Real can't stand the heat

An unrecognisable Real Madrid side crashed 1-0 to African giants Al-Ahli in the searing Egyptian heat on Saturday evening.

Real coach Vicente Del Bosque fielded what looks set to be his first-choice eleven but searing heat took its toll on the visiting Spaniards, who were completely overrun by Al-Ahli. Real's attack of Figo, Raul, Zidane and Savio looked sluggish and were incapable of posing any threat to their hosts.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahli dented Real's moral with a series of lightning-quick counter attacks. If it was not for a combination of poor finishing and excellent keeping from Cesar Sanchez, Real could have found themselves trailing by an even greater margin.

Nigerian frontman Sunday grabbed the only goal of the game after the home side hit Real on the break - Real were left exposed at the back and Ibrahim's cross from the deadball line was tapped in from close range by the incoming striker.

Real found themselves without the resources or energy to respond - their best effort
fell to Santiago Solari, whose 20-yard strike was acrobatically parried away by 'keeper El-Hadary.

Despite the atrocious display, Del Bosque told reporters afterwards that the experience was a positive one: "During this game I saw a well-organised team who played with a lot of security in the first half.

"Later on, Al-Ahli came out really motivated. It's also true to say that the heat, humidity and bad state of the pitch didn't help us - but that doesn't justify the result."