England goalkeeper Joe Hart was unable to keep the ball from crossing the line for a double Real sucker punch after piecemeal City defending as Ronaldo thrilled the crowd his trademark goal celebration.
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Ramos, 29, has been heavily linked with United and was the subject a bid from the English club earlier this summer (Sky Sports). The decision stood and Toure converted into the bottom right corner. A shining light for City was Nasri providing typically-industrious run through the wings.
The two giants of world football brought more people to the ground than the Cricket World Cup Final, rugby league’s State of Origin and the Anzac Day AFL match.
Madrid made them pay not long after.
Denis Cheryshev wrapped up a comfortable win for Real 17 minutes from time in front of a record crowd of 99,382 – the largest attendance for a football match at the MCG.
Attacking talent does not necessarily guarantee goals, especially in pre-season friendlies, and, if there is little intensity to the game, it could take a while to build. The draw at half-time, then, seems like a solid option for, as ever, a small investment in a friendly. Mangala was sick this morning so he could not play and Kompany is becoming a father again so is not here.
“Unfortunately Fabian hurt his hamstring”. “Mangala was sick this morning and he couldn’t play, and after Delph went off injured we had to make some changes, but after that it was more about our weak defence”. “But unfortunately that didn’ t happen”, Pellegrini said.
“Modric and Benzema trained separately and have niggles, but tomorrow we’ll decide whether or not they can play against Inter Milan“.
“It has been a very good time here”, Real manager Rafael Benitez, celebrating his first win in charge of the La Liga glamour side since replacing Carlo Ancelotti, said.
“As a coach, I’m really happy to have quality players like James and Isco“.
“You’ve all seen him train today and I think his performance will be up to scratch”. With conflicting messages coming over the player’s future, it makes it nearly impossible to tell if he is indeed available for the Red Devils to buy.
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The Spanish press were just as merciless in their appraisal of what they considered a poor showing from Pellegrini’s side, particularly defensively, as Real Madrid demonstrated their fearsome quality in a one-sided encounter, which was effectively over as a contest by half-time.
