Manchester City were comprehensively beaten
4-1 by Real Madrid in an entertaining
International Champions Cup encounter in
Melbourne.
The Premier League side were outclassed at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground as goals from Karim
Benzema, Pepe and Denis Cheryshev adding to
the Portuguese star’s effort
Some superb, attractive attacking play gave
Madrid a two-goal lead within the space of four
minutes midway through the first half as Karim
Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo struck past Joe
Hart in front of a record crowd of 99,382 – the
largest attendance for a football match at the
MCG.
Pepe then headed home unmarked from a corner
late in the first half before Yaya Toure got one
back for Manuel Pellegrini’s men with a penalty
in stoppage time just before the break.
City could not push further against Madrid,
however, with Denis Cheryshev burying a fourth
goal for the Spaniards when he met Isco’s cross
in the 73rd minute.
Fabian Delph, who signed from Aston Villa for £8
million earlier in July, made his City debut but
lasted just 18 minutes before being stretchered
off, appearing to have to injured his left thigh as
he tackled Luka Modric from behind.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini named a central-
defensive pairing with a combined age of 36 and
Cameron Humphreys and Jason Denayer’s lack of
first-team experience saw Madrid’s stellar front
three of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Benzema
thrive in the first half.
Madrid coach Rafael Benitez started the likes of
Toni Kroos and Modric alongside Ronaldo and Co.
in close to his best XI, while Manuel Pellegrini
included David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Samir
Nasri.
Toure and Ramos provided an early scare for
both managers when they collided nastily but
both recovered.
Benzema opened the scoring with an impressive
hooked volley over his shoulder from Bale’s cross
in the 21st minute and Ronaldo made it 2-0 four
minutes later from Toni Kroos’ long ball.
It got worse for City too, as Pepe found space in
the area to head a corner past Joe Hart just
before half-time, although a dubious penalty
given against Sergio Ramos allowed Toure to
make it 3-1 at the break.
A sharp one-two between Isco and Ronaldo saw
the ball in City’s net again early in the second
period but the latter was offside in the build-up,
while Raphael Varane headed wide when left free
on the hour mark.
But Real eventually got the fourth goal that their
dominance deserved when Isco teed up Cheryshev
for a tap-in.
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