For fans of Real Madrid, the end of the 2010/2011 season brought a sense of uncertainty and trepidation about the future.  Rumors abounded.  Would José Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and others depart?  Was it true that significant players were fighting with one another and threatening to leave?  Some discontent within an organization the size of Real Madrid is understandable and expected.  However, in May, the hint that the fighting could spiral out of control and make for a miserable 2011/2012 season became a growing fear.  Watching Barcelona lift not one, but two major trophies did not help.  But when vacations were over and the key players and coaches returned, the uncertainty dissipated and preseason became a beautiful thing to watch.

Mourinho has brought teams to Los Angeles for several years now and, to the delight of American fans, this year was no different.  I suspect the opportunity to start the preseason in a mild climate with celebrities abounding was a significant draw for all involved.  The fact that David Beckham was healthy and could appear when his former club played their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Galaxy sweetened the pot.  Even “carmageddon” couldn’t dampen the party atmosphere at the Los Angeles Coliseum.  The game itself disappointed from a competitive standpoint, but the fans clearly didn’t care.  They knew seeing Beckham and Ronaldo on the same pitch was something not to miss.  As it was the first game of preseason, there was a mixture of new and old players along with starters and non-starters.  Credit has to be given to Josh Saunders and Brian Perk, the Galaxy’s back-up keepers.  They had to face shots from nearly every player and made some strong saves.  At the end of the day, however, Los Blancos made it look easy and coasted to a 4-1 victory with goals by youngsters José Callejón and Joselu in the first half followed by goals by Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the second.  The footwork, angle and strength of the strike from Ronaldo left the commentators nearly speechless and certainly star-struck.  For the fans, Ronaldo lived up to his billing and didn’t disappoint.

Mid-week found Real Madrid taking a short flight south to San Diego where they faced one of the most decorated clubs in Mexico, Chivas Guadalajara.  Chivas put up a good fight in the first half keeping the game scoreless, but the entrance of Ronaldo in the second wore down their defense.  Around the 70th minute, Real Madrid took over and once again made it look easy, ending with a 3-0 victory and a hat trick for Ronaldo.  The win allowed Madrid to head to Philadelphia feeling bolstered by their early preseason success in California.

The Philadelphia Union provided a unique challenge for Real Madrid.  The MLS side appeared undaunted facing a European power.  For Madrid, a few cracks appeared.  Early goals by Mesut Özil and Callejón confirmed a victory, but Los Blancos were reminded that they weren’t flawless.  Aitor Karanka, Mourinho’s assistant said it best.  "This was our weakest match, but the positive thing is we won and that our previous two games truly showed how hard we've been working." 

After a brief return to Spain, Madrid was back on the road, this time heading to Germany to face newly promoted Hertha Berlin.  The Germans took the lead at 18 minutes, but 10 minutes later a goal by Ronaldo leveled things up.  A brace by Benzema closed things out and Madrid was celebrating another preseason win.

Bags were packed again when Madrid headed to England to showcase a “special” event - the meeting of Mourinho and Sven-Goran Eriksson.  For those of you who have never seen “Special 1 TV” and are football fans, climb out from under the rock you have been hiding under and find it.  No matter what team you support, it should make you smile.  The game against Eriksson’s Leicester City was a typical preseason friendly.  Third goals in the preseason campaign for both Callejón and Benzema wrapped up the victory.  An 88th minute goal by Leicester likely pleased the local fans, but had no impact on a game dominated by Real Madrid.

The final leg of Real Madrid’s preseason “World Tour” sent them to China.  If the jet lag had an effect, it didn’t show.  Madrid coasted past Guangzhou Evergrande with a 7-1 victory.  The Chinese side scored a few minutes before the final whistle, but rarely showed any significant opposition.  Real Madrid’s follow up match against Tianjin Teda ended in another convincing 6-0 victory.

Mourinho has had a season to learn about his players, discover their strengths and weaknesses and make adjustments.  If the preseason is any indication, those adjustments are working.  Real Madrid allowed only 5 goals in their 7 preseason games and found the back of the net 24 times, a third of those goals being provided by Benzema.  The French international is proving his worth as a full time starter and goal scorer.  (I suspect there is an EPL team or two kicking themselves right about now.)  With the typical starters (including Benzema) playing limited minutes in the preseason and already looking like they are in mid-season form, I am definitely hearing music playing for Los Blancos.  As Real Madrid supporter Enrique Iglesias would say, “Baby, I like it.  Come on and give me some more!”