Relive Middlesbrough's friendlies against Real Madrid teams such as Figo, Makelele and Carranka
Saturday's friendly with Real Betis is not the first time Middlesbrough has played a friendly against their Spanish rival at a neutral venue
It was great to see Myburgh keep the tradition and beat the Spanish main rivals in pre-season friendlys. The match against Real Betis took place at Chesterfield as Betis was based near Burton during his trip to England for training.
This is not the first time that Myburgh have faced their Spanish opponents at neutral ground before the start of the season, and there is no doubt that it will not be the last. The biggest and most legendary clash with Spain's top team took place in early August 2000, when Myburgh faced reigning champions Real Madrid.
The match was played at the small stadium of Real Vallope di Carlinis, a relatively low-key club located in the town of Lalinha de la Concepshen, just off the border with Gibraltar. It was a big match even for a friendly match, as Real Madrid are undoubtedly the best team in Europe and have just signed Luis Figo from Barcelona for a world-record transfer fee of €62 million.
Smith also completed a £2.5 million deal with Italian side Lazio for Alan Boxic, signing his own world-class player. It was a huge change of gravity for Boxic, as Lazio won the UEFA Super Cup, Serie A and Coppa Italia in 1999-2000.
However, Boxic's move to Teesside did not attract as much shocking attention as Figo's move from arch-rivals Barcelona to Real Madrid, despite Mitchburgh's explicit intentions. In fact, just hours before the flight to Gibraltar, they unveiled Boxić at a press conference in Hellworth.
Boxić presented an impressive image at the press conference, although he did not speak English, and all questions for the Gazette had to be raised through agent Pino Pagliari. Boxić said he loves the challenge and wants to help Myburgh achieve their ambitions. He has been hailed as the highest paid player in the Premier League, a situation that we can only dream of in modern times.
The Croatian's press conference made the local media a busy day as we rushed to archive our Boksic story before heading to Teesside Airport for a flight to Gibraltar. Unfortunately, Boxic's signing came too late and he was not able to make it to the trip.
Head coach Bryan Robson has done the same among other players he signed in the summer, including Christian Karembeu and Joseph Job. World Cup winner Kalumbu was poached from Real Madrid, so he didn't waste much time meeting his old team-mates again.
Lalanea's trip didn't start as Robson had hoped. Real Linnes, a Spanish third-tier team that competed in the second division, was not expected to renew Myburgh's contract, but Robson's side could not find any rhythm and eventually lost 1-0. This hardly gives any confidence to the match against the mighty Real Madrid team, especially in the 16,000-capacity Municipal Stadium, where the spectators will surely speak out in support of the Spanish legend.
Even so, this is an exciting time in Myburgh's history. Robson was able to designate a starting line-up that included nine senior internationals, with two exceptions being Steve Vickers and Noel Whelan. Myburgh has two England centre-backs Colin Cooper and Gary Pallister, Paul Ince in midfield and Colombian Hamilton Ricard up front.
Ricard has truly adapted to life in English football, scoring 27 league goals in two seasons with Myburgh's return to the top flight, finishing 9th and 12th respectively. While only 2,000 fans watched Real Linnes' friendlies, including a handful of tenacious Myburgh fans, the stadium was packed before kick-off to watch the European champions play.
A small group of Myeburgh fans were lucky enough to get tickets, but other Teesside people who were on holiday in the area and didn't have tickets were disappointed. However, Spanish television broadcast the match live. So those fans who missed the game can watch it at the local bar.
Just three minutes later, Figo shot Real Madrid into front with the help of a deflection and Spanish fans soon lifted the roof in the stadium's only stand. Myburgh was under pressure from the start and when Ricard pulled back to add defensive support, he conceded a free-kick a few yards outside the box.
Figo stepped forward to take the penalty and the unfortunate Ricard again shot overhead but could only successfully deflect the ball off Mark Schwarzer into the right corner of the net.
Myburgh gradually regained his senses and soon after Whelan missed an equaliser, with Pallister's long-range free-kick heading straight to goalkeeper Casillas. However, the Spaniards are firmly in the lead. In the first half they sometimes played some great passes.
Shortly before half-time, Claude Makelele scored with a low shot from the edge of the box and they scored the second goal they deserved. Like Figo, Makelele was another player Real Madrid signed in the summer, and his transfer caused a lot of bad feelings and controversy.
Real Madrid had made an offer of 14 million euros to Celtavigo but was flatly rejected. Vigo asked to pay more for the France international. Real Madrid refused to budge, while Makelele refused to train, and Vigo eventually admitted they were in a win-win situation and agreed to accept the money. Real Madrid have clearly made two outstanding acquisitions on Figo and Makelele, which shows that they will be stronger in the new season.
When Myburgh licked their wounds during the break, Real Madrid made some changes, including the introduction of a defender named Aitto Karanka. Little did we know that Karanka was destined to one day run Myburgh.
Karanka only spent three minutes on the pitch and had a chance to get the ball out of the net just after Myburgh reduced his owe of the ball. At half-time, a change in Real Madrid's defence brought uncertainty to the backline, with Brian Dean intercepting in time and then passing the ball over Casillas' head into the net.
The goal changed the course of the game and Myburgh dominated for much of the second half. Kalumbu and Ince started to play in midfield, but Myburgh put pressure on but unfortunately didn't create much space.
Nearly an hour later, Real Madrid replaced another future Myburgh player, Graeme replaced Figo, who naturally left the stadium to a round of applause.
The longer the game goes, the better Myburgh will look, but they missed their best chance to equalise when Dean's header was blocked by Karanka. Robson replaced newcomer Steve Jobs in the final 25 minutes and the Cameroon international looked very impressive against such a divine opponent.
As the Premier League kicks off next weekend, Jobs will partner Boxić up front. While no one likes to lose, even a friendly match, Myburgh's performance in the second half lifted everyone up. This is certainly a major relief for Robson, especially after his side lost 2-0 at home to Borussia Dortmund last weekend.
Team:
Myburgh: Schwarzer, Fleming, Cooper, Vickers, Pallister, O'Neill (Gavin 85), Kalumbus (Okon 82), Ince, Dean, Ricard (Campbell 82), Whelan (Job 65).
Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Solari, Campo (Calanca 46), Julio Cesar (Hergueira 46), Serades (Gotti 46), Raúl (Savio 61), Makelele (Rivera 74), Morientes (Flavio 46), Figo (Graeme 61), Munitis.