Real Madrid finished their tour of the United States with a 7-3 humiliation by rivals Atletico Madrid in New Jersey on Friday, ensuring they head home in embarrassment from their American excursions.
Their tour started in pretty underwhelming fashion with a 3-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in Texas, before they then fell 2-0 behind against Arsenal inside 24 minutes in Washington DC on Tuesday.
They fought back in the second half to rescue a 2-2 draw, eventually winning on penalties, but against their city rivals in their final match, Real’s pre-season toils really unravelled.
Diego Costa struck in the first minute to stun Real, who found themselves three down before the 20 minute mark, and five down by the interval.
Real’s beleaguered backline, which was not by any stretch a second string with captain Sergio Ramos and Marcelo starting, could not cope with the combative Costa, who finished the match with four goals, before being sent off.
1/12 How will Real Madrid line up next season?
It’s going to be all change at the Bernabeu. So who will Zinedine Zidane be picking next season?
Getty Images
2/12 Thibaut Courtois
Appears to have won the goalkeeping battle, for now at least
EPA
3/12 Dani Carvajal
The Spanish right back is likely to keep his spot with Achraf Hakimi still on loan at Dortmund
AFP/Getty Images
4/12 Eder Militao
The first new signing of Zidane’s second spell could oust Raphael Varane from the starting line-up
REUTERS
5/12 Sergio Ramos
Not the player he was but now he has committed his future to the club, he should keep his spot for now
EPA
6/12 Marcelo
Another who isn’t quite at the same level of years ago but he’s still a quality left-back
AP
7/12 Casemiro
Real’s best defensive midfield option keeps his place
AP
8/12 Toni Kroos
The German international could leave but if he stays should start in what is set to be a new-look midfield
REUTERS
9/12 Paul Pogba
Zidane is pushing hard to get him with United more open than ever to letting him leave. For the right price, of course
Reuters
10/12 Vinicius Jr
Could kick on into becoming one of the world’s very best after an impressive breakout season
Getty Images
11/12 Luka Jovic
The Eintracht Frankfurt star could well be Bernabeu-bound as the heir to Karim Benzema
Bongarts/Getty Images
12/12 Eden Hazard
Chelsea have resigned themselves to losing their star man with Zidane a known admirer for some time
REUTERS
1/12 How will Real Madrid line up next season?
It’s going to be all change at the Bernabeu. So who will Zinedine Zidane be picking next season?
Getty Images
2/12 Thibaut Courtois
Appears to have won the goalkeeping battle, for now at least
EPA
3/12 Dani Carvajal
The Spanish right back is likely to keep his spot with Achraf Hakimi still on loan at Dortmund
AFP/Getty Images
4/12 Eder Militao
The first new signing of Zidane’s second spell could oust Raphael Varane from the starting line-up
REUTERS
5/12 Sergio Ramos
Not the player he was but now he has committed his future to the club, he should keep his spot for now
EPA
6/12 Marcelo
Another who isn’t quite at the same level of years ago but he’s still a quality left-back
AP
7/12 Casemiro
Real’s best defensive midfield option keeps his place
AP
8/12 Toni Kroos
The German international could leave but if he stays should start in what is set to be a new-look midfield
REUTERS
9/12 Paul Pogba
Zidane is pushing hard to get him with United more open than ever to letting him leave. For the right price, of course
Reuters
10/12 Vinicius Jr
Could kick on into becoming one of the world’s very best after an impressive breakout season
Getty Images
11/12 Luka Jovic
The Eintracht Frankfurt star could well be Bernabeu-bound as the heir to Karim Benzema
Bongarts/Getty Images
12/12 Eden Hazard
Chelsea have resigned themselves to losing their star man with Zidane a known admirer for some time
REUTERS
Late goals from Karim Benzema and Javi Hernandez ensured Atletico did not better their biggest competitive victory over Real — 5-0 in the 1947/48 season — but the damage had been done.
Real’s defending will certainly be of great concern to coach Zinedine Zidane, having seen his side concede 12 goals in three games in the US, but there were very few other positives to take from the trip.
New big-money signings Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic, who have featured in all three games, mustered just two shots at goal between them in the US.
“There was no response from us to change something,” Zidane told reporters after the match. “The first part was difficult. We never entered the game. We have lacked everything, especially intensity.
“You don’t have to spin it over. It’s a pre-season game. They’ve been better at everything. There is nothing more to talk about. We are preparing a season and being calm.”
While Zidane is right that there is only so much you can read into pre-season results, Real’s preparations for the new La Liga season could not have gone much worse.
Zidane’s thoughts have been dominated by Gareth Bale’s future since the Frenchman admitted that the club were trying to sell the Welshman, with every press conference since involving yet more questions about where Bale’s future lies.
There are still pre-season games left to try and generate some momentum ahead of start of the Spanish season on 17 August, but so far, it has not been Real or Zidane’s summer.
Reuters
