Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos will make their Real Madrid debuts this evening.
The Colombia and Germany internationals arrived at Santiago Bernabeu this summer, and the Coach has revealed that the pair will start in the European Super Cup against Sevilla tonight.
“Kroos and James will play,” he told reporters in Cardiff.
“We are fine. Those that arrived on August 5 haven’t had as much time but the training has been good these past few days. We have been working as hard as we can for this match.
“James can play in every position in attack. He can play where he plays for Colombia, in the hole, or a little further back, as an attacking midfielder.
“I’m going to try him there now and again.
“As an individual Toni he will help us a lot with his positional sense.
“We need to maintain the balance we found last year. If we manage to keep it this could be another great year.”
The Italian then answered questions on Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness, Angel Di Maria’s future and his own safety as Coach.
“Cristiano has been training at full intensity without any problems. He has done everything he needed to to be ready for the game.
“The problems he had last year are gone. I think he will start [the season] well.
“[Di Maria’s future] is a problem that does not need to be discussed around this match. He has trained to be ready for the game and he has done so in a good way.
“This matter hasn’t been discussed in the dressing room; when a player arrives at Valdebebas he is with the team. We have to wait until August 31.
“We don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. The first Press conference and you’re already talking about losing my job.
“It is true that Madrid always has to win and the club has worked hard to improve the squad. I can only say that we want to repeat the achievements of last season.”
Ancelotti then went on to comment on whether he will rotate his goalkeeper’s this season, what he expects from Gareth Bale and a word on Diego Lopez leaving for Milan.
“I still don’t know, or maybe I do know but I don’t want to tell you.
“Iker will play tomorrow; he is in good shape and deserves to play. He did well in the Champions League last year.
“Gareth now knows Madrid well, the club, the city. I think he will surpass last year. He is in very good condition physically and mentally.
“I don’t know if he will play tomorrow. Everybody is talking about him playing in his home town, but he might start on the bench.
“Gareth is one of the best in the world, there is no doubt about that. Last season he was spectacular, the way he ended the season was very good.
“But look, there is a lot of competition just in this team – If you say that Gareth deserves to win it you could also Ramos and Cristiano deserve it this year.
“Diego Lopez took a good offer to leave. I gave him our thanks for how he helped us to win titles and I wished him luck. I have a lot of affection for Milan and I know he will be happy there.”
