Source: Eurosport
Ronaldo bags debut goal as Real 'Galacticos' triumph
MADRID (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, scored a dream debut goal as Real Madrid's new generation of expensive 'Galacticos' defeated Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 in the Spanish league curtain-raiser.[LNB]Real spent over 250 million euros in the summer with Ronaldo accounting for 94 million euros of that, and the Portuguese star got off to a great start converting a first half penalty for his first competitive goal in the famous white shirt.[LNB]The cameras were out in force for Ronaldo and Kaka, the past two Ballon d'Or winners, but it was a player that cost Real nothing, captain and youth product Raul, who stole the first half headlines.[LNB]Raul, the club's all-time leading scorer, netted the first goal of the new season with a simple tap-in on 26 minutes and won Ronaldo's penalty on 35 minutes after Depor had equalised.[LNB]Real twice went ahead only to be pegged back at 1-1 and 2-2 through Riki (30min) and Juan Carlos Valeron (46).[LNB]French midfielder Lass Diarra was the unlikely hero firing in on the hour mark to ensure new coach Manuel Pellegrini and his Galacticos got off to a winning start.[LNB] "I am happy because it was very important to win the first game and we did," explained Pellegrini.[LNB]"Being just a goal ahead can cause panic because your opponents can equalise with just one chance. It was a tough game."[LNB]As Real's new superstars took to the field, there was a special guest appearance as Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt dribbled a ball to wild applause.[LNB]It was Bolt's first time on the Bernabeu pitch and there were seven other debutants for Real with Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema forming an attacking force alongside Real veteran Raul.[LNB]Xabi Alonso, a 30-million-euro summer arrival from Liverpool, made his bow alongside Diarra in midfield while his old Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa began at right back.[LNB]With Pepe suspended, Argentine Ezequiel Garay began in central defence alongside fellow debutant Raul Albiol.[LNB]With just 48 seconds gone Kaka, a 68.5-million euro-purchase from AC Milan, almost scored a debut goal but dragged his shot wide of the post.[LNB] Real's formation resembled a 4-2-2-2 but Ronaldo, sporting the number nine shirt, often roamed in from the right into a central striker's role.[LNB]The Portuguese international has taken over free-kick and penalty duties at Real and revealed that he had also been given licence to roam all over the pitch.[LNB]"My position is set and then I play a free role in the centre, on the right and on the left," said Ronaldo.[LNB]Former coach Sir Alex Ferguson often allowed Ronaldo to roam at Manchester United and two seasons ago he responded with a staggering 31 league goals.[LNB]Depor, who had beaten Real 2-1 on the opening day of last season, were under the cosh for the first 20 minutes and the breakthrough came on 26 minutes with Benzema racing onto Kaka's pass.[LNB]The Frenchman fired against the post but Raul was on hand to roll in one of the easiest goals of his career.[LNB]Depor replied quickly with Riki heading in on the half hour mark after some poor defending.[LNB]Raul then won a penalty as goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia clipped him and Ronaldo stepped up to smash his spot-kick low into the corner for his first Real goal.[LNB]A minute after the interval Depor caught Real off-guard with veteran Valeron thundering a volley past Casillas to make it 2-2.[LNB]Ronaldo screamed a shot past the post with his supposedly weaker left foot before Diarra, hardly prolific in front of goal, fired in the winner.[LNB]"Madrid are a powerful team with so much talent that it is difficult to concentrate against them for the 90 minutes," said Depor boss Miguel Lotina.[LNB]Title holders Barcelona are not in action until Monday when they host Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou.[LNB]Barcelona have been impressive in pre-season lifting the Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to add to their historic league, Champions League and Kings Cup treble last season.[LNB]Later on Saturday two promoted sides face off when Real Zaragoza host islanders Tenerife.
