Real Madrid sports chief Predrag Mijatovic was delighted to see his new signings make winning debuts last night.

Both Lassana Diarra and Klaas Jan Huntelaar started in the 1-0 victory over Villarreal and Mijatovic said at the final whistle: "It was important to start 2009 by winning and we've done so. Lass and Huntelaar looked very good and I am glad that they debuted at home.

"They lack the pace of games and it still was not easy premiering against as difficult a rival as Villarreal. Yet they did well. They're young, they have quality and will help us a lot in the future."