REAL MADRID IMPRESSIVE IN SUPER CUP VICTORY

The defending European champions were commanding in their UEFA Super Cup triumph against Sevilla in Cardiff last night with most of their big names impressing and sending out a message to all their rivals for the coming season.

D. Ray Morton, 13th August 2014.

Another two goals but a new medal for Cristiano Ronaldo to collect as he had never won the UEFA Super Cup before last night

Real Madrid sank Sevilla by two goals to nil in UEFA's bonus competition yesterday evening thanks to a routine brace from their star Cristiano Ronaldo despite fears that the Portuguese may not have been at 100% after a World Cup summer and a niggling knee injury. The FIFA Balon d'Or winner appeared to be in fine form though not yet at his very peak. He combined well with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano) front three retained from last season. Bale's assist for the first goal was a thing a of beauty. A deep, swirling cross that got away from Sevilla's goalkeeper Beto and fell neatly onto the boot of Ronaldo after an explosive run from deep. Ronaldo may have been on the score-sheet but Bale's speed and all-round energy was the stand-out talking point, the Welshman looking fresh having not been at the World Cup.

James Rodríguez also made his competitive début last night. The €80m Colombian had a relatively quiet game in all honesty and did not set the Cardiff City stadium alight. He found himself forced out wide on occasions and did not function in the 4-2-3-1 shape Ancelotti had gone with. Last season, Real usually went with a 4-3-3 without a number 10 involved. Karim Benzema, who was the spearhead of the attack, looked busy but Real could easily open their chequebook again this summer, sign the likes of Monaco's Falcao and become a genuinely unstoppable force.

The deeper midfield two of Luka Modric and other newcomer Toni Kroos worked very well. It will take a while for the pair to understand each other but had an easy night pinging the ball between each other against a side that did not have a midfield capable of competing. Modric and Kroos prefer to be on the ball and Ancelotti has options within his squad when he needs his team to play with a bit more defensive-minded grit. Although they will enter the Champions League as favourites, this is still not possession-hogging machine like Guardiola's Barcelona which defended by not having to defend but by suffocating the opposition in not letting them have the ball.

Toni Kroos with an impressive début and could be the player to take this Madrid midfield to an even higher level


Iker Casillas and the back four of Daniel Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Fábio Coentrão remain as the potential weakness but apart from some bouts of indiscipline, it is hardly a back-line to be sniffed at. The unused squad is also brimming with talent although some of the players' futures are up in the air at the moment. The club are still looking to sell Ángel di María in order to recoup some funds to cover their other signings. Only at Real could such a great player, arguably their man of the match in the Champions League final, be offloaded just to balance the books. Keylor Navas, one of the new signings and Costa Rican World Cup hero, may eventually take Casillas' place between the sticks and then there is Raphaël Varane who can develop to be a better player than Ramos or Pepe. Xabi Alonso and Isco will stick around though they are not expected to start many games and then there is Sami Khedira whose future has not been decided. His contract is out at the end of the season but he may yet stick around and leave on a Bosman. José Mourinho at Chelsea is an admirer and is rumoured to have advised the German international against a move to cross-city rivals Arsenal.

Many things to ponder but what a luxury of resources Los Blancos have going into 2014/15. La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will know that they will have to be at their very best in order to make any attempt at a title challenge against such a multimillion Euro powerhouse. Barça are hardly being frugal themselves but must still look on with awe at Real's potential best XI. Teams with hopes of Champions League glory must also stare upwards at the Bernabéu club, their wealth of riches and individual talents unmatched anywhere in world football right now.

WORLD CUP TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR

D. Ray Morton, 28th June 2014.

With the World Cup group stages having been completed and the second round about to kick-off today (with games of Brazil vs. Chile and Colombia vs. Uruguay), here's our World Cup XI from what we have seen so far. As it has been an attacking tournament, our selection is top heavy with many offensive players appearing in a 3-4-3 formation. Three at the back is in vogue in the competition, with many teams opting to do away with the 4-2-3-1 structure that has been so popular in the last few years.

 Very much an all-out attack theme with this XI

Goalkeeper

Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico/Free Agent)

The Mexican with the wild mane is our choice between the sticks. Ochoa, who was relegated from the French top flight with Ajaccio last season, had an incredible solo performance when Mexico faced Brazil. Thanks to his string of fine saves, the host nation were held to a 0-0 draw. An honourable mention goes to Chile's Claudio Bravo who has been a solid performer so far and was our second choice for this spot.

Centre-backs

Diego Godín (Uruguay/Atlético Madrid)

Picking up where he left his club form at the end of last season, Godín has been immense for an otherwise Luis Suárez-reliant Uruguay in their three games so far. The Atlético defender has been superb and scored a thumping header against Italy to knock them out of the competition and allow Los Charrúas to get into the last sixteen.

Rafael Márquez (Mexico/Léon)

The legendary Mexico captain has been a steady figure for his nation's side and has been a stalwart at the back as they advanced through Group A which contained Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon. Captain of Mexico for three World Cups in a row, the 35 year-old is still a composed presence and takes care of business allowing players ahead of him to play fluid, inventive football.

Jan Vertonghen (Belgium/Tottenham)

Belgium's defence has been rather stingy so far, a rarity in a competition where most other teams have been a tad leaky at the back. Vertonghen may not have had one of the best seasons at Tottenham, but he's been a calm, assured figure at the back for de Rode Duivels. Although he's been played at left-back for his country due to their lack of natural full-backs, we have slotted him into the left side of our back three thanks to his preference for the role at club level.

Defensive midfielder

Javier Mascherano (Argentina/Barcelona)

For Argentina, Lionel Messi's brilliance has been grabbing all the fanfare but many have overlooked Mascherano's steadiness and reliability as he keeps their attack-minded midfield balanced. Mascherano is incredibly selfless. He works entirely for his team and has no notion of catching the highlight reel or making headlines. Without his inclusion, Argentina's not-yet-convincing World Cup campaign may well have collapsed by now.

Wide midfielders

Mathieu Valbuena (France/Marseille)

Though he was rested in France's third group match after they had already gone through, the diminutive French wide-man has been terrific in his two appearances. Always willing to get on the ball and do something useful with it, Valbuena uses his small stature to confuse cumbersome opponents with his delightful first touch and wonderful bursts of acceleration. He has been a great role model for smaller, trickier players and will continue to be a joy to watch as France gather momentum should they make themselves serious final contenders.

Arjen Robben (Netherlands/Bayern Munich)

With Valbuena on the right, we have put Robben out left although in this World Cup, the phrase "free role" best sums up where he might turn up on the pitch which is just about anywhere in the final third. Teaming up with Robin van Persie, Robben danced his way through the group stages with three goals, an assist and three man of the match awards. A stunning achievement from a player who, earlier last season, was expected to be offloaded by his club coach Pep Guardiola. If Robben can continue this fine form and keep excelling at club level, he could make himself a genuine Balon d'Or contender next winter.

Attacking midfielder

James Rodríguez (Colombia/Monaco)

James (pronounced "Ha-mez") has really come into fruition as Colombia's top player in the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao. The creative midfielder has been on fire so far with three goals, two assists and two man of the match awards. He really is coming into his own and could go on to become Colombia's greatest international player ever, eclipsing the legendary Carlos Valderramma. Colombia are well capable of knocking out Uruguay and should make very tough quarter-final opponents against either Brazil or Chile, especially with this fellow in their line-up.

James Rodríguez has been superb for Colombia and is the tournament's breakout star

Attackers

Thomas Müller (Germany/Bayern Munich)

With Miroslav Klose's international career winding down having levelled Ronaldo's all-time World Cup goalscoring record, Germany have found themselves a new Mister World Cup in Müller, an out-and-out goal poacher in the same vein as the legendary German striker, Gerd Müller. The Bayern Munich winger/striker is a true no nonsense player. He has no box of tricks, fancy gimmicks or sleeve tattoos. He just has instinct in and around the penalty area which gives Germany a huge boost not having many other attacking options. His four goals have allowed die Mannschaft to ease through their group and as their momentum gathers, their fans will start to believe that this can finally be their year having not won a major international competition since Euro '96.

Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)

Well, he would have to be in it, wouldn't he? Leo has been amazing so far and has done his very best Maradona impersonation by single-handedly dragging Argentina along, scoring four goals and picking up three man of the match awards in the process. If anything, should he keep this form up and hand the Albiceleste the World Cup, he will have surpassed Diego and will stand alone on top of football's Mount Olympus. He is not helped by the injury of Sergio Agüero but the rest of the team doing just about enough, they are capable of going all the way and how they would love that on rival Brazilian soil.

Neymar (Brazil/Barcelona)

A third Barcelona player, which is a little surprising considering their end of season was thought to be a flop. Maybe they were saving themselves for the World Cup after all. In fairness, Neymar has been the host nation's best player up until now. They have flattered to deceive so far with a controversial win over Croatia, a draw against Mexico and a routine win against the awful Cameroon. Neymar has scored four goals and has taken a huge amount of responsibility in a high pressure situation. Though he has looked awkward at Camp Nou, he is very much in his element in this Brazil side and everything goes through him. Still, many tough matches lie ahead, including tonight's bout against Chile. That will be a good testing ground to see whether Neymar becomes a legend or merely another myth.