re: 10 EUROPEAN CUPS-The Official Real Madrid CF 2014/5 Thread (These Go to Eleven)

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Martin Ødegaard took part in his first training session wearing the Real Madrid shirt. As was promised at his unveiling, the young Norwegian ran out onto the Valdebebas training pitch with the rest of the first team to carry out the usual exercises.

Even though the newbie will play for Zinedine Zidane's Castilla, he trained under the orders of Carlo Ancelotti, who wanted to appreciate the player's skills from close up. The Italian manager may very well be calling on the new signing in the near future.

Other news regarding the training session was the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese, who has just been presented with a two-game ban for his antics during Real's last game, exercised inside the sports facilities with Pepe and Luka Modric, the team's two walking wounded. Ancelotti is hoping to have both players back in the team around the middle of February.

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On a Valentine's Day that was characterised by more than a few jitters at the Bernabéu, it was Isco who brought the romance. The former Málaga man was once again Real Madrid's brightest spark. He scored a beauty, provided plenty of glimpses of his technical wizardry and put in a huge shift physically - periodically defusing the tension and earning himself one of the few ovations of the day from a crowd who were on edge with a number of other players. Isco wasn't only the best player on the pitch: he also papered over the cracks for some of his teammates. For example, his opening goal, which paved the way for the hard-fought victory, saved Cristiano Ronaldo's blushes after the Portuguese star had failed to convert from inches out just seconds earlier. The 22-year-old is a peerless combination of the attributes that the Bernabéu faithful treasure: talent and commitment. The former is something he was born with, while the latter has been added to the package over the last year. Right now the Andalusian is the player who has the best connection with the fans. "They always sing for me and I try to repay that on the pitch by doing my utmost. I'm grateful to the fans for the strength they give me with their chants", the playmaker stated after the 2-0 win, the broad smile on his face encapsulating his delight at his status as the darling of the most demanding supporters in the world. Read more: Real Madrid: Isco continues Bernabéu love affair - MARCA.com (English version)

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He has always had the talent,

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Pogba es, junto a Griezmann y Varane, un miembro destacado de esa generación de futbolistas franceses que va a explotar definitivamente en año y medio durante la Eurocopa que se va a celebrar al otro lado de los Pirineos. Y es lógico que este alto centrocampista interese a los grandes clubes de Europa. Tanto talento, tanta presencia en el terreno de juego y tanta experiencia con tan poca edad (cumplirá 22 años el mes que viene) invitan a pensar que estamos frente a un proyecto de inmenso futbolista. De los que marcan una época. Sin embargo, no voy (ni quiero) participar en esa pequeña locura colectiva alrededor de mi joven compatriota. Y me consta que los dirigentes madridistas opinan lo mismo. De momento, a Pogba le falta “cabeza” para poder jugar en el Madrid. Muchas veces no soporta la presión y se le va la olla poniendo en riesgo a su equipo con tarjetas y expulsiones innecesarias. También el seleccionador francés, Didier Deschamps, tuvo que tranquilizarle en unas cuantas ocasiones. Por eso, creo que hace falta esperar a que madure mucho para vestirle de blanco.

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