Real Madrid 4-0 Rosenborg
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:39 AM
Real Madrid made it six consecutive Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu victories by crushing Rosenborg in front of a capacity home crowd.
Their 20th win in the commemorative pre-season match was all but assured after a blitzing first half in which Karim Benzema netted twice and Lass Diarra scored a screamer.
Raul added a fourth in a second half in which, despite a flurry of substitutions, saw little let-up in the pace of the game - one that Rosenborg were ill-equipped to deal with.
The Norwegian side were late replacements for AC Milan, the Italian outfit withdrawing due to city security concerns on a week on which Atletico Madrid host Panathinaikos.
Within minutes the visitors from the north were under threat, Cristiano Ronaldo shooting over the bar after being put through by Lassana Diarra.
But the home fans did not have to wait long for the opener as Marcelo played a lovely chip down the line with his right foot, with Karim Benzema controlling it and swerving a finish in with his second touch.
The pressure was largely one-way from there, with only some good movement from Rade Prica really threatening the hosts. Madrid, meanwhile, had the upper hand.
Twenty-six minutes in it was 2-0. Lassana Diarra cut inside with a neat dummy and, with no black shirts in sight, took his time before launching a 20-yarder past Hansen, to the surprise of most.
Karim Benzema managed his own second straight from kick-off. Cristiano Ronaldo charged down the left before feeding Benzema, who cut inside and surprised the defence and goalkeeper alike with a left-footed effort.
The pressure died down a little from there, but with three goals to their name the Blancos had the crowd on their side.
After the break Madrid began the first of many substitutions, but their hunger for goals was not sated. A fourth came as Raul headed home an Esteban Granero corner: a well-taken finish to be sure, but the lack of marking from the Trondheim outfit will disappoint coach Erik Hamren.
Still, arguably the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the introduction as substitutes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mamadou Diarra, who entered as substitutes 15 minutes from time. Ruud last played in October 2008, while Diarra's absence began in March of this year.
Indeed, matches like this serve more as instrumental occasions than as proper contests. For Madrid, it was a chance to show off some new signings to a packed house, and welcome back two long-term absentees. Rosenborg, back atop the Norwegian league, will reflect on the need for improvement before next season's Champions League.
Source: goal.com