Real ready for Che showdown

Real Madrid begin their new La Liga season against Valencia at the Mestalla tomorrow night with a full-strength squad to choose from.

The Merengues won this clash 0-1 last season with a late away goal from Raul Gonzalez but this time they will be meeting a Valencia side that are eager to gain revenge.

Vicente Del Bosque is expected to field the same side that beat Zaragoza 3-0 on Wednesday in the Spanish Super Copa final.

Cesar Sanchez could return to guard the Blancos net leaving Iker Casillas out on the bench. The back four of Michel Salgado, Fernando Hierro, Aitor Karanka and Roberto Carlos looks unlikely to change and the same applies to duo Flavio and Claude Makelele in midfield.

In attack, Raul and Fernando Morientes will have support coming from Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane.

Valencia meanwhile have a number of first-team players out injured. Ruben Baraja, Kily Gonzalez, Jocelyn Angloma and Fabio Aurelio are all sidelined through injury while central defender Mauricio Pellegrino misses the game through suspension.

The match against last season's Champions League runners up gets underway at 8.30pm at the Mestalla.