French Flourish Added to Demolition Derby
Benzema and Griezmann ready for party, a Real Madrid buddy for Bale and an MLS great bids goodbye.
By Tim Stannard
1) Benzema and Griezmann gear up for Madrid derby
Flying tackles, gasp-inducing attacks and an awful lot of family-unfriendly abuse from the stands are three guarantees of Saturday's Madrid derby.
But the signs are good that a little bit of a French flourish is going to be added to the affair - like topping off an American all-you-can eat buffet plate at a chain business hotel with a smattering of caviar.
Karim Benzema was back in full training for the second day in a row for Real Madrid making the Frenchman looking a solid pick for some kind of derby activity on Saturday. In Friday’s press conference, Coach Zizou announced that is compatriot was ready for action but would decide on game day whether he would be joining James (probably) on the bench or be let loose on the pitch. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow."
A Gallic doubt on the opposition bench was Antoine Griezmann with an injured foot. But in an exclusive chat with beIN SPORTS, the Atletico marksman said that he was ready for action, should Diego Simeone want to deploy him.
Tune into the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for more of that chat with Griezmann, followed by a full derby preview on the Locker Room. And of course, stop whatever you may be doing at 2:30PM ET / 11:30AM PT on Saturday for a repeat of last season's Champions League final, but this time in La Liga. And hopefully a bit better.
2) English press claim another Welsh wonder to come for Real Madrid
The Sun, which have been quite the busy bees this week with the Wayne Rooney story, are claiming that Real Madrid are to make a bid for Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal, FIFA transfer ban withstanding.
The arrival of the Welsh midfielder would certainly be a boost to Ramsey's countryman, Gareth Bale, who will have someone else to listen to his old Tom Jones albums. Ramsey has been struggling to break into the Arsenal side this season due to both injury and form of other players.
3) Mourinho with another poke at Wenger as Pep backs renegade Rooney
Arsene Wenger had his say on Thursday ahead of the Manchester United v Arsenal clash on Saturday. So, on Friday it was the turn of Jose Mourinho who never lets the opportunity go for a little dig at his eternal rival, with whom he should share an apartment for a reality TV show. Mourinho’s riff on Friday was R.E.S.P.E.C.T and how he doesn’t get enough of it compared to his French best friend.
“My last Premier League title was 18 months ago, not 18 years ago, I don’t get that respect to be honest,” shrugged Mourinho, and to be fair the Special One had a point.
One of Mourinho’s players, Wayne Rooney, has had quite the week and even received backing from an unexpected source, Pep Guardiola, the supposed king of football perfection. "I was an international player and sometimes I drank. I was lucky there were no pictures. We are people and are old enough to take responsibility. But it’s private life,” revealed the Manchester City boss.
4) Robbie Keane to bow out as MLS legend
LA Galaxy are very much in the news on Friday morning. Well, two former players. Steven Gerrard who announced he was leaving the club is linked with a vacant managerial position at lower league English side, MK Dons.
The former Liverpool man is currently taking his coaching license but could even feature in a playing capacity. Nothing is expected to be confirmed until next week at the least according to latest reports.
But a more tearful departure was confirmed on Thursday evening with Irish striker, Robbie Keane, saying that he was leaving the side for one last football adventure elsewhere. MK Dons, anyone?
"Robbie has been the most successful international signing in the league's history," said Galaxy coach, Bruce Arena, on a forward who scored 92 goals in 146 appearances for the MLS club.
5) Murray fights for Final Four finish in ATP finals
Two players are now confirmed in the ATP World Tour Finals semifinals in London, and if Sport Burst's logic is correct two more are going to make their way through on Friday. Novak Djokovic had already made it through before Thursday's final group game but Milos Raonic joined the Serb by defeating David Goffin.
In Friday's clashes, all Andy Murray has to do is take a set off Stan Wawrinka in the Scotsman's final game. In the second match-up, Kei Nishikori takes on Marin Cilic to secure the remaining place in the final four.
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The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.