Real Madrid responded to their unconvincing goalless draw against Real Betis last weekend with a 6 goal thumping of a Galatasaray side who were unfortunate to be playing against an in-form Brazilian 18 year old in Rodrygo Silva.
Zinedine Zidane sent out the same line up that started the 0-0 draw last weekend with the exception of Luka Modric who was replaced by Fede Valverde in midfield.
Thubiat Courtois retained his position in between the sticks. Dani Carvajal continued at right back, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varanen continued their central defense partnership while Marcelo retained his left back spot.
Toni Kroos and Casemiro were joined by Fede Valverde who replaced Luka Modric in midfield. The attack witnessed Karim Benzema flanked by Rodrygo and Eden Hazard.
The goal remained the same as we have been accustomed to seeing in recent Real Madrid matches, win the ball high up the pitch and score. Against Real Betis, the pressing in the early stages of the match was good and earned the team some decent chances which they failed to convert but with time, Betis grew into the game and easily broke away from Real Madrid’s pressing scheme which made Los Blancos withdraw a bit.
Today against Galatasaray, that planned worked effectively from the very first minute as evident of the three goals scored in 15 minutes. Much of the praise will definitely go to Rodrygo for expertly calming his nerves to settle the ball and swerve it with his left foot for the first, the second a header from the right position, but the major reason Zidane’s gung-ho pressing scheme worked today from my own perspective is because of Valverde’s inclusion.
Real Madrid has not lost a match with the Uruguayan starting this season, as a matter of fact, they have won all the matches Valverde has started and finished this season. The Uruguyuan brings more than passing as a midfielder to the team. He acts like a frontal Casemiro, juggling defenders into making mistakes. Valverde was part of the incessant pressers which led to numerous opportunities for the team tonight.
Conclusion
This was a must win match for the whites and win did they got but in a fantastic manner. Rodrygo in his Uefa Champions league home debut scored a hat-trick and it will undoubtedly be eked permanently on the heart of the teenage Brazilian.
This is Real Madrid’s biggest win of the season and when you compare this performance with that of the goalless draw just three/four days ago, you tend to wonder what exactly happened but can you please allow me tell you what happened? “There was no Fede Valverde”.
Thanks for Reading
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