90min
·11 August 2022
90min
·11 August 2022
Newly promoted Almeria host reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid on Sunday night.
Almeria finished top of a tight Segunda Division last season, ending the campaign just one point above the playoffs after a nine-game unbeaten streak through April and May.
Real Madrid kicked off their season on Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting between the champions of Spain's top two tiers.
Almeria: 0 WinsReal Madrid: 5 WinsDraws: 0
Almeria's new-look squad may have avoided any injuries to open the season but, if anything, that only complicates Rubi's selection process. The Andalusians brought in nine players on permanent deals during the off-season, getting rid of ten from the squad that topped the Segunda.
Almeria Starting 11: Pacheco; Pozo, Kaiky, Ely, Akieme; Eguaras, Samu; Portillo, Lazo, Ramazani; SousaBench: Fernando, Fuoli, Robertone, De La Hoz, Curro, Appiah, Centelles, Martin, Mendes
Dani Carvajal recovered from a sprained ankle during preseason to start against Frankfurt in midweek. With a fully fit squad at his disposal, Carlo Ancelotti plumped for the same XI that won Los Blancos a 14th European Cup against Liverpool last May. It proved a good decision.
Madrid's gaze for the season ahead sits above a game against newly-promoted opposition. Multiple members of Real Madrid's squad have made it abundantly clear the goal is to win all six trophies available this season, a feat only Bayern Munich and Barcelona have achieved in Europe.
Even Almeria's goalkeeper, Fernando Martinez, admitted: "Real Madrid are the favourites," before adding a limp-wristed rallying call, "but we have our weapons." Whatever those threats may be, there is a strong chance Real Madrid will be able to overcome what they encounter on Sunday night.