Fulham held Real Madrid to a draw tonight in their latest pre-season friendly in Austria.
Franck Quedrue made his Fulham debut after sealing his switch from Middlesbrough on Friday and Chris Coleman’s much-changed side competed well against the Spanish giants.
Michael Brown had Fulham’s first chance when he drew a save from Iker Casillas in the sixth minute, before Raul missed a sitter that would have put Real ahead. Julio Baptista fired against the crossbar in the twelfth minute and Collins John saw a header come back off the far post after a Liam Rosenior cross.
Real Madrid enjoyed the better of the second half but a disciplined Fulham defensive display denied them many clear cut opportunities. Guti had the Spaniards best opening but his goalbound volley was superbly pushed away by Antti Niemi. John then spurned a glorious chance to put Fulham in front when his tame header from six yards was easily saved after excellent approach play from substitute Bjorn Runstrom.
Iker Casillas then made a sharp reaction save to deny Papa Bouba Diop from Michael Timlin’s cross and the Whites claimed a credible draw after Brown had cynically stopped a Real break with a professional foul, earning himself a late caution.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Niemi; Rosenior, Christanval, Pearce, Queudrue (N. Jensen 62); Bullard, Brown, Diop, Timlin; Helguson (Runstrom 76), John.
BOOKED: Brown.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Casillas (Lopez 45); Salgado (Diogo 58), Ramos (Helguera 45), Woodgate (Pavon 45), Raul Bravo (Rocha 77); Pablo Garcia (Fernandez 77), Gravesen (Mejía 58), Guti (Jurado 70); Cassano (Juanfran 36; Balbao 78), Raul (Portillo 45), Baptista (De la Red 70).
