LaLiga 2018-19: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla | Five Talking Points

#3 Real Madrid's midfield superiority was decisive

Luka Modric with a scintillating display, hardly put a foot wrong

The midfield is the heart of the team, moreover, when you play possession football, midfield superiority and quality is decisive. Dani Ceballos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro were Real Madrid's three midfielders to start with. A look at Madrid's heat map would give us a clear idea about the positioning of these three. Casemiro pushed up to support both the midfielders as Modric and Ceballos guarded the left and right side.

Both Ceballos and Modric have to be credited for holding on to possession and dictating the play. Modric held 9.0% of possession while Ceballos held 9.8% of possession. Modric had Carvajal down his stretch and linked with him well. Ceballos had a good link-up with Vinicius on the left-hand side. Luka and Ceballos had a combined six dribbles and eight tackles as well.

Coming to passing accuracy, Ceballos had 90% (89/99) accuracy and Modric 86% (71/83). Both of them had a combined seven key-passes in the game. The high-tempo game of the midfield was supported well by the defense and wide players which brought Madrid success. Hopefully, they would continue in this way.

On the contrary, for the first time in a long time, Luka Modric actually played like a Ballon d'Or winner. Sergio Ramos' contribution should not be undermined. He had 15 ball retrievals before the half-time and pushed the defensive line high-up to help the midfield.