Benitez not happy with MCG pitch ahead of 1st match

They are now on tour in Australia for the worldwide Champions Cup, which also features English side Manchester City and Serie A club AS Roma.

The Liga giants have trained at AAMI Park and Melbourne City’s state-of-the-art La Trobe University training ground, with the facilities and surroundings receiving a ringing endorsement from the former Liverpool and Napoli boss.

So, it’s not our place to offer managerial advice to the new Real Madrid coach.

Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in 2009 and subsequently established himself as one of the greatest players of the age, if not of all time.

“Pre-seasons are there to work, to get to know each other, and the conditions we have are good”, he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale competed for the biggest cheers among the 10,115-strong crowd for a wet open training session. “I want us to be a team that go out to win every game, that take the initiative, are assertive, that attack as well as in recent years and that defend a little bit better, to achieve that balance that will enable us to win more games and have a greater chance of winning trophies”.

Among those watching was Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who would not reveal how much the government paid to secure the even, but was confident the huge interest showed it to be a shrewd decision.

“We want to see the ICC stay where it absolutely belongs… hopefully we can make some exciting announcements about that soon”.

Benitez did not reveal his plans for replacing departed goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and would not comment on speculation that Manchester United keeper David de Gea is the expected replacement.

“You can ask my daughter if she prefers my wife or me”.

“I see Sergio as an integral part of our team”.