AITOR KARANKA hailed a successful week in Spain as his Middlesbrough side rounded off their training camp in Marbella with a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ahli.

David Nugent and Julien de Sart were on target as Boro produced the most accomplished display of their three matches on the Costa del Sol.

Karanka, who changed his entire side on the 70-minute mark, was not too concerned about the result of yesterday’s game.

But the Boro head coach has been satisfied with his players’ progress over the last seven days, and is looking forward to fine-tuning preparations for the new campaign during forthcoming matches against Aston Villa, Udinese and Real Sociedad.

“It’s not about the final score, it’s about us improving while we are in Marbella, and we were better against Al-Ahli than we were against Real Betis (in the first game),” said Karanka.

“I am pleased because we have trained well and we haven’t picked up any more injuries. Also, the players have bonded well, especially the new players that have joined the club.

“With respect to everybody, the first season here, we were with ten or 12 players from the academy – now we are with Victor Valdes, Alvaro Negredo, Gaston Ramirez, Marten de Roon, Viktor Fischer.

“The club has changed a lot, and for that reason we are in the Premier League. It’s nice how everybody, including myself, are improving.”

Yesterday’s game was played in the searing midday sun, so Boro’s ability to see off reasonably strong Middle-Eastern opposition suggests the club’s early pre-season fitness work has had a positive effect.

Cristhian Stuani headed Boro’s first opportunity wide midway through the first half, and Adam Jackson also went close before the interval, nodding Carlos de Pena’s cross wide of the target.

The Teessiders finally made the breakthrough shortly before the hour mark, with Nugent converting Fischer’s inviting cross from close range.

De Sart, who has impressed in a number of pre-season games, claimed a second goal ten minutes later, surging towards goal before drilling into the far corner.

Karanka made 11 changes for the final 20 minutes, pairing Negredo with Jordan Rhodes in attack, but the game ended without any further goalmouth incident.

Boro: Konstantopoulos (Mejias 70), Nsue (Barragan 70), Baptiste (Morris 70), Jackson (Gibson 70), Reach (Friend 70); Forshaw (Clayton 70), de Sart (de Roon 70); Stuani (Ramirez 70), Fischer (Negredo 70), de Pena (Adomah 70); Nugent (Rhodes 70).