Real Madrid: 5 pivotal games of the 2019-2020 season

Real Madrid vs. Club Brugge, Oct. 1

After posting three clean sheets against Sevilla, Osasuna, and Atletico Madrid, Los Merengues seemed to be back in business after their embarrassing defeat to PSG in the Champions League. However, their defense went back to being a disaster in their next Champions League fixture, even with Sergio Ramos back in the middle.

It was Ramos, in fact, who struggled the most, playing a role in two early counterattack goals. Club Brugge jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and while Thibaut Courtois could do nothing about either goal, he became the scapegoat after being subbed at halftime while playing through a stomach illness.

Real bounced back, though. They salvaged a point by coming back in the second half, tying the game 2-2. Casemiro and Sergio Ramos scored the late goals to atone for the defense’s errors, while Toni Kroos led the way with his impervious passing.

After this draw, Courtois went on to be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe again. What a response from him.

Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray, Nov. 6

This was the night Rodrygo Goes announced himself to the world as a future superstar, netting a perfect hat-trick as Real completely dominated the Istanbul-based side. Their massive victory came weeks after they pulled off a gutsy 1-0 win on the road for their first Champions League three-pointer of the campaign, with this 6-0 result at the Santiago Bernabeu giving Real some confidence again.

Rodrygo was undoubtedly the hero for his hat trick (with an assist to boot), but Marcelo had two assists in the first-half and Karim Benzema added a brace and an assist. Galatasaray did not look like they belonged on the same pitch as Los Blancos, who finally started to look like a top team in Europe with Eden Hazard healthy and clicking.