How Real Madrid took pole position in controversial win over Ajax

Real Madrid are the undoubted kings of the Champions League and reigning champions of the tournament, and they returned to knock-out action with a visit to Dutch champions Ajax.

It was a shaky first half which saw Nicolas Tagliaficos effort ruled out by VAR, with Karim Benzema opening the scoring to give Real Madrid the lead. Hakim Ziyech pulled one back but in the end it was Marco Asensios late goal which was the winner as he tapped in from close range to seal a 2-1 win.

Our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrids Santiago Solari can take from the game.

Benzema and Vinicius have formed a partnership

Benzema and Vinicius Junior have become two of the first names on the teamsheet in recent weeks, with only two games in 2019 not having featured the duo starting alongside each other. The relationship between them is flourishing and Solaris side are beginning to reap the rewards, as their link-up play against Ajax looked the strongest yet. There was no clearer demonstration than with the movement between them for Real Madrids opening goal.

Sergio Reguilon played a chipped pass over the top to exploit Vinicius pace down the flank, cutting inside. Benzema was quick to spot Vinicius move inside and tracked back, making room for him to continue his run without blocking off his path. Vinicius spotted it and looked to play him in, teeing him up perfectly to rocket the ball into the back of the net.

Wednesday evening was far from either forwards strongest display in recent weeks, but it did show how their connection can make the difference. Lacking the one, individual superstar to win games single-handedly as Cristiano Ronaldo did in the past, Real Madrid may finally have found the alternative. What few people saw coming was not who it would be, rather that it would be a combination of two excellent players. Even on off days when neither is at their deadly best, they have enough about them to break the deadlock in difficult circumstances.

Sloppy mistakes are all too common 

For only the second time in 2019, Real Madrid were outscored on xG and it could easily be said that Ajax can feel hard done by with the final result. Not only was one goal controversially ruled out by VAR, but the likes of Dusan Tadic and Ziyech himself may feel that they should have done better with their own chances. Whilst that was partly down to the intensity of Ajaxs attacking play, that intensity also forced some rather basic errors from the Real Madrid defence.

For Ziyechs goal, Real Madrid were caught out as Lucas