Pellegrini highlights need to defend better as Madrid loses in Peace Cup

MADRID, Aug. 1 -- Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini told his players they needed to improve their defending from set pieces after watching them lose 2-1 to Juventus in the semi-final of the Peace Cup in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Headers from former Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro and Salihamidzic were Real Madrid's undoing and although Cristiano Ronaldo scored another penalty, there was no way back against the solid Juventus defence.

Worryingly for Real Madrid the team has conceded five goals from set pieces in three matches.

"What I liked least of all was the way we defended set pieces. We can't allow teams to score two goals a game against us. Although it is also true that it is something we have not yet worked on in training," said Pellegrini on the Real Madrid website.

"All we have done was five or ten minutes work before the game, but it is a bit worrying."

However, despite the defeat, the Real Madrid coach found positive aspects from the game.

"We are improving in every game. What I liked today was the attitude of the players. Everyone is happy with the way we played in the first half, when we had depth and controlled the ball," commented Pellegrini, who added that the arrival of Kaka would also give him more options.

Real Madrid's next two games are in North America, with matches against MLS teams Toronto and DC United.