Real could be heading for turbulent times

– Life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane has got off to a rocky start for Real Madrid after losing the Uefa Super Cup to Atletico Madrid and they will be eager to smooth over those cracks in their opening La Liga game against Getafe tomorrow.

Real finished 17 points behind runaway champions Barcelona last season although they compensated by lifting a third consecutive Champions League title.

However, the departure of Ronaldo, their leading scorer for the past nine seasons, to Serie A champions Juventus means they are lacking firepower.

Madrid

New coach Julen Lopetegui begins his first season in La Liga smarting after being sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup for the manner in which he negotiated his move to Madrid.

Lopetegui (right) is a highly respected tactician and had made Spain one of the favourites to win the tournament before his undignified exit threw their campaign into chaos, leading them to being knocked out by hosts Russia in the last-16.

The Spaniard, however, lacks the winning record of his French predecessor Zidane, who lifted nine trophies in two-and-a-half seasons at Madrid before quitting in June. Lopetegui’s only spell in charge of a top European club was a trophy-less tenure with FC Porto lasting 18 months.

His reputation could be further tarnished if Madrid fail to get off to a flying start against Getafe, especially as they face stiff competition in the title race from Atletico and Barca.

“We have to get the most out of the team and start to lift ourselves up now and start thinking about a league season which we are very excited about,” Lopetegui said after the Super Cup defeat by Atletico on Wednesday.

“We want to strengthen ourselves. I don’t think we have any less hunger, I see a lot of excitement in the players.”

Barca, who have won seven of the last 10 Liga titles, host Alaves today after winning the Spanish Super Cup by beating Sevilla 2-1 and having strengthened their side by signing defender Clement Lenglet and Brazilian midfielders Malcom and Arthur Melo.

Atletico, who finished above Real last season in second spot, begin their campaign on Monday away to Valencia, who finished fourth last season to return to the Champions League. – Reuters