Real Madrid left back Marcelo scored a superb solo goal 10 minutes from time to help Los Blancos beat Turkish outfit Galatasaray and win the Trofeo Bernabeu.
The 2-1 win means Los Blancos end their pre-season preparations having lifted three trophies – the International Champions Cup in Australia and China to go along with their 25th Trofeo Bernabeu. Their league campaign gets underway this weekend with a visit to newly promoted Sporting Gijon.
New boss Rafa Benitez will have plenty to think about in the coming days as despite the win Los Blancos still looked short of what they are capable of with perhaps some reinforcements needed up front before the transfer window closes.
In the absence of the injured Karim Benzema, Jese Rodriguez led the line, supported just behind by Gareth Bale and Isco. Cristiano Ronaldo also started for the 10-time Champions League winners but he had a frustrating evening overall – caught offside on many occasions and clearly not performing at his normally excellent levels just yet.
Madrid started the game the strongest with the Portuguese forward firing over and the movement of the Los Blancos players looking good. The opening goal came through an unlikely source though. Central defender Nacho Fernandez rose highest to head home a 17th minute Luka Modric corner.
Galatasaray striker Lukas Podolski, a summer signing from Arsenal, looked lively throughout and had a couple of chances before the break. He then made his influence felt in the 52nd minute as the visitors dominated the second period. The German played in former Los Blancos midfielder Wesley Sneijder who cut inside Danilo and fired a superb effort past Keylor Navas in goal to equalise.
The Turkish side could have taken the lead as they looked to assert their dominance but Real rode out the storm and eventually got a foothold midway through the second period. A raft of changes disrupted the game as a spectacle but just as spectators started thinking about the possibility of a penalty shootout, Marcelo weaved his way through the penalty area and finished low with the outside of his left foot.
