Madrid, Aug 30 (DPA) Expensive debutants Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka were overshadowed by Lassana Diarra and Raul in Real Madrid's tight 3-2 opening win over Deportivo Coruna.
Ronaldo did score from a penalty, but Real needed an opening goal from Raul and a winner from Diarra to break the resistance of Deportivo, who twice came from behind and threatened to spoil the fiesta in the Estadio Bernabeu here Saturday.
Starting the game with seven new signings, Real coach Manuel Pellegrini said that he was 'happy with the way that the team played'.
Pellegrini added that 'the team is balanced with (midfielders) Diarra and Xabi Alonso. We have four forwards who interchange amongst themselves very well.'
Alonso, one of Real's seven debutants, said: 'The important thing is the three points.'
'The team is not at 100 per cent yet, but little by little we will get to know each other better. Now we just have to take it one game at a time.'
Deportivo coach Miguel Angel Lotina said: 'I cannot ask for more from my players. They played a magnificent game, and I am going to congratulate them on it.'
Ronaldo, the most expensive player in the world, did little apart from scoring from the penalty spot.
Kaka looked more sure of himself and set up the first goal in the 27th minute. His classy pass set up fellow newcomer Karim Benzema, whose shot hit the post - and there was Raul, as ever, to push in the rebound.