Real’s first test after Ronaldo Croat football star Mandzukic retires from national team
UEFA SUPER CUP Focus on Bale, Benzema as Lopetegui’s boys take on crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid
TALLINN, ESTONIA: Following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid get their first test against crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
So far, Madrid haven’t resorted to a “galacticos” spending spree to bring in marquee names at astronomical prices. Coach Julen Lopetegui seems to be relying on the talent already at his disposal and a new tactical system. The club, though, has made a few significant purchases, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea.
Now, the team that was built around Ronaldo and which has won three straight Champions League titles comes up against a strong Atletico team that won the Europa League and finished ahead of Madrid in the Spanish league.
NEW ERA
Ronaldo moved to Juventus in a 112 million euro ($131 million) deal and Zidane resigned.
Those changes have given new impetus to forwards Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio to step up and fill the void left by Ronaldo, who scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Madrid.
Bale, who came on as a substitute and scored two goals in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final in May, has more to prove than any- one in the team. He had a rocky relationship with Zidane and spent much of his time on the bench under the Frenchman last season. But Bale has impressed in the pre-season and he will look to prove to Lopetegui that he’s not just a Ronaldo understudy.
TACTICAL SHIFT
Madrid’s new coach likes to play possession-based soccer rather than the counter-attacking style favoured by Zidane.
That doesn’t mean Lopetegui, who was fired as Spain coach two days before the national team’s World Cup campaign began, wants his players to be static with the ball.
In pre-season matches, Lopetegui has encouraged his team to press opponents and be direct. His players are attack-minded and he likes to push his fullbacks high up the field to give the team width. Lopetegui has been working to shore up Madrid’s defense and build possession from the back.
ATLETICO’S AMBITION
Atletico has failed against Madrid on European soccer’s biggest stage in recent times, losing Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016, and a semifinal in 2017. Atletico was eliminated from group stage last season, finishing behind Roma and Chelsea, and dropped into the Europa League. But the team went on to win the competition and also excelled in the Spanish league. Atletico ZAGREB: Mario Mandzukic is retiring from international soccer after 11 years with Croatia’s national team, with his decision coming a month after he scored in the World Cup final. The 32-year-old Mandzukic made the announcement on Instagram.
In an emotional farewell message, Mandzukic said the decision was made easier after Croatia reached the World Cup final in Russia. “We lived our dream, made a historic result and felt the love of our fans,” Mandzukic said. Mandzukic, who plays for Juventus, has played 89 games for Croatia, scoring 33 goals.
DAVID SILVA RETIRES
MADRID: Making the announcement, the midfielder said that it is one of the most difficult decisions of his career, but several weeks of analysis has reflected that his time with the national side has come to an end.
“I have had several weeks of reflection and analysis to make the decision that I’m finishing my time with the Spanish national team,” Silva wrote.
SALAH IN TROUBLE
LONDON: Egyptian star Mohamed Salah could be in trouble with police after his club Liverpool passed a video apparently showing him using his mobile phone while driving. A spokesman for last season’s Champions League finalists said they passed the video, which had circulated on social media, on to police after talking with Salah.
RONALDO DISCHARGED
MADRID: Retired Brazilian striker Ronaldo left a clinic in Ibiza on Tuesday following a four-night stay for treatment for a flu infection.
“Hello everyone! I’m already home after a few days at the clinic. Thank u for your love and comments, and many thanks to the team of doctors and nurses,” he tweeted