Real Madrid’s Marcelo (left) celebrates a goal with Cristiano Ronaldo during the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu match against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu.

AFP/Madrid

Rafael Benitez got off to a winning start on his home debut as Real Madrid boss as Marcelo’s brilliant individual effort handed the Spanish giants a 2-1 win over Galatasaray.
Nacho’s first-half opener for the hosts had been cancelled out by former Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder early in the second period.
However, Madrid weren’t to be denied victory in the friendly held to celebrate the Santiago Bernabeu trophy thanks to Marcelo’s strike eight minutes from time.
“The first day is always very exciting, but I was concentrating more on the game as is the job of a coach,” said Benitez.
“I saw plenty of positives and if we play like that I will be happy, but we still have plenty of margin to improve which is positive.”
Benitez named close to his strongest available line-up just five days before Los Blancos kick-off their La Liga campaign away to Sporting Gijon.
However, it was a less than convincing start from the hosts as Umut Bulut headed just wide for the Turkish side before Lukas Podolski forced Keylor Navas into his first save of a busy evening.
Madrid did manage to break a two-game streak without scoring when defender Nacho headed home Luka Modric’s corner after 17 minutes.
Isco was inches away from doubling Real’s advantage with a lovely curling effort that clipped the bar before Bulut passed up a great chance to equalise when he blazed over from barely three yards out.
Gareth Bale endured another largely frustrating night as he too failed to find the target with an effort from distance and was met with boos from sections of the home support.
And even Cristiano Ronaldo’s eye for goal was awry as the World Player of the Year spooned a glorious opportunity over from Jese Rodriguez’s fine cut-back with the last action of the first-half.
Madrid were made to pay for that miss early in the second period when Sneijder levelled against his former side with a fine left-footed strike into the far corner.
Navas saved Benitez the embarrassment of going behind on his home debut with a stunning save from Sabri Sarioglu moments later.
Both sides then made a raft of substitutions, but there was one moment of real quality left to decide the game as Marcelo skipped past three Galatasaray defenders before prodding the ball home at the near post.

Coach Benitez unconcerned by misfiring Real Madrid attack
Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez is not worried about his side’s relative goal drought in their final warm-up matches before they begin their La Liga campaign on Sunday with a trip to promoted Sporting Gijon.
Real edged Turkish side Galatasaray 2-1 in Tuesday’s Santiago Bernabeu trophy invitational match, having drawn 0-0 with Norwegian club Valerenga and lost 1-0 to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in their previous two friendlies.
Benitez, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of a 2014-15 season devoid of major trophies, told a news conference he was sure the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Jese would soon be scoring freely.
“It does not concern me,” Benitez said when asked about his team’s recent lack of goals.
“We had 22 shots and I am convinced that will bring us goals,” added the former Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Napoli and Valencia coach, who was making his debut at Real’s Bernabeu stadium.
“I am more concerned about closing down the opponent when they try to bring the ball out of defence and preventing counter attacks. I am very pleased and confident. Beyond that, we’ll try to score against Sporting to put an end to this debate.”
The main domestic challenge for Real and Benitez this term will be preventing champions and great rivals Barcelona winning a sixth La Liga title in eight years.
They are also chasing a record-extending 11th European crown after Ancelotti guided them to a long-awaited 10th in his first term in 2013-14.