MADRID (EFE) – Real Madrid maintains the pulse for the title with Barcelona after beating Valencia showing their two faces, rescued from their troubles by the Eden Hazard-Karim Benzema connection, author of a double with a bit of cartoons , the day of Marco Asensio’s dream comeback with a goal on the first ball he touched after eleven months of suffering.
Like those many with whom he debuted in each competition with Real Madrid, Marco Asensio reappeared after the first serious injury of his career. A long period in the shade to recover from the knee. Seconds in the field to demonstrate that he is touched by a magic wand. It was a game that stalled for the Madrid team until they connected Hazard’s assistant vision and Benzema’s definition.
Zidane’s plan did not go well from the start. He gathered all his midfielders to have more control, he modified the system and lost overflow in the last meters. He missed the placement of his pieces. Fede Valverde downgrades his potential dropped to the right wing. Stop being that footballer who exhibits power from side to side of the field. Despite a willful start, Valencia’s order and their intention to be direct in the face of Madrid’s defensive passivity changed their course.
The defensive problems with which the Celades team arrived invited to try their luck with shots from anywhere but Cillesen was firm. The Madrid starter left five arrivals at the Valencia goal. Casemiro with his long shot, Kroos without precision and Hazard tested the safety of the Dutch goalkeeper who showed off with his feet taking the clearest to the Belgian star. His connection with Benzema reappeared, which left him the perfect face ball to open the left-handed marker.
Valencia got rid of the dominance with a direct football that at times put fear in the body of its rival. Rodrigo warned after winning the back to Varane with a cross shot that repelled the post. Maxi all fought with the Madrid centrals and his position caused the controversial play of the match. The goal that passed the ché team at 21 minutes was canceled by the VAR.
On this occasion Rodrigo did not forgive, appearing where the matadors smell the goal at the far post after a Gayá cross with a poor clearance by Carvajal that Soler used to filter the pass between the lines. In the middle, Maxi came from an anti-regulatory position, who stood still and left the action to the referee’s interpretation.
The scare did not wake Real Madrid from its irregularity. Carvajal had it, the best in the Zidane team in the first half, but he did not surpass Cillesen after surprising with his raise and he pardoned Benzema free of mark for a header that turned into a punt. It was a mirage, Courtois saved his team by flying to a whip from Kondogbia and Ferrán forgave for thinking too much about the resolution of a move.
He was crying out for the Real Madrid game. His play at the foot and the problems in static attack did not provoke Zidane’s reaction. He had confidence, waiting for the moment to hit. And the first time came that his team was able to run. After Gameiro’s lack of tension as soon as he entered the field, losing a duel with Ramos in the band that caught his team out of place.
Hazard appreciated to connect with Modric and put quality in the assistance. His complicity with Benzema who crossed the shot on the net to get Real Madrid out of trouble. All the good things about Valencia disappeared in the second half and those of Zidane were further relieved of the pressure of being forced to win.
With the score in favor they unleashed their best football. Especially when Zidane’s late changes came. Only two and without Bale, each day with fewer options to play. Marco Asensio who signed the dream comeback will not make it easy for him. As soon as he stepped on the grass, he sent the first ball he touched to the net. Mendy left Wass and his assistance sentenced the duel.
Valencia had no strength left. His opportunity had escaped and he said goodbye suffering before Vinicius’ races, with the third signed by Benzema in a masterful action. Asensio assisted to control in the air with the right and left-handed hook to the squad. As soon as Real Madrid had room to run, they released a more brilliant game to keep up with Barcelona before a day marked in red.
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