Real Madrid 3-0 Win Over Alaves, Ancelotti: It's Good That The Front Three Can Score Goals
JAKARTA - Real Madrid managed to shave Deportivo Alaves in the 25th week of La Liga this season. Los Blancos brought home a three-goal win without reply.
Madrid opened the scoring through Marco Asensio's goal and then followed by goals from Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema at the end of the match which was held at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, 20 February early morning.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was happy with this result. Moreover, the three front players who played in the match managed to contribute one goal each.
"It's a good sign when the forwards score goals. They haven't managed to do that in the last few games. This match will help us to improve and prepare for the next game," Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was quoted as saying by Madrid's website.
This victory further strengthens their position at the top of the standings with 57 points from 25 matches. Los Blancos are now seven points clear of second-placed Sevilla.
Meanwhile, this defeat keeps Alaves in 19th position with 20 points from 25 matches.
Madrid appeared dominant since the whistle of the first half of the football match. Only 15 minutes into the game, they immediately gave a threat through the feet of Federico Valverde who took advantage of a pass from David Alaba, but the ball just bounced.
Alaves had responded in the 27th minute through Jason's shot from in front of the penalty box, but this opportunity still missed the target. Both teams had no significant chances after that so the score 0-0 closed the first half.
After halftime, Madrid did not relax the tempo of the attack. They continued to press Alaves in search of the opener.
Alaves threatened in the 53rd minute, Luis Rioja cutting the ball from Thibaut Courtois. Unfortunately, his shot from a tight angle only hit the outside of the goal.
Real Madrid finally broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Asensio's curling shot from outside the penalty area could not be stopped by Fernando Pacheco. Los Blancos lead 1-0.
Then Madrid scored the second goal in the 80th minute. Now it's Vinicius' turn to change the scoreboard after completing Karim Benzema's pass.
In the 90th minute, Madrid were awarded a penalty after Rodrygo was brought down by Lejeune. Benzema advanced as executor and scored the third goal for Madrid.
Lineup:
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal (Vazquez 87), Militao, Alaba, Mendy (Marcelo 87); Valverde, Casemiro, Modric (yellow 33) (Rodrygo 83); Asensio (Ceballos 82), Benzema, Vinicius (Hazard 85).
Deportivo Alavés (4-1-4-1): Pacheco; Nahuel Tenaglia, Miazga, Lejeune, Duarte (Navarro 83); pina; Jason (Pere Pons 61), Escalante (Mendez 72), Mamadou Loum (yellow 48) (Toni Moya 83), Rioja (Vallejo 72); Joselu.