MADRID (AP) — The football showdown continues in Madrid ahead of the NFL’s final international game of the season.
Fierce rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are at loggerheads once again as preparations for Sunday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders get underway in the Spanish capital.
Dolphins designated as home team for Real Madrid game Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. However, Mike McDaniel’s team practices at Atlético’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium during the week.
commanders They train at Real Madrid’s training center, about 15 minutes from the Metropolitano.
“Are you trying to throw me squarely in the middle of the competition?” McDaniel said when asked about the Madrid team.
“I haven’t been to the stadium where the game is being played yet, but I’m very impressed to be here,” McDaniel said. “I would definitely say it’s first class. I feel very lucky to have access to facilities like this.”
Commanders coach Dan Quinn added to the mix. madrid bravos, The city’s American football franchise established in 2023 to play in the European Football League.
“From the ELF, I would like to send a quick shout out to the Madrid Bravos,” he said before Wednesday’s press conference, which he attended wearing the Bravos number 12 jersey.
The coaches also had a short training session at the Bravos facilities before a full training session at Real Madrid’s training center.
“I would like to thank everyone here at Real Madrid,” Quinn said. “They have a great place here for us to come and practice. It’s a great environment.”
Real Madrid was also reportedly interested in having the Dolphins train at their facility, but Miami ultimately chose Atlético’s stadium. Although both clubs have some of the same owners, the Dolphins said politics didn’t really play a role in the decision.
team partnership
The Dolphins praised their partnership with Real Madrid as stadium host for Spain’s first NFL game, as well as the Bravos for their joint efforts to promote the game.
The Dolphins are one of three teams, along with the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs, with marketing rights in Spain through the NFL’s Global Markets Program.
“Our team is very demanding and has made several trips to Spain to visit our facilities,” said Felipe Formiga, Dolphins vice president of international development. “The Metropolitano is great and has everything you need. I’m really happy to be able to train at the Metropolitano until Saturday and play at the Bernabéu on Sunday. I’m really happy to be able to experience two very iconic venues in Madrid.”
Sunday’s game will be the seventh and final international game of the season, the most the NFL has ever played in a series of league games. Promoting global expansion.
Real Madrid hold a record 15 times as European champions and are one of Spain’s top clubs alongside Barcelona. Atlético are considered a third team, but they often play against strong teams. Atletico lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final twice, in 2014 and 2016.
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