How did Real Madrid new Galacticos fared?
Cristiano Ronaldo began his Real Madrid career with a goal in a 3-2 victory Saturday over Deportivo La Coruna to open the Spanish league season.
Madrid’s world-record signing scored a penalty in the 35th minute after Raul Gonzalez, who scored Madrid’s opener in the 26th, was tripped up by Deportivo goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia inside the area.
Deportivo twice came from behind to equalize through Ivan “Riki” Sanchez and Juan Carlos Valeron before Lassana Diarra scored the winner in the 60th in front of 80,000 spectators at Santiago Bernabeu stadium — the same number that attended Ronaldo’s presentation following his 94-million euro (C$146.7 million) transfer from Manchester United.
Alvaro Arbeloa offered Guardado far too much space on the right, and was lucky that it only led to one goal.
Lassana Diarra looks an even better player than he was last season. Solid defensively, he played some great through balls, including the one that led to the penalty, and capped the night off with a screamer.
Xabi Alonso looked calm & assured throughout, and hardly misplaced a pass.
Cristiano Ronaldo, not his best game by any stretch, with some very wayward free-kicks and inconsequential dribbling. However, he did slot the penalty home, under immense pressure.
Kaka looked threatening at times with some forceful running, and came close to scoring with a couple of long range efforts.
Karim Benzema, lively throughout, and was unlucky not to score, hitting the woodwork twice after two excellent saves from Aranzubia.