La Liga 2018/19: Real Madrid vs Valencia

Real Madrid secured a second consecutive win on Saturday as they saw off Valencia in La Liga. Los Blancos took an early lead as Dani Carvajals cross into the box was turned into his own net by Daniel Wass, but the visitors did pin the hosts back. It wasnt until the closing stages when Lucas Vazquez added a second to put the game to bed and secure a 2-0 win. Here, our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrid can take from the game as they secured a vital win on home turf.

Marcos Llorente isnt Casemiros alternative, hes the replacement

After an impressive first ever Champions League start against Roma in midweek, Marcos Llorente continued to make the holding midfield role his own when selected to start at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu up against Valencia. Whats more, he played so well that you could easily be mistaken for expecting him to retain his role even when first choice Casemiro returns to action.

Making 76 passes, he had more of an influence than in Italy, and looked to start attacking moves right from the back. At one point in particular, he almost single handedly carried the ball 80 yards, picking it up on the edge of his own box, playing two neat one-twos down the right flank before bursting with pace down the wing and then cutting the ball back to Marco Asensio for a gilt edged chance that he really should have converted.

For the first time in all of his spell at the club, Llorente is getting a shot at regular first team football. He is doing more than enough to make the most of it, but maintaining this level of performance as the fixtures come thick and fast, after several years of barely featuring, will be the biggest challenge. Early signs are good, but there is still plenty of work to do.

An unheard of midfield

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro. A midfield trio which has become a pillar of world football. Any fan of European football can name them off the tip of their tongue, yet not a single one of them was on the pitch for the final 20 minutes of the encounter on Saturday. Santiago Solari has shown that he is not afraid to make changes and put his faith in youth and that is exactly what he did, with 27-year-old Lucas Vazquez the older statesman in a five man midfield for the closing stages.

Marcos Llorente has impressed si