Real Madrid start their pre-season games against AS Roma in Melbourne on Saturday, with new manager Rafael Benítez given tough start (or at least as tough as glorified friendlies tend to come). The Spanish giants have brought all of their big hitters, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos among those expected to feature.
Real Madrid vs. AS Roma live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch International Champions Cup online
Real Madrid take on Italian giants Roma in a pretty tough pre-season opener.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
With Australia’s big Italian ex-pat community, they could well face a Roma team with the crowd on their side. The giallorossi have also got plenty of talent of their own, with veterans Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi likely to play alongside the likes of Radja Nainolan and Miralem Pjanić. They’ll be looking to fare better than they did in their opening friendly against Hungarian second division team Gyirmot last week, when they lost 2-1.
Fun Real Madrid fringe player to watch: Martin Ødegaard
Wonderkid playmaker Martin Ødegaard became Norway's youngest ever full international last year, when he took to the field against the United Arab Emirates at just 15 years of age. In January he completed a move from Strømsgodset to Real Madrid, and made his debut in a win over Getafe in the final game of the season. Yes, he's good; yes, you're old.
Fun AS Roma fringe player to watch: Antonio Sanabria
This game should mean more to Tonny Sanabria than most, with the young Paraguayan having once played for the club on the Catalan side of the El Clásico divide. He’s yet to make much of a mark since joining Roma from Barcelona, having played just an hour of Serie A football, but the 19-year-old may come to play an increasingly important role in Rudi García’s first team.
Compared to other friendlies, is this worth my time?
It’s a clash of veritable European powerhouses, which makes it worth watching in itself. 7/10.
Match date/time: Saturday, 5 a.m. ET, 7 p.m. local
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
TV: FOX Sports 1 (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes, (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports 4/HD (U.K.)
Online: FOX Sports Go, FOX Soccer 2 Go, Watch ESPN (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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