VALENCIA (Spain), Aug 16: Real Madrid begin their bid for the first silverware of the season when they visit Valencia in the Spanish Supercup’s first leg on Sunday.

Madrid will be seeking their eighth Supercup — played annually between the Spanish league champion and Copa del Rey winner — and their first since 2003.

Madrid defender Gabriel Heinze said he was ‘’full of desire’’ for victory.

“It’s an important trophy, with two champions competing. The winner will be the team in the best physical shape,” said Heinze, whose side won 5-1 on their league visit to Valencia last season.

Madrid’s plans for the match at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium have been disrupted by uncertainty over Robinho’s future.

The Brazil forward was included in Madrid’s squad despite reportedly considering not travelling to Sunday’s game due to Madrid’s refusal to let him join Chelsea, whose initial euro32 million (US$47 million) bid was rejected.

With Chelsea prepared to offer a large increase on his reported euro2.1 million (US$3.1 million) annual salary, Robinho is said to feel undervalued by Madrid. He is also annoyed that the Spanish club was prepared to offload him to raise funds in their failed attempt to sign Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Valencia go into the match at its Mestalla Stadium with much greater problems. The debt-ridden club has endured a traumatic month, which was dominated by the hiring and firing of Juan Villalonga — the former chief executive of Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica.

Valencia’s boardroom upheaval echoes its situation on the field, with the club starting the season with Unai Emery as their fourth coach of the last 12 months, and at 36 the youngest in its history.—AP