Publish dateSunday 30 August 2009 - 08:57
Story Code : 11761
Moment of truth for new-look Madrid
In came Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Raúl Albiol, Álvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero with former Villarreal CF boss Pellegrini brought in to mould them together
(UEFA)_With last season's treble winners FC Barcelona away on UEFA Super Cup duty, Real Madrid CF will take centre stage on the opening weekend of the 79th Liga season with RC Deportivo La Coruña providing the opposition for Manuel Pellegrini's expensively assembled side on Saturday.

New arrivals
Having witnessed their rivals dominate on both domestic and European fronts last term, Madrid – under returning president Florentino Pérez – began an ambitious pre-season project that led to an outlay of close to €250m on new signings. In came Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Raúl Albiol, Álvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero with former Villarreal CF boss Pellegrini brought in to mould them together. Ahead of Depor's visit to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, the Chilean coach admitted expectations among Madridistas were now sky-high. "If 90,000 people are coming to your stadium to see a show you have to give them one no matter what," he said. "The show we will look to put on begins with winning, which is what the people want."

Ambitious targets
Along with setting his sights on capturing the club's 32nd Liga title, Pellegrini said Los Merengues were hoping to emulate Barça's impressive achievements of winning the Liga, UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey last season. "I've got an exceptional squad, one that is at the highest level, and with the group of players we have here we have to set our sights on going for everything," the 55-year-old said. "Football is a simple game, but there are various ways of winning and that's what I want my team to demonstrate this term."

Focus and fortune
Not to be outdone on the pre-season bragging rights, Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola insisted that "99 per cent of the coaches in the world would want to have the squad I have". The Azulgrana – who have already collected two pieces of silverware this season with the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup – get the defence of their league title under way on Monday when they host Real Sporting de Gijón. Admitting that a repeat performance of last season "might be tricky", Guardiola said he would not be putting his players under any undue pressure. "You have to remember that nobody in the history of Spanish football achieved what we did last season. I will only ask of my players what they are capable of doing, but if we are focused and have some luck on our side the possibilities are there."

Striking talent
Elsewhere, last season's third-placed finishers Sevilla FC – who open away to Valencia CF - will be hoping the addition of striker Álvaro Negredo will increase their chances of upsetting the championship favourites. Club Atlético de Madrid boast last season's ESM Golden Shoe winner Diego Forlán in their ranks and the Uruguayan will be looking to begin where he left off last season when Los Rojiblancos visit Málaga CF on Sunday. Xerez CD, who are playing in the top flight for the first time, begin away to RCD Mallorca.

Source : Afghan Voice Agency(AVA)
https://avapress.com/vdchzqnz.23nz-d10t2.html
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