Real Madrid will battle it out with Sevilla in Cardiff for the first title of the six it will play for this season in a match that will see Kroos and James Rodríguez make their debuts.
The champions of Europe take on the winners of the Europa League. Real Madrid and Sevilla, the winners of the last two continental competitions, will be bidding for the first title of the season in Cardiff City Stadium (20:45). It will be the Whites’ first official match since winning the Décima and it comes in another European competition with another title at stake: the Super Cup. It is the first of six titles they hope to win this season.
After a little under a month of preparations, Real Madrid are about to take on the challenge in Cardiff of lifting the first trophy of a campaign that promises to be spectacular. As was demonstrated in the Mestalla and in Lisbon, the fans will play an essential role in this European Super Cup final between two teams from the same country, the first to be played in mid-August.
A finals specialist
Since Carlo Ancelotti took charge of the team, Real Madrid have won the two finals they have played in. Coincidentally, both of them have come against Spanish opposition: Barcelona, in the Copa del Rey, and Atlético, in the Champions League. Now they take on Sevilla, another team from their country.
After a little under a month of preparations, Real Madrid are about to take on the challenge in Cardiff of lifting the first trophy of a campaign that promises to be spectacular. As was demonstrated in the Mestalla and in Lisbon, the fans will play an essential role in this European Super Cup final between two teams from the same country, the first to be played in mid-August.
A finals specialist
Since Carlo Ancelotti took charge of the team, Real Madrid have won the two finals they have played in. Coincidentally, both of them have come against Spanish opposition: Barcelona, in the Copa del Rey, and Atlético, in the Champions League. Now they take on Sevilla, another team from their country.
ANCELOTTI COULD WIN HIS THIRD EUROPEAN SUPER CUP.
The clash, which Xabi Alonso will miss due to a suspension, will be of particular significance to Bale. The Welshman has had the date circled in red on his calendar ever since his city was chosen to host the match and in the preseason he left signs of some stunning form. It will also be an important day for the three newcomers this season. In fact, Kroos and James Rodríguez will start, while Casillas’ presence on the team-sheet means Keylor Navas will have to wait it out on the bench.
Sevilla played six preseason games
The Andalusian outfit have played twice as many matches as Real Madrid before arriving in Cardiff and their balance of results is positive: four victories, a draw and a defeat. The last three speak volumes about the morale they bring into the game: three consecutive wins with the same result (2-0) against Hertha Berlin, Fenerbahçe and Córdoba.
Rakitic and M’Bia are perhaps the most notable absentees from the team that won the Europa League. They have been replaced by players who complete a competitive squad. Goalkeeper Barbosa, defender Arribas, midfielders Aleix Vidal, Krychowiak and Denis Suárez, and forward Iago Aspas are a few examples.
Sevilla played six preseason games
The Andalusian outfit have played twice as many matches as Real Madrid before arriving in Cardiff and their balance of results is positive: four victories, a draw and a defeat. The last three speak volumes about the morale they bring into the game: three consecutive wins with the same result (2-0) against Hertha Berlin, Fenerbahçe and Córdoba.
Rakitic and M’Bia are perhaps the most notable absentees from the team that won the Europa League. They have been replaced by players who complete a competitive squad. Goalkeeper Barbosa, defender Arribas, midfielders Aleix Vidal, Krychowiak and Denis Suárez, and forward Iago Aspas are a few examples.
