When the final whistle blew at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, the scoreline reflected a tennis score. Real Madrid had an array of goal scorers on the night as they put six past a hapless Betis side. Although a fighting display in the second half, resulted in a goal for the Betis side, the match had already been over after a convincing first half display by Los Merengues.
Ronaldo capped off the night with the final goal after the opener was scored by defender Varane in the 4th minute. Other goal scorers for Madrid included the likes of Benzema, Marcelo, Isco (two).
Cejudo pulled a goal back for Betis at the start of the second half. Betis though tried their best to stem the flow of Madrid attacks as they picked up three bookings in contrast to solitary booking for Isco.
#1 Isco makes merry in the absence of Modric
With Real Madrid having drawn three of their seven league games, the pressure was on the Madrid side to get back to winning ways. And Isco, was the torch bearer on the night as he put in a calming performance with excellent passing before capping it with off two goals.
In the absence of Casemiro, this Madrid team has faced a lot of problems plugging the gaps in the midfield. However, the trio of Kovacic, Isco and Kroos were outstanding on the night. Isco’s final goal, which he curled in from the edge of the box, was an excellent example of clinical finishing.
Isco was in action as early as the 6th minute as he set up Ronaldo for what should have been the opening goal. As the game progressed, Isco’s influence on the game also increased. The only thing that tarnished his display was the yellow card he picked up in the 43rd minute for dissent.
#2 Gus Poyet’s histrionics failed to inspire a comeback
Under Poyet, Betis had already collected eight points from seven games before coming into this match. Before the game, speaking to Sid Lowe of The Guardian, Poyet was expressive enough to share his views in his current stint as a manager with the Seville-based club and the need for players to enjoy such an occasion.
On the night, he was expressive on the touchline as he tried to inspire his players. A fighting second half display from the men in green and white though only resulted in a solitary goal for the side. However, Poyet must have been pleased with the number of chances that his side created in the second half.
His reaction to a throw in being awarded after a Madrid clearance bounced off the referee’s head only for Madrid to be awarded the throw-in capped off a frustrating but a very animated night for the Uruguayan.
#3 Zidane’s tactics and the form of BBC integral in the absence of Casemiro
Bale may have been the only one of the attacking trio not to be on the score sheet. However, the zip zapping movement of the trio along with assistance from the full backs was responsible for the creation of chances.
Zidane’s faith in the midfield trio also yielded a very commanding display from the Los Merengues. While the impetus to win was always there the early goal from Varane helped the Madrid side settle into a rhythm and also calmed a lot of nerves.
With Zidane missing Casemiro and Ramos, it was imperative that the side he had named put in convincing display. With a Champions League fixture scheduled in midweek against Legia Warsaw, Zidane needed a win and his side delivered emphatically.
#4 Real Betis needed to be more clinical
The second half display from the Verdiblancos did prove that there are still holes in the Madrid defence. The succession of chances they created in the second half did result in a goal for Alvaro Cejudo.
Betis by the end of the game had a total of 13 shots but only a meagre 2 on target. A combination of excellent defending and some wasteful finishing will be the biggest regret of the Betis side on the night. However, it was inspiring to see the Betis side take the game to Madrid in the second half.
Betis next play Osasuna and a repeat of their second-half performance might be good enough to get them a result of their liking.
#5 Marcelo back to his best
Easily the best player on the night, Marcelo’s goal was a just reward for a fantastic display. From the onset, he took it upon himself to lead the side. He delivered a host of crosses and shots and marked his comeback by captaining the side in the absence of Sergio Ramos
With Ramos ruled out for a month, the Brazilian was on hand to stick the ball in the net in the 39th minute after a wicked deflection resulted in the ball ending up at the Brazilian’s feet. In fact, as one of the senior players in the squad, his form will be a source of inspiration for the others to look up to.
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