By Kaustubh Ashtikar
24th September 2018
24th September 2018
Nerve-wracking slender win!
Real Madrid got yet another 3 points in the bag after a very challenging win over Espanyol. Lopetegui decided not to field his best XI, as there is a mid week game.
The teams were only differentiated by one goal scored by Marco Asensio just a few minutes before the halftime. Odriozola grabbed his debut and showed why he was brought here from Sociedad.
Real Madrid saw a good hold of the ball from the start of the game however, the Espanyol was structurally sound and managed to hold off any goalscoring chances being created in the final third. The high-pressure strategy worked as Madrid were being able to recover the ball very quickly in each instance.
Despite the absence of key names such as Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo & Dani Carvajal, Madrid had most of the possession but had to work hard for that breakthrough. In the 41st minute, a failed shot/pass from Luka Modric took deflection from the defence and luckily fell on the feet of Marco Asensio. The Spaniard slotted it home easily without any pressure from the Espanyol defence. The goal had to be checked on VAR for potential offside and the goal was rightly given. Madrid got the lead 1-0.
The opposition again made it hard for Madrid to get any significant goalscoring chance and nearly scored due to the El Capitan's sloppy pass while moving the ball for an attack from the back. Fortunately, the ball only hit the crossbar and Los Blancos still had the goal advantage. Diego Lopez was troubled quite a few times by Madrid's attack and Ramos also came forward to test him. Marcos Llorente came very close to scoring the second goal after fantastically recovering the ball and crossing to Mariano who gave the ball back to him on the edge of the box, but heavy first touch made the shot difficult and he fired straight at Lopez. The Vikings were put into some pressure in the closing minutes. The last 15 minutes really tested Real Madrid's ability to hold on against the pressure and was a complete test for the Bernabeu faithful also. The match ended 1-0 with nervousness in the end but 3 points in the bag.
It was a decent performance and more efficiency would be required when facing against strong opponents. More creativity and attacking options have to be ventured for matches like these with structured defence and deadlock situations. Alvaro Odriozola was pumped up to show the home crowd why he was brought on in the Spanish Capital, his pacey runs and continuous back and forth runs for attack and defence really showed his quality. Llorente also grabbed this opportunity to show his quality, he'll be very important as the season gradually progresses. Mariano got some game time after a sensational debut goal against Roma, coming on for Benzema, he provided various attacking options but inefficient final third passes made those opportunities futile.
Madrid face Sevilla (on 27th September at 1.30 AM) in a midweek action and then Atletico Madrid (on 30th September at 12.15 AM) which will really test the Lopetegui side. We're in for the big matches now!
The teams were only differentiated by one goal scored by Marco Asensio just a few minutes before the halftime. Odriozola grabbed his debut and showed why he was brought here from Sociedad.
Real Madrid saw a good hold of the ball from the start of the game however, the Espanyol was structurally sound and managed to hold off any goalscoring chances being created in the final third. The high-pressure strategy worked as Madrid were being able to recover the ball very quickly in each instance.
Despite the absence of key names such as Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo & Dani Carvajal, Madrid had most of the possession but had to work hard for that breakthrough. In the 41st minute, a failed shot/pass from Luka Modric took deflection from the defence and luckily fell on the feet of Marco Asensio. The Spaniard slotted it home easily without any pressure from the Espanyol defence. The goal had to be checked on VAR for potential offside and the goal was rightly given. Madrid got the lead 1-0.
The opposition again made it hard for Madrid to get any significant goalscoring chance and nearly scored due to the El Capitan's sloppy pass while moving the ball for an attack from the back. Fortunately, the ball only hit the crossbar and Los Blancos still had the goal advantage. Diego Lopez was troubled quite a few times by Madrid's attack and Ramos also came forward to test him. Marcos Llorente came very close to scoring the second goal after fantastically recovering the ball and crossing to Mariano who gave the ball back to him on the edge of the box, but heavy first touch made the shot difficult and he fired straight at Lopez. The Vikings were put into some pressure in the closing minutes. The last 15 minutes really tested Real Madrid's ability to hold on against the pressure and was a complete test for the Bernabeu faithful also. The match ended 1-0 with nervousness in the end but 3 points in the bag.
It was a decent performance and more efficiency would be required when facing against strong opponents. More creativity and attacking options have to be ventured for matches like these with structured defence and deadlock situations. Alvaro Odriozola was pumped up to show the home crowd why he was brought on in the Spanish Capital, his pacey runs and continuous back and forth runs for attack and defence really showed his quality. Llorente also grabbed this opportunity to show his quality, he'll be very important as the season gradually progresses. Mariano got some game time after a sensational debut goal against Roma, coming on for Benzema, he provided various attacking options but inefficient final third passes made those opportunities futile.
Madrid face Sevilla (on 27th September at 1.30 AM) in a midweek action and then Atletico Madrid (on 30th September at 12.15 AM) which will really test the Lopetegui side. We're in for the big matches now!
¡Hala Madrid!
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