First of all, what is the Sierra Cup?
Newcastle United canceled the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2021 through the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), a first step for investors in Saudi Arabia in the current era, with success almost instantaneous, instant but strongly supported magic being pushed into Champions League football and won the first club of Carabao Cup in 20224, a piece of club, a piece of club first club.
But in August 2023, Newcastle United began a brief preseason racing cup at the team's St James Park. Sela is a Saudi event and entertainment company, not to mention Newcastle’s main shirt sponsor. And, like the Club World Cup, money is a driver of the creative and participatory charm of the game…although it is not as profitable for Madrid’s Atletico Madrid as the FIFA Club World Cup. Atlético can only expect an estimated cost of around £1 million.
That being said, the exposure of clubs in Saudi Arabia is another additional incentive, with the iteration of the cups live on Saudi major sports channels. Such exposure could benefit from the Metropolitan Hotels, and Saudi-backed football programs are currently a very mature market. In recent years, domestic investment has erupted in the Saudi League, a microcosm of Al-Nassr's acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo. The competition head also confronts the idea that the league is a “retirement home” for aging stars. For example, Gabri Veiga moved to al-ahli from Celta Vigo in 2023, while Enzo Millot is about to take the same move from Stuttgart.
(Veiga is back in Europe now; Atleti saw him approaching in a friendly match against FC Porto last weekend.)
Who and when will it play?
Compared with previous years, the format has changed. This year, the four teams will have only two scheduled games: this year, there will be only two scheduled games:
Madrid Feminino vs Newcastle United Women – Saturday 13:00 BST.
Madrid Madrid vs Newcastle United – Saturday 16:00 BST.
Both games will be played back to back at St James Park, and after 90 minutes, both games will be punished if necessary. The winner of both will receive their own Sierra Cup. Tickets are sold out.
Potential, relatively unknown trophy, but still a trophy? Photography by Getty Image
Why does Atlético compete?
The roots of Atlético's involvement began to form in the summer of 2021, when Eddie Howe, the then-minded coach, began a relaxation to understand the different coaching styles.
His first destination? Atritto Training Complex in Madrid.
Before that, Howe left Bournemouth AFC by co-consenting them after eight years of spells, he moved them from the fourth floor of the British Football League to the precious land: the Premier League. This is a miracle in itself and not enough to talk about, but most importantly, he stabilized the club for five consecutive seasons, while the larger budget and punch clubs fell under them, although Bournemouth would eventually fall to the second level. This is when Howe decides that the club and himself need to seek a new ranch.
However, before entering the new job directly, Howe felt he needed time to reflect and learn.
In 2022, Newcastle’s one-year high-performance podcast spoke on the high-performance podcast, he claimed he owe Newcastle many of his early successes, which he studied his various advanced coaching courses during his key summer break, including Simeone’s Atléticotico Madrid. Although brief, it has influence.
Interestingly, despite the media promoting Newcastle's newfound aggressiveness and defensive organization, he did not see any of the so-called Simeone “dark art” that he did not really see in Howe's Bournemouth. It can be argued that this newly discovered defensive organization and aggressiveness emerged thanks to Howe's first signing for Newcastle United: Atlético champion Kieran Trippier.
The man above will return to the UK after winning the 2020-2021 Laliga title with Atlético. Photographer: Rubén de la Fuente Pérez/Nurphoto by Getty Images
Trippier signed to Newcastle in January 2022 and became a fan favorite. A few months later, Trippier appeared on True Geordie and revealed that he would improve his technical and psychological skills from his experience under Cholo Simeone, returning to Northeast England. He praised Simeone for his ruthless nature, his use of psychology, and his way of respecting it. The improvement in the defensive aspects of Trippier's game is obvious, especially for those who have observed his Tottenham era. He is more determined, more disciplined, and shows more courage…I think we can assume for sure who can influence this trait.
In large part, it was due to this welcome social media exposure and the connection formed between Trippier and Atlético Madrid's players/staff, and Atlético and Newcastle were believed to have a warm and affectionate relationship with Newcastle. Atlético sees an increase in connection with the Premier League, its followers and its potential investors are a win-win situation, regardless of the outcome of this game.