A bit less than a year ago, Roma faced Real Madrid at Dallas's Cotton Bowl Stadium in the International Champions Cup. Although the Giallorossi were coming off one of their best seasons in recent times, posting ten straight wins and earning 85 points, Rudi Garcia's men were still perceived as underdogs. After all, they were taking on Real Madrid, who had finally won that 10th Champions League trophy they had been searching for and the Spanish club's fanbase were feeling pretty confident that Carlo Ancelotti's group would steamroll the Serie A runners-up.
Well, what makes the International Champions Cup interesting is its unpredictability, and it was the Lupi to earn a hard fought win over the La Liga side, courtesy of a second half goal from the evergreen Francesco Totti. It was also enough to end Real Madrid's quest to retain their ICC title, a trophy that has no actual bearing on the season's results but nonetheless gives players confidence and coaches a chance to try out new formations and personnel prior to beginning their domestic and continental campaigns.
This time around, the venue for the two capital clubs' meeting will be in Melbourne. As per usual during the summer transfer window, there have been quite a few changes - some bigger than others. Unlike the Spanish side, Roma still have the same man in charge of the team, with Rudi Garcia in his third season. Save for the departures of players like Andrea Bertolacci to AC Milan and Jose Holebas to newly promoted Premier League side Watford, there has been not too many modifications for the Giallorossi, who could be bringing in some new additional faces besides Spanish winger Iago Falque from Genoa.
By contrast, Real Madrid now have a new face on the bench who will be familiar to Serie A and Premier League fans - Rafa Benitez. The former Napoli boss took over after Ancelotti was dismissed and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to win over the team's fickle fan base. Many are still upset with the departure of iconic goalkeeper Iker Casillas to Porto and all the transfer rumors surrounding more of their key players. In addition, World Cup winning midfielder Sami Khedira also departed the Spanish capital on a free transfer to Serie A giants Juventus.
As for Benitez, a win against Roma, a team he will be certainly familiar with from his spell with the Partenopei as well as with Inter Milan would obviously be the ideal way to start his tenure. This will be the first game Real Madrid will be playing with Benitez as coach and their first overall match since finishing their season last May.
Roma, meanwhile, have already started their pre-season, but not on the note supporters would have liked. Jeers and boos rained down from the stands as they watched Garcia's troops lose 1-2 to a side not many outside Hungary have heard of - Gyirmot Gyor - who by far and large were the better side on the pitch. The one positive thing about the match was the return of Leandro Castan to action after his long-term absence following a serious health scare and major surgery that saw him miss nearly a year of action. Although they will not be playing in Italy this time, Roma will definitely want to gain some of that confidence back by starting their ICC tournament off on the right foot.
With Benitez keen on proving his doubters wrong and Garcia seeking to get the ball rolling for Roma, this ICC match could be a interesting one from start to finish. For some viewers, though, as it is being played in Australia, it will be taking place at the wee hours of the morning (05.00 EST if you are based in New York or in any of the cities on the East Coast in the United States)!
Regardless of what time it is, fans of both teams and neutrals will want to tune in, so make sure you bookmark our special Roma vs. Real Madrid for all your broadcast info for wherever you call home.
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