This year's edition of the UEFA Super Cup pits two La Liga sides against one another as Real Madrid faces Sevilla in Wales at the Cardiff City stadium. This annual match is held at the beginning of the European club season and features last season's Champions League and Europa League winners.
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla, 2014 UEFA Super Cup: Preview and TV schedule
The defending Champions League and Europa League winners meet in Wales with the UEFA Super Cup on the line.
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Real Madrid defeated rivals Atlético Madrid to finally complete La Decima, winning their 10th European Cup last May. Sevilla defeated Benfica 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of scoreless football.
Key Player - Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Considering the absurd amount of offensive firepower at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal, it’s tough to isolate one player as the “key” one. But Tuesday’s Super Cup match provides a chance to showcase Gareth Bale for a couple reasons.
First, he’s a great player and proved many times last season that he was worth the large transfer fee the club paid for him during the summer of 2013. Second, this is a chance for Bale to feature in his home country of Wales. Sure he’s played international games there, but this is Real Madrid and he’ll enter the match as one of the team’s best players, which should be a great experience for him. Finally, he’s the one Real Madrid star we’re certain is going to start.
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
Key matchup - Madrid's defensive midfield vs. Sevilla's counter attack.
There’s no doubt Madrid is the bigger and stronger team in the match-up, but that doesn’t mean Sevilla are completely without a chance. The two teams played twice last season with Madrid winning their home match by a paltry 7-3 scoreline. The return match in Sevilla went better for the underdogs as they pulled off a 2-1 win.
Luka Modrić and new signing Toni Kroos are expected to play in the midfield pivot, so it will be their responsibility to prevent Sevilla from taking advantage of their attacking teammates' propensity to get well forward and leave some space. The two might be up to the task, but with Kroos having just joined up with the team after a post-World Cup break, they haven't had a lot of practice time together yet. Also, neither is a true defensive midfielder.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Xabi Alonso (suspended). In Doubt: Cristiano Ronaldo (knee).
Sevilla injuries and suspensions
Out: None.
Cristiano Ronaldo is supposedly available for selection by Ancelotti but there’s been a great deal of debate by the media and fans about whether or not he should be risked. Ronaldo played through pain late in the club season and at the World Cup, and there’s a belief that he should be 100% fit for the new season, rather than chasing a fairly unimportant trophy.
Xabi Alonso is definitely out of the match after earning a one-match ban from UEFA for running on the pitch to celebrate during last season’s Champions League final. Alonso was suspended for that match as well, and appeared in the celebration pile following Sergio Ramos’ late equalizer.
Sevilla are healthy and at full strength for the match.
Match Date/Time: 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
TV: FOX Sports 1 (U.S.), Sky Sports 5 (U.K.), Sportsnet Regional (Canada), Canal+ 1 (Spain)
Online: FOX Sports Go, FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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