:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60737937/873007098.jpg.0.jpg)
The International Champions Cup has started and Real Madrid are back... Well, sort of. Several players have still been enjoying their time off or have been training in Madrid while the rest of the squad is here in the United States. However, the team seems to have done well in their first couple matches. Real Madrid currently sits at 1-0-1 in the ICC with a 2-1 loss to Manchester United and a 3-1 win over Juventus before the team plays against AS Roma on Tuesday.
From what I have seen so far, we’re looking good! (I should pause here to note that I am an eternal optimist when it comes to supporting the team, and have a tendency to think we can still win ‘it’ — whatever ‘it’ is — even when it’s mathematically impossible.) We have exciting young talent partnered with experienced veterans. This really should make for a great upcoming season. I know I’m not alone in that take. For example:
I’m so excited about the new season, everything about it seems interesting and promising to be worth watching. Especially here at Real Madrid, the Cristiano-less us, the new manager, Vinicius and the more important role Asensio is about to be given, let it start already.
— Iscoholic (@Iscoholic) August 3, 2018
Real Madrid’s future is secured... #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/8HtA4QiSzw
— Hala Madrid (@RMadridCastilla) August 5, 2018
But not all of the fanbase agrees. Tumblr user, iscomadrid, had the following commentary to make on the status of the team during the Juventus match:
Over on Twitter, there were criticisms to be found as well. (I know, it’s shocking that someone on Twitter would have an opinion on this.)
juventus signed cristiano ronaldo
— ً (@queenofrmadrid) August 4, 2018
barcelona signed arturo vidal
real madrid signed trophyless season
so Real Madrid are really gonna enter the new season without signing a new striker pic.twitter.com/SHSxvh3JPm
— sofia (@stringsofair) August 5, 2018
Look, I get it. In baseball, I am the kind of fan that lives and dies on every pitch from the first inning to the last out. I’m the same way when it comes to football. I will cheer an excellent pass and then scream about a turnover all in the same breath. Folks, two preseason games are not enough to bank a full season on. Do we get a taste of what’s to come? Yeah, absolutely, but we don’t have all the necessary ingredients to get the full flavour yet. The transfer window is still open. We have players that are still not in match shape yet. We have starting players, as I mentioned earlier, that are working in Madrid until the team returns. There are too many variables up in the air to be too concerned with the results of two well-played ICC matches.
So let’s give them some time and let’s see what this season brings. Hala Madrid!