Real Madrid started a crucial week after beating Aibar 2–0 to increase pressure on Atlético Madrid at the top of La Liga on Saturday. With Liverpool coming into the Champions League on Tuesday and a Clásico against Barcelona the following weekend, Madrid welcomed a comfortable victory for goals from Marco Asencio and Karim Benzema. Vijay means that Atletico’s advantage in Zinedine Zidan’s favor falls by three points before they play at Sevilla on Sunday night. Barcelona, who are four points away from the top, will host Real Valladolid on Monday. Zidan made a terrific start, but both Rafael Vern and Tony Croce were not on the bench, after returning early from international duty due to a muscle problem.
Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvazal and Eden Hazard were all injured and completely outgunned.
None of those three are expected to return against Liverpool at Valdebebas in midweek, but the hesitant Eber’s performance gave Zidan a chance to meet the likes of Luca Modric, Benzema and Asensio in the second half.
Benzema will meet Madrid’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and will also beat Barcelona, as the Frenchman scored 11 goals in his final 10 matches.
He looked refreshed, as well as his exit from the national team is beneficial for Real Madrid.
But Ascencio was arguably the star of the show, his lively performances in the front three gave him the possibility to secure a starting spot in a trio of upcoming Crunch games.
Eber, who finished in 19th place, would have suffered a heavy defeat had it not been three goals that went backwards.
Benzema hurried twice, but was denied by Marjon Dimitrovic after latching onto Alejandro Pozo’s backpass and then was shut down for the first time after Marcelo went into the cross.
The excellent Asensio hit the crossbar with a free-kick from wide and then flipped to Isco’s shot, only to have the flag go up again.
Madrid however kept on coming, and Essenio continued to do the same. Cassimiro intercepted Pep Dope’s pass in midfield and stepped on a brilliant ball through Asensio, whose cushion touch took him away from the Unites Arbilla and left him with a simple finish.
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Modric and Ascencio drifted away after the hour as torrential rain added to the sense that Real Madrid needed each other, with Thibaut Courtois snatching back in time after seeing a back pass incorrectly.
Cassimiro scored from the edge of the area, but again, the goal was dismissed, until Benzema led off to secure the win, to capitalize on an impressive run from Vinicius Jr. on the left.
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