Actual Madrid started the post-Casemiro period with an ungainly 4-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday night.
The guests confronted loads of strain and conceded plenty of possession however flexed their high quality on the counter and ran away with proceedings due to objectives from Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde.
Oscar Rodriguez despatched a tame free-kick Thibaut Courtois’ technique to kick issues off, earlier than Valverde responded with a long-range effort that went hovering over the Celta bar.
Celta had a vibrant begin however their momentum stalled 11 minutes in when VAR helped the referee award Actual a penalty for a handball from Renato Tapia, and up stepped Benzema to fit house from 12 yards to open his account for the season.
The aim gave Actual the boldness to attempt to exert their management however the hosts have been evidently not intimidated and tried to play their method across the European champions, and so they earned a penalty of their very own 22 minutes in as Eder Militao was caught dealing with the ball as nicely. Up stepped Iago Aspas, who narrowly beat Thibaut Courtois to tie issues up.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Celta continued to bother Actual and Franco Cervi got here perilously near placing the hosts forward with a fierce strike from vary that whistled large of Courtois’ aim.
Actual regarded like they wanted a second of magic to regain management of this recreation and so they received that from the wizard that’s Luka Modric. His beautiful curled strike from the sting of the D was inch-perfect and nestled into the nook of the online to place Los Blancos forward on the scoresheet, however not the possession battle, on the break.
Celta have been equally as adventurous to begin the second half and Goncalo Paciencia narrowly missed the possibility to tie issues up, dragging a fierce effort large.
Within the blink of an eye fixed, Actual have been 3-1 up. Celta failed with a handball enchantment at one finish, and three passes later, Vinicius was one-on-one with Agustin Marchesin. He rounded the goalkeeper and slotted into an empty internet to create some respiratory room for his aspect.
Joseph Aidoo spurned a great opportunity to move a aim again shortly after the hour mark, and Celta’s profligacy was once more punished instantly as Valverde, who had struggled massively till this level, slotted house on the counter with 25 minutes to go.
With 5 minutes left on the clock, one other Actual counter almost led to a aim. Benzema gained a penalty after being tripped within the field, however he gave the ball over to substitute Eden Hazard, who noticed his effort nicely saved by the goalkeeper.
When all was stated and executed, the 2 sides have been almost even when it comes to possession and pictures on aim, however Actual’s ruthless effectivity proved the distinction.
Actual Madrid (4-3-3)
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – Did not have an entire lot to do. Even went the proper method for the penalty. Unfortunate.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 5/10 – Had a very robust time up towards Galan. Did not have the legs to maintain up.
CB: Eder Militao – 4/10 – Struggled towards Paciencia’s physicality and was at fault for the penalty. One other off evening.
CB: David Alaba – 6/10 – Strong on the again and even grabbed an help on one in every of his forays ahead. Can not help however really feel he could be extra impactful at left-back.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 5/10 – Does not have the creativity wanted to hyperlink up with Vinicius and Benzema.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10 – Good play defensively. Swept up plenty of hazard and impressed confidence heading into the brand new period. Good and powerful for the fourth aim. Nonetheless must work on his passing.
CM: Luka Modric – 7/10 – Not as impactful as typical however nonetheless flashed his class with an unreal aim and a wonderful help.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10 – Effortlessly buzzed across the pitch to become involved at each ends. Has a fantastic bond with Tchouameni already.
RW: Federico Valverde – 5/10 – Actually terrible within the first half. Responsible of one of many worst free kicks of all time. Turned issues round impressively after the break however cannot get a excessive score due to his woeful first 45.
ST: Karim Benzema – 6/10 – Took his penalty nicely however wasn’t as concerned as typical. Some glorious urgent, nonetheless.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – Introduced out all of the flicks and methods to attempt to get Actual going right here. Bumped into cul-de-sacs often however clearly wanted extra assist from his left-back to take care of the double-teams.
SUB: Antonio Rudiger (69′ for Carvajal) – 6/10
SUB: Lucas Vazquez (77′ for Alaba) – N/A
SUB: Dani Ceballos (77′ for Modric) – N/A
SUB: Eden Hazard (82′ for Vinicius Junior) – N/A
SUB: Marco Asensio (82′ for Camavinga) – N/A
Supervisor: Carlo Ancelotti – 4/10 – Did not appear to have a recreation plan. Was uncharacteristically animated from begin to end, clearly involved about what he was watching. Laborious to really feel as if he performed any half on this victory.
