecutive draw for the first time in more than 10 years.

Real Madrid need more consistency, says Benitez

Real Madrid need more consistency, says Benitez

Rediff.com3 Jan 2016

Under-fire Rafa Benitez said Real Madrid needed to be more consistent and also accused his players of easing off in games ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash with his former club Valencia. The Spaniard is the most successful coach in Valencia's history. He led them to La Liga titles in 2002 and 2004, when he also won the UEFA Cup, and is sure of a warm welcome when he walks out at the Mestalla.

Pressure mounts on Rafa Benitez after Madrid's Clasico fiasco

Pressure mounts on Rafa Benitez after Madrid's Clasico fiasco

Rediff.com22 Nov 2015

It was always going to be a tough task for Rafa Benitez to replace his popular, Champions League winning predecessor Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and Saturday's woeful 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona has turned the pressure up a notch.

Mourinho lashes out after Benitez's wife sparks row

Mourinho lashes out after Benitez's wife sparks row

Rediff.com30 Jul 2015

'The only club where her husband replaced me was at Inter Milan where, in six months, he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time' 'And if she takes care of her husband's diet, she will have less time to speak about me'

Being Clasico underdogs no problem for Real, says Zidane

Being Clasico underdogs no problem for Real, says Zidane

Rediff.com1 Apr 2016

Zinedine Zidane is unconcerned by suggestions that his Real Madrid side go into Saturday's 'Clasico' against runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona as big underdogs. Real sit third in the table 10 points adrift of Luis Enrique's side, who crushed them 4-0 at the Bernabeu earlier in the season to spark outrage among the Madrid club's fans They vented their frustration on president Florentino Perez and coach Rafael Benitez who was sacked weeks later and replaced by Zidane. The Frenchman, who like his opposite number Luis Enrique played in the 'Clasico' many times, is preparing for his first clash with Barcelona as Real coach and his team, who have won their last five matches in all competitions, head to the Nou Camp in confident mood.

High-flying Leicester's next dream...qualifying for Europa

High-flying Leicester's next dream...qualifying for Europa

Rediff.com15 Mar 2016

Claudio Ranieri's Tinkerman days may be over after he again named an unchanged team but his cautious talk remained, refusing to contemplate the title after Leicester City beat Newcastle United on Monday.

Ronaldo backs Zidane after first defeat as Real coach

Ronaldo backs Zidane after first defeat as Real coach

Rediff.com28 Feb 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo gave Zinedine Zidane a ringing endorsement as Real Madrid coach after their 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the city derby at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Serie A: Denis double sinks blundering Napoli

Serie A: Denis double sinks blundering Napoli

Rediff.com2 Feb 2014

Atalanta forward German Denis took advantage of shocking defending by Napoli to score twice in a 3-0 win over Rafael Benitez's exasperatingly inconsistent team on Sunday.

How 'mythical and legendary' Ronaldo scripted history

How 'mythical and legendary' Ronaldo scripted history

Rediff.com1 Oct 2015

'What he has done in half as many matches as Raul is incredible'

Can Real Madrid pip Barca to La Liga crown in season finale?

Can Real Madrid pip Barca to La Liga crown in season finale?

Rediff.com14 May 2016

Real Madrid can pip Barcelona to the La Liga title on Saturday even though their destiny is out of their hands, coach Zinedine Zidane said on the eve of the season finale.

Despite Champions League success Zidane unsure of Real future

Despite Champions League success Zidane unsure of Real future

Rediff.com7 May 2016

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he is unsure of his future at the club despite leading them to the Champions League final.

Who deserves credit for Real Madrid's revival?

Who deserves credit for Real Madrid's revival?

Rediff.com5 May 2016

Exactly four months after succeeding Rafael Benitez and inheriting a Real Madrid side on the brink of institutional crisis, Zinedine Zidane completed the team's revival by guiding them past Manchester City to the Champions League final.

Football coaches want transfer window shortened

Football coaches want transfer window shortened

Rediff.com6 Sep 2013

Europe's leading soccer coaches want the transfer window to be shortened, contradicting the position of their clubs.

Real to carry 'Clasico' winning momentum, says coach Zidane

Real to carry 'Clasico' winning momentum, says coach Zidane

Rediff.com5 Apr 2016

Real Madrid will carry their momentum from Saturday's 'Clasico' victory over rivals Barcelona into their Champions League quarter-final first leg at struggling VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, coach Zinedine Zidane said. Real scored their first league win at the Nou Camp since 2012, inflicting the first home defeat for Barcelona since February 2015. "It is very important to have got the win here for our confidence and for the remainder of the season and with it coming right before our Champions League game in Germany," said Zidane. "We know just how important the Champions League is and we want to advance, so winning here in Barcelona was very important." The Frenchman took over from Rafael Benitez at the start of the year and on Saturday came through his first big test with flying colours.

Zidane stuns Real Madrid by stepping down as coach

Zidane stuns Real Madrid by stepping down as coach

Rediff.com31 May 2018

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is leaving the European champions after two years in charge.