Real Madrid continue their preparations for the new season this weekend when the European champions take on Juventus in California.
Carlo Ancelotti's side started late with their pre-season games and have only played two matches – a 1-0 defeat against old rivals Barcelona in the Las Vegas clasico and a 2-2 draw with Club America in San Francisco.
Karim Benzema, who was not involved in the Clasico defeat, played the opening 45 minutes against the Mexicans, finding the back of the net in the 22nd minute.
“Even without many training sessions, he has arrived well and is doing well. He can still get even closer to his level,” said manager Ancelotti of his star striker and top scorer last season.
“I think it was a better match than the first one. We struggled at the start of the game since they're in better rhythm, but we had more intensity in the second half.
“It was a more roll and roll second half. [Dani] Ceballos and [Eduardo] Camavinga did well, bringing a lot of energy with the ball.”
Top La Liga scorers 2021/22 season
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LA LIGA TOP SCORERS 2021/22: =11) Goncalo Guedes (Valencia) 11 goals in 36 games. AFP -
=11) Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid) 11 goals in 35 games. AFP -
=11) Carlos Soler (Valencia) 11 goals in 32 games. AFP -
=11) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Barcelona) 11 goals in 17 games. AP -
=9 Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid) 12 goals in 36 games. EPA -
=9) Memphis Depay (Barcelona) 12 goals in 28 games. Reuters -
8) Jose Luis Morales (Levante) 13 goals in 35 games. Getty -
7) Joselu (Alaves) 14 goals 37 games. EPA -
=5) Enes Unal (Getafe) 16 goals in 37 games. EPA -
=5) Juanmi (Real Betis) 16 goals in 33 games. EPA -
3) Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 17 goals in 35 games. AFP -
=3) Raul de Tomas (Espanyol). 17 goals in 34 games. EPA -
2) Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) 18 goals in 37 games. Getty -
1) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 27 goals in 32 games. Getty -
MOST ASSISTS LA LIGA 2021/22: =9) Nabil Fekir (Real Betis) Eight assists in 34 games. Getty -
=9) Luka Modric (Real Madrid) Eight assists in 28 games. AP -
=7) Sergi Darder (Real Sociedad) Nine assists in 36 games. AFP -
=7) Oscar Trejo (Rayo Vallecano) Nine assists in 32 games. AFP -
=3) Iker Muniain (Athletic Bilbao) 10 assists in 35 games. Reuters -
=3) Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 10 assists in 35 games. Getty -
=3) Daniel Parejo (Villarreal) 10 assists in 33 games. Getty -
=3) Jordi Alba (Barcelona) 10 assists in 30 games. AP -
2) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 12 assists in 32 games. EPA -
1) Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona) 13 assists in 21 games. Reuters
Next up for the La Liga champions will be Serie A side Juve at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
Real begin their season with the European Super Cup against Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt on August 10 before starting their La Liga title defence away to Almeria on August 14.
Los Blancos have only made two new signings this summer, bringing in Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco and Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer from Chelsea.
You can see the Real squad training ahead of the Juve game in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe.
