Castilla run riot in pre-season opener

Castilla got their pre-season campaign underway with victory on the road over Marbella, in the first of six friendlies prior to the start of the league season on the last weekend of August. Castrelo and Loren Zúñiga, in the first half, and Rachad with a brace after the break, all got on the score sheet as Arbeloa started out with a win in the madridista dugout, his side looking to take the initiative throughout.

Our team got on the ball from the outset, pressing high and winning possession back quickly. The chances began to come following the opening 15 minutes, as Loren Zúñiga came close twice in quick succession. The madridistas got the reward their play deserved as the first period was coming to a close, when Castrelo stole the ball on the edge of the box before finishing with a fierce drive (min. 36). Loren Zúñiga quickly made it two when he pounced on a rebound off the post following David Jiménez's cross (min. 40).

Rachad brace seals the win
Arbeloa revamped the team in the second half, bringing on all 10 available players (Súnico and Calleja come on before halftime for Fran González and Joan Martínez). The team maintained an impressive rhythm, especially considering they've only been back in training for ten days. This time it was strong>Fortea who won the ball back high up, sparking a third for Castilla. The fullback surged into the area and set up Rachad, who beat the hosts' goalkeeper with a powerful low strike on 56 minutes.

The new madridista delivered another display of his quality and eye for goal just four minutes later. Battling in the centre of the park to win the ball back off the Marbella centre backs, he raced towards goal and sat them both down as he cut into the box, before rifling in over Vassileu. A stunning debut goal, not dissimilar to Castrelo's opener, that put the gloss on an impressive display at the Marbella Football Center.

LINE UPS:
0-Marbella: Manuel García, Alex Martínez, Escassi, Clemente, Jorge Álvarez, Ávila, Alex López, Valderrama, Alcalde, Cambra and Palacín. Subs: Vassileu, Ezequiel Díaz, Yuezheng, González, Puñal, Guzmán, Pineda, Dickson and Oostwoud.
4-Castilla: Fran González, D. Jiménez, Valdepeñas, Joan Martínez, Manu Serrano, Cestero, Manuel Ángel, Thiago, Yáñez, Castrelo and Loren Zúñiga. Subs: Súnico, Mestre, Calleja, Fortea, Aguado, Mario Rivas, Roberto Martín, Iglesias, Cristian David, Rachad, Ginés and Ribes.

Goals
0-1 (min. 36): Castrelo.
0-2 (min. 40): Loren Zúñiga.
0-3 (min. 56): Rachad.
0-4 (min. 60): Rachad.