Real Madrid finally beaten as AC Milan pick up friendly win in Dubai

Stephan El Shaarawy was the star as AC Milan handed Real Madrid their first defeat in 23 games, in a 4-2 friendly win in the Dubai Football Challenge.

With Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti coming up against his former employers, the current European champions named a strong side with Keylor Navas in goal, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane at the back and Javier Hernandez and Cristiano Ronaldo up front.

Young defender Nacho was at fault for the opener however, as Jeremy Menez opened the scoring after pouncing on his poor backpass to Navas.

El Shaarawy doubled the lead from the edge of the area before half-time but Ronaldo then slotted home from a pass from Jese Rodriguez to pull one back for Madrid.

El Shaaraway and Giampaolo Pazzini's header then made it 4-1, before substitute Karim Benzema netted a late penalty in the 84th minute to provide some consolation for the Spanish side.
Madrid's hopes of continuing their unbeaten streak in competitive games continues with a visit to Valencia on Sunday.

Ancelotti said after the game: "This defeat doesn't hurt, not at all. We've had a week of preparation. Physically we were good. It's allowed us to get our rhythm back after a week off. We did what we needed to. An effort in which everyone had their 45 minutes. Now we have a day to rest and then two to get ready for the game in Mestalla."

Asked if it meant a bad ending to 2014, he added: "No, we're happy at the end of this wonderful year. It's good for Milan who played well, we didn't and that's that. It can't be said that this defeat changes what we did this year, of course not. We've had good news from Valdebebas, where Ramos and Marcelo trained, they're fine."

Meanwhile, Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi (a former player of Ancelotti's) said: "I am satisfied. It was, however, a friendly and we cannot get ahead of ourselves. It's been a while now that we've been playing like this and tonight it all went very well.

"El Shaarawy did very well, he scored two brilliant goals. They all did well, even those that came on after. I am spoilt for choice.

"In the past 3 matches we've faced Napoli, Roma and Real Madrid, winning twice and drawing once, playing on equal terms with all of them.

"There is the right spirit and the desire. There's huge satisfaction. I'm now thinking about Serie A and that will be the hardest match for us.

"I am happy for the President, I spoke to him before the match. Having seen that we competed will have made him happy. To have seen us grow so much gives me hope, the biggest satisfaction is the attitude we had."