Football

Real Madrid, the reigning LaLiga champions, face a crucial home match against Real Betis on Monday, August 2, with the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona. Despite signing Kylian Mbappé, Madrid have struggled for consistency, drawing their last two away games and conceding sloppy goals.Coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledges the need to find the right balance in his star-studded attack, but he remains optimistic, recalling Madrid's slow start last season before their eventual Champions League triumph.Real Betis, currently in fifth place, pose a significant threat to Madrid's title hopes. They have won their last two league games and boast a dangerous attack led by Borja Iglesias and Nabil Fekir.Madrid's defense has been a concern, with Eder Militão and David Alaba struggling to form a solid partnership. The return of Antonio Rüdiger from injury could provide some stability, but he is unlikely to start against Betis.In midfield, Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos remain influential, but they need more support from the likes of Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga.Up front, Karim Benzema is still Madrid's main goal threat, but he has not been at his best in recent weeks. Mbappé has yet to fully integrate into the team, and Vinícius Júnior has been inconsistent.Ancelotti will be desperate for a victory to boost his team's confidence and close the gap on Barcelona. However, Betis will be no pushovers, and Madrid will need to be at their best to secure all three points.

Liverpool and Chelsea emerged victorious in their pre-season friendlies, while Manchester United narrowly edged Real Betis.At the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Liverpool secured a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 13th minute, showcasing his pace and finishing ability. Fabio Carvalho doubled the lead in the 34th minute with a clinical volley. Arsenal's Kai Havertz pulled one back just before halftime, but Liverpool held on for the victory.In San Diego, Manchester United overcame Real Betis 3-2. Iker Losada gave Betis an early lead, but Marcus Rashford equalized from the penalty spot. Amad Diallo and Casemiro added goals for United, while Diego Llorente scored a consolation for Betis.Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 victory over Club America in Atlanta. Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in the third minute, followed by a header from Marc Guiu in the 21st minute. Noni Madueke sealed the win with another penalty in the 79th minute.In Chicago, AC Milan defeated Real Madrid 1-0. Samuel Chukwueze scored the lone goal in the 55th minute, giving Milan a morale-boosting victory over the European champions.These pre-season matches provide valuable opportunities for teams to prepare for the upcoming season. They allow managers to experiment with tactics, assess player fitness, and build team chemistry. The results should not be taken as definitive, but they offer glimpses of the teams' potential and areas for improvement.