Real Madrid: Casillas, Marcelo,
Ramos, Pepe, Nacho, Kroos, Modri?
(Illarramendi 74'),
Ronaldo,Rodriguez, Bale, Benzema
(Hernández 82')
FC Basel: Vaclík, Suchý, Samuel
(Kakitanti 64'), Schär, Safair, Frei
(Delgado 83'), Elneny, Xhaka, Zuffi,
González, Streller (Embolo 73')
10 time European champions and defending champions Real Madrid started their title defense with a 5-1 thumping of Swiss side FC Basel at Santiago Bernabeu. The match was an annihilation of Basel as they were no match for the firepower of Galacticos.
The home side opened the scoring through an own goal by Basel defender Marek Suchý who slotted home a James Rodriguez cross intended to reach Nacho. It was a deserving goal for Los Blancos as they were the side calling all the shots from the word go.
This goal opened the floodgates for Madrid as they went on to pump in four goals inside the first 45 minutes. Gareth Bale added the second 15 minutes later for Real in his trademark style. A sublime pass from Luka Modric, spotted Bale's fantastic run who went past the Basel defenders with ease. The Welshman then chipped over the keeper Vaclík to finish a thrilling move.
Bale again came into play as he drilled in a perfect cross for teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a simple tap-in from 6 yards. Real were 3-0 up inside 31 minutes and their second inside one minute.
Now it was new boy James' turn to join the party as he showed his poaching skills to quadruple Blancos' lead inside 40 minutes. Ronaldo fired a fierce shot from just outside the penalty box, but the Basel keeper did well to save it, however, the Columbian James quickly pounced on the loose ball and put it into the Basel net.
Basel did try to salvage some pride in the closing stages of the first half as a stunning strike by Derlis González from 20 yards brought the visitors on score sheet. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas could have done better with the shot but it was Sergio Ramos who gave him time and space to take a shot at Madrid's goal.
Karim Benzema scored the fifth and completed the rout in the 79th minute. The build up to the goal was better than the goal. All the playmakers of the Madrid side strung together beautiful one touch passes before Benzema finished it with a goal.
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