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Rafa Benitez is ride or die on Gareth Bale
Florentino Perez hired him to do one job, and he’ll do that job.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Gareth Bale cost Real Madrid a world record transfer fee, so they’re committed to building a team in which he’s one of the best players in the world. Rafa Benitez was reportedly hired because he was willing to build a team around Bale, which he tried to do this weekend, and he’s already taking criticism for it. And that’s not only because Bale as a No. 10 doesn’t really fit Madrid at all, but also because it’s made James Rodriguez into a bench player.
Welcome to The Rafa Benitez Experience, enjoy your third place finish and 0-0 draws.
Non-goal of the day
Your regular goal of the day is replaced by this amazing Petr Cech save. (r/soccer)
In the news
Mario Balotelli has joined AC Milan on loan. (AC Milan)
Juan Cuadrado is having his medical at Juventus and will sign on loan. (Juventus)
West Ham’s Diafra Sakho has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill someone. (Guardian)
After Karim Benzema said he wouldn’t leave Real Madrid, Arsene Wenger said he’s happy with his attacking options. (ESPN FC)
Hoffenheim have signed Eduardo Vargas. (Bundesliga)
RSL have added Argentina international Juan Manuel Martinez. (MLS)
Inter Milan have already lost Mauro Icardo and Marcelo Brozovic to minor injuries. (Football Italia)
Pedro says he turned down both Manchester clubs to join Chelsea. (Telegraph)
You should be reading
Andi Thomas and Alex Netherton on what every Premier League team needs before the window shuts. (Soccer Gods)
Dustin Ward on the stats behind the stories in Bundesliga Week 2. (Stats Bomb)
Swiss Rambler on Blackburn’s finances. (Swiss Ramble)
Fun with transfer rumors
The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.
Chelsea are negotiating for Ezequiel Garay. (Di Marzio)
Marseille and four English teams are after Lucas Silva. (AS)
Silvio Berlusconi is apparently so mad at Milan’s performance on Sunday that he’s stopping negotiations for his coach’s targets. (Football Italia)
Chelsea aren’t giving up on signing Paul Pogba. (Standard)
Despite Wenger saying he likes his attackers, rumors persist about Edinson Cavani. (Mirror)
Bayern look like they’ll beat Manchester City to Kevin De Bruyne. (Telegraph)
Norwich and Bournemouth are fighting it out over Glenn Murray. (Mail)
Monday’s games
A wild game between Liverpool and Arsenal somehow ended 0-0. (Liverpool Offside)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Champions League: Five games (from 2:45 p.m.) - Monaco-Valencia is the best of the bunch.
League Cup: 23 games (from 2:45 p.m.) - Hartlepool-Bournemouth is the televised one.
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