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15.04.2018 » Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid. Isco shows his magic to his former club
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale resting and Kroos and Marcelo on the bench, it was basically the Isco show at La Rosaleda. Real Madrid defeated relegation candidates Malaga 2-1 to jump back up to 3rd in the league standings, after Valencia's loss yesterday against Barcelona. After the high-pressure game in the midweek, today's trip was a welcome respite for Madrid, as they gear up to face Bayern Munich in about 10 days. Zidane's squad decisions lately are proof that Madrid are focusing solely on the Champions League now and won't waste any players in any inconsequential league games from now on...
Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid - Goals and highlights:
However, there was still one star on the pitch in Isco and boy, did he have a magnificent match. Isco tends to shine in the games where he has full control on the midfield and attack, while the team looks for him to create. It works just like this for Spain and Isco shines there and today it was on full display...
As a whole, Real Madrid moved the ball quite well throughout most of the game. It was a possession-oriented team and with Karim Benzema at the tip of the formation, build-up play was heavily employed. Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio provided with, but they were happy to recycle possession when needed and grind the opponents down.
A brilliant freekick from Isco put Madrid ahead in the first half. Isco looked happy to capitalize on Ronaldo's absence to score his first free kick in La Liga. The Spaniard opted not to celebrate against his former club, but he was quickly surrounded by his adoring teammates.
Real Madrid continued to dominate but found it hard to finish off chances. In the second half, a quick move involving Benzema, Isco and ultimately Casemiro put the game beyond doubt. Benzema's quick feet played Isco through and when the entire stadium prepared for his shot, he simply laid it off to Casemiro for the finish. 2-0 and match secure.
Zidane used this as an opportunity to let Dani Ceballos and Borja Mayoral get some minutes and they both did a decent job. Malaga would get consolation with the last kick of the game, as Diego Rolan was able to make the most out of a Jesus Vallejo mistake, but the job was already done.
We play again on the midweek against Athletic Club and it's likely Cristiano Ronaldo will play in this match...
Author: Terrance Ross
Real Madrid line-up vs Malaga:
Goalkeeper: Navas
Defenders: Theo, Ramos, Vallejo, Carvajal
Midfielders: Casemiro, Kovacic, Isco
Attackers: Lucas Vázquez, Asensio, Benzema.
| Match stats provided by www.ronaldo7.net
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|---|---|---|
Malaga
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vs
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Real Madrid
|
1 |
Goals |
2 |
13 |
Shots |
16 |
3 |
Shots on goal |
6 |
4 |
Corner kicks |
7 |
12 |
Fouls commited |
9 |
4 |
Yellow cards |
0 |
0 |
Red cards |
|
38% |
Ball possession |
62% |
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Real Madrid is on April 18 of 2018 against Athletic Bilbao. You can watch Juventus live stream, Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao, Celta de Vigo vs Barcelona, West Ham vs Stoke City, Brighton vs Tottenham, and Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich, all matches provided from our soccer live game pages.
Real Madrid next game:
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao kick-off time (18-04-2018):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 03:30
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 02:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 00:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 21:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 20:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 16:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 15:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 12:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / realmadrid.com / bbc.com / espn.com
