Monday 22 July 2013

Ancelotti Starts with Real Win

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Carlo Ancelotti's first match in charge of Real Madrid saw them stroll to a stylish 6-0 win over Championship Bournemouth at Dean Court.

Cristiano Ronaldo netted the first goal of the Italian's reign and added another before Sami Khedira scored on the stroke of half-time.

Bournemouth, whose chairman Eddie Mitchell said this fixture was a reward for their long-suffering support, failed to provide a goal for them to cheer as Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and then Casemiro got in on the act.

Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho's replacement, included new signing Isco in his line-up and there was certainly enough household names in his first Madrid XI to keep the capacity crowd, many of whom had paid £60 and queued overnight for their ticket, happy.

And it took the most stellar name of all just seven minutes to almost make his mark with one of Ronaldo's trademark free-kicks whistling past the top corner in a climate more typical of the Bernabeu than Boscombe.

Bournemouth did have their moments early on with two January additions Ryan Fraser and Brett Pitman combining. The latter saw his low drive deflected wide after a mazy run from Fraser before Pitman's audacious chip fell just off target.

Cheered by all four sides of the ground throughout, Ronaldo, the world's most expensive footballer, was clearly enjoying himself as he showcased his repertoire of flicks and tricks. One backheel forced Darryl Flahavan into a smart stop and another teed up Karim Benzema who was denied by the goalkeeper.

It was no surprise then to see Ronaldo break the deadlock just after the half hour mark. Once the visitors were awarded a free-kick 30 yards from goal there was only going to be one taker and the Portuguese curled a trademark dipping effort into the bottom corner.

While the nine-time European Cup winners spent £34 million this summer on substitute Asier Illarramendi, one of Eddie Howe's new acquisitions Elliott Ward, snapped up after leaving Norwich, was also benched. But the centre-back was soon sent on for striker Pitman as the former Burnley boss looked to stem the tide.

Madrid began to up the ante and only a top-draw tackle from Welsh midfielder Shaun McDonald denied Ronaldo just as he wound up his famous right-foot having cut inside. But Ronaldo would not be denied and a minute later he grabbed his second, rounding Flahavan and rolling the ball home after breaking the Cherries' offside trap.

On the stroke of half-time it was three when Khedira converted fellow countryman Ozil's corner, despite the best attempts of MacDonald on the line.

And with the first attack of the second half in-demand striker Higuain made it four just two minutes after his introduction. The Argentinian found the bottom corner with typical accuracy when one-on-one. He was only denied a second shortly after by a fine stop from Flahavan to keep out his powerful drive.

Fellow half-time substitute Kaka came within a lick of paint from adding his name to the scoresheet when his splendid curling effort crashed back off the crossbar.

Another replacement Di Maria added a fifth after weaving his way through a sea of Cherries players and with seven minutes to go Brazilian Casemiro started and finished a fine passing move.


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