Preview: Rangers vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid will formally start their preparations for the 2021-22 marketing campaign with a glamorous pleasant towards Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos performed out a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano in a coaching match final weekend, whereas Rangers have taken half in three pre-season fixtures this summer season, together with a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Match preview

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Rangers opened their preparations for the brand new season with a 1-0 win over Patrick Thistle on July 5 earlier than struggling a 1-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers 5 days later.

The Gers then performed out a 2-2 draw with Arsenal on July 17, with Leon Balogun and Cedric Itten on the scoresheet for Steven Gerrard‘s aspect, who twice lead towards the Premier League giants.

Rangers are set to play twice within the house of 24 hours, as they are going to tackle Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night forward of their conflict with Actual Madrid, that means that Gerrard will shuffle his pack to make sure that each participant within the squad is ready to get minutes of their legs.

Gerrard’s crew, who noticed a latest pleasant with Blackpool known as off as a result of coronavirus circumstances within the English aspect’s squad, are constructing in direction of their Scottish Premiership opener towards Livingston on July 31.

Rangers have solely beforehand hosted Actual Madrid on one event, which got here within the first spherical of the European Cup again in 1963, and the truth that the Scottish giants begin their league season simply six days after this contest implies that it’s a very important fixture for a lot of causes.

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Actual Madrid, in the meantime, are within the very early levels of their preparations for the 2021-22 marketing campaign, and the conflict with Rangers might be their first confirmed pleasant of the summer season.

Los Blancos did tackle Rayo Vallecano in a coaching match final weekend, with the 2 sides enjoying out a 1-1 draw, however returning head coach Carlo Ancelotti might be seeking to get extra out of this contest.

Actual Madrid are additionally as a result of tackle AC Milan in a glamour pleasant on August 8, and the Spanish membership’s return to aggressive motion is simply across the nook, as they put together to open their 2021-22 La Liga marketing campaign with a visit to Alaves on August 14.

Ancelotti continues to be with out a lot of necessary gamers because of the Copa America and Euro 2020, and it has been claimed {that a} largely youthful aspect will take to the sector for this weekend’s contest.

David Alaba is the membership’s solely summer season arrival to date, and the Austria worldwide has been coaching along with his new crew this week, though his involvement on this contest is way from assured.

Rangers Pre-Season Friendlies kind:

Group Information

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Rangers is not going to be going through a full-strength Actual Madrid on Sunday, however the Scottish giants will nonetheless be determined to select up a constructive consequence, so Gerrard is predicted to pick out a powerful beginning XI.

It’s troublesome to know precisely what to anticipate when it comes to crew choice, because the Gers might be in motion towards Brighton on Saturday night, and it’s unattainable to know which aspect will characteristic in that match.

Jermain Defoe is a doubt for the competition, having picked up an damage towards Arsenal, however John Lundstram ought to once more be within the aspect, whereas Kemar Roofe ought to characteristic on the high finish of the sector.

Gerrard continues to be unable to name upon Alfredo Morelos, although, because the striker is absent as a result of his involvement within the Copa America for Colombia.

As for Madrid, Nacho, Marcelo, Isco, Alvaro Odriozola, Martin Odegaard and Lucas Vazquez all began the coaching match with Rayo final day out and will doubtlessly be concerned.

Rodrygo Goes and Luka Jovic are making progress of their damage recoveries, however Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are nonetheless absent, whereas Karim Benzema has examined constructive for coronavirus.

Gareth Bale returned to pre-season coaching with Actual Madrid on Friday, however it’s unclear whether or not the Wales worldwide might be concerned, whereas the identical may also be stated for Toni Kroos.

Raphael Varane additionally reported for responsibility on Friday, however it’s understood that the centre-back, who continues to be linked with Manchester United, underwent a medical examination and didn’t truly prepare with the primary crew, that means that he is not going to be concerned this weekend.

Head To Head

The well-known golf equipment have solely locked horns on two earlier events, with the contests going down within the first spherical of the European Cup through the 1963-94 marketing campaign.

Actual Madrid ran out 1-0 winners when the 2 sides locked horns in Glasgow earlier than recording a 6-0 victory within the reverse match in Spain, with Ferenc Puskas scoring a hat-trick for the Spanish giants.

We are saying: Rangers 1-1 Actual Madrid

Actual Madrid might be removed from at full power on Sunday, however the Spanish outfit will nonetheless carry a squad stuffed with high quality, and it ought to be an entertaining contest at Ibrox. Rangers are additional forward when it comes to preparations, however we will see the 2 groups enjoying out a 1-1 draw right here.