Real Madrid 2-0 Juventus
So, Barcelona beat Real Madrid in a club friendly in Las Vegas, they then drew with Juventus in midweek and now Real’s third pre-season friendly against the Italian giants has ended with a Real triumph.
And what does it really mean?
Well, very little.
That is not to say this encounter – a re-run of the 2017 Champions League Final, – at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, part of the Soccer Champions Tour, means nothing because it will no doubt have proved useful for both outfits.
But a friendly like this is merely an exercise towards nearing full match fitness and rhythm for the matches that matter – Real actually have one of those next week when they meet Eintracht Frankfurt in the European Super Cup Final.
This warm-up contest was decided by a player who was the last to arrive at the team’s pre-season camp, flying to the US straight after his vacation to join the European champions.
A French striker who starts the new season as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or following his excellent performance last year.
Karim Benzema, who made his mark in his first pre-season game against America of Mexico five days earlier, was key to the three titles won by Real Madrid, especially for the Champions League, where he starred in a series of extraordinary knockout rounds scoring ten goals: three against PSG in the round of 16, three against Chelsea in the quarter-finals, a brace against Manchester City in the first leg and the winning goal in the second leg.
And it was his first half penalty which proved decisive to see off Juve, this after Vinicius Jr was fouled in the penalty area.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti made 11 substitutions just after the hour mark and one of those introduced, Marco Asensio, was found by Jesus Vallejo within five minutes and doubled Real’s lead.
Juventus had briefly threatened in the first half with Leonardo Bonucci drilling a free-kick against the crossbar.
Angel Di Maria, one of Real’s heroes when they clinched the Champions League in 2014, failed to make an impact for his new club and was replaced at the break.
Back to Real and it was interesting that neither of their new signings started the encounter, suggesting Ancelotti may well pick a similar or identical team to that which clinched the Champions League in Paris in May in next week’s UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki.
There is no question that the new arrivals, in the form of Aurélien Tchouaméni – the 22 year-old Frenchman signed from Monaco – and Antonio Rüdiger – who has swelled the squad’s defensive ranks on a free transfer from Chelsea – will feature regularly.
In the case of the latter, the 29 year-old is one of the finest centre-backs in the game and he will provide additional cover and competition for David Alaba and Éder Militão in the heart of the defence.
But they could have to bide their time initially to become regulars in the starting XI for a club which proved itself the team to beat at home and abroad last term with a third Champions League title in six years.
As for Ancelotti’s counterpart, Max Allegri, he remained upbeat despite the defeat, although it is clear the Bianconeri have suffered a double blow with US international midfielder Weston McKennie reportedly facing a month out after picking up a shoulder injury.
That is added to the fact Paul Pogba is facing a knee operation after sustaining an injury during a training session.
Whilst initial indications suggested he’d be out for around two months, now it seems as if he could be forced to undergo meniscus surgery, which would leave him sidelined until 2023.
Will he put the club which pays his wages ahead of representing his country at this winter’s World Cup?
Either way, Juventus need to strengthen in key areas and latest reports suggest they have turned their attention to Spezia winger Daniele Verde after giving up the chase for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo.
It’s hard to have an indication of what to expect at this stage but Allegri has a job on his hands trying to return the club to the summit of Italian football after a few years in the shadow of Milan’s finest.
They open the new Serie A campaign against Sassuolo in a fortnight’s time and have a final friendly against Real’s city rivals Atletico first.
But like I said at the start of the piece, don’t read too much into friendly results.
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