Málaga 0 - Real Madrid 2

Málaga: Arnau; Alexis, César Navas, Fernando Sanz (Chengue Morales 74'), Valcarce (Diego Castro 85'); Juan Rodríguez, Anderson Silva; Edgar, Hidalgo (Paco Esteban 57'), Nacho; Salva. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Pavón, Iván Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Sergio Ramos, Guti; Robinho (Diogo 87'), Baptista (Pablo García 84'), Zidane; Ronaldo. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Anderson Silva, Salva for Gerardo, Paco Esteban / Madrid: Sergio Ramos, Baptista for Beckham, Pablo García.

Goals:
0-1. 33. Sergio Ramos. Got above defence to head Zidane corner down past Arnau.
0-2. 37. Robinho. Took return pass from Zidane and ran on to fire shot into net.

Real Madrid's new coach López Caro got off to a good start with a 0-2 win at Málaga, taking the "Galacticos" up to third in the table. After a midweek defeat in a fairly meaningless Champions League game with a side packed with youngsters, this was the new man's first real test. A one match ban to Beckham meant that he had to improvise with his 4-2-3-1 line up, Robinho and Zidane both being given wide roles with Ramos and Guti filling the central midfield spots.

The early minutes though were for the home side, Salva getting the ball in the net only to be pulled up for handling, and Casillas tipping another effort from the striker over the bar. But the visitors gradually took control, and after Ronaldo and Robinho had efforts blocked, Sergio Ramos ran in to meet Zidane's corner and head the opening goal past Arnau.

Just four minutes later Madrid were two up when Robinho picked up a return pass from Zidane and ran through to fire a spectacular shot inside the post. Arnau had to be on his toes after that to stop efforts from Robinho, Zidane and Ronaldo either side of half time, and Roberto Carlos bounced a long shot off the top of the crossbar later on. Málaga did have their chances, the best an acrobatic overhead kick from Salva and a couple of efforts from Nacho and Chengue Morales, but Casillas wasn't going to be beaten. Nobody knows how long López Caro will last, but at least he has got that first victory under his belt.