I knew I'd be asked more about our opponents than about Alaves... it's not my place to comment on that, but Real Madrid are very prestigious opponents and they have a manager who's earned his position for a reason. It will be very difficult because they have a lot of resources, but we will try to maintain our style and take the initiative.
Liverpool have been plunged into uncertainty over the future of Ibrahima Konate, with the French centre-back yet to commit to a new deal amid mounting interest from European giants Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The 25-year-old's contract runs until the summer of 2026, but his hesitation to extend has set off alarm bells at Anfield, forcing the club's hierarchy to activate an emergency succession plan for one of their most important players.
The 27-year-old has struggled for regular opportunities at the London club, and he needs to move on in search of regular playing time. According to a report from Defensa Central, he does not have a future at Chelsea, and his agent has now approached Real Madrid to offer his client. It will be interesting to see if the Spanish outfit is willing to take up the opportunity and sign him on loan until the end of the season.
Is Xabi Alonso's time up at Real Madrid, why is everyone talking about Paul Pogba's camels, how is Turkish football headed into 'panic', can Lens push PSG for the Ligue 1 title and what on EARTH is going on in the Polish league this season? It's a packed Euro Leagues episode as Mina Rzouki, Guillem Balague and Julien Laurens join Steve Crossman to go through all the best stories across the continent in the last week.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich will have the opportunity to sign Mohamed Salah next year. The disgruntled Liverpool attacker has offered his services to the three European bigwigs amid hopes of remaining in Europe after leaving the Merseyside club. Mohamed Salah is clearly unsettled, leading to questions about his Liverpool future and Arne Slot's position at the Merseyside club.
Los Blancos' Brazilian forward had ended a 32-game goal drought - a club record - to give under-pressure Xabi Alonso's men the advantage after 28 minutes. After a flowing move from the hosts, Jude Bellingham found Rodrygo on the edge of the box and the 24-year-old, whose future in the Spanish capital has long been the subject of much debate, beat O'Reilly with his first touch before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Portuguese coach, who is currently in charge of Benfica, spent three years at the helm in Madrid between 2010 and 2013. Mourinho boasted a 76.3% win percentage in LaLiga, with his Los Blancos side emerging victorious in 87 of their 114 league matches under his guidance (D16 L11) and scoring 326 goals across those games. He won the league title in the 2011-12 season, while also lifting the 2011 Copa del Rey and 2012 Supercopa de Espana.
Arsenal are interested in signing the Turkish sensation Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. The Italian outfit is hoping to agree on a new contract with the player, but they have not been able to secure an agreement with him. They are yet to agree to his demands. Naturally, other clubs are monitoring his situation. Along with Arsenal, Real Madrid is also keen on the player.
Even so, I did very well at Tottenham. They were very tough on me, and the chairman, Daniel Levy, made it crystal clear in our first meeting [that] there was absolutely no chance they would let me go. After that, I carried on as if nothing had happened. I knew it would be complicated; both clubs are in London, and there's a rivalry. I wanted to go, even though I knew it was going to be very difficult.