James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos to play in Uefa Super Cup
Summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos are in line to make their Real Madrid debuts in Tuesday’s Uefa Super Cup against Sevilla.
Rodriguez, who won the World Cup Golden Boot after scoring six goals for Colombia, joined from Monaco for a fee, including add-ons, of about £71m.
Germany World Cup winner Kroos is also set to feature in an official match for Real for the first time.
The game sees the return of Real’s Welsh star Gareth Bale to his hometown.
“It’s a very important match,” said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“It is special because it is the first official match after the World Cup that several of my players have participated in,” added former Chelsea boss Ancelotti.
The Super Cup pits the winners of last season’s Champions League, Real Madrid, against the team that claimed the Europa League title, Sevilla.
The all-Spain affair has attracted plenty of local interest, with Cardiff-born Bale returning to his home city in Real’s colours.
Former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 31 goals in 30 La Liga appearances last season, is also named in Real’s 22-man squad.
Real have not won the competition since 2002.
The Super Cup presents Ancelotti with the chance to win the first of a possible six trophies at Real during the 2014-15 campaign.
As well as defending their Champions League title and trying to regain the La Liga title, Real will also be looking to win the Copa del Rey, the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco in December, and the two-legged 2014 Supercopa de Espana.
“We want to win the Super Cup,” added Ancelotti.
“When you play in a final you prepare to win it and give your all.
“As with all finals, it will be very difficult, although we may be favourites because we are Real Madrid.”
Credit: BBC