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Real Madrid needed a lot of luck to get out of the hot mess they were in after the abrupt departure of Julen Lopetegui and luck is exactly what they were blessed with tonight as they came away with all three points after a poor performance at the Santiago Bernebau.
Real Valladolid struck the crossbar twice on the night, once through their captain Ruben Alcarez, and once through youngster, Toni Suarez Villa as both attempts had summer signing Thibaut Courtois beat, but were unfortunate to not get on the scoresheet tonight.
On the other end, Real was lacking in attack throughout the first half and needed that little bit of magic in the opposition box, which the trident of Bale, Benzema, and Asensio tried to provide, but failed with their various tame efforts at the goal.
Casemiro had the most number of attempts at the Valladolid goal and was kept out on various occasions by La Masia product Jordi Masip. Santiago Solari made his first change in taking him off and bringing on Isco, which made the game a lot more open-ended, leading to a lot of heart in mouth moments for the shaky and depleted Madrid backline as well as the home fans.
Calero fouled Karim Benzema in the box at the 87th minute and the referee didn't hesitate a second before pointing to the spot. Captain Sergio Ramos stepped up and knocked home a calm Panenka penalty, much to the relief of the home fans who burst out in a chorus, singing and yelling his name. Here are my observations from the game.
1) Real need to invest in the squad during the winter transfer window
Real Madrid has a very talented squad. The level of players they possess makes them easily one of the top five teams in the World. But this squad is not a young squad, and injuries at the back have revealed scaring frailties, which are not being covered up by the best player in the World and his consistent stream of goals.
The board trusted existing players to adjust to a new system and try and share the goals instead of attempting to bring someone in the same mould to try and replace the irreplaceable. Karim Benzema has become emblematic of the club's struggles in front of goal and he has now failed to score in the league since 2nd September, as has the man considered the biggest threat in front of goal, Gareth Bale.
Marcelo has been the club's most consistent provider of goals and assists so far, which whilst shows how truly World Class he is, also shows how terrible the board's decision making was in the summer over how to replace the best player arguably in the World, but definitely at the club.
2) Real Valladolid was unlucky to not win tonight
The Valladolid players had Real quite the night out at the Bernebau as they almost gave the European Champions another shock on the night. They created the clearer and better chances in the first half, and had their finishing been better in the first half, they could have gone in with a lead at the halftime whistle.
They went on to hit the woodwork twice on the evening, as Thibaut Courtois was beaten fair and square, but he did save the all other attempts at goal, making a couple of nice saves, but was very fortunate to come away with a clean sheet.
Real started the night without first choice full backs Carvajal and Marcelo, while first-choice center-back Raphael Varane is also out with an injury for a few weeks. Valladolid almost made the most of their chances but lady luck was not in their favor on the night, and they came away with nothing on the night after giving it their all.
3) Santiago Solari's reign is beginning in the right direction
Santiago Solari was abruptly brought into action as interim first-team manager after the El Clasico whitewash. He won his first competitive fixture against third-tier side UD Melilla and fielded a lot of fringe players much to the delight of fans. He gave the World and the legion of Real Madrid fans across it exactly what they were clamoring for, as he gave Vinicius Jr., the talented 18 year old signed for $52million this summer his first start, and he did not disappoint on the night, turning up with two assists and a man of the match performance.
Tonight he fed the beast again, and brought him on with 20 minutes left to go, and was vindicated by Vinicius' crucial contribution in the opening goal, as it was his cross that lead to a deflection from Valladolid center-back Kiko, which finally beat Jordi Masip on the 83rd minute. Solari has two more fixtures against Victoria Plzen and Celta Vigo before Real have to submit a name into the league offices as permanent manager for the rest of the season in accordance to league laws, and he looks likely to convince the board that he is the man to take the club in the right direction.
4) Valladolid could end up having one of their best seasons in recent history
Valladolid has had the same core of players start every game of the season so far as Nacho Martinez, Fernando Calero, Kiko, and Javi Moyano have started every game this season.
They have earnt a place in the top ten after the first quarter of the season and started the game three places above the Champions League holders, in sixth, though now sit eighth at the table with 4 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses, two of those being to Real Madrid and Barcelona, both of whom needed a lot of luck to penetrate that Valladolid backline.
Valladolid lack someone to put the finishing touch to their sweeping counters and could do well for themselves by investing in a player who is clinical in front of goal and can play in and around the penalty area.
5) Sergio Ramos' fitness should be of paramount importance to the club
Wrap that man up in bubble wrap. The Madrid captain is the most experienced defender at the club, and he's certainly the only fit one available for the next few fixtures from the first choice as Varane Marcelo and Carvajal are on the sidelines, with Vallejo now seeming almost a permanent visitor of the Valdebebas medical facilities.
Sergio Ramos is easily the world's best defender on his night, and he's the best at starting attacks from the back and leading his team forward through sheer force of will. He has his moments in which he errs, and they've come around far too often than they used to in previous seasons, but every couple of games or so he puts in a performance that reminds the World why he is regarded as one of the best in his position and is a constant fixture almost in the FIFPro World XI since the past few seasons.
His fitness is now more crucial than ever given the club has only Nacho as the other first-team centre-back who is fit for action, and an injury to him could cause serious problems for the club, who aren't having the best attacking displays which could cover for a weakened defense.
