April’s 2-3 defeat to Villarreal marks Real Madrid’s only home defeat in La Liga in 2023, but they have now managed to avoid the same rake by sending the Yellow Submarine home with a 1-4 defeat. However, David Alaba’s knee injury did not allow him to fully enjoy the evening.
Real took the lead thanks to the effective combination of a 38-year-old legend and a 20-year-old star. Luka Modric’s soft first-touch lift from behind the area found Jude Bellingham from behind the five-yard line, who headed the ball out of reach at the far post. For Bellingham, who initiated this attack himself, this is already the 13th success of the season, which makes the midfielder the top scorer in the entire La Liga.
Everything seemed to be going according to Real’s plan until David Alaba suffered a dangerous sprain in his left knee after half an hour of play. It was immediately clear that the situation was serious and the player was taken off the pitch without support. Real already lost Eder Militao to a knee injury earlier in the season, and if Alaba’s injury also requires a long break, the club could be forced to buy a central defense addition in January .
🚨 NEW: For Alaba it is at least a sprain of the internal ligament. His knee twisted. @MelchorRuizCope #rmalive pic.twitter.com/mIvESqxA0t
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 17, 2023
Rodrygo scored the second goal immediately after a corner and Real had several opportunities to increase the success, but the atmosphere in the stands calmed down after Alaba’s injury and the game failed to push him fully pace in the first half.
The second half continues to be controlled by Real Madrid until the visitors come back into the game out of nowhere. In the 54th minute, Jose Luis Morales darted between the center backs and essentially settled his team’s first scoring chance.
Ten minutes later, Real’s solid lead was restored by Brahim Diaz, who moved with the ball from midfield to the penalty area, latched onto a shot and sent the ball wide of the post. Another five minutes later, Modric closed another situation with a precise shot and formalized the final score.
Real Madrid have won seven and drawn one of their eight home games in La Liga this season. They may have risen to first place in the table, but the big surprise of the season, Girona, will be able to regain that place when they host Alaves on Monday evening.
Sunday’s La Liga results:
Almeria – Mallorca 0:0
Real Sociedad-Betis 0:0
Las Palmas – Cadiz 1:1 (1:0)
7. Pejino – 83. Chris Ramos
Real Madrid – Villarreal 4:1 (2:0)
25. Jude Bellingham, 37. Rodrygo, 64. Brahim Diaz, 69. Luka Modric – 54. Jose Luis Morales
Classification:
2023-12-17 21:58:41
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