Pepe sets sights on Club World Cup title but warns Real Madrid can't underestimate Cruz Azul

Luke Littler is one night from world domination and a cheque for £500,000 as he reduces Stephen Bunting to darting rubble to set up a final for the ages, writes KIERAN GILL
Pep Guardiola targets Bundesliga hotshot in bid to shore up his creaking squad this month - but there WON'T be a clearout of struggling stars
NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Inside Toon's hunt to sign Tyler Dibling, the £25m Manchester City star on transfer radar and a double defensive injury boost ahead of Tottenham clash
Revealed: Marcus Rashford has REJECTED three huge offers from Saudi Arabia - worth £35m-a-year - with Man United willing to let wantaway star leave in January
Michael van Gerwen makes X-rated comment in live interview after beating Chris Dobey at World Darts Championship as Sky Sports forced to apologise
Steve Smith and Virat Kohli to score the most runs in the first innings for their respective teams is 25/1 - as Australia and India clash in the fifth and final Test in Sydney
Arsenal 'still keen on raiding Premier League rivals for star striker' in shock move - as Mikel Arteta looks to boost forward options ahead of title run-in
Inside Everton's Sean Dyche dilemma: The players love him and he knows the Premier League inside out, but fans hate his 'negative football' - even when it gets results
While this resounding Old Firm victory may not change anything in terms of the destination of the title, it was hugely significant for Rangers manager Philippe Clement, writes JOHN McGARRY
PLAY TEAMSHEET: Can YOU remember the Tottenham side that thrashed Fulham 5-1 on Boxing Day in 2007?
PREMIER LEAGUE REPORT CARD - PART ONE: Arsenal need to make do without Bukayo Saka, Chelsea's brief title charge is slipping away, while Bournemouth are knocking on the door
The secrets of Evangelos Marinakis' ambitions for Nottingham Forest, Man United players start their own hunt for team news mole and Bukayo Saka's club-v-country dilemma: THE SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN
Ange Postecoglou looks lonely at Tottenham - but Newcastle's Jason Tindall could show him an unlikely route to success, writes IAN LADYMAN
Luke Littler sends warning to Michael van Gerwen ahead of World Darts Championship final - after smashing Stephen Bunting 6-1 to book showdown
Michael van Gerwen cruises past Chris Dobey to reach World Darts Championship final for the seventh time as he eyes his first title for six years
Revealed: The Premier League fixture where Thomas Tuchel will make first scouting trip as England manager this weekend
Players move on so Liverpool fans will just have to get over Trent Alexander-Arnold, writes SIMON JORDAN - the club is bigger than one of its parts
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD's 10 wishes for 2025: How to get England playing rugby from the gods, a World Cup win and how RFU should spend Allianz's £100m
Inside Ruben Dias' love life as Man City defender sparks Maya Jama dating rumours after romantic New Year's Eve celebrations... with exes including a singer and ANOTHER Love Island star
Liverpool set to REJECT Real Madrid's pending £20m offer for Trent Alexander-Arnold - and make decision on Federico Chiesa's future amid interest from Italy
Man City weighing up surprise move for Lens starlet to ease defensive injury concerns... but the champions face competition from TWO Premier League rivals
Aston Villa submit improved offer for Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen - as Unai Emery looks to land the first big-money deal of the January transfer window
Revealed: When Everton fans can get their first glimpse of new £550M stadium
Ruben Amorim's plan against Newcastle was football suicide, writes DANNY MURPHY - but here's how the Man United boss can tweak it to stop the rot

Pepe eyes 'best title' as Real Madrid prepare for Club World Cup semi-final
Defender says Carlo Ancelotti's side must not take Cruz Azul lightly
Last-four game has been switched to Marrakech due to conditions in Rabat

Published: 04:30 EST, 16 December 2014 | Updated: 07:09 EST, 16 December 2014

e-mail

Pepe has warned Real Madrid could come unstuck if they underestimate Cruz Azul in Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final.

The European champions take on their CONCACAF counter-parts in Marrakech after the tie was moved from Rabat due to the poor state of the pitch.

Madrid are massive favourites for the competition, but defender Pepe insists Carlo Ancelotti's side can't afford to take anything for granted.

Pepe (left) and his Real Madrid team-mates trained in Rabat on Monday ahead of the game

Carlo Ancelotti and Pepe faced the press ahead of their semi-final against Mexican outfit Cruz Azul

He told Marca: 'They're a talented and hard-working side. Some of their players have experience in La Liga and we'll have to prepare properly if we want to win the match.

'Whoever wins the Club World Cup is the best club in the world and I'm hoping to capture the title to make the fans happy and end the year in style.

'I think that because of our history, Real are probably favourites and we have to recognise that, but we have to carry on showing the same humility as always if we want to be able to say that it's been a really positive year at the end of the tournament.

Gareth Bale (right) looks on as Pepe shields the ball during Monday's training session

Carlo Ancelotti keeps an eye on training as Cristiano Ronaldo makes light work of the hurdles

Ronaldo (left) and his Real Madrid team-mates looked relax in the build-up to their semi-final showdown

'We have to be completely professional. I think we're having a spectacular year and we have the ambition and attitude to reach the final and be worthy winners.'

Madrid trained in Rabat on Monday but heavy rain has left the pitch at the Prince Moulay Abdellah unplayable.

However, Pepe insists the Spanish side won't let the upheaval disrupt their preparations for the game.

He added: 'We know that the venue has been changed. Ideally the pitch will be in the best possible condition to play good football.'