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The Julen Lopetegui era begins in Tallinn, Estonia in the UEFA Super Cup Final against Atletico Madrid, where Real Madrid will be hoping to retain the title they conquered a year ago when they beat Manchester United.
Many things have changed for Real Madrid. Coach Zinedine Zidane and club legend Cristiano Ronaldo are no longer with the team, so the fans will be anxious to answer some of the questions surrounding the club right now: Is the team ready to compete for all three titles even after Ronaldo’s departure? Can Lopetegui survive Zidane’s legacy or is his era doomed before the start? Can Bale stay healthy and be the leader he was expected to be when Madrid spent €100 million to sign him away from Tottenham?
Lopetegui is expected to start Navas and not Courtois because the Belgian keeper just joined the team. The same happens with Modric, who returned from his holidays last week after a long World Cup, so Isco could start alongside Toni Kroos with Bale, Benzema and Asensio in the attacking line.
So far, Los Blancos have answered the bell and their pre-season was quite encouraging. It all won’t matter if Atletico end up winning this title and putting their neighbors in a tough spot before the start of La Liga. Get ready for a thrilling game.
Possible line-ups
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Asensio.
Out: Vallejo (muscle problem), Odriozola (adductor)
Doubtful: none
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luís; Koke, Saúl, Rodrigo; Lemar, Griezmann, Costa.
Out: none
Doubtful: none
HOW TO WATCH, STREAM UEFA SUPER CUP
Date: 08/15/2018
Time: 09:00pm CEST, 03:00pm EST, 12:00pm Pacific.
Venue: Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia.
Available TV: TNT (USA), BT Sport 2 (UK), Movistar Liga de Campeones (Spain)
Available Streaming: WATCH TNT, BT Sport Live.