Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to play with retractable roof closed vs Getafe due to rain forecast – report
Real Madrid’s renovation of Santiago Bernabeu has been ongoing for close to four years now. The Merengues have gone all out to turn their iconic stadium into a state-of-the-art facility, as is only fitting for a club of their stature.
The renovation is now close to complete, and the official opening is planned for the end of 2024. Nevertheless, Los Blancos will continue to use the turf to play their home games.
As the Merengues played their first three games of the new season on the road, the roof of Santiago Bernabeu received its final touches. The new facility sees the stadium have a retractable roof that can be closed in unfavourable weather conditions.
A mechanical wonder
According to reports from AS, the retractable roof could be in use for the team’s first home game of the season considering the forecast of rain today.
It will be a gargantuan occasion for the Bernabeu, considering that it will be the first time the team will play under a closed roof.
Building shelter for a stadium of the size of Santiago Bernabeu is nothing short of an architectural marvel. After all, there is no room for any support for the suspended roof.
The retractable shelter is said to include over 35,000 tonnes of materials. It will take a total of 35 minutes to completely close or open the roof.
A formidable opposition
With the new roof stopping any hindrance of play through rain, Carlo Ancelotti’s side can put all their focus on the difficult challenge that awaits them on the night.
Los Blancos lock horns with Jose Bordalas’ Getafe in an early kickoff on Saturday, and their local rivals are not one to be brushed off lightly.
Getafe held Barcelona to a draw in their first league game of the season. Moreover, they enter the clash on the back of a win over Deportivo Alaves at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Real Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways as they get set to take on UD Las Palmas in a couple of hours at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the derby debacle against Atletico de Madrid last weekend, it is imperative for Los Merengues to bounce back strongly tonight.
With kick-off not very long away, Carlo Ancelotti has announced the starting lineup that will be stepping onto the pitch to face Las Palmas.
Ancelotti has changed things a fair bit from the derby defeat, with both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos dropping to the bench.
But the biggest surprise is that Jude Bellingham has also been rested by the Real Madrid boss.
Instead, Real Madrid go in with the quartet of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Brahim Diaz in their diamond midfield setup. The latter makes his first start for Real Madrid this season.
Up top, Joselu returns to the starting lineup, pairing up alongside Rodrygo Goes while Vinicius Jr remains on the bench, having only recently returned from an injury.
At the back, club captain Nacho Fernandez starts his first game of the season at the expense of Lucas Vazquez at right-back. Ferland Mendy also gets a look-in at left-back while David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger make up the rearguard that will shield Kepa Arrizabalaga.
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 27, 2023
