Real Madrid shook off a two game losing streak with a 2-1 win from the friendly confines of the Santiago Bernabeu with an impressive two goal effort from Sergio Ramos.
While dealing with several throughout the game and prior to the game, Real Madrid were determined to get 3 points and solidfy their lead at the top of the La Liga table and it was the man who made a costly mistake a week ago against Sevilla who did enough for Los Blancos to take all the points from the struggling visitors, Malaga.
Marcelo and Luka Modric both picked up knocks which Marcelo taken off in the 25th minute due to a muscle injury suffered according to manager Zinedine Zidane and Luka Modric also suffered a minor injury which forced him off to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic. When Marcelo was subbed off in just the 25th minute, Zidane made a bold move to go with three defenders instead of the conventional four, replacing Marcelo with the rehabbing Isco.
First Half
Real had the majority of the control and possession in the early stages of the first half with good chances plentiful in the first 45. Karim Benzema, Ronaldo, and Lucas Vasquez all provided shots on target in the first half hour with the best chance coming from Ronaldo in the 12th minute.
The breakthrough didn’t come until the 35th minute when Sergio Ramos did what Sergio does best finding a sliver of space in the box and heading home the corner kick from Toni Kroos to give Los Blancos the lead. Ramos would double the Madrid lead just 8 minutes later when off a set piece, Kroos curled another stunning ball into the box, finding its way to the foot of Ramos at the back post to double the Real lead.
Second Half
Real set into a defensive mind set in the second half with a steady attack from Malaga providing several shots on target to Keylor Navas. The one goal from Juanpi on a huge rebound off a bouncing shot in the area. The lead up to the goal was possible thanks to a gashing run down the left wing from Juankar who beat Raphael Varane to the inside and let off a powerful shot that Navas had trouble handling.
Real Madrid
It was a good second half besides the goal allowed from Malaga just after the hour mark with a few chances for Real to score as Ronaldo hit the post in the 72nd minute and Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata both had chances to score themselves on Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
Final Thoughts
The win is a big one for Zidane’s team as after going 40 matches without a loss, back-to-back losses has definitely tested the mental toughnes
s of the team and a much needed win at home before going on the road to Vigo on Thursday for Copa Del Rey play is huge.
However, with both Marcelo and Luka going down with injuries, and Bale and James Rodriguez both out for the time being, the struggle to rotate the squad and keep guys healthy will be very difficult for Zidane and his staff in the coming weeks and months.