Real Madrid are inching closer to the prime La Liga position following their 3-1 victory against Malaga at the Santiago Bernebau.
The result places the Los Blancos just two points behind their Catalan rivals Barcelona, yet the struggle to overcome a spirited and enthusiastic Malaga proved evident.
For Welshman Gareth Bale, it was a night he would rather forget, as the four minute mark signalled the end of his game due to suspected muscle damage. He was soon replaced by Mexican young gun Javier Hernandez, whom made another surprise appearance for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The visitors, however, began the match with the firm believe that a shock victory could be achieved. Indeed they more than matched Madrid for early momentum.
But it was Spaniard Sergio Ramos who eventually broke the deadlock after converting from a James Rodriguez free-kick mid-way through the first-half. The Columbian’s strike was easily struck into the back of the net by Ramos, despite the opposition calls of offside.
Rodriguez continued to impress, with another strike from distance nearing close to the vicinity of the goal and forcing a superb save from custodian Carlos Kameni.
Malaga came close to equalising the scores with an Arthur Boka cross finding Sergi Darder, whose shot few above the crossbar.
The second term began in a similar manner to the first, with newly returned Luka Modric sustaining another injury following a blow to the right knee in a challenge with midfielder Rocio. Asier Illaramendi proved a well-chosen substitute, who perfectly assumed the Croatian’s role.
Despite a failed penalty attempt from talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, the Los Blancos continued to press high up on the pitch and maintained their high level of pressure.
The Portugese star redeemed himself for his previous efforts and created an efficiently worked piece of play to allow Rodriguez to add to the scoreboard.
The visitors responded almost instantaneously, pulling one back through a Juanmi header on the end of a Roberto Rosales cross. Yet despite their best efforts, Real’s class shone through with Ronaldo sealing the victory via a cutback by Hernandez in the 92nd minute.
Formations
The Italian coach made several changes to the side whom drew 0-0 with arch-rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League midweek. Frenchman Karim Benzema’s injury all but excluded him from participating in any form in the match, young Spaniard Isco was chosen as his replacement after having proven his worth on several occasions for the squad.
Defenders Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane were also both omitted from the starting XI, with Portuguese defender Pepe and Spanish international Alvaro Arbeloa both returning to the Los Galacticos backline.
Real Madrid starting XI (4-3-3): Casillas, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Kroos, Rodriguez, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Bale:
Malaga coach Javi Gracia, made only one change to the side that drew with Atletico in their previous domestic fixture. Central-defender Weligton Oliveira was omitted from the starting line-up in favour of Ivorian left-back Arthur Boka.
Malaga starting XI: Kameni, Angeleri, Roseles, Boka, Sanchez, Amrabat, Garcia, Recio, Castillejo, Dader and Juanmi.
The Modric conundrum
Unfortunately for the Croatian midfielder, he once again finds himself watching matches from the sidelines following a sprained ligament in the right knee. Modric will miss the rest of Real’s 2014/15 campaign, with the news the damage will take a minimum of six weeks to heal.
While Real officials are sweating over the injury status of Welshman Bale, the primary problem should be to find an appropriate replacement for the Croatian international.
The 29-year-old is considered one of the most creative playmakers of the game and has a distinct role at the club. He can play with both feet and combines this with his strong offensive positioning when in possession of the ball. As well as playmaking, the star lies deep on the pitch and drops back to a defensive-midfielder position as necessary when playing for Real, illustrated by his on-field performance on Sunday morning.
Against Los Boquerones, the Croatian dominated the majority of Real’s play from the centre of the pitch. His precise passing – particularly out wide, gave his side the added advantage of coming at the goals from all angles as they stretched their Andalusian opposition. The 29-year-old additionally dropped back to a high defensive role in an attempt to stop the counter-attack from having any chance to run at the defence, however, this proved ineffective due to the gap left by Brazilian Marcelo.
Isco would be the likely replacement for the Croatian star as he has very similar characteristics.
Malaga on the break
The Andalusian side were not on at the same level as their opponents, but their attacking momentum proved to be decisive in highlighting their prowess.
Coach Gracia’s men played the majority of their attacking play from the counter, and often moving the ball out from the back.
Nordin Amrabat, as well as Samu Castillejo, were crucial in going forward on the widths of the pitch and controlling Real defender Pepe, while both central-midfielders Samuel Garcia Sanchez and Recio minimised the opposition’s play with direct and pin-point passing.
Indeed, it was this passing that caught out the home side’s defence, with Malaga often having aerial goal opportunities. A team all should watch out for in the future.
Real Madrid Conclusion:
Arguably, it appears Real have finally regained a partial part of their momentum. It is obvious that there is now better communication amongst the group, however, minor errors are still being made which is costing them vital points. The Los Blancos were unable to contain the counter-attacking force of the Andalusian side, whom on occasion would play out from the back of the pitch. Injuries to Bale, Modric as well as Benzema could prove crucial in the final stages of the season.
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Malaga Conclusion
Javi Gracia’s men have proven that they are no longer the bottom dwellers of La Liga but are a force to be feared and reckoned with. Los Albicelestes entered the match following a 2-2 draw with Real’s cross town rivals Atletico and also boasted a victory against first placed Barcelona early on in the season. Both wins provided the Andalusian side with the strong belief that causing an upset victory was on the cards. The team proved decisive on the counter-attack and came forward on several occasions, one of which resulted in the goal. Despite this progression, more concentration is needed from the Malaga defence whom on numerous times were not able to maintain a strong defensive line and allowed forwards like Ronaldo to get in behind.
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