Plymouth lost out only to a second-half
penalty from Julio Baptista against Real Madrid in Kapfenberg, Austria.
Brazilian forward Baptista converted from the spot in the 75th minute to
give Madrid a 1-0 victory in a pre-season friendly whose scoreline did
not reflect a gulf in class between the cream of Europe and the
Coca-Cola Championship.
A Real side featuring Jonathan Woodgate in defence alongside Ivan
Helguera, as well as Guti and Italy international Antonio Cassano, were
out to impress new manager Fabio Capello.
Instead in the Italian's first match in charge, Real were unable to
impose themselves with the fluid football which might have been expected.
Plymouth could take their share of credit for that - and although there
were two clear first-half chances which went begging for Javier Portillo,
it was not until substitute Lilian Nalis committed a clear handball that
Baptista got his chance.
Real took control of midfield in the latter stages, but some determined
defending kept the score at 1-0 as substitute Soldado went close several
times. |
