Real Madrid Vs Roma, 2014-2015 Pre-season: Casillas and Modric to start the game

After losing against Inter Milan in the penalty shoot-out, Real Madrid will need to get all six points against Roma and Manchester United in order to advance to the International Champions Cup Final. Some of Real Madrid's international players will play today their very first minutes of this pre-season, meaning that Casillas, Coentrao, Alonso, Modric and Ramos will start the game but shouldn't be as physically ready as some Roma players who have been playing friendlies for a couple of weeks now.

Isco and Illarramendi will start as well. Both of them missed their penalties that cost Real Madrid the game, but their 90 minutes played against Inter were solid. They are trying to earn a starting spot in Ancelotti's 2014-2015 Real Madrid squad, and even though it will be very hard for them to get that role, they have the quality to play meaningful minutes throughout the long season ahead.

After scoring Real's only goal against Inter, Gareth Bale will also be in the lineup. He only played 45 minutes in that match, and considering that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be available just yet as he tries to get in shape after his post-season injuries, the Welsh forward will need to get ready to lead the team. Real Madrid will play for two trophies really soon -UEFA Supercup against Sevilla and Spanish Supercup against Atlético-, so Bale's fitness will surely be crucial for Real's chances.

Roma finished the 2013-2014 Seria A season well behind Juventus, but nobody expected them to fight for the title. They'll have a place in the UEFA Champions League this year, and players like Miralem Pjanic or Mattia Destro will need to take even one more step forward if Roma is to fight for the Scudetto and a good Champions League season. They have also signed attacker Juan Manuel Iturbe, who was rumored to be under Real Madrid's radar. It will be interesting to see what iturbe has to offer. Rudi Garcia has built a good squad -better than Inter- and it should not be easy for Real Madrid to get the win with so many players getting to the pitch after a month-long vacation.