As Real Madrid sought to earn qualification from Group G in the Champions League, three points were crucial against Roma. Coming after a shock defeat to Eibar at the weekend, the pressure was on for Santiago Solari and his team to make an immediate comeback in Rome as they faced the Italians with top spot in the group up for grabs. Thanks to a lively second half with goals from Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez, Los Blancos achieved the victory they were after. Here, our tactical analysis will use statistics to identify what key points Real Madrid can take from the game as they got back to their best.
Marcos Llorente is the answer
At Ipurua on Saturday, one thing was clear. Real Madrid are lacking an alternative to Casemiro. Dani Ceballos was selected as a makeshift option with Toni Kroos increasingly reluctant to take up the role, but it was a disaster. On Tuesday, Marcos Llorente was given his first ever Champions League start and only his second of the season. In doing so he made a clear impression as he dominated his area of the field, providing the Real Madrid defence with firm protection.
In total, the 23-year-old made 12 ball recoveries, including three crucial interceptions. Dropping in between the gaps as Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos were dragged apart, he broke up play expertly with the ball at his feet and in the air, where he won two of his three aerial duels.
On the ball, Llorente was effective too. He completed 49 of his 50 attempted passes, including all of his attempted passes into the final third. Such precision is expected of regulars like Kroos and Luka Modric, but is rarely achieved by Casemiro in the holding role. Based on his showing in Rome, the Brazilian may have a challenge from a young Spaniard for his starting spot upon his return from injury.
There’s hope for Gareth Bale yet
Gareth Bale has come in for his fair share of criticism as Real Madrids struggles have continued. The Welshman has been anonymous in games against the likes of Levante, Alaves and Eibar, but on Tuesday he appeared to have found his shooting boots and added a real threat in attack. It took some luck to fall his way after half-time, but when it did go his way with Robin Olsens woeful clearance deflecting into his path, he did not panic. Rather than just smashing a shot away, he took his time. Then, with Roma defenders having caught him, he sidestepped Kostas Manolas and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net beyond a helpless Olsen.
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