Ronaldo shackled in debut
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Ronaldo shackled in debut
World-record signing fails to shine on first Real outing
Cristiano Ronaldo struggled to make any impact against Shamrock Rovers in his first appearance for Real Madrid as the Spanish giants sneaked a 1-0 pre-season friendly win.
The 2008 World Player of the Year made his debut for the Primera Liga runners-up in Dublin after his record-breaking move from Manchester United.
But the £80million man failed to shine as he came in for close attention from Rovers defenders and he was withdrawn at half-time.
Ronaldo's fellow summer arrival Karim Benzema proved the match winner as he struck the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.
Former United hero Ronaldo was given two chances to produce with a free-kick, but sent the first one well wide and the second into the wall.
The best scoring chance in the first half fell to the hosts as Sean O'Connor cut in from the right-hand side before sending a low shot just wide.
Real looked more dangerous after the break, with Rafael van der Vaart going close twice, the second with a spectacular overhead kick, and Benzema striking the post in the 56th minute.
Eventually, it was ex-Lyon ace Benzema who won it, latching on to a long ball to score the only goal three minutes from time.
skysports.
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In my opinion, I don't think Ronaldo will survive for long in Real. He will not get the same treatment in Real as when he was in Man Utd. Fergie was patient and gave him almost automatic starts everytime. But I don't think Real Madrid has the same patience. I'm guessing after a few starts of no excitement, he will eventually be dropped to the bench and that is when things will get ugly given his diva attitude lols... Maybe in La Liga, he will perform better? Lets wait and see, quite interesting to see what's gonna happen to him lolx..
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not so easy lar. its a transition from BPL to La Liga, to a new club, new manager, new players and new environment. it will be difficult, but he is still young. not sure if he can replicate his form in a RM shirt, we shall see.
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Benzema steals show on Ronaldo's opening night
DUBLIN - Cristiano Ronaldo wore the white of Real Madrid on Monday for the first time since his record move from Manchester United, playing 45 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over lowly Irish side Shamrock Rovers.
But it was fellow big-money signing Karim Benzema who spared the Spanish side's blushes, striking three minutes from time against a team who flirted with bankruptcy four years ago and whose highest earner pockets around 1,000 euros a week.
Ronaldo's every touch was booed by the 10,915 fans squashed into Rovers' Tallaght Stadium, where capacity was trebled to see Real's Galacticos who had trained for a week on the outskirts of Dublin.
Some tried to catch a glimpse of the world player of the year from nearby apartments, many with 190,000 euro for sale signs attached, roughly what Real's new number nine earns a week.
The Portuguese received a hostile reception and Rovers centre-half Pat Flynn sent the winger clattering to the floor after his first touches had sent him speeding past defenders in trademark style.
With Kaka in Madrid alongside Real's other Confederations Cup representatives and Benzema starting on the bench, Ronaldo provided the only first-half evidence of Real's audacious spending spree of more than 200 million euros.
Despite resting five leading players, the hosts matched their opponents in the first half, allowing only fullback Marcelo a clear sight at goal.
Ronaldo drew the biggest cheer of the first half when his free kick went well wide and when a second effort tamely struck the wall 15 minutes later, the crowds taunts of "who are ya" grew louder.
Ronaldo played no further part as new Real coach Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes at halftime.
Former Lyon forward Benzema was among the changes and after having a scuffed shot cleared off the line, he controlled a long ball expertly and coolly finished in the 87th minute to seal victory.
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Originally posted by limpper:
Ronaldo's every touch was booed by the 10,915 fans squashed into Rovers' Tallaght Stadium, where capacity was trebled to see Real's Galacticos who had trained for a week on the outskirts of Dublin.
rofl, doesn't sound like a friendly.
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Ronaldo's every touch was booed by the 10,915 fans squashed into Rovers' Tallaght Stadium, where capacity was trebled to see Real's Galacticos who had trained for a week on the outskirts of Dublin.
i love this one
