Real Madrid may have spent more money than any other side in the world this summer, but the Spanish giants disappointed their fans in the first pre-season friendly in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Despite fielding big money signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Real could only draw their opening game in the Peace Cup 1-1 against Saudi Arabian team Al-Ittihad.
Al-Ittihad contained Real effectively in the opening period and played with confidence after the break, despite going a goal down.
With Ronaldo and Benzema in the side, the Madrid fans had hopes of an easy win against a side that had lost its opening Peace Cup game 3-1 to Quito.
However, they had to suffer in the first 45 minutes as Real struggled to get to grips with their rivals.
With the Al-Ittihad players content to defender deep in their own half, Real Madrid had time to move the ball in midfield, but although the Spanish side dominated possession, they lacked spark and their attacking efforts were limited to a shot from Benzema into the side netting and a couple of long range efforts over the bar.
It was not until the 25th minute that Madrid was able to mount a real threat, but Raul was unable to finish as the visiting keeper Zaid made a good reflex save.
Ronaldo had a shot saved a minute before the break, but although the home side had controlled things, it was far from the easy triumph most of the 25,000 fans in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium had been expecting.
It was not until 10 minutes into the second half that Madrid opened the scoring and then the goal came not through their big money signings, but from veteran captain Raul, who fired home from inside of the penalty area.
That should have opened the floodgates from Real Madrid, but instead, it was the Saudi side that drew back on level terms just 10 minutes later when Aboucherouane headed home a free kick.
Two minutes later Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini made a double substitution, replacing Ronaldo and Benzema with Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuain. Midfielder Esteban Granero replaced Wesley Sneijder shortly afterwards.
Nevertheless, the changes failed to have any effect and the game ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw for Real Madrid.
Al-Ittihad are now out of the Peace Cup, but they have shown that this Real Madrid is far from invincible.
(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2009)
