Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla: Three Reasons why Real Madrid won | LaLiga 2018-19

Real Madrid won their first league match at home in 2019, brushing past a competent, if somewhat lacking, Sevilla. After winning only two games since the year turned, the rumor mill has been churning non-stop, creating speculation around the coach and several players' position at the club. A win tonight was crucial, as not getting all the points would mean absolutely surrendering in the league chase at the halfway point of the season.

Madrid dominated the entirety of the game, a rarity since Zidane left, especially against an outfit that beat them 3-0 at the start of the season. The Andalusian outfit held out for quite a while at the Bernebau against a determined Madrid side. They were aided by superb defending from Simon Kjaer in particular, and a moment of fortune as Dani Ceballos' wonder strike bounced off the crossbar.

They couldn't hold out forever, conceding the opener at the 78th minute as Casemiro blasted in a sumptuous strike at Vaclik's goal from audacious range, and the goalkeeper's attempts were in vain, as the shot had too much on it for the Czech keeper to stop. Sevilla looked absolutely toothless after conceding, offering no threat with Munir alone up top, having replaced Andre Silva at the 75th-minute mark.

Modric, who looked much like the Modric we know that the one we've seen post his taxing WC Campaign, added the icing on the cake, as he stole the ball off of Carrico and shot past a helpless Vaclick to seal the victory for the home side. The win gives Madrid momentum going into their cup tie against Girona next Friday, after which they travel to the RCDE Stadium to face Espanyol. Here are three tidbits about the game.

#1 Sergio Regulion has had a good game as the left-back

Sergio Regulion was started over Marcelo in the left-back berth again, with the Brazilian dropped outright by Solari, who didn't want to risk anything defensively against a reborn Jesus Navas. The youngster who was promoted by former coach Julen Lopetegui from the Castilla, and dubbed the perfect heir to Marcelo's left-back birth, has started to stake his claim for it much sooner than anticipated.

Regulion in action against Andre Silva

The Spaniard put in a superb performance on both ends, setting up three chances while proving to be a constant outlet down the left-hand side. His defensive work is what truly impressed me, as he recovered the ball five times for his team, made a successful tackle, and never shrugged his defensive duties, not getting caught out as lethally as Marcelo has done a few times this season. His performances, especially the defensive side, are putting a valid doubt in the mind of Solari and some fans, who wonder whether Regulion should be handed more of the reigns as the season progresses.

#2 Real players were more organized in the attack

Casemiro's long-range goal has been a sight for sore eyes, as fans can't remember the last time Madrid took so many meaningful shots from distance as they did tonight

Real Madrid is having one of their driest seasons in front of goal, having scored only 30 league goals after 20 fixtures. For a team that used to be one of the most prolific sides in front of goal, Madrid has transformed into a team that inferior oppositions aren't intimidated by anymore. Sides like Sociedad, Eibar, Levante, Deportivo Alaves and CSKA Moscow have gotten convincing victories over a club that has made them their whipping boys on almost every other encounter.

Madrid have lost more than just arguably the best player in the World, they've lost that ruthless edge. That cunning ability to sniff out goals and results in situations when the club REALLY needs them.

They seemed to have found that again tonight, as Modric & Co. really turned up the style under drizzly skies for the Bernebau faithful, who cheered and applauded every effort made by the side tonight, quite uncharacteristically, might I add.

They really need to carry this form for a prolonged patch now, as fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Ajax loom on the horizon, and several players such as Kroos, Asensio, Mariano, Marcos Llorente, Gareth Bale, and Jesus Vallejo all remain injured.

#3 Vinicius Jr. bringing cutting-edge angle in attack

The Bernebau's Savior?

Vinicius Jr. is an 18-year-old kid who arrived two years after being signed on for a gargantuan 40 million Euros. That's an insane amount to pay for a 16-year-old, who even till his final days, wasn't a regular for Flamengo. The teenager was put into the Castilla, where he proved he was clearly a cut above, scoring and creating regularly and at ease against the U-23 sides.

After Lopetegui was sacked, the Brazilian was finally given a more prominent role by his Castilla coach Solari, appearing nine times, starting three of those games, including tonight's big win over an important side.

Every time he steps on to the pitch, it's clear just by looking through the naked eye, that this kid has something special about him; an aura. It's hard to put into words really.

He hasn't statistically proven himself to be the Bernebau's savior, but every time he gets on the green with the ball at his feet, he looks like the only attacking player in white capable of creating something, a moment of magic, to propel his side and wow the paying public, who sure made their love of him known tonight, applauding and cheering every dribble, skill and defensive effort.

Madrid need to get a better supporting cast for him, as Lucas Vasquez isn't the quality of player that should be an undisputable starter for Real Madrid, and Karim Benzema has passed up too many chances to establish himself as the focal point of this team, and must be discarded for a better alternative, someone who can score goals on a much more regular basis than Benzema, taking the load off Vinicius' shoulders and letting him develop naturally without getting burdened and burnt out, like El Shraawy at Milan.