La Liga – What We Learned – Malaga 1 Real Madrid 1

La Liga – What We Learned – Malaga 1 Real Madrid 1

0
SHARE

Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw against Malaga at the La Rosaleda stadium on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos were looking to continue their winning ways and shorten the gap between league leaders Barcelona. However, it was a slow start for the visitors who were without several key figures in attack, forcing them to track back an defend.

Indeed the home side did not rest on their laurels and came forward in waves to make several attempts at goal, stopped only saved by Keylor Navas who kept the visitors in the match.

It was midway through the term when the opening goal finally came as Cristiano Ronaldo headed home a Toni Kroos cross, but was lucky not to be ruled offside.

Real were later awarded a penalty and the opportunity to take a two goal advantage, yet the Portuguese wizard had his strike saved by the Malaga goalkeeper.

The hosts found their equaliser in the 66th minute, when Raul Albentosa found himself at the back post unmarked by the Galacticos defenders and fired home to resume the deadlock.

The result sees Real trail league leaders Barcelona by nine points, while Malaga moved into the top-half of the standings.


POPULAR ARTICLES

Former Atletico Madrid manager interested in A-League move

Serie A – What We Learned – Inter Milan 3 Sampdoria 1

West Ham United stride toward ‘big club’ status


Shaky defence

This has been a slight problem of late for Los Blancos and against Malaga they were without the injured Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, while defender Raphael Varane sat out due to suspension.

It was clear from the opening whistle that the defence would be a weak point for the visitors, appearing vulnerable under pressure and making several questionable back passes.

Costa Rican goalkeeper Navas is and was the final resort for his side with consistent saves against the likes of Juanpi, Duje Cop as well as Ricardo Horta.

The lack of marking by his back four  meant he was always on his toes and could do little to prevent or save the equaliser scored by Albentosa.

Yet in saying so, the Madrid attack was not as cunning and ruthless as normal, which in turn would make-up for a lack of prowess in defence. Coach Zinedine Zidane must address this issue and not let it progress any further.

Ronaldo and the presumed away goal drought

It is true that the 31-year-old had not scored an away goal since November of 2015 and when questioned why in a press conference he decided it was easier to walk away.

While he did score in the 2-0 victory against AS Roma in their Champions League tie, it had been four La Liga matches since he had scored on the trot.

Really not what one would consider a drought of goals in any sense.

Yet, in any case he certainly silenced the critics after finding the net against Malaga, despite not converting a penalty awarded later on.

Knowing the desire and hunger of the international star it is obvious that more attempts and goals are on the way.

Zidane has six wins and two draws under his belt and Ronaldo will undoubtedly be there to help further the side’s desire to regain top position.

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.