Real Madrid: A clutch free-kick from Dani Ceballos defeats Real Betis

Real Madrid desperately needed a result against Real Betis on Sunday night. Los Blancos dominated the first half but relinquished the lead in the second half only to be saved by Betis wonder boy, Dani Ceballos. Here is a full recap of the match.

In one of the most unpredictable matches you will see this season, Santiago Solari’s men dug deep, defended well, and secured all three points in the match that marks the halfway point of the season.

Real Betis had nearly all the possession in this match, finishing with 73.7 percent according to WhoScored. However, despite controlling the ball, the home side could not manage any quality shots on goal other than the one shot from Sergio Canales which beat Keylor Navas.

Real Madrid’s change to a 3-5-2 formation and the significant amount of injuries plaguing the squad showed in this match, but, the resiliency and determination persevered today.

The scoring began in the 13th minute when Ball d’Or winner Luka Modric jumped on a blocked shot at the top of the box and scored an absolute rocket of a goal. The goal is Luka’s first of the La Liga campaign and just his second on the season.

The goal from Madrid tilted the momentum firmly in their favor as the attacking players began to swarm the Betis net. Sergio Reguilon and Vinicius Júnior both came close to doubling the lead in a five-minute span.

Benzema was pulled off at halftime due to yet another injury and was replaced by youngster Cristo Gonzaléz.

The injury was frustrating to see as Benz was performing very well for the majority of the first 45 by getting involved in the attacking build-up. If it hadn’t been for Benz and Vinicius, Real Madrid would have had virtually no presence on the Betis side of the field.

After Canales tied the match in the 67th minute due to a defensive breakdown, Real Madrid needed something of a miracle to secure three points. That miracle was the substitute, Dani Ceballos, who like the Grim Reaper returned to his former club and scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.

Here are some notes from the win:

The 3-5-2 can be very effective with the right personnel

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Solair made his biggest decision since taking over as manager in this match by switching the formation drastically. The 13-time Champions League winners have run a 4-3-3 for the past decade with little change, but not today.

On Sunday night in the Estadio Benito Villamarín, the 3-5-2 formation was not only interesting but exciting to watch. With Reguilon and Dani Carvajal as the wingbacks on either side, the build-up and passing were not only faster but more effective.

Expect to see this same formation when key players are back to 100 percent.

Youth, youth, youth!

Young talent is not being wasted this season. Reguilon, Vinicius, Cristo, Federico Valverde, and Brahim Diaz all played an important role in this win and these players have been seeing more and more playing time as the season as gone on.

Dani Ceballos can be thrown into this group but looked more like a veteran after coming off the bench with the game tied at one.

The more the players have played, the better they have looked.

Luka needs rest

The Croatian has probably been the busiest footballer in the world over the last 12 months. After taking his country on a surprising World Cup run in Russia over the summer, he has featured in all 19 league matches for his club and four UCL matches.

Fans have been saying for months now that the number 10 needs some time off in order to continue to perform at a high level.

Even though he scored today, he could use the next match or two off. Give Isco some time for goodness sake!

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