Bayern rain on hosts' parade

FC Bayern München beat Real Madrid CF 2-1 in the final of the Spanish side's pre-season centenary tournament, as the winners of the last two UEFA Champions League finals came face to face at the Santiago Bernabéu last night.

Stunning strike
Michael Ballack, signed during the summer from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, converted a penalty after 27 minutes to open the scoring and Hasan Salihamidzic doubled Bayern's lead with a stunning goal midway through the second half. The Bosnia-Herzegovnian forward broke from midfield and exchanged passes with Claudio Pizarro before beating Madrid keeper César Sánchez with a deft finish.

Late hope
Luis Figo gave the hosts hope with a penalty six minutes from time, but Madrid could not force an equaliser and Bayern will take heart from the victory ahead of the new 1. Bundesliga campaign.

Gerrard return
In the day's other match, Liverpool FC midfield player Steven Gerrard returned from injury to inspire his team-mates to a 2-1 victory over Milan AC. Having lost 2-0 to Madrid in their opening match on Friday, Liverpool restored pride with an accomplished display against the Italian giants and took the lead after 32 minutes when defender Dario Simic deflected Gerrard's cross into his own goal.

Baroš on target
Gerrard turned provider once more, four minutes later, as his searching ball picked out Milan Baroš for the Czech striker to direct a fine header past keeper Dida. Milan pulled a goal back 12 minutes into the second period, when Jon Dahl Tomasson turned in from close range after a Cosmin Contra effort was blocked, but Liverpool held firm to secure a morale-boosting win.

'Always a threat'
Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier heaped praise on Gerrard and Baros after the match, saying: "Baroš is always a threat to defenders, because he runs across them. He's powerful, good on his left and right feet and [Paolo] Maldini had all sorts of problems with him tonight. I was pleased with him [Gerrard], he played for just over an hour before we took him off. If you have been injured it is in the last 20 minutes that you sometimes run the risk of something happening.''