Real Madrid News
UEFA studying brand-new Super Cup final-four format including MLS winners
After winning the Champions League last season, Real Madrid faced Europa League winners, Eintracht Frankfurt in the Super Cup in August this year.
To nobody’s surprise, Carlo Ancelotti’s side came out on top with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from David Alaba and Karim Benzema. With Los Blancos having the possibility of competing in the competition next season, due to them being contenders to reign over Europe once again, it has been revealed that changes could be made to the format.
As per the latest information provided by the Guardian, as relayed by MARCA, UEFA is understood to be assessing the possibility of introducing a new final four format in the Super Cup.
It is being discussed whether the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League are also joined by the Conference League and Major League Soccer (MLS) champions.
From the looks of it, it seems like the governing body consider the tournament as a chance to provide an additional initiative to the team that wins the Conference League.
Considering the side also has the chance to lock horns against a potential Champions League winning side could be considered an added bonus for the team.
Additionally, the MLS could get a number of new eyes on them, through this potentially opportunity as well.
UEFA has been looking at ways to include USA in their daily proceedings, knowing full well their monetary power. With an MLS team in contention against the best in the world, this could be UEFA’s gateway into the money they have been looking for.
From a Real Madrid standpoint however, this potential revamp of the Super Cup is far from good news. Season upon season, the Spanish giants play a relentless number of fixtures right till the very end, as they compete across all four fronts.
With the addition of another match, especially at the start of the campaign will not make matters any easier for Los Merengues.
The cloud of uncertainty over Karim Benzema’s future has served as a major headache for the Real Madrid board, as they kickstart their team planning ahead of the new season.
Recent reports claim the Frenchman is strongly considering a move to Saudi Arabia, after receiving a lucrative €150 million offer from Al Ittihad. He was close to renewing his contract at Santiago Bernabeu not too long ago, but it appears the tables have turned lately.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid are yet to give up on Benzema and still harbour hopes of renewing his contract in the coming weeks, reports Alfredo Matilla.
The Spanish journalist suggests Real Madrid have not closed the file on Benzema. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has recently met the forward to clarify his future and it appears the club are set to do everything they can to keep hold of the player.
Benzema’s departure, after all, could put the club in a major dilemma, where they must either sign a top-class striker or settle for a low-cost alternative for the entirety of next season.
Harry Kane has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for Benzema. But his acquisition could potentially jeopardise Real Madrid’s bid to sign either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe in 2024. The club have also faced difficulties negotiating with Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman.
As far as the low-cost options are concerned, Real Madrid are interested in Roberto Firmino, who will become a free agent in the summer.
However, the Brazilian international is not the most productive striker around and his struggles in front of goal could put more pressure on players like Vinicius Junior next season.
Real Madrid, therefore, will hope to keep hold of Benzema’s services for another year. Unfortunately, though, the player has given a cold response so far and left training early, without speaking too much.
So it will be interesting to see whether or not the veteran striker opts to remain at Bernabeu for another year.
