Real: New set up, same problems

Real Madrid begin their league title campaign away to Real Mallorca on Sunday with a new coach and a new galactico but the same old problems...

Real Madrid begin their league title campaign away to Real Mallorca on Sunday with a new coach and a new galactico but the same old problems in defence.

Real have spent almost 50 million euros on centre backs after a five-game losing streak at the end of last term but Jonathan Woodgate arrived injured and Walter Samuel joined him on the casualty list after taking a knock against Wisla Krakow this week. Neither will be fit for at least two weeks.

Fortunately for new boss Jose Antonio Camacho, Mallorca are without Samuel Eto’O, who has moved to Barcelona, and will have few resources to test Real’s defence.

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Camacho’s main problem on Sunday will be to find space for Michael Owen, after he was snapped up from Liverpool in a cut-price deal earlier this month. Owen will be competing with Ronaldo, Raul and Fernando Morientes for two places up front and the England striker will almost certainly start life as a Real player on the bench.

Real finished fourth last season, behind Valencia, Barcelona and Deportivo Coruna, but were back to their fluent best in Champions League qualifying against Wisla Krakow and they will start the season as favourites for a 30th title.

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