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The scoreline read 3-0 by the time the referee blew his whistle. That could’ve easily been in Deportivo Alaves’ favour, but Real Madrid – despite never really getting out of first gear, and looking immensely vulnerable at the back – ran out winners on a sunny Madrid evening that football can be a cruel, cruel sport. Despite being palpably the better outit (especially in the 2nd half), Alaves paid for their profligate finishing while Real Madrid showed just how to do it at the other end, clinically taking their chances and securing a crucial 3 points in what is still an extremely tight race to the finish. The game had many of the hallmarks of the earlier one between the two where Edgar Mendez’s poor finishing allowed a game that could have been 2-2 to slip to 4-1, in favour of Los Blancos.
Here are the key takeaways from what was, in its own way, a fascinating match:
#5. Karim Benzema shows why he is so important for the success of the BBC
Nobody seems to like him. Nobody other than Florentino Perez and Zinedine... and his teammates. Before he scored the opener, twitter was awash with insults and “get out of here” remarks despite him being the only Madrid player on the pitch who looked like he turned up. That superbly taken goal was just reward for a typically effective performance (yes, he was offside in the build-up, but let’s gloss over that for the moment) that saw endlessly run the channels and run into the spaces on the wings, especially the left, showcasing his off-the-ball movement and game intelligence that had prompted Carlo Ancelotti to state that he was a brilliant forward, and the perfect partner to Cristiano Ronaldo. The two clearly enjoy working with each other, and today was just another example – and even though Ronaldo didn’t really bring his A-game, he looked lively throughout.
What this game highlighted – once again – was that apart from the bags of goals he scores (that so many conveniently ignore), he is also the glue that holds the fabled BBC together.
On a side note, Ronaldo still remains on four cautions. Which means that if he picks up one in the midweek fixtures vs. Leganes, he misses the Madrid derby!
#4. Deportivo Alaves prove they belong with the big boys
Mauricio Pelligrino’s men ended the game like they end all their games – dead on their feet. The final score may hurt, but that performance should feel the Basque outfit with great pride.
From minute 1, they set about establishing a full-court full-intensity all-the-time press that would have made the Argentine coach’s much-vaunted compatriot, Marcelo Bielsa, proud. They refused to be fazed by the intimidating atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabeu - and just like Las Palmas did some time back (when they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Madrid), they showed that the ‘lesser lights’ of La Liga are no longer going to be bullied about. Sure, Madrid were poor, but the Basques were good, in every area except finishing where they scruffed umpteen chances – none more guilty of that than Deyverson and Alaves’ historic Copa del Rey semifinal hero Edgar Mendez.
They are in 10th position still and are in prime position to push Espanyol (3 points ahead) and their fellow Basques Eibar and Athletic Bilbao to a European spot, an achievement that would rank among the best this storied league has seen.
#3. Luka Modric’s form is a real worry for Zidane
There were some exceptionally poor performers for Real Madrid on the evening, but none were quite as bad as Luka Modric. The usually reliable Croatian misplaced passes – from simple five yard passes to mighty sixty yarders – ran around without any real purpose in midfield, stemmed the attacking mojo of Madrid rather than catalyse it, and generally lost possession with alarming regularity. The low point of his performance came mid-way through the second half when unable to get a through ball under his control (it was a rather wayward one from the poor-on-the-day Gareth Bale), he tried to get it onto his path by stooping low and using his hand. He was extremely lucky to walk away unbooked after that.
The Croatian genius, no one is denying his ability, is going through a major slump in form... and with so many critical fixtures coming up so soon, Zinedine Zidane will be hoping that his midfield heartbeat finds his playmaking boots – and fast.
#2. Theo Hernandez looks like the real deal
Theo Hernandez is on loan at Alaves from Atletico Madrid, and has lit up Alaves left flank like none before. The 19-year-old has been widely praised for his positional sense and for his ability to bring ou incredible bursts of acceleration a la Marcelo and showed that he was worthy of all the praise with an impressive display in front of a hostile Bernabeu.
His pace ensured that Gareth Bale had little joy on the right, and his positional awareness ensured he was adept at keeping track of both Ronaldo and Benzema when they wandered across to his territory as is their wont. When asked to attack in the second half, he also showed how impressive he was moving forward.
The reason I bring this forward as a key point of the game, though? There have been reports emanating from Madrid that Real Madrid are very keen to push the unwritten rule that openly discourages Real from signing Atletico players and vice-versa to bring Hernandez to the Bernabeu as a lieutenant to Marcelo, and groom him as a long time replacement.
He certainly looked at home today!
#1. Zinedine Zidane has taught this Madrid side to win ugly, but will that be enough for Madrid’s demanding fans?
Zinedine Zidane’s men broke their own La Liga record as they scored in their 50th consecutive game, and they just keep on marching on to the summit of La Liga with a sort of remorseless efficiency that would have made many a Roman emperor proud. I have said this before, and I say it again – because it’s important... forget the class and the skill and insane touch that Zidane exhibited on the field of play in his prime, what defined him was a bloody-minded determination to come what may that very few people on earth process.
It is this attribute that he has now imbued into his Madrid side – and they are winning games where they seem unable to get out of 1st gear in, and drawing matches where they have no right to... basically continuing to pick up point after valuable point.
The Bernabeu, though, much like the ancient Coliseums of Rome, is not an easy crowd to placate. They don’t just demand winning... they demand winning in style and eking out points against lowly opposition is not only frowned upon, but actively discouraged.
But then everyone tends to forget one thing - in the hullabaloo generated by the decima, and the undecima, what many of us fail to remember is that the last time Real Madrid have won the league was way back in 2011-12. That’s six years, SIX, and counting and as Zidane has shown this season, it may just be that winning ugly is what is finally going to get them the domestic success they so crave.
