Real Madrid kick off pre-season with loss to Inter

Madrid: Real Madrid`s pre-season got off on a losing note as they were worsted in a penalty shoot-out against Italian side Inter Milan in a friendly played in California.

With key players for both sides still to return to action following World Cup duties this summer, both coaches Saturday fielded sides which were different from the elevens with which they are likely to kick off their respective league campaigns, reports Xinhua. But Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to play Gareth Bale and the Welshman was his side`s standout performer, scoring a stunning first half goal from 25 yards to put Real Madrid ahead. As is normal in the second half of such games, the rhythm dropped after the break as the coaches made a series of changes and Inter levelled the score with a penalty scored by Mauro Icardi. That took the game into a penalty shoot out and Ancelotti will not have been pleased to see how Asier Illaramendi and Isco, both players whose long term futures could be under jeopardy after the signings of James Rodriguez and Tony Kroos, missed their spot kicks to give Inter the win. Elsewhere, Valencia drew a friendly 2-2 away to Alianza Lima in Peru to also lose 8-9 in a penalty shoot out which needed 22 penalties to be taken, while Real Sociedad prepared for their Europa League debut at home to Aberdeen next week, with a 2-1 win away to Dutch side NEC Nijmegan.