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Feyenoord awaits After two letdowns, Madrid seeks first European Super CupPosted: Thursday August 29, 2002 2:35 AMMONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) -- Real Madrid has a new chance to gain its first European Super Cup when it faces UEFA Cup winner Feyenoord at Monaco's Louis II stadium Friday. The trophy is one of only two pieces of European silverware which the Spanish powerhouse has never lifted in its illustrious 100-year history. It will never win the other -- the Cup Winners' Cup -- which was ditched three years ago. Madrid has lost twice in the last four editions of the Super Cup, which since 2000 has featured the Champions Cup winner against the titlist of the UEFA Cup instead of the Cup Winners' Cup. Four years ago, the Spanish team was beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in the first Super Cup to be played in Monaco. In 2000, a Golden Goal by Galatasaray's Brazilian striker Mario Jardel sent it home nursing a 2-1 defeat. Whatever happens Friday, Madrid cannot lose as dramatically as last time. UEFA has decided that extra time must last at least 15 minutes. If the scores are level at that stage then another quarter of an hour will be played. Madrid's French superstar Zinedine Zidane, who won the Super Cup with Juventus in 1997, says his team will be taking the game very seriously. "It's important for Madrid to have its name inscribed on all the trophies. Winning will be a new way of making history, of making our mark," the world's most expensive player told the magazine France Football this week. Feyenoord has never won the Super Cup either, but it arrives for Friday's encounter in high spirits. Its 3-2 UEFA Cup victory over Borussia Dortmund in May gave the club its first European trophy since it won the same tournament in 1974. The victory meant that it has maintained its 100 percent record in European finals, having also won the Champions Cup in 1970. The team, coached by Bert Marwijk, continued its successful year by clinching a berth Tuesday in the Champions League group phase with a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul. "Madrid is probably the best team in Europe, but we have shown what our possibilities are when we play stronger teams," Feyenoord captain Paul Bosvelt told UEFA's Web site. In each of the last five editions, the Champions League titlist has lost out. However, Madrid, the nine-time record winner of Europe's top competition, is expected to emerge triumphant this time. "Whenever Madrid plays it is always favorite, but we must be very careful. Feyenoord is a great side," said Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman, who is likely to start the game on the bench. The Spanish side's coach, Vicente del Bosque, looks set to give a midfield slot to 22-year-old Argentine Esteban Cambiasso, who was recalled this summer after four years on loan in his home country. International midfielder Ivan Helguera is likely to drop back to partner Madrid's veteran captain Fernando Hierro in central defense. However, it is unclear which goalkeeper Del Bosque will pick -- Iker Casillas or Cesar Sanchez. Casillas proved Madrid's hero during the Champions Cup final in May when he substituted for the injured Cesar late on in the game and denied Bayer Leverkusen an equalizer with three crucial saves.
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