La Liga 2017/18: Deportivo Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid, 5 Talking Points

#3 Karim Benzema's absence will be felt keenly by Cristiano Ronaldo

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The three points were of prime importance for Real Madrid fans, but there are still worrying signs that may undermine them in the games to come. Cristiano Ronaldo is still working his way back to his best, having now gone 180 minutes without a Liga goal, but the Portuguese star is missing his partner-in-crime.

There were plenty of moments in the first half where a run from Cristiano was ignored, but what will stick out in the memory is when Isco was through on goal and facing Pacheco, with Ronaldo next to him ready to tap into an empty net. If that was Karim Benzema, that would have been a pass to Ronaldo; a goal, and thus, a far more comfortable game for Real Madrid.

With players like Isco and Marco Asensio opting for a more selfish style of play, Benzema's altruism that knits together Madrid's attack is being keenly missed. He may not score much, but the Frenchman is the glue that holds it together. However, Ronaldo may find inspiration of his own from the jeers of opposition fans, which was aplenty from the crowd at the Mendizorrotza. Ronaldo came alive, as he managed to hit the woodwork after that.

Maybe there is hope without Benzema, after all.