Real Madrid round-up: Kovacic, Varane, Modric, Roma...
Our daily roundup of news surrounding the team as they gear up for tomorrow's ICC friendly against Roma at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Sunday session in Washington
Julen Lopetegui took his players through one final session at Audi Field in Washington yesterday before the squad boarded a flight bound for New York. Sunday's workout began with the usual rounds of piggy in the middle then followed with muscle toning exercises and ended with a mini-match on a reduced pitch. The Madrid party arrived at Newark Liberty International airport just in time to get some rest with another busy day in store today. The team are staying at the Park Hyatt hotel in midtown Manhattan, just a stone's throw from Central Park.
Life in the Big Apple
This morning the players will be taking part in a photoshoot to present the new third kit for the 2018/19 season which is similar to the 2014/15 coral third strip. This evening at 8pm local time, the players will be put through their paces at the Red Bull arena and Lopetegui will face the media half an hour before that session gets underway. Today's workout will be the team's final session in preparation for tomorrow's International Champions Cup meeting with Roma at the MetLife (02:05 hours CEST) in which Sergio Ramos is expected to make his first appearance of the pre-season.
Kovacic and Varane back at work
Madrid's international players continue to return back to work in dribs and drabs and yesterday Mateo Kovacic and Raphaël Varane were in Valdebebas. The two players, who delayed their return for their involvement at the World Cup, had Marcelo to keep them company in Real Madrid City. Luka Modric is due back on Wednesday so Lopetegui will have a full suad in time for Saturday's Trofeo Bernabéu against AC Milan.
"I'm sure Luka's staying" - Lucas Vázquez
Lucas Vázquez told Cadena COPE's Tiempo de Juego that he cannot envisage Luka Modric swapping Real Madrid for Inter Milan. The cannot understand how Modric, who seems so happy in Madrid, would consider giving it all up. "I'm relaxed about it all. We're counting on him. We're looking forward to getting back to Madrid and enjoying his football, which is what inspires all of us", Lucas said, before adding, "As it stands, there is no doubt in my mind that Luka Modric will continue with us at Real Madrid. I don't know what will happen in the future becasue in football, you never know".