Real Madrid's players won their FIFA Club World Cup final football match against San Lorenzo in December 2014. (Photo : Reuters)
Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid is set to face Italian club AS Roma in the Australian leg of the 2015 International Champions Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
The game, to be held on July 18, is the first in a series of friendly matches by Los Blancos around Australia and China against the Giallorossi, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.
Last year's FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal spearheads the stellar Real contingent that also boasts Wales' Gareth Bale, Germany's Toni Kroos, Colombia's James Rodriguez, Spain's Sergio Ramos, and France's Karim Benzema among others.
Ronaldo traveled separately with the rest of his teammates and was welcomed by manager Rafa Benítez and Bale when he arrived on Sunday, as reported by Daily Mail Online. The 30-year-old forward was even seen shopping around Melbourne in an attempt to enjoy the city and relax before their games starting Saturday.
Meanwhile, the three-time Serie A champions will also play Manchester City next week in a mini-round robin between the three teams in Melbourne, as per the International Champions Cup official website.
Rudi García's wards may be the weakest of the three teams on paper, but they are certainly capable of surprising anyone anytime.
The prediction is a 3-0 rout by Real over Roma. The Bernabéu giants are just too star-studded for the Italians to handle. The match will be a lot closer if Benítez decides not to field his best eleven.
Real Madrid starting lineup (4-1-2-3 formation): Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos; Isco, Rodriguez; Benzema, Bale, Ronaldo
AS Roma starting lineup (4-1-2-2-1 formation): Lobont; Cholevas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, Florenzi; Keita; Nainggolan, Pjanic; Gervinho, Ljajic; Totti
