Karim Benzema scored a brace and Nacho Fernandez and Vincius Junior found the back of the net to complete the thrashing.
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Real Madrid started their La Liga campaign with a 4-1 win over Deportivo Alaves at Mendizorroza on Saturday night. Karim Benzema led Los Blancos with two goals. Meanwhile defender Nacho Fernandez and Vinicius Junior found the back of the net to complete the thrashing. The home team pulled one back in the 65th minute through a penalty kick converted by Joselu in front of 4000 odd fans. Because of the COVID-19 situation the Spanish health authorities allowed the League to restart with crowds of upto only 40% of the venue’s capacity.
The first half was a cagey affair as both teams failed to create clear cut chances. Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all shot wide from distance for the away side. Meanwhile Alaves’ best chance fell to midfielder Pere Pons whose clever attempt fell on the roof of the net.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side started the second half brightly and broke the deadlock within three minutes of restart. Hazard setup Benzema with a clever back heel and the Frenchman fired the ball past Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.
In the 56th minute, Nacho found the back of the net with a volley as he reacted quickly to Luka Modric’s cross into the box. And then two minutes after the hour mark, Benzema scored from close range to complete his brace.
At the other end, centre-back Eder Militao’s mistake forced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to concede a penalty which Joselu converted. But substitute Vinicius added Real Madrid’s fourth goal of the night in the added time with a header.
It was a perfect start for Real Madrid under new boss Ancelotti, who was re-hired after last season ended trophyless under Zinedine Zidane. The Italian coach has won four titles with Los Blancos during his tenure in 2013-15.
Meanwhile Benzema who was the teams top scorer last season has continued from where he had left off and looks like he is in sublime form.
“Benzema is more than just a striker, he is a very complete player,” said Carlo Ancelotti.
“He is a much more complete player than when I coached him a few years ago.”Â
Bale who was back from his loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur last season was given a start by Ancelotti. The Wales captain was struggling to get playing time under Zidane. Thus, this is now an opportunity for him to rejuvenate himself.
This Real Madrid team is still very much a work-in-progress for the manager Ancelotti. Life without central defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, who left the club to join PSG and Manchester United respectively, has begun. It is going to test their bench strength and defensive solidity as the season progresses.
Meanwhile Hazard, whose life at Madrid has been plagued by injuries and fitness issues appears to be playing freely. He also looks fitter, which is certainly a positive sign for Ancelotti.
Real’s attacking line-up is still very strong and has enough depth, experience and youth to take on the best in the world.
David Alaba who joined as a free agent for Bayern Munich played at left-back because of the absence of Marcelo and Ferland Mendy. The Austrian had a decent debut and provided an assist as well.
However, he will be expected to be their lynchpin at centre-back in the future.
