Good evening everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage as Real Madrid take on Reims in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy.

This fixture between the two clubs has been organised to mark the 60th year since the first-ever European Cup final, which was played between these sides at the Parc des Princes in 1956.

Madrid won that encounter with a thrilling 4-3 victory as they began their march towards European glory over the next half century. To many tonight's fixture might appear to be a bit of a dead-rubber, but in all honesty for Madrid this means a lot more than just a knees-up to celebrate old times.

Zinedine Zidane's charges will be taking part in their final pre-season fixture before their La Liga campaign gets underway against Real Sociedad on Sunday, with both Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos perhaps being given the chance to make their first appearances for the club since the end of last season.

Bale and Kroos have been given playing-time off given their participation at Euro 2016 in France, while the rest of the side will be seeking to continue their encouraging pre-season progress that was made at the International Champions Cup in the United States.

As for Reims, you have to admit that this fixture does seem a touch odd. They're already three games into their Ligue 2 campaign and will surely be focusing their efforts on the progress made back home as they aim to secure promotion back to the league they were relegated from last season.

But anyway, more football for us so we can hardly moan... Madrid will be looking to seal another victory tonight after beating Sevilla a few days ago in the UEFA Super Cup. That victory came after a positive 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in America, which capped off a relatively impressive jaunt the club put together during the International Champions Cup.

Zidane's charges looked a touch rusty during the first game in that tournament having lost to Paris Saint-Germain, although they soon got back-on-track to beat Chelsea and the Bavarian champions.

Michel der Zakarian's Reims side will be forgiven for going easy tonight given their situation back in Ligue 2 so we might just be in for a bit of a goal-fest in the Spanish capital this evening...

One player that has seemingly had a blinding pre-season for Madrid is Marcelo, who bagged three goals during the summer from full-back. Dani Carvajal has also been the focus of much attention given his standout winner against Sevilla. Will they both start tonight? We'll be bringing you the team news as it's announced.

These sides have only played each other twice in their competitive histories. As you might have guessed, Madrid have risen victorious both times. Each of those games took place during the 50s, where Madrid claimed a 4-3 victory in the 1956 European Cup final, before also going on to beat Reims 2-0 during another final clash three years later.

Some team news for you now...

REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Casilla; Ramos, Nacho, Kroos, James, Bale, Marcelo, Modric, Asenio, Morata, Danilo

REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Yanez, Carvajal, Varane, Casemiro, Kovacic, Lucas, Isco, Enzo, Lienhart, Tejro, Mariano

So, as expected, Zidane has decided to hand starts to both Bale and Kroos ahead of the coming La Liga campaign. The pair make up a pretty strong Real side tonight, which also includes Alvaro Morata, Danilo and new signing Marco Asensio who was presented by the club just a little earlier today...

We're expecting Madrid to go with four at the back in the shape of Marcelo, Nacho, Sergio Ramos and Danilo this evening. Asenio will be lining up just in front of Luka Modric and Kroos in the middle, with the club's new signing expected to provide some creativity alongside Bale and James, who also starts despite being linked with a move away from the club at different points during the summer.

We're still waiting for an official word on how Reims will line up, but the French club will be fairly happy with their start to the new domestic season. Having been relegated from Ligue 1 last season, they are unbeaten in their first three fixtures in Ligue 2 and will be aiming to get straight back into the French top-flight come next May.

REIMS STARTING XI: Carrasso; Traore, Jeanvier, Weber, Bouhours; Da Cruz, Rodriguez; Rigonato, Berthier, Chavarria; Balde

The visitors have made a few changes from their side that last featured against Valenciennes in Ligue 2 and you cannot blame them for that. The main change has been up top where Balde has come in to replace Grejohn Kyei, while Samuel Bouhours has taken the place of right-back Antoine Conte.

PREDICTION! With just under 15 minutes to go until kickoff in Spain it's time for me to make a prediction... These sides have arguably gone in different directions since that first-ever European Cup final in 1956 and I'm fancying Madrid to state their dominance this evening. The home side have far too much quality in their ranks and they will be aiming to ramp up their preparations with a hard-working display ahead of the league opener on Sunday. I'm going with 3-0 to the hosts, but it could quite easily be a few more in favour of Los Blancos!

Given how things panned out last campaign, Zidane will be keen to ensure that his players hit the ground running from Sunday onwards and what better way to do that than get things ticking tonight. The inclusions of Bale and Kroos will be important ahead of Sunday as Madrid's two key-men aim to get fighting fit in time to face Sociedad.

James will be doing all he can to impress too. The Colombian has endured a rather mixed time at Madrid since he hit the headlines at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Zidane has always insisted that he remains in the club's plans, but some Real fans have questioned the playmaker's commitment to concentration at times.

We're in for a rather warm night in Madrid where temperatures are hovering around 27 degrees celsius. Zidane will not mind that as his players try to get up to their optimum levels as we await the start of the new La Liga season at the weekend.

Just a few minutes away from kickoff now in Madrid. Despite being a friendly fixture, expect Real to come out aggressively as they seek to hit top gear.

We've got a fairly decent crowd in this evening, hardly a sell-out but two out of the three tiers at the Santiago Bernabeu are awash with colour.

The players are now emerging from the tunnel. Madrid in their historic home white strip, while Reims are sporting a nice little red number with white sleeves. Oh the joy of kits! The Real players are now parading around with the Champions League trophy, which they've probably already seen a good few times before tonight.

KICKOFF! Madrid get us moving, kicking from left to right. This should be an interesting evening with goals almost guaranteed...

It's Madrid with all of the early pressure and they win a free kick around 30 yards out from goal. Kroos aims to deliver his kick into the middle of the area for Morata, but Reims head clear at the first attempt.

Some impressive pressing from the hosts sees Bale steal the ball on the left-hand side of the pitch, although Reims do well to recover through Traore who wins possession before hoofing clear. Real bring the ball down and begin circulating. This could be a long night for Reims without the ball...

SHOT! James gets involved for the first time and he produces a skillful run to beat his marker, before dummying and shooting on the edge of the area. Luckily for Reims, Weber gets the block in before Carrasso has to make a save.

Hmm... Reims look vulnerable now as Bale moves the ball forward just short of the area, where he picks out a clever pass for Danilo. The playmaker moves in from the flank to beat his marker, but his shot on the turn flies high and wide of the target. Real making all of the inroads at the moment...

We have an opening goal, but it has come from the unlikely side! Chavarria picks up the ball just inside the Madrid half and is allowed to run unchallenged towards the Real goal. Ramos and Nacho continue to back away until the attacker decides to pick out a shot that flies across the face of goal and into the bottom corner beyond a helpless Casilla.

That didn't take long, did it? Madrid press high up the pitch and are able to win a cheap corner. Kroos swings the ball into the area where Nacho makes a perfect run to shrug off his marker before flashing a deft header into the far corner. Madrid have parity - they were behind for all of four minutes.

SHOT! Madrid aim to reassert their authority now with a spell of possession camped outside of the Reims box. Danilo tries something from distance, where he is able to beat the defence but not the solid palms of Carrasso, who is able to parry the shot away with firm hands.

Reims have been enjoying a bit of progress down the left-hand flank in the early period. This time they come forward through Rigonato, who eventually hits his cross way beyond the target of Balde in the centre of the Madrid box.

CLOSE! Reims are slowly growing into this fixture and a clever through-ball over the top from Da Cruz almost finds the run of Balde, although Casilla is quick off his line in order to gather before the away striker can bring the ball under control.

CHANCE! It's now Madrid's turn to offer something going forward and it comes through the usual industry of Marcelo. The full-back beats his man down he left flank before turning an inch-perfect ball into the box for Bale. The forward is well-marked and can only offer a tame header into the grateful hands of Carrasso,

The away side certainly aren't taking this fixture as lightly as one might have thought before kickoff. Real are slowly trying to get a grip on things but the action is moving from end to end at some pace in these early exchanges.

Madrid have appeared strong from the corner thus far. Kroos puts another one into the area with some whip and Morata should really do better as he rises to produce a wasteful header when unmarked in a good position. Down at the other end, Reims break through a run from Balde, who is ruled out for offside just before pulling the trigger inside the Real area.

CHANCE! Madrid break away on a lively counter-attack, where Danilo lays off a wonderful pass into the path of Morata just at the perfect moment to release the striker beyond the Reims defence. The former Juventus man should slot the ball beyond the away keeper, but ends up falling over his own feet as the opportunity goes begging.

The Madrid attacks are growing in number now, this time as James marches unopposed towards the Reims box, where he eventually curls a smart effort just wide of Carrasso's post. The home side are getting ever-so close to taking a lead here...

CHANCE! And just as I say that Reims come forward with a blistering attack of their own. A cross is swept quickly in from the left flank leaving Madrid short of numbers in the area, although Chavarria cannot do much with his head as he sends an attempt over the crossbar without troubling Casilla from only a couple of yards out from goal.

The home side have not been the most comfortable at the back in this half. Balde is the man to cause problems this time as he gets in between Ramos and Nacho, only to see his header collected by Casilla. This has already been a good workout for Los Blancos, that's for sure!

Bale has been a touch quiet in much of the build-up play, but when the ball has been in his area the Welshman has looked pretty sharp. This time he rises above his marker to send a header wide of the target. A goal could come at either end at the moment.

SAVE! Madrid win a free kick just short of the area on the right-hand side of the pitch. James stands over it and is able to drill a strong effort under the wall where it appears headed for the far corner. Despite already being on his way down, Carrasso manages to stick a leg out to pull off a world-class stop.

SAVE! The Reims stopper is having a stormer now. Madrid pile on the pressure until the ball is eventually cleared to Marcelo, who then sees his follow-up shot kept out by Carrasso down low.

It wasn't going to be too long until we had another, and this time it arrives through another Madrid corner. Kroos turns the ball towards the front-post, leaving Ramos to climb highest and send a thumping header beyond a stranded Carrasso. The hosts lead 2-1.

The visitors have stepped off the gas slightly as Real have grown more dominant. In terms of endeavour, Madrid probably deserve this slender lead, but Reims have caused a few problems going forward. They almost break in behind again, but Nacho is on the case when he pulls out a perfect sliding tackle to deny Balde.

Madrid have another now as the ball is swung in from the left flank following a short corner. Morata is quickest to react as he beats his maker to send a header past Carrasso.

And with that third Madrid goal the referee brings a half to the first half. Real have looked convincing when going forward and they deserve to be ahead. That being said, Reims have caused a few problems going forward and Zidane will be pretty pleased with the quality of this workout ahead of the league opener on Sunday.

The hosts will be pleased with their performance from set-pieces, which have proven to be the source of all three home goals thus far.

Will Zidane decide to make any changes just yet? Reims have proven to be lively opposition and he might just want to give this crop of players a little bit more time out on the field.

Kroos will be delight with his first-half contribution with two assists, especially when you consider that this is his first game back for the club since the end of last season. As for Bale, he has been in and out of attacks, although he too has looked sharp in the danger areas.

KICKOFF! Reims get us back underway in Madrid, where Zidane has introduced three players in the shape of Tajero, Mariano and Isco at half time.

A long ball is pumped forward and Madrid fail to clear after a few attempts, leaving substitute Remi Oudin with the chance to shoot. His effort isn't the best of strikes but it somehow breaks through the legs of Mariano and falls beyond the helpless grasp of Casilla to make it 3-2.

CLOSE! Real haven't quite settled into this second offering just yet and Reims are starting to make a proper fist of things in the early stages. The home defence stand off a little too much, leaving Rodríguez with the chance to break in behind where Casilla comes to the rescue.

Zidane's half-time changes appear to have disrupted Madrid's fluidity. The home side are slowly getting back in gear and most signs of life seem to be coming from down the left flank. It looks as though Mariano has done enough to turn past his marker and get a shot away, but the linesman raises his flag for offside.

CLOSE! Modric seeks to switch up play and he picks out the run in behind from Mariano. It looks almost perfect for the striker, but the pass is a touch overhit and the Reims stopper scampers off his line to claim the ball.

Finally something clicks properly for the hosts and they extend their lead... It's mainly due to the industry of James, who cuts in from the right to see his initial shot stopped by the keeper. The Colombian persist on the rebound and is able to slot home into an almost-empty net.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Zidane decides to make a couple more changes. James, the scorer, is replaced by Lucas Vasquez, while keeper Casilla is switched for Ruben Yanez.

That goal seems to have instilled a bit more confidence in the home side going forward. Zidane will be keen that his side keep up their intensity ahead of the coming season. All of these minutes will be vital for his charges and so far this has been a worthwhile game for the La Liga giants.

More encouraging signs going forward now, as Vasquez combines with Isco to break in behind. The move eventually falls apart when the ball into the area is wayward, but Los Blancos certainly aren't resting on their laurels going into the final 20 minutes here.

SAVE! Enzo comes in off the flank for Madrid and he eventually tees himself up for a strike at goal. The shot takes a wicked deflection off of Weber and sends the ball looping towards the bottom corner. Thankfully for Reims, their substitute keeper is on hand to scramble across his goal-line and tip the ball away from danger.

And just as this tie appeared to be heading towards a simple victory, Reims turn up again with a goal seemingly out of the blue. The away side break down the right flank and the cross into the box catches the Madrid defenders on their heels. Sensing the danger, Grejohn Kyei moves in and heads the ball past Yanez to make it 4-3.

CLOSE! Madrid think they have their fifth goal of the evening, but Mariano appears to have moved a fraction too soon as his goal is ruled out for offside. It was a great move in behind and a wonderful finish too, but the frontman was half a yard offside.

It doesn't take too long for Mariano to break in again and this time he moves perfectly to meet a through-ball from Enzo Zidane. The striker fails at his first attempt but reacts quickly enough in order to scramble the ball into the net. That should be game over now...

All in all Zidane will be very pleased with what he has seen tonight. Madrid have perhaps been a little sloppy at the back, but going forward they have been brilliant. The home side's fitness has also matched up well with an opponent that is already underway in their competitive league back home.

This game has just started to slow down as we go into the last few minutes here in Madrid. Both sides will likely just want to get through without injury as they turn their focus back to their respective league duties.

CLOSE! Zidane is almost the focus of attention again having broken beyond the last Reims man. However, Weber makes a perfect last-ditch tackle to thwart the youngster and the French side are able to clear.

So Real end the evening as victors here at the Santiago Bernabeu and they will feel pretty well prepared in attacking terms going into Sunday's opener with Sociedad. They might be a little concerned about what happened at times in defence tonight, but they have the rest of the week to sharpen up. That's going to be all from me tonight, thanks for joining us!