Real Madrid and Manchester City will clash in the closing match of the International Champions Cup at the MCG.
Both teams have large fan bases in Australia and they will be out in full force in what is expected to be another huge crowd in Melbourne.
City, whom have financial interests in the country, initially travelled to Queensland for friendlies against Melbourne City and Adelaide United prior to the ICC’s commencement.
Real, however, have been in Australia for nearly two weeks and intensely training, yet they are seemingly not in any way interested in overly exerting themselves given their 1-1 (6-7) loss to AS Roma on Saturday.
It will only be coach Rafael Benitez’s second match in charge of Los Blancos, with his priority being not only to ensure the side bonds but also to see how players like Martin Odegaard, Lucas Silva and Jese Rodriguez fare ahead of the 2015-16 Spanish La Liga season.
Eyes of supporters and critics alike will be on Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas whom is seemingly Benitez’s first choice in goals. However the continued speculation around the potential signing of Manchester United keeper David De Gea means Navas must establish his position early, with the opportune time being against the Sky Blues.
No changes are expected to be made by Los Galacticos despite the recent training injury scare for star Gareth Bale.
On the other side of the pitch, City fans will once again get a glimpse of recruit Raheem Sterling, whose transfer fee of £49 million from Liverpool dominated headlines. The 20-year-old star was in his element on Tuesday night, scoring the opening goal of the 2-2 (5-4) victory, much to the delight of the club’s faithful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TedYuVUchg
Indeed, his play provided spectators with a brief glimpse of his future potential at the Sky Blues given the excellent support from fellow players such as Spaniard David Silva. Fans can expect the English international to play a more advanced role for the club and will enjoy a higher number of balls coming into the box rather than having to be the main provider as he was at the reds.
The clash on Friday night will be only the third time the sides have met in all competitions. The most recent meeting between the English and Spanish elite was in the 2012-13 Champions League season with Real emerging victorious.
Whatever the result, Benitez’s men as well as coach Manuel Pellegrini’s squad will seek to emerge unscathed.
Expected lineups
Manchester City (4-5-1): Hart (GK); Sagna, Mangala, Kompany, Clichy; Jesus Navas, Zuculini, Fernando, Silva, Iheanacho; Sterling.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Navas (GK); Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Odegaard; Bale, Ronaldo, Jese; Benezma.
Prediction: Manchester City 1 Real Madrid 1
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