Sergio Ramos thriving in leading role at Real Madrid and other things learned

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  • Sergio Ramos

    A Karim Benzema brace led Real Madrid to a comfortable 4-1 La Liga victory at home to Leganes.

    Gareth Bale opened the scoring from Dani Carvajal’s knock down in the 17th minute but the away side drew level from the spot seven minutes later following a foul from Casemiro.

    Benzema then scored twice in 13 minutes during the second period to put the hosts in charge before Sergio Ramos added a fourth in the 66th minute after Marco Asensio was felled.

    Here’s what we learned from the convincing win at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    BENZEMA FLYING HIGH

    We’re just three games into the new La Liga season and Benzema is already just one goal away from matching his tally over the course of the entire campaign last term. The Frenchman scored a paltry five goals in 32 league appearances last season, prompting speculation of his likely departure in the summer.

    However, Benzema has been handed a new lease of life under Julen Lopetegui and looks a different player – one that’s leading the goal-scoring charts in the division. The swagger and self-belief he had as a young trailblazer leading the line at Lyon are starting to resurface.

    Away from the departed Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow, Benzema is starting to shine, crucially, in more goalscoring positions. His swelling confidence was evident in the manner of his second goal against Leganes.

    Having received the ball in a tight space on the edge of the box, surrounded by three defenders, the Frenchman’s elegant turn evaded them before exchanging a swift one-two with Luka Modric and drilling his finish low into the far corner. Perfection.

    Karim Benzema.

    In-from: Karim Benzema.

    BALE ON A ROLL

    Another player who was expected to flourish in Ronaldo’s absence is Bale and while he hasn’t steamrolled an opposition so far this season, like other players around him, he’s certainly shining that little bit brighter in the Portuguese’s absence.

    The Welshman has clearly been instructed to have a presence inside the box and drift into central areas despite starting on the right flank and it’s paying dividends. He was on hand to sweep in Carvajal’s header back towards the penalty spot to break the deadlock.

    The goal means Bale has now scored in seven consecutive La Liga games, going back to the end of last season.

    Gareth Bale.

    Another man in the goals: Gareth Bale.

    RAMOS LOVING LEADING ROLE

    Lopetegui’s arrival in the summer has not just been great for the midfield players at the Bernabeu. The former Spain coach has entrusted Ramos with building from the back and the defender is relishing the responsibility.

    The Spanish international boasts several qualities of a top level modern centre-back. Among them are his mobility, passing and eye for goal. His distribution has been key in Lopetegui’s system, making more passes than anyone else (113) against Leganes, even outdoing Toni Kroos (107) with an identical success rate.

    His diagonal ball forward for Carvajal was well picked out and led to the first goal. He’s proving to be a competent penalty-taker as well – benefiting from Ronaldo’s move away – and is clearly a chief target from set-pieces. He already has three goals to his name and you wouldn’t put a double-figure tally past him this season.

    Sergio Ramos.

    Leader of the side: Sergio Ramos.

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