3-2 Austria wins the duel between Centenarian squads

[Red Devil]

Apparently, the Whites are still being run in from what we saw in their second preseason test (the first one against a professional team). GAK, which happens to be 100 years old too, clinched the triumph (3-2), thanks to the energy shown by the local players (the Austrian league is already under way). Besides, Del Bosque's boys confirmed the understandable faults at this stage with some losses that in the end gave the Whites too much trouble. Although Real were losing by 3-0 at a point, the draw could have been the final score if the local keeper had not cleared Tote's attempt in the 87'. Zidane, who got his first minutes of play today alongside Figo and Makelele, proved the most lucid white player. The local students squad won the duel between two Centenarian sides.

Del Bosque tried a 4-1-2-3 for the first serious test of the season. The coach preferred a defense with two outside players plus two men in between them, Cambiasso got his spot just in front of the latter with two arms on each side: Flavio on the right and Zidane on the left. The offensive reference was Figo's job and Guti and Portillo remained the closest to the box.

The trouble for Madrid came about when their opponent, who were much more run in (the Austrian league has already kicked off), managed to steal the ball from the Whites. The first goal was scored this way thanks to striker Brunmayr, a player that showed his skills in the area. Excellent Carlos Sánchez cleared three of his shots, but could do nothing to save another counterattack by this player, the one that led to his second goal.

A lot of new faces

Del Bosque changed most of the players after the break (GAK changed all of them). Carlos Sánchez, Iván Campo, Pavón and Raúl Bravo were the only white players to remain on the field in the second half. The layout also changed with the new players; this time around it was 4-2-3-1. Makelele and Celades as double pivot; McManaman and Solari on the flanks, Fernando as the linking man, and Savio, who got one of his powerful shots cleared by the keeper, was in the forward position.

Tote came on as forward and the tactics shifted to a 3-4-3 with Fernando, Savio and Tote as a partnership in the front. Fernando could have scored the first, but the keeper cleared with his foot (69'), though Macca found a reward a few minutes later. A charge by Savio led to a penalty (78') and the Brazilian player convert it himself. In just ten minutes of white command, the visiting side managed to cut down the lead. Three minutes from time, Tote had the chance to grab the equaliser, but keeper Schranz did not allow it.

THE MATCH

3 - GAK: Almer (Schranz, 45’); Hastings (Gilason, 45’), Pötscher (Dmitrovic, 45’), Tokic (Milinkovic, 45’); Ramusch (Amerhauser, 45’), Aufhauser (Czinege, 45’), Bazina (Tutu, 45’ -Naumoski, 71’-), Ceh (Hartmann, 45’), Halmosi (Sic, 45’); Brunmayr (Stanfdfest, 45’) and Kusi Asare (Kollmann, 45’).

2 - REAL MADRID: Carlos Sánchez; Salgado (Miñambres, 45’), Iván Campo, Pavón, Raúl Bravo (Tote, 65’); Figo (McManaman, 45’), Flavio (Makelele, 45’), Cambiasso (Celades, 45’), Zidane (Solari, 45’); Guti (Fernando, 45’) and Portillo (Savio, 45’).

GOALS

1-0 (14’): Brunmayr, suspicious position, beats Carlos Sánchez.
2-0 (42’): Brunmayr makes the most of a clear by the keeper.
3-0 (53’): Kollmann, powerful shot, takes advantage of a mistake by Carlos Sánchez in a goal kick
3-1 (71’): McManaman, low shot.
3-2 (78'): Savio, penalty on himself.

REFEREE: Stefan Mebner (Austria). He cautioned Iván campo,

STADIUM: Arnold Schwarzenegger.