Real Madrid round-up: Super Cup, Marcelo, Casemiro, Suso
Today's tidbits feature a potential new addition to the club's coaching team, Julen Lopetegui's Super Cup selection doubts, and more...
Odegaard only absentee as Real arrive in Tallinn
Real Madrid's 29-man travelling party - which includes every member of the first-team squad except Martin Odegaard - arrived in Tallinn last night ahead of tomorrow's Uefa Super Cup clash against city rivals Atlético. This year's European curtain-raiser will be the seventh to be contested by two teams from the same country, and the fixture's fifth all-Spanish affair.
Marciniak to referee Super Cup
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will be the man in the middle at the 15,000-capacity A. Le Coq Arena. The 37-year-old, who took charge of two matches at this summer's World Cup in Russia, has previously overseen three Real Madrid games, of which Los Blancos won one and drew two, and two featuring Atlético, which both saw Diego Simeone's men take victory.
Lopetegui unsure over Marcelo, Casemiro
Julen Lopetegui's Super Cup selection doubts revolve around Marcelo and Casemiro. With a view to playing them against Atleti, Real Madrid's head coach handed the pair starts in Saturday's Bernabéu Trophy win over AC Milan, but both looked well short of full fitness and Lopetegui will run the rule over them in tonight's final pre-match training session before deciding whether or not to field them. Nacho and Dani Ceballos are ready to step in.
Meanwhile, Luka Modric is not expected to start in the Estonian capital, having only returned to Real training last Wednesday.
Suso linked with Real Madrid
According to Le 10 Sport, Real Madrid and Roma are interested in securing the services of AC Milan winger Suso. The Spain cap, 24, has a 40-million-euro release clause at the San Siro.
Bernabéu backroom signing in the offing?
K.S.C. Lokeren boss Peter Maes has told TV Oost that Real are eyeing a move to add the Belgian club's goalkeeping coach, Erwin Lemmens, to Lopetegui's backroom team at the Bernabéu. Juan Canales is currently in charge of Real's first-team keepers.