'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid overcame a spirited ten-man Elche side 2-1 in La Liga, thanks to a stunning double from Vinicius Junior. Pere Milla pulled a consolation strike back for the home side late on, while Raul Guti was sent off just after the hour mark.
Los Blancos, held goalless by Osasuna in their last game, put on an improved show. However, Elche's dangerous counter-attacking game had them on the ropes in the first half.
The dynamics of the game changed following Guti's red card. Elche's offensive play fizzled out, and Vinicius duly doubled the visiting team's advantage on the night.
Milla pulled a consolation goal back after Casemiro's sloppy pass opened up a chance. But there was no final flourish as Carlo Ancelotti's men held out to seal all three points on the night.
On that note, here are the five key talking points from the game:
#5 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior provides Tite a reminder of his abilities
Eyebrows were raised when Brazil manager Tite announced his squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers without the in-form Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
With seven goals and five assists across competitions coming into this game, Vinicius was on a sensational run. This is his best start to a season at the club since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu three years ago.
Against Elche, Vinicius once again provided a reminder of his abilities with a devastating performance. He scored two goals to show Tite that the Brazil manager made a mistake by keeping him Vinicius out of his squad.
#4 Elche fizzles out after Guti's sending off
Elche's lively attacking performance watered down following Raul Guti's sending off in the second half. The midfielder received a second booking following a foul on Toni Kroos just after the hour mark.
It was a devastating blow to their chances of making a comeback. That's because they were already a goal down, and just ten minutes later, Madrid doubled their deficit.
If there was any life left in the side, it was all squished after Vinicius bagged a second goal, with the Franjiverdes appeared to have thrown in the towel.
Their attacking game went off the boil, and the side pushed bodies behind to stay in compact shape. That was before a sloppy pass from Casemiro opened things up again, and gave them a glimmer of hope. But Madrid cut their comeback short.
#3 Carlo Ancelotti's men fail to go for the kill
With Real Madrid leading only 1-0 in the second half and Elche looking dangerous on the break, it was clear the match wasn't in bag just yet. What was not clear, though, was whether Carlo Ancelotti would push for an insurance goal or ask his side to hold on to their lead.
By subbing on Daniel Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, the Italian went for the latter, and the irony is, despite that, Los Blancos soon managed a second goal. But the ploy came under fire late on when Elche pulled a goal back to set up a grandstand finale at the Martinez Valero.
Had Ancelotti subbed on more attack-minded players, there could've been a goal or two more, sealing the match long before Milla's goal.
#2 Rodrygo compounds Real Madrid's injury woes
Real Madrid were dealt with more injury woes after Rodrygo went off with a knock in the 18th minute, forcing them into an early change. But even then, when you consider the larger picture, it was their 21st injury of the season, and we're not even halfway through the campaign yet.
Rodrygo's injury had no impact on the game, as Los Blancos eventually ran out victors. But it certainly created a new cause of concern for Ancelotti, who's had enough already.
At this stage last season, Madrid had 16 different player injuries, so with five more this year, their injury crisis has only become worse.
Madrid are currently cruising at the top of the La Liga table. But the impact of such injuries could be felt later on in their campaign unless their fitness record improves.
#1 David Alaba is the new Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos' departure from Real Madrid had left a leadership void at the back. While he cannot be replaced per se, new signing David Alaba is doing a great job in filling that void. The Austrian has taken little time to adjust to life in the Spanish capital, and produced another classy performance in defence against Elche.
Positionally aware and vigilant, the former Bayern Munich stalwart threw himself into the path of crosses. He made a staggering eight clearances as well as two blocks on the night.
Alaba was unfazed by Elche's fast-paced counter-attacking game. He frustrated the likes of Lucas Boye, Javier Pastore and Lucas Perez with his close man-marking and closing down of passing lanes. At this rate, he could be the new Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid.
