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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: coach Santiago Solari of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Roma v Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico Rome on November 27, 2018 in Rome Italy (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: coach Santiago Solari of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Roma v Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico Rome on November 27, 2018 in Rome Italy (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Solari’s tactics pay dividends again

Forget about the 3-0 loss to Eibar! Santiago Solari is now 5-0-1 since taking the helm and his team has picked up four clean sheets along the way.

When Julen Lopetegui was in charge, the back four defenders had a tough time sticking to their positions and were constantly caught out on the counter-attack. Although Marcelo was – as usual – caught way too far upfield when Roma got possession, there were players back to pick up the slack.

Namely Marcos Llorente who really never pushed up further than the midfield line.

Next. Champions League: Real Madrid top Group G after win against Roma. dark

Whatever the focus has been in training has worked and I could not be happier. From what I can tell as a viewer, having a CDM in the midfield trio is crucial to this team’s success.

Dani Ceballos has been performing well as an advanced midfielder, but he is not a defensive player by nature. With Casemiro out, Llorente should be starting nearly every match.

Hopefully, I am not jinxing the team with what I have said in this section! Real Madrid returns to action Saturday night against Valencia in what will be yet another tough road test.

Stay tuned to The Real Champs for more great Real Madrid coverage!

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