The Guardian (England): “Rafa Benítez starts life at Real Madrid with penalty defeat to Roma” ran their headline. The report concentrated on Bale’s performance, his contribution in attack and fortune in front of goal.
Daily Mail (England): “Rafa Benitez's first game in charge of Real Madrid is not one that is likely to be remembered as both teams lumbered to a disappointing draw - only to lose on penalties. Martin Ødegaard started for the Spanish side and looked bright alongside Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo but Real struggled to create many clear-cut chances.
El Corriere dello Sport (Italy): “Thre were positive signs from Roma, who looked every inch as competent as Real Madrid, and played on a level with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and company; García can feel satisfied, his team didn’t lose their shape like Rafa Benítez’s”.
L’Equipe (France): “The first Benítez-confected Madrid side made their first run out in Melbourne. A game dominated by the Italians, with Madrid still lacking rhythm. Ødegaard was given a start and Sergio Ramos, the captain’s armband following Iker Casillas’ departure”.
Olé (Argentina): “Discreet start in the first match of the Rafael Benítez era which left little of note, particularly when the team did get close to Roma’s box. The new Madrid coach started off with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jesé as centre-forward and CR7 out wide on the left. It was a game to loosen up leg muscles but not much else”.
El País (España): “Benítez found out that Bale is not a deep-lying forward. Madrid’s first experiment of the pre-season ended in a goalless draw and a defeat to Roma in the penalty shoot-out. The coach now has a handful of tasks to ponder over to improve the side which lifted la Décima. This Madrid lacks the sufficient raw material to play 4-2-3-1. Carlo Ancelotti, his predecessor, was not stupid when he refused to deploy Bale in a more central, deep-lying role behind the striker. The Welsh player put in a poor show against Roma. He was already struggling to find space to run into when he was played out on the right and moving him into the middle was like locking him up in a strongbox”.
Sport (Spain): “Not much football on display but a lot of experimenting in Benítez’s first game in charge: a boring match against Roma which was decided by a penalty shoot-out”.
Mundo Deportivo (Spain): “Real Madrid begin their pre-season with a draw and doubts. Madrid left their fans as cold as the bitter Australian winter. Benítez’s side raise doubts – especially in defence where he has a lot of work to do and particularly from set-pieces. As for the attack, he placed all of the team’s responsibilities on Bale who tried, but failed”.