Real Madrid 5 Ups and Downs after 3-2 win over Real Betis

Down: Real Madrid weren’t always in control

Madridistas were getting flashbacks to their 2-1 loss to Real Betis in March, as Real Madrid also went down in this game at the Benito Villamarin 2-1. Except this time, they went down 2-1 in the first half, blowing an early lead by giving up two goals in the span of two minutes.

Part of Real’s collapse had to do with injuries in midfield. Toni Kroos picked up a knock and was subbed out later in the half for Luka Modric. And we’ll get to Modric’s performance in a little bit.

The second injury didn’t result in a substitution, but many of us were worried that Casemiro needed to come off. He looked hurt after taking a tough challenge from Emerson, limping around and playing some woeful passes. Casemiro did not look himself, but he did end up recovering and finishing the game strongly.

Real Madrid tend to play like this early in the season, which is frustrating. They will have a stretch of a match they are dominating in which they let the team back into the game, exposing Thibaut Courtois’ goal and making very sloppy mistakes in midfield. Intensity will drop, mistakes will be made, and Madridistas will be left screaming at their TVs.

It didn’t cost them dropped points in this game, but even switching off for 10 minutes against any La Liga team can lead to dropped points and a more difficult title race later in the season.