Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip had plenty of reasons to be cheerful following his side's late loss to the Premiership big boys of Manchester City, in their pre-season friendly at the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Real Madrid v AS Roma: Paper planes the crowd highlight
Claire Siracusa Who would have thought that on the night that Real Madrid and Roma faced off at the MCG, some of the biggest cheers from the crowd would be for paper planes?
Samir Nasri leaves it late in win over Melbourne City
Michael Lynch, Gold Coast In the tale of two Cities the men from Manchester did just enough to see off the men from Melbourne, a sumptuous volley from French international Samir Nasri with barely five minutes left on the clock enough to give the Premiership side a 1-0 win in the first ever meeting between the two City Football Group-owned clubs.
Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan linked with move to Valencia
Daniel Lane Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan, who has been linked to Spanish club Valencia, has paid tribute to his predecessor Mark Schwarzer who is in his second decade as a top-flight goalie.
The Real thing: how Cristiano Ronaldo won Melbourne's heart in a footy winter
Michael Lynch Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid all over the front page of The Saturday Age and in the news section as well as the sports pages.
Totti looks forward to MCG debut, talks up ex Glory boy Danny Da Silva
Michael Lynch Italian football may have been in the relative doldrums these past few seasons _ its five years since a Serie A club won the Champions League _ but the nation's top teams may now be ready to revitalise their challenge for European honours, says Roma coach Rudi Garcia.
Liverpool FC in Brisbane: Rodgers sings Roar's praises
Beth Newman Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers gave Brisbane Roar's keeper Jamie Young his first English Christmas dinner.
Real Madrid training at the MCG
Chris Johnston As soon as Real Madrid, the world's most valuable sports team, finished training at the MCG the players had a kick of the footy. This is Melbourne after all.
Real Madrid: Benitez talks up his players, but questions MCG pitch
Michael Lynch Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez could probably find work as a diplomat if his football career stalled.
Real Madrid has given Melbourne father and daughter lifelong bond
Chris Johnston These are important times for Anabel Munoz-Di Paolo and her ageing father with Real Madrid in Melbourne.