Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini was pleased to kickoff the season with victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

Lassana Diarra popped up late on to score the winner in the 3-2 victory and Pellegrini said: "It was a hard-fought win and I'm happy with the team's play.

"This has been a difficult game, it was tight and we had chances to settle it."

He added: "I was very happy with the players' attitude. We kept going for the fourth, rather than trying to defend our lead.

"We played on the wings on numerous occasions. Alvaro Arbeloa and Cristiano Ronaldo attacked and brightened us up.

"The team is balanced with Xabi (Alonso) and Lass. We have four strikers who rotate among eachother and do it well and generously."