Carlo Ancelotti got his Real Madrid reign off to the perfect start as Los Blancos crushed Bournemoth 6-0 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Goldsands Stadium on the south coast of England.
The Santiago Bernabeu side will be pleased with the link-up play on display at times in what was their first match of pre-season as preparations for the new campaign finally got underway.
Despite playing against far inferior opposition – Bournemouth have only just been promoted to the second tier of English football, the Championship- Ancelotti took a strong squad with him,
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mesut Ozil all started, while there were also debuts for new signings Daniel Carvajal, Asier Illarramedi and Isco.
Ronaldo scored twice before half-time, one a trademark 30 yard free kick, while Sami Khedira converted Mesut Ozil’s corner to give Madrid a comfortable lead at the break.
Just a minute after the restart Gonzalo Higuain – tracked by Arsenal, Chelsea and Napoli- netted Real’s fourth. The rout was completed by Angel di Maria and Casemiro.
Madrid will now step up their pre-season campaign with games against PSG and Lyon before they embark on their US tour.
