Real Madrid 2011-12: The Ultimate Preseason Preview
The 2011-12 preseason is just around the corner!
Although Real Madrid's emphatic 8-1 victory over Almeria was only seven weeks ago, it is understandable to eagerly await the onset of a new campaign. Before La Liga starts, however, Real Madrid is set to play 10 games.
Not all of them are expected to be pushovers; opponents range from unfamiliar, newly promoted clubs to one of the best teams in the world.
Read on to get a preview of Real Madrid's summer.
July 11: Real Madrid Training Begins
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In his closing address to the Real Madrid fans, Jose Mourinho stated that training will begin on July 11th.
At this point, the summer signings will be introduced to the team. All players will undergo medical exams before boarding a plane that afternoon bound for Los Angeles.
Once in California, the players will make use of the UCLA complex and train for three days until Madrid's first friendly.
We can only hope that Cristiano Ronaldo won't discover any more creative ways to injure Marcelo...
July 16: LA Galaxy-Real Madrid (Los Angeles, USA)
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Real Madrid's first opposition of the season presents itself in the form of the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team which has played Madrid in the past.
The Galaxy currently lead the MLS and are defending the regular season champions. They command the services of Landon Donovan and David Beckham, the latter making the switch from Madrid in 2007.
The two teams have faced off before. In 2010, Real Madrid emerged 3-2 victors at the Rose Bowl. This year's fixture will take place at the 93,000 seat L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The match is part of the World Football Challenge.
July 20: Chivas Guadalajara-Real Madrid (San Diego, USA)
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Four days later, the players will travel to San Diego, California (A Real Madrid first) and line up against prominent Mexican side Guadalajara, also known as Chivas.
The team may be known to some as the club that produced Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican outfit won the InterLiga in 2009 and hold more domestic league titles than any other club.
The game will take place at Qualcomm Stadium, which seats 70,000.
July 23: Philadelphia Union-Real Madrid (Philadelphia, USA)
4 of 12Los Blancos' wrap up their stay in the United States by traveling to Pennsylvania, home of the Philadelphia Union. The Union were integrated into the MLS in 2010 and top the league's Eastern Conference.
During the summer of 2010, the Union lost 1-0 to Manchester United but beat Celtic F.C. by the same scoreline.
The game will take place at the 68,000-capacity Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.
July 27: Hertha Berlin-Real Madrid (Berlin, Germany)
5 of 12After a quick stop in the Spanish capital, the Whites will fly to Berlin and face newly promoted Hertha Berlin.
Although the German outfit is considered a top-flight regular, they were relegated in 2010 after a very poor season. Hertha Berlin arranged this month's friendly to thank the fans for their support during their short spell in the second division
This will be the fourth consecutive summer during which Real Madrid have played a friendly in Germany. The game will be held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, host of the 2006 World Cup final.
July 30: Leicester City-Real Madrid (Leicester, UK)
6 of 12After the brief stop in Germany, the Madrid contingent will fly to the British Isles and face Leicester City. Last season, LCFC finished 10th in the nPower Championship, England's second division.
Leicester City have won the League Cup three times, one with renowned England international Gordon Banks between the posts. They are currently managed by Sven-Göran Eriksson.
The match is expected to be sold out and will be played LCFC's Walkers Stadium, which seats 32,000.
August 3: Guangzhou Evergrande-Real Madrid (Guangzhou, China)
7 of 12After the friendly in England, Real Madrid will fly to the far East for the third time since 2003 and play two teams from the Chinese Super League (CSL). First up is recently promoted Guangzhou Evergrande.
In 2010, Guangzhou were relegated to China's League One after it was discovered that they were responsible for match-fixing that took place in 2006.
They have since then recovered and regained their spot in China's top league. They currently lead the 2011 CSL.
The match will be played at the Tianhe Stadium, which can accommodate 60,000 fans.
August 6: Tianjin Teda-Real Madrid (Tianjin, China)
8 of 12Three days later, Los Blancos will find themselves nearly 2,200 kilometers (1,400 miles) to the north of Guangzhou, where they will take on Tianjin Teda. The Chinese team finished in second place during the 2010 CSL and are eighth in this year's standings.
The club is managed by former Dutch international Arie Haan, who previously coached Cameroon's national team.
Real's last game in Asia is at the Tianjin Olympic Stadium, a host of the 2007 Women's World Cup, with a capacity of 60,000.
August: Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu: Real Madrid-TBD (Madrid, Spain)
9 of 12Schalke was expected to play Real Madrid, giving Raul a chance to be fully acknowledged by the Santiago Bernabeu faithful. However, Schalke announced their withdrawal as the two teams could not find an acceptable date.
Real Madrid emerged as victors in 2010, beating Peñarol 2-0 courtesy of goals from Angel di Maria and Rafael van der Vaart.
As is the custom, Real Madrid's new signings will be introduced before the game begins.
The Santiago Bernabeu trophy will likely be Real Madrid's final game before their encounter with one of the world's greatest teams.
Potential opponents: Galatasaray
August 14-17: Supercopa De España: Real Madrid-Barcelona
10 of 12The final two matches before La Liga kicks off are far more than warmups. Real Madrid will play Barcelona for the Spanish Supercup.
The last time the two Spanish powerhouses went head to head for this particular trophy was in 1997, when Real Madrid emerged victorious. However, since that encounter, Barcelona have won four Supercups to Real Madrid's three.
The first leg is in Madrid, with the second being held three days later at the Camp Nou.
Both teams are expected to take this competition seriously. Real Madrid will want to avenge their Champions League exit, while Barcelona will relish the chance to beat their rivals in a domestic cup final, especially after losing one earlier in the year.
As incumbent La Liga and Champions League winners, Barcelona will be considered favorites heading into the encounter. But it's too early to write off Madrid, who may come out with more attacking intent than in some of the recent Clásicos.
Personel Changes and Rumors
11 of 12Confirmed Changes
IN
OUT
Pablo Sarabia
Ezequiel Garay (very likely)
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Biographies and Statistics courtesy of ESPN Soccernet
At a Glance Calendar
12 of 12REAL MADRID PRESEASON CALENDAR | ||||||||
| 11/07 | Medical exams (Real Madrid City) | |||||||
| 11/07 | Trip to Los Angeles, USA | |||||||
| 11/07 | Arrival in Los Angeles, USA | |||||||
| 16/07 | LA Galaxy-Real Madrid (Los Angeles, USA) | |||||||
| 20/07 | Chivas Guadalajara-Real Madrid (San Diego, USA) | |||||||
| 23/07 | Philadelphia Union-Real Madrid (Philadelphia, USA) | |||||||
| 24/07 | Return to Madrid | |||||||
| 27/07 | Hertha Berlin-Real Madrid (Berlin, Germany) | |||||||
| 30/07 | Leicester-Real Madrid (Leicester, UK) | |||||||
| 30/07 | Trip to China | |||||||
| 03/08 | Guangzhou Evergrande-Real Madrid (Guangzhou, China) | |||||||
| 06/08 | Tianjin Teda-Real Madrid (Tianjin, China) | |||||||
| 06/08 | Return to Madrid | |||||||
Courtesy of realmadrid.com
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