Not often do we see a friendly game after the season has started, but Wednesday’s match was an exception. Real faced Italian side Fiorentina in the Trofeo Bernabeu. Here’s a look back at the affair.
For those who don’t know, the Trofeo Bernabeu is an annual one-off match held in the memory of former Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu.
Fans at the Bernabeu were happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo starting for Real, as he can’t play in the La Liga till the 20th of September. Furthermore, he made the fans happier after grabbing a goal and an assist in the game. Captain Sergio Ramos (also suspended for a game) featured too, alongside many youngsters and non-starters.
Just three minutes into the game, former Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout put the ball into the net from 20 yards out. The strike was especially good as there was a sea of defenders in front of the player.
Fiorentina didn’t stay in front for long, as Borja Mayoral tapped in from a low Ronaldo cross to make it 1-1.
Real dominated for the rest of the half, with youngsters Llorente and Asensio pulling off a few pleasing touches here and there, impressing the crowd. Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego, was fairly threatening up front.
Ronaldo scored a stunning goal to hand Real the lead, cutting in from the wing, on to his right foot, and firing the ball right into the top corner.
Fiorentina played the second half with an entirely different set of players, while Zinedine Zidane also made his fair share of changes. Most notably, his 19 year-old goalkeeper son, Luca.
The Italian side also had a famous son in their team, Ianis Hagi, son of Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi. Ianis also showed off a fair bit of his skills, impressing the Fiore faithful.
Substitute Isco sent through Lucas Vasquez with a delightful chip, but the latter failed to score.
Khouma Babacar could’ve equalised for Fiorentina, after Luca Zidane fumbled a cross, but ultimately failed to.
