Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium displayed the many different styles and philosophies of football as it played host to teams from a variety of leagues. Saturday’s double-header, although a pre-season tournament, has shown both positives and negatives to all on all four teams that competed. Real Madrid played and capitalized on their strength in the counter attack. Although Everton were defeated by the giants from Madrid, they had quite a few positive notes to take home from the 2-1 match in Los Angeles. The Galaxy looked to be the team in form in their match against the Italian winners Juventus. Juventus on the other hand appeared slow, as if the team is in the middle of finding a new attacking identity.

The first game of the night was the enticing matchup between Real Madrid and the merseyside outfit Everton FC. The line up for Real Madrid fielded a starting eleven that many viewers can potentially see as the starting squad when their campaign begins. Iker Casillas got the nod over Diego Lopez from Ancelotti and for the first 20 minutes saw little action as the Madrid midfield asserted itself on the game. The first goal was scored in the 17^th minute when Mesut Ozil found Cristiano Ronaldo on the counterattack from the center circle and the Real Madrid #7 capitalized. The score by halftime (2-0) somehow didn’t justify the run of play as Everton’s Belgian duo of Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Mirallas proved to be a handful for the Madrid midfield and defense. Fellaini physically assert himself on the Real Madrid midfield, out-jumping all the Madristas to the ball and slowing down the advancing Real Madrid counter-attack. On the other end of the pitch Mirallas took the game to the Madrid defense, showing his fierce confidence to take on defenders with his quick touches. But as Everton pressed up the field it left them very vulnerable to Los Blancos counter-attack. In the 31^st minute Luca Modric fed Ronaldo on the counter where he easily teed up the goal for Ozil to tap in. Although the game ended in a 2-1 victory for los Blancos, the flow of the game was indeed very balanced. Real Madrid looked very threatening on a counter-attack spearheaded by the attacking play of Ronaldo and Benzema, but they still looked suspect at the full backs with Mirallas proving to be a handful for both Marcelo and Arbeloa. Playing higher up the field left the Toffees exposed to the counter-attack, especially when playing against a tough and determined opponent. At the end of the night, Ancelotti’s Real Madrid emerged victorious, a victory that omits an air of swagger amongst the squad.

Later in the night, many were graced with the matchup of the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Italian champions of Serie A, Juventus. The giants from Turin are visiting the United States for pre-season play and have based their training in San Francisco. The Galaxy was clearly the in-form team coming into the match from the middle of their season in the MLS. On the pitch that couldn’t be more evident. The Galaxy were a lot quicker, sharper and more intelligent than the off-season Italian champions. This is not to discredit Juventus however, whose new attacking pair should make them formidable contenders in Europe this campaign. That being said, Antonio Conte would do well to take note of his sides mental capacity to changing tactics, on teams that will not conform to their owndynamic of play. The Galaxy’s work rate was impeccable, pressuring the midfield outlets to disconnect Juve’s link up play with their forward players. Bruce Arena, manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy, should praise his players for performing and not capitulating to a massive team with a large reputation.

The International Champion’s Cup has concluded its visit in Southern California, and it has shed some light on the spectrum of European Football. Los Blanco proved to be very menacing on the counter-attack and very intelligent when it came to soaking up the pressure from the opposing team. Forthe madristas, it is important to sure up the defense when encountering a team that possesses wingers that enjoy running at defenses. Everton, although defeated by Madrid, can take quite a few positives from the game. They showed their ability to muscle opponents on and off the ball with Fellaini marshalling the midfield and Mirallas’ capability to run at defenders forcing them to make mistakes. Roberto Martinez in the press conference after the match was quick to point out the mistakes the Toffees made, simply “by giving up the ball too cheaply, Madrid was able to capitalize on our mistakes.” Shifting to the Italian champions, despite the lost to the LA Galaxy and the remarks made by Antonio Conte in the post game press conference, the main concern is of the squad’s mental capability. Despite these matches being pre-season setups or an experimenting period, football fans can easily locate the upcoming drama for the forthcoming campaign this 2013-2014 season.