As we wind down to the end of summer we can’t help but think what is next for Real Madrid…after three major signings to the already talented squad.
For starters, most of the squad was on international duty for the World Cup, with the exception of some substitutes, their younger players and one of their starters, Gareth Bale.
But now with the World Cup over, and their pre-season just ending, it’s time to get back to work for everybody and think about the beginning of next season not to mention what they want to achieve. One thing is for sure, that after “la décima” they’ll want the eleventh.
Flashback to last UCL Final when Real Madrid acquired “la decima.” (via the guardian)
Their pre-season in the ICC (International Champions Cup) was decent considering most of the players are the younger substitutes with the exception of Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Luka Modric, Pepe, among others and Cristiano Ronaldo who recently incorporated himself to the team after suffering from tendonitis and another muscle injury. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had made it very clear they are continuing to take precautions with the FIFA Ballon D’Or 2014 winner so that he can be prepared and ready for the beginning of the season.
In their last match in the ICC, Real Madrid would match up against Manchester United in front of a full house which ended up establishing a new record as the “largest soccer attendance game in U.S. history.” Roughly 109,318 spectators to watch the friendly pre-season duel of two European giants.
Manchester United struck first, and soon enough the match was one-nil a brilliant goal from Ashley Young. About six minutes later, Gareth Bale would be awarded a penalty after he was brought down in the box area and the match was now 1-1.
But before halftime, Ashley Young would manage to find the net again and the match was now 2-1.
Even though Coach Carlo Ancelotti had ruled out the possibility of integrating Cristiano Ronaldo into the match, it was later known that Cristiano Ronaldo had talked to his coach about letting him play for a few minutes against his former team.
After halftime, Cristiano Ronaldo would be seen warming up, which only made the spectators even more excited, considering CR7 has not played since Portugal were eliminated from the World Cup after their win against Ghana.
In the 74th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo would substitute Alvaro Arbeloa and have some but yet minimal action in the game.
Around the 80th minute, after many attempts and after coming in for the second half Javier “El Chicharito” Hernandez would find the net and score the third and last goal of the match for the English side.
Real Madrid would lose against a Manchester United side that seemed more complete which also had a lot of their starter players.
One of Real Madrid’s latest signings, James Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot in the World Cup. (via philly)
With the end of the pre-season U.S. Tour, it is time to head back to Spain and integrate other key players such as Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane, Fabio Coentrao and one of their latest signings, Colombian World Cup sensation James Rodriguez.
The other players that will integrate themselves later are Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria, and their other latest signing, Toni Kroos. All of which played the final game of the World Cup.
Another recent addition is Costa Rican goal keeper Keylor Navas.
With so much talent already in the squad, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and now Keylor Navas are the perfect additions to the squad.
The first test for the UEFA Champions will be the 12th of August against Sevilla for the UEFA Supercup, around this time everyone on vacation should already be integrated to the team.
Whether you were impressed or unimpressed with the performance of Real Madrid in the U.S. the truth is that most of the players are the younger talent and the other majority were on vacation. It was a good opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti to see who else he can use in the future.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez has been very busy acquiring the best of the best for the team. He was so impressed with James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas that he immediately set out to acquire them.
Former Bayern Munich player Toni Kroos was another signing for Real Madrid after an impressive World Cup in which Germany won. (via dailymail.co.uk)
The most controversial transfer has been the James Rodriguez one, simply because of the amount Real Madrid had to pay to acquire him from Monaco. The truth is the same dilemma happened last year when Real Madrid paid Tottenham a world record fee to acquire Gareth Bale. The fact that Real Madrid were able to win la Copa Del Rey and the Champions League made many eat their words saying Gareth Bale was too expensive and that he wouldn’t deliver results. Whether we agree or not, the truth is that Florentino Perez is a smart man and he has said it many times, one of his beliefs is that the best players should play for the best club in the world, Real Madrid.
Honestly, most of the time when people think of transfer fees they forget other crucial factors for example the selling of that specific players jersey, the fans that player will bring to their new club which in turn might sell more match tickets and create more revenue, the impact the player will have with the club and if the impact will be a positive one that in turn will bring success to the club meaning the winning of trophies.
This upcoming season should be an interesting one, since Real Madrid were close to winning the Spanish League last season but in the end were unable to, this season they will want all the trophies they can get, and with such a talented squad with world class players in every position it is a team to fear and look out for. Carlo Ancelotti will probably be driving himself crazy with so many options available.
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Medina's Sports Corner 