Real Madrid - Sporting Gijon: New season, New dreams as Real start their Liga campaign

 

Benitez aims to repeat 2002 and 2004 Spanish domestic success with Valencia.

Real Madrid start their campaign against promoted Sporting Gijon.

By Omer Mohammed                                                                             FOLLOW AT +Omar Mohd 

New coach, new players, new tactics and new dreams. Real Madrid are back in football action this  Sunday with the hope that the next ten months is theirs.

Amid speculation after sacking Carlo Ancelotti, Perez decided to have Benitez at the manager seat. The appointment of the then Napoli boss went furious with the club and players. But Perez, being a man of his decisions rejected the refuse and bought in the Spaniard.

Since, it was all pressure for Rafa without even starting the season as he works at Real Madrid, the most impatient club in the world. Although, he didn't use alot of Perez's money, the squad still looks loaded.

With the signings of Lucas Vazquez, Danilo, Kovacic and Vallejo, Real can afford to start without the starting XI. Casemiro and Denis Cheryshev returns and Lucas Silva and Illara ready to leave.

Tactically speaking, Real have two good keepers at the moment (Keylor and Casilla) although the legendary skipper Casillas left the club. De Gea is also a possibility and Madrid have been playing mouse-and-cat with United for so long.

Ramos ended speculation that he joins United after signing a contract that will keep him in the club till 2019 alongside long-term partner Pepe who extends his deal till 2017. Varane is at his prime and one of the future and Marcelo is excellent. Carvajal and Danilo fight for the place in the right and the defence has improved enormously.

The side just conceded three goals in eight friendlies. The holding two, more likely Modric and Kroos have always been good and key and they can be replaced by Kovacic, Casemiro and Lucas Silva. The three attacking mid, already occupied by Ronaldo on the left. Bale is free to play anyone and may play at the centre and James, more likely to start at the right. Lucas Vazquez and Isco can replace the three.

Benzema, heavily linked to Arsenal, is expected to start at the front and the likes of Jese and Cheryshev provides a whole squad rotation. The stability in defence have lessend the impact on attack though it is too early to say.

The duel is the first of 38 weeks which Real play at Santiago Bernabeau with a dream of achieving the treble.

The match will be played at home against Sporting Gijon on 20:30 CET.  

Real Madrid C.F vs Galatasaray: Benitez and his men's debut at Bernabeau

 

Real Madrid take off Turkish giants for Santiago Bernabeau Trophy

This is the last game before La Liga 2015/16

Real Madrid return to action at Santiago Bernabeau before the start of La Liga next weekend. The Spanish giants take on the Turks who are fresh from their Super Cup triumph.

This is also Benitez's first game at Santiago as head coach and moreover, Ramos' first game as main captain at home.

Having won just four of their seven friendlies under Rafa, Real play their last match at their prolong Santiago Bernabeau Trophy. Their past three outing saw no goals from the team but thrashing City 4-1 and Inter 3-0 gives a boost to the side.

New signings Lucas Vazquez and Danilo may be snubbed but Casilla may start instead of Navas. Captain Ramos, Marcelo and Varane all will start alongside James, Bale, Modric, Kroos, Ronaldo and Jese.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray will be full of confidence after bagging a double and Super Cup last season. But they must do their best to overcome the new-look Whites' who has improved extremely well at the back.

The last time the two met, Real won 4-1 in Champions League after thrashing them 6-1 at Turkey. However, Santiago Bernabeau has been quiet good for Real against the Turks with they winning both the ties 3-0 and 4-1 respectively.

Stats show that Real are the only team to concede just two goals in friendlies and that states the defensive quality of the team.

Ramos and Varane has been excellent like Pepe who is sidelined with an injury. Danilo and Marcelo possess threat for the opponents and Modric and Kroos are equally good. Isco bagged two MOM awards and James scored a thunderous free kick just 15 minutes after introduction.

Bale, starting at the centre, has improved like Jese, who has shone really well for injured Benzema. Ronaldo returns after missing three matches with a back injury and the Portugese already bagged two MOM awards against City and Milan.

Moreover, the team looks good and they have got their old counter-attacking touch back. The game will start at 22:30 CET for Santiago Bernabeau Trophy at their traditional home ground-Santiago Bernabeau. 

Sergio Ramos signs Real Madrid contract extension

 

Despite rumours for a move to Premier League, Ramos finally signs five year deal.

New deal makes Ramos third-highest paid in the team and keeps him till 2020.

After a long two months rumour, Sergio Ramos finally makes his mind for the Whites'. The Great Hero of La Decima will retire in the Spanish capital after signing a deal worth 10 million euros per year.

The new contract was awarded despite speculation that the skipper was heading to Old Trafford. However, Ramos ruled out that he was motivated by money and insisted he never wanted to leave.

"Honestly, it was for economic decision, I wouldn't have stayed. I never said I wanted to leave. Money never motivates me. Family and happiness is my motivation".

With the deal, Real Madrid have had their best news this summer and the fans will see him for atleat another five years. 

And it will be nice to see Real Madrid led by Sergio Ramos on the field when the new season kick start next week.

The veteran defender played 455 matches in 10 years with 55 goals and delivered the most memorable moment in Madrid history-La Decima.

His trophy cabinet includes all the honours excluding Balon d' Or.