As the game was about to start there were fan protests outside the ground against the new league, which Real had intended to compete in. Real have still yet to announce their withdrawal from the Super League, despite the majority of the rest of the clubs doing so, including all six English sides.
On Wednesday night Real Madrid got back to victory with a great result. Zidane’s team entered the field with a clear vision and stayed concentrated on accomplishing it the whole time. A first-half double from Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid cruise to a 3-0 victory away to Cadiz that temporarily moved them on the top of La Liga standings.
The match started with a good rhythm for both teams. The 3-4-3 used by Zidane gave more dynamism to the teams maneuver and also offered more physicality. The shots on respective targets started immediately in the first minutes but both teams failed to make the accurate shot that would bring them the advantage. However the force of Real Madrid was obvious and as the minutes passed Real Madrid started dictating the game clearly. The game had started well for them and was continuing in that direction. This time Real seemed more focused and more energetic in contrary to the performance against Getafe. The team felt fresher and had enough energy to press more and to rob the ball very often. Cadiz tried to say their word but could not keep the high rhythm. Real kept creating more chances and also kept having more shots than Cadiz. It was the 30th minute when finally they scored with Benzema from eleven meters. The penalty was secure by a very vivacious Vinicius who was fouled by the opponent’s defense inside the box. Both him and Rodrygo had a great performance getting involved very often in Real’s actions and being a constant danger for Cadiz. Three minutes later it was Benzema himself who served Odriozola for the 2nd goal. This was a very important goal for him since he has been making poor performances lately and lacked confidence. This goal and the good performance against Cadiz may make him turn the page and start to grow. On the 38th minute it was Casemiro who couldn’t lower the ball enough to hit the net as the opponent’s keeper approached very quick. But however it was him who served Benzema for the 3rd goal just 2 minutes later. But Real did not stop there. Until the end of the first half there were several other occasions and attempts to create and score even why none of them was accurate enough.
On the second half Real Madrid tried to manage the game in order to save some energies but kept an eye on the opponent of course. Cadiz had nothing to lose anymore and tried to be dangerous. Profiting from the opened play they tried to hit in every way, mostly by using crosses, free kicks and also corner kicks. They were not easy to manage and became dangerous in several occasions. It was the experience of Real Madrid that neutralized everything. Scoring fast in the first half, leaving no room for the opponents to make the game stall and controlling the ball as much as possible (an average of 61%) was the key. Teams like Cadiz that defend well and that can score in many ways become very difficult to take 3 points from if the first half passes without any goal. Real did exactly this! Started the game strongly and made use of the chances that were created, scoring relatively early and not giving up on the idea to score more. All of the players made a good performance but some of them need special attention. Blanco, a promising youngster found himself very familiar in the centre of the midfield helped as well by the experience and the security of Casemiro. Then it was Odriozola who finally made a complete performance which will certainly give him more confidence in the upcoming matches. Maybe it is the time for him to explode. Casemiro was also great as usual, leading the midfield and pushing forward whenever some opportunity was given even without his maestro partners Modric and Kroos. And finally, the Frenchman Karim Benzema: 2 goals and 1 assist. He had not score in the last few matches but he silenced everyone who thought that his great period was ending and confirmed that he is a guarantee for Los Blancos. The striker's goal took him level with club great Raul Gonzalez as having scored against 35 different opponents in La Liga.
This game had reserved a place for Dani Carvajal as well. He was one of the senators that everyone was expecting to return on the green pitch and Zidane finally decided to give him some time so he could add some minutes on his feet in order to get involved and be fit for the upcoming games. His return is a great victory for Real Madrid in this final phase of the year. Isco, Asensio, Diaz and Gutierrez also had their time and their performance with the first three managing the game well even why appearing somewhat lazy. Gutierrez substituted Marcelo and tried his best to keep the rhythm of the brazilian’s performance. Decent performance for him even why he risked in one or two occasions but everything was immediately corrected.
With this victory Real keeps itself in the title race and proves that the team is well and seriously wants to achieve this goal. Now another difficult match against Real Betis awaits for Zidane’s boys on Saturday. Until then there are a few days to make a preparation but the lack of the resting time will make it difficult. The positive side is that the game will be at home and the team will at least save the traveling energy for the match...
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