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The World Cup fever has subsided. We are just weeks away from the start of the 2018/19 season and teams across Europe have been busy in the transfer market to strengthen their squad. Preparations for the new season is in full swing and teams will play pre-season friendly fixtures before the season begins.
The International Champions Cup (ICC) is an exhibition competition that features top European clubs playing pre-season games as a part of their preparation to the upcoming league season.
This will be the sixth edition of the ICC tournament which involves 18 teams. Tog guns like Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and many more are playing in the competition. The tournament will take place in the United States, Europe, and Singapore.
These pre-season fixtures allow teams to prepare for the hectic season ahead and also gives them the opportunity to try out different players and combinations. These games could pretty much set the tone for a good start to the new season.
Without much ado, let’s take a look at the five blockbuster pre-season fixtures that cannot be missed.
#5 Manchester City vs Liverpool
The Premier League giants will face-off at the MetLife Stadium, New York on July 25th. Though Manchester City dominated the Premier League last season, they struggled against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
They played against each other four times last season and Liverpool came on top on three occasions as they destroyed Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League quarter final.
Both teams have made some exciting signings in the summer transfer window. City’s only major signing has been Riyaz Maharez while Liverpool have bought in Naby Keita, Fabinho, and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Liverpool are also on the verge of completing the signing of Alisson Becker for a record fee from AS Roma. These two teams finished in the top three of the Premier League last season. Goals flow when these two sides play and expect nothing different this time.
#4 Manchester United vs Real Madrid
Giants of European football, Manchester United and Real Madrid, play against each other at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami on July 31st. Manchester United finished behind Manchester City in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign but struggled in the UEFA Champions League.
On the other hand, Real Madrid has won their third UEFA Champions League title in a row. Though they finished third in La Liga, they were absolutely phenomenal in Europe.
Both teams have made some exciting signings so far. Manchester United signed Fred, Diogo Dalot, and Lee Grant this summer. Real Madrid too made some big money signings in the form of Vinicius Junior and Alvaro Odriozola.
#3 Arsenal vs Chelsea
London rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, clash at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on August 1st. Both clubs will begin their season under new managers. Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger at the Emirates while Maurizio Sarri replaces Antonio Conte at the Stamford Bridge.
Both teams had a disastrous 2017/18 Premier League season as they finished outside the top four. Chelsea finished fifth while Arsenal ended up sixth. The 2016/17 Premier League champions will look to get back to their best and are lining up some exciting names this summer.
On the other hand, Arsenal has already made some good signings. Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, and Matteo Guendouzi have joined the club so far this summer.
#2 Real Madrid vs Juventus
The two clubs were involved in one of the biggest transfer sagas of all-time. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid’s record goalscorer, has moved to Juventus this summer.
The Galacticos have dominated the Old Lady in the last two UEFA Champions League campaigns. Real Madrid defeated Juventus in the finals of the 2016/17 Champions League and also in the quarter finals of 2017/18 competition.
Juventus has made some great signings this summer. Apart from the Portuguese superstar, Juventus has signed some quality players in the form of Joao Cancelo, Mattia Perin, and Emre Can. The Galacticos are yet to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and will have to do it quickly as the transfer window closes in a few weeks time. Expect a cracker of a contest.
#1 Manchester United vs Liverpool
This is arguably one of the most famous rivalries in European football. The Premier League clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool, face-off at the Michigan Stadium on July 28th.
Liverpool had a better 2017/18 season. Though they finished behind Manchester United in the Premier League, they finished runners-up to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp has turned Liverpool into one of the most exciting teams in European football. Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane formed a fearsome attacking trio and they gave nightmares for the defenders in Premier League last season.
Irrespective of the importance of the game, it is always a high-intensity match when these two sides play against each other.
