Liga, Real-Alaves 3-0. Ancelotti dismisses the mini-crisis

Three flashes in the last half hour to get back to running and leave threatening clouds behind. Real Madrid forgets the pains of the Champions League with a success that is actually more tiring than expected, but the three final points that send Ancelotti and him to a momentary +7 in the standings over Sevilla count. Of Asensio, Vinicius and Benzema the decisive flashes in the second half in front of a Bernabeu at times intolerant and dissatisfied. Benzema also makes the difference at half service, collecting a post, an assist and a goal from eleven meters, despite a less than optimal condition. In addition to the Blancos, Atletico and Villarreal also celebrate in the top positions thanks to the clear successes over Osasuna (3-0) and Granada (4-1).

Hard work

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The Blancos needed a boost of confidence and a win after the last three weeks of slips and disappointments. The resigned Alavés of Mendilibar, third from bottom in the standings and returned to success just last week after a fast of over three months, was a unique opportunity to resume marching after a victory and two draws in the last three days (to which two ko in the King’s Cup and Champions). For Ancelotti’s troops it wasn’t exactly a walk, but in the end he hit the target by returning to scoring after 423 minutes of fasting. The resistance of the Basques, who also managed to waste two gigantic scoring balls (one for each time) on the still equal result, lasted just over an hour, during which a few whistles also rained from the stands of the Bernabeu.

Final flashes

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The Blancos did only in flashes what Ancelotti had preached in the press conference on the eve, asking for “more pressure, faster ball recoveries and a higher center of gravity to allow the three in front to stay closer to the opponent’s area”. The most attentive to Ancelotti’s indications were Vinicius and Valverde (surprisingly lined up for Kroos), but it took a lot to break the resistance of the compact 4-1-4-1 of Alavés, capable of harnessing for 45 ‘ the people of Madrid maintaining a very short team, practically gathered in 20 meters. Asensio, Vinicius and Modric the timid attempts of the Blancos towards Pacheco’s goal in a first half that saw the Basques go closer to scoring with Jason. Net change of pace instead in the second half, as often at Madrid in recent months. The attacks became more insistent, the pace picked up and, after a series of inaccurate or thwarted conclusions by Pacheco, the Madrid players found the liberating goal thanks to an invention by Asensio: left footed on the far post on which Pacheco could do nothing. From then on, the Blancos road went downhill. Benzema nearly doubled on two occasions and caught a wood in the 77th minute before putting together a valuable move on the right that gave Vinicius the 2-0 ball. Finally, in full recovery, satisfaction also for the Frenchman, who scored the 18th center of the season from a penalty.

Atletico are back

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Back to winning Atletico after the last nightmare performances. The reaction of the Colchoneros, who temporarily recover the fourth place, arrives in Pamplona thanks to an encouraging 3-0 signed by Joao Felix, Suarez and Correa. Villarreal does even better, which extends Granada 4-1 at home and remains close to the Champions League area.