Real Madrid will look to lay down an early marker on what to expect from them this season when they take on Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff on Tuesday night.
Where to Watch Live
Get the report HERE
Get the Ronaldo story HERE
The game is scheduled for a 8.45 pm CET (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET) start with live coverage on Ten Sports and Ten Action. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Viewers in the UK can catch the match on Sky Sports or ITV with the options to live stream HERE, HERE or HERE. US viewers can watch the game on Fox Soccer, while the action can also be live streamed HERE. Canada viewers can watch the action live online HERE, while Brazil viewers can do the same HERE. Viewers in North Africa and the Middle East can watch the match by live streaming HERE.
The Spanish giants are coming off a season in which they finally realised the dream of the "La Decima" and will go into the new campaign expecting a few more trophies.
The Champions League winners will face familiar foes in Sevilla, who did so well to beat Benfica in the Europa League final last season.
Real, of course, have made waves again in this transfer window, bringing in James Rodriguez from Monaco and Germany's World Cup winner Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich. With big players comes more pressure, and that is something manager Carlo Ancelotti is quite used to by now.
"I am very happy with the new squad and at this club you have to win -- it's the logical thing at a club as big as Real Madrid," Ancelotti said. "The club have made a big effort and we have a better squad this year and for this reason we have a lot of confidence we can repeat what happened last year.
"Sevilla are a team who will have the same identity as they showed last year. They have changed a little in midfield with some new players, but the attitude will be the same."
While Ancelotti confirmed new signings Rodriguez and Kroos would make their Real Madrid debuts, plenty of attention will also be on their two bona fide superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Wales international Bale will especially be desperate to make an impact in front of his own fans.
"Gareth had a fantastic [first] season [at Real Madrid]," Ancelotti added. "He started without a preseason and to be in condition it took time. His preseason [this season] is different – he knows the atmosphere at Real Madrid, he knows his teammates at the club and of course I am sure he will be better this season. He is in perfect condition physically, mentally, and he is going to do better compared with last season."
Sevilla will go into the game with very little to lose and another trophy to gain. After impressing everyone on their way to Europa League glory, with a few last gasp victories, especially in the semifinal against La Liga rivals Valencia, Unai Emery's men will be keen to spring another surprise.
"Madrid are the favourites, that's clear," Emery said. "We want to take the game to them but it's another thing whether they let us. This Madrid team have the potential to make us defend rather than attack during the 90 minutes.
"At the back we cannot allow them space with the speed of Cristiano, [Karim] Benzema and Bale. We can't give James space in midfield either or let [Luka] Modric and Kroos dictate play. When we have the ball we have to counterattack with speed."
Team news: Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso will miss the game through suspension, while Jese Rodriguez is a long-term absentee.
Sevilla: Forward Kevin Gameiro and Sebastian Cristoforo are definitely ruled out for, while Coke and Alejandro Arribas are doubtful.
Expected lineups: Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Modric, Kroos; Bale, Rodriguez, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Sevilla: Beto; Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Alberto Moreno; Carrico, Krychowiak; Reyes, Suarez, Vitolo; Bacca.
Prediction: 4-2 to Real Madrid
