Real Madrid has problems on the left side

Jose Mourinho does not know what else to do to get a good performance from Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo. It has reached a point where both do not deserve to play for Real Madrid because their level is far below what is required to play for a top team of Europe.

Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo

The coach's anger with the two left sides is huge. Coentrao and Marcelon did not play a minute in the Classic and Mourinho hoped that, between the two, can impose their football against Granada. They did not, what was a disappointment for the coach, who at the end of the match said: "I do not know why some players were tired if they did not play on Wednesday" he said in the press room at the stadium in Los Carmenes.

Fabio Coentrao was a starter. He played the first half of the match against Granada that the coach described as "horrible". The Portuguese side had no lungs to attack the right side of the opponent team. He is asked to accompany the team on the attacking moves, in a field zone where he has to associate with Cristiano Ronaldo. He must break from behind, find the second plays and unbalance. Impossible. He suffered in defense and did not participate in attack.

Coentrao: Penalties, injuries and punishments

Coentrao started this season in order to confirm his great performance in the last European Championship after which, was included in the team of the tournament. But reality is still quite different from what is imagined. It was starting the 2012-2013 season and Coentrao has begun to live a nightmare. So, after playing the first two games of the season as a starter, the Portuguese left-back has seen as the penalties and Mourinho's punishments for lack of discipline have left him out of the fields the rest of the season. In fact, in the last nine games has only been on the bench in two of them (against Deportivo and Ajax). The rest of them have watched the match from the stands or on television.

Fabio Coentrao

And the worst moment has come with the injury last Friday in a meeting that Portugal played against Russia in Moscow. The left defender has already returned to Madrid to begin recovery of the injury (abductor) that will keep him one month away from the pitch.

Although the Portuguese coach does not forgive any of his misconducts (such as being late to training) and Coentrao has been already repeatedly punished for it, Mourinho has confidence on him. In fact, Mourinho himself has been in charge of ruling out that the defender player is going to leave Real Madrid in the winter market: "I think Coentrao can follow the steps of his friends (Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe) and become a great player with strong personality, so he will not be out in January".

Pre-season summary: Real Madrid remains the same

Real Madrid closed the U.S. tour confirming that maintains its weapons led the team to win a historic League. His punching power is unquestionable: white team has score 14 goals in four macthes and in two of them scored 5; against Los Angeles Galaxy and, most surprisingly, against Milan. On the defensive, there has been some sloppiness, but has conceded just three goals, one against the Galaxy, another against Santos Laguna and one against Milan. Against Celtic managed to get a clean net, without giving chances.

Real Madrid (Pre-season 2012-2013)

Mourinho has a fully engaged team, which is well known and it plays almost by heart. This allows them to solve some of the matches at half throttle. The ball starts to run the more than the player and Mourinho knows it is better. When analyzing the response of the players, there are some obvious facts. The first, Coentrao will be another year one of the trusted men of Mourinho. He already said in the preseason, but has shown with facts. It is the player that has played more minutes on the tour, although it should be noted that there was not a natural replacement for him because Marcelo was in the Olympics with Brazil.

The other conclusion is that Cristiano Ronaldo remains committed to play until the last minute of a friendly match. It is the second player with more minutes, ahead of Casillas. Another point to consider is the duel Higuain-Benzema. Each one has scored a goal and the coach keeps the doubt: although the most influential match, against Milan, was played by the French, on the other hand was the Argentine who has played more minutes: 26 minutes longer than Karim.

The tour has also confirmed Nacho as the revelation of youth squad players. Without a substitute for Arbeloa on the right side, the defensive player has finished playing in every game and has added 162 minutes. In the duel Varane-Albiol, no doubts. Mourinho insisted for a time to let Albiol aside, but the tour has shown that between the Spanish and the French, who has just been called by his national team, the Spanish has advantage. Albiol is the fifth player who has played more minutes.

Ramos, Alonso and Arbeloa played a very similar range of minutes, like Khedira and Özil. Mourinho has dosed the efforts given that they leave this week to play with their national teams. About Kaka, the coach has demonstrated he is not going to separate the Brazilian player from the team. He has played some minutes but moves into the group of players who will have less chances as Nacho, Granero, Sahin, Morata or Jesse. The others have played more than him. Special mention is the latter, Jesse. The jewel in the youth teams, who scored in his first game, playing only 37 minutes.

However, the man of the tour is Callejon. He has played every game and always at good level. It is without doubt the greatest asset of the Portuguese coach from the bench. Callejon finished as top scorer of the tour with three goals. Again, asks for a place in the starting lineup, but the problem is always the same: who is going to leave the place at the starting team?

Seven Real Madrid players to win the European Player award

At Euro 2012 Real Madrid had ten players in the semifinals (5 from Spain, 3 in Portugal and 2 from Germany) and it was the most reliable clue about what was perceived as last season: the cyclical change between Real Madrid and Barcelona. UEFA yesterday gave more arguments for this reflection making public the 32 players who in its judgment have deserved to win the Best European Player of the season award.

UEFA Best Player in Europe Trophy

UEFA, to make these assessments, bases its designations on the performances of the players in the Champions League and their national leagues, but in 2012 the Euro has scored a lot, which explains that there are eight members of the Spanish team that defeated Italy at the Euro final: Iker Casillas, Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Silva and Torres.

What is significant is that the team with the most nominations is the coached by Mourinho. The seven players chosen are: Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Özil, Pepe and Coentrao. It so happens that Modric is also nominated for his good season at Tottenham, so if Real Madrid signs him, as it looks, the white team would have 8 players on the list. Barcelona has some players nominees (4): Messi, Xavi, Cesc and Iniesta. Have dropped from the lists some players who years ago were fixed; Alves, Pique and Busquets.

At this new trend also underlies the fight for the Golden Ball, which will be decided among four players from both teams: Casillas, Messi, Cristiano and Iniesta. A change cycle that is observed looking at last year's award for Best Player in Europe. It was won by Messi, Xavi second, fourth was Pique and Iniesta ninth. Cristiano, third, was the only Real Madrid player in the Top Ten. In 2011, the UEFA Dream Team had three white players (Iker, Marcelo and Cristiano) and five Catalans (Alves, Pique, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi). Now, nominations for prestigious awards begin to stain in white.

Among the 32 nominees there is a player who is a pride for the Real Madrid fans: Raul Gonzalez. His amazing season at Schalke, 20 goals, that left the German team qualified for the Champions League, has been valued by the UEFA. Raul, 35 years old, who was captain of Real Madrid gets a recognition of his professionalism.

Real Madrid players at Euro 2012

Real Madrid players have stood out in the European Championship. In the list of the 23 best in the tournament, made by the UEFA Technical Committee, there are eight white players on the team: Casillas, Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Cristiano, Pepe, Coentrao, Özil and Khedira. Benzema is not. He did not play his best as well as the France team. Albiol did not play a minute. And Arbeloa, the other Real Madrid player at the Euro 2012, made a couple of great defensive matches against Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Five Real Madrid players are champions of the Euro 2012

In any way, Real Madrid got ten of the eleven players who started the tournament in the semifinals, the club with more presence in that round. It was also the club with more MVP awards, seven, ahead of Wolfsburg and Barcelona, ​​both with three. Two MVP were achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo (against the Netherlands and Czech Republic), two by Özil (Portugal and Greece) and one by Pepe (Denmark), Xabi Alonso (France) and Ramos (in semifinals against Portugal).

The white players were also the top scorers, tied with Manchester City players, with eight goals scored: Cristiano (three), Xabi Alonso (two), and Pepe, Khedira and Özil (one). Also, Casillas was the goalkeeping record of the tournament. These data confirm the strength of the current project of Real Madrid, led by Mourinho, with which now is expected to reach more titles.

Coentrao: "In Portugal, all give me confidence"

The Portuguese left back Fabio Coentrao lives a paradigmatic situation. Since representing his club, Real Madrid, has received harsh criticism from fans and media, which become praise when represents his country: "Here, all give me confidence", he said after the match against Germany in the Euro 2012.

Fabio Coentrao

"I am fine. When you play with confidence, things are totally different. In my case, here in the national team, all people give me confidence" were the statements that the lefty defender said to the Portuguese media accompanying the Portuguese national team at Euro.

Considered one of the best in the Potugal's defeat against Germany, on Saturday, Coentrao was able to control the German end, Thomas Mueller, and also joined the attack with the freshness that characterized his time at Benfica (2010-2012) and in the 2010 World Cup. In his speech does not refer explicitly to the situation experienced this season at Real Madrid, but insists how important it is to enjoy support: "With this trust (talking about his team-mates and the fans) I demonstrate everything what I know, which is playing football", he commented.

The footballer, saddened by the loss against Germany, extracts something positive in this bad moments: "There was a very good attitude on our part in this match. Now we have to take this attitude for Wednesday's game to beat Denmark" he said.

Liga 2011-2012: A championship without signings

Real Madrid recovered the throne league with little input from the five new faces who came to the team 10 months ago. Coentrao, Callejon,Varane, let alone Sahin and Altintop, have not had a main role in the winning of the Spanish league. In fact, them have just played 16% of the minutes in the regular tournament.

Coentrao, Callejon, Sahin, Altintop and Varane

Who has played most, of the signings, has been Fabio Coentrao. The Portuguese has even been a starter in key games of the season; San Mames, Vicente Calderon and Camp Nou. Three important wins for the championship. However, Marcelo has been above him all season, although Mourinho has chosen his compatriot in difficult games at home by offering more reliable defense.

Callejon never won a place at the starting lineup, although he worked and deserved it for moments scoring goals in all competitions. However, at key moments, rarely was chosen for playing with the starters, except in the Sanchez Pizjuan (against Sevilla), where he also scored, and San Mames.

Varane, such as signing for the future, has appeared in placid afternoons to gain experience. Is expected to continue growing. In the last positions of minutes and prominence are the two Turkish, Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop. Both got injured and never won the confidence of the Real Madrid manager. In short, the team earned the league without signings.

Fabio COENTRAO. Coentrao has played almost half of the League. Discussed by the fans and protected by Mourinho until the episode of cigarette, the Portuguese always lived with the slab of the 30 million euro of his transfer.

Jose CALLEJON. 'Mourinho Man' came demanded by the coach, the former youth squad player has been the first among the substitutes. His goal in Mallorca won three key points, but has started only four games.

Nuri SAHIN. 90 minutes are an utopia for Sahin. Nuri's performance was inversely proportional to the expectations that were placed in the left-handed midfielder. He injured in summer in his left knee and had no continuity and rhythm when played. Disappointing.

Hamit ALTINTOP. He has a lot to change so that its history in Real Madrid is not as absent as usual. The Turkish came injured on the back, just after a surgery. When he wanted to join the group dynamics, Mourinho did not see the adequate level to displace any of the starters. He only played as a starter in a game at the Bernabeu against Zaragoza. He scored a goal in the 2-6 of the Sanchez Pizjuan.

Raphael VARANE. He came recommended by Zidane and has completed his adaptation. He is only 19 years old and looks like a great footballer. Composure, character, personality, passing game, good ball game. However, he has not enjoyed many minutes. He played six games home and scored a goal against Rayo.

Fabio Coentrao played in the five losses of Real Madrid

Fabio Coentrao and Jose Mourinho

Mourinho authorized the disbursement of 30 million euros for Fabio Coentrao because he is "multifunctional," said the Portuguese coach in his own statements when the transfer was finalized last summer. Furthermore, his commitment to the Portuguese international player has been much stronger than expected when Real Madrid played 'top' games. Especially surprising because Marcelo, his competitor on the side, has reached a great maturity and is the favorite of Real Madrid fans. Thus, Coentrao has been privileged to play as a starter 11 of the crucial meetings this season, but also carries the cross of having been starter in the five defeats of the white team, playing the 90 minutes of each match, as Casillas, Ramos and Xabi Alonso .

Coentrao has enjoyed the highest confidence of Mourinho, to the point that began the season as a midfielder, was then left side, he alternated the two ends and even played a key game against Barca at the Bernabeu as right back. Against Barcelona he played in the starting lineup in the five matches the team has played this season, while Marcelo was only started twice. Mou relies more on the tactical rigor of his compatriot. That's why he gave Coentrao the 61.2% of minutes in Europe (606 of 990) and Marcelo only disputed 34.5% (342).

Marcelo is most important for the Spanish League and Champions League when the games demanded more attack. Hence, the Brazilian played as starter two major matches against Barcelona (at the Camp Nou in Spanish League and the first leg of the Spanish Supercup at the Bernabeu) and three Champions League matches; against CSKA (after the 1-1 first leg) against Lyon (after 0-2 in France) and against Dynamo away (0-1). In addition, Marcelo also played on the left side in the five stumblings harvested; the defeat against Levante, the draw in Santander and the last three against Malaga, Villarreal and Valencia. On Saturday, a new classic. Will be surprising that Marcelo has a chance to start on the eleven because of the insistence of Mourinho with Coentrao. And if Mourinho does it, we will have to wonder if is the ambition to put finish to the League or to give a rest to Coentrao thinking about the Champions League match.

Mourinho: "Coentrao has played a good match"

Mourinho attending the press conference

"I do not know if there is failure on the Mario Gomez's goal, I am away and could not see it. But I know Coentrao has made a good match. He had a difficult mission and fulfilled. I hate the question because there are other players who have failed in other games and nothing is said". In this way, Jose Mourinho, coach of Real Madrid, answered the question about the mistake of Fabio Coentrao in Bayern's second goal, which put the semifinal 2-1 and obligates Real Madrid to come back at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Still, Mourinho is optimistic about the second leg: "I am optimistic. I believe a draw would have been fairer, but that is football for you: whoever scores wins. It does not matter if you do so in the first or last minute. This result is not awful because it does not force us to make an historic comeback at home. We will have to earn a normal result and I think we are ready to respond. We will start preparing for it after Saturday's match. Real Madrid always play to win and the team is ready to respond in a game in which the crowd will surely want to help".

Furthermore, the Portuguese coach considered that his team did not deserve to lose the match: "We wanted to win tonight. We conceded a goal from a set piece in the first half, during which we played our best. We then drew the score and we felt it was difficult to win even though we did our best at times. Both sides made mistakes and Bayern scored when the it seemed the game would end in a draw. Their first goal was offside, but I cannot criticise the referee for that. I do not feel negative about it".

Finally, Mourinho referred to the fitness of his players: "This is April and we have reached this far after playing very demanding games that we were forced to win, so it is normal for some players to fail to be in optimum form. I think this is normal at this stage".

Squad: Fabio Coentrao (5)

Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao is one of the best left backs in the current football scene thanks to his solid game in attack, excellent dribbling skills, powerful shot and versatility, which allows him to play anywhere down the wings. He is very experienced despite his young age.

The first important team he played for was Rio Ave, with whom he made his First Division debut when he was just 16. His excellent performances caught Benfica's attention, who decided to sign him in 2007 and loaned him out to Nacional, notching 16 appearances and 4 goals. Coentrao returned to Rio Ave after a brief spell with Spanish side Zaragoza. His good run in the 2008/09 campaign secured his return to Benfica, with whom he truly blossomed and won his first titles, such as the 2009/10 edition of the league and the 2010/11 Cup of Portugal.

Coentrao first played for his country on the youth national teams, making his first team debut in 2009 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Data

• Place of Birth: Vila do Conde, Portugal
• Date of Birth: 03/11/1988
• Position: Defender
• Weight: 72 kg
• Height: 179 cm
• Nationality: Portuguese

Honours

• La Liga (Spanish League): 2011/12
• Spanish Super Cup: 2012
• Portuguese League: 2010
• Cup of Portugal: 2011

Fabio Coentrao: "I have quality to play for Real Madrid"

Fabio Coentrao

The last signing of Real Madrid wants to prove he is worth 30 million euros that the club paid for his transfer. He said this during a press conference along with Carvalho after the third training day in Los Angeles.

You have spent a few days in your new team, what do you think about Real Madrid's template?It is a fantastic group. I am feeling great, not only by the Portuguese and Brazilians. I feel great in this group. It is a fantastic club and a team with high quality. I am proud to be here, but I have to work hard from now.

Here you smile more than in Benfica...
It is not true that I was sad at Benfica. It's normal to smile, I'm in the best football team of the world with 23 years, a great jump in my career.

Real Madrid paid 30 million euros for you. ¿Pride or pressure?
Whenever I hear the issue of 30 million... They say it was expensive. I can not answer this question. Time will tell. I have the certainty that I have quality and I want to show everyone why they paid 30 million. I have to prove to everyone that I have qualities to be here. I have the certainty that I will respond in the future this question and say it was worth paying the money for me.

What has been most special moment so far?
All training sessions. All times are fun here, although I've only been four days. It's a new group for me and I know I have to work hard these days.

Coentrao is the most expensive transfer in the summer

"A left side for 30 million euros... It is an excellent deal for Benfica", in this way Rui Costa, the Portuguese club's sporting director, defines the sale of Coentrao. He is right, the side has become the most expensive transfer in the summer market. It has exceeded the 25 million that Manchester United paid to Atletico for De Gea.

The 30 million euro that has cost Coentrao clash with the amount of money that has been spent in the transfer market during the summer by Real Madrid. He alone has cost more than other contracts made ​​by the club. So far the Madrid had invested 25 million to sign four players: Sahin (10), Varane (10), Callejon (5), Altintop (free).

With this amount Coentrao equals the transfer of Pepe and, along with central defender, becomes more expensive defender in the history of Real Madrid. As in the case of his countryman, Coentrao aims to make forget the cost of his signing on the field.

Other hand, Garay will become new Benfica player today. The Portuguese club will pay 5.5 million euro for half pass of the player. At first, the player was reluctant to leave Spain, but the good conditions at Benfica would have made him change his mind at the last hours. If Benfica wants the whole pass of Garay, should pay another 5.5 million so the transfer would be 11 million euro, one more than Real Madrid paid to Racing Santander in the summer of 2009.

Interview: Fabio Coentrao

FABIO COENTRAO: "I ALWAYS DREAMED OF PLAYING FOR REAL MADRID"

Ceontrao at the Real Madrid trophy room

Coentrao promises effort, distributes praise and confesses that his only desire was to play in the Bernabeu. "From childhood I always dreamed of playing for Madrid", revealed the Portuguese player in his first interview in white.

You always said you wanted to play for Real Madrid, so this must be a dream come true.Yes, that's true. Every footballer dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I wanted to since I was a child. I used to imagine playing for this team. It was my dream and it has now come true. I hope to earn continuity and to show people I am ready to play here.

What went through your mind as you signed your new contract with Florentino Perez?
I honestly didn’t think of anything. I was just nervous. Being here with the President and signing a contract is like a dream.

Are you anxious to start working with Mourinho and your new peers?
Of course I am. He is the best coach in the world and has been officially acknowledged as such. It makes me proud to have the chance to work with him and a template full of great players.

You will have to compete with quality players as Marcelo for a starter place in the team, but competition is good in order for a player to grow…
It is good, especially for Real Madrid. Having quality players like Marcelo is good for any side. I will work hard to play, and so will he. We will compete for a spot every week and the team will benefit from that. That’s all that matters.

You know the Spanish League from your stage at Zaragoza. What’s your opinion about it?
It is a very competitive League and it has many solid teams. I am anxious to play in the championship and to win it with Real Madrid, which is the best club in the world.

Coinciding with many players from the Portuguese national team may ease your adaptation process.
Yes, I believe it may help me considerably. I have just arrived at the greatest club in the world and, despite the fact that Benfica is also an important club, it is always rather strange. It’s important to have friends here because it will make things easier for me.

Among all the players of Real Madrid, Who do you want to play with?
With everyone. Here there are players of great quality and I have really wanted to share the game with everyone.

What can Coentrao add to Real Madrid?
I consider myself a player who works hard. I try to do everything for my team wins every game. That's my best attribute, I can run, shoot...

You've had more offers. Why did you choose Real Madrid?
It is true that I have had several offers at this time, but I always had clear it; join Real or stay at Benfica. I did not want to leave from there if not to come to play for Real Madrid.

What is your dream for this season?
I have it clear. Win all the competitions we play.

Fabio Coentrao: New Real Madrid Player

Coentrao dreamed since he was 13, when he worked as a painter for a living, with yesterday day. He will play at the Bernabeu Stadium the next six seasons. The Portuguese became the fifth signing by Mourinho for 2011-2012 season (Sahin, Callejon, Altintop and Varane) after the white club agreed to pay the 30 million euro demanded by Benfica. Real Madrid has spent until now 55 million euros in reinforcements.

Fabio Coentrao and Florentino Perez

Fabio has lived an odyssey since last June 7 when confessed his desire to join Real Madrid. Luis Filipe Vieira, president of the Lisbon club, did not consent to negotiate the transfer of Coentrao including white players to lower the transfer. And until yesterday morning when Real Madrid did not confirm the disbursement of 30 million, Benfica did not want to accept the transfer of the player, who had been declared in default the day before because his club claimed transfer him to Chelsea.

Early in the afternoon, the Lisbon club informed the National Stock Exchange of Portugal the transfer of the player, which is required by its going public. From that moment, Coentrao recovered the smile. He arrived at the Bernabeu, he signed his contract until 2017, saw the nine European Cups, spoke with Florentino and had lunch at a popular restaurant in Madrid.

The other side is Garay. The Argentine woke up yesterday with several messages on his cellphone. Madrid and Benfica had agreed to his transfer, but the player does not want to leave Spain. The white club would sell 50% of the defender's pass to Benfica by six million euros. The following season (2012-2013), the Portuguese club could acquire the other 50% by another six million. If Garay does not agree to sign for Benfica, Real Madrid will offer Drenthe, a very valued player in Lisbon.

Coentrao: Agreement between Benfica and Real Madrid

The signing of Coentrao that seemed stalled a week ago, was revived yesterday after the trip of the left side and Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira to Madrid, and seems imminent. Real Madrid and Benfica have approached positions this morning in the negotiation and the signing can be confirmed in the coming hours. In fact, Portugal take for granted the transfer of the player to the white team. Daily 'A Bola' has titled: "Coentrao already a player of Real Madrid", although there is no official confirmation from both clubs.

According to the Portuguese newspaper, Coentrao would have already signed the contract for the next five seasons with the white club. Does not disclose the economic quantities of the transfer but the operation would include the Argentine central defender Ezequiel Garay. In the negotiation are present: Florentino Perez, Real Madrid president, Luis Filipe Vieira, president of Benfica, Jose Angel Sanchez, general manager of Real Madrid, Jorge Mendes, Fabio Coentrao's agent and the player himself.

The incorporation of Coentrao ends one of the first 'soap operas' of the football summer. Following the great interest of Chelsea and problems with coach Jorge Jesus, it seems that the player can make his dream of playing for Real Madrid, with his friends Carvalho, Cristiano, Pepe and his favorite coach, Jose Mourinho.

Fabio Coentrao in Madrid

Coentrao does not travel to Switzerland with Benfica

Fabio Coentrao has not traveled to the preseason stage of Benfica in Nyon (Switzerland), according to the daily 'Record'. Benfica's workforce traveled at 11.30 to Switzerland, where they will make ​​a training stage for 13 days, without the Portuguese international. Coentrao will continue training in Lisbon, after finished last season he made ​​public his desire to leave Benfica and sign for Real Madrid and working with his compatriot Jose Mourinho.

Fabio Coentrao

Coentrao and his agents believe that this week will be crucial to a deal that takes around since May. All hopes are set on Mourinho, to unclog the operation of his coming to Real Madrid and can be incorporated to the white team as soon as possible. Coentrao is optimistic and does not rule to arrive on July 11 in Valdebebas and travel to Los Angeles.

Coentrao is uncomfortable training with Benfica when it looks that soon will be with Mourinho. Even on Sunday, a Portuguese newspaper reported a clash between Coentrao and Benfica coach, which related to the player's desire to force his departure from Benfica. According to 'Correio da Manha', the left side was involved in a dialectical clash with his coach, Jorge Jesus, in the last training and the player was ejected.

In addition, Chelsea would have improved its offer for Coentrao, adding the Serb Slobodan Rajkovic to the offer of 30 million euro that had already made. Rajkovic is a central defender whose market valuation is about 2.5 million euro, and has been loaned successively at OFK Belgrade, PSV, Twente and Vitesse.

'Sale Operation' stops the signing of Fabio Coentrao

Fabio Coentrao is uncomfortable and nervous. The left side thinks is time to close his transfer to Real Madrid and is living days of maximum tension. He does not want to leave escape the white trains and each passing day his concern increases about a situation that fails to resolve.

At this point of summer, the player expected to have resolved his future as Real Madrid player. But the thing is complicated, to the extent that he has had to return to work with Benfica. The problem is that neither the Portuguese club nor the Real Madrid have managed to reach an agreement with the white players who would be involved in the 'Coentrao Operation'.

Fabio Coentrao

In short, Real Madrid 'Sales Operation' has paralyzed Coentrao's signing. And there is another problem. Despite having agreed the amount to pay to Benfica, Real Madrid needs to raise cash by selling players to address the signing of the side. The white club wants to join money by selling the players it has in the showcase, before undertaking the purchase of Coentrao. Finally, there is the issue of 'space'. Real needs to open the door before they get a new tenant more for the white dress. Because with the Portuguese, would be 30 players who would be available to Mourinho. This is a too high figure considering the difficulties that white team is facing to accommodate the transferable players in other teams.

While Madrid does not solve the problem, 'Coentrao Opera Soap' will not end. The player must continue his life in Benfica and on Monday will travel to the Swiss town of Colovray, close to Nyon, where Benfica will make ​​the preseason stage for 13 days. Nevertheless, the agents of the player expect that the return to work of Real Madrid, July 11, will accelerate the sale of players at the offices of the Bernabeu Stadium and thus the signing of Coentrao will be close.

And there is something clear. The player would only leave Benfica to go to Real Madrid. Despite reports that speak of the intention of Chelsea to bet very hard to secure the services of the player, Coentrao is clear that his priority is the white team and he will wait whatever it takes to get on the Mourinho's project. White coach believes his compatriot is a priority for his second project at Real Madrid and next couple of weeks could prove decisive.

Villas-Boas interferes with the signings of Mourinho

Andre Villas-Boas gets in the way of Mourinho. The relationship of the new Chelsea manager with the Real Madrid coach is now cold, non-existent, although Villas-Boas was one of his aides between 2002 and 2009. Perhaps that explains why Andre seems determined to interfere with some of the signings that Mourinho has requested. Villas-Boas takes days working on his project and has already shown his targets to Abramovich, curiously the same of Real Madrid: Neymar, Aguero and Coentrao. And a priority: Ramos.

Chelsea's interest to sign Neymar is not new, but had withdrawn from the bidding ("Mourinho has his man" told a manager to The Sun). However, the arrival of Villas-Boas has reactivated the machinery. Meanwhile, Aguero's statements about his leaving of Atletico has warned the 'Blues'. Yesterday, there was a meeting with Reguera, one of player's agents, who was in Manchester. And finally, Coentrao. His move to Madrid was ready, but Abramovich, guided by his coach, offers 30 million euros and the white club does not reach 25. But the young Portuguese wants to go further and to fish in the Bernabeu Stadium, Sergio Ramos specifically, despite being aware that the right defender has been renewed until 2017.

Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas

The lives of Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas are parallel paths (different styles) and initially shared the same teacher, Bobby Robson. But today, they have no relationship and Madrid coach admits no questions about his colleague when granting interviews.

Villas-Boas started on football with the history of the precocious child. His coaching instinct awoke with 16 years. He was a Porto fan and lived in the same build that Bobby Robson so the coach signed him as a scout in practice (94-95). That's when he met Jose Mourinho, who was 30 years and was technical assistant to the British coach.

They returned to coincide seven years later in Porto. In 2002, Villas-Boas joined the Mourinho's core of trust with Rui Faria and Silvino Louro. The word 'team' is etched for Mou. Villas-Boas was responsible for making reports of rivals from 2002 to 2009. Before starting the second year in the Inter, he told to Mourinho: "I ​​want to work in the field with you or I will go". And it was. Mourinho still wondering why he betrayed in that way.

Villas-Boas was introduced yesterday by the Chelsea and he gave a message to Mourinho: "Football is not a 'one man show', is something related to the group, I am the one group".

Note: Coentrao returns to Benfica

Fabio Coentrao appeared on time this Monday in the first practice of the season at Benfica, but he counts the hours until he becomes new player of Real Madrid. It had been speculated that he was not presented with the 'Eagles', but the Portuguese was professional and went to train, knowing that his days at Benfica coming to an end.

Coentrao used the training to say "Hello" after the holidays and "Goodbye" because of his impending sign for Real Madrid. The player admitted his companions that he goes to leave the team and that the agreement will be announced in the coming days. Apparently everything is perfectly in line with Madrid, Benfica and the player, but the white club have asked to wait until next July 1 and the signing takes part of the budget for next season. It is just a financial issue that has caused that Coentrao is taking time to say goodbye to those who have been his teammates for the past three years.

Coentrao: Benfica training

Coentrao will come to Real Madrid after the transfer of Lass

Fabio Coentrao will be the fourth signing of the season after Sahin, Callejon and Altintop. Last Thursday, his agent, Jorge Mendes, was at the Bernabeu to move forward in the negotiations. Madrid's intention is to announce the signing of Portugal player when closing the transfer of Lass. The French midfielder wants to return to the Premier League. So that the money that Real Madrid earns by that transfer, will fund the signing of Benfica side.

Fabio Coentrao

As is known, the Coentrao's buyout clause is 30 million euros and until a few days ago, Benfica had been reluctant to accept players as bargaining chips to lower that amount. However, contacts in recent days between Jorge Mendes and Benfica leaders have served to bring positions closer. So the Lisbon club is willing to reduce its financial claims and accept a player in the operation, as long as the players offered by the Madrid are Garay and Gago. Both are pleasing to the Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who also would have given the approval to the arrival of both.

Meanwhile, Fabio Coentrao is vacationing with his family in a Mediterranean village, waiting for news of his future. The left side is quiet, but hopes that the transfer will be resolved soon. In fact, he publicly expressed his desire to leave Benfica to sign for Real Madrid. These statements have caused that the Portuguese club opens an expedient to punish him, becuase he talked to the Spanish media without permission.