The Real Champs
Fansided

Three takeaways as Real Madrid go top of La Liga

By Hasan Karim

Nacho Fernandez of Real Madrid (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Nacho Fernandez of Real Madrid (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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The defence looks impenetrable:

Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez (L) vies with Real Valladolid’s Spanish forward Sergi Guardiola during the Spanish league football match Real Valladolid FC against Real Madrid CF at the Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid on January 26, 2020. (Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP) (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez (L) vies with Real Valladolid’s Spanish forward Sergi Guardiola during the Spanish league football match Real Valladolid FC against Real Madrid CF at the Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid on January 26, 2020. (Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP) (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Real Madrid and solid backline is usually not a combination that you would often pair together. Whilst individuals step up in the big moments, collectively Real are often not considered a side that runs a tight backline. Although, this season, that has changed and in this game against Valladolid, Real were solid at the back again.

Throughout the game, the hosts struggled to create any clear cut chances and whenever they did, they were shutdown by a Real player. The defending was that solid that Valladolid failed to even muster a shot on target throughout the game – this is the third time this season that Real has completely shutdown an opposition attack, something no other team has done more regularly than Zinedine Zidane’s men.

Through the solid form of Thibaut Courtois and the solidity of the defenders, Real have never looked as solid as they do currently. That strength at the back has allowed them to build off of a strong foundation and this is something that will only improve, with players like Benzema sure to regain form and the return of players like Eden Hazard. All will thrive even more thanks to Real’s newfound confidence in their defending.

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