Result as expected....but nobody should be interested in the results, nor the individual players. My takeaways:
1) Rafa better be prepared to revert to Real's old system if his 4-4-2 experiment doesn't really work out. It will be very interesting to see if he can do the smart and right thing *IF* his setup isn't working.
2) Pre-season should be all about experimentation; testing out tactical setups, different phases of play, e.t.c. For example, today was very obvious Real were experimenting a 4-4-2 with Bale as a forward. They were also testing out different attacking strategies, like playing a longer ground passes from deep midfield, to the feet of the forwards who are checking into the space between DM and CBs (so they can turn). They also did a variation where the forwards moved wide to triple overload the wing (FW, winger, WB). It gave our defenders issues in terms of marking assignments and who should cover who, particularly since our 4-3-1-2 is so narrow, that the LM/RM doesn't help the WB until it's too late (if at all).
I literally have no clue what WE were testing out, other than aligning ourselves on the field in a 4-3-1-2. Maybe someone can help me with what patterns we were trying to execute offensively because I really didn't see any. Actually, scratch that. I did see patterns, just they seemed to be more individual based than a team tactic. For example, whenever we got the ball from Real in our defensive third, the attack was usually led by a midfielder running with the ball, the 2 forwards about 20 yards ahead, both running in a straight line towards goal and in line with Real's CBs, and one WB supporting the midfielder with the ball. Those 4 will try something, usually midfielder to WB, who then crosses. If they manage to hold the ball, then the other mids come up plus the other WB. Then we play some possession, then try to cross, or if that's being blocked, pass back inside then try to play a one-two through the middle.
Kova makes a few deep runs per game, then passes wide for the WB to cross, or tries to play a one-two through the middle.
Gaps between our lines are awful, especially on transition. When transitioning to offense, all the CMs want to stay parallel or behind the ball to receive a back pass or a square pass. That, plus our FWs being 20+ yards away then causes the CM who has the ball to dribble up without much support other than a WB.
Our pace is pedantic at best. It takes too long for the players to support in offense and defense. We literally have to be able to hold the ball for 15-20sec to start getting support from the mids. Then another 15-20 sec before the other WB and the CB line move up to support. It's ridiculous. This is causing all the gaps between our lines.
All hating aside and in total seriousness, Mancini and staff need to get to work and stop fucking around. Better players make your system better. They don't MAKE your system.