One down, five to go: Can Madrid win all six trophies?

Real Madrid are aiming for six trophies this season. Already, it is one down, and five to go. After their superlative 2-0 victory over fellow Spanish side Sevilla in the European Super Cup final, we wonder if the star studded side can lift the lot this season.

The European Super Cup winner still has five more challenging cups to play for this season; the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Club World Cup and the Supercopa de Espana.

Fellow rivals, Barcelona, achieved this remarkable feat in 2009, although they did so in one calendar year spread across two seasons, rather than in one single campaign.

Well, one will not dispute the possibility of Madrid achieving this target. After all, this a mega rich squad assembled at a whopping cost of over £530 million.

They will be highly disappointed if they don’t end the season with the Champions League or La Liga at least.

After a poor World Cup performance milled with injuries, Ronaldo struck in each half against Sevilla to announce his form and ensure a successful Wales homecoming for his team-mate Gareth Bale as the star-studded Spanish giants won 2-0 and thrilled a capacity 33,500 crowd with their all-singing, all-dancing game.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti paraded his awe-inspiring wealth of playing talent, with new arrivals James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos joining Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in a team captained by veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Although the Spanish domestic season does not start for almost another fortnight, Madrid already look in ominous form, suggesting they will not only challenge for another European crown but also seriously threaten Atletico Madrid’s reign as La Liga champions.

Bale joined Madrid from Tottenham in a world-record £86m deal last summer, and also stamped his class on proceedings, delivering a precision cross from which Ronaldo scored his opener. Looks like he has bulked up Rafael Nadal-style. Hopefully, his knees will take the strain.

Sounds like it. “It was amazing,” he purred. “They (the local fans) are always amazing when we are here for internationals. So to be here with Real Madrid was special and they were great as always. I’ve been working hard through pre-season. I’m in better shape than I was coming into last season, so I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I can improve on last season.”

They all seemed fairly happy with their night’s work as you can see from what Ronaldo was chirping afterwards. He was even presented with the man of the match award by his old mentor Sir Alex Ferguson. “It was my first official match this season, and I felt good,” he said.

“I managed to score and that gave me confidence, and I am going to continue to work to improve my level. We realised it would be a complex game, but we played well and created opportunities. We played with intensity, and we were justified winners, which is why we are taking the cup back home. This was a trophy I wanted because I hadn’t won it in my career. I was nervous to see how I would feel on the pitch, but I am happy because I scored twice.”

And new signings Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez fitting in well to the Champions League holders.

According to Cristiano, very well indeed. “As I said, these are two crucial players for us. They helped the team win. We are happy to welcome them. Kroos and Rodriguez are integrating themselves well – they are fantastic players.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking by Chelsea in 2011 looks ridiculous and a decision that most football pundit are worried about.

It does. On nights like the European Super Cup night, even more so it does. He went one season without winning a trophy at Stamford Bridge a year after lifting the double, and was sacked. Yet Jose Mourinho won nothing in his first season back at the club, and is allowed to spend, spend, spend.

A nonsensical shout really by Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

He was a happy chap. “The team played very well, especially bearing in mind we didn’t have much time to prepare. The game worked out pretty well. I think we might be starting a very important cycle. We have a squad of extraordinary quality – I am fortunate to be able to coach an outstanding group of players It’s hard to improve this team. We have an outstanding set of players, and it is important to use the squad to its full capacity. To be competitive in all competitions we need to rotate players.”

Colombia’s World Cup leading light young James Rodridguez felt his first team play with Madrid and made little contribution in the attack.

But there is a bit more to come. “I don’t think it gives a full assessment of what I can do. I have only been training with the team for 11 days. I’m still a little bit away and obviously I can still get more familiar with the team.”

The second leg of the bid for six trophies sees them face two matches in the Spanish Super Cup with Liga holders Atletico. They play at the Bernabeu on Monday with the return leg at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon a week tomorrow. The World is eager to see Galacticos replicate a feet achieved by Barcelona five years ago.

 

Anthony Nlebem