When Real Madrid came to Bournemouth as Cherries prepare for European bow

THE Cherries could face the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, and Marseille in the Europa League next season, but they have hosted European giants at Dean Court before.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modric graced the then-Goldsands Stadium turf back in 2013 when Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid came to town.

The Spanish giants faced Eddie Howe’s Cherries in a ‘celebratory exhibition match’ to celebrate Bournemouth’s promotion to the Championship.

Then-chairman Eddie Mitchell explained to the Daily Echo that the fixture had been arranged through a mutual friend with Madrid, and he gave assurances that the new south stand would be in place for the game.

That stand was put in place on an initial two-year basis after the club reached the second tier – and it has remained in place ever since, as the club soared up the English football pyramid.

AFC Bournemouth vs Real Madrid - The Ted MacDougall south stand was opened in time for the visit of the Spanish giants (Image: NQ)

It is set to be replaced in the coming years, after the Cherries received planning permission for their stadium expansion plans last month.

The game against Real Madrid was an excellent occasion in front of a packed-out Dean Court, as the visitors cruised to a 6-0 win.

Ronaldo, Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria, and Casemiro were the scorers as Ancelotti, who was taking charge of his first Real Madrid game, fielded a strong side.

Now, 13 years later, Ancelotti is managing a Bournemouth player at the World Cup in the form of 19-year-old Rayan, something that shows just how far the club have come.

The 2013/14 campaign would be a good one for both Bournemouth and Madrid.

The Cherries would earn a top ten finish in their first season back in the Championship, laying the foundations for their title-winning season the following year, which secured their first-ever promotion to the Premier League.

AFC Bournemouth vs Real Madrid (Image: NQ)

The visitors, meanwhile, would go on to secure ‘La Decima’, their tenth Champions League, which started a run of five in ten years.

Since the friendly, Bournemouth have played nine seasons in the top flight and are about to start their tenth – as well as their first in Europe.

See a gallery of pictures from the Real Madrid friendly above.

AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan (Jalal, 84), Francis (Stockley, 84), Cook (Hughes, 61), Elphick (Addison, 74), Daniels (Thomas, 84), Coulibaly (Harte, 66), Arter (Purches, 84), MacDonald (Wakefield, 84), Fraser (Matthews, 74), Pitman (Ward, 27), Grabban (Chiedozie, 66).

Real Madrid first half: Lopez, Carvajal, Nacho, Coentrão, Modric, Khedira, Ronaldo, Isco, Ozil, Benzema.

Real Madrid second half: Jesus, Nacho (Quini, 67), Carvajal (Casado, 67), Morata, di Maria, Higuain, Casemiro, Illarramendi, Kaka, Cheryshev, Mateos.