A tale of 2 halves ...
Mourinho tried the 4-2-3-1 as opposed to his 4-3-3 in the first game
First half team was really bad especially in the defense and another indication Drenthe and Momo Diarra lost it ..
the team was lackluster and all the build up wasn't that good.. Di Maria was better than the first game and probably our best player in the first half however the team selection didn't help
for those who didn't watch the game the formation was as follows
-----------------------------------Dudek--------------------------
Ramos----------Albiol--------------------Garay------------Drenthe
-----------------Lass-------------------Diarra------------------
Granero--------------------VDV-----------------------Di Maria
-----------------------------Benzema-----------------------
Drenthe caused the penalty which made the score line 2-0 and the first goal was purely a couple of people who don't want to clear the ball ala " you first , no you first , no way you came here first you go ahead..etc " till LA scored from a scramble .
second half the team was totally transformed .
----------------------------Iker---------------------
Arbeloa--------Pepe------------Garay--------Marcelo
----------------Xabi-------------Gago-------------
Pedro------------------Canales------------CR------
-----------------------Higuain--------------------
Another showing of the new CR in his team player persona ..excellent low cross for Higuain the man to score the first goal .. followed by a rebound from Garay header but beautiful finish from Higuain .. .third goal a great connection Higuain pass to Canales who backheeled to Higuain to break LA defense... Higuain shot rebounded outside the area for Pedro Leon to score a great lob shot as well .
it's still a second friendly and it will only get tougher from now one as we play B Munich in few days however :
Canales has easily taken Kaka role and it will be really hard for VDV & Granero to move him away from the starting line up.. this is the second game in a row that Canales looked lively , creative and capable of playing on the level required for Real Madrid .. he is now more a starter than a sub .
Pedro Leon will make life quite difficult for Di Maria for the second game in a row the ex-Getafe man is a force of nature with his speed,dribbles , crossing and shooting .
CR responded quickly to Jose idea's of team > individuals and we are seeing a creator more than someone just looking for a goal scorer .
Higuain is still the Higuain of last year , it will be difficult for Benzema to take him out even when Benzema regain his form and be in top shape