Month: November 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo: AC Milan almost signed the star before Juventus (Pic: Getty)

The former Real Madrid forward has hit the ground running in Serie A, netting nine goals in 13 league appearances this term.

Ronaldo left Spain after nine trophy-laden seasons in La Liga earlier this year.

But according to former AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Maribelli, the 33-year-old could have been plying his trade in Italy one year earlier if things had worked out differently.

It was an operation that came to mind and we spoke with Jorge Mendes, we knew he could have problems with Real Madrid, we also talked about the contract and we did everything,” he told SportItalia.

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“With the current owners Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a Rossonero player”

Massimiliano Maribelli

“Then the Chinese owner blocked the agreement because it was not sustainable.

“With the current owners Cristiano Ronaldo would have been a Rossonero player.

Speaking about his decision to leave Madrid earlier this summer, Ronaldo said: “I felt it inside the club, especially from the president, that they no longer considered me the same way that they did in the start.

“In the first four or five years there I had the feeling of being ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’. Less aft

Real Madrid have failed to convince so far this season and must improve quickly if they are to maintain the success their fans have become accustomed to, according to former striker Predrag Mijatovic.

Madrid qualified for the Champions League last 16 as Group G winners with a 2-0 win at Roma on Tuesday but this has been a tumultuous campaign for the club.

Julen Lopetegui was sacked after only 14 matches in charge following last month’s 5-1 Clasico drubbing at the hands of Barcelona and successor Santiago Solari oversaw a shock 3-0 defeat at Eibar in his first game as permanent head coach last weekend.

Madrid are aiming for a fourth consecutive European crown but Mijatovic, who scored the winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final against Juventus, is yet to see evidence that it can be delivered.

“I want to see how Madrid respond next Saturday against Valencia. Madrid have to win but also put on a good performance

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal to reclaim the record of being the top goal scorer in the Champion League for one club.

Messi’s goal against PSV Eindhoven Football club in the 61st minute of their Champions League clas

London: Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal to reclaim the record of being the top goal scorer in the Champions League for one club.

Messi’s goal against PSV Eindhoven Football club in the 61st minute of their Champions League clash too

MILAN: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his side to step on the gas in December to tighten their grip on an eighth successive Serie A title before they turn their focus back to their Champions League pursuit in February.

The Italian champions booked their ticket to the knockout rounds of the elite European competition with a game to spare this week with Cristiano Ronaldo setting up Mario Mandzukic to score the only goal against Valencia.

Next up will be a trip to Tuscany side Fiorentina on Saturday, the first of six league games before the end of 2018, which includes home games against European rivals Inter Milan and Roma in Turin.

“We have reached the first goal with Champions League qualification, now we must maintain the same energy throughout December,” said Allegri.

Juventus are eight points ahead of second-placed Napoli, who were held to a goalless draw against bottom club Chievo last weekend.

But Allegri said: “We still have lots of matches to play, by dropping three points you might lose the championships in the end.

“We hope to bring all the trop

Real Madrid got back into the title race in La Liga after a thrilling 4-2 win away to Celta Vigo on Sunday. Los Blancos won on a day when leaders Barcelona were stunned at home by Real Betis, who left the Camp Nou with a memorable 4-3 triumph despite Lionel Messi scoring a brace on his return from injury.

Real are sixth but have cut the gap at the top to just four points. Barca’s more immediate concern is the form of Alaves and Sevilla, who both trail the champions by just a point after wins over Huesca and Espanyol, respectively.

Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal shared four goals in the day’s only stalemate.

     

Sunday Scores

• Alaves 2-1 Huesca
• Barcelona 3-4 Real Betis
• Rayo Vallecano 2-2 Villarreal
• Sevilla 2-1 Espanyol
• Celta Vigo 2-4 Real Madrid

     

Standings

     

Real built a two-goal cushion in Balaidos thanks to a Karim Benzema finish and an own goal from Gustavo Cabral. Hugo Mallo got one back for the hosts before Sergio Ramos scored a penalty for Los Merengues seven minutes from time.

Benzema has found some form at a useful moment for Real in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus this summer:

Celta’s comeback cause suffered a fatal blow when Cabral was sent off in the 87th minute. Real took full advantage and sealed the points when Dani Ceballos scored in stoppage time.

There was still time for Brais Mendez to score a second for Celta, but his 94th-minute finish was largely academic. Real are now on an impressive upturn under careta