Compared with Madrid, Spain's scorching thirty-five-degree heat, Scotland could be considered pleasantly cool.
On the third day after the team arrived in Scotland and began its training camp, all the internationals who had participated in the World Cup—including Robben and the Spanish internationals who had played in the final—returned to the team one after another.
The four new arrivals, Di Maria, Maicon, Javier Martínez, and David Silva, had also set out from Madrid at the same time for Scotland to join up with the team. On August 1, Real Madrid held its first training session with the full squad assembled.
Since several young players from the youth team had remained with the senior squad, Real Madrid's training-camp roster looked somewhat bloated this time.
Yang Yang had been back in training for several days, and his condition was highly satisfactory.
Although he had been on vacation for more than half a month, Yang Yang had not gained even the slightest bit of fat by the time he underwent his first medical examination after returning. His body-fat percentage remained excellent, which greatly satisfied Head Coach Benitez.
After returning to the team, Kaka began preparing for the new season according to the [Resurrection Plan] Winston Bogarde had tailored for him. He adjusted his condition and built up his fitness reserves.
Three days after the World Cup internationals returned, Real Madrid welcomed its first friendly match. The opponent was Celtic of Scotland.
Benitez did not field all his starters in this match, since the World Cup internationals had only just returned.
Dudek was in goal. The back line consisted of Marcelo, Vermaelen, Pepe, and Carvajal. Gago and Granero formed the midfield partnership, while Di Maria, Canales, and Yang Yang played up front, with Ibrahimovic as the center forward. Yang Yang played on