Bad Kompany News for Belgium

Kompany injured in Madrid - Getty Images

Belgium suffered a blow on Saturday when skipper Vincent Kompany was ruled out of the EURO 2016 tournament with his latest in a series of muscular injuries.

"I'll miss the Euros. To me that's very sad news," the 30-year-old Manchester City captain wrote on his Facebook page.

"So I could be standing here, feeling sorry for myself. I could fear for my career, as others may do. I could give up...That is not me."

Kompany has been dogged by a series of injuries for most of the season and the defender limped out of the Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday after just 10 minutes with a groin problem.

In Kompany's absence, it is expected that Chelsea's Eden Hazard is likely to captain Belgium at Euro 2016 which starts in France on June 10.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots will also have a further defensive headache for the tournament as Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is also injury prone and features little for the Spanish giants.

Recently, Belgian newspaper Le Soir calculated that in his 13-year career, Kompany has spent 1,045 days in hospital, highlighting his reputation as a player of brittle build.

At Manchester City, he has won the Premier League title on two occasions - in 2012 and 2014.

Kompany has suffered five different injuries this season, appearing in only 22 of City's 57 matches.

"So I remain calm and positive. I will continue to follow my path and I will do so with more conviction than ever," the 70-capped player wrote on Facebook.

"I trust my friends and teammates to do well and do us proud at the next European Championships in France. I am now officially their most fervent supporter and I will be there to support them.

"Written from my hospital bed. Never giving up."

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Manchester City v Real Madrid - Preview

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A year ago Real Madrid fell at the semi-final stage against a brighter Juventus side that was defensively robust, inventive on the counter and very complete in the middle with the silken skills of a still energetic. Andrea Pirlo. A combination that squeezed the Spanish team where they felt strongest. The inherent weaknesses at the back made look worse by some untimely injuries that eliminated Karim Benzema and saw Gareth Bale just returning from injury and the absence of Luka Modric. Up to that match Carlo Ancelotti had survived using Sergio Ramos in midfield and Pepe deputising alongside Varanne. But as the end of the season approached Ancelotti’s 2014 champions were unravelling and that lucky win against Atletico Madrid in the quarter finals could not hide the problems of the trip to Turin. So Ramos stepped back into the back four.

In the first leg Juventus exposed those weaknesses which a fully fit Bale might have fared better as Real Madrid reject Alvaro Morata got on the score sheet after just 9 minutes. The energy of Carlos Tevez and Chile’s Arturo Vidal also causing Madrid chaos. The Argentinian getting on the score sheet after Ronaldo had equalised on the half hour and Juventus well able to cope with the absent Paul Pogba. Easily relying on Claudio Marchisio, Giorgio Chiellini, and the poise of Pirlo leaving 2-1 first leg score line never enough to match the Italians in a return at the Bernabeu. Particularly given the manner in which they play such an efficient and physical game, all at a speed that Real Madrid found uncomfortable. Not unlike the Diego Simeone style also played and nearly won the final in Lisbon in 2014.

The return leg it was to prove no different as Varanne, Marcelo, Ramos and Dani Carvajal were pinned to their collars at the back dealing with the Juventus onslaught. Again, it was Cristiano who put Madrid ahead and into contention for the tie. But the home side efforts were unconvincing and so when Morata hit the net again on the hour mark all Juventus had to do was hold out to the end in their natural game - defending. Which they did effectively ending the Champion League holders hopes of winning back to back titles.; moving Ancelotti out the door and bringing a new managerial cycle to the Madrid club. A script which wheat awry when Florentino Perez plucked for Rafa Benitez against the wishes of the powerful lobby of a Madrid media

Therefore, this season the semi-finals are very different as the club suddenly found Zinedine Zidane was their man – after all - in the wake of the scuttled Benitez project in January. With a win at the Camp Nou achieved only a few weeks ago the La Liga chances are mathematically revitalised. So Real Madrid are now in a different place; playing in a different way even if with a very similar squad. Under ZiZou, Kroos now pushes more forward, Bale is in the shape of his life, with Ronaldo beating goal scoring records every week; and Modric holding right side of midfield. In the return leg against Wolfsburg a more direct style was in play and the coach happier with three across the middle. All much less rigid than the four-man midfield and linear system preferred by Benitez. The results showing that the players revel in that format and are more responsive with more graft than was accustomed under Rafa or Carlo.

A strength that populated all Zidane’s own performances despite his mesmeric skills and an ethos he is demanding of his first team players. Which will be seen at the Etihad on Tuesday night in the first leg semi-final. A match that is untimely for the visitors in so far as Manchester City are currently in goal scoring form and clearly a threatening force to the Madrid back four, which still creaks and leaks under pressure. With Pepe always a cause for concern when Varanne is out of the team as the Frenchman’s speed and agility always enough to cover the flaws of his other compadre, Sergio Ramos. Against City Aguero will be no easier than Tevez and DeBruyne. In fact, arguably a tougher task

Having only previously met in the group qualifying stages in 2012 there is little precedent on which to predict this one. Other than Ronaldo’s return to the city of Manchester, albeit the Blue side, might inspire another hat- trick. Or the reverse with the Portuguese talisman wilting under weight of expectation in this vital tie and leaving his teammates shouldering the burden. The only positive being that as Cristiano attracts markers it could allow Bale, Benzema [if fully fit] or Modric find any gaps in Joe Hart’s net. Undoubtedly Madrid will sit less deep than was evidenced at the Volkswagen Arena where Real Madrid were exposed when Danilo allowed Drexler run rampant. The same cannot be afforded Navas, Silva or Fernadinho. In place this time Zidane will have Casimiro, in front of the back four, and Carvajal back at right back

Regardless the first leg should be a City win. But not enough to give Perez sleepless nights for the return of his former employee, Manuel Pellegrini, to the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4th next.

Manuel Pellegrini

“It's very important to enjoy the semi-final as it's not something we achieve every year. The players know that. It's important not to be comfortable because we're at this stage. Everyone wants to continue, to play the final. We'll see a City team that will play to win.

We won't just try to defend to reach the final. I have always tried to have a team who play good football, play well. We need a hot heart and a cold mind ... We need our emotions under control.

Zinédine Zidane

“We are in a decent vein of form, probably the best of the season. We are going to do the best we possibly can to score and try not to concede. It's a game and tie that is 50/50. You can prepare all you want for a big game but then the game can turn out totally different to how you envisaged it. The important thing is to give 150%.

Our opponents are a great side. If you give them space, they can hurt you. The players get between the lines and cause problems. When we've not got the ball we must keep it tight and defend; when we have the ball we'll try and hurt them. The players are really focused. In 2014, there was a similar atmosphere in the dressing room.

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OSM - Florentino Still Needs a Real Plan

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Florentino Perez is no doubt choking on his copos de maiz this bright Sunday November morning as he struggles to find any tasteful headline on the front pages of Madrid’s sports dailies, Marca and AS. Hoping to avoid the screaming headlines coming from Catalunya where Mundo Deportivo, La Grada, SPORT and L’Esportiu focus the numbers 0-4 all over the place. With supporting quotes from Barcelona manager Luis Enrique saying: "This victory tastes glorious because it is against our eternal rivals," said Enrique, who played for both sides. "It will be very difficult for us to better this performance." 

Enough to put anyone in the Real Madrid camp off their breakfast following the teams shattering home defeat by four goals to nil at the Santiago Bernabeu. None more so than Rafael Benitez who may be undercover in the safety of Liverpool perhaps with his family following the fallout from El Clasico. The news no better from Merseyside where Juergen Klopp celebrates a 4-1 thrashing of Manchester City on Saturday at the Etihad. The kind of news that will resurrect the questions as to why Perez couldn’t convince the German to come to Madrid.

Under normal circumstances Florentino has a plan when a manager is let go, fired or departs under mutual consent. On this occasion it didn’t seem to be the case and almost surreptitiously Benitez became the choice – and the only choice. Catching even the Spanish press off guard in July as there was so little pomp and ceremony. All strange given that the end of season under Carlo Ancelotti became a debacle his departure was heralded well in advance. Usually a signal that the new and better alternative is ready for action. 

The complication appears to have been Juergen Klopp rigidly sticking to his plans for a sabbatical year – a plan that Fenway Sports Management seem to have easily broken – when the German joined Liverpool after Rodger was fired. Confirming in a way that somewhere along the line the Real Madrid President’s best laid plan was foiled.

Now post a humiliating defeat to Barca the options for Rafa Benitez and Florentino Perez seem limited. With only a quick written letter to Papa Noel able to save the manager from the sack at this moment in time. Given that the media were already on his case about the style of play and the defeat to Sevilla even before Saturday’s clash. The added discontent displayed by Cristiano Ronaldo these days fans the flames of another spectre for Perez also. Adding to the general malaise amongst the squad following quotes emanating from the social media conscious, Sergio Ramos. 

With Gareth Bale struggling with injury – and still not flavour of the month at Madrid – he is looking more likely to return to the premier league next year. Despite the best protestations of his agent, Jonathan Barnett.

For Rafa the next few days will be Shankly-esque. Indeed pale in comparison to any of the worst days at Liverpool, or Napoli. Or indeed the battles he faced when he stepped in as interim manager at Chelsea. Prior to Mourinho’s return. A man whose name has also been quoted as a candidate to return to the club. As has Ancelotti and indeed Guus Hiddink. All of whom would only be short term replacements as the club seeks out their long term candidate. 

In the short term the issue is whether Benitez can be rehabilitated as the current candidate. Or will the club expedite Zidane or Fernando Hierro to step in the breach,

Clearly Florentino now needs a plan. 

It maybe one that does not include the former Real Madrid player - Rafael Benitez Maudes

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Coleman Believes Bale will Stay

Chris Coleman believes Gareth Bale will stay at Real Madrid - and that Wales will benefit from the forward’s decision. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United but Wales manager Coleman is convinced Bale’s future lies with the Spanish side.

Coleman, speaking after the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg, said: “Gareth will do what he wants to do, he’s good enough to play for any team on the planet but I think he will probably end up staying at Madrid and who would blame him for that?

“There is pressure in playing for Real Madrid but Gareth is one of those players who can handle that. The demands of playing in the Premier League and the demands of playing in La Liga are different. From our point of view we get a fresh Gareth Bale – if he’s in the English Premier League physically it’s more demanding.”

Coleman also rejected claims that Bale’s contribution to Wales is so great that they are effectively a one-man team.

“No one has ever said that to me and anyone who has ever seen us play would not say that. We have a lot of talent in our team, all our success has been down to a team ethic and Gareth fits into that. We are difficult team to play against, we are hard to break down and we have goalscorers and match-winners.

“We have also got a group of 11 players on the pitch who are prepared to defend for their lives. If you look at our record in this European campaign so far we have conceded one penalty and one free-kick. You can’t be a one-man team with a defensive record like that.”

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Wales’ only appearance in the World Cup finals was in 1958, but they were drawn as top seeds in Group D along with the Republic of Ireland, Austria, Serbia, Moldova and Georgia.

Coleman, who added he would focus on qualifying for Euro 2016 in France before thinking about a new deal to take him through to Russia, said: “It’s a long time isn’t it? First and foremost we have got to take care of qualifying for France. After we know our fate with France we can start concentrating on the World Cup but we know it has been a long time since 1958 and we know we have got a lot of work to do in the Euros yet.

“It’s been widely-publicised my contract is coming up at the end of the Euros and we are all just keeping our eye on that tournament because we can’t afford to start thinking too far ahead. There is a lot of work to be done and once we know our fate we can start thinking about everything else.”

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Wolfsburg at Real Madrid Door

Zidane at press conference, Madrid

Karim Benzema fit as they try to overturn a 2-0 deficit in Tuesday's Champions League last eight, second leg against Wolfsburg.

The striker went off with a knee injury in the first leg and missed Saturday's 4-0 league win over Eibar.

Real coach Zinedine Zidane has urged his side to be patient at the Bernabeu.

"There are a lot of messages about firing ourselves up but we need the opposite - we have to use our heads," said Zidane.

"We're not going to win the game in 10 or 15 minutes, and they could really complicate things if they score a goal.

"Wolfsburg are going to start with intensity and we need the same intensity and it's going to be decided with the ball, how much we fight and run.

"Everyone is going to do that but the most important thing is we play football."

Gareth Bale and midfielder Toni Kroos did not play against Eibar and are expected to start, along with centre-back Sergio Ramos, who was suspended.

"I don't need to say too much to the players because they know exactly what's at stake," added Zidane, who scored the winner when 10-time champions Real won Europe's top competition in 2002.

"I've seen the faces of the players, they're very focused on the game and that's the most important thing."

Wolfsburg drew 1-1 with Mainz last weekend in a result which left them eighth in the Bundesliga and effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League via a high league placing.

"Everyone knows we are not playing perfectly in our own league but we are doing very well in the Champions League," said Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking.

"We had a great start in the first game and it is not being arrogant to say we can qualify.

"We knew we needed two magnificent days, we already had one and now we need another one.

"Over the two games Real Madrid are still favourites, but our task is for the favourites to fail."

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Dazzling Draxler Stuns Real Madrid

Wolfsburg - Getty Images

Wolfsburg stunned an out-of-sorts Real Madrid by comfortably beating the Spanish team in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The hosts were awarded a controversial penalty when Casemiro was deemed to have fouled Andre Schurrle, and Ricardo Rodriguez converted from the spot.

Real were poor defensively and a rapid attack ended with Bruno Henrique setting up Max Arnold for the second.

The visitors created little, but should have been awarded a penalty early on.

Defeat was Real's first in a Champions League quarter-final since 2004, and leaves the 10-time winners needing a vastly improved performance in the return leg at the Bernabeu next Tuesday.

The Spaniards last overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit in European competition in 1987, when they beat Red Star Belgrade in the quarter-finals of the European Cup.

Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking said his players would try to "annoy" Real, and the questionable penalty awarded by referee Gianluca Rocchi would certainly have irked the Spaniards.

But despite the fortuitous circumstances in which they took the lead, the quarter-final debutants deserved their first-leg advantage and could have scored more, so awful were Real in defence.

Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, in particular, were to blame for the second goal, which Arnold side-footed home from six yards.

Moments earlier, Arnold had nicked the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo inside his own half and was allowed to surge 60 yards unchallenged before nearly putting Schurrle through.

After the break, Schurrle should have done better when through on goal, while substitute Max Kruse forced a fine save from Keylor Navas in the dying minutes.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane said his team would treat the match "like a final" but his men were a shadow of the side that beat Barcelona in El Clasico at the weekend.

Ronaldo made his 124th Champions League appearance, taking him to joint sixth in the all-time list

Zidane made just one change to the team that ended Barca's 39-match unbeaten run, yet they could not reproduce Saturday's performance.

Gareth Bale, playing on the left wing, was their most potent player and should have been awarded a penalty when the score was goalless. Ronaldo - making his 124th Champions League appearance - lacked clout, while Karim Benzema hobbled off early in the first half.

It was not a result many would have predicted beforehand, with Wolfsburg losing 3-0 to Bayer Leverkusen - their third game without a win in the Bundesliga, at the weekend.

Seven points adrift of fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, they are in danger of missing out on next season's Champions League if they do not win the competition, yet in Julian Draxler and Schurrle the Germans proved they have players who can shine on such a stage.

Once again, the 22-year-old Draxler stood out in a Champions League tie. The Germany international covered more than 10km, made three key passes and was even ever-present when needed in defence, tackling and clearing for his team.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane: 

"I'm not happy with how the game went, especially the first half.

"That's football - that's how difficult it is. That's what happens when you don't play with intensity from the start. We have to rest and think about the return leg because we still have the chance to change everything."

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale: "We're only halfway through the tie so we have time to turn it around. I had a clear penalty on me at the start of the game. I got smashed over.

"No excuses - we weren't good enough. It happens sometimes."

Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking: 

"I was laughed at when I said that we may have a chance. Real had their opportunities early on and we were a bit lucky.

"We pulled together, we found the spaces and played very well. Now we will go to Madrid, knowing that we have a chance to advance."

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Bale Out of Wales Friendly Squad

Gareth Bale has been left out of Wales' squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and West Ham defender James Collins are also absent from Chris Coleman's squad.

Coleman said Bale's absence was a joint decision between the Football Association of Wales and Real Madrid.

Wales host Northern Ireland in Cardiff on 24 March before travelling to Ukraine four days later.

Bale was also absent from the Wales squad that lost to the Netherlands in November, following correspondence with Madrid.

His availability for March was thought to depend on the impending birth of his second child.

Midfielder Andy King is also absent after missing Leicester City's win over Newcastle on Monday because of illness.

But Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies is included despite suffering a head injury in Thursday's Europa League loss to Borussia Dortmund.

Davies joined Spurs from Swansea City in July, 2014

Fulham defender Ashley Richards comes into the squad in place of Newcastle's Paul Dummett, who picked up a hamstring problem in January.

Richards' Fulham teammate George Williams also comes into midfield in the absence of King and Wolves' David Edwards - who required surgery on a foot injury.

The other changes from Coleman's 24-man squad in November see Southampton's George Isgrove, Brighton's Andrew Crofts, Reading Hal Robson-Kanu and Birmingham City's David Cotterill all recalled to a now-26-man squad.

Coleman on Bale: "It was a joint decision. Real Madrid have been absolutely first class all the way along.

"They have never ever put an obstacles in our way, so equally we have to recognise that, if you look at the last couple of months, they have been tough for Gareth fitness-wise.

"And looking at the bigger picture it is all about the summer, making sure we have our strongest squad going into the tournament and, of course, he is part of that.

"So at this moment in time it suits both parties that he does not come. It is not just the games, it will be the travelling as well."

"Both parties feel it is right he stays where he is, works there, gets treatment, does everything he needs to do there. I think he will benefit from that between now and the end of the season."

Coleman on the relationship with Real Madrid: "We have worked as hard with Real Madrid as with any other club. Internationals do not belong to us. I have said that before.

"We have to make sure we look after them when we get them and we treat them properly because if you do not, you gamble with their fitness and down the line you are going to be punished for that.

"You cannot blame clubs for reacting if their player has been pushed too much and you have gambled with him if he is carrying an injury, he goes back to his club and he can't play for three or four weeks.

"We have never ever done that. We have never gambled,

"But to be fair to Madrid, myself and Osian Roberts, we went out there spent a few days there. I think they appreciated that. We certainly did."

Full Wales squad

Goalkeepers: Hennessey, Ward, Fon Williams.

Defenders: A Williams (c), Chester, Davies, Gunter, Matthews, Taylor, Henley, Richards.

Midfielders: Ledley, Allen, Vaughan, Huws, J Williams, MacDonald, G Williams, Isgrove, Crofts.

Forwards: Cotterill, Robson-Kanu, Lawrence, Church, Vokes, Bradshaw.

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Ramos Reacts to Ronaldo Real Boos

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Real Madrid fans who jeered Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League win over Roma should "think a little first", says captain Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo scored one and set up the other, but also missed several chances, as Real progressed with a 2-0 win.

The 31-year-old appeared to criticise some of his team-mates in February, although he claimed he was misquoted.

"I respect the fans but when things don't go well they should support their players," said defender Ramos.

"I would tell the fans to think a little first. We all want the best for Real Madrid," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Ramos, 29, added however that he could understand why a section of Real's fans criticised the club's all-time top scorer.

"When the fans at the Bernabeu boo you it is because they want to transmit their demands to you, they want to push us and see the best performance from us," said the Spain international.

Coach Zinedine Zidane told Spanish television that the jeers would "only motivate" Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who scored his 40th goal of the season as Real made the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-0 aggregate win, questioned whether Real's squad had enough quality last month.

Picking out France forward Karim Benzema, Wales attacker Gareth Bale and Brazil full-back Marcelo as team-mates he particularly enjoyed playing with, Ronaldo claimed that if all of his colleagues were at his level "maybe we would be leaders".

Ronaldo has now scored 40 or more goals in six successive seasons at Real Madrid

Winger Lucas Vazquez, forward Jese and midfielder Mateo Kovacic were three players Ronaldo claimed were "not the same" as his preferred line-up.

Real Madrid are third in La Liga, 12 points behind Barcelona and four off Atletico Madrid.

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