Real Madrid

Real Madrid have ended their preseason tour with another convincing victory. The Whites have won all of their seven games to go into the first official match of the new campaign next Sunday in the best way possible. The preseason tour turned to be perfect not just in terms of results but also in terms of preparing for the new season. The squad have worked very hard in both the US and China and the new arrivals have adapted to the team; the players feel more comfortable, confident, and know what to do in every moment on the pitch having worked with the coach for a year. In short, Mourinho and his men have accomplished their goal of going into the new season in the best shape possible.

El Míster opted to start with a very different lineup to the one he used in his recent games. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Iker Casillas, Pepe, and Marcelo were all on the bench. Meanwhile, Castilla players Mejias and Jese as well as new signing Rafael Varane started along with Fabio Coentrao who once again demonstrated his ability to play in many positions and occupied the midfield.

Jese had the first chance on goal but his ball was blocked by a defender. Soon after, the Whites were awarded a penalty kick when Di Maria was brought down in the penalty area. The fans asked Kaka to take it and the Brazilian converted it successfully to put Real Madrid ahead. The second goal followed soon as Di Maria received an accurate pass from Coentrao and attempted to lob the goalkeeper but he failed and scored on the second try in front of an empty net. 0-2.

Mourinho made his first substitution in the 21st minute as he sent in Jesus for Mejias, and the team kept looking to score more goals. Sergio Ramos had to be subbed off as he felt pain in his back and the coach didn’t want to risk with him, so he replaced him with Castilla player Nacho just before the end of the first half.

The second half started with the Whites making three changes: Casillas, Khedira and Callejon came on for Jesus, Di Maria and Xabi Alonso. Callejon was close to scoring a third goal after a fantastic individual effort from Higuain but his strike was too high. Tianjin responded with a header from Chen Tao and were close to making it 1-2.

In the 56th minute, Mourinho made four more substitutions: he sent in Ozil, Pepe, Carvalho, and Marcelo for Kaka, Albiol, Arbeloa, and Jese. The team kept creating more chances but they didn’t have much luck in front of goal until the 67th minute when El Pipa Higuain added a third goal. He was soon replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo who got the Chinese fans excited. Mourinho also sent on Karim Benzema for Coentrao.

Ronaldo only needed six minutes to get on the score-sheet as he scored the team’s fourth goal of the night with a sensational strike. He has scored 7 goals in 7 games this the preseason, and there is only one phrase to describe him: world-class.

Benzema once again proved why he is a fantastic striker as he added two goals in the 79th and 81st minute to make it 0-6 and help Real Madrid finish the preseason with another goal feast. He is currently the team’s top-goal-scorer with 8 goals from 7 preseason games and is on the right track to having a very successful season.

With 13 goals in 2 games in China, Real Madrid end their Asian tour and return to Madrid where they will start preparing for the Spanish Supercup clash against Barcelona next Sunday.