Real Madrid mean business in training for Club World Cup semi-final

After landing in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Real Madrid took to the training pitch for the first time on Monday ahead of their Club World Cup semi-final.

Real Madrid's top stars were all being put through their paces by manager Santiago Solari in what looked like a very serious training session.

They'll face Japanese club Kashima Antlers on Wednesday, while the other semi-final match will be between River Plate and Al Ain on Tuesday.

The Club World Cup is contested between the top teams from various FIFA regions, with Europe's representative being the winner of the Champions League, which Real Madrid have won for the past three years.

Kashima Antlers are the AFC Champions, Al Ain were able to beat African champions Esperance de Tunis on Saturday, and River Plate recently came out on top in the controversial Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors.

Real Madrid will be favourites to lift the trophy, and retain the title that they won both last year and in 2016. Along with Barcelona, they're the most successful team in the tournament's history, winning it three times.

However, Real Madrid have not had the best start to the season. Five losses in La Liga already mean they sit in fourth place, five points off the pace set by Barcelona.

They made it through Group G in the Champions League as the top team, however they did lose two games along the way on their quest to win a fourth Champions League in a row.

Madrid boss Santiago Solari will be looking to the Club World Cup to restore some confidence in his team and add more silverware to the club's growing trophy cabinet.

The 25-man star-studded squad set off from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport on Sunday morning and arrived in Abu Dhabi in style on the new Emirates A380 Real Madrid, which bears the image of the team on the side.

Pictures of Monday's training session show Luka Modric getting to grips with Sergio Ramos, Casemiro competing for the ball with Federico Valverde, and Marcelo working hard to rob the ball from Lucas Vasquez.

It certainly seems as though Real Madrid are working hard to ensure they get their season back on track in the UAE.