MANCHESTER City were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in an entertaining International Champions Cup encounter in Melbourne.
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 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.
