Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: Winners and Losers from European Super Cup
One down, five to go.
On Monday evening, at a press conference for the European Super Cup between Real Madrid and Sevilla, Gareth Bale explained that Los Blancos want to win all six trophies they are competing for this season.
"We want to win everything," he said, "and we will try to do that this season."
And on Tuesday night, two goals from the Welshman's teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, ensured that dream got off to the perfect start, with Madrid lifting the trophy courtesy of a 2-0 win in Cardiff.
Here are the winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo started the season the only way he knows how: scoring goals.
It's 11 years to the day since he signed for Manchester United as a skinny teenager, and his development since then was there for all to see once again on Tuesday night.
His first goal was put on a plate for him by Gareth Bale, who was playing in his home city. The former Tottenham player's cross couldn't have been better placed, and Ronaldo made no mistake in sliding it home under Beto, who had been impressive until that point in the 30th minute.
"That's now 18 in 11 for @Cristiano against @SevillaFC. #SuperCup
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 12, 2014"
With the second half four minutes old, the Portuguese forward's second arrived. He collected Karim Benzema's pass delightfully before rifling a shot beyond Beto, who perhaps could have done better on this occasion.
Football's back. Ronaldo's back.
Winner: Iker Casillas
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There has been a lot of negative talk about Iker Casillas for the best part of 18 months, so a clean sheet in Real Madrid's first game of the season will do him no harm.
Diego Lopez's departure to AC Milan means that Casillas will battle it out with Keylor Navas for the gloves at Madrid. And with Carlo Ancelotti sticking with the longstanding Madrid player for the Super Cup, this position may well be Iker's to lose.
Navas is a strong competitor, and there will possibly be several changes throughout the season, but Iker will hope that he's done enough to hold down his place when La Liga kicks off next weekend.
He had little to do against Sevilla, but when called upon he was alert, making a couple of decent saves when the Europa League winners did venture forward.
Winner: Madrid's Front Six
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They're likely to get far more electric than they did against Sevilla on Tuesday, but the European Super Cup was the first step for Real Madrid's frightening front six.
With five of them wearing Nos. 7-11—Luka Modric breaks the pattern with No. 19—there are few scarier sights for opposition defences.
James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos made their debuts in Cardiff, with the latter alongside Modric in the middle, but it was the old hats who made the headlines.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice and Gareth Bale was productive in his hometown as Los Blancos eased to a 2-0 win.
Carlo Ancelotti will be more than happy with the first outing of the club's new Galactico squad, who will presumably only get better with the more minutes they play together..
Winner: Denis Suarez
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Sevilla lost Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona but just might have received another future star out of it.
Denis Suarez, who boasts spells with Manchester City and Barca, joined up with Unai Emery's side this summer and was handed a starting role against Real Madrid at the tip of their midfield.
He was impressive, too.
"Denis Suarez off. Great game, second most passes and touchs among Sevilla players. And 3 successfull dribbles, the most among both teams
— adil (@Barca19stats) August 12, 2014"
The 20-year-old was assured on the ball, as you'd expect from someone with Barcelona connections, and was a threat when running with it.
Stats on WhoScored.com revealed he had the second-most touches on the Sevilla side, demonstrating his importance in their play, while he also completed more dribbles than any other player on the pitch.
The Andalusians will hope that continues throughout the new campaign.
Loser: Sami Khedira
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The day after Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana) reported Sami Khedira would be left to rot at Real Madrid if he refuses to sign a new contract, the German midfielder was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
Mundo Deportivo speculated that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen to take him for free next summer, but Madrid might not make his life easy if that's the case.
On Tuesday, Ancelotti went with a two-man midfield of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, while Isco, Angel Di Maria and Asier Illarramendi lined the bench.
Khedira was involved in the World Cup final a month ago and so is behind other players in his preparations, but his absence from the squad may prove a sign of things to come.
Loser: Alberto Moreno
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Alberto Moreno missed out on the chance to play in the European Super Cup final against Real Madrid.
The Sevilla left-back, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool all summer, was supposedly sticking around to play this one final game for the club, per David Maddock of the Mirror.
However, for whatever reason it was eventually decided Moreno wouldn't take part in Cardiff.
And the 22-year-old was seen in tears after the game, perhaps partly because Sevilla lost, but probably because he knows he will now be leaving the club.
"Alberto Moreno crying at Real Madrid vs Sevilla Match https://t.co/HNfdpY5HPh
— MostarLFC (@MostarLFC) August 12, 2014"
His fellow players gathered around him to say goodbye.
However, it's not all bad news for Moreno, with Cadena SER (h/t Inside Spanish Football) reporting that the Spanish international will sign for Liverpool for €18 million.
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