Both the teams will clash in the first leg of Spanish Super cup
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos (left) and James Rodriguez take part in a training session at Valdebebas training ground in Madrid on Sunday. Real take on Atletico de Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup match on Tuesday. (Photo: AFP)
Mardid: Spanish league champions Atletico Madrid have an early season chance to avenge their defeat to Real Madrid in May’s Champions League final in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.Despite having arguably Atletico’s best ever season, Diego Simeone’s men have still suffered from the departure of a number of key players over the close season as Filipe Luis and Diego Costa joined Chelsea and Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge after a three-year loan spell.
The money received from the sales of Costa and Filipe Luis has however been reinvested in an exciting new frontline as Mario Mandzukic joined from Bayern Munich, Mexican international Raul Jimenez was signed from Club America, and Antoine Griezmann moved from Real Sociedad for 30 million euros.All three are in line to make their competitive debutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, but playmaker Arda Turan misses out due to a hamstring injury.
The Super Cup is one of the few titles Atletico have missed out on during Simeone’s three years in charge as they were just edged out on away goals by Barcelona last season. Real haven’t rested on their laurels after claiming a tenth European crown as they have splashed over 100 million euros on World Cup stars James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Colombian Rodriguez and Germany playmaker Kroos made an immediate impact in their debuts as Real won the first of a potential six trophies this season by defeating Sevilla 2-0 to win the UEFA Super Cup last week.
( Source : AFP )
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