Returning to football action after losing three consecutive very important matches which purely ended their season prematurely, Real Madrid sought nothing but a win to ease the pressure on the team.
The fans, press, virtually everyone was tabling the troubling issues surrounding Real Madrid lately. From the reported dressing room problems between coach Santiago Solari and players Marcelo and Isco, to Barcelona's quite very frankly underserved win and elimination of the whites from the Spanish Copa Del Rey, to the major blame for losing to Ajax and getting kicked out of the Uefa Champions League in the knockout stage heaped on Sergio Ramos' two matches ban for purposely calling for suspension on himself and leaving his team go at the wolves without organization, to injuries to key players, and on and on it goes.. Real Madrid would wish they could turn back the hands of time and avert these misfortunes but if we all can be able to go back to the past, there would be no future, would they?
Well, I plead to narrate that these unfortunate incidents and happenings is not new to a team like Real Madrid and the one thing you need to keep the world's odd eyes on you in football is, START WINNING AND DON'T STOP.
After getting their last La Liga win against Levante two weeks ago, Real Madrid lost next to Barcelona pushing them 15 points below first place in the table and sitting third in the league, they needed to respond positively and at least, get to the headlines for positive reasons.
Coach Santiago Solari found himself in a difficult situation with selecting his starting eleven as injuries hit his favorite attackers lately and he had no other option but to provide a formation and tactics that would suit the available players and not jeopardize their aim of returning back to winning ways.
Thubiat Courtois continued between the sticks for the whites. Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernandez continued their partnership in defence. Alvaro Odriozola replaced the injured Dani Carvajal at right back while Sergio Reguilon continued at left back.
Solari set out with 4 midfielders in Dani Ceballos, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro while Benzema and Marco Asensio forwarded the attack.
It was a first half or rather, first 20 minutes to forget for Real Madrid as they were lacking in cooperation, solidity and effectiveness. Valladolid came at them unafraid like all teams has done this season again Real, pressing frantically and effectively, attacking the two flanks of Real aggressively and they had four opportunities in the first 30 minute's of the game with the fourth being a payment for hard work(GOAL!). Prior to that first goal from Annuar, they have missed a penalty that would have doubled their lead to two but as the saying goes, half bread is better than none isn't?
A corner gave Real Madrid the opportunity to equalize and from their came their awakening. Their movements and press became better and lovelier with the man with the infinity-esque gauntlet, Benzema getting into nice spaces and creating chances for the team. The first half ended with both teams going into the dressing room with a goal apiece.
The second half started very much better than the first for Real Madrid, like they drank some adrenaline and attacked Vallodid ferociously up until right back Alvaro Odriozola did the unbelievable, reaching a ball that he naturally shouldn't have reached to draw a penalty, what a flash like ability that young man has.
Benzema converted the penalty to take Real Madrid ahead and also scored the third through a set piece. Karim Benzema assisted the final goal with a nice one two with Luka Modric to complete a good outing for the whites last night.
Conclusion
This was a much needed win for the whites and they did what exactly was expected of them from their fans, get back to winning ways. Solari would have tougher days ahead of him in selecting his starting eleven as it would take close to two months for his favorite starters to return from injury. Whatever the case may be, Real Madrid should look to finish this season on a positive note with chasing league leaders Barcelona to the last match of the season.
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