Real Madrid news: Super Cup, Zidane, Rodrygo, Casemiro...
Today's bitesize news features Spanish Super Cup updates, February's LaLiga clash with Osasuna, Rodrygo's birthday and landmarks for Raphaël Varane and Casemiro.
Training at 17:00 CET
Real Madrid's Spanish Super Cup squad are due to train at 17:00 CET at the Ittihad F.C. Training Centre in Jeddah on Friday, as they prepare for this weekend's final against city rivals Atlético Madrid. Los Rojiblancos set up a Spanish-capital derby in Sunday's trophy decider after scoring two late goals to beat Barcelona 3-2 in Thursday's second Super Cup semi-final.
Zidane press conference on Saturday lunchtime
Ahead of the clash with Atlético, Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is scheduled to speak to the media at 10:30 CET on Saturday, and you can follow that press conference live with AS English.
See also: Zidane, the coach with the Midas Touch in finals
Osasuna kick-off time confirmed
LaLiga has announced the schedule for week 23 of the Primera División season, with Madrid's clash with Osasuna at El Sadar set for Sunday 9 February at 16:00 CET. Thanks in no small part to the exploits of nine-goal forward Chimy Ávila, the newly-promoted Rojillos currently sit in a wholly respectable 12th place; indeed, they are closer in points to Europe (seven) than relegation (nine).
Real starlet Rodrygo turns 19
Rodrygo Goes celebrated his 19th birthday on Thursday. The Brazilian, who was an unused substitute in Madrid's Spanish Super Cup semi-final win over Valencia on Wednesday, has scored six times in 14 appearances in what has been an impressive first season at the Bernabéu, and was recently named in UEFA's Champions League 'breakthrough team' of 2019.
Varane, Casemiro bring up landmarks
Raphaël Varane and Casemiro both enjoyed milestone wins in Madrid's triumph over Los Che this midweek, chalking up their 200th and 150th victories with the club, respectively. Now in his ninth season at Madrid, Varane has played 298 games for Los Blancos, scoring 14 goals. Casemiro, meanwhile, has made 218 appearances since his first-team debut in 2013, netting 20 times.
On this day...
On 10 January 1943, Real Madrid and Barcelona played out a thriller at the Culés' former Les Corts home, drawing 5-5 in the calendar year's opening round of LaLiga games. Having beaten Barça 3-0 at home earlier in the season, Los Blancos came away from Catalonia with a point thanks to José Mardones' 87th-minute equaliser - but it was the Blaugrana who had much the better campaign. While Madrid finished 10th in what was then only a 14-team league, Barcelona came third, four points behind champions Athletic Bilbao.