Real Madrid: 3 keys to victory against Espanyol on LaLiga’s Matchday 8

2. Real Madrid must focus on their set-piece defending and pick up any spills

One of the key strengths of Espanyol this season has been their play through set-pieces. In the game against Atletico Madrid, de Tomas opened the scoring with a beautiful glancing header from a corner. There’s a catch though, Espanyol has been below average in winning aerial duels. They lose the ball easily in the air.

They can brew well-worked moves from the training ground through set-pieces but in open-play Real Madrid should come out as the better team in aerial play. This would be a definite advantage. Winning duels and launching counter as I said should be the key. A visible loophole is that they struggle in finishing off scoring chances and can give away the ball at the end of an attack.

Espanyol has been very watchful with loose balls so far this season, their attacking players are quick to pounce on a ball in space and launch shots. A similar late goal on the rebound rescued a point for them against Real Betis in a 2-2 draw at the Villamarin. Real Madrid’s central defenders must take a due note of the same. Real Madrid has made some questionable errors in defense and we can only hope that they recover from an embarrassing 1-2 home defeat and put good work into their defensive organization.