Real Madrid talking points as Benzema's back and Solari rolls with the punches

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  • Real Madrid showed great character as they secured a 4-2 win away to Celta Vigo in La Liga.

    With three injuries during the course of the game, Santiago Solari had to shuffle his already depleted pack in order to see out the result.

    Karim Benzema scored the opener with a fine touch and finish in the first half before forcing an own goal off Gustavo Cabral early in the second.

    The hosts pulled one back via a fine move that was finished off by right-back Hugo Mallo.

    However, Sergio Ramos converted from the spot to make it 3-1 and then Dani Ceballos scored from range before Brais Mendez got Vigo’s second via a deflection.

    BENZ IS BACK

    Before Solari’s appointment, Benzema had scored just once in 10 games across all competitions. After a fine start to the season, the Frenchman seemed to fall back into bad habits. The arresting of that relapse coincided with the change in the dugout. In five games since Solari took charge, Benzema has scored five times and against Celta Vigo, he played like a man possessed.

    It was a welcome throwback to the striker in his prime. He was buzzing about, stretching the defence with intelligent runs and peeled wide to lose his marker and receive the ball in space. His sublime touch to control Luka Modric’s ball over the top before a finessed finish past the keeper brought out the very best in him.

    His cutback in the first half was skied by Toni Kroos with the goal gaping while he dribbled in from the left flank early in the second period before his shot crashed off the crossbar. He also forced Madrid’s second when he showed great footwork to bamboozle Facundo Roncaglia. His shot went through the keeper’s legs, smacked the near post and struck Gustavo Cabral before going in.

    Benzema was easily the best player on the pitch for Madrid against Vigo and if he can hold on to his mojo this time, he has the capacity to lead Madrid’s revival.

    Karim Benzema

    Karim Benzema

    NO ANCHORING THIS KROOS

    Julen Lopetegui had a specific blueprint in mind but Kroos didn’t always enjoy its design. The Germany international operates best when afforded the freedom to go into spaces and dictate the game. However, the former Madrid manager’s philosophy centred around control and that meant Kroos had to curb his natural instincts.

    At times, the Spaniard even used the former Bayern Munich star as the anchorman in midfield to accommodate Isco and Modric in the same midfield. That was ill-advised as not only did fail to get the best out of Kroos but also left the team vulnerable with his ability to shield the defence lacking.

    Solari has restored the midfielder to his former role and is so intent to stick with that ruling that when Casemiro had to go off injured at the Balaidos, he brought on Dani Ceballos to fill in rather than ask Kroos to drop back.

    Toni Kroos (l)

    Toni Kroos (l)

    SOLARI ROLLS WITH THE PUNCHES

    Casemiro wasn’t the only one of Madrid’s players to succumb to injury in Vigo. Solari acted swiftly to replace the Brazilian with Ceballos, rather successfully but was forced into two more changes.

    Sergio Reguilon has ably filled in for the injured Marcelo at left-back but couldn’t make it to the break and had to be replaced by fellow Castilla graduate Javi Sanchez, a centre-back by trade.

    Nacho then had to be replaced in the 71st minute, meaning a few adjustments had to be made. Marco Asensio replaced him, taking up a position on the right wing while Lucas Vazquez was moved to left-back and Sanchez shuttled into the middle alongside Ramos.

    Madrid had to stand firm against a dangerous attacking side away from home and showed great commitment to do just that. They conceded the first goal of Solari’s tenure but the manager will take several positives from the performance, perhaps more than the scoreline which flattered them, it must be said.

    Los Blancos are just four points behind Barcelona now. Surely Solari deserves to continue as head coach?

    Santiago Solari

    Santiago Solari

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