'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to just two following their win over Malaga in the La Liga. Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo were all on target as Real edged part a sturdy Malaga side 3-1.Ramos opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when he nudged home from point-blank range from a Ronaldo free-kick. Despite dominating the game, the home team struggled to create chances and breathed a sigh of relief when Colombian James Rodriguez doubled their lead 20 minutes from time.Cristiano Ronaldo also missed a penalty but wrote his name on the scoresheet to take his tally to 50 for this season. Here are the 5 talking points from the game.
#1 Injuries rear its ugly head for Real again
When Real Madrid were enduring a horrendous run during the first three months of 2015, one of the pivotal reasons was injuries to their key players. Players such as Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, James Rodriguez were all sidelined due to injury concerns and Real were left to bear the brunt as they struggled in their absence.
The quartet recuperated and returned to the squad one by one and everything started falling into place for Real. The Blancos were once again regaining their form and hitting the best. But Pandora’s box seemed to have opened again as injuries reared its ugly head over the Bernabeu in today’s game.
With Karim Benzema already ruled out of the clash with an ankle knock, Gareth Bale joined him in the treatment room after being taken off in the fourth minute itself after injuring his left calf and now remains doubtful for the midweek’s Champions League clash against Atletico. If that wasn’t enough, Luka Modric suffered a blow to his knee at the hour mark and is likely to ruled out for the next 5-6 weeks.
Real are into their most important phase of the season and are already running the risk of ending the season without a trophy. Injuries at this juncture of the campaign are only set to add to their difficulties.
#2 James outshines Isco in Madrid midfield
The arrival of James Rodriguez has clearly blighted Isco’s first team chances. The former Malaga man was one of the regulars in manager Ancelotti’s teamsheet last season and his commendable performances even forced the Italian into saying that he is an “undisputed starter” in Real’s line-up. However, Ancelotti hasn’t stuck to his words this season.
Isco has been playing second fiddle to the Colombian and most of his starts have come in his absence. Yesterday, however, an injury to Modric gave him a chance to prove his mettle to Ancelotti and stake a claim to the midfield spot. But the Spaniard was overshadowed by the brilliance of the Latin-American.
James made his presence felt throughout. He won his side the penalty, looked hungry for the ball and got on the scoresheet with a sublime shot after a neat one-two with Ronaldo. Isco, on the other hand, cut a subdued figure. His former colleagues got the better of him in the midfield and he never looked comfortable.
On current form, James is playing better than Isco and things aren’t looking so bright for the diminutive Spaniard.
#3 Malaga should sign Amrabat permanently
Galatasaray loanee Nordin Amrabat is nearing the end of his loan spell at Malaga and the Spanish outfit are currently negotiating a deal with the Turkish club for the midfielder. Although a return to Turkey seems imminent, Los Boqueneros must break the bank for the 28-year-old this summer as he would be a vital addition to Javi Gracia’s squad.
The Dutch international showed glimpses of his talent yesterday and was ubiquitous on the field. Amrabat was the biggest goal threat for the visitors and also created a handful of chances for his team-mates. He ran rings around Toni Kroos who struggled to cope with his speed on the counter.
Amrabat was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet but was admirable throughout and will be highly beneficial to Malaga if the Andalusians are successful in retaining him in the squad.
#4 Ancelotti\'s right-back substitution
Every Real Madrid game has seen one thing happen constantly – substitution of the right back. Ancelotti has always shown a predisposition towards the substitution of his right back, even when changes were needed in the other areas of the pitch.
Arbeloa was subbed off late in the game to bring on Carvajal, a move that didn’t make much sense as changes were actually needed in the midfield – an area where Real were found wanting after Modric’s injury.
The move has raised a few eyebrows and Ancelotti needs to introspect about his substitutions when playing against top teams, especially with the upcoming fixture against Atletico Madrid.
#5 Ronaldo reaches a milestone nobody has ever achieved
Just a few miles away in Catalunya and just a few hours before, Lionel Messi touched yet another milestone when he scored his 400th career goal for Barcelona. In this game, his arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo, achieved a feat of his own.
The Portuguese was the star of Madrid’s attack with his intelligent runs and also assisted two goals on the night. Unlucky to miss the penalty, Ronaldo made up for it when he chipped a close-range finish in the injury time to touch the 50 goal mark for a record fifth consecutive season. Ronaldo is the first ever player in Spanish football history to achieve the feat.
Another milestone to his already bulging record books.
