Pre-season round-up: Real thrash City, Reds held by Malaysia XI
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Pre-season preparations continued today for both Manchester City and Liverpool, with Manuel Pellegrini and Brendan Rodgers expecting a successful 2015/16 campaign in the Premier League.
Here’s how things unfolded for these hopeful top-flight clubs during their continued summer tour..
Real Madrid 4-1 Manchester City
Fabian Delph’s career with the Sky Blues didn’t get off to the best of starts as he was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury just 20 minutes into his debut, with Rafa Benitez’s Los Blancos running out eventual 4-1 winners in an Internationals Championship Cup clash.
The former Aston Villa midfielder made a sensational U-turn recently in agreeing to join City, but his new club face an anxious wait to see if he will be fit for their Premier League opener against West Bromwich Albion (12/5 with Coral to win title).
GOAL BENZEMA! Real Madrid 1-0 Man City
http://t.co/q6uRyvRTGA
— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) July 24, 2015
Pellegrini’s men were rocked after the injury to their new man, with Karim Benzema volleying home to open proceedings only moments after the England international had been stretchered off and replaced by Jesus Navas.
GOAL RONALDO! Real Madrid 2-0 Man City
http://t.co/uCMcIGSWo0
— Football Live Goals (@FootyLiveVines) July 24, 2015
LIVE: Pepe Goal, MCFC 0-3 Real Madrid
The corner is headed in by Pepe. City couldn't have wished for a worse start? pic.twitter.com/7qy5iCxJbZ
— WorldGoalz (@WorldGoalz_) July 24, 2015
Cristiano Ronaldo, of course, doubled their lead shortly afterwards, with Joe Hart unable to thwart his effort, while the second goalscorer’s fellow countryman Pepe slotted in a third.
A better look at Cheryshev's goal. Isco http://t.co/k8LYuRkpin
— El Madridismo (@ElMadridismo93) July 24, 2015
Yaya Toure pulled one back for the Premier League side before the break from the penalty spot, but Real wideman Denis Cheryshev tucked away Real’s fourth of the game, with City never looking like launching a comeback.
Yaya Toure wiped out by Navas! Gets up and plays on. Tank. https://t.co/vEQ9vi8YPa
— Coral (@Coral) July 24, 2015
The result meant Real lifted the International Championship Cup, as Raheem Sterling endured an indifferent second outing with his new club.
Malaysia XI 1-1 Liverpool
Reds boss Rodgers was hoping to enjoy a promising pre-season before mounting a title challenge next term but, having so far impressed on tour, his men were held to a 1-1 draw by the Malaysia XI.
Football fans were excited by the name Patrick Ronaldinho which had appeared in the Liverpool opposition’s teamsheet, and the young attacker lived up to his Ballon d’Or winning namesake by striking a clinical opener for his side.
The lad, Patrick Ronaldinho, has only gone and put Malaysia XI 1-0 up! (Dejan Lolren) https://t.co/P0gdXvlVGC
— Coral (@Coral) July 24, 2015
Although, promising Reds youngster Jordan Ibe, who has been tipped as the long-term replacement for departed Sterling, cut in from a wide right position to sensationally smash home the equaliser just before the half-hour mark.
Phwoar, Jordan Ibe has just smashed home a quality equaliser! https://t.co/cy4RRP2Nch
— Coral (@Coral) July 24, 2015
Having gone in at half-time level at 1-1, the Reds were unable to force a winner, as Rodgers oversaw his men play out a stalemate against defiant opponents (22/1 to win Premier League).
