Real

Real boss pleased with Sahin boost

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes Nuri Sahin will have regained confidence after finding the net during his side’s 5-1 thrashing of Ponferradina.

Sahin joined the Spanish club from German side Dortmound during the summer, but has suffered from injuries problems and has been unable to win a first team place.

However, he took his chance midweek, netting on of his side’s five goals as Real completed a 7-1 aggregate victory in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

MADRID DEFEAT VALENCIA

Real Madrid managed to keep their three point league over the chasing pack in La Liga with a fine win in a five goal thriller with Valencia. Despite the three points, however, goalkeeper Iker Casillas was less than impressed with the team's performance.

Karim Benzema put Madrid in front after just 20 minutes, and they looked on course for a comfortable win when Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 on around 70 minutes.

MOURINHO REJECTS PORTUGAL LINK

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has denied reports that he will be taking over the Portugal job. It had been suggested that the Real Madrid boss could take temporary charge of his homeland for a Euro 2012 double-header against Denmark and Iceland in October.

MOURINHO INTERESTED IN CARVALHO

Jose Mourinho is keen on being re-united with Ricardo Carvalho by bringing him to Real Madrid. The defender, who was with Mourinho at Porto, joined him at Stamford Bridge in 2004 for a fee reported to be £19.85 million, going on to make over 200 appearances for the west London club.

But in recent times, the Portugal international has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea - with previous reports indicating that manager Carlo Ancelotti may be looking to pair skipper John Terry with Alex in the heart of his defence next season.

REAL MADRID GET MOURINHO

The new coach of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho, has singled out the areas of the team he feels needs strengthening.

The former Inter tactician has wasted no time in assessing his squad as he begins his newly-signed four-year contract at the Real Madrid.

One of the main areas he wants to strengthen is the full-back position, despite the La Liga runners-up spending £6 million on Liverpool’s Alvaro Arbeloa on a five-year-deal last season.

"Real have a right-back that I like very much in Sergio Ramos," Mourinho told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

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