Ødegaard told VG: – Very large and cool to get his debut – VG

MELBOURNE (VG) (Real Madrid – Roma 6-7 after penalties) Martin Ødegaard (16) thought it was “unbelievably large” to debut for Real Madrid from start before 80,000 spectators.

VG met the Norwegian after the hefty training match – where frame in Australian Melbourne was better than the actual match. While Cristiano Ronaldo strutted past with cool winking eye and “thumbs up” sign took Ødegaard his time in the press zone.

– It was very big and cool to get his debut from the start. I had not counted on it. So it was fun, says Martin Ødegaard told VG.

The match ended aimlessly for 90 minutes. Thus would the ultimate winner in a penalty shootout – after Real Madrid replaced eight field players at halftime, including Ødegaard. It won Rome after Lucas Vazquez missed the Spaniards’ seventh penalty. Before it had all hit the jackpot of 11-yard box.

Seydou Keita was “match winner” and assured Italians one point in “International Champions Cup” when he net for Roma.

VG LIVE: How was the fight

Friday signaled the new manager Rafael Benitez to VG that he would give Martin Ødegaard plentiful with chances this summer to check out the Norwegian great talent.

READ ALSO: Ødegaard about being on tour with Ronaldo & amp; Co

Selected safe solutions

It was not empty words. In pre-season first game, and the experienced coach’s debut for Real Madrid, got Ødegaard playing field for a fairly topped Spanish big team. Opponent was a seasoned Roma team with the English veteran Ashley Cole at left-back.

Square from the start surprised Spanish journalists who are here “down under.” The VG talked before the game, did not think Benitez would start with the youngster in the first match. The Australian commentator also did a large number of the Real Marid started with a 16-year-old.

– If you have a dream, go for it. Look at Ødegaard. Everything is possible, he told television viewers.

From his place on the right flank was not Ødegaard very much involved. 16-year-old chose mostly safe solutions, played usually on one touch and dared not some of the C-elements he has previously shown that he can in terms of dribbling or passing cheeky. But Benitez signal sent by providing the Norwegian confidence from the start is nevertheless good news for frame bar that does not fill 17 years until December.

– Of course it is especially

– It gets a little extra when we play in front of 80,000 spectators and meets world-class players. Of course it is special, says Ødegaard, who says he was told that he would start a few hours before the game.

– I was surprised. Had not counted on it. It’s such a good experience playing with and against such great players already.

– How has it been being on this tour so far?

– It has been very good. We have trained well. It is a great experience just being here. Be part of the team, he replies.

The Norwegian says that the grass was not great, and that he wanted to play on the safe at the start. But he was not alone in not excel in a fairly tame game between two teams that have just gathered for holiday. Also Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly rusty and frittered away the ball unusually much.

After the match was Ødegaard picked out of the Real Madrid team to be interviewed by Australian television.

– It was ok. A typical moment. I was just trying to play football and enjoy it, he said.

– We did not let Roma score before the penalty competition. There are positive. But it’s the first game, so we have a lot to work with, he added.

When asked what he thought of Australia – which is experiencing the coldest winter months now – answers he said with a smile:

– It’s a little cold, but I’m used to it since I’m from Norway.

The case continues below the video

Switched eight players at halftime

During the break, replaced Rafael Benitez out eight in ten field players. Only Daniel Carvajal and Gareth Bale was left on the field.

On a slightly bad grass lawn in front of a well attended Melbourne Cricket Ground – with all 80,746 spectators – was it perhaps makes sense. Martin Ødegaard will surely have more chances during Real Madrid’s pre-season.

– Today saw were all exchanges planned. In the first game after the holidays it’s a bit like people to come into it, says Ødegaard.

– A fantastic stadium. Very impressive with so many people here, said Rome’s Ashley Cole to Australian television after the game.

Roma were closest to scoring before the break. Including heads Daniele De Rossi hit the crossbar and the rebound from veteran Francesco Totti was saved on the line.

After the break Real Madrid almost worked. Lucas Vazquez could have secured Spanish victory after 84 minutes, but Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis saved with a brilliant block. Maybe should Real Madrid have been awarded a penalty just before da Roma substitute Vasileios Torosidis stopped a ball with his arm.

Thus, it was 0-0 in the opening match of the “International Champions Cup “. On Tuesday meet Manchester City, with the Norwegian youngster Bersant Celina in the squad, Rome. Mini tournament ends with Manchester City – Real Madrid on Friday.

Ødegaard know yet whether he will play in the game.

– No, I know not. There are certainly some of the same with some changes. I’ll just try to train well forward to it, says Martin Ødegaard.