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A guide to Real Madrid’s preseason

By Kristofer McCormack

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Real Madrid players pose for a photo during the International Champions Cup friendly match between Real Madrid and AS Roma at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 18, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Real Madrid players pose for a photo during the International Champions Cup friendly match between Real Madrid and AS Roma at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 18, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid jet off to America to participate in a series of friendlies before the start of the new season. Here is what you need to know.

Real will once again compete in the International Champions Cup. The friendly tournament is played across three countries this year and will feature 17 teams.

The Squad

Los Blancos have brought 26 players with them to Los Angeles. The squad features many of the first teamers, however, a few familiar faces won’t be traveling with the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a break after his exploits with Portugal in the Confederations Cup, many of the Spanish contingent returning from the Euros in Poland are also absent from the squad.

Sergio Ramos is the only other absentee, although he is rumored to be joining the squad later. Instead, eight youngsters complete the roster that is listed below:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Luca Zidane, Kiko Castilla, Ruben Yanez

Defenders:  Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Theo Hernandez, Danilo, Quezada, Tejero, Achraf, and Manu Hernando.

Midfield: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Isco, Mateo Kovacic, Óscar, and Franchu

Forwards: Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Lucas Vázquez, Alvaro Morata, and Dani Gómez.

The Fixtures

(Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)
(Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images) /

Madrid’s first game is against Supercup opponents Manchester United in Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California on July 23rd, followed by an hour flight south to play Manchester City in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Three days later, Madrid will fly to Miami, Florida to play FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico to be played outside of Spain in 25 years.

Their final friendly in America is a game against the MLS All-Stars at Soldier Field in Chicago on August 2nd. The All Stars feature a few former friends and foes including Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and David Villa.

Supercups

A mere 6 days later, Real Madrid will once again play Manchester United, this time competitively in the European Supercup. This year the showpiece will be played in Skopje, Macedonia.

Following the European Supercup, Madrid will play in the Spanish Supercup against Barcelona. The first leg will take place at the Nou Camp on August 12th before the return leg in the Santiago Bernabeu five days later.

Madrid’s depth will be put to the test with three games across the globe in just 15 days. The fixtures for the 2017/18 La Liga season are yet to be announced but there have been rumors that the first games could be played on August 12th, a week earlier than usual due to the upcoming World Cup in Russia. If this is the case, Real Madrid’s first league fixture will be pushed back a week.

Next: Ranking the 5 best Real Madrid home kits of all time

It is set to be a grueling start to the season for Los Blancos and we will be covering it all here on The Real Champs.

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