Once again, it wasn’t a pretty match from Real Madrid in the Champions League, but this time around, Los Blancos managed to score TWO – I know it’s crazy – goals and secured an important win over Viktoria Plzen 2-1. Here is a full recap of the match.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale returned to form and Marcelo made it two goals in two matches as Real Madrid finally managed to secure three points against a scrappy Czech side on Tuesday night.
After Sergio Ramos hit the crossbar five minutes in, Benzema found the back of the net just 11 minutes in off of a great cross from winger turned fullback Lucas Vazquez. The Spaniard set up the Real number nine with an elegant ball that found its way perfectly to the striker.
Karim Benzema moves to outright fourth in Champions League goals! ⭐ pic.twitter.com/i4uohTHBOQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 23, 2018
After scoring the opening goal, Real Madrid backed up and focused more on their defense, which opened up several opportunities for Plzen.
Although there were several close calls in the waining 10 minutes of the opening half, Sergio Ramos and Nacho stuck to their positions in the middle of the back line and helped out goalkeeper Keylor Navas tremendously.
In the second half, Los Blancos looked to lock down the match and control possession. Thanks to great play in the midfield from Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and the run of the substitute, Federico Valverde, Marcelo found plenty of room down the left flank and bagged the second goal just a few minutes before the hour mark.
The beautiful touch from Bale on the assist was a fitting way to celebrate his 200th appearance in a Real Madrid kit.
Plzen looked to be on the brink of bringing the match level as Patrik Hrosovsky scored in the 77th minute after some questionable defending from the two center backs. Once again, the counter-attack worked against Real Madrid because they were too caught up trying to get the ball forward.
Thankfully, the back four buckled down and didn’t allow another shot on goal for the remainder of the match.
Here are some interesting stats and facts from the match:
- Real Madrid outshot Plzen 21-10 (nine shots on target to two shots)
- Real Madrid again dominated possession, possessing the ball for 68.5 percent of the match
- Real completed 92 percent of its 743 passes
- Marcelo scored for the second consecutive match and has scored at least a goal every year since he arrived in Madrid back in 2008.
- Real Madrid had 12 corners to Plzen’s two
Next up for Los Blancos, a trip to Catalunia and a date with rivals FC Barcelona Sunday afternoon. Barca will be without star Lionel Messi who fractured his arm over the weekend, but Real could be missing left-back Marcelo who limped off in the final few minutes of the match.
The Brazilian star was noticeably limping after taking a strong challenge in front of the benches and was unable to stay on the field afterward. We will continue to keep a close eye on his status throughout the week.