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Real Madrid vs Sevilla match preview

Carlo Ancelotti will put all his new stars into play as Real Madrid take on Sevilla in the first final of the season. The Italian manager has confirmed James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos will feature in the starting eleven in their first official match with Los Blancos.

Real will seek to lift their second UEFA Super Cup, and they’ll have the advantage of playing in Gareth Bale’s home, with most of the crowed supporting them. Cardiff City Stadium will host the European Super Cup final for the first time.

The Welshman arrives to this game with great motivation and in very good shape. He is the team’s top scorer of the pre-season, and is willing to be decisive just like he was in his two previous finals with Los Merengues: the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.

Cristiano Ronaldo will also play from the start, despite having recently recovered from an injury. Karim Benzema will very likely complete the forward line.

The main concern for Real Madrid fans will be whether the midfield trio formed by Kroos, James and Luka Modric will manage to provide the required defensive balance, since the three of them are more of a playmaker than defensive midfielders.

Daniel Carvajal and Fabio Coentrao are expected to feature as full-backs, since Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo are in worse physical condition.

Meanwhile, Sevilla will surely miss world-class playmaker Ivan Rakitic, who has joined Barcelona this summer. However, Unai Emery seems to have found a perfect substitute in young Spaniard Denis Suarez, who arrived on loan from the Azulgranas reserve team.

The Andalucians will surely be willing to defend tightly, and hope to score in a counter-attack, with Colombian Carlos Bacca being their main threat. Striker Iago Aspas, on loan from Liverpool, will also try to show his value in his first official game for Sevilla.

Both clubs have won this trophy once. Real did it in 2002, while Sevilla took it home in 2006. Los Blancos are favourites to get a second Super Cup win, but their lack of form could favour the Andalusians, who have played more pre-season games this summer.

Possible line-ups:

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Sevilla: Beto; Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro; Carrico, Iborra; Vitolo, Reyes, Vidal; Bacca.

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Carlo Ancelotti says his Real Madrid side has prepared well and is ready for a tough match with Sevilla in the European Super Cup final.

The two La Liga sides meet at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales in what is Los Blancos’ first chance to win silverware this season. They are aiming for a record six trophies this campaign.

But speaking at a press conference ahead of game, Ancelotti spoke about the dangers posed by Sevilla, and admitted they gave his team a hard time last season.

“The team is ready to play the match at full throttle, but it won’t be easy because we’re playing against a team that really hurt us last year and they have spent time preparing for this match,” the Italian told reporters.

“Sevilla’s style is the same as last season and they have changed the midfield with some new players. The quality of my squad is important to try and win if they have the same desire and determination to win as we had last season,” he continued.

The boss also revealed summer signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez will start the match in Cardiff, despite joining pre-season training later due to their World Cup commitments.

“They will play from the start. Kroos is going to help us because he is very good tactically. James is an excellent player. He is very strong and runs a lot. He can play up front or as an attacking midfielder. I’m happy with the signings because the quality of the team has improved,” Ancelotti stated.

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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure playing in front of his home crowd in Cardiff.

The 24-year-old returns to the Welsh capital tonight for the European Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Sevilla, and many of the crown at the Cardiff City Stadium will be supporting Bale, who hails from the city.

But speaking at a press conference ahead of the match – a game in which Los Blancos can win the first of six possible trophies this years – Bale said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure and is only focused on winning.

“I love being back home, but the most important thing is to win the match and the title. We want to win all the titles possible and we’re going to approach the match with a winning mentality. I don’t feel any pressure because I’m at home. We have to focus on winning the match against Sevilla and not on the fact that I’m playing at home,” he said.

The former Southampton and Spurs star, who joined in a 91-million-euro deal last summer, admitted that he has enjoyed his first proper pre-season with the club and the fact he is no longer the new kid on the block.

“It’s new for me not being the new guy and starting the season settled in the team. It is easier to do the preseason than it is not to do it. I’m fitter than last year and looking forward to the season,” Bale commented.

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Do you want to join our La Liga Mini League? Get your team and sign the players available in the market before other player buys them. Sell and buy players like in a real league.

Sign up in this website: http://www.comunio.es/?language=en_US

Search for our private community “realmadridnews” and type our password: “dimaria”)

These are the rules of the game:

1. Every player will receive a randomly assigned team when he signs up.
2. Players will have 20.000.000 € for transfers.
3. You may buy and sell players at any time. Transfers are performed once per day, usually late at night.
4. When you buy a player, the price is immediately deducted from your account. When you sell a player, you’ll only receive the money at the next transfer point.
5. If your balance has been negative directly after the last transfer event before the start of the match day, you will not receive any points.
6. You must submit your line-up till the start of the first match on the game day.
7. For every vacant position you’re deducted 4 points.
8. Every match day you’ll receive points for your squad’s lined-up players based on their performance in the real Liga BBVA.
9. After the game day you will be awarded 10.000 for every point you made that game day.
10. Maximum number of participants in the league is 20.

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Diego Lopez

Diego Lopez has left Real Madrid to join Italian side AC Milan, it has been confirmed. Despite the fact the goalkeeper was reluctant to leave the Spanish capital, his agent finally agreed personal terms with Adriano Galliani.

The 32-year-old will arrive to the Rossoneri free of charge, although Madrid could get performance-related bonuses at the end of the season.

Following Keylor Navas’ signing, Los Blancos had decided to get rid of one goalkeeper, and they chose to let Diego Lopez go and keep Iker Casillas.

Lopez, who had a running contract with Los Merengues, claimed he wanted to stay. However, Milan’s president finally convinced him to join the Serie A side.

Talks had been going on for a few days and, despite Diego Lopez’s wage demands being too high for Milan at first, they managed to agree a deal.

Lopez arrived in Milan on Monday night and will sign a four-year contract. He will undergo his medical today, before being unveiled as a new Milan player. The Italian club confirmed the switch on their Twitter feed, saying: “Diego #Lopez just arrived in Milan! Tomorrow he will undergo the medical tests! #weareacmilan”

The Spanish goalkeeper had also been linked with a move to Monaco and Chelsea, but Milan were the most interested at the end. The Italian club will not play Champions League this season.

* Get all the latest Real Madrid news on our Twitter account: @realmadridnewsw.

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The main focus in the press in Madrid today is the European Super Cup final between Los Blancos and Sevilla – holders of the Europa League.

The two teams go head-to-head in Cardiff, Gareth Bale’s home town, so there is plenty of attention on the former Southampton and Spurs star. But Marca looks at the whole of the attack that could start tonight and says it is probably the most feared across Europe.

Last season, the ‘BBC’ (Bale, Benzema and Cristiano) scored more than 100 goals between them. Add to that the talents of James Rodriguez and the attacking unit, costing more than 300 million euros is one that will leave defenders having nightmares.

Of the other new arrivals at the club this summer, Toni Kroos should make his debut, while Keylor Navas will most likely start on the bench.

Elsewhere, AS says Manchester United and PSG will be attentive to events in Cardiff to see what role Angel di Maria plays. Los Blancos are willing to sell the Argentina winger and almost agreed a deal with the French side only for it to stall. Boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he wants to keep the winger in his squad so it will be interesting to see whether the player starts or how much playing time he gets against Sevilla.

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Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa is confident Los Blancos can win the Champions League again this season. In an interview with UEFA’s official website, the Spaniard stated “when you win the Champions League with Madrid it is the pinnacle for a player and hopefully we can repeat it in the future.”

“They always say that playing at Real Madrid is the pinnacle but above all that the most important thing is to win with Madrid. Before now we had won Ligas and Copas, but until you win a Champions League you feel like something is missing,” he confessed.

“It is true that we were in search of that title for a long time. We knew what it meant, not just for the club, but for all of our fans, and sharing that joy with them is something we will never forget,” Arbeloa added.

The 31-year-old admitted they will focus again on the European competition: “Real Madrid’s prestige has always been a result of its victories in Europe. For this club and for these players it is very important for us to have chances to fight for a European title and to win it.”

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Spain boss Vicente del Bosque will attend the European Super Cup between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Cardiff to check on a number of Los Blancos stars.

The national team boss will name his squad later this month for the friendly match against France in Paris on September 4 and the first Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia on September 8.

And he will watch the match in Cardiff to check on the form of Iker Casillas and Daniel Carvajal. Casillas has much to prove after a disappointing World Cup and will be aiming to show del Bosque he is back to his best. The 32-year-old club captain hasn’t been in the best of form in pre-season, being at fault for one of the goals in the defeat to Manchester United in Michigan.

As well as the Supercup, Casillas will also have the first two league games of the season, against Cordoba and Real Socided to prove himself.

Carvajal wll also be looking to make an impression on del Bosque having missed out on the World Cup squad. The 22-year-old was in the 28-man squad but failed to make the cut for the tournament in Brazil and is aiming to get his chance this time around.

Sergio Ramos is one of del Bosque’s first names on the team sheet so should be guaranteed a place in the squad, while Alvaro Arbeloa will be looking to make it into the La Roja squad.

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Spanish sports newspapers start today their especial coverage of the UEFA Super Cup. Real Madrid will face Sevilla tomorrow in the battle for the first title of the season.

Marca puts its focus on Gareth Bale, who will play in his hometown. “SuperBale returns home,” they title. The Madrid-based daily highlights the Welshman great physical condition: “He arrives to his third final with Madrid like a bull,” they write.

“Bale has gained muscle mass and explosiveness this pre-season,” Marca points out. “He’s Los Blancos top scorer this summer and his goals were decisive in the club’s last two titles,” they add.

The most sold Spanish paper also publishes an interview with Sevilla’s manager Unai Emery. “Playing the Super Cup is a prize for us, and we deserve it,” the Spaniard told Marca.

The other main Madrid-based sports daily, As, publishes a report on the Spanish fans traveling to Wales for the game. “8.000 Spaniards take Cardiff,” they title. “4.000 Madrid fans and another 4.000 Sevilla fans have travelled for the Super Cup final,” As reports.

* Get all the latest Real Madrid news on our Twitter account: @realmadridnewsw.

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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has dropped a big hint that he could launch a bid for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria.

The Dutch manager, who replaced David Moyes at Old Trafford this summer, has spent the last few weeks assessing his squad, which contains wingers Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani.

But it appears the former Barcelona boss hasn’t been impressed with them and wants an additional signing to play out wide.

Speaking to reporters, Van Gaal said the squad has too many central players and not enough on the wings to create the opportunities.  And he mentioned di Maria’s name when speaking about the type of player he is looking for.

He stated: “At this moment, we have five number nines and four number 10s – and we don’t have wingers to give us attacking width. Or, I should say, we don’t have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that.

“So, I have to play in another way – and you have seen that already. I only buy when I think we need to buy – in the position that is necessary.”

Di Maria was believed to be close to a deal with PSG, but the French champions pulled out of the race after deciding against paying the asking price Madrid were looking for.

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