Real Madrid come to Ireland

By Craig Hughes

SECURITY was tight last night, as Real Madrid’s Galacticos flew into Dublin Airport at around 7:30pm Irish time. Hoards of fans gathered to see some of the games legends including Raul, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, but the main attraction, was of course, the world’s most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo.

FIFA’s 2008 World Footballer of the Year and his fellow team mates then made their way by coach to the lavish Carton House in Co. Kildare which will serve as their base for their ten day training camp. Carton House last week hosted Newcastle United as they too chose to begin their preseason training in the cool Irish climate. Organisers are hoping that Carton House will quickly become known as the “premier” training facilities in Europe.

Madrid’s players will endure an intense training regime during their stay in the Emerald Isle. Players will meet for breakfast at 7:15am every morning before getting ready for their days session. The first six days of their stay will see the players start their morning session at 8:00am, with these sessions focusing predominantly on fitness with strength training following at 11:30am.

A player or member of the team’s management will give a press conference daily at 1:00pm before the team gather for lunch at 1:30pm. The players will then have until 6:30pm to rest before they begin their afternoon session which will involve technical, tactical and fitness work. Madrid will use one of these evening sessions to watch a DVD of their Irish opponents, Shamrock Rover, who they face in Tallaght Stadium at 8:00pm on Monday night in front of a sell-out 9,000 crowd.

Madrid’s final four days in Kildare will be at a lighter intensity with the squad only training twice daily, at 10:00am and again at 6:30pm

Fans of the Galacticos will be disappointed to hear that recent big money signing Kaka has be left out of the squad, as have other big names such as Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos who have all been given an extra weeks holiday to rest due to their involvement in this years Confederations Cup which took place in South Africa last month.

Dutch striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar has also been left out of the travelling squad, fuelling speculation liking him with a move away from the club. A host of European clubs, including Manchester United, are reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the 25-year-old. Manchester United ruled out any move for the Dutch international, which means German side Stuttgart, who have had a bid accepted by Madrid, are likely to acquire the Dutch International’s service pending approval from the player himself.

Fans can expect to see the return of veteran Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy as well as former Portsmouth midfielder Mohamadou Diarra who had been out injured since October and November of last year.

The Galacticos will fly back to Madrid on the 22nd where they’ll continue their preseason training before playing in the Peace Cup on the 24th of July. Madrid will face Ecuadorian side Liga Deportiva Universitaria De Quito, who are the reigning South American champions, in their first round encounter. The tournament, which consists of twelve teams, includes some familiar names such as Aston Villa, Juventus and Celtic as well as some unfamiliar names such as Saudi Arabian based side Al-Ittihad and Korea’s most successful team Seongnam.