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A goal each from Isco, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez ensured all three points for runaway leaders Real Madrid as they beat the promoted side Las Palmas in a routine 3-1 victory at home. Shorn of several regulars, with manager Rafael Benitez also opting to rest Keylor Navas and subbing Luka Modric off at half time, Los Blancos got matters up and running in as early as the fourth minute when Isco cut in from the centre for an easy finish after some ropey defending from the visitors. Talismanic winger Cristiano Ronaldo then put the screws on the Canary Island outfit with a second, heading home Marcelo’s inch-perfect cross from close range to grab his third league goal in as many games.Just when it seemed to be a rosy evening for the Whites, Hernan Santana stunned the home crowd with a header to throw open a lifeline for the visitors, but the deficit was restored to two when Jese joined the act just five minutes later.Here are some of the talking points from the game.
#1 A game of two halves
It seemed as if Real Madrid had come with a plan – to kill the game off as soon as possible. And they did just that. Having scored thrice and holding a two-goal advantage over the visitors at the break, the hosts were well on their way to a victory. Although they could have easily added a few more to the tally in the closing half, they refrained from exerting themselves too much on the game and took their foot off the gas.
The first half saw the capital club attack at full pelt and put Las Palmas to the sword. Pressing high up the park, Los Blancos continued to throw kitchen sink at the beleaguered visitors and had effectively ended the tie as a contest at the peep of the half time whistle.
Post the break, the home side appeared to sit back and just enjoy the edge as they approached the game flippantly and did not manage to threaten as much as they did in the opening quarters of the game. With Paris Saint-Germain making their way down to the Spanish capital in midweek for the Champions League, it was clear that the Meringues had put the premium on the crucial European encounter, giving this tie a rather secondary status.
#2 Kiko blows his chance
With the undisputed no.1 choice in goal Keylor Navas sidelined for the clash with a minor knock, Kiko Casilla was handed his first start since moving to the capital from Espanyol during the summer. Navas’s rich vein of form and impeccable performances in between the sticks meant the Spaniard was made to wait for his turn to strut his stuff on the field, and finally when the chance did arrive, Kiko blew it.
Although the shot-stopper although had little work to do all evening, he appeared shaky whenever he was called into action. The defence had to intervene every time the ball was played in the final third with Kiko lacking the punch that Navas has brought to the Real Madrid rearguard this season. He even failed to command his penalty area during a corner from which Santana headed into the back of the net, thereby conceding Real’s first goal at the Bernabeu this season.
Keylor Navas has been the pivotal reason behind Real Madrid’s obdurate defence this term and has strengthened his position under the bar. With performances like these, Kiko has certainly blown his chance to impress.
#3 Casemiro continues to grow in stature
Real Madrid holding midfielder Casemiro has been having a great second spell with the Whites since returning from his Portuguese sojourn with Porto. The Brazilian was sent out on loan to the Dragons to acquire more game time to hone his skills, and the move has certainly brought positive results.
Like he has been all this season, Casemiro was one of the better players in the white jerseys and played an integral role in pegging Las Palmas back. Whether it was foiling their threats from the counter-attacks or posing himself as one with his incisive passes into the penalty area, Casemiro shone bright from both fronts. He even laid the assist for Isco’s opener.
His success in the anchorman role is one of the key factors in Rafael Benitez changing the team from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 in recent weeks. Of the few additions to the roster during the summer, Casemiro is turning out to be the most decisive one.
#4 Jese steps up in Benzema\'s absence
Having held the baton up front with Cristiano Ronaldo, Jese Rodriguez once again led the line in the absence of the injured Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has been out with a hamstring problem but the Real Madrid youth product has made light of his absence. And he did that again against Las Palmas.
Playing against the club of his own native place, Jese pulled a blinder for the hosts with his attacking instincts. He caught some eyeballs with his dribbling skills and showed clever movements behind the defence, popping up on both sides of the attack.
While his passes and attempts on goal had managed to ruffle Los Amarillos’ feathers, he even chipped in with a vital goal that put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. Although the home side slackened off a bit in the second half, Jese still managed to produce some thrills with his pace and eye for goal. And he was deservedly subbed off to a rapturous reception from the supporters.
Having contributed to three goals in his last three games, the 22-year-old striker is truly stepping up to the plate.
#5 Is Cristiano Ronaldo now a striker?
Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo struck the onion bag for the 13th time this season when he latched on to a delicious cross from Marcelo to head home from 12 yards. The strike was his third in as many league outings, and he seems to have found his shooting boots in the league again.
The Portuguese forward might have had an indifferent start to the season, having scored in only 4 league games out of 10, but he has appeared more of a threat when played as a centre-forward. With Benzema currently recuperating on the treatment table, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner has been entrusted with the job of delivering the goods up front.
Although he hasn’t been able to pull up great trees in that role, he has shown promise and fared slightly better when compared to his performances from the flanks. The only thing that now remains to be seen is whether he will be shunted to the wings again when Benzema returns to the fold. Or will Rafa Benitez retain his position as a centre-forward?
