With two flashes from Vinicius -and a perfect shot from Benzema-, Madrid is already 10 points behind Sevilla and has a league and a half in its pocket. He won in Mallorca (0-2) and shot up in the standings before facing, next Sunday, the Clásico at the Bernabéu (9:00 p.m., Movistar LaLiga). Vinicius inaugurated the task, with permission from the high pressure. A steal from Valverde and an assist from Benzema drew the first goal of the game. The second, after a penalty caused by Vinicius (push by Brian Oliván), was done by Benzema; like the third, headed, to be more top scorer with 22 goals.
Headlines
Courteous: night of very little work. In the first part he only had to intervene once, a shot as low as it was innocent by Brian Oliván. In the second, not even that. Mallorca showed fang, but never smelled blood.
Lucas Vazquez: he gave Carvajal a rest and he fulfilled it, drying up an incisive Kubo. Firm back, without taking risks or playing with fires, but somewhat timid in attack. Perhaps by order of Ancelotti, he assured the rearguard by giving up the mordant.
Nacho: the term ‘compliant’ is beginning to fall short. Alaba’s loss opened the door to ownership and, true to his style, he passed with flying colors. He had no scares in defense and contributed his granite of technique in the exit of the ball, initiating the unorthodox goal kicks that he has installed Carletto, in which he plays for Courtois before quickly opening up. Every time he gets a chance to play, he gets a grade.
Daughter: remarkable in defense and intrepid in attack. Joining at the slightest opportunity; rehearsing shots. He was able to score after a backheel from Vinicius, but his left foot hit Raíllo. The only blemish on him was an erratic clearance that almost left Muriqi alone with a bare 0-1 on the scoreboard.
Mendy: he left injured, setting off the alarms. He is gaining confidence to perform tricks in the exit of the ball and, sometimes, he makes mistakes, compromising his team. Nacho, going quickly to cut, avoided a point-blank shot from Ángel after a gift. In attack, with the freshness that the nine days of rest have brought him – sanctioned against PSG – he wasted depth.
Casemiro: he was aware and played not with fire, but with the entire bonfire. In the 13th minute he cut Angel who wandered the tightrope of the card, in the second half he knocked down Muriqi cutting a counter and, minutes later, he made a hand on the front. He had mercy Sánchez Martínez in all of them. Ancelotti, aware that the yellow card was on the wire, removed it at game time. He will be in the Classic.
Kroos: Leader; without Modric, he took on even more stripes. Having Valverde next to him gives him the freedom to do one of the things he likes the most, arriving on the run and shooting inside from the edge of the box. Too bad for the German that the two times he tried, the ball went into the clouds. The whole game went through him.
Valverde: from less to more. And something hard. An early yellow card, after a quarter of an hour, conditioned him for the rest. And she deserved it, because she arrived very late, running over Kubo when he galloped against. He redeemed himself from a bad first half by stealing the ball from the goal; he anticipated Baba and served Benzema, who did the rest. The high pressure of Carletto he demands lung and he, of that, has plenty.
Rodrygo: his image, leaving supported by the doctors without even being able to put his right foot down, was very worrying. But the first medical reports reassured, pointing to a strong blow. On the grass, a measured match. His good work against PSG opened the door for him to start ahead of Asensio, who returned to what was his home. He tried, but with most of the attacks concentrated on the left flank, he had few chances.
Vinicius: decisive once again. He scored the opening goal after a semi-gift from Benzema. And he caused the penalty of the second, pushed by Brian Oliván. As the player who receives the most fouls in LaLiga, he increased his records. A very hard entry from Maffeo, which ended without a card, unleashed his anger. The mark of the heel remained on his knee and he did not hesitate to show it to Sánchez Martínez. In a new dodge drill palosput all the attitude and energy in the world.
Benzema: killer injured. He left by his own foot, but after spending several minutes limping and Modric begging him not to force. The discomfort points to the ankle/calf area of the left leg. In football, bad first half and very good second. After recovering Valverde, he saw Vinicius to the left of him and assisted him to break a match that was falling into a quagmire. He then he scored the second penalty and headed the third. Lethal inside the area and more top scorer, with 22 goals.
Substitutes
Camavinga (61′): He came in for Casemiro to continue growing as a pivot, where against PSG he showed that he has the quality to play. Something hasty (Modric and Kroos, on several occasions, asked him for more calm), but in general terms, correct.
Modric (61′): He had rest before the Clásico. With the score at 0-1, he came on to play alongside Kroos and provide veteran status in the final minutes.
Asensio (72′): He returned to what was his home. And he hardly had any chance to shine (he already scored a hat-trick against the Balearic Islands in the first round), although he did get a moving ovation from his family.
Carvajal (72′): firm in defense, closing the lock to ensure victory in the closing stages. Like Modric, he too received rest.
Marcelo (80′): He entered before Mendy’s inconvenience and gave Benzema the third with a center in the shape of a candy. Outstanding ‘minutes-performance’ ratio.