During a weekend that saw Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, both teams occupying the first and second spots respectively in the league table drop points, with Barcelona playing out a draw with Valencia at Camp Nou and Atletico Madrid losing away to Real Betis, it was only fitting that Real Madrid continue their impressive form of late, pick up the three points and close the gap on both teams.
Prior to the match against Alaves, the draw for the semi finals of the Spanish Copa Del Rey was drawn and a two legged El Clasico was set. Real Madrid will be playing Barcelona in mid week and Atletico Madrid three days later and then you add the second leg of the El Clasico Copa Del Rey tie and the forth coming Uefa Champions League round of 16, Solari and his men are in for a tough and rough ride and only if they continue with their recent form would they be able to weather the storm approaching.
Solari is lucky to have much of his squad players available, the only absentee being Jesus Vallejo and Luca Zidane. The former who is not a regular starter, thanks and not thanks to his injury prone nature and the latter who is a Castilla player. Every other player is back and running and there could barely be a better team at one's disposal than the one Solari is harbouring.
Thubiat Courtois continued in between the sticks. Sergio Ramos and Nacho partnered each other at centre defence as Varane was given a rest. Alvaro Odriozola replaced the suspended Dani Carvajal and Sergio Reguilon's name was once again, preferred to the skillful Marcelo at Left Back.
Toni Kroos was rested and Dani Ceballos took his place, partnering Casemiro and Luka Modric in midfield.
Lucas Vasquez was replaced by Gareth Bale at rightt flank and Vinicius Junior continued at left flank while the in form French Super Man Karim Benzema forwarded the attack.
The match started pretty much the opposite of what we have seen from Real Madrid lately. Real Madrid were much patient with the ball, The pressing from the whites was languid and passes were misplaced especially by the Magician Luka Modric.
Gradually, as Luka Modric grew into the game, it was no surprise the team grew as well. The defence featuring Sergio Ramos and Nacho stood tall and thwarted any opportunities that fell Jony's way. They kept it at possession level until the 30th minute when a Sergio Reguilon passed a ball on the left flank to Vinicuis and ran upwards hoping for a return pass, one which eventually came and his adventurous run was rewarded with an assist to Benzema who tapped the cross from the left back into the net. That was the 10th La Liga goal from the Frenchman and his 18th in total.
The match continued pretty much in the same vein as it was prior to that goal. Alaves had few chances at Real Madrid's goal but they defended solidly. The score remained at 1 nil until the 80th minute. Substitute Marco Asensio threw in a right footed pass from the right wing and it bounced away from the outstretched leg of Mariano and fell to the boots of Vinicius. The youngster Coolly slotted the ball into the net after sending the keeper the wrong way, more like a penalty from the Brazilian.
Mariano who replaced Benzema and have done more than is required was to be awarded a goal for his efforts. Right back Alvaro Odriozola would take on one of his trademark run and cross into the box and a flying header from Mariano put the final nail on Alaves' coffin in the 91st minute.
Conclusion
It was not the best performance or an outing like the one against Sevilla and Espanyol but there are positives to take from this match. Starting from the three points that was taken without a scratch to the continuous improvement of Vinicius, Sergio Reguilon and Alvaro Odriozola. The leadership qualities of Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema at its best, what more could be asked of this players?
Real Madrid's next league fixture is against second place Atletico Madrid and a win would see them climb to second. They also prepare to face Barcelona at Camp Nou in the next few days, allow me speak on their behalf as a Madridsta, BRING THEM ON!!!
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