RUSSIA: Real Madrid prepare for PSV friendly football match

Spanish champions Real Madrid train in Moscow ahead of Sunday's the Russian Railways Cup final against PSV Eindhoven. Real Madrid's star studded squad trained in the rain in Moscow on Saturday (August 4) in preparation for their Russian Railways Cup final against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday (August 5). Madrid came from two goals down to score five in the second half and trounce Lokomotiv Moscow 5-2 in a spectacular semi-final on Friday (August 3). In the other semi-final, PSV beat AC Milan 4-3 on penalties in the tournament funded by the Russian club, which is partly owned by the Russian railway system. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have offered Chelsea a combined bid of up to 42 million euros for Germany captain Michael Ballack and Dutch winger Arjen Robben, Spanish media reported on Saturday. The Spanish champions have been negotiating for Robben for a number of weeks, but the sudden inclusion of midfielder Ballack in the deal comes as something of a surprise. Media said Real were lining up a five-year deal for Robben, 23, and one of three years for Ballack. The Germany captain, who turns 31 next month, has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League after moving from Bayern Munich on a free transfer in May 2006. Real's new coach Bernd Schuster, a former Germany international, said he wanted a player of Ballack's characteristics a week ago. Real have made no secret of their desire to sign Robben since president Ramon Calderon promised to bring him to the Bernabeu when he took office last year.

ITN Source | August 5, 2007

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