REAL MADRID START LALIGA TITLE DEFENCE WITH A WIN VS ALMERIA

What a game. I didn't expect it to pan it in this way. I didn't start watching the game earlier but I must appreciate the goal that was scored by the Almerian striker. Just like last season Real Madrid are vulnerable at the back when they make significant changes. I wasn't that impressed when the lineup was realised 2 hours before kickoff; not that am not happy with the earlier release of the lineup but am not happy with the squad Don Carlo fielded in to play the game.

It was Real Madrid's first game hence I expected to see the usual line-up. The front 3 did not change as expected, the goalkeeper wasn't changed as well but he started Rudiger and Nacho at CB. Vazquez at RB was necessary because of the absence of Carvajal. Mendy at LB was expected. The midfield trio was not my ideal midfield 3 but then I understand that the coach wants to make a transition.

At 20:00 the match kicked off. Within the first 6 minutes, the ball was in the back of the net. I was on my way to the match centre and the notification came to my phone. At first I thought it was Real Madrid who scored but after looking at my phone screen I knew Madrid where in big trouble now. Real Madrid do no usually start games very well and it disturbs them.

By the 10th minute I was at the Center. After scoring a goal Vs Madrid you would expect them to play their best football. Usually they try to manage the game till they can’t find a way, this time round they needed to score before the first half break. Even though they couldn’t do that, they still did a wonderful job in the first half. Vini Jnr on the left wing caused a lot of problems for the Almerian defenders. His link-up play with Benzema wasn't that great.

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In the second half, Madrid came out with a mind of winning the game. Don Carlo had to take off Camavinga who had already received a yellow card in the first half of the game.

The game changed little. The players started playing a bit better. In the 58th minute, he took out Tchouameni and replaced him with Hazard. In no time hazard linked up with Vinicius who tried to beat the keeper from close range but the keeper got to it. The rebound dropped to Benzema but because of the pressure he misplaced his footing and passed the ball to Vazquez who from close range passed the ball into ghe net.

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By this time Madrid had already played over 1000 shots. The boys realised with a little more pressure they could win the game. They pressured them more and more until Modric was fouled close to the 18-yard box. At that time Alaba was coming in to replace Mendy at LB. The moment he came on he decided to take the freekick. I had the feeling he would score and boy he put that smile back on my face. He gave the goalkeeper no chance.

The game was back under control and for the first time in the game, Madrid could play their game without pressure. It's the first game of the Laliga campaign and it was important to get a win, especially against a small side.

Thanks for reading.