Riquelme seals Real Madrids first pre-season defeat

Football is as two-faced as a coin. Fridays match between Betis and Real Madrid had a faced-paced, eye-catching first half full of goals, but last nights Real Marid-Villarreal matchup for the third and fourth spots of the Ramón de Carranza competition was anything but spectacular. Villarreal took the pitch hoping to play a slow-paced game with the goal of stopping the Whites any way they could. They were not interested in displaying the wonderful football they are capable of, as demonstrated in their European matches of last season. Fabio Capellos team felt the effects of their adversary and played much in the same way. Both starting 11s anticipated an exciting match that ultimatley proved to be very disappointing.

Play was concentrated in the midfield, and neither side had many scoring opportunities. Villarreals first chance on goal only came in the 35th minute, while Real Madrid almost netted their first score in the 10th minute. Sergio Ramos, one of the Whites most prominent and consistent players, nearly finished off a spectacular play that has resulted in summersaults on previous ocassions. The defenders head connected with Beckhams corner kick, and missed the upper corner by mere inches.