By DAN KARELL
Real Madrid’s two newest galactico signings are set to take the field for the first time in the legendary shirts of Los Blancos.
After missing the club’s U.S. tour due to their post-World Cup break, James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos are expected to start for Real Madrid vs. Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday afternoon at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The new duo will line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema in one of the most expensive lineups ever assembled.
“Cristiano has been training at full intensity without any problems,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said in a press conference in Cardiff. “He has done everything he needed to to be ready for the game. The problems he had last year are gone. I think he will start [the season] well. Kroos and James will play.”
With Diego Lopez set to sign for AC Milan, Iker Casillas is in line to start and regain his starting place in the lineup, after spending the last year and a half playing second fiddle to Lopez.
Here are some more stories to start off your Tuesday:
ATLETI SET TO SIGN EL TRI’S JIMENEZ
Rising Club America star Raul Jimenez is set to make his dream move to Spain.
According to reports in Mexico, the 23-year-old forward is close to sealing a €10.5 million transfer move to Atletico Madrid, where he is expected to sign a six-year contract. Jimenez would be a replacement for Diego Costa and David Villa, along with new Atleti forward signing Mario Mandzukic.
Jimenez is coming off another strong season with America, scoring 18 goals in all competitions, while helping keep El Tri’s hopes alive with one of the goals of World Cup qualifying history when he scored against Panama on a bicycle kick.
Jimenez has started the Apertura season on fire, scoring a hat-trick against Puebla and adding another goal against Club Tijuana to give him four goals in four games.
PSG’S SILVA SUFFERS INJURY IN FRIENDLY MATCH
Despite opening their league season last Friday, Paris Saint-Germain still had one more scheduled friendly match to play.
Unfortunately for the reigning champions, the friendly was more thorns than roses, even though PSG beat Napoli, 2-1. Captain Thiago Silva, making just his second appearance of the season since returning from the World Cup, suffered a leg injury in the first 15 minutes of the match, and according to reports in France, could miss anywhere from one to two months.
Silva is expected to undergo medical tests on Tuesday in Paris, but if he is out for the near future, it would be a huge loss to a side that has already shown it has defensive frailties, even with the veteran centerback in the lineup.
MAN CITY INK SILVA TO NEW CONTRACT
One of the top playmakers in the English Premier League is prepared to stay in England for the long haul.
Manchester City announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed David Silva to a new five-year contract, keeping him at the club through 2019. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
From the moment I joined the club four years ago it has felt like a second home to me,” Silva told Man City’s website in a statement. “On and off the pitch, I feel incredibly content and fulfilled professionally and personally, so why wouldn’t I want to stay and keep winning trophies with this fantastic team? Over the last four years, we have achieved so much together, establishing Man City as a dominating force in England and now, when I look around this dressing room, I can see no reason why we won’t become one of the top teams in the world.
“It was a straightforward decision to extend my stay here and spend my peak years at Manchester City, a club with unbelievable fans who have always supported me.”
If Silva sees out his contract, he’ll be 33-years old. Silva joined Man City in July 2010 from Valencia for a reported £24 million.
QUICK KICKS
The investment group owned by James Pallotta has become the first foreign owner to own a full stake in an Italian club, buying out UniCredit’s final 31 percent shares in AS Roma for €33 million. (REPORT)
Carlo Tavecchio, who allegedly made racist comments last week, was elected the newest president of the Italian FA. (REPORT)
Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez arrived last night in Milan and is scheduled to undergo a medical ahead of his move to AC Milan on Tuesday. (REPORT)
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has picked up a back injury in training, though it’s not expected to keep him out for more than a few days. (REPORT)
PSV Eindhoven have signed Netherlands World Cup midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to a contract extension through 2018. (REPORT)
Montpellier have signed Paraguayan forward Lucas Barrios on loan from Spartak Moscow with an option to buy at the end of the season. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Rodriguez and Kroos settling in well with Real Madrid’s squad? Think it could be too unbalanced? Do you see Jimenez thriving for Atletico?
Share your thoughts below.