EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti and his former pupil, current Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, have a lot in common at the moment.
Both men are going through their first preseasons as head coaches of their teams, and both have an exceedingly busy summer upon their return to Europe. Maybe that's why each team flew out as quickly as possible after Real Madrid's 1-0 victory over Bayern on Wednesday at MetLife Stadium. A cup match looms on the horizon — Real Madrid has the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday while Bayern takes on rival Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup on Aug. 14. Both are yet to integrate some of their best players.
Cristano Ronaldo is likely to miss the Super Cup because of an injury suffered in the Euro 2016 final and Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos are among Madrid's players still recovering after the summer tournament. Meanwhile, Ancelotti is yet to see what Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Ronaldo's Portugal teammate Renato Saches will add to his squad.
So both managers will be pleased with how things went Wednesday. It was a true friendly match, though someone forgot to tell Bayern's Chilean enforcer Arturo Vidal, with both teams still working back to fitness. There were no injuries, always a concern for managers during preseason contests, which at times are not played on the most sure surfaces, and each manager came away optimistic about the project they're building.
"I learned that I have a really good team," Ancelotti said after the match. "I was really happy for the first half, we played really well and then with the players coming I think we will be able to build a really strong team. I have a lot of confidence in my players and am sure we’re going to have a fantastic season."
Zidane seemed similarly optimistic.
"I’m happy with the preparation, with the matches we’ve had," the Real Madrid boss said. "I think what we did on the tour of Canada and what we’ve done here (in the U.S.) has been positive for us."
This match, and the games that preceded it, did what the preseason is meant to do. Players are able to ease into their regular season form, and while some prospects are fighting for spots, the established veterans are generally taking things at a slower speed.
While the players who saw time in the Euros were held out, those who played deep into June's Copa America Centenario were able to get back on the pitch with their clubs and begin their journey to full fitness. James Rodriguez made his return to the field for Real Madrid after spurring Colombia to third place, and Vidal went the full 90 after playing 45 minutes with Bayern in Saturday's contest.
"I arrived right at the start and I’ve had very little training, but I’m really happy to be here," Vidal, who won the tournament with Chile on the same field, told Goal after the match. "This game is going to help us a lot for the cup match we have with Dortmund now. So, it’s good. I’m happy with how the preseason went in the United States."
So too are the managers. Nobody getting hurt, young players seeing time and the stars getting back to fitness. It wasn't always a pretty sight, but it was beautiful in the eyes of Ancelotti and Zidane.
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