Real Madrid: 5 takeaways from 3-2 win over Real Betis

Real Madrid will have to be patient with Luka Jovic

One of the biggest talking points through the first 45 minutes of the match was Luka Jovic’s invisibility. Per WhoScored.com, the Serbian international finished the game with a meager six passes completed on 10 attempts, highlighting how little of the ball he saw.

Criticisms focused on Jovic’s work rate, as fans passed around photos of his heat map.

The problem is that this kind of analysis is lacking. In this game with two strikers up top and no wingers, it would have been a bad idea for Jovic to “work harder” by dropping deep like Benzema. Because if Benzema is already doing that, Real Madrid become too compact vertically and have too many bodies taking up space in the middle of the pitch.

Jovic did the right thing. He made subtle movements off the ball, playing off the shoulders of the defenders and looking to get open. His work paid off, too. Jovic’s movement disrupted Betis’ back line, leading to Dani Carvajal’s cross and Emerson’s own goal. And Jovic drew a red card from Emerson when he was through on goal, which helped change the game in Real Madrid’s favor.

There will be games where Jovic does little-to-nothing. He is a different player from Borja Mayoral, who came into the game for Jovic and immediately starting running nonstop. But that doesn’t mean Jovic is less effective. He’s just different, and he needs time. Give him that time before making a judgment, but, on the other hand, don’t be afraid to point out aspects of his game where he could improve. For example, there was one moment where he played an amateur-level cross on a breakaway, gifting possession to Betis.