The Real Champs
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Champions League: Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over AS Roma

By Ben Sundock

Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (C), followed by Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, celebrates after opening the scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match AS Rome vs Real Madrid on November 27, 2018 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (C), followed by Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, celebrates after opening the scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match AS Rome vs Real Madrid on November 27, 2018 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) /
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ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between AS Roma and Real Madrid at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images )
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group G match of the UEFA Champions League between AS Roma and Real Madrid at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images ) /

Lucas Vazquez and Marcos Llorente make Solari look like a genius

Lucas Vazquez and Marcos Llorente both were called upon by manager Santiago Solari in this match and they definitely impressed throughout the 90 minutes.

Both players played from start to finish and showed that they deserve some consideration from their manager when he is picking the starting XI. Llorente made just his second start of the campaign and first in the Champions League or La Liga.

Filling in for the injured Casemiro, the central defensive midfielder looked like a clone of the Brazilian in this match. He was not caught out of position once the entire match and was great passing and winning possession back for his team.

Llorente’s ability to stay deep in the midfield allowed both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to push up the field and free roam like they love to do. The 22-year-old who has been aching for minutes never seemed to tire as he covered any and all gaps in the formation.

He, along with the four defenders and Thibaut Courtois, are to thank for the clean sheet. In both starts Llorente has made this season, Real Madrid has picked up a clean sheet. Coincidence? I think not.

Lucas Vazquez, on the other hand, was not at his best in terms of keeping possession (he was dispossessed six times, a team high) but was great in the final third.

He and Dani Carvajal linked up great on the right flank and caused a lot of trouble when moving forward together. When Gareth Bale drifted to that right side, Vazquez was able to sneak inside along with Karim Benzema and found some good chances.

One of Lucas’ skills is his positioning and he was right where he needed to be to tap home Benzema’s headed cross.

Solari will have a tough decision when he makes his starting XI against Villarreal this weekend after the way Lucas performed.

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